Pay day means paying bills and grocery shopping. Exciting stuff. Bailey and I detoured to our favourite pet shop to visit the puppies and pick up something for Indy. They had a baby boy blonde golden retriever but their sale price was actually more than what we'd paid for Indy! Not that I can bring home another dog. Just saying. They did have a gorgeous Macaw that they were selling with the appropriate cage for $750. If I didn't know better that you only buy a parrot if you nurse it from birth, that would be such an awesome deal.
We had dinner at Golden Corral in Punta Gorda before meeting Bailey's father for her visitation. After that, I took an update photo of PGFD 2 (forgot the hard hat!) and went out to CCFEMS 16 for some visiting. Tommy had fun with E16 and we talked with Gary and Mark for a bit.
No plans for the weekend, yet. I'd like to do something, though.
Here's Tom and Tommy sitting on the bumper of E16:
Bailey is home!!!
Tommy is so happy to have his sister back!
I had to go to Punta Gorda to pick her up because her father had a lengthy, complicated explanation about how he didn't have time to drive her home but then waited the 30 minutes for me to get down to South Punta Gorda without complaint. He's gotten into a nasty habit of fibbing but I didn't mind the drive. It was too rainy so I didn't stop to take an update shot on the construction progress of PGFD 2. I'll take one on Friday when I'm back down that way, and bring a hard hat with me.
I was really hoping the processing for renewing Tom's passport would muck up the plans for him to go to Hong Kong, but the company is really making sure Tom can go as planned. Except now it's not Hong Kong, it's Korea. At least it doesn't interfer with Michael's birthday party and the kids starting school. It was really important to me that he be here. He could still be called away on another business trip during that time, but it wouldn't be for two weeks like this Korea thing will be. We can work around that, especially since my parents will be in town for a little bit.
Although we typically post on Team Vox to let you know about things that are going on with Vox (to, uh, state the obvious), once in a while, we like to let you know about other cool things that are happening around the blogosphere. And we think the idea of four hilarious mommy bloggers traveling across the U.S. on their way to the BlogHer '08 conference - all the while blogging and video blogging the journey - is one trip you will not want to miss.
Four adventurous bloggers from the Silicon Valley Moms Group were selected to participate in the Summer Road Trip '08 and blog about their travels, hotel stays, media appearances, time away from their families, and life on the road. Six Apart helped them partner up with General Motors, who provided the blogging mommies with a Chevy Tahoe Hybrid SUV to help make their journey comfy, safe, and a little more green.
In case you're not familiar with them, SV Moms is a group of over 200 bloggers who showcase the ups, downs, outrages, struggles, victories, and everyday humor of motherhood. There are currently nine regional and demographically tailored sites that give mothers from D.C., New Jersey, the Deep South, Rocky Mountains, L.A., and Silicon Valley a powerful voice and sense of camaraderie across the country. Whether you're a mother, a child, or just a person who enjoys a good blog, you'll really love reading the words of these amazing women.
The moms buckled into their Chevy Tahoe Hybrid SUV on July 11th and even got an encouraging message from Katie Couric to kick things off! They are currently somewhere in the middle of America making their way to San Francisco where they'll attend an SV Moms Group Party, as well as BlogHer '08.
You do not want to miss these entertaining and irreverent bloggers -- or their spontaneous contest giveaways! -- as they blog from the road. Experience the journey at MomRoadTrip.com.
And let us know about your summer road trip - or plane/boat/bus trip - in the comments! (I like to live vicariously.)
I avoid this movie like the plague. Tom wanted to watch it. Usually, I have an excuse and find something else to do but this was Couple Time and I just couldn't weasel out of it, lest I be doomed to watch Zorro. I'm better about it tonight than I was the first time I saw it. The first time I saw this movie was in the theatre and it brought back a bunch of memories. Remembering that worry, that fear, that sense of unknown, all the reasons why I stopped dating firefighters.
I'm married now to a former firefighter. I have the benefits of the personality without that stress. He travels a lot now but that's still worlds different than if he was at the department for that same block of time. And he's happy at what he's doing. He does miss the life. He even admits it. But he's also happy doing what he's doing now and he is very good at his job.
But tonight it was more obvious that this was just a movie, despite its moments of realism. I don't feel helpless like I used to feel. I'm no more helpful to anyone, mind you, but I don't feel defenseless. I know a thing or two about a thing or two, whereas growing up and even when I was dating, there was so much of it that was intimidating.
