Bad day at Black Rock here.....no one is old enough to know what that is, I bet.....it is an old Spencer Tracy (anyone old enough to remember him???) film. My family has used the title of that movie for whenever things don't go the way we plan. My family has a saying for just about everything. If you are in the bathroom and there is no toilet paper left under the sink, you have to yell "Joe McGucken!!!" Anyone in the house (even many of our friends now know this) knows this means toilet paper is needed immediately. It comes from friends' of my grandparents. Mrs. McGucken was visiting my grandparents and was in the bathroom with no toilet paper, so she started screaming for her husband. This probably happened in the 1920's and my family still screams "Joe McGucken!!" when they need toilet paper. I could list many, many more....but I digress......
As I was saying....bad day at Black Rock here.....at least for Brody. The Sixers lost the game. He has been in a funk ever since. All that explaining above, just to say the Sixers lost! Not a big deal to most people....but it certainly is for #1 fan, Brody.
Mike painted in the bedroom all day....the trim is taking forever....2 coats on four windows, crown molding, two closets.....a lot of tedious work. Better Mike than me. He was so sick of being in the house that he insisted we go out to dinner. We went to our favorite local Italian restaurant. I had my favorite dish, Gnocchi Capri. Gnocchi in a cream, tomato, basil sauce, topped with mozzarella and baked. Artery clogging for sure, but it is soooooo delish!!
Time to get the kids to 'go up the golden stairs to sleep' (another family expression, origin unknown).
Saturday, April 21, 2001
I love Saturday mornings. It is the only day of the week that I don't have to get up at the crack o' dawn. I LOVE to sleep in! I also like Saturday mornings because I don't have to jump in the shower the minute I crawl out of bed....I can lounge around in my sleep shirt and robe. I am an expert at being lazy!
Friday, April 20, 2001
TEN THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT ME
1. I am left handed.
2. I am a sun whore and I have the dried out skin to prove it. I use lotion....but I only use Bain de Soleil #4 orange gelee.....which is about as effective as baby oil in protection. I lie in the sun almost every day in the summer. I also love to swim. I am the only old lady out there body surfing.
3. My mother was an older mother.....I have followed in her footsteps. She was 36 years old when she had me, very unusual for the 1950's.
4. I live 20 miles away from where I was born and raised.
5. I love to talk on the phone and thankfully have friends who like to do the same. It is not unusual for me to have hour long conversations or even 2 hour conversations. Mike just loves when I do that with my friends who live far away! LOL
6. I LOVE to drive. I find it a great stress-buster. When Marna was going through her colicky period I would often jump in the car right after I handed her over to Mike as he walked in the door. We live in a great area for driving.....long country roads leading to more long country roads.
7. I know the city of Philadelphia better than anyone I know, (except for my brother). I can get you to any part of the city, center city or otherwise. My friends are always calling me for directions to different parts of the city. Both sets of grandparents lived in Philadelphia and we spent many, many weekends there. My father was a great one for taking 'field trips', so my brother and I learned the city inside and out from checking out all the sites with our father.
8. I know a LOT of trivia. I know a little about almost everything and know a lot about nothing. My family has been telling me to go on Jeopardy for years. I just have a knack....well I used to have a knack, as I grow older I seem to be losing it a bit.....for remembering something I have read only once. All these useless little tidbits stuck in my brain. It came in very handy when I was in school.....I didn't have to study nearly as long as most people. We used to play trivia with friends on a regular basis, but they won't play with me any more.....we have moved on to card games! LOL
9. I suck at math. I hate math.
10. I lose my keys frequently. Mike has threatened to nail them to my ass on a chain.
1. I am left handed.
2. I am a sun whore and I have the dried out skin to prove it. I use lotion....but I only use Bain de Soleil #4 orange gelee.....which is about as effective as baby oil in protection. I lie in the sun almost every day in the summer. I also love to swim. I am the only old lady out there body surfing.
3. My mother was an older mother.....I have followed in her footsteps. She was 36 years old when she had me, very unusual for the 1950's.
4. I live 20 miles away from where I was born and raised.
5. I love to talk on the phone and thankfully have friends who like to do the same. It is not unusual for me to have hour long conversations or even 2 hour conversations. Mike just loves when I do that with my friends who live far away! LOL
6. I LOVE to drive. I find it a great stress-buster. When Marna was going through her colicky period I would often jump in the car right after I handed her over to Mike as he walked in the door. We live in a great area for driving.....long country roads leading to more long country roads.
7. I know the city of Philadelphia better than anyone I know, (except for my brother). I can get you to any part of the city, center city or otherwise. My friends are always calling me for directions to different parts of the city. Both sets of grandparents lived in Philadelphia and we spent many, many weekends there. My father was a great one for taking 'field trips', so my brother and I learned the city inside and out from checking out all the sites with our father.
8. I know a LOT of trivia. I know a little about almost everything and know a lot about nothing. My family has been telling me to go on Jeopardy for years. I just have a knack....well I used to have a knack, as I grow older I seem to be losing it a bit.....for remembering something I have read only once. All these useless little tidbits stuck in my brain. It came in very handy when I was in school.....I didn't have to study nearly as long as most people. We used to play trivia with friends on a regular basis, but they won't play with me any more.....we have moved on to card games! LOL
9. I suck at math. I hate math.
10. I lose my keys frequently. Mike has threatened to nail them to my ass on a chain.
I have just perused all the blogs that have become part of my daily net routine. I am amazed at how they are evolving. They all look so great.....fancy new colors, layouts, features, etc.
