Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain.
Yesterday was what I would like to believe is our first REAL day of summer.
Not a drop of rain, the sun was bright and shining down, no humidity, clouds floating by.... and then today. SHIT ON! :)
Should have known better.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
2nd Trip for Ace
Today will be Ace's 2nd trip to the doctor to get his Cancer shot. He still runs around, eats, poops, and continues to be his grumpy old self, so that's good.
This shot is to boost his immune system to help fight the cancerous cells.
2 more to go over the next 4 weeks.
This shot is to boost his immune system to help fight the cancerous cells.
2 more to go over the next 4 weeks.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Is Summer Here to Stay?
Friday had a high temp of 75. And Sunny. 10:30am - a gush of rain. But it all dried up and was great the rest of the day. We'll take it!
Saturday - FANTASTIC weather. High of 80. Sunshine ALL DAY LONG!!! Unbelievable.
TODAY - expected sunshine all day. High of 82. Pray it stays that way.
Saturday - FANTASTIC weather. High of 80. Sunshine ALL DAY LONG!!! Unbelievable.
TODAY - expected sunshine all day. High of 82. Pray it stays that way.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Your Help In Opposing a Federal Beverage Tax
The beverage industry is facing a substantial and immediate threat in
the U.S. Congress in the form of a proposed federal tax on
sugar-sweetened beverages, which would include virtually all our
non-diet portfolio, including carbonated soft drinks, sports drinks,
energy drinks, juice drinks and teas. Congress is proposing this tax as
a way to help fund national healthcare reform but it could have negative
consequences for our industry and PBG's business.
the U.S. Congress in the form of a proposed federal tax on
sugar-sweetened beverages, which would include virtually all our
non-diet portfolio, including carbonated soft drinks, sports drinks,
energy drinks, juice drinks and teas. Congress is proposing this tax as
a way to help fund national healthcare reform but it could have negative
consequences for our industry and PBG's business.
What We're Doing
1. Working with the American Beverage Association (ABA), who is
aggressively lobbying Members of Congress to fight this proposal.
2. The ABA has organized a coalition, Americans Against Food
Taxes (www.nobeverageandfoodtaxes.com), to educate the public about this
proposed tax. The coalition is aligned around "food taxes" to broaden
membership and prepare to fight future tax proposals targeting other
categories. Its full focus at this time, however, is on the beverage
campaign. In just two weeks, the coalition has attracted hundreds of
members, including food and beverage companies, retailers, state and
national trade associations and individuals who oppose the tax.
3. The ABA just launched an industry-funded media campaign,
including print and broadcast, to encourage the public to petition their
Congressional representatives.
What You Can Do
Committees in both the House and Senate are preparing to consider the
beverage tax in the coming days, so we have an immediate need to voice
widespread opposition. Please take at least one of the following steps
today to ensure your opposition is heard. Each step takes just a
minute:
1. Sign the Americans Against Food Taxes petition at
http://www.nofoodtaxes.com/join/
2. Send an email to your legislator. The form at the attached
link takes just a minute to fill out.
http://www.votervoice.net/Core.aspx?AID=989&APP=GAC&IssueID=18593&SiteID
=-1
3. Ask your family and friends to sign the petition and write
their Congressional representatives.
http://www.nofoodtaxes.com/tell-a-friend/
We must act quickly to persuade legislators to reject this tax.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Jay Harrington Medical Benefit
Visit here : http://jayharringtonmedicalbenefit.blogspot.com/
Pass it on for people to make monetary donations.
Or to get the address of sending any donated items for raffle.
Pass it on for people to make monetary donations.
Or to get the address of sending any donated items for raffle.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Can't Say We Didn't Try
We tried... twice. Me? Almost a 3rd time you could say.
But Mother Nature took our sunshine away. We don't like her much out here in CT.
After it rained last night in our sleep, we woke up to a sunny sky. We were hopeful for it to linger through the day. But as we packed up, and drove to the boat, the skies darkened with clouds and the sun decided to play hide and seek. We ventured out anyway. But after about 30 minutes, we had to turn around and come back in. Just in time to get in the truck before it began to downpour. So we took shelter at Down the Hatch just up the street. We enjoyed lunch while it rained under a big tent on their decks. After about 30 minutes there, it finally quit raining, and the sun came back out. YEAH!!!!
We finished and headed back to the boat, jumped on and off we went. I am starting to sound like a broken record... but again, 30 minutes in... rain was pushing us back to the docks. We didn't even have time to cover the boat this time. We grabbed our stuff and darted to the truck. Oh well. We can't say we didn't try.
*** Its now 5:25, and its POURING outside again. We barely got Brooklynn and Brodie in the pool and hottub. Next : What's for dinner and tonight's entertainment. I smell movie. Maybe even in house?
But Mother Nature took our sunshine away. We don't like her much out here in CT.