My photography isn't just all for me, it's also all for them. When I started the project, I didn't expect any benefits. I just wanted to do it. What I get out of this has been secondary for me. I feel an independence to enjoy it because I'm no longer defenseless with worry. Even while I can't help but to feel concern for the people I've met, it's comforting to know that I have my firefighter safe at home, with his helmet hanging on the wall.
I'm sorry this movie review hasn't been about the movie.
The scene that will always get to me is the final few frames, when after the funeral scene, they give a black & white flashback to the footage of Jack Morrison's first fire. Just thinking about that gets to me.
Since I had to run a few errands in Punta Gorda and had already taken a couple portrait shots at Charlotte County Fire/EMS Station 15, I made time to stop by the Punta Gorda Fire Department, which led to a fun time taking a few portraits at Stations 1 and 3. I also caught a snapshot of the new Station 2 that's under construction off Acline Road.
Seriously? This beats nature photography ten times over.
Things are picking up more with Tom's job. While he's gone, I can't work because then I'm the only parent on duty. I miss him a lot for a number of reasons when he travels, the loss of work being only one. I'm also jealous that he gets to go to places like Chile and Hong Kong! But as long as he keeps busy and is happy, I want that for him.
In other news, our a/c is broke. Tom's fixing that tomorrow.
Source: News-press.com
Fort Myers mother describes fireworks horror
Toddlers to undergo skin graft surgery today
And for Catarina Felix, 22, of Fort Myers, the sound of her two youngest children's piercing screams is something she will likely never forget.
As of Monday, no arrests had been made in the July 4 incident in which Fort Myers police say someone tossed live fireworks into an open window of Felix's car, where the toddlers sat helpless to avoid the explosions.
Felix spoke by phone Monday from a room at Tampa General Hospital, where she is keeping vigil over Mariah Felix, 2, and Juan Coley, 1. She is pleading with anyone who saw what happened to come forward with information.
"We were just at the wrong place at the wrong time," Felix said. "These kids are innocent and didn't deserve this. We deserve to know why this happened."
When first admitted, the children were in critical condition. Mariah suffered from burns on 6 percent of her body, mostly on her left leg. Juan was burned on 15 percent of his body, including both legs, his right arm and his left hand. Described as "playful, happy children," they are expected to undergo skin graft surgery today, Felix said.
"They don't understand what happened," she said. "I just try to let them know I'm here, and it's going to be all right."
Felix herself is struggling, watching her babies in pain, wishing she could take it on for them.
Fort Myers police spokeswoman Maureen Buice said detectives are still investigating.
"We are following up on information provided by several witnesses," Buice said. "Anyone with information is asked to call FMPD or Crimestoppers."
Felix said she was only running a quick errand to the store with the children and three friends. All the windows were rolled down as she stopped at a sign at the corner of Starnes Avenue and Dale Street, where she noted a group of teens setting off fireworks. She continued without much thought until less than a minute later, she heard six or seven pops.
"It happened so fast," she said. "My car was smoking, and my kids were screaming. I didn't even see it happen. I only heard my kids, and then I saw the burns."
Her instinct tells her whoever threw the fireworks didn't realize the seriousness of what they were doing, and probably didn't know there were kids in the car. But not knowing that for sure makes her uneasy.
"If it was a mistake, they need to just come forward and say so," she said. "If at least they could step up and admit to what they did, I would feel better about it."
Do you live in or around Cincinnati, Ohio? If so, you're in luck because Scott and the Queen City Voxers Group have organized a Vox user meetup!
WHERE: Ault Park Playground. 3600 Observatory Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45208. "We'll look for each other at the playground marked by the red X below. If it's raining, head for the shelter to the north of the [red] X."
To RSVP (which is not essential, but is appreciated), reply to Scott's announcement or send him a private message. All Voxers, as well as their friends and family, are welcome to attend.
If you do attend the meetup, have a great time and please take lots of pictures and send them to me so I can post them in Team Vox for everyone to see!
Thank you so much to Scott for organizing this meetup. Wish I could be there!
What question do you hate being asked?
