We've been home from Orlando for about a week now and I'm still working on the trip report... The mountains of laundry I had to face upon our return and the illness and sudden death of my precious cat have really thrown me for a loop. It's been 72 hours since she passed but I'm still feeling blue about it and not very motivated to complete any of the things on my "to do list"...
I'll definitely get to it - just not sure when!
Monday, July 30, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
So Hard To Say Goodbye
We are about to lose a beloved family pet and it's more difficult than I ever imagined it'd be. My cat, Peaches (a.k.a. Peenie McFeenie, Peeper, PeePee Dirl, Peenie Mu-Cha-Cha, Chicka, Peenerator etc.), was diagnosed with cancer yesterday. Her abdomen is filled with masses and there isn't anything that can be done. I was given a medication (ciproheptadine) to stimulate her appetite in hopes that we can make her more comfortable over the weekend. (She hasn't eaten in a few days and is weighing just 4 pounds after losing 10+ pounds in recent months.) The medication is working but I'm not sure I'm going to continue to administer it to her as the nature of her cancer (stomach, liver, bowels etc.) is making the elimination of what she is eating difficult and painful.
I am trying to prepare the children (ages 7 and 8) but it's hard when I don't feel prepared myself. Their questions - my daughters' especially - are so difficult to answer.
Peaches has been a wonderful pet and companion for almost 14 and a half years. She has always had a sweet disposition and a kind, loving nature. She will be terribly missed.
The picture above was taken back in 1993 when she wasn't even a year old yet. She is the one on the counter - my other cat, Bo, is the one in the sink.
Monday, July 09, 2007
Trip Planning #2
To follow up on my pre-flight hotel post from a few weeks ago...
We're again flying American Airlines. I participate in their frequent flyer program and try to fly them whenever possible. Too - they offer a non-stop from LAX to Orlando which is preferable for me. The kids love flying so I don't worry too much about it. I usually try to pack various activities into the backpacks they carry on-board - workbooks, reading books, markers and paper... We also have a great portable DVD player that they can use to watch movies. That little thing helps tremendously with these 5-hour cross-country flights! For this trip, I recently bought them Bridge To Terabithia and Akeelah and the Bee keep them entertained.
I love that AA lets you check-in and print boarding passes online. This makes arriving at the airport so much easier. We've flown half a dozen times in the past few years and security (even at large airports like LAX) hasn't ever been a problem.
Stay tuned for a massive trip report later this month!
We're again flying American Airlines. I participate in their frequent flyer program and try to fly them whenever possible. Too - they offer a non-stop from LAX to Orlando which is preferable for me. The kids love flying so I don't worry too much about it. I usually try to pack various activities into the backpacks they carry on-board - workbooks, reading books, markers and paper... We also have a great portable DVD player that they can use to watch movies. That little thing helps tremendously with these 5-hour cross-country flights! For this trip, I recently bought them Bridge To Terabithia and Akeelah and the Bee keep them entertained.
I love that AA lets you check-in and print boarding passes online. This makes arriving at the airport so much easier. We've flown half a dozen times in the past few years and security (even at large airports like LAX) hasn't ever been a problem.
Stay tuned for a massive trip report later this month!
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
July Already?
What happened to June?!
The kids celebrated their last day of 1st grade on Thursday May 31. They had one day off before starting Summer School on Monday June 4. We're already almost finished with the 6-week program and they are doing wonderfully. Their last day is the 13th of July and, save for swim lessons, they have nothing else planned until school starts again in August.
We just finished up a months' worth of tennis lessons thrugh our local park & recreation program and I am so surprised at how well they did and at how much improvement they showed with just 8 lessons. They both loved it and will definitey continue playing.
The countdown is on for our Disneyworld trip! The kids are so excited. Mom is too, honestly!
The kids celebrated their last day of 1st grade on Thursday May 31. They had one day off before starting Summer School on Monday June 4. We're already almost finished with the 6-week program and they are doing wonderfully. Their last day is the 13th of July and, save for swim lessons, they have nothing else planned until school starts again in August.
We just finished up a months' worth of tennis lessons thrugh our local park & recreation program and I am so surprised at how well they did and at how much improvement they showed with just 8 lessons. They both loved it and will definitey continue playing.
The countdown is on for our Disneyworld trip! The kids are so excited. Mom is too, honestly!
Monday, May 28, 2007
Dodgers vs. Cubs
My Father has been a Dodger fan for as long as I can remember. My husband was born and raised in Chicago and has been a Cubs fan since birth. We always try to make it to a game when the Cubs make their way out west and this year was no exception. The two teams only play once this season and we were fortunate enough to get 8 tickets for a suite at the Saturday May 26 game. Even more exciting than the suite tickets, though, was the opportunity we had to actually go onto the field beforehand for some pre-game festivities. The kids participated in an autograph gathering and my Dad (celebrating his 61st birthday May 30) threw out the first pitch!
Such a beautiful park!
My sister, friend, husband and Dad posing with the Dodgers' relief catcher.
My girlfriend and I in the suite before the game.
