I have seen it all !

This morning as I was looking at my local weather I noticed this link Doggy Dating - Find your dog their soul mate! I was sure that it was a joke but being a dog lover ( I am one of the biggest) I decided to check it out. Amazingly enough, it was just as it sounded, a dating page for dogs. I thought this had to be a unique site but a quick search proved me wrong. I guess that this is the new thing for Dog owners that has taken off. You can post pictures of your dog along with information about what your pooch is looking for ( such as Pretty pooch with bad Breath, loves Milk bones, and squeaky toys. Not fond of cats , etc. ) or you can view doggy personals listed by other owners. Some sites even have a recording of the doggy hopeful's bark.

Now, let me first say that I think that my cocker spaniels as well as all dogs out there deserve the chance to love as well as be loved , but come on people ! As I played the recordings of some of these dogs barking ( speaking) Clancy seemed rather annoyed and Clarissa slept. Of course maybe their lack of interest has something to do with the fact that they are two dogs in a monogamous relationship. I guess that you could say that they are still newlyweds of sorts. Clarissa ( though almost two)has only been with us a year and four months while we have had Clancy for two and a half years. This comes out to less than ten doggy years that they have been together. Still in all this time they are just now about a week from mating.

This whole thing makes me wonder, was I wrong to pick Clarissa out from an Internet site and have her flown to Clancy or should he have spent some time on the net picking out his own mate? Was I considerate enough when picking her? What if they decide to get a doggy divorce? Oh No,What have I done?

Better Late than never

Though we are late as usual,Mike and Michael got the Flower bed planted. The best thing about being so late is that when we went to get the flowers they were reduced to half off. Amazingly the selection was wonderful so I bought four flats. The car was too full to buy the decorative mulch so I will have to get that tomorrow but I had to share .

Caitlyn's Angel got a new paint job and some Beautiful flowers.
Another Angel shot with my tomato plants in the back round

Michael plants the other end of the flowerbed

Mike pops flowers out of the containers

Karate in the park

Mike took these pictures last time we had karate in the park.

This is at the end when they line up by rank , recite the Dojo Kun , and bow out. Michael is not in these ones but Roby is the next to last.

Thank You Family Video

Michael and Robby have been asking daily if their report cards have come. This has struck me as odd. What boy would really care? After all it's summer vacation . I have thought this but always seemed to be too preoccupied to asked them . Yesterday I got my answer. As I was driving past Family Video, I seen their sign, Free video or game rental for each A. Immediately it clicked. Michael and Robby love renting X box games. Though I can't imagine that there are more than the hundreds that they have, I guess that there are. Amazingly, after my enlightenment, I came home to report cards in the mail box. being a tad resourceful ,a light went on. So this morning will be spent cleaning rooms so that when Dad gets home from work they can go collect their rewards.

The senior picture saga nears it's end

Monday was the day. Cindy and I trudged back to the studio to order. Other than one pose ,we still had not made selections . Thank you to poor Laura who had to work with us. Though I have been nice the whole process while feeling that some of the employees were less than cooperative , I have to admit that I entered this time with a little attitude. Poor Laura was the epitome of sweetness. She answered our questions, showed us options, offered "deals" even blew up a couple shots so we could see how they would look. We made our decision, changed our minds, and made more decisions while she smiled .If only Laura could train the entire staff. I left with a different opinion of the whole studio. We finally completed our order and are done for two months when we pick up the pictures. Next step is picking a hall for her Graduation party. I am told to book by August or have it at home, so I better get busy. It's already too late for Molly Maid as they would need more than a year to get my house ready for something like this.

My Puppies

Though Clancy has been through several courses in doggy training and we have worked with Clarissa for awhile now, their daily behavior leaves a lot to be desired. One thing that they do have down is sit look at me. This is because at dinner time we fix their bowls (the same Nutro dog food that is in their auto feeder with a small amount of grilled meat drippings), put them in sit and make them keep eye contact with whomever is feeding them while their bowl is set in front of them and prayers are said. When they hear Amen , they are allowed to eat. They do great with this. Saturday after they were fed while we were eating outside, I put them in sit to take a picture. Aren't they cute ?

