Life goes on

Up and running--sorta

We got the computer back up Monday...but honestly I've not written until now because I've been depressed.

My cat Samantha died on Tuesday. She was 10, and sick. She'd been sick since she was born. She's almost died a couple of times. When she was 3, the vet told us she wouldn't likely make it to 4. So I know I was lucky to have her as long as I did. But knowing that doesn't make the losing her any easier.

I miss her. Before there was Russell there was Samantha. He stole her side of the bed. She eventually forgave him that...but not until she'd tried to kill him a few times to make her point that she was unhappy with him.

If I'm lucky enough to go to Heaven, I know I'll see her again. She was a good girl and she will be missed.

I've fallen and I can't get up...

..well at least not for 6-8 days. The power source on my computer has died and it will be 6-8 days for it to be repaired. We'll be back up and running soon and I'll try to do word only updates when I can "grab" a computer...but it will be sparse until then!

Sorry!

A good morning tickle

Karaoke Queen!

Don't tell our social worker, but we own a karaoke machine. I know, I know, she's ayoung defenseless child and we're exposing her to cheesey ripoffs of classic songs and bad singing...but it's FUN!!!

I run karaoke night every year at the academy and this year was no exception. As we were setting up and doing sound checks etc. before the event, Lydia lent a hand and her voice!

Living on the Edge

Well posts have slowed down here and it's because we're "Living on the Edge". What is that you may ask? Well, it's me, Lydia and Russell living in a dorm room on campus with 12 teachers (some with their families) 6 RC's, a membership team of 4 a staff of 2 and 98 students all in a talented and gifted summer academy whose theme is "Living on the Edge." I'm teaching and working with the kids almost constantly...and when I'm not, I'm with "the fam". So far so good. I like my class I'm teaching on censorship and Lydia is adapting well. She had a rough couple of days at the beginning, but she's now starting to really "dig" her celebrity status as the only baby at the academy. She smiles and waves at everybody and everybody wants her to like them so bad they are willing to do anything to get her to smile at them. Living in a dorm room with a baby isn't bad at all. The only real pain is cafeteria lines at dinner. She has not yet developed her patience gland, so the line is hellish on us, her and those near her in line...but we cope. I'll try to keep the blog updated as best I can, but they really are working us like dogs here...ahhhh well only 2 1/2 weeks to go!


Lydia and I listen to Matt (one of the students) play an original composition. Many of the students here are extremely talented as well as intelligent.



Lydia is doing well living in the dorms. We've set up a portable crib and changing station and it's become her home away from home!

Guangxi June 2006: Dozens dead in record floods.

Floods in southern China have killed at least 55 people and forced thousands more to evacuate their homes, official state media has reported.

The Xinhua news agency told how nine hours of torrential rain caused a series of landslides in Wuzhou, a city in the Guangxi region. Around 15,000 people had to leave the city as nearly 2,000 houses collapsed.

In Fujian province, also in the south, the bank of a rain-swollen river collapsed yesterday morning and flooded 11 villages while thousands of residents were still asleep, Xinhua said.

The disasters come amid what the government says is the worst summer flooding in parts of China in three decades.

More heavy rain has been predicted for the next two days in southern China, and local governments are preparing for mudslides and landslides.

Across southern China, at least 378,000 people have already been asked to leave the provinces of Fujian, Guangdong and Guizhou, the Ministry of Civil Affairs said.

China suffers hundreds of flood deaths each year during the summer monsoon season, although this year's first storm arrived unusually early.

Rivers overflow and water rushes down mountains stripped of trees by decades of farming and logging, often causing deadly landslides.

Announcement

Kentucky - Russell and Lissa S***** of Houston, Texas and Hampton, Virginia announce the engagement of their daughter, Lydia S*****, to Christian A*****, son of Jonathan and Anne A***** of Nairobi, Kenya.

Miss S***** is currently attending Apple Tree Daycare (the 1 yr. room)where she shows a great interest in Music and Dance.

Mr. A****** is currently attending Apple Tree Daycare (the 3 yr. room) where he shows a great interest in Trucks and Soccor (football).

An April 2031 wedding is planned.

Honeymoon plans are still tentative.

:-)

Welcome to the family!

"Howdy Genevive Marie! Welcome to the family! It's great to finally have a girl cousin. We must get together soon to "chat"."
--Lydia

Esther Williams need not worry!

Notice the concerned look as daddy approaches with the hose...



Notice the lack of child in the filled pool...




Notice the lack of pool with a much happier child...

Yup...definately not gonna be the next Esther Williams!

Mommy aka "2 of 2"

So while my folks were here visiting we gave Lydia a pop quiz.
"Where is Daddy?" and Lydia pointed to Russell.
"Where is Grandpa?" and Lydia pointed to my dad.
"Where is Grandma?" and Lydia pointed to my mom.

One by one, we went around the room identifying it's occupants with precision accuracy. She's a smart cookie afterall.

Then finally...

"Where is Lydia?" and Lydia pointed to herself.
Beaming with pride because she knew who everyone was Russell leans over and says you forgot to ask "Where is Mommy?"

You know where our girl points? To BOTH me and her. I laugh and ask her over..."Where is Mommy?" and she repeats the gesture of pointing to both of us. And I realize...oh...she means it. She thinks WE are mommy!

I sorta knew for a second what it was like to be Borg!!

"We are the Mommy. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. You will adapt to service us. Lower your shields and surrender. Resistance is futile."