Ink!

After putting this off for...oh, say 15 years...I finally took the plunge and got inked. I love it!!

If you can't tell, I'm a Libra - and who I am is pretty important to me. The 7 stars are for all of the kids - confusing if you don't remember that Tyler died shortly after he was born, and remember that Manny is not mine-by-birth, but mine.

Tylers star is the black one - shaded in at midnight on what would have been his 15th birthday. Profound for me...and a moment I'll never forget. The pain was secondary at that point.

Let me know what you think!

Summertime...

Summer thoughts...

It has been quite a while since I've blogged...

The first half of summer in nearly over. The girls will be returning next week - work is clicking along, Noels new job is going well. Enjoy some of the latest pictures that I FINALLY found some time to upload some pix. Hopefully, I'll get the opportunity to blog a little more frequently!

You are all in my thoughts!

Working for a Living

Noel's office view downtown...

As many of you know, I plunged back into the full time work force at the end of February. This is a move that has been much discussed in our home over the course of the last six years. It's official - I'm now a full time working stiff!

I am employed by Millennium Electronics, Inc. I did my homework on this company well in advance (OK, online stalking of their website...) but a few details escaped my research. I'd like to share these with you -

1. When you read testimonials from employees about "The best thing about working for MEI is the people" - you start to be a little leary. Does this mean that the people are the ONLY good thing about working for this company? I have to answer this in two parts. A.) I was fully integrated by the people already working there by the third day. Yes, they really are THAT AWESOME. B.) It's not just the people. The benefits that MEI offers are pretty amazing for a CM as well. Not the medical, but just the motivation and rewards that they have in place. It's pretty wild! In fact, I plan to use some of those ideas in the gym to help motivate the girls. I'm impressed...

2. It is so exciting to have the opportunity to grow with a company as it goes from "Mom & Pop" to "Global Leader". Which way are we leaning? Well, let's just say that we are headed in the right direction but there is much work to be done - and I am SO excited to be a part of this! It is a serious rush for me to solve quality problems and find ways to save money while still operating in the black that I consider this my "drug". I love being a part of something big - and I think that MEI is really poised for this transition...

3. Nothing could have ever prepared me for when my nameplate arrived this past week. It's slotted outside my cubicle (OH, the dread...). My name was spelled right and EVERYTHING! I guess that makes me a part of the MEI family - but I really hope that if I ever get fired, they'll let me take it with me :O)

-SO-

I apologize for being a phantom blogger this past month, as my body and time constraints are going through a real transition as well. I am trying to balance everything, and some little things are being left in the dust. Add to that some very action packed weekends and I'm having a hard time staying on top of my internet responsibilities! I still think of you all everday :O)

Performance link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMru7FI4YzE

Ok...here is a link to Sundays performance. This video was taken by a parent who was sitting next to the mat, so the view is slightly askew. I love it from a personal standpoint because you can see Jillyan's spinning scorpion really well. When you see the kids move into stunt position with the back spot kneeling like she's tying her shoes - Jillyan is the incoming flyer. Since it's only a partial view, it's tough to keep track of both of the kids, and Allyson is on the other side of the mat - so mainly this video is focused on Jillyan (of my two performers!). Jilly also flies a show-n-go that is the first one to move (they come forward), and she is the point flyer in the pyramid: performing a tick-tock/ball down to full-cradle. Let me know what you think!!

Excitment = finding Fendi knockoff shades for $10!! Almost takes away from the chins!

Let me explain!

After previewing my blog...I realize that I forgot to explain what the whole "Crazy Cheerleaders" post was!

This is the video of the awards taken ON the spring floor (sorry for the shaky video). If you listen carefully and/or can hear the announcer over the noise, they naturally begin the awards starting with last place. There were 7 total squads in our division, so even though it sounds like he says "second", it is actually "seventh"! The realization that second place was not them hit pretty quickly after it was announced! There was a lot of screaming, jumping around and tears when that happened! Please keep in mind that I am excited as well - AND standing near excited parents that want to "shake the coach" when the kids place well! Apologies ahead of time!

Copy and past the link to your browser, and it should take you to the video!

Crazy Cheerleaders!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxUQfs_4PeY

Snow...snow...snow...

Last week, we got 14 inches of snow. Monday night, we are supposed to get 3-6" more. This is on top of the official total for the season = 40 inches. Spring - where art thou?

The birdhouses are listing under all of the snow!

Poor bushes! Poor dogs trying to find the bushes!


Where'd my bench go?

Beautiful FAT white flakes!