Driving back from Spring Break, Team Leader and I were listening to the radio; Pink's new song "Just you and your hand tonight" was heavy on the rotation, fine with us, because we both like Pink.
Anyhoo Team Leader looked at me, at one specific point, and had this to say:
TL: This song is hysterical
me: you think
TL: Yes, I think! I'm also wondering how many new BUZZ GIRLS there are just dancing away in their cars and being total brats at clubs...I WONDER!
(And he shot me a very knowing look above his sunglasses.)
I answered by turning up the radio. (HAH)
Secretly, I hope there is a select group of Radford-Techies who are tormenting those college boys, (who really all made us miserable anyway,) as we speak. If there isn't well, then they are truly missing out on the friendships of a lifetime!
(Only because I am really loving the Curious George-ness of my current song, it's staying for a while, then Pink will be next!)
xoxox
essie
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
For Gab...more rainbows!
As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will.
You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it's harder every time. You'll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken.
You'll fight with your best friend.
You'll blame a new love for things an old one did.
You'll cry because time is passing too slow...
You'll cry because time is passing too fast.
So,
take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt because:
every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.
Don't be afraid that your life is empty, look around, you'll see that it really is full.
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Leave the rest to God.
ps-thank you Shelby!
You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it's harder every time. You'll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken.
You'll fight with your best friend.
You'll blame a new love for things an old one did.
You'll cry because time is passing too slow...
You'll cry because time is passing too fast.
So,
take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt because:
every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.
Don't be afraid that your life is empty, look around, you'll see that it really is full.
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Leave the rest to God.
ps-thank you Shelby!
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
"I no do that"
This is for La, but it applies to all of us...
the ones with
the ones waiting
the ones wanting
the ones.
THIS
becomes your next "to do" list:
sing
smile at strangers
keep learning
notice kindness
eat ice cream
hope
count your blessings
laugh
love
love some more
Just like Hallmark says, it IS the "real to do list"
and who would...should... know how to describe the love between a mother and a child better than Hallmark.
Seriously.
Hugs and Love, La...I get it.
essie
the ones with
the ones waiting
the ones wanting
the ones.
THIS
becomes your next "to do" list:
sing
smile at strangers
keep learning
notice kindness
eat ice cream
hope
count your blessings
laugh
love
love some more
Just like Hallmark says, it IS the "real to do list"
and who would...should... know how to describe the love between a mother and a child better than Hallmark.
Seriously.
Hugs and Love, La...I get it.
essie
Monday, April 16, 2007
Perspective
Putting everything in perspective was the announcement made by my principal that something bad had happened at Tech today...
talk about an understatement.
I've spoken with friends and their families who have children at Tech.
Thankfully their children are safe.
For what it's worth, however you find peace, share those thoughts with the family that is Virginia Tech. Blacksburg is a small enough community for people who don't have children there to feel the gut wrenching pain shared by those who do...
Hug your kids tonight.
talk about an understatement.
I've spoken with friends and their families who have children at Tech.
Thankfully their children are safe.
For what it's worth, however you find peace, share those thoughts with the family that is Virginia Tech. Blacksburg is a small enough community for people who don't have children there to feel the gut wrenching pain shared by those who do...
Hug your kids tonight.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
"I'm proud of you...I remember..."
my dear friend Leah sent this to me.
you might think it's beautiful.
you might think it's propaganda.
i think it's something everyone should watch.
because, soldiers are people, just like you and me.
their job description happens to be different than yours or mine.
(unless of course, you reading this, you are a soldier! then you get it already.)
Regardless-
they're simply doing a job.
It's a job no one WANTS to have, but
EXPECTS someone to do.
Day in...Day out.
Pretty thankless if you ask me.
Pretty amazing if you ask me.
you all know how opposed to our global situation i am, and continue to be.
i'll oppose this war and say so for the rest of my life.
this IS our generation's Vietnam.
you don't have to agree with me.
or agree with my politics.
BUT
we should be able to agree on this:
the men and women who have been sent overseas deserve all the support we can give them.
period.
so, please do what you can.
visit my link to anysoldier.com
take a walk and appreciate the freedom you have to do so.
go to church and pray.
go to a quiet spot and watch a sunset-whatever you do to appreciate the beauty of a day,
and then,
call your local national guard to see about penpals.
do what you can and remember that soldiers are people.
http://www.youtube.com/v/ervaMPt4Ha0&autoplay=1
*hopefully this link works...YouTube was being stinky, and blogger...well enough said!*
you might think it's beautiful.
you might think it's propaganda.
i think it's something everyone should watch.
because, soldiers are people, just like you and me.
their job description happens to be different than yours or mine.
