If you aint' got nothing to blog about...

April writing...

...don't blog at all?? Nahhhh! I can always find something to blog about. Is it worth reading...well that's completely subject...but whatev. I got some celeb-y type junk to talk about...

Ok #1 - I don't get this. At all. What is she thinking...Jaime Kennedy? She is so super cute...and he...well he just looks frightening!

#2 - Police and Detectives get called to the Suleman House. Gesh oh peter piper...I really wonder...(again I need my truth-o-meter.) I want to know...is she really neglecting her 14 kids? Common sense tells me it has to be hard to be all that they need just by her lonesome. But neglect? hmmm.

#3 - Kirstie Alley gains all her weight back. Leave her alone. Seriously. So she gained her weight back. Who cares. Is it really news? Then again, it begs the question...why am I giving attention to it. Well, that's more because it annoys me that people are actually interested in hearing about her weight gain.

#4 - They are SO annoying. - What dillweeds. That's it.

#5 - An Incurable Optimist. - Can I just say how much I love Michael J. Fox. I mean. Wow. I am super excited about his upcoming Special on ABC. I think I want to read his book too. I like inspiration.

I think that's enough for now...I am sure your time has been wasted enough. :)

You're Welcome.

Simple Pleasure Thursday

Cory Writing....

My Simple Pleasure this week is my wife. My wife is the best Family Administrator and I am blessed to have her.

Several weeks ago my wife asked me what makes her irreplaceable and ever since I have been trying to pay attention to those things. I am trying to work on expressing those things to her verbally (for some reason that is a challenge for me). I am still a work in progress

So today I am making that my simple pleasure. All I have to do is go to work and bring home the bread and she does the rest. She keeps our home in tip top shape and she makes sure bills are paid and we aren't sinking. Thank you Baby for keeping the family a float. I love you always and you are truly irreplaceable

What is your simple pleasure for this week?

Wordless Wednesday

April writing...

"Rain, Rain, Go away..."

Nice Rear...

April writing...

I read this blog titled, "This Young House." I love it. I am totally snatching a recent post and using some of the pictures...they were taken on a recent tour in Richmond, VA's West Avenue Garden Tour. You can walk through all these wonderful backyards.

I am all about having a comfy, nice backyard...and some of these are wonderful. Even though they are small spaces:

This one has an outdoor fireplace...totally awesome. The colors are really fun too!

For being a small space and just adding simple Adirondack chairs...it's still wonderful!

Look at THIS ONE...the hand-carved archway with curtains....awesome!!

This is certainly nice...they are training ivy to grow in a classy x-pattern. Ahhh love it!

And this koi pond...in a tiny alley. What fun. Although this would have to go in the front yard as Olive would more than likely spend her time swimming daily!!! (and possibly eating all the fishies.)

...and THIS ONE...def. a favorite. I want an arbor/trellis/what-have-you in the backyard and the hanging chairs are SUCH a great idea!!! Nice and relaxing!!

What do you think? Fav's? What would you like in your backyard?

Don't you hate it when...

April writing...

...you are sipping on a nice cold beverage and you get a shocking splash or a crack in the tooth from a wayward ice cube?

Well my friends...that is all over now.

Yep.

Meet. The IceBlok. Their motto, "Simply add ice to glass, slide IceBlok in, and sip beverage; IceBlok stays in place to keep ice out of your face."

Wow. Just use a straw if it bugs you that much. haha.

Jon Gosselin...at it again??

April writing...

It looks like he is possibly up to no good again...this makes me sad...again.

I wish I had a truth-meter...

and I could ask it what is really happening.

Don't cheat on your wife...no matter how snippy she can be. Don't be a coward. Don't sneak around. If you want out...grow some and get out. (Not that I condone divorce, just cause your wife can be mean.) I just certainly don't condone cheating as a means to release marital tension.

I hope it's not true....gosh where is that truth-meter?!

Pandemic.

April writing...

Worst case scenario..."2 million dead. Hospitals overwhelmed. Schools closed. Swaths of empty seats at baseball stadiums and houses of worship. An economic recovery snuffed out."

Nice.

That's what Government officials say will be if the Swine Flu gets "severely out of control." A 2006 report states that Maryland and Virginia hospitals would run out of beds in two weeks during a moderate outbreak. Awesome.