I don't like questions that I don't have a happy answer for. There are parts of my life that just aren't normal. I deal with legal problems and abusive ex who causes those legal problems so there are so many holidays that I'm not joyful and cheery over because I have to do travel for his visitation and have little to no choice or voice in things. I don't have interesting stories behind my scars, I have horrible stories that people don't want to hear and I don't care to tell. When people ask, "Why didn't you get much sleep last night?" I can lie so my answer is something more normal or I can tell them that I have insomnia and nightmares.
People ask questions to feign interest and compassion. When you give them an answer that's unhappy, they're quickly confronted with their own dishonesty and the fact that they really weren't interested or compassionate. I try not to make other people feel uncomfortable so I lie to give them the answer they want so they feel they're good people who are interested in others and show compassion. Truthfully, I hate doing that.
In case you were busy with family get-toghethers and BBq's to go geocaching, here are a few local caches you can search for to remember those who fought for our freedom over the years.
In Louduon County there are a number of sites where Civil War battles took place or troops were strategically stationed.
The Battle of Balls Bluff was the largest Civil War battle to place in Loudoun County, VA. It is said the battle brought the war home as bodies of soldiers killed in the flight floated downstream in the Potomac River into Washington, DC. The area is now home to a regional park that includes hiking trails with interpretive signs reflecting on this tragic part of American history. It is also home to one of the smallest national cemeteries. In the cemetery are 25 headstones marking a common grave of more than 50 union soldiers.
The park is also home to a number of caches hidden throughout the bluffs. Some, like Balls Bluff Picnic Cache and Mr. Mo's Hide, can be found with only a short walk. That is, if they are accessed correctly. You can turn it into one of the longer hikes in the park if you choose to start at the main parking area. Buck's Haven, Crossing Aid, and At the Crossing require a little bit of hiking and can easily be done as a group. There is also a required 90 minute hike for the Balls Bluff Regional Park cache. Be sure to bring your calculator for this one. An equally challenging multi-cache is the Trilogy series. Be sure to read the logs on this one. I am asking for assistance to finish stage two and three.
In Downtown Leesburg there is a cache called the Courtside Excursion. The cache is located near a parking lot for the Loudoun County Courts Complex. Feel free to walk around the grounds of the complex which are home to several war memorials, including a statue of a confederate soldier. The statue has been a controversial topic over the past several months. Funding for a Revolutionary War memorial was also recently approved.
Another area you may want to check out is the Loudoun Heights Trail. The top of this range was home to Union Major Henry A. Cole's 1st Maryland Calvary on January 10, 1864. On that day Confederate Major John Mosby and Captain Benjamin Franklin Stringfellow attacked the Calvary just before dawn. It was a bad day for Mosby's rangers. The trail is a spur off the Appalachian Trail(AT); at one time Loudoun Heights was part of the original AT.
The Prized Cache takes you up the steep switchbacks of the trail to a rock outcropping. Here you get a wonderful view. From the rocks you can stand in Virginia and see Maryland and West Virginia. The cache asks you to bring your binoculars as you will need to gather information from nearby Harpers Ferry, WV. Parking is difficult to access the trail. There is a large turnabout here but many times the vending trucks will chase you away. You may have to park along a very busy Route 340 at the trailhead.
Hope you enjoy your walk through history.
Today, we went to Pine Island Airport, where Tom's father had flown out of the Punta Gorda Airport to join the Fly-in. We stayed for a couple hours to look at aircraft and watch people zoom around, land, and take-off. For $5 you could get a plate with a hamburger, hotdog, and all the fixings. Iced tea was free (and it was really good). Check out more photos of the airport and aircraft on my flickr's Pine Island Airport set.
After Tom's father left to return to PGD, we returned to Charlotte County to window shop at the Harley Davidson dealership in Murdock. After a few more errands and spoiling ourselves with a frozen treat from Sonic, we headed on home for the day. Tom barbecued hamburgers for dinner and I spoke to my three children who are all in Illinois at the moment.
Bailey lost her first tooth yesterday and has gotten her first visit from the Tooth Fairy. She was really excited when that tooth first came loose and she could start losing teeth like her older brothers.
Tomorrow, Tom's riding the harleys with his father. For lunch or dinner, his parents are treating us somewhere in celebration of Tom's birthday on Tuesday. Of course, Tom will be in Jacksonville so that's why we've done all the celebrating this weekend. Tommy and I will do our own thing for the day until it's time to eat.
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Humanists Updated: 7 days ago
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Geocaching Updated: Jun 6, 2008
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Waymarking Updated: Mar 27, 2008
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