This thing ain't called BlogBore for nothing......this is the way this blog will remain.....boring in content and appearance! LOL
This thing ain't called BlogBore for nothing......this is the way this blog will remain.....boring in content and appearance! LOL
Didn't get to blog yesterday or do much of anything on the net for that matter. DSL was down. I called and got a recording that they were experiencing trouble in South Jersey (me), parts of Maryland and Pennsylvania. "We are working diligently to rectify the problem as quickly as possible." More than 12 hours later it finally connected.
Had an interesting afternoon yesterday. My friend Marge came over to give Marna her birthday presents. We were chatting away in the den and heard Brody and his friends playing their daily basketball game in the driveway. Brody came in and said, " Aunt Marge, some girl threw a skateboard and it hit your car and dented it." Brody has been known to kid around with stuff like this, so neither Marge nor I took him seriously at first. He realized we weren't buying it and finally said, "I am not kidding, come out and look."
We go out back and there are 3 middle school age girls standing there. I have never seen any of them before.
Sure enough, on the hood of Marge's Expedition are two huge dents from the wheels of the skateboard and a huge scrape from the grip tape on the deck of the board in between. Marge was much more calm than I would ever expect her to be and much more calm than I know I would have been had it been my car. I turned to the girls and asked which one threw it. The girl admitted it, I got her name and address, and then told her to leave as we do not tolerate behavior like that. It seems as though she was aiming for the head of one of Brody's friends and he ducked! I hate to think what would have happened to John had she made her target!!
As the girl is walking out of our yard, one of the other girls starts yelling at me, "Who the f*** do you think you are? You can't f***ing talk to my sister like that you motherf***er!" I can't even describe the rage I felt when that girl spewed those words in my direction. I did stay calm and said to her, "I'll tell you who I am. I am the owner of this property, the property you are trespassing upon and I suggest you leave this minute and if I ever see you or your sister here again, I will immediately call the police."
I expected another foul-mouthed response, but she mumbled under her breath and she and her friend walked to the street.
The boys came over and patted me on the back thrilled that I had 'handled' her. They said she is bad news and at the moment is suspended from school. It seems the girls were walking by and saw the boys in the backyard and decided to invite themselves back there. Of course my obvious question to the boys was why didn't you tell me or tell them to leave? Being adolescent boys, I think they enjoyed the idea of girls watching them play.....even though they don't like these girls.
We checked out Marge's car again and realized it was going to be a costly repair. We decided to call the police to get a report. The police came and said Marge had two choices.....go talk to the parents of the girl and try to work it out that way, or file charges against her and take it court to get the money. Marge decided she would talk to the parents first. I told the officer that she would only be doing that if he accompanied her. He said he would.
Marge came back and told us that another officer showed up. She went to the door of the house with an officer on either side of her. The mother was terribly upset at the throwing of the skateboard and the foul-mouthed back talk. Marge said the mother seemed distraught that her daughters are out of control. I found out from one of Brody's friends that the foul-mouthed sister broke a window of a neighbor .....with her fist!!!....and had the police called on her then, as well. Marge told her that she would like to keep the police out of it, if possible. The mother agreed and said I am going to have to pay for it either way so I would just like to keep it between us (she and Marge). Marge thinks the mother is sincere, but told the mother if it didn't work out this way, she would take it to court. The mother gave Marge her name and phone number and told Marge to call her when she got an estimate. I hope it does work out with no problems.
I am astounded at the behavior of these kids. What is up with kids these days?? I find it very scary that some kids think nothing of behaving in this manner.
Had an interesting afternoon yesterday. My friend Marge came over to give Marna her birthday presents. We were chatting away in the den and heard Brody and his friends playing their daily basketball game in the driveway. Brody came in and said, " Aunt Marge, some girl threw a skateboard and it hit your car and dented it." Brody has been known to kid around with stuff like this, so neither Marge nor I took him seriously at first. He realized we weren't buying it and finally said, "I am not kidding, come out and look."
We go out back and there are 3 middle school age girls standing there. I have never seen any of them before.
Sure enough, on the hood of Marge's Expedition are two huge dents from the wheels of the skateboard and a huge scrape from the grip tape on the deck of the board in between. Marge was much more calm than I would ever expect her to be and much more calm than I know I would have been had it been my car. I turned to the girls and asked which one threw it. The girl admitted it, I got her name and address, and then told her to leave as we do not tolerate behavior like that. It seems as though she was aiming for the head of one of Brody's friends and he ducked! I hate to think what would have happened to John had she made her target!!
As the girl is walking out of our yard, one of the other girls starts yelling at me, "Who the f*** do you think you are? You can't f***ing talk to my sister like that you motherf***er!" I can't even describe the rage I felt when that girl spewed those words in my direction. I did stay calm and said to her, "I'll tell you who I am. I am the owner of this property, the property you are trespassing upon and I suggest you leave this minute and if I ever see you or your sister here again, I will immediately call the police."
I expected another foul-mouthed response, but she mumbled under her breath and she and her friend walked to the street.
The boys came over and patted me on the back thrilled that I had 'handled' her. They said she is bad news and at the moment is suspended from school. It seems the girls were walking by and saw the boys in the backyard and decided to invite themselves back there. Of course my obvious question to the boys was why didn't you tell me or tell them to leave? Being adolescent boys, I think they enjoyed the idea of girls watching them play.....even though they don't like these girls.
