The Robinsons

NEWS FLASH! A medical report has just arrived on our news desk that the Robinson Clan is not faring all that well physically! Have you heard that... Koa passed out cold at her Mary Kay Class Friday evening and spent the night in the hospital while they did many, many tests on her? She is recovering but the the search is on to find the root cause! Stitches were required (in her chin...?) to stitch her up from the impact of falling and landing! Emma is on crutches!!!!!!!!! Emma is on crutches??????????? Why is Emma on crutches IF Emma is on crutches? Adam has new, conservative glasses... Dad is worn out... Any how is your body everyone else? I AM WELL..... (Go figure....) Updates, please......... Stay tuned for further announcements!

I am on a mission! I am campaigning to have the Christmas Carol, "I'll be home for Christmas," outlawed! It is one cruel song! I mean, think about it! What good does it do to ANYONE? I mean, if you are already home, you don't need it... and if you are ABLE to come/go home, you can be happy about it without the song... and if you CAN'T come home... and there is no home to come home to... why should you have to be tortured by the song!? "If ONLY IN MY DREAMS???" Do they really think DREAMING about home is gonna cut it? Get out! Torture, I tell you! Cruel torture! I SAY, "OUT WITH "I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" BE GONE!"

Saturday, December 09, 2006 There are only a few of us here since the team from Kentucky just left. Our home team is like family now and it’s nice. The Rogersons, with their three children, are just delightful. Alicia is sick and has been in bed the past two days so Asa has spent his time with the kids doing schoolwork and stuff. Last night Anitarae had the kids over for a video so the parents could get a break. We watched "The Little Rascals." Actually, I enjoyed watching the kids’ reactions more than I did the movies. The Hoffmans, a couple who came two weeks ago, are also enjoyable. They are Roamers, like us (R.O.A.M.) They plan to be here for a few months. We wish we could stay longer. We love the family atmosphere and I enjoy the kind of work I do, but we don’t like the cold. I think this is the last day of it for a while. Next week will be highs in the upper 60’s and lows in the 40’s at worst. The last couple of nights in the 20’s are too much like NY. Until this Thursd...

I have posted photos before... but today, I can't remember how to do it! I mean, I see add image, but then I can't find the pictures. I guess I will e-mail them! Until then........ Ta.

Hey, Y'all! Can you imagine the weirdness of being in an RV at Christmas? I keep wondering how 10 Alden Avenue is decorated this year! (Alan, some night when you work late, will you go by after dark and take a picture for me? It'd mean a great deal and you could post it on the blog. I'm sure we'd all like to see the difference...) I went on the internet and we have been doing some Christmas at church events and community events also. The most unusual for us northerners was the Boat Parade. I thought I would post some here. Today is cold. Our pipes froze last night. Luckily, it was the outdoor hose and that's easily fixable. It will be cold again tonight and then the winter is over according to 'Weather.com." It's Friday and your dad is pretty tired! I know he would burn out if we stayed here much longer. Today I will clean the kitchen thourghly because the church needs to use their kitchen Sunday for the the church dinner. We have been ble...

Today I had to attend a round table discussion with the union president regarding....for more, see Shepard vs. Board of Education. As a result, I had to miss the start of the afterschool program (ESD). I let the ESD use my room until I was available. Filling in for me was a teacher from Casey Park and an aid from Genesee. 15 minutes after my return the teacher from Casey asks, "By chance is the Mr. Robinson from Carmel your dad?" I smile and say, "Y... Before I could finish she beams, "He's my favorite teacher!" I show her the picture at- http://auburn.cnyric.org/%7Ealan_robinson/Class%20Pictures- and we share stories. Some Comments: We did all these experiments. Ask him if he remembers me? One time I was cramming for a test. I wasn't good at science. I had my head down with my fingers in my hair. ( She shows me.) He took my picture. (The pictures were a big hit.) Then she started in with the names of other classmates you would remember....

November 25, 2006 We thought the holidays would be really sad, but Thanksgiving was actually a good day. In fact, I would rate it pretty high. I missed my children and grandchildren, of course, but our volunteer family was wonderful to celebrate with. It was a rather odd Thanksgiving day because we worked. The teams that were here had come for Michigan, Illinois and Tennessee and they wanted to make their time count. I worked a short day with the hope of watching a football game, which seemed the cultural thing to do. While I was working, the "man of the house" was watching the game in his FEMA trailer. His Thanksgiving day activity was the only thing I saw that resembled my cultural concept. As I sat in my truck eating my lunch I observed the neighborhood. This is a poor, black neighborhood in Biloxi. Seeing how they relaxed on a holiday gave me a great appreciation for Alden Ave. There are no nice porches with nice furniture or even nice yards. There is trash everywhere and...