(unless of course, you reading this, you are a soldier! then you get it already.)
Regardless-
they're simply doing a job.
It's a job no one WANTS to have, but
EXPECTS someone to do.
Day in...Day out.
Pretty thankless if you ask me.
Pretty amazing if you ask me.
you all know how opposed to our global situation i am, and continue to be.
i'll oppose this war and say so for the rest of my life.
this IS our generation's Vietnam.
you don't have to agree with me.
or agree with my politics.
BUT
we should be able to agree on this:
the men and women who have been sent overseas deserve all the support we can give them.
period.
so, please do what you can.
visit my link to anysoldier.com
take a walk and appreciate the freedom you have to do so.
go to church and pray.
go to a quiet spot and watch a sunset-whatever you do to appreciate the beauty of a day,
and then,
call your local national guard to see about penpals.
do what you can and remember that soldiers are people.
http://www.youtube.com/v/ervaMPt4Ha0&autoplay=1
*hopefully this link works...YouTube was being stinky, and blogger...well enough said!*
Thursday, April 12, 2007
The Story at 39
I have gone to the gym.
As a 39 year old.
And I've been tanning.
As a 39 year old.
I've been happy, sad, grumpy, lonely, scared, hungry, SO SO tired, amused, flabbergasted, amazed, thankful, surprised, and grateful.
As a 39 year old.
Today I came home to a big box and a little box.
Yesterday I came home to a small bag.
Day before yesterday it was a large bag.
And the emails, the blogness-WOW!
Inside each piece of mail there was something that defined a relationship in my life. Random connections from people who get the bits and pieces of the very complicated me...thank you seems small when I realise (yes, the British spelling of realize) that the gifts of my life are you.
This week I've heard from people I LOVE-wow do I love them!
And they're all so different.
And I'm SO SO lucky.
Because they love me back-we don't have to talk everyday, or see each other all the time, but when we link up it is a 100% happy-fest. And not one day has passed.
That's the beauty of my story at 39; for each relationship every time we talk or get together, I'm as old as I was the day we met!
In the end, most importantly, I'm just a lucky 39 year old girl, surrounded by the best of the best of humanity. Birthday presents don't get better than that.
That's my story.
hugs and love to my amazing family and wonderful friends
xox
essie
p.s. (thank you watkins, ps will always mean something else for me now!)
Honey, find us something on the economy, please please PLEASE!!
l.a.s.n.
bbkf
As a 39 year old.
And I've been tanning.
As a 39 year old.
I've been happy, sad, grumpy, lonely, scared, hungry, SO SO tired, amused, flabbergasted, amazed, thankful, surprised, and grateful.
As a 39 year old.
Today I came home to a big box and a little box.
Yesterday I came home to a small bag.
Day before yesterday it was a large bag.
And the emails, the blogness-WOW!
Inside each piece of mail there was something that defined a relationship in my life. Random connections from people who get the bits and pieces of the very complicated me...thank you seems small when I realise (yes, the British spelling of realize) that the gifts of my life are you.
This week I've heard from people I LOVE-wow do I love them!
And they're all so different.
And I'm SO SO lucky.
Because they love me back-we don't have to talk everyday, or see each other all the time, but when we link up it is a 100% happy-fest. And not one day has passed.
That's the beauty of my story at 39; for each relationship every time we talk or get together, I'm as old as I was the day we met!
In the end, most importantly, I'm just a lucky 39 year old girl, surrounded by the best of the best of humanity. Birthday presents don't get better than that.
That's my story.
hugs and love to my amazing family and wonderful friends
xox
essie
p.s. (thank you watkins, ps will always mean something else for me now!)
Honey, find us something on the economy, please please PLEASE!!
l.a.s.n.
bbkf
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Danke, Danke, Danke Prickril Family!
Wow! This blog thing really rocks!
Last night I gave everyone the link to a fabulous blog, misspelled the blog, so here it is again: www.prickrilgermany.blogspot.com
(remember blogger isn't letting me link it for some reason so just go there!)
I woke up this morning to a comment reply from Mr. Prickril-woohoo-and he's in Heidelberg!! It's official friends, you turn 39 and you become a cyber DORK!! Making me think that this year before 40 might be great...hmm...
I'm off to look at his fantastic snaps of the Neckar river, the Heidelberg Schloss (castle), and the Hofstrosse! SO, have a hugs and love kind of day, and start planning your trips overseas to see us!!!
xoxox
essie
ps-Happy birthday to me-
Last night I gave everyone the link to a fabulous blog, misspelled the blog, so here it is again: www.prickrilgermany.blogspot.com
(remember blogger isn't letting me link it for some reason so just go there!)