We checked out Marge's car again and realized it was going to be a costly repair. We decided to call the police to get a report. The police came and said Marge had two choices.....go talk to the parents of the girl and try to work it out that way, or file charges against her and take it court to get the money. Marge decided she would talk to the parents first. I told the officer that she would only be doing that if he accompanied her. He said he would.
Marge came back and told us that another officer showed up. She went to the door of the house with an officer on either side of her. The mother was terribly upset at the throwing of the skateboard and the foul-mouthed back talk. Marge said the mother seemed distraught that her daughters are out of control. I found out from one of Brody's friends that the foul-mouthed sister broke a window of a neighbor .....with her fist!!!....and had the police called on her then, as well. Marge told her that she would like to keep the police out of it, if possible. The mother agreed and said I am going to have to pay for it either way so I would just like to keep it between us (she and Marge). Marge thinks the mother is sincere, but told the mother if it didn't work out this way, she would take it to court. The mother gave Marge her name and phone number and told Marge to call her when she got an estimate. I hope it does work out with no problems.
I am astounded at the behavior of these kids. What is up with kids these days?? I find it very scary that some kids think nothing of behaving in this manner.
Tuesday, April 17, 2001
Getting older sucks. Mike and I both went to bed fine. He woke up with a hurting back, I woke up with an aching hip. It really eats it when you get hurt in bed....SLEEPING!! Oh wait...maybe we had super wild sex in our sleep and neither of us remembers......shit, if we're so old we wouldn't remember that.....shoot us!!!
We went to pick out wallpaper for our bedroom today. I kind of dreaded it....I hate all those choices, and I had nothing in mind. I don't have a particular decorating style like country, traditional, etc.,.....if I like it, I use it. Our bedroom was last done when Brody was about a year old.....so 12 years later, it's ready for a re-do. Plus we have ordered new bedroom furniture. We have a mish mosh of furniture at the moment. Most of the set my parents bought me when I was a sophomore in high school and some pieces that a friend gave us when she moved.
We are keeping the butt-ugly 70's rust, brown, beige carpet. It is so ugly, but it's on the second floor, no one sees it and it is in excellent condition. Mike wanted to rip it up and have the hardwood floors.....I wanted the bedroom carpeted.....so since we are both too cheap to replace it, the butt-ugly carpet stays.
Back to the wallpaper....Mike, the supreme cheapo, went immediately to the overstock racks of wallpaper. I was perusing the books and finding NOTHING. He walked over to me with one that I nixed when he was about 3 feet away from me. He came over with a second one and I LOVED it. It's kind of indescribably wild....we both agreed it was the paper we would use. We only paper the wall where the head of the bed is.....the rest of the room will be coordinately painted. So, we will be busy re-doing the bedroom, once Mike removes the old wallpaper.
Marna and I baked "Amish Friendship Bread" this evening . It is a project she is doing with her Brownie troop. We got a bag of starter.....smelly fermenting stuff, much like sourdough starter......and have had it for 10 days. Most days we just had to squeeze the bag, but on the 5th day we had to add sugar, milk, and flour. We finished the recipe today..... adding lots of ingredients, making 4 more starter bags for other troop members and the rest we used for baking two loaves. We put raisins in one and chocolate chips in the other. They smelled surprisingly delicious as they were baking.....nothing like that stinky starter. When it was finished baking, we allowed it to cool sufficiently and we all tried a piece. Wow! Were we surprised......it is delicious!! Marna was quite proud that she practically made it all by herself!!
Tomorrow is the last day of spring break. Why they made it for them to go back on a Thursday, I don't know, but it will get us out that much earlier in June....so I'm not going to complain. We have no plans for the day as of yet.....but I don't think I want to stay home. I'll have to think of something to do tomorrow.
We went to pick out wallpaper for our bedroom today. I kind of dreaded it....I hate all those choices, and I had nothing in mind. I don't have a particular decorating style like country, traditional, etc.,.....if I like it, I use it. Our bedroom was last done when Brody was about a year old.....so 12 years later, it's ready for a re-do. Plus we have ordered new bedroom furniture. We have a mish mosh of furniture at the moment. Most of the set my parents bought me when I was a sophomore in high school and some pieces that a friend gave us when she moved.
We are keeping the butt-ugly 70's rust, brown, beige carpet. It is so ugly, but it's on the second floor, no one sees it and it is in excellent condition. Mike wanted to rip it up and have the hardwood floors.....I wanted the bedroom carpeted.....so since we are both too cheap to replace it, the butt-ugly carpet stays.
Back to the wallpaper....Mike, the supreme cheapo, went immediately to the overstock racks of wallpaper. I was perusing the books and finding NOTHING. He walked over to me with one that I nixed when he was about 3 feet away from me. He came over with a second one and I LOVED it. It's kind of indescribably wild....we both agreed it was the paper we would use. We only paper the wall where the head of the bed is.....the rest of the room will be coordinately painted. So, we will be busy re-doing the bedroom, once Mike removes the old wallpaper.
Marna and I baked "Amish Friendship Bread" this evening . It is a project she is doing with her Brownie troop. We got a bag of starter.....smelly fermenting stuff, much like sourdough starter......and have had it for 10 days. Most days we just had to squeeze the bag, but on the 5th day we had to add sugar, milk, and flour. We finished the recipe today..... adding lots of ingredients, making 4 more starter bags for other troop members and the rest we used for baking two loaves. We put raisins in one and chocolate chips in the other. They smelled surprisingly delicious as they were baking.....nothing like that stinky starter. When it was finished baking, we allowed it to cool sufficiently and we all tried a piece. Wow! Were we surprised......it is delicious!! Marna was quite proud that she practically made it all by herself!!