Now I am certainly not a glass-half-empty kind of gal...but that's downright scary and depressing. They say that the government got serious about worst-case planning after the 2005 Bird Flu scare and then again during Hurricane Katrina. So let's hope they have their act together.

My Mother-In-Law is IN Mexico...the very place that the US is urging us NOT to go if we don't have to. That is the birthplace of the Swine Flu. I haven't talked or texted with her yet, to see if she is having to wear a mask...hopefully her vacation isn't ruined. I imagine the resort is taking all all the necessary precautions. Still. Scary.

I have annoying allergies right now. All morning I have been sneezing and blowing my nose, sneezing and blowing my nose. The itchy-watery eyes have held off for now...*fingers crossed.* I walked out to find my car covered in the evil yellow dust that is Pollen this morning. I tried not to breath it in...but well...that remains hard as I need oxygen.

But I will take my little allergies over the piggy-flu symptoms anyday...like fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea...and I dunno...death!

Sigh.

Top 5 Tuesdays

April writing...

Today's prompt:
What are the top 5 things you do almost everyday:

5. Sleep :)
4. Wash my hair
3. Play Mafia Wars...heehee
2. Read Blogs
1. Kiss Cory...and say I love you.

What do you do?

Backyard Must-Have's

April writing...

If I can't have my eggchair...cause it's too stinking expensive....

Then I would gladly go for one of these...either the round double lounger...

Or the conversation bench...

Or both!!!???

I love them. Sure. I am afraid the squirrels would eat the stuffing out of the seats and cushions. So then we would get Cory his air soft gun and he could take care of that situation. haha! (Sorry PETA)

Anyways...for a cozy little area to picnic or read a book or take a nap...which do you like?

Monday Moan

Cory Writing...

My Monday Moan actually happened today while I was out running an errand. I was headed to Home Depot on Ordnance Road and as I was headed there, I was passing the Motor Vehicle Administration. I remembered that I needed more applications for the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial tags I am in charged of, so I have the brilliant idea to stop in real quick (which is usually quick, because I go straight upstairs bypassing the lines) and grab another handful of applications. I find a parking space, which is a moan in itself, but I digress.

I am standing in line (where there is normally never a line), but I am only the third person. I patiently wait my turn and then the lady that works there approached me.

MVA Lady: What do you need?

Me: I need to get Organizational Plate applications for my organization I am the representative.

MVA Lady: No your not....what is your name? Where is your ID?

Me: My name is Cory ..... (she cuts me off I am thinking in my mind, "How you going to tell me who I am and who I am not, you don't know me.)

MVA Lady: Hold on let me go get the book. (she walks away, she gets the book and I approach the desk where she is looking at it.)

What are the letters of your organization?

Me: The letters on the license plate are LEM.

MVA Lady: LEM or LEP

Me: LEM ....M as in Mary. (though, how do you get P out of M... but whatever)

MVA Lady: Oh I see you name here ..... let me see some ID

(I pull out my driver's license and hold it over the counter so she can see it with my finger on the top of the license.)

(She's now looking at my license bopping her head back and forth, I think maybe the light is giving the license a glare so I tip the license down a bit)

MVA Lady: MOVE YOUR FINGER!

(I moved my finger thinking lady I am not in the mood for you to be yelling at me, but I knew I wasn't in a position to win an argument so I let it go.)

MVA Lady: Hold on (walks away) and comes back with the packet.

Me: Have a nice day ma'am.

When I got back to my car I had to call my wife and vent. I was freakin' steaming.

What is your Monday Moan today?

What the ???

April writing...

Cause there isn't much else to do today...I figured I would share some "what the heck" kinda news stories with you...check it.

In order from "what the..." to "you have GOT to be kidding me!"

3. Stillborn baby survives for 6 hours in hospital freezer alive...then dies.
(Hold up...so you are saying...the Doctor says, "she's stillborn." Like not alive. They put her in the morgue freezer...find her alive 6 hours later...but then she dies...again. That's just horrible. That pooooor family!! I think I would almost NOT want to know what happened.)

2. Parents sue Doctor after IVF cycle results in 2 babies...not 1.
(again...what?! I mean...did you NOT know there was a chance of that? They want extra money for the extra cost of raising another baby. They make over $80k a year...get over yourselves.)

Now this one...really takes the cake...
1. Body of a deceased boy, takes a "stand" at his wake.
(for reals??? Yep. *and there is a picture to prove it.* Apparently it was his last wish. That's eerie and odd and creepy. I wouldn't have been caught dead....err...alive...errr standing or sitting...at that wake. Eww.)