Greggy Girl
I discovered this fabulous line of little girls' clothing a few months ago and have found two adorable outfits for my daughter to wear on our DisneyWorld trip/cruise later this Summer - one is nautical and the other, Pirate Couture. Visit Charlene May's site to locate stores that carry her line or check on eBay!
Monday, May 21, 2007
Lumpy's Run To The Wall
Someone I know is making his way from his home in California to Washington D.C. to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. He managed to somehow pack a digital camera and his laptop onto his hog and is updating a blog when he can - check it out and support him on his journey!
Thursday, April 26, 2007
15 Years Ago...
...my husband and I went on our first date. It was a Sunday and he took me to the White Horse Inn in the San Fernando Valley. I believe it was at the corner of White Oak and Roscoe but have heard that it has since closed down. We moved in together exactly 6 months later and married three years after that. It's gone by so fast and - here we are - 12 years of marriage and 2 kids later...
Friday, April 20, 2007
On This Day...
1889 - Adolf Hitler was born
1941 - Ryan O'Neal was born
1948 - My Mommy was born (Happy birthday, Mom!)
1949 - Jessica Lange was born
1971 - the United States Supreme Court upheld the use of busing to achieve racial desegregation in schools
1972 - Carmen Electra was born
1999 - 2 students went on a shooting rampage at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, killing 12 students and one teacher before taking their own lives
1941 - Ryan O'Neal was born
1948 - My Mommy was born (Happy birthday, Mom!)
1949 - Jessica Lange was born
1971 - the United States Supreme Court upheld the use of busing to achieve racial desegregation in schools
1972 - Carmen Electra was born
1999 - 2 students went on a shooting rampage at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, killing 12 students and one teacher before taking their own lives
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Trip Planning #1
I love going on vacation. I love planning for vacations almost just as much. Maybe I'll look into becoming a Travel Agent in my next life...
Anyway - those of you who have visited me here for a while know that I like "detailed" trip reports and I'm sure I'll write one once we return in July. I thought it'd be fun to post here some of the pre-trip goings on as well and, today, I booked the hotel that we'll stay at the night before our early morning flight out of LAX.
A few years ago, we discovered the Renaissance Montura - a Marriott property very close to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and perfect for the night before those early morning flights out of town. We get a Park & Fly rate there (with our AAA discount) of less than $200. (I booked our room for July at $169 and will continue to check their site for the rate as, if they lower it, they'll adjust my reservation accordingly.) The Park & Fly rate includes a fabulous room (with amazing views of the airport runways but literally no airplane noise!) on the Club Level which allows us access to the concierge lounge that has beverages, cocktails, snack foods, hors d'ouevres, desserts and breakfast as well as 7 days of free valet parking while we are away! The parking alone is $21/day so the rate is incredibly reasonable! Also included in the rate is a limo (towncar) ride to the airport the morning of the flight. Can't beat that!
Anyway - those of you who have visited me here for a while know that I like "detailed" trip reports and I'm sure I'll write one once we return in July. I thought it'd be fun to post here some of the pre-trip goings on as well and, today, I booked the hotel that we'll stay at the night before our early morning flight out of LAX.
A few years ago, we discovered the Renaissance Montura - a Marriott property very close to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and perfect for the night before those early morning flights out of town. We get a Park & Fly rate there (with our AAA discount) of less than $200. (I booked our room for July at $169 and will continue to check their site for the rate as, if they lower it, they'll adjust my reservation accordingly.) The Park & Fly rate includes a fabulous room (with amazing views of the airport runways but literally no airplane noise!) on the Club Level which allows us access to the concierge lounge that has beverages, cocktails, snack foods, hors d'ouevres, desserts and breakfast as well as 7 days of free valet parking while we are away! The parking alone is $21/day so the rate is incredibly reasonable! Also included in the rate is a limo (towncar) ride to the airport the morning of the flight. Can't beat that!
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Mickey Mouse Here We Come!
It's official - we are taking the kids to Orlando this Summer for a week! We are all so excited. Our children have never been to Disneyworld and my husband and I have only been there once for a short period of time and, while we did spend an evening at Pleasure Island at Downtown Disney and enjoyed a nice dinner atop Disney's Contemporary Resort at The California Grill, we did not have any time to really explore the city or any of the Disney Parks. I am all about "memory-making" for my kids and I know this trip will be fantastic!
We are going to stay at the airport in L.A. pre-flight as we usually do when we fly out early. We'll then enjoy 2-day park-hopper tickets early in the week before catching a shuttle from our hotel (The Disney Yacht Club) to Port Canaveral where we will board the MS Disney Wonder for a 3-Day Bahamian Cruise. More details to come...
We are going to stay at the airport in L.A. pre-flight as we usually do when we fly out early. We'll then enjoy 2-day park-hopper tickets early in the week before catching a shuttle from our hotel (The Disney Yacht Club) to Port Canaveral where we will board the MS Disney Wonder for a 3-Day Bahamian Cruise. More details to come...
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Spring
I love Spring... I have many azaleas and other plants that are so pretty this time of year. I thought it'd be fun to share some pictures from around the "casa de OnlineMom"!