Tomorrow is the last day of spring break. Why they made it for them to go back on a Thursday, I don't know, but it will get us out that much earlier in June....so I'm not going to complain. We have no plans for the day as of yet.....but I don't think I want to stay home. I'll have to think of something to do tomorrow.
Monday, April 16, 2001
A very quiet day-after-Easter. Marna's birthday money was burning a hole in her pocket and she wanted to go shopping. Mike decided to take the kids and give me a day off......I can dig it! Marna bought a new DiscMan to replace her cheapo one. They also went to the CD store.....Marna bought a Faith Hill CD, Brody bought a Third Eye Blind CD and Mike bought a best of Loggins and Messina CD......what a variety of music!! They also stopped in at a dollar store on the way home and Brody brought me a candle and a bag of Mary Janes. I love those things! That kid knows me!
Sunday, April 15, 2001
A lovely Easter day is winding down. Our guests just left and dear Michael is tackling the kitchen. We left all the mess so we could socialize with our friends Joan and Tony. Joan has to work tomorrow....has to get up at 5AM, so they couldn't stay too late, especially since they have an hour ride home.
I think this is the first Easter the kids have not awakened on their own. Does that mean they are getting old or does it mean they are getting too little sleep? We woke them up and they were both thrilled with their baskets. We went to church and boy, was it packed! I know it always is on Easter.....but I have never seen it so full. The choir was exceptionally terrific this morning and we had a guest flutist and pianist accompanying the organ. The music was incredible. Marna sang in the cherub choir and as I was watching her I couldn't believe she was standing there, facing all these people. She sang her little heart out. Marna used to be so terribly shy....at that time I would have never believed she would be able to sing in front of so many people. After the service, there was an egg hunt for the kids 12 and under.....the older kids filled and hid the plastic eggs all over the church yard.
We had friends from the shore for dinner. Tony is Mike's best friend and I really like Joan a lot. We drank a lot of wine, laughed a lot and enjoyed dinner. Mike is such a sweetie that he cleaned up everything. Not an easy job. We have a dishwasher, but none of the silver or old crystal stemware can go in.....he had to handwash a LOT. He is so good!!!! I am still miserably full from dinner. Think I will go get comfy......my nightshirt and robe are sounding pretty damned good at this moment.
I think this is the first Easter the kids have not awakened on their own. Does that mean they are getting old or does it mean they are getting too little sleep? We woke them up and they were both thrilled with their baskets. We went to church and boy, was it packed! I know it always is on Easter.....but I have never seen it so full. The choir was exceptionally terrific this morning and we had a guest flutist and pianist accompanying the organ. The music was incredible. Marna sang in the cherub choir and as I was watching her I couldn't believe she was standing there, facing all these people. She sang her little heart out. Marna used to be so terribly shy....at that time I would have never believed she would be able to sing in front of so many people. After the service, there was an egg hunt for the kids 12 and under.....the older kids filled and hid the plastic eggs all over the church yard.
We had friends from the shore for dinner. Tony is Mike's best friend and I really like Joan a lot. We drank a lot of wine, laughed a lot and enjoyed dinner. Mike is such a sweetie that he cleaned up everything. Not an easy job. We have a dishwasher, but none of the silver or old crystal stemware can go in.....he had to handwash a LOT. He is so good!!!! I am still miserably full from dinner. Think I will go get comfy......my nightshirt and robe are sounding pretty damned good at this moment.
Saturday, April 14, 2001
I have been extremely busy doing day before Easter stuff. Dyed two dozen eggs....took us about 15 minutes....we warped through those things! I prepared as much dinner today as I possibly could. We are having friends for dinner and I don't like to be stuck in the kitchen any longer than I have to. I want to socialize and drink wine like everyone else! I am sitting here avoiding the ironing board. Marna's dress and Brody's shirt and pants have to be ironed. I HATE to iron pants. Mike will probably take pity on me and iron the pants for me if I bitch and moan enough! LOL After I get the ironing done, the Easter Bunny will arrive and I will probably hit the sack. I am tuckered out from Marna's sleepover. I am too old for this shit. They didn't go to sleep until 2:30 and woke up at 7:00. My eyelids are sinking slowing into the west.
I was looking through Marna's baby book this morning and found this. I'd forgotten I had written it.
Dear Marna,
Your first birthday! Can it be a year already since I saw the nurse check your "vitals" and proclaim, "It's a GIRL!"??
Daddy and I were thrilled! The nurse laid you on my stomach.... what a head of black hair you had! You opened your eyes and looked at me.....dark, brown eyes (and "they" say all babies are born with blue eyes). Your hair and eyes were so much darker than anyone in the family that Daddy and I used to say we wouldn't believe you were ours had we not been in the delivery room. We later found out that your coloring comes from Grandpop Russ' (my father and your middle name sake) side of the family.
You slept through the night right from the start. In fact the first couple of days, I thought there was something wrong with you, you slept so much. I didn't know how lucky I had it. At about 3 weeks, the colic set in. Boy, you could scream and scream and scream. Naps? Forget it! But luckily you still slept well at night.
