Heath Ledger is dead

I am just shocked and saddened by this news. I don't think I've been this shocked at a report of a Hollywood death since River Phoenix died. He had a 2 year old daughter with Michelle Williams. Ok they were divorcing or broke off an engagement or whatever, but still. Having a little girl seems like his personal life had happiness in it. And he'd been nominated for Brokeback and appeared to be doing well in his career. Shocked, I am just shocked. I keep hoping its not true but the story is already on our local CBS station, TMZ and CNN so I guess it's real. Wow! My heart goes out to his family. That is just so sad.

Re-run

This is an old post, borrowed from January 18th 2005. As we celebrate Martin Luther King day again I thought it would be good to re-run it and enjoy the humor again.

Martin Luther King Day
I was trying to give Paige an appreciation of the man, the holiday and why she had the day off of school. And if you know me you know that "justice for ALL" is a big thing with me. I could not agree more with Dr King's statement of judging a man by the content of his character not the color of his skin. And because of certain events in my past it is really important that I teach this lesson to my children. That said, I was telling her about how there were separate schools and separate restaurants and punctuating each of these with "Isn't that CRAZY?!" And Paige would say, "Yeah, that's CRAZY!!" And so when I was finished she said, "So like if we were out to eat with Daddy, because you know-Daddy is kinda black, only let's pretend that Daddy wasn't just kinda black, let's pretend he was all black, and they said we couldn't eat with Daddy, that would be CRAZY!" I was laughing so hard I almost peed my pants! I let her know that Daddy isn't black, he's "olive" skinned. But she was exactly right in her example. And I was glad that she got the point of my stories. It's funny the things kids pick up on all on their own though.

Suzanne Pleshette died

I'm not sure whether that news in itself is more shocking (I mean, she didn't seem THAT old) or the fact that she was married to Tom Poston in his last years. Except for the Newhart connection they didn't really seem to match. But then again, what do I know.

Welcome Lauren Elizabeth!

The newest member of the Clark family has arrived! Cousin Robin and her husband Jeremy had a baby girl this morning, 8lbs 9 oz. I seriously remember when Robin was a toddler the size of Ally, rocking herself to sleep at "Villa Costa Lotta" on Winona Ave. And now she's a mom! The passage of time is an unbelievable thing. But parenthood couldn't have happened to two nicer people. Congratulations to the happy parents, grandparents and new Auntie Kate! And welcome Lauren! You were named after an incredible woman. I'm sure your mom will tell you all about her someday.

Things Women Say

1. Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.
2. Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.
3. Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.
4. Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!
5. Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.)
6. That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.
7. Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or Faint. Just say you're welcome. (I want to add in a clause here - This is true, unless she says "Thanks a lot" - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say "you're welcome" ... that will bring on a "whatever").
8. Whatever: Is a women's way of saying F*cK YOU!
9. Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking "What's wrong?" For the woman's response refer to # 3.

Hannah Montana

So on a whim Alicia decides to try to get some tickets to see Hannah Montana in Worcester and it worked! We took the girls on Friday the 21st and didn't tell them where we were going until we were in the parking garage of the Centrum! Boy were they shocked! But a good time was had by all. Here are a few pics.

The Curse Continues

I'm not going to rehash it all. Sally has done an excellent job of spelling it out. Check out her blog here: http://lifeatthelevines.blogspot.com/ and read the post of the same name.

Goodbye Aunt Joann. I'm so sad to see you go. You have always been so kind and sweet. My heart just breaks for you, Uncle Bob, your kids and Ethan.

Bell Out of Order, Please Knock

The phone isn't working again. Piece of crap! And I frankly don't have time for the Cox guy today so if you need to reach us you can email, IM or call one of our cell phones. Updates again when it's working.

Ally's First Haircut

Cousin Carianne came and gave the whole family haircuts for Christmas. This included Ally's first haircut. Ok, it wasn't much of a haircut, really it was barely a trim. Let's face it she doesn't have much hair to cut! But the theory is you have to cut it to make it grow. So Cari trimmed where she could and when she could (it was tough with the wiggling). And Ally did really well, she was excited for her turn and never cried. She was also excited for it to be Joshy's turn and she could be done. Anyway hopefully this will encourage her little hairs to grow!

When I Grow Up

Joshua wants to be a policeman when he grows up. Because he can have a big gun and shoot the bad guys. Today though he said to me "Police mans don't fly planes right?" No Joshua, they don't. "Well, someday they will. And I am going to do that. Be a policeman in a plane. And they go super fast! Adagio." Which actually means slowly in terms of music, but at least he's paying attention and trying to learn something from Little Einsteins. I love three years old. They are now verbal enough to explain all the things they are thinking and they are learning and observing at lightening speed.

Report Card

Paige got 3 As and 3 Bs on her first ever report card with letter grades. Awesome job my girl!

Answer

Into the Mystic

Poll Question

This is a write in so leave a comment with your answer.

What is my favorite Van Morrison song?

Answer to be posted later when most people who will respond have responded.