After it rained last night in our sleep, we woke up to a sunny sky. We were hopeful for it to linger through the day. But as we packed up, and drove to the boat, the skies darkened with clouds and the sun decided to play hide and seek. We ventured out anyway. But after about 30 minutes, we had to turn around and come back in. Just in time to get in the truck before it began to downpour. So we took shelter at Down the Hatch just up the street. We enjoyed lunch while it rained under a big tent on their decks. After about 30 minutes there, it finally quit raining, and the sun came back out. YEAH!!!!
We finished and headed back to the boat, jumped on and off we went. I am starting to sound like a broken record... but again, 30 minutes in... rain was pushing us back to the docks. We didn't even have time to cover the boat this time. We grabbed our stuff and darted to the truck. Oh well. We can't say we didn't try.
*** Its now 5:25, and its POURING outside again. We barely got Brooklynn and Brodie in the pool and hottub. Next : What's for dinner and tonight's entertainment. I smell movie. Maybe even in house?
God Lives Under the Bed
I envy Kevin. My brother, Kevin, thinks God lives under his bed. At least that's what I heard him say one night.
He was praying out loud in his dark bedroom, and I stopped to listen, 'Are you there, God?' he said. 'Where are you? Oh, I see. Under the bed...'
I giggled softly and tiptoed off to my own room. Kevin's unique perspectives are often a source of amusement. But that night something else lingered long after the humor. I realized for the first time the very different world Kevin lives in.
He was born 30 years ago, mentally disabled as a result of difficulties during labor. Apart from his size (he's 6-foot-2), there are few ways in which he is an adult.
He reasons and communicates with the capabilities of a 7-year-old, and he always will. He will probably always believe that God lives under his bed, that Santa Claus is the one who fills the space under our tree every Christmas and that air planes stay up in the sky because angels carry them.
I remember wondering if Kevin realizes he is different. Is he ever
dissatisfied with his monotonous life?
Up before dawn each day, off to work at a workshop for the disabled, home to walk our cocker spaniel, return to eat his favorite
macaroni-and-cheese for dinner, and later to bed.
The only variation in the entire scheme is laundry, when he hovers
excitedly over the washing machine like a mother with her newborn child.
He does not seem dissatisfied.
He lopes out to the bus every morning at 7:05, eager for a day of
simple work.
He wrings his hands excitedly while the water boils on the stove before dinner, and he stays up late twice a week to gather our dirty laundry for his next day's laundry chores.
And Saturdays - oh, the bliss of Saturdays! That's the day my Dad
takes Kevin to the airport to have a soft drink, watch the planes land, and speculate loudly on the destination of each passenger inside. 'That one's goin' to Chi-car-go! ' Kevin shouts as he claps his hands.
His anticipation is so great he can hardly sleep on Friday nights.
And so goes his world of daily rituals and weekend field trips.
He doesn't know what it means to be discontent.
His life is simple.
He will never know the entanglements of wealth of power, and he does not care what brand of clothing he wears or what kind of food he eats. His needs have always been met, and he never worries that one day they may not be.
His hands are diligent. Kevin is never so happy as when he is working. When he unloads the dishwasher or vacuums the carpet, his heart is completely in it.
He does not shrink from a job when it is begun, and he does not leave a job until it is finished. But when his tasks are done, Kevin knows how to relax.
He is not obsessed with his work or the work of others. His heart is
pure.
He still believes everyone tells the truth, promises must be kept, and when you are wrong, you apologize instead of argue.
Free from pride and unconcerned with appearances, Kevin is not afraid to cry when he is hurt, angry or sorry. He is always transparent, always sincere. And he trusts God.
Not confined by intellectual reasoning, when he comes to Christ, he
comes as a child. Kevin seems to know God - to really be friends with Him in a way that is difficult for an 'educated' person to grasp. God seems like his closest companion.
In my moments of doubt and frustrations with my Christianity, I envy the security Kevin has in his simple faith.
It is then that I am most willing to admit that he has some divine
knowledge that rises above my mortal questions.
It is then I realize that perhaps he is not the one with the handicap.
I am. My obligations, my fear, my pride, my circumstances - they all become disabilities when I do not trust them to God's care.
Who knows if Kevin comprehends things I can never learn? After all, he has spent his whole life in that kind of innocence, praying after dark and soaking up the goodness and love of God.
And one day, when the mysteries of heaven are opened, and we are all amazed at how close God really is to our hearts, I'll realize that God heard the simple prayers of a boy who believed that God lived
under his bed.
Kevin won't be surprised at all!
When you receive this, say a prayer. That's all you have to do. There is nothing attached. This is powerful.
Just send this to four people and do not break this, please. Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive. There is no cost, but a lot of
rewards.
He was praying out loud in his dark bedroom, and I stopped to listen, 'Are you there, God?' he said. 'Where are you? Oh, I see. Under the bed...'
I giggled softly and tiptoed off to my own room. Kevin's unique perspectives are often a source of amusement. But that night something else lingered long after the humor. I realized for the first time the very different world Kevin lives in.