You were so miserable with the colic that you weren't too happy an infant. Friends and family would turn themselves inside out trying to make you smile and laugh. Mostly, to no avail. The only person that seemed to make you happy consistently was your big brother, Brody. You have loved him from the moment you laid eyes on him.
You were so colicky we couldn't even take you to a restaurant without you screaming throughout our meal. Then around 5 1/2 months, when you began to sit up on your own and creep around on your tummy, your entire disposition changed. You turned into a smiling, laughing, big brown-eyed, wavy haired baby.
You are so much fun to be around! You are sometimes a little wreckless....you've broken 3 knick knacks at Grandmar's when her 3 grandsons have broken none! You love chasing Casper (Rooney is smart enough to hide from you!), saying your first word, "Cat, cat!". Brody's toys seem to be more fun to play with than your own and you delight in getting in his way when he tries to draw, build with Legos, etc. I think music is special to you. You dance and squeal when people sing or when you hear music from Brody's favorite TV shows, "Sesame Street" and "Barney".
I could probably write pages as to how much you have changed....a lot has happened in between your bawling infant stage and the present walking-explorer stage. But that's not my purpose in writing this.
I want you to know that Daddy and I are so happy that you are here. From the moment we discovered we were pregnant with you, through those colic months, until now....watching you begin to walk on your own...we have been thrilled to have you be a part of our family. I can't imagine the Coyne family without you.
We dream so much for you, Marna.....a world at peace, with no hunger, want or pollution. We dream of an educational system that will provide all students with an education that will prepare them for a productive life and the opportunity to obtain a college education regardless of their family income. We dream of a world without discrimination or prejudice. Mostly, we dream for you..... health, prosperity, and most importantly a life filled with love, respect and honesty.
Love......the most important part of a person's life. Love....that's what this letter is about.....how very much Daddy and I love you, no matter where you are or what you do.
Thank you so much for making us a complete family, Marna.
I will love you always and unconditionally,
Mommy
Dear Marna,
Your first birthday! Can it be a year already since I saw the nurse check your "vitals" and proclaim, "It's a GIRL!"??
Daddy and I were thrilled! The nurse laid you on my stomach.... what a head of black hair you had! You opened your eyes and looked at me.....dark, brown eyes (and "they" say all babies are born with blue eyes). Your hair and eyes were so much darker than anyone in the family that Daddy and I used to say we wouldn't believe you were ours had we not been in the delivery room. We later found out that your coloring comes from Grandpop Russ' (my father and your middle name sake) side of the family.
You slept through the night right from the start. In fact the first couple of days, I thought there was something wrong with you, you slept so much. I didn't know how lucky I had it. At about 3 weeks, the colic set in. Boy, you could scream and scream and scream. Naps? Forget it! But luckily you still slept well at night.
You were so miserable with the colic that you weren't too happy an infant. Friends and family would turn themselves inside out trying to make you smile and laugh. Mostly, to no avail. The only person that seemed to make you happy consistently was your big brother, Brody. You have loved him from the moment you laid eyes on him.
You were so colicky we couldn't even take you to a restaurant without you screaming throughout our meal. Then around 5 1/2 months, when you began to sit up on your own and creep around on your tummy, your entire disposition changed. You turned into a smiling, laughing, big brown-eyed, wavy haired baby.
You are so much fun to be around! You are sometimes a little wreckless....you've broken 3 knick knacks at Grandmar's when her 3 grandsons have broken none! You love chasing Casper (Rooney is smart enough to hide from you!), saying your first word, "Cat, cat!". Brody's toys seem to be more fun to play with than your own and you delight in getting in his way when he tries to draw, build with Legos, etc. I think music is special to you. You dance and squeal when people sing or when you hear music from Brody's favorite TV shows, "Sesame Street" and "Barney".
I could probably write pages as to how much you have changed....a lot has happened in between your bawling infant stage and the present walking-explorer stage. But that's not my purpose in writing this.
I want you to know that Daddy and I are so happy that you are here. From the moment we discovered we were pregnant with you, through those colic months, until now....watching you begin to walk on your own...we have been thrilled to have you be a part of our family. I can't imagine the Coyne family without you.
We dream so much for you, Marna.....a world at peace, with no hunger, want or pollution. We dream of an educational system that will provide all students with an education that will prepare them for a productive life and the opportunity to obtain a college education regardless of their family income. We dream of a world without discrimination or prejudice. Mostly, we dream for you..... health, prosperity, and most importantly a life filled with love, respect and honesty.
Love......the most important part of a person's life. Love....that's what this letter is about.....how very much Daddy and I love you, no matter where you are or what you do.
Thank you so much for making us a complete family, Marna.
I will love you always and unconditionally,
Mommy
It's almost midnight and I don't hear any noise coming from Marna's room. Of course, I am downstairs and she and Kaitlyn are upstairs, but it does sound quiet. Could they be asleep??
Marna is so thrilled Kaitlyn is staying overnight. It was Marna's wish for a 'birthday party". They have done some summer clothes modeling for us and have done a dance to an N'Sync song. The low point of the evening was being forced to sit there and watch a Mary Kate and Ashley video....GAG!
Oooops! Spoke too soon....I just heard Marna's belly laugh! LOL
Marna is so thrilled Kaitlyn is staying overnight. It was Marna's wish for a 'birthday party". They have done some summer clothes modeling for us and have done a dance to an N'Sync song. The low point of the evening was being forced to sit there and watch a Mary Kate and Ashley video....GAG!
