Happy Birthday to Chris!

It's DOCTOR Evil!

Did anyone hear whether or not Senator Boxer called Brigadier General Walsh by his title "Brigadier General"? I'm thinking he worked a lot harder for that title than she did for hers.

The Homecoming

Waiting for the plane. Do you like Tim's sign?

Greeting daddy.

Meeting Samantha Rose.

How cute is this?

Waiting for luggage. Past her bedtime. (Meaning Grandma's bedtime.)

Opening the box that was shipped last week and handing out presents.

A great hat from the Aran Islands for dad.

Eating the brownie cake that Beth made and decorated at Angel's.
Up till 3:00 talking.
Now we are sleeping in.
Home sweet home.

I Want My Baby Back!

Welcome home balloons in place.

Hand picked bouquet made by Beth from the flowers in our yard.

Assortment of British foods and Nutella. Also a sheep for familiarity.

Fresh orange Gerberas and a funky coordinating pyramid shaped box of Kleenex on the nightstand.

Now all we need is Katie!

Really Nice Blog Post

I just read a recent and very nice blog post by Paul Sunde and recommend that everyone read it.

Here's the link.

Memorial Day

It's Memorial Day and instead of my usual Flander's Field post, I thought I would offer you a poem written by my dad...a man of many talents. Poetry writing was one that surprised me, but when you are in your 20's and in Europe fighting the Nazis, there comes a need to express yourself. Here is how he did it.

Night of Terror
Darkness is upon us.
The sun is down.
The moon shines, faintly,
From a cloud filled sky.

Slowly, cautiously, we move
Feeling our way about
In search of a spot
To make our beds.

Beds made of blankets
Upon a crimson, foreign soil,
Drenched by the rains and snows
Of storms of recent months.

We go to bed, knowing full well
That before the dawn
Our blood may spill
Upon this alien, slimy mud.

Silence reigns, broken only
By the changing of the guard,
A machine gun's rattle, or
Cracks of a rifle, sharp and clear.

The enemy is everywhere.
We toss, but sleep as best we can,
Waiting for the dawn to soften
Fear that darkness tends to magnify.

The night drags on.
Blackness at last gives way
To streaks of gray, and soon the
Welcomed dawn breaks, bright and clear.

I miss my dad. (He passed away on Election Day 2000...Bush/Gore...remember that day? We all went to the polls anyway, knowing he would have wanted that.)

I am grateful that I live in the USA and I am grateful for all the soldiers who have served to protect us.

God bless America.

30

The dilemma with posting birthday wishes on your blog on your children's birthdays is that sometimes you get confused about what day it is. I realized on March 16th or so that, while I had wished Nicole a happy Facebook birthday, I had neglected to wish her a happy blogspot birthday. "No problem," I thought, I will post my wishes on April 14th, the one month anniversary of her 30th birthday, but then April 14th came and went, so I thought, May 14th, that will work because March and May start with "M's". Well, that didn't work, did it? Then I got to thinking that I should just post while I am thinking about it. Hope you (and Samantha) enjoyed the crepes at the Sofitel on the day before your birthday when this photo was taken. Yum!

So, happy 30th birthday, Nicole!
Love you,
Mommy

21

Happy Birthday Katie!
Love you,
Mum

My Thoughts on Miss CA

Crunchy Con has a column that nicely sums up my thoughts on Miss California.

Here's the link.

Quote of the Day

When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.
-Thomas Jefferson

Michelle Obama vs. Me

Last Friday, while at Sears paying the Discover bill, I noted these Land's End shoes were 50% off. I pondered whether or not a new pair of shoes for $20 would be a frivolous expense. I decided they would be worthwhile and nicely complement my $2.50 Old Navy flip flops for those times when I needed something more substantial in a foot covering.
Michelle Obama worked at a food bank in these babies. $540 by some designer I have never heard of. These people really tick me off.

Susan Boyle vs. Elaine Paige

Everyone must have already heard of Susan Boyle. I think Katie even saw it live on the T & V set in London. I first read of Susan on the Crunchy Cons blog. In her little speech at the beginning she mentions Elaine Paige, so I Googled. I love Google.

Elaine Paige. British musical theatre actress. I love wikipedia!

Thought you might want to compare the two and see if Susan Boyle is like Elaine Paige since she said she wanted to be.

Here's Elaine Paige singing "I Dreamed a Dream".

And now, Susan Boyle.

I gave you the link to the full clip, but when I read the Crunchy Cons article on Susan Tuesday night, the site I originally saw it on had 2 million views. When I showed it to Mr. D the next day, it had 8 million views, yesterday afternoon when Nikki, Beth, Tim, and I watched it, it was at 12 million views, and it currently has almost 19 million views.

Why I Watch Fox News

What idiotic "reporting". And, just who was being harrassed? The reporter, who kept interrupting the guy or the guy trying to answer and Fox News?

April 15th

I'm the taxman, and you're working for no one, but me...

Easter

But, the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said.

How Deep the Father's Love For Us

What a Love, What a Cost

More Places I Haven't Been and Things I Haven't Done

Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the British Isles. You know, those little islands off the coast of Europe about the size of Oregon.Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes...

Quintessential England and quintessential Katie in England.

I've Never Been Here or Done This

I've never been to The Eagle and Child.I've never had high tea. Love the pinkies.I've never seen the changing of the guard.

Or, Big Ben.

But Katie has and sent these photos today. Yay for free wifi at the McDonald's in Liverpool.

Mr. D and His Savvy Ways

Yesterday was quite an eventful day. After visiting Baby Samantha and her daddy and mommy at the hospital, we headed over to The Barn to enjoy a chicken dinner in honor of Vonnie's 80th birthday. Look at all the kids, grandkids, and great grandkids who were able to gather in her honor! Wow!After the party, we headed back to the hospital to see Lilypie, I mean Samantha, once again. So precious.
Mr. D was a tad bit thirsty, so headed to the vending machine for a suitable beverage. He settled on this healthy Arizona beverage and mentioned that it only cost $1.50 in the vending machine. At this point, someone in the room pointed out the large 99¢ mark emblazoned on the can. Nasty capitalists.