Clancy
Clarissa

Feeding the turtles

As promised in a previous post, I went to Big Lots to buy Goose friendly food. Unfortunately the day that I went was not a good reduced day. They almost always have some kind of cereal or crackers for less than a dollar per box, but this day the reduced rack was empty. I remembered a barrel of stale hard pretzels at home that the kids left the lid off of so I put them in the car for the next Karate in the park day.

The fish were not real happy with this snack as it was a bit hard for them until it sogged out in the water . The geese were not too interested either though there were not near as many as the past trip and those that were left were not even eating the bread that another visitor had left. The turtles, however, loved the salty snack. I have never seen so many turtles come up for food. It was amazing. At one point one was only twelve to fifteen inches from me as I threw him more pretzels. I started to throw further in the lake as I was afraid of getting bit. I have been told that these are snappers and didn't want to take any chances.

I think that next time I will probably get a more fish friendly snack but I still may bring a couple pretzels for the turtles

The geese stayed close to their babies leaving bread lay right next to them
This one turtle followed me around the pond eating all that he could

Happy Fathers Day !

The Happiest of Fathers day is wished to:

My Loving Father

The Wonderful Father of my children

All Father's everywhere

Everyone who has ever served as a Father figure to anyone

May you all have great Father's Day !

Change of Plans in a good way !

Since I had just purchased a fire bowl and it was Cindy's birthday, she decided that yesterday was the day to have a wiener roast. I intended to ask Dad and Mom over to join us as Cindy and Dad usually celebrate their birthdays together. However when I seen Dad Friday night after his oral surgery, it didn't seem like he was up for such an event. Cindy felt bad that Pops would not be here but understood and still wanted to keep the plans. At three O' clock we called to see how Pops was doing and he said he felt pretty good. So Cindy asked if he would come.He did and we all had a great time.

Happy Birthday Cynthia June 16, 1990

Happy Birthday to my oldest.

My dearest daughter Cynthia, it is hard to believe that you are seventeen. It seems like just yesterday you were born. Now we are starting preparations for your coming Senior year of High school and Graduation.

You have done some amazing things thus far in life and I am sure that there will be more amazing things to come.

Always put forth your best and you will go far.

We Love you !

Happy Birthday Dad June 16, 1945

Happy Birthday Dad.
Words can not express how much you are loved. You have always been there for anyone who has had a need. I have so many memories of your greatness that I could write volumes.

Have a great Birthday and enjoy your retirement.

Dad tends to a clean up fire as Cindy looks on
This Birthday is especially special to Dad as it also marks the first official day of his retirement .
Too bad that he will not be celebrating much today as he had some unexpected oral surgery yesterday and is not quite in the party mood.

Senior pictures are picked up.

It looked bleak yesterday when the time was approaching time to go get Cindy's proofs. There was a Thunderstorm warning and the skies were black. The rain came with the thunder and lightning too.I was sure that the electric there would go off and the studio would reschedule me again ,but I kept a positive attitude and I got in my car , and drove to the studio, and they were open, and Yes, I got the proofs ! I am ambivalent about the results though. One picture was extraordinary. A couple were good, a couple so so, some not so good, and a couple just not good at all. I guess this is OK as I wouldn't have too hard of a time when choosing which ones to purchase, but still, I am a little disappointed.

Mike pretty much felt the same as I did but amazingly, he liked some that I didn't and vise versa. Again Cindy likes a couple that neither of us liked. Isn't it amazing how I can see yuck and someone else sees greatness? Kind of makes me stop and think about life. There are those who I just can not see much good in but they are the world to someone else. Wouldn't it be great to see through God's eyes ? To see the greatness that he sees , Greatness that far outweighs the not so good. Just something to think about !

The cast is off

Michael's doctor's appointment yesterday ended in his cast being removed. After two months of crutches he was so excited to be able to walk. Too bad that due to this left foot being done and the right still needing done, his left is about two inches taller than the right. Add this to the walking air boot which they added and he is quite off balance. He is having a little difficulty adjusting without falling but is none the less happy. He will start Physical therapy at the end of the week or beginning of next and hopefully soon will be able to walk good enough to get the right foot done. The good news is that this boot can come off for a bath, swimming, and water rides at Geauga Lake and Cedar Point.