Oooops! Spoke too soon....I just heard Marna's belly laugh! LOL
Friday, April 13, 2001
I didn't blog yesterday either.....this will have to be yesterdays entry! LOL
Brody was up overnight (Wed.) throwing up and had about 5 episodes of diarrhea. I got super concerned and decided this morning to take him to OUR doctor even though he had just seen another in the practice the day before. They had to squeeze us in, as it is bedlam there because one of the other doctor's in the practice is in the hospital....suffering the same bug that Brody has. The doctor has been in practice for 32 years and has never missed a day for sickness until this bug hit. The doctor had blood in his stool.....sorry I know that's TMI.....but just illustrating what we are dealing with. Thankfully Brody hasn't had that problem.
I told our doctor everything, including that I would feel better if he saw Brody. He has been Brody's doctor from the moment he was born. He doesn't have the greatest bedside manner, but he is great at diagnosis and treatment and that's why we go to the doctor. When I showed him the anti-diarrheal he said he doesn't prescribe those. He says he finds if one is treated with an anti-diarrheal it tends to keep the virus running longer because it slows down the bowels. Made perfect sense to me....so no more pills. He also said that he is a personal expert on gastro-intestinal bugs. LOL He went to medical school in Mexico.....he said he has had more than his share of awful diarrhea bugs from living and traveling through Mexico. He also said the World Health Organization, which deals mostly with diarrhea in 3rd world countries, also recommends to use no anti-diarrheal. I was convinced. So I am hoping this will finally get this nasty bug out of Brody and he can resume his normal life!!!
I spent the rest of the day trying to get the house cleaned for Marna's birthday and for Easter. I didn't succeed.....still have a lot to do tomorrow. (Friday.....remember this is Thursday's blog! LOL). I went to the Maundy Thursday Communion service alone at 7:30. After being with kids all week, it was particularly nice to sit alone in the pew and enjoy the service.
Much bigger turnout than I expected, I was surprised.
Brody was up overnight (Wed.) throwing up and had about 5 episodes of diarrhea. I got super concerned and decided this morning to take him to OUR doctor even though he had just seen another in the practice the day before. They had to squeeze us in, as it is bedlam there because one of the other doctor's in the practice is in the hospital....suffering the same bug that Brody has. The doctor has been in practice for 32 years and has never missed a day for sickness until this bug hit. The doctor had blood in his stool.....sorry I know that's TMI.....but just illustrating what we are dealing with. Thankfully Brody hasn't had that problem.
I told our doctor everything, including that I would feel better if he saw Brody. He has been Brody's doctor from the moment he was born. He doesn't have the greatest bedside manner, but he is great at diagnosis and treatment and that's why we go to the doctor. When I showed him the anti-diarrheal he said he doesn't prescribe those. He says he finds if one is treated with an anti-diarrheal it tends to keep the virus running longer because it slows down the bowels. Made perfect sense to me....so no more pills. He also said that he is a personal expert on gastro-intestinal bugs. LOL He went to medical school in Mexico.....he said he has had more than his share of awful diarrhea bugs from living and traveling through Mexico. He also said the World Health Organization, which deals mostly with diarrhea in 3rd world countries, also recommends to use no anti-diarrheal. I was convinced. So I am hoping this will finally get this nasty bug out of Brody and he can resume his normal life!!!
I spent the rest of the day trying to get the house cleaned for Marna's birthday and for Easter. I didn't succeed.....still have a lot to do tomorrow. (Friday.....remember this is Thursday's blog! LOL). I went to the Maundy Thursday Communion service alone at 7:30. After being with kids all week, it was particularly nice to sit alone in the pew and enjoy the service.
Much bigger turnout than I expected, I was surprised.
This was to be Wednesday's blog, but Blogger wouldn't cooperate.
Another boring day in the life of a boring homemaker. Brody had a relapse and I took him to the doctor. The doctor says everything feels, looks, and sounds normal....keep the meds up as needed and if it hasn't cleared up by Monday, we will have to delve deeper. I have every confidence it will be but a memory by Monday and that will be that.
Brody was home from school again today and Marna had only a half-day. I love having my kids home from school, but boy does it make me lazy!! I was gladly suckered into several board games, a few rounds of back tickling, had two books read to me, and was even persuaded to go to 7-11 for Slurpees. We discovered that 7-11 has a new cup with three different sections for 3 different flavors of Slurpee.....this is the second time this week they have had Slurpees.....we now have a Slurpee moratorium in place. You CAN have too much of a good thing! The cleaning didn't get done, but we had fun and tomorrow is another day........
Another boring day in the life of a boring homemaker. Brody had a relapse and I took him to the doctor. The doctor says everything feels, looks, and sounds normal....keep the meds up as needed and if it hasn't cleared up by Monday, we will have to delve deeper. I have every confidence it will be but a memory by Monday and that will be that.
Brody was home from school again today and Marna had only a half-day. I love having my kids home from school, but boy does it make me lazy!! I was gladly suckered into several board games, a few rounds of back tickling, had two books read to me, and was even persuaded to go to 7-11 for Slurpees. We discovered that 7-11 has a new cup with three different sections for 3 different flavors of Slurpee.....this is the second time this week they have had Slurpees.....we now have a Slurpee moratorium in place. You CAN have too much of a good thing! The cleaning didn't get done, but we had fun and tomorrow is another day........