So there you have it...some wonderfully odd news to get you through the day. It takes all kinds...

Project 365 - Week 2

Day 8 - April 19th, 2009 Pics with Summerly...Summ wanted to be a part of my 365...so I happily allowed it, and we had fun trying to get the perfect pic!

Day 9 - April 20th, 2009 Love/Hate Relationship...the pups are hilarious. They fight constantly, playfully that is. Then they snuggle. What joy they are!

Day 10 - April 21st, 2009 After the Storm...Cory and I were driving to church and I glanced over to see the sky opening up and the sun shining through...it was the perfect picture!

Day 11 - April 22nd, 2009 More Rain...it has been raining off and one for three days...finally it seemd to be clearing...just a reflection of the rain on my car.

Day 12 - April 23rd Yummy Steaks...I love to grill, and to grill steaks if my favorite. I picked some big ones and we ate well that night!

Day 13 - April 24th Girls Night Out...Terri, Britt and I went out and had Thai food then caught the movie "Obsessed." I love being with my girls!

Day 14 - April 25th Front Yard Progress...Cory and his Dad worked hard in the front yard this morning...laying electric line and fixing our old gas lamp post and bringing it back to life. I think it looks great.

Simple Pleasure Thursday

Cory Writing....

My simple pleasure this week is seeing God reach down and touch a young person. I work with the youth at our Church and our services are on Wednesday. I am seeing God really work in some of our youth and it is great to see them have genuine break through with God.

What is your simple pleasure this week?

Wordless Wednesday

April writing...

"Man's BEST friend."

what the ???

April writing...

Seriously???

Yep. You can get it here.

They can eat their own poop...but not walk in the rain. Hmmm.

Great Story

Cory Publishing, but TommyLasorda writing.....

Day 2: Chairman's USO Spring Tour
from Tommy Lasorda's World by tommyblog

Being on this USO tour I am really adding miles. From Shannon, Ireland we went to Cairo, Eypt. We toured the pyramids and met with thousands of troops. I have been to the Air Force Academy nine times to deliver motivational addresses to the cadets. The most memorable one came many years ago when my wife and I were to be escorted around the base by a young lieutenant named Bob Wright.

Through conversation with Lt. Wright he told me that he came to the academy wanting to be a pilot but that he could never fly. He was a pitcher on the baseball team and got hit in the head with a line drive. The doctor who examined him told him that he could never fly.

"What was the name of that doctor, Lieutenant," I asked. "Was it God?"
No.
"Because the only person who can tell you that you can't fly is God and don't you forget it."
After my commencement to the cadets Lt. Wright was taking my wife and I to the general's quarters.
He told me he was going to fly.
"Wait a minute lieutenant," I said. "A minute ago you told me you were never going to fly. What changed your mind?
He told me that two things that my father told me that I said in my speech really affected him.
The first was, "Because God delays, God doesn't deny."
The second was, "In every man's life the time will come when one door closes. And if you are so concerned with the door that has closed you won't be able to see the door that has opened."

It was great to know that they were listening and maybe something I said would help them in life.

Well two years later I received a letter in the mail from Lt. Wright with a picture of him standing in front of his jet getting ready to go into battle during Desert Storm. And on the bottom of the picture he wrote, "Because God delayed, God didn't deny."

Then you may remember Officer O'Grady who was shot down in battle. Colonel Litweiler sent me the transcripts from O'Grady to the pilot rescuing him from the ground. It was Captain Bob Wright. Then General Kelly asked me to speak at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

When I got off the plane I couldn't see much because of the glare from the sun. But I saw someone running towards me, and when I got to him he hugged me like I was his long-lost father. It was Colonel Bob Wright. He was the youngest colonel in the Air Force. He told me that if it weren't for me none of this would have happened.

"Don't you ever say that to me again, Colonel," I barked. "It's because of you that it happened. When you didn't believe you could fly you weren't doing anything, but the moment you believed you could fly you went on to become a war hero."

A few years ago he asked me to speak at the National War College, something I was happy to do. He is a good friend, and a great patriot who has served his country well for many years.
On this USO tour I am meeting many servicemen just like Colonel Bob Wright, people who love the United States of America and show their love through sacrifice and bravery. I love talking to the troops and telling them how much they are loved and how proud I am of their service.