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
In Memory of Dana Fisher (August 21, 1953 - March 23, 2007)
When my husband and I purchased our very first personal computer, it was October of 1992. We were so excited to finally have access to the "world wide web". We subscribed to Prodigy (Classic) when it became available and I immediately became hooked on their message boards. Dana was the first person I met online - my very first "online friend".
He was a chemist and computer-know-it-all who helped me with everything from e-mail to HTML and beyond. We made the switch from Prodigy Classic to Prodigy Internet together and stayed in touch even after they were long gone (bought out by SBC Yahoo in 2001).
We exchanged e-mails, instant messages, photographs of our families, online jokes and websites and even Christmas cards through the mail for over 10 years. We loved to chat about our families, NASCAR, technology, bowling, his job and their beloved puppies.
In early 2006, he was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrigs Disease) - news that stunned and deeply saddened me. He suffered tremendously and had to give up all activity very quickly once he lost use/mobility of his hands and arms. He passsed away on March 23, 2007 at home in West Virginia with his wife and family at his side.
He was a chemist and computer-know-it-all who helped me with everything from e-mail to HTML and beyond. We made the switch from Prodigy Classic to Prodigy Internet together and stayed in touch even after they were long gone (bought out by SBC Yahoo in 2001).
We exchanged e-mails, instant messages, photographs of our families, online jokes and websites and even Christmas cards through the mail for over 10 years. We loved to chat about our families, NASCAR, technology, bowling, his job and their beloved puppies.
In early 2006, he was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrigs Disease) - news that stunned and deeply saddened me. He suffered tremendously and had to give up all activity very quickly once he lost use/mobility of his hands and arms. He passsed away on March 23, 2007 at home in West Virginia with his wife and family at his side.
Monday, April 02, 2007
On This Day...
1889 - Eiffel Tower Opens
1945 - Don Sutton (L.A. Dodgers) was born
1992 - John Gotti found guilty in death of Paul Castallanos
2005 - Pope John Paul II dies
1945 - Don Sutton (L.A. Dodgers) was born
1992 - John Gotti found guilty in death of Paul Castallanos
2005 - Pope John Paul II dies
Video From The Masters
They have live cameras set up Monday-Wednesday at the driving range and tournament coverage starts on Thursday.
I love Masters week!
I love Masters week!
Sunday, April 01, 2007
212 Yards
That was how far I hit my drive on #2 today - my longest drive ever!
The weather here has been wonderful and I've been taking full advantage of it (hence my absence from the blog!). I've been golfing three times/week and absolutely loving it. It's so great to be at it again!
The weather here has been wonderful and I've been taking full advantage of it (hence my absence from the blog!). I've been golfing three times/week and absolutely loving it. It's so great to be at it again!
Thursday, March 08, 2007
FORE!
I've started golfing again.
It's a sport that I spent time around my entire life. My Father has played (every Saturday and Sunday) for as long as I can recall and my husband plays once or twice/week as his schedule allows. I first picked up a club in 1995 - right after we were married. I was instantly hooked. I wasn't great - but I did seem to inherit my Fathers' natural swing and I definitely discovered a passion for it.
For a few years, I played regularly with a girlfriend - two or three times during the week. In 1998, though, once I became pregnant for the first time, I gave it up. I lost that pregnancy (as well as a few others) and my priorities changed as my husband and I struggled to start our family. My children were born in June of 1999 and June of 2000 and I didn't get back onto the driving range until 2002. Even that, though, was short-lived - life was just too hectic with two toddlers for me to get out and play with any regularity.
My kids are finally in school full-time (5 hours/day), now, and I have been thinking about picking it up again since last Fall.
Recently, I dusted off my Callaway irons and my Big Bertha driver and started visiting the range again on the days when I don't work in the classrooms. It's great to be back out there again! Starting next week, I hope to start playing at least two times/week. God help me! As much as I enjoy the game - it makes me absolutely nuts. I expect a lot of myself and have high expectations that I can't consistently meet!
It's a sport that I spent time around my entire life. My Father has played (every Saturday and Sunday) for as long as I can recall and my husband plays once or twice/week as his schedule allows. I first picked up a club in 1995 - right after we were married. I was instantly hooked. I wasn't great - but I did seem to inherit my Fathers' natural swing and I definitely discovered a passion for it.
For a few years, I played regularly with a girlfriend - two or three times during the week. In 1998, though, once I became pregnant for the first time, I gave it up. I lost that pregnancy (as well as a few others) and my priorities changed as my husband and I struggled to start our family. My children were born in June of 1999 and June of 2000 and I didn't get back onto the driving range until 2002. Even that, though, was short-lived - life was just too hectic with two toddlers for me to get out and play with any regularity.
My kids are finally in school full-time (5 hours/day), now, and I have been thinking about picking it up again since last Fall.
Recently, I dusted off my Callaway irons and my Big Bertha driver and started visiting the range again on the days when I don't work in the classrooms. It's great to be back out there again! Starting next week, I hope to start playing at least two times/week. God help me! As much as I enjoy the game - it makes me absolutely nuts. I expect a lot of myself and have high expectations that I can't consistently meet!
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