Tuesday, April 10, 2001
Marna had to get two more teeth extracted today. Her eye teeth.....man, no wonder they call them canines....you should see the size of these babies!! Big, long honking teeth. The dentist said she is tough....didn't even flinch with the novacaine needles. Perhaps that's because she has become an old pro at this!! Her mouth looks really strange now.....she has one upper tooth where there should be 6 teeth! I know it's temporary, but still very funky looking.
Brody is bummed. He has been growing his hair out for a while....in fact it's totally in his eyes. He wanted to grow it to part it in the middle. He wore it to school today, parted in the middle, and told me kids said he looked like a girl! He now wants a hair cut. Middle school kids are ruthless!
Brody is bummed. He has been growing his hair out for a while....in fact it's totally in his eyes. He wanted to grow it to part it in the middle. He wore it to school today, parted in the middle, and told me kids said he looked like a girl! He now wants a hair cut. Middle school kids are ruthless!
Monday, April 09, 2001
Sunday, April 08, 2001
I posted this on the two sites I frequent, but figured I would blog about it just in case someone missed my posts.
I don't normally ask for this type of thing....but I would appreciate some good thoughts being sent Brody's way.
He has had diarrhea all day.....over 20 times! And has vomited around 5 times.
I gave him 2 Immodium tablets around 2 and an additional one around 5. Around 7, when that wasn't cutting it and he was still going, I called the doctor.
Of course we didn't get our doctor, but another in the practice that we have seen before. He said a gastro-intestinal thing is going around and he called up a stronger anti-diarrheal to the pharmacy.
I gave him the two and he promptly threw up. I didn't see it, but feel sure they came up and gave him two more. I hope I did the right thing...we have to get this to stop!!!
He doesn't seem to feel bad other than the stomach....but right before he went to bed he was fading, I imagine he is feeling very weak.
So, I would greatly appreciate some good thoughts and tummy healing vibes sent his way! THANKS!
I don't normally ask for this type of thing....but I would appreciate some good thoughts being sent Brody's way.
He has had diarrhea all day.....over 20 times! And has vomited around 5 times.
I gave him 2 Immodium tablets around 2 and an additional one around 5. Around 7, when that wasn't cutting it and he was still going, I called the doctor.
Of course we didn't get our doctor, but another in the practice that we have seen before. He said a gastro-intestinal thing is going around and he called up a stronger anti-diarrheal to the pharmacy.
I gave him the two and he promptly threw up. I didn't see it, but feel sure they came up and gave him two more. I hope I did the right thing...we have to get this to stop!!!
He doesn't seem to feel bad other than the stomach....but right before he went to bed he was fading, I imagine he is feeling very weak.
So, I would greatly appreciate some good thoughts and tummy healing vibes sent his way! THANKS!
Proud mommy moments this morning. Brody's Sunday School group painted flower pots and potted hyacinths in them. They were each given the names and addresses of two elderly shut-ins from our church. Brody delivered them and the ladies were just thrilled with him and the flower!! Afterwards, he said, "Man, that felt good to do that!"
On the first Sunday of Lent, the kids in our church are given cardboard collection boxes for "One Great Hour of Sharing", to collect for the needy. Marna asked Mike for her allowance this morning before church and said she would like it in change, if we had it. When I asked why, she said she wanted to put all of her allowance in her collection box.
All church stories today.....well, it is Sunday! LOL I am on the board of Deacons at our church and every Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter we collect food and give it to needy families in the area. Mike and I volunteered to deliver collected food and an Easter ham to a family this morning. I knew it was going to be bad, but I had no idea......I was in shock at this run-down home. I felt good to be helping them with food, but I wish it were more.
It made me keenly aware of all I take for granted. Luckily, I have always lived a very comfortable life and have no first-hand knowledge of what true poverty is. This home was a reality smack in the face for me!! I vowed the moment we walked in the door, to make a conscious effort to NEVER take for granted what we have.....to be thankful for not being dealt a different hand of fate. I will be praying that life will suddenly be kinder to this particular family and that their wallets will soon be as full as their hearts.
On the first Sunday of Lent, the kids in our church are given cardboard collection boxes for "One Great Hour of Sharing", to collect for the needy. Marna asked Mike for her allowance this morning before church and said she would like it in change, if we had it. When I asked why, she said she wanted to put all of her allowance in her collection box.
All church stories today.....well, it is Sunday! LOL I am on the board of Deacons at our church and every Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter we collect food and give it to needy families in the area. Mike and I volunteered to deliver collected food and an Easter ham to a family this morning. I knew it was going to be bad, but I had no idea......I was in shock at this run-down home. I felt good to be helping them with food, but I wish it were more.
It made me keenly aware of all I take for granted. Luckily, I have always lived a very comfortable life and have no first-hand knowledge of what true poverty is. This home was a reality smack in the face for me!! I vowed the moment we walked in the door, to make a conscious effort to NEVER take for granted what we have.....to be thankful for not being dealt a different hand of fate. I will be praying that life will suddenly be kinder to this particular family and that their wallets will soon be as full as their hearts.
Saturday, April 07, 2001
Brody finally got to go a Sixers game last night. Mike took Brody and his friend, Kevin. And much to Brody's dismay, his hero.....Allen Iverson.....was injured and didn't play. He was disappointed, to say the least, but he did get to see him sitting on the bench and he was glad he could get to see him IRL. He came home with a Viewmaster... Sixers edition, that they gave to the first 500 people in line, a poster, a towel they give everyone to wave around, and a book. He has two towels (Mike's is the other one) and since he made a pillow in home ec. a couple of weeks ago, he wants to make a pillow out of the two Sixers' logo towels. My son is more domesticated than I!! Trouble with him making a pillow is we don't have a sewing machine!