I woke up this morning to a comment reply from Mr. Prickril-woohoo-and he's in Heidelberg!! It's official friends, you turn 39 and you become a cyber DORK!! Making me think that this year before 40 might be great...hmm...
I'm off to look at his fantastic snaps of the Neckar river, the Heidelberg Schloss (castle), and the Hofstrosse! SO, have a hugs and love kind of day, and start planning your trips overseas to see us!!!
xoxox
essie
ps-Happy birthday to me-
Monday, April 09, 2007
Me again!
SO...I've been lurking online and found a fabulous blog of a family in HEIDELBERG! The mom finds the super spots to hit, and the dad is the recorder-extraordinare!
I'm linking it to this post, as it is CHOCK FULL of amazing snaps of our future home...
YIKES
We're really moving aren't we?!!
www.pickrilgermany.blogspot.com
**blogger isn't letting me link it, so just go there!
I'm linking it to this post, as it is CHOCK FULL of amazing snaps of our future home...
YIKES
We're really moving aren't we?!!
www.pickrilgermany.blogspot.com
**blogger isn't letting me link it, so just go there!
Rotters!
Yesterday was something.
Team Leader left on Saturday morning for his next big trip to Germany; leaving me with our 3 Rotters (unsupported mind you!) for the remainder of April.
What is a "Rotter?" you ask...simple really.
British slang for someone rotten.
British slang I grew up with curtesy of "Oor Wullie" and "The Broons" comic books tha my Scottish Grammie would send us, along with mounds of candy, which my brothers and I still prefer over the American counterparts.
Back to yesterday. We began our morning with a visit from the Easter Frog (more on that later), baskets were full, spirits were WHOA high thanks greatly to our pals at Hershey and Mars, and Mr. Ben was thoroughly enjoying a remote controlled farting machine which was part of his Easter Booty, much to the dismay of others.
Around 10am I realised we were having our Passover Seder with one of Tony's Golden Knights team members and I was still in my pj's. The manic house cleaning began shortly thereafter. Around 1:30 Mr. Paul called. At 2:00 he showed up. We were expecting him at 4...Thank goodness I'd put the chicken in early!
A Seder, traditionally, is a very long meal. Most children really don't look forward to the Seder because there is so much praying and blessing going on that eating really doesn't come in as a priority. Passover is afterall a holiday where we recognize our release from Bondage. We pray for our ancestors, we pray for the release of others still in Bondage, we pray and thank G-d for his blessing as a people.
In our family, I spare the kids the hours and let them eat first and then we begin. We end our Seder by saying "Next Year in Israel." Yes, it's a long dinner, but it is only once a year and it is beautiful. It reconnects me to my heritage, and is very important to me.
Yesterday my 3 were so naughty at the table it was legendary, and I quietly asked them to leave. By then I was whispering "Next year BYMYSELF!" I was so embarrassed. Friends came to say hello, the kids stayed upstairs. Friends left and the kids stayed upstairs. I cleaned up, and pulled out work I had avoided all break (still avoiding btw, as I'm doing this instead!) I watched The Sopranos for Team Leader, and went upstairs to get in bed. They were settled down. Pres must have really figured out my level of frustration...whatever...they were quiet and I was tired.
Woke up this morning DREADING the fact that I go back to work today-UGH.
Came downstairs.
Hanging over the passthrough to the dining room was a HUGE sign from the kids:
(It says "Happy Birthday Mom"
We love you!)
and the tv was frozen on the frame in the movie "Love Actually" (my favorite movie) where one character is holding a cue card up that says:
"To Me You Are Perfect"
I was flabbergasted! For starters, the 15th anniversary of my 24th bday is tomorrow, BUT, my 3 NEVER do stuff like this...usually it's all about them
Of course my camera is broken, so a picture will have to wait.
However...it was a beautiful way to wake up...and rotters they are, but they are mine-ours really...Somehow they figured out how to release me from my personal bondage, and that is the best early bday gift I've ever received.
Thanks kids-Momma gets it!
I love you too!
Team Leader left on Saturday morning for his next big trip to Germany; leaving me with our 3 Rotters (unsupported mind you!) for the remainder of April.
What is a "Rotter?" you ask...simple really.
British slang for someone rotten.
British slang I grew up with curtesy of "Oor Wullie" and "The Broons" comic books tha my Scottish Grammie would send us, along with mounds of candy, which my brothers and I still prefer over the American counterparts.