Boys and Girls

Joshua has been saying very cute things lately, I think it's the age. He talks about things that "boys" do. For example he will ask to watch a TV show for boys. Or when he couldn't reach the faucet the other day he said "Boys can't do it mommy." This morning he told Chris "Boys don't like that." about the new toothpaste we had. Last night he told me "Boys love you mommy." I couldn't stop cracking up.

Also while tucking him in last night he asked if he could bring his new NASCAR pillow to daycare. Here is how the conversation went:
Joshua: Can I bring this pillow to school tomorrow?
Me: Yes.
Joshua: And I can show my friends?
Me: Sure.
Joshua: Collin and the girls?
Me: Yes, ok. Who are "the girls" that you are friends with?
Joshua: Alexis. (who is one of twins)
Me: Just Alexis? Are you friends with Cassandra too?
Joshua: Yes. She's beautiful.

Snookie

Why do people hate me? Why do people go out of their way to be mean to me? What do I do to anger the population at large?
I try to be nice. Sitting here all day crying about my mother being dead and writing letters to my little children to read one day when I am gone.
And out of nowhere pops up someone who has nothing better to do with their day than make me feel even worse about myself. Why?
I don’t get it? What have I done to deserve this treatment.

3 years, one week and 3 days

Today Joshy is exactly as old as Zachary was on the day mom died. Three years, one week and 3 days.

Seriously

What kind of idiot signs themselves up for a dog?? I mean if someone said to you "I have a thing that is guaranteed to cover your house with urine and feces, will chew on and probably destroy valuable items and will fill your hours with barking and whining." What fool then says "Ooh ooh! Can I pay hundreds of dollars for that?!?!"

Seriously. I don't get people who voluntarily bring a home destroying creature into the house. I mean I have little children who walk around on that floor now covered in feces with their bare feet and pick things up off said floor and put them into their mouths. Are you getting the heebie jeebies yet? Welcome to my perspective.

That fool animal just crapped on Ally's floor, right after we brought her inside no less. That's what gets me. We had her in the crate while at soccer. As soon as we arrive at home I take the dog out, forget the humans, must take care of the dog first. And while I'm wishing I could be getting on with my night by giving the kids a bath I stand there and watch the dog pee. Then we take her in and she craps on the baby's room floor. So then I start screaming at her to stop so what does she do? Runs under my bed and craps on a pair of Chris' dirty shorts. Because I don't know about you but that's where my husband keeps his dirty clothes, under the bed.

They say that animals add years to your life, but not for me. I can actually feel years being sucked out of me as I deal with the havoc the animals have caused. Like the torture device they hook Wesley up to in the Princess Bride. Someone set it pretty high tonight, maybe 5 years.

First Day of 3rd Grade and Pre-School

All 3 with new outfits, new shoes, new lunch boxes and Paige with a new backpack they headed off to begin a new year. Paige was fretting over her shoe choices: too small or didn’t really match. But I wasn’t buying her new white shoes in the fall to wear with one outfit and then be outgrown before Easter comes. Just like a woman to be worried about her shoes! And the 2 little ones were whining a lot. As in “What do you want for breakfast?” Reply: “NO!” then hysterical crying. But once we got out the door for picure time it all turned out ok.

They are adorable and I'm so excited, I can't wait to hear how their days went. I know in a day or so the quiet will get to me, but right now I'm enjoying the sound of the crickets and nothing else!

Help Adam get a Bone Marrow Transplant

Adam Saada, a 3 /12 month old Naples Florida baby, has been diagnosed with Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID), a primary immune deficiency disease. Early diagnosis of SCID is rare because doctors do not routinely perform a test in newborns to count white blood cells. This can usually result in the onset of one or more serious infections within the first few months of life. Adam has also developed PCP Pneumonia and is fighting hard to recover in order to receive an emergency bone marrow transplant. Adam’s parents, Amy and Hussam Saada desperately need our help.

SCID became widely known during the 1970's and 80's, when the world learned of a boy with X-linked SCID, who lived for years in a plastic, germ-free plastic bubble. Since then the disease is more commonly known as the “Bubble Boy Disease.” This once-fatal disease should be now seen as a pediatric emergency, a condition that needs immediate diagnosis and treatment.

YOU CAN HELP ADAM

Adam needs a bone marrow transplant within the next 30 days. The “out of pocket” cost is minimally $25,000 and can be as much as $60,000. The family desperately needs your help to pay the transplant as well as for the rapidly mounting medical bills.

Stories of Adam on the web:
MSNBC
Naples Daily News (newspaper)
Local Florida CBS Affiliate - this story has video with Adam's brother and grandfather.

Sue Buck and Sharon Ardrey have set up a charitable trust for Adam and any contribution you make will be greatly appreciated by the family.

Please make your check to:

Sharon Ardrey for Adam Saada

Mail to: Encore Bank
3003 Tamiami Trail N. Suite 100
Naples, FL 34103
Attn: Banking

-OR-

Sharon Ardrey
1507 Vintage Lane
Naples, FL 34104

Call Sue Buck at 239-949-1352 for details

Meet Our New Friend

Not sure what to call her yet (we're thinking Baxter or Jessie) and not sure we haven't gone insane. But we adopted a new Tetro today. Take a look.