They are prepared to do whatever is asked of them, at a moment's notice. They are the greatest military in the world, they wear the uniform of the greatest country in the world, and they do so to the highest degree of class, dignity and character.

Mental Ride-A-Long

Cory Writing...

Let me essplain the title of this blog. I responded to a pretty serious call the other night and after the incident I thought it would be neat to blog about my thoughts while responding to the call and while on the call. So you are going on a Ride-A-Long through my brain.

Here is the disclaimer.... If you don't want to know the thoughts I have when I am on a very serious call then don't read any further because this could scare you...

The call was for a drunk subject acting strange and waving a gun around. The person calling was the girlfriend of the subject and she fled the house to a nearby neighbors house. She was calling from the neighbors house, so she couldn't tell us what the subject was doing. That was everything we had to go on.

My thoughts while responding to the call. The first thought I had was this could get ugly and I hope I get down there before they approach the house, so I can be involved.

My second thought was about the fellow Law Enforcement Officer's that were tragically killed in the line of duty on a similar call in Pennsylvania. (story link http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30043893/). I read the stories of fallen officers, so I can learn and improve my tactics. The only thing I can do to honor the sacrifice other officers make is to learn from their incidents and not become a victim myself.

I finally arrived at the location where we decided to meet to formulate a plan of attack. We strategically planned our approach, so we wouldn't become victims. We all got into our vehicles and approached the scene.

We arrived on the scene and spoke to the girlfriend and got enough information to try and make contact with the individual. We set up around the house and I made sure I continually reminded myself to stay behind cover because he was supposedly armed with a rifle. We were able to talk the guy out of the house and the incident was safely resolved without incident. It was a very successful conclusion.

Shortly after the incident I ran into my Sgt and we talked about the incident. He said to me his first thought when the call came out was about the officer's in Pennsylvania because the call was eerily similar. I told him I had the same exactly thought. Interesting.

I hope you enjoyed experiencing this call through my thoughts. Let me know what you think.

Earth Day 2009

April writing...

So tomorrow is Earth Day and I bet you are sitting there just asking yourself, "What can I do to make our Earth a greener, happier place to be?

Well...I have come across a few ideas to help you and your family celebrate Earth Day 2009. Have fun and be sure to let me know what special things you did!!

Creative Ideas:

• Cereal Box Magazine Holder
• Eggshell Planters
• Tin-Can Herb Garden
• Compost Bin
• Plant a Tree
  

Simple Ways to Go Green:

• Save water by decreasing your shower time -- or rather take a bath, which uses less water than a shower.

• Get in the habit of brushing your teeth with the water off, and encourage your children to do so, as well.

• Recycle – junk mail, cell phones, paper products, plastic bags, and more.

• Forget the electric or gas dryer, and hang dry your clothing.

• Opt for direct deposit, online banking, and paperless statements to reduce your paper usage.

• Try your hand at composting (planting scraps from fruits, veggies, and coffee grounds outside), which will help create better soil and less landfill waste.

• Don’t purchase disposable water bottles, but rather use recyclable (and refillable) beverage containers that you can fill with filtered water.

• Unplug all of your appliances when you leave the house to save energy (and prevent a fire hazard).

• Save stained or ill-fitting clothing to use for dusting and cleaning.

• Use rechargeable batteries -- Duracell now has a line of pre-charged rechargeable batteries! DONATE!!

• Purchase used items from thrift stores, garage sales, flea markets, and more.

• Buy groceries in bulk, as it reduces packaging and the number of trips you take to the grocer. Purchase a membership to a wholesale club, such as Costco or BJ’s.

• If possible, buy items that use less packaging.

• Purchase locally produced food at farmer’s markets and even road-side stands. Purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, instead of jarred, canned, or frozen.

My plan for Earth Day (well let's refer to it as Earth Week, as Wednesday itself is far too busy for add any other activities)...is to pick up a compost bin from our local Recycling Center and possibly purchase my Weeping Cherry Tree. That checks off two Earth Day creative activities for us! What are your Earth Day ideas?

Top 5 Tuesdays

April writing...

This week's Top 5 Tuesday prompt is:

What are your Top 5 Favorite Smells?

5. Lilac Bushes
4. Ground Beef cooking
3. Snuggle Fabric Softener
2. Clean Baby
1. Cory's Cologne

What are yours?

Never Forget Columbine.

Cory Writing...

Today is the Ten Year anniversary of the Columbine High School Shooting.