Back to yesterday. We began our morning with a visit from the Easter Frog (more on that later), baskets were full, spirits were WHOA high thanks greatly to our pals at Hershey and Mars, and Mr. Ben was thoroughly enjoying a remote controlled farting machine which was part of his Easter Booty, much to the dismay of others.
Around 10am I realised we were having our Passover Seder with one of Tony's Golden Knights team members and I was still in my pj's. The manic house cleaning began shortly thereafter. Around 1:30 Mr. Paul called. At 2:00 he showed up. We were expecting him at 4...Thank goodness I'd put the chicken in early!
A Seder, traditionally, is a very long meal. Most children really don't look forward to the Seder because there is so much praying and blessing going on that eating really doesn't come in as a priority. Passover is afterall a holiday where we recognize our release from Bondage. We pray for our ancestors, we pray for the release of others still in Bondage, we pray and thank G-d for his blessing as a people.
In our family, I spare the kids the hours and let them eat first and then we begin. We end our Seder by saying "Next Year in Israel." Yes, it's a long dinner, but it is only once a year and it is beautiful. It reconnects me to my heritage, and is very important to me.
Yesterday my 3 were so naughty at the table it was legendary, and I quietly asked them to leave. By then I was whispering "Next year BYMYSELF!" I was so embarrassed. Friends came to say hello, the kids stayed upstairs. Friends left and the kids stayed upstairs. I cleaned up, and pulled out work I had avoided all break (still avoiding btw, as I'm doing this instead!) I watched The Sopranos for Team Leader, and went upstairs to get in bed. They were settled down. Pres must have really figured out my level of frustration...whatever...they were quiet and I was tired.
Woke up this morning DREADING the fact that I go back to work today-UGH.
Came downstairs.
Hanging over the passthrough to the dining room was a HUGE sign from the kids:
(It says "Happy
We love you!)
and the tv was frozen on the frame in the movie "Love Actually" (my favorite movie) where one character is holding a cue card up that says:
"To Me You Are Perfect"
I was flabbergasted! For starters, the 15th anniversary of my 24th bday is tomorrow, BUT, my 3 NEVER do stuff like this...usually it's all about them
Of course my camera is broken, so a picture will have to wait.
However...it was a beautiful way to wake up...and rotters they are, but they are mine-ours really...Somehow they figured out how to release me from my personal bondage, and that is the best early bday gift I've ever received.
Thanks kids-Momma gets it!
I love you too!
Friday, April 06, 2007
snaps: in no particular order!
our girls...
future PGA stars...
three little harrisons...
a kitten?
the JI-NORMOUS waterslide I went down with the kids-yes Ben went too-which prompted the yikes photo to be scanned in
Getting ready to leave SeaWorld...fabulous day!
Spring Break: "Take your broke A** home!"
We're back!
Road trip to Florida started at 9pm last Saturday night...never let it be said that we are exactly TIMELY in our endevors as a family. As Team Leader SOO politely pointed out to me
"I had all my stuff packed in 5 minutes."
FOR REAL?!!!
Last time I checked there were FIVE of us going to Orlando, not ONE?!!
(Clearly, it must be me!)
Anyhoo...we got in the truck and started driving.
We drove to SC.
We drove to GA.
We started looking for a hotel around Savannah.
We drove to FL.
We FOUND a hotel 20 minutes outside of Orlando, at 5:17 in the morning!
We checked in and slept until 1pm.
NICE!
Looking like ass when we got up, we drove into Orlando, and got lost.
We drove down the main strip of Orlando.
We caught up with Team Leader's family around 2:30ish and got the best gift ever:
our sister in law has lost the better part of 100 pounds!! Now, she will probably KILL me for posting this, but what Julie has done is nothing short of amazing.
Seriously.
What we all take for granted, is life, and by taking hers into control she has given us years and years to enjoy with her. I for one can't thank her enough. She's always been such an important link to Florida for me; I could NEVER imagine being there without her...maybe I'm being overly dramatic, but I really can't begin to tell her how inspiring she is, and how thankful I am for her determination!!
So now I've used [thank] in way too many sentences, and Julie is busy cursing me under her breath, but I can live with that! Short version:
WE ARE PROUD OF YOU JULES!!! and now everyone on the internet knows it! :)
The nephew-let and niece-let were fabboless!, The brother was hysterical, the sister was a hoot in the pool, and mother in law looked great, and all were fun fun fun to hang with! The kids got along so well; we all commented on how easily our children melt into one happy group of silly no matter HOW much time goes by...very lucky folks are we!
*sigh*
We spent 2 days just hanging out and playing crazy putt putt before they had to leave.