Emma Sage Robinson performed beautifully in The Moscow Ballet's presentation of the Nutcracker. Venue: The Historic State Theater. This 1928 theater of Moorish-Gothic-Renaissance design in the heart of the downtown theater district comfortably seats 1,600. Attendance: Tenth sell-out since reopening five years ago. Did I mention Emma:)

hello everyone!!!! just wanted to post something, heres a little update. we are all doing well. jack has been going through alot lately, he has been diagnosed with asthma. its the way his body is reacting to his allergies, so now he is regularly taking an inhailor, which seems to be helping, although it makes him kind of grumpy and a little wild. ugh. also he's got to have some dental work done, we met the most amazing pediatric dentist yesterday. the whole office is centered around children, they have child size dental chairs, toys every where, and the most talented wonderful treat-giving staff we've ever met. the dentist himself is incredible, and although jack will need to be somewhat sedated to get this work done, i feel so much better knowing it will be done by someone who truly cares about children. emma has been doing just great, she has a really fun teacher this year, and is really loving her dance classes. she'll be in the nutcracker in just a few weeks..... all th...

i simply had to post this pic again.... bigger, because i just love the expressions on each beautiful face

It doesn't seem to matter how much we take out of 10 Alden Ave. there's always something left. I wish my checking account would work that way. We load up a box of stuff and take it to the RV to put away and even though it seems there is no space left there, we make it disappear. At least that was working, but now we seem to have reached the saturation point. We have stuff everywhere in the RV and can't seem to get it stored. And... there's still some stuff in the Alden Ave kitchen. If they would just give us a closing date we could play Anitarae's game of "just give me ten panic stricken minutes and I can be ready." We are tired of playing this current game and ready to move on to a new life. Hopefully a life of simplicity and purpose. Yesterday, I helped Lee load up and cart away all of lmy shop tools. I'm glad he bought them because I want to help him get ahead, but I felt a loss for sure. Then Doug came over and we loaded up the TV. Carry...

The beefy boy bent over the practice weights, flexed once, twice, then heaved. Again he heaved, but to no effect. His face reddened, but he could not budge the barbells so he sauntered away sadly. Then my brother, smaller than the first boy but tough enough for ten years old, gave the heave a ho. And failed. All eight pounds of weights stuck to our driveway as if they had melted into the tar. Finally, little Jenny Fronczek took the stage. The parents in the neighborhood and all their friends and coworkers hollered from the folding chairs arrayed in the lawn. They bellowed, “But she’s too little!” “If Mark and Alan couldn’t heft that weight, why—it’s impossible!” “She’s sure to be killed!” But Jenny stalked up to the problem intrepidly. She looked toward Hud--that's what the Fronczeks call their grandma--and smiled. She looked up to heaven, and then she smooched her flexed biceps. With bent knees she plucked the barbells from the ground effortlessly and hoisted them ove...

Well, the house, as you know... sold. And now the buyer's house is sold, and it's a cash deal... Today the buyers came through for another hour to inspect the place and have about decided they are going to not have an official inspection, as it will save them a few hundred dollars... Mickey said they still love the place... and also love our stuff and would be happy to buy some of it. That sounds good. We will be delighted if they forfeit an official inspection! So... let's see. We may be out of here by the end of September, (earliest) or by October 18ish... which is when our buyers close on their house. We are moving forward as if the end of Sept. is our date. The crazy thing is... we are taking this week, Tuesday - Saturday in Ithaca to test drive the new RV. The good news is we'll probably have some R'nR... which will be so good for Daddy's ankle... but the timing sure is weird! Grandma's and Jackson's birthday is/are Friday so that will be fun. G...

HEY! Have you heard about the big $$$ MAKER in the family? So good to have at least one in the family, after this tough summer of disappointments! GO KOA!!! Also - - - have you heard about the big $$$ SPENDERS in the family? (There they go again... spending your inheritance! Sorry guys...) Yup. We bought ourselves a brand new 2006 Montana. Yup. We really did. IT'S TRUE! Come see for yourself. (Hope we can still fit in your driveways!) If you want to see it online, lookup Montana Model 3295RK Color, beige. TA-DA-A-A-AAA! (I can't BELIEVE we did this... I just wanted to go on a joy ride!)

Seems like a lot of "us Robinsons" could use a little encouragement this week. We've had some major disappointments and pain. Physical and emotional pain. Let's pull together in love and support and celebrate the bond of love that we share. God's love and family love can see us through!

We had three serious "lookers" today.... Three parties that love our house. One couple have four little girls... John and Jenn Lesch. (Did any of you boys go to school with John?) He's a chiropracter. She's a teacher. She LOVES our house! Wants to buy it! Verrrrry enthusiastic! He? Time will tell. He thinks it will be a lot of upkeep. Stay tuned.... One couple are eager to buy as they have sold their house and living with his folks. His folks live on Marvine... to the right of Naiva's house. One party was from Long Island and they want to settle in the Finger Lakes. A matriarch, her daughter and granddaughter. I vote for the Lesch's!!!!!!!!!! How did your showing go, Aaron? Give us the lowdown!