The Columbine High School massacre occurred on Tuesday, April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School in Columbine in unincorporated Jefferson County, Colorado, United States, near Denver and Littleton. Two students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, embarked on a massacre, killing 12 students and a teacher, as well as wounding 23 others, before committing suicide. It is the fourth-deadliest school massacre in United States history, after the 1927 Bath School disaster, 2007 Virginia Tech massacre and the 1966 University of Texas massacre, and the deadliest for an American high school. (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

As we remember this horrible tragedy I wanted to provide you a link which catches you up on some of the surviving victims. Look where they are now......

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090419/ap_on_re_us/columbine_s_survivors

This was a horrible tragedy, but as a police department it has changed a lot of the things we do and what we are prepared for.

Monday Moan

Cory Writing....

My Monday Moan this week is about stupid parents. I backed an officer up this weekend on a suicidal subject call. We arrived on scene and handled the case, which wasn't a big deal, but there was a friend over and she was 15. The parents of the suicidal subject didn't know this girl was over and told her to get out. Naturally this girl got her stuff and left the residence and started walking down the street.

I talked to her and found out she lived in Pasadena. She was about 45 minutes to an hour drive away from her home. I tried to call her house, but there was no answer, so I had an officer go by the house and knock on the door, still no answer. I had the girl get in the car and drove her to her house. By this time it is 7:00 in the morning and I knock on the door for about 10 -15 minutes and can't get dad to come to the door. We open the garage door, but the door to the inside is locked. What is wrong with this picture that I can't get her parent to answer the phone or the door. This girl is 15 my goodness. This reiterates the fact you should have to have a license to have kids.

What is your moan this week?

Project 365 - Week 1

April writing...

So last Sunday, April 12th I started Project 365. Here's our first week!! I'm loving it so far!!

Day 1 - April 12th, 2009 Easter Sunday...we had a friend offer to take our picture, which worked out well cause I had totally forgotten that it was our first day...I would have missed out!

Day 2 - April 13, 2009 Dinner with TT and Mr. B...I got to meet up with two of my favorite people...Terri and Bennet...we had pizza hut, got caught up and had a blast. What a charmer he is!

Day 3 - April 14th, 2009 Trip to the Dentist...I had a horrible toothache for about two weeks...of course wouldn't you know it...it basically healed itself by the time my appointment came, and they saw nothing wrong.

Day 4 - April 15th, 2009 Wednesday at the Chick...every Wednesday night after VERB the Leaders and sometime some students hop over to enjoy a meal at Chick-fil-a. It has been a great tradition, going on over a year now!

Day 5 - April 16th, 2009 The Stubborn Dog Collar...Pickle had never seem phased by our electric fence. Neighbors have found him in their yard at least twice. So we had to bump him up to the big boy collar, with more shocks and surprises. He didn't know what was coming.

Day 6 - April 17th, 2009 Date Night...it seemed like it had been a while since we had done something that we labeled a 'date' and not just hanging out like we normally do. Cory was a doll and took me to a beautiful Nursery in Davidsonville called Homestead Gardens. He knows how much I love to garden so I got to walk around and see so many great things...thanks baby!

Day 7 - April 18th, 2009...The Front Planter...it has seen more design fails since we have moved in than I like to admit...but I am starting to get it to the point that I love it alot. I can't wait to see it grow and flourish by mid-summer!

Well, that ends Week 1 of Project 365. Won't you join in the fun? See you next week with 7 more days in picture form!

so he says, "guess where I just found Olive?"

April writing...

I get an instant message from the Husby saying..."you will never guess where I found Olive." Immediately I think...in the mud somewhere...because she loves the mud. But no...it was better than that. She is def. a girl...sunbathing with the best of them.

I mean seriously, don't we always look for the BEST spot around to soak up the rays?

too funny!

She is a hot mess.

...let us know you were here!

April & Cory writing...

We would love to know you have dropped by! Leave us a comment!!!

Aren't they the cutest?

April writing...

They are just too much. It was such a beautiful sunny day out yesterday I had to break out the camera. Of course...they are terds and usually run away when said camera comes out. However, I did manage to break off some good shots before they darted off...

I absolutely love the last one...Pickle's eyes are closed...he almost looks like he is laughing. Truth be told...with the last few pictures, I wanted them to sit next to each other...the only way I could keep them there there was to bribe them with chips...and I still couldn't get them right next to each other! :)