Before I Forget

Our baggage and car seat arrived in Cleveland six hours after we did, after several phone calls with United. Of course, when the bags arrived, no one from United bothered to call us to let us know that they arrived. Bill found out because he called to find out if they ever made it onto one of the flights. They said they were just going to see if anyone picked them up and if not, they were going to put it on a plane to Orlando at 6pm. WTF?!

Air travel leaves much to be desired. At least no one was gnoshing on my grinds....

Posted by Karen at 11:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

We've heard of the saying that all roads lead to Rome. Yesterday I had a good laugh as I swiveled my chair away from my desk to get up, and saw this sight. The view is skewed, since I am obviously not in the chair anymore, but yes. In this house, all roads lead to Mommy!

Posted by Karen at 06:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

While Bill's dad was here, he was hoping to see the shuttle launch. Unfortunately, he's spent the entire time he's been here in the hospital, aside from about the first 15 he was here. Luckily though, he was able to get out of the hospital (not discharged, just OUT) to view the shuttle launch yesterday.

Here's Billy, with the shuttle in front of him.

The STS-124 mission is primarily for delivering the pressurized module and Japanese robotic arm to the International Space Station. What else is very cool? My friend from school (Chris) is in a very successful punk band (The Phenomenauts), and they will be part of the mission as well. Follow this link to read on...

Posted by Karen at 06:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

On Saturday I finally got to go deep sea fishing! We woke up at 5am, headed out the door at 6am, and made it to Port Canaveral at 7am. Found our Captain and the First Mate and boarded the 28' boat.

It was a beautiful, sunny day. It wasn't too bad when we started moving. It really felt great on our way out in the morning because we were in the shade of the cabin and the wind was whipping in our faces. I only felt like I was going to puke once, which was amazing. Luckily, I didn't puke and I managed to down a couple more dramamine and a couple of pretzels. Fresh moving air does wonders for queasiness.

We were probably about 18 miles offshore. I'm not sure exactly though, except for the first time we stopped, the Captain said we were about 14 miles out. Then we went out another 1.5 miles, and then we moved out again, but I am not sure how far.

The first fish was mine. A big barracuda that bitch-slapped me with his tail when the first mate held him up for picture time. It was hard reeling him in, but was so much fun.

The second one was Bill's King Mackerel. Unfortunately, all that was hauled up on the boat was the head since something got to it first before he pulled it all the way in. His was about 200 yards out.

We took turns reeling them in. I caught a Barracuda, and two King Mackerels. Bill caught two King Mackerels and a Bonita. The barracuda was released, the mackerel head was "released", and the Bonita was kept by the Captain (I guess).
I think this is the bonita:

Here we are, at the end of the fishing day with our remaining catch:

As if all this wasn't eventful enough, we were stopped by the Coast Guard. I think it was because we crossed into an off-limits zone and it was a launch day (Discovery Shuttle). For about 10 minutes we were under scrutiny by the United States Coast Guard. Our boat was boarded by 3 men in full gear. We were finally sent on our merry way, and thank goodness too, because it was damned hot and the wind felt so good when we were really moving.

All in all, I had a fabulous time, and hope we get to do it again. I asked if they ever get yellow-fin tuna, and the mate said yes, but they have to go out about 70 to 100 miles. Yikes. Thanks to my dear Bill for this wonderful day, it's one for the books!

-- Addendum --
Okay, apparently I needed to do some research before I went fishing, because I think the fish (bonita) that the Captain said was "awful to eat" was an aku. Anyone? Is Bonita the same as Bonito the same as aku??? UGH. I am so mad.

Posted by Karen at 06:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It was two years ago my little peanut entered this crazy world. Then, he was all about the "uh huh, uh huh, uh huh". Now, it's all about "Yeah!", "No!", "Are you sure?", etc. He's very into animals (duck quack quack, horse neigh, sheep baa, bird tweet tweet!, dog woof woof), trucks, trains, bikes, rice, maui onion chips, mini yakko, apple or orange juice, Thomas the Tank Engine, Blue's Clues, crayons and coloring, building blocks, and shapes. He's a little OCD sometimes with putting toys away. He loves his Daddy and doggie. He loves to go swimming. He loves his books at bed and naptime.

Happy Birthday, Billy!

We had a little party here on Sunday. We were sad that Grandpa Bill was in the hospital and couldn't be here too. But, with the people here, we had a great time. It was slightly less stressful as last year, with fewer number of people. I was slightly less late in food prep. Hash brown potato casserole, ginger chicken, teri beef, shrimp skewers, rice, pasta salad, chinese chicken salad, fruits, cheese, crackers, chips, and dips. Of course, there was dessert too. That's always the best part. Birthday cake (always yummy from Publix), Peanut Butter Chocolate Cream Cheese pie, and Sensational Strawberry Dessert. All winners!! The casserole was a big hit too.

Billy had a blast with so many people around (Okay, whenever it's more than just me he is thrilled). He kept a close eye on the baby Damian to make sure he didn't get too comfortable in his little chair, played with the guests, entertained, went for a swim unintentionally ("Isn't anyone going to stop him??"), and basically had a great time. Thanks to everyone for celebrating with us!

Posted by Karen at 09:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Billy came to give me a kiss goodnight as Bill was taking him to bed. I gave him a kiss and said "I love you"... and he said "I love you" right back!!

Awwww!! I'm all choked up!

Posted by Karen at 11:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Recently, Billy has been doing some things that amuse me and surprise me. I posted previously about the deviousness of my child. Last night, he did something that made me laugh and then left me feeling a little strange. He had just finished his bath and I had him on the changing table for the nightly ritual of getting dressed, lotion, brushing teeth, etc. He is a "big boy" now and wanted to do the lotion himself. He's been struggling to get the bottle cap open, and he's now mastered that, but now he just can't figure out how to get the lotion out of the bottle (thank god). So, he's sitting there turning the bottle upside down and pressing it on his legs and arms. He's getting a little annoyed, and apparently I was too close to the bottle and he thought I was going to interfere. He grabbed my hand, pushed my hand away from him, and then pointed to the bathroom. He did this two or three times. I was amazed. He was trying to tell me to go away. Of course, the longer I sit here and think about it, the sadder it makes me. Ah well. It's inevitable, right?!

I bought this bottle of bubble bath from Target the other day. It's Thomas the Tank Engine berry-scented bubble bath, and it had a light up figurine that came with it. Totally cool!! You touch the sensors at the bottom, or put the sensors in water, and the lights inside turn on and makes for a glowy Thomas. It broke at the beginning of his second bath using the toy. Doesn't light up anymore. Awww!

Anyway, thank god Bill is coming home tonight. He's somewhere over the ocean, maybe around Hawaii by now, on the way to LAX. Finally. Those international trips are horrendous.

Have a great week...

Posted by Karen at 08:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Billy made me laugh twice yesterday because of the way his mind was working.

Continue reading "Mischievous Should Be His Middle Name" »

Posted by Karen at 02:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Much sympathy goes to my happy sister Jen, whose grandfather passed away on Friday. She's doing all she can to find a cure for cancer, working in a cancer research lab and doing real leg work for the cause too (in the marathon manner of speaking).

Please take a moment and visit her Team In Training page. Even better, leave a donation to help her meet her goal.

My thoughts are with you, happy sister.

Posted by Karen at 12:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Continue reading "Rest In Peace, Milo Dido" »

Posted by Karen at 11:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)