Kevin stayed overnight since they didn't get home till around 11. Kevin is such a nice kid!! Brody has good taste in best friends. I would take 20 Kevins staying overnight to one of Marna's friends. When Marna and her friends get together they rifle through her entire room and the basement, scream the entire time and play N'Sync to top volume. Must be a girl thing.
While the boys were in Philly, Marna and I attended the local high school production of "Hello Dolly'. Her Brownie troop was having a family night out at the show, since some of the girls' had brothers and sisters in the production. We always go to the HS productions....they are very impressive for such young kids.....but "Hello Dolly" was not one of their best. Marna and I had a good time....she especially enjoyed going to Burger King first....no one else likes Burger King (me included), but I knew it would mean a lot to her for just the two of us to go.
An uneventful Saturday is in store for us today. No family excursions. Marna is attending a birthday party and I am going shopping for her birthday presents. Her birthday is next Friday!! Difficult to believe she will be 9 years old already!
Kevin stayed overnight since they didn't get home till around 11. Kevin is such a nice kid!! Brody has good taste in best friends. I would take 20 Kevins staying overnight to one of Marna's friends. When Marna and her friends get together they rifle through her entire room and the basement, scream the entire time and play N'Sync to top volume. Must be a girl thing.
While the boys were in Philly, Marna and I attended the local high school production of "Hello Dolly'. Her Brownie troop was having a family night out at the show, since some of the girls' had brothers and sisters in the production. We always go to the HS productions....they are very impressive for such young kids.....but "Hello Dolly" was not one of their best. Marna and I had a good time....she especially enjoyed going to Burger King first....no one else likes Burger King (me included), but I knew it would mean a lot to her for just the two of us to go.
An uneventful Saturday is in store for us today. No family excursions. Marna is attending a birthday party and I am going shopping for her birthday presents. Her birthday is next Friday!! Difficult to believe she will be 9 years old already!
Friday, April 06, 2001
Anyone who knows me from the boards, knows I am a sap. I cry at the drop of pin.....I have been known to go on a crying jag just watching a cat food commercial. It must come from my maternal grandmother. My mother told me that during the Depression, there was no heat in movie theaters. Patrons had to wear their coats to stay warm. My grandmother had a coat with a huge fur collar and would come out of the theater with the fur all wet on both sides from her wiping her tears!
I received an email from my brother and it would seem he inherited the same sap gene!!
A bit of background, so the email makes sense. He was perusing eBay for old Dick and Jane type reading books. He needs illustrations from that era as inspiration for some new job of his. He is a free-lance artist. In the email he mentions "Would You Rather be a Colonel with an Eagle on Your Shoulder or a Private with a Chicken on Your Knee." That is an old record we have that is played on a Victrola (belonged to my sappy grandmother mentioned above). This record is SOOOO scratchy that the song is almost inaudible......but it's from WWI so I guess we can't complain. I hope I haven't confused anyone too much....here is Jared's email:
Speaking of e-bay . . .
One of my fondest things that remind me
of dad is that old Jackie Gleason 4 song
instrumental record of his.
I love that music. Trouble is it is in the worst
condition of any record I've ever heard.
"Would you rather be a Colonel with an Eagle
on your Shoulder or a Private with a Chicken
on your Knee" sounds like a remastered new
release compared to this gray disc of gouges
that I put on my ancient turntable.
So I says to myself, E-Bay?
Lo & behold, I found a copy in better condition.
$5. Cool. Then for the hell of it, I says to myself,
Maybe can I find one in better condition?
Wow, I found a freakin' CD! Amazing.
I cried like a baby.
Now that I have typed this out and copied and pasted, I don't know why I felt as though I had to blog about this! I guess it just surprises me that Jared still misses our dad as much as I do......even after 28 years.
I received an email from my brother and it would seem he inherited the same sap gene!!
A bit of background, so the email makes sense. He was perusing eBay for old Dick and Jane type reading books. He needs illustrations from that era as inspiration for some new job of his. He is a free-lance artist. In the email he mentions "Would You Rather be a Colonel with an Eagle on Your Shoulder or a Private with a Chicken on Your Knee." That is an old record we have that is played on a Victrola (belonged to my sappy grandmother mentioned above). This record is SOOOO scratchy that the song is almost inaudible......but it's from WWI so I guess we can't complain. I hope I haven't confused anyone too much....here is Jared's email:
Speaking of e-bay . . .
One of my fondest things that remind me
of dad is that old Jackie Gleason 4 song
instrumental record of his.
I love that music. Trouble is it is in the worst
condition of any record I've ever heard.
"Would you rather be a Colonel with an Eagle
on your Shoulder or a Private with a Chicken
on your Knee" sounds like a remastered new
release compared to this gray disc of gouges
that I put on my ancient turntable.
So I says to myself, E-Bay?
Lo & behold, I found a copy in better condition.
$5. Cool. Then for the hell of it, I says to myself,
Maybe can I find one in better condition?
Wow, I found a freakin' CD! Amazing.
I cried like a baby.
Now that I have typed this out and copied and pasted, I don't know why I felt as though I had to blog about this! I guess it just surprises me that Jared still misses our dad as much as I do......even after 28 years.