He was born 30 years ago, mentally disabled as a result of difficulties during labor. Apart from his size (he's 6-foot-2), there are few ways in which he is an adult.
He reasons and communicates with the capabilities of a 7-year-old, and he always will. He will probably always believe that God lives under his bed, that Santa Claus is the one who fills the space under our tree every Christmas and that air planes stay up in the sky because angels carry them.
I remember wondering if Kevin realizes he is different. Is he ever
dissatisfied with his monotonous life?
Up before dawn each day, off to work at a workshop for the disabled, home to walk our cocker spaniel, return to eat his favorite
macaroni-and-cheese for dinner, and later to bed.
The only variation in the entire scheme is laundry, when he hovers
excitedly over the washing machine like a mother with her newborn child.
He does not seem dissatisfied.
He lopes out to the bus every morning at 7:05, eager for a day of
simple work.
He wrings his hands excitedly while the water boils on the stove before dinner, and he stays up late twice a week to gather our dirty laundry for his next day's laundry chores.
And Saturdays - oh, the bliss of Saturdays! That's the day my Dad
takes Kevin to the airport to have a soft drink, watch the planes land, and speculate loudly on the destination of each passenger inside. 'That one's goin' to Chi-car-go! ' Kevin shouts as he claps his hands.
His anticipation is so great he can hardly sleep on Friday nights.
And so goes his world of daily rituals and weekend field trips.
He doesn't know what it means to be discontent.
His life is simple.
He will never know the entanglements of wealth of power, and he does not care what brand of clothing he wears or what kind of food he eats. His needs have always been met, and he never worries that one day they may not be.
His hands are diligent. Kevin is never so happy as when he is working. When he unloads the dishwasher or vacuums the carpet, his heart is completely in it.
He does not shrink from a job when it is begun, and he does not leave a job until it is finished. But when his tasks are done, Kevin knows how to relax.
He is not obsessed with his work or the work of others. His heart is
pure.
He still believes everyone tells the truth, promises must be kept, and when you are wrong, you apologize instead of argue.
Free from pride and unconcerned with appearances, Kevin is not afraid to cry when he is hurt, angry or sorry. He is always transparent, always sincere. And he trusts God.
Not confined by intellectual reasoning, when he comes to Christ, he
comes as a child. Kevin seems to know God - to really be friends with Him in a way that is difficult for an 'educated' person to grasp. God seems like his closest companion.
In my moments of doubt and frustrations with my Christianity, I envy the security Kevin has in his simple faith.
It is then that I am most willing to admit that he has some divine
knowledge that rises above my mortal questions.
It is then I realize that perhaps he is not the one with the handicap.
I am. My obligations, my fear, my pride, my circumstances - they all become disabilities when I do not trust them to God's care.
Who knows if Kevin comprehends things I can never learn? After all, he has spent his whole life in that kind of innocence, praying after dark and soaking up the goodness and love of God.
And one day, when the mysteries of heaven are opened, and we are all amazed at how close God really is to our hearts, I'll realize that God heard the simple prayers of a boy who believed that God lived
under his bed.
Kevin won't be surprised at all!
When you receive this, say a prayer. That's all you have to do. There is nothing attached. This is powerful.
Just send this to four people and do not break this, please. Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive. There is no cost, but a lot of
rewards.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Awaiting the Arrival
Chas, Lindsey, Brooklynn, Brodie and Bryson should be here about 4pm.
My checklist for today :
1. Clean the House - CHECK
2. Wash the Dogs - CHECK
3. Wash the truck - CHECK
4. Wash myself - almost forgot that one but - CHECK
5. Buy drinks and snacks - CHECK
6. Called up Mother Nature and asked for some leeway on the rain. She'll "do her best" she says to hold off on the rain but there's no guarantee. There never is, is there?
My checklist for today :
1. Clean the House - CHECK
2. Wash the Dogs - CHECK
3. Wash the truck - CHECK
4. Wash myself - almost forgot that one but - CHECK
5. Buy drinks and snacks - CHECK
6. Called up Mother Nature and asked for some leeway on the rain. She'll "do her best" she says to hold off on the rain but there's no guarantee. There never is, is there?
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Nothing
Nothing to really blog home about even though its been a good 4 days.
Still rainy crappy weather. Poor boat just sits there... and so do we. :(
Looking forward to Chas, Lindsey, Brooklynn, Brodie, and Bryson coming out to visit.
Ace is still Ace. KC- he's still blind. :) I joke because I swear KC has gotten happier since he can't see. Much fatter, much lazier, but more cuddling than ever.
Still rainy crappy weather. Poor boat just sits there... and so do we. :(
Looking forward to Chas, Lindsey, Brooklynn, Brodie, and Bryson coming out to visit.
Ace is still Ace. KC- he's still blind. :) I joke because I swear KC has gotten happier since he can't see. Much fatter, much lazier, but more cuddling than ever.
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