Geauga Lake with cast

Last Sunday was the first that we have made it to Geauga Lake this season. Michael is just a few days from getting a walking boot to replace his cast so hopefully next time he can ride more. Snoopy poses with the kids
Brotherly love !

Next episode in the Senior picture saga... The storm !

Yesterday evening as I chatted with Mike by cell phones on his way home from work I heard sirens. This really didn't strike me as I live just over two blocks from my town's main fire station and hear these all the time. Mike had casually mentioned that the skies looked pretty dark so I looked out the window. A storm was brewing all right. I decided that the meat which I was going to grill outside for dinner was not going to get grilled in this storm so I went to the kitchen to look for an inside alternative. While I was gone the kids turned on the TV to their show being interrupted for storm tracker. Though I am not storm-a- phobic like many that I know, I sat down to see just what we were in for. This one was big with tornado warnings, hail the size of softballs, and all that good stuff. Luckily Storm tracker radar showed that my town was only going to get hit by the edge of the storm as it went through. I started a couple pounds of spaghetti for dinner and waited. Luckily, as predicted we only got the rain thunder and lightning. However those a couple miles away were not so lucky. Last night's news showed the park and Lilly pond where we were just Thursday with huge trees down all over the place, including on many cars. Many power outages were reported and crews vowed to work through the night restoring power as well as clearing the many fallen trees. As I watched this devastation so close to home I prayed for those affected and Thanked God that we were missed. Soon after I went to bed as Mike had to work this morning and I get up with him to cook his breakfast, pack his lunch , and see him off.

I also knew that I had an appointment to pick up Cindy's senior picture proofs this morning. I am cautiously excited to see these pictures because with all of the chaos that we had getting them taken I hope that they turn out well. I have seen great pictures come from this studio but I have also seen some disappointing ones as well. I have no idea why I am bordering obsessive about this but I have even had dreams concerning it. I was excited that I would finally see them when the phone rang. The lady at the studio informed me that they had no power and would call back today if it was restored in time, otherwise they would reschedule me on Monday. OK, I said what is another week or so? On the bright side I may have a little more anxiety but I will have more time to come up with the two hundred and fifty dollar nonrefundable deposit/ down payment. There is always a silver lining.

Ever been bit by a canadian goose?

Tuesday was supposed to be the day that karate class was being held at the park, however rain drowned the plans. Last night as we arrived at the Dojo, Sensei David was waiting outside.Robby was so excited as he was told that they were going to swim in the Lilly pond but he soon realized that a nice dip with the turtles (Snappers I was told) was not in the plans. As the class did their normal drills on a hill overlooking the pond, Mike and I decided to take a walk. At one point a group of Canadian geese came from the water and walked to us. Because I did not anticipate this trip I was not prepared , as I usually am in this situation, with duck snacks. These geese did not believe that two people the size of Mike and I would be without food and decided to come up and see for themselves. Mike had just finished a cup of Dr. Pepper and threw the ice on the ground. As a couple geese ate the ice another waddled right up to us looking oh so hungry. I felt bad and took an ice cube from my cup . As I put my hand down this goose bit my finger. Though it didn't hurt , it startled me and I pulled back. The poor goose was dumbfounded. He knew that he grabbed something but his mouth was empty. He just stood there looking at me. I feel so bad that I told Mike that I will go to Big Lots this afternoon and buy some reduced cereal or crackers or some other goose friendly snack. Though I think I will throw it to them instead of hand feeling this time .