Tuesday got blown due to a stoopid stoopid timeshare pitch that we had to attend because we exchanged points to go to this yucky place in Orlando where EVERYONE is as grumpy and rude as can be!
SO we ended up at the poorman's theme park in Old Town for the day, before we finished up our family putt putt tournament "COMMANDO IN ORLANDO!" Which I won!!
Yay me!
We went to the Arabian Nights dinner show, true experience let me tell ya, that night and fell into bed.
Wednesday was a different story!
We hit SeaWorld!
Which totally rocked, even though we walked at least 8 zillion miles!
We saw Shamu, up close and personal, in the second row where we got totally soaked.
The kids all want to sponsor a Manatee,
which we will somehow figure out and do, and we all have at least one great memory. We left, exhausted, after 8+ hours at the park to begin the long drive home. THIS time, we called ahead and reserved a room in St. Augustine! Never let it be said that I don't learn from a mistake!!
We got back, to happy but wickedly spazzing kittens and a very relieved Foxy Momma, and seriously cold weather...in APRIL! Is this reality, who knows, but we're back and Team Leader leaves for Germany tomorrow. Fingers crossed there will be no available quarters on post and we'll be "forced" to live on the economy in Heidelberg (my secret wish)!
I've promised photos for days and days and that will be the next post.
really.
Hugs and Love as you celebrate the joys of Spring!
essie
Road trip to Florida started at 9pm last Saturday night...never let it be said that we are exactly TIMELY in our endevors as a family. As Team Leader SOO politely pointed out to me
"I had all my stuff packed in 5 minutes."
FOR REAL?!!!
Last time I checked there were FIVE of us going to Orlando, not ONE?!!
(Clearly, it must be me!)
Anyhoo...we got in the truck and started driving.
We drove to SC.
We drove to GA.
We started looking for a hotel around Savannah.
We drove to FL.
We FOUND a hotel 20 minutes outside of Orlando, at 5:17 in the morning!
We checked in and slept until 1pm.
NICE!
Looking like ass when we got up, we drove into Orlando, and got lost.
We drove down the main strip of Orlando.
We caught up with Team Leader's family around 2:30ish and got the best gift ever:
our sister in law has lost the better part of 100 pounds!! Now, she will probably KILL me for posting this, but what Julie has done is nothing short of amazing.
Seriously.
What we all take for granted, is life, and by taking hers into control she has given us years and years to enjoy with her. I for one can't thank her enough. She's always been such an important link to Florida for me; I could NEVER imagine being there without her...maybe I'm being overly dramatic, but I really can't begin to tell her how inspiring she is, and how thankful I am for her determination!!
So now I've used [thank] in way too many sentences, and Julie is busy cursing me under her breath, but I can live with that! Short version:
WE ARE PROUD OF YOU JULES!!! and now everyone on the internet knows it! :)
The nephew-let and niece-let were fabboless!, The brother was hysterical, the sister was a hoot in the pool, and mother in law looked great, and all were fun fun fun to hang with! The kids got along so well; we all commented on how easily our children melt into one happy group of silly no matter HOW much time goes by...very lucky folks are we!
*sigh*
We spent 2 days just hanging out and playing crazy putt putt before they had to leave.
Tuesday got blown due to a stoopid stoopid timeshare pitch that we had to attend because we exchanged points to go to this yucky place in Orlando where EVERYONE is as grumpy and rude as can be!
SO we ended up at the poorman's theme park in Old Town for the day, before we finished up our family putt putt tournament "COMMANDO IN ORLANDO!" Which I won!!
Yay me!
We went to the Arabian Nights dinner show, true experience let me tell ya, that night and fell into bed.
Wednesday was a different story!
We hit SeaWorld!
Which totally rocked, even though we walked at least 8 zillion miles!
We saw Shamu, up close and personal, in the second row where we got totally soaked.
The kids all want to sponsor a Manatee,
which we will somehow figure out and do, and we all have at least one great memory. We left, exhausted, after 8+ hours at the park to begin the long drive home. THIS time, we called ahead and reserved a room in St. Augustine! Never let it be said that I don't learn from a mistake!!
We got back, to happy but wickedly spazzing kittens and a very relieved Foxy Momma, and seriously cold weather...in APRIL! Is this reality, who knows, but we're back and Team Leader leaves for Germany tomorrow. Fingers crossed there will be no available quarters on post and we'll be "forced" to live on the economy in Heidelberg (my secret wish)!
I've promised photos for days and days and that will be the next post.
really.
Hugs and Love as you celebrate the joys of Spring!
essie
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