4th Grade graduation pictures

The class of 07 picture
Robby stands in recognition of the President's award for having all A's and a 4.0 GPA
Robby receives his diploma

Robby's diploma
Robby's president's award

4th Grade Graduation

Robby will graduate from the fourth grade today. Though he's only one third of the way through school, It amazes me how far he has come since that warm August day almost eleven years ago when he was born six weeks premature. I remember him being whisked off to NICU after only having a minute to see his beautiful face. I remember so vividly that though the doctors did not know what exactly was wrong, how they doubted that he would live . I remember fighting to bring him home because I knew that if left in the hospital he would not survive. I remember waking every hour through the first nights just to make sure he was still breathing. I remember praying as I fed him that he would be able to keep just enough nourishment down to keep him alive. I remember going from specialist to specialist, hospital to hospital, lab to lab, just hoping and praying that someone would give us an answer. Finally I remember when doctors had given up and I went with my gut feelings that God provided me . I remember going against all doctors advice and started feeding Robby solid baby foods and juice at less than one month old. Sure enough God led me to the solution. I remember the looks on the doctors faces as Robby started to gain weight. I truly remember .

Amazing that this boy who doctors gave up on will graduate fourth grade today. Not only will he graduate but he will do it with honors. In addition to his diploma, Robert Michael will receive an award for not only having a 4.0 GPA in fourth grade, but a 4.0 GPA all through his school years. Robby was also recognized a couple weeks back for scoring a PHS ( Past high school level) on his achievement tests.

Robby, not only are you blessed but you are surely a blessing. May God always care for you as he has in the past. You are sure to do great things with your life !

A new look for the cast

Since Michael is down to one more week of wearing this cast and wanted something new and different, Mike did some sharpie art work for him. They decided to mix a tube sock and a Nike tennis shoe ,but it still needed something. Why a Steeler's logo was just the thing. As a finishing touch Michael requested Big Ben's number 7 due to his many injuries last season.

Feeling important

One of the perks that my Senior picture sitting fee included was a personal dressing room. Though the room was small and had no air conditioning it did have a neat sign on the door which made Cindy feel special.

Dressing room reserved for
Cynthia Parkhurst
from
Boardman High School

Senior Pictures

Against the odds Cindy's senior pictures took place Tuesday evening.First off Robby had Karate and is unable to skip a class due to his desperately trying to qualify to test. He is having great problems due to not only his occupational set backs but his ear surgery and graphs which have left his equilibrium way off. Secondly , I needed Mike to take the dogs home after their portion of the shoot as three hours would be way too much. Thirdly, Mike would not be home until four twenty and our appointment was for four thirty . Determined to make this work, I decided that I could pack my car with Cindy, Robby, Cindy's clothes, Robby's karate bag and gi, the dogs , and anything else that we would need and meet Mike there . This all seemed like it would work until I got the call that I had to pick up my Market day at 4:30. I negotiated with the school and they agreed to a 4:10 pick up.

We left here at 4:00 and was still a few minutes early for Market Day pick up. Luckily I had qualified for the free insulated bag which prevented my food from spoiling since I had no time to take it home before the photo shoot. Soon I was on my way. without a minute to spare. I would have been exactly on time but it just so happened that there was road construction with traffic stopped twenty feet from the studio.I got through and pulled into the studio at exactly my scheduled time. Unfortunately there were no parking spaces to be found. Luckily Mike had parked his car and was standing waiting for us. Cindy and I hopped out and let him find a place to park for us. We entered the studio to a full waiting room and a wait . By the time that we finally got to shooting Cindy's pictures the dogs had been there too long and did not want to cooperate at all. We got two shots but I doubt that either will be of any quality .( It was time for Mike to leave with them anyway )Unfortunately the photographer seemed to have had it too. She really didn't want to hear what Cindy wanted and balked at a few of her requests. We politely stood firm ( after all we were paying over a hundred dollars for just this sitting) Three hours later we were finally finished. Though I feel that some shots could have been better, I think we will have plenty to choose from,after all the more poses you add to your package the more you pay.

All and all I am glad that this little step to Cindy's finishing school is over, and look forward to the next .

Too bad that the next step happened when I got home to a message left on my home voice mail at four thirty one, that I was not at the studio on time and would have to reschedule. I took a deep breath wrote a rather polite E mail stating that I was there and she was photographed. Then I went out with Mike for all you can eat wing night . Does life really get better than this?