I have a hunch we're gonna get lucky tomorrow and sell the house. A cash offer of $192,000. Yup! That's my hunch! That will compensate for having to clean this house every bloomin' Saturday! Today I: swept and mopped the porch, swept the steps, driveway and sidewalk, swept mickey's sidewalk, swept thru the house, mopped the kitchen floor, picked flowers and arranged three bouquets, made supper, did dishes, watered the porch plants, cleaned the bathrooms and chilled. Too bad about the weeds in the flower beds. And tomorrow I'll bleach the counters. Haven't done that yet. But. Tomorrow it will all pay off, with that cashiers check! Right Aaron? As for now, I'm just too-oo-o tard to move!

As far as I know... this is the week for Alan et al to go to Cape Cod! Sounds like a good time! Let's root for them to have good weather and a wonderful bonding time!

Hi Everyone... Daddy went for his MRI today. Unfortunately, we know nothing new until the report is read by his nurse practioner and his appointment with her is not until Wednesday. Days are long for Daddy, and stairs are his enemy. Stairs and TV. Nothing good on TV and I don't know how to pick videos! (Any suggestions?) The color of this print is the color of his foot. I love serving him, but it seems to annoy him to have to be served... [the independent cuss... ; )] He had company today and that was a nice diversion! (Bob Hawkins and Joe Tabone) The other good news is his 'gout' pain has subsided for the most part. That was killing him. Will let you know more when we do... Until then...

Stephanie and I have had a run of bad luck. Our car died, our cat got sick, I found out grad school is going to cost $1,000,000, and today our sump pump broke. We ordered a new alternator for our car and had a friend tow us back to our house -- we had tried pop starting it and when that didn't work we found ourselves a couple blocks downhill from where we live. When the alternator gets here, Steph and I are going to try to install it ourselves(!!). We took George to the vet yesterday. They hydrated him, took some samples, charged us $250, and today he seems much better. We were just scared that he might be suffering from the same problem as Thunder, who it turns out had cancer or heart disease. That's what the vet told us when we went back to them with George. Fooled us once . . . I am still unsure about what to do about grad school. They gave me a $3000 scholarship for the year, which definitely makes it more doable, but the shock has sort of put me off the idea altog...

WELL, AS PER ALL YOUR ADVICE AND OTHER EXPERT OPINIONS... THE HOUSE IS SOLD. $185,000. I prayed that God would give us wisdom Then I felt to get advice, because with abundance of counselors there is wisdom! (Proverbs) So, I asked you, neighbors who are savey, our appraiser, and indirectly, bob denny. All said it was a fair offer and in an unstable economy and world at large, [war], we should take the offer. So, we did. Harry and Darlene just sold with a realtor asking 210,000. They came away with $182 or 4, [can't remember...] so... They had to pay $12,000 realtor comission and $6,000. of the buyer's closing costs. [I don't understand that...] Anyhow... Now we wait to see if we get a better offer. If we do, they have 72 hours to come up with the cash, or drop out of the deal. We'll wait. We'll watch. We'll see. Please pray that I don't get sick with all this stress. There are still some questions that need answering and we have an appointment withthe lawye...

Well, we at 10 Alden Av. have a new subject. . . Which would be a dandy relief except. . . It's nasty. For Daddy had a fall while playing in his friend's back yard. . . A rousing senior game of badminton . . . And fell with rollicking enthusiasm when the joy ended . . . In a ripping pain. Iced, and lying in the grass, Surrounded by the love and concern of his playmates Dad got his bearings and drove home... How I can't imagine! Oh the pain! To find an empty house. . . and no TLC. He waited over an hour for me to come home. . . And take him for X-Rays. Results? The ATFL tendon is sprained. Dad is throbbing. And I am sad for Dad. Plus. . . No matter how many times I blew the horn ; ) I had to bring in the groceries! And I ask you . . . Who will cut the grass?

Mom, you'll be happy to know that we didn't adopt this guy: But Leah, you NEED him. He is an amazingly gentle, 80-pound, 2-year-old American Boxer. And he doesn't pull the leash!

We-l-l-ll. . . Fact: The house is for sale at $198,500. Fact: The house is appraised for $192,000 Fact: The house has been on the market for 11 days. Fact: We were offered $175,000, countered their offer with $195,000 and then they recountered today with $185,000. Fact: It costs us about $700/month to live here for taxes, utilities and phone. Fact: The appraisal was made on properties sold this past year when sales were 'hot!' Fact: We are having another Open House this Sunday from 1-2 pm. (Can you believe I'm saying that, Leah?) Fact: Dad would like to be on the road by November. Now the question is... what to do?

Performed April 8, 2006. Stephanie played the visionary scientist who, in the future, runs the HL Mencken house and museum. I play HL himself, kept alive by her mechanisms.

It's going to be a hot one today, but I don't mind; we've got central air. I heard that it's probably cheaper to use central air (if you have it installed already) than to keep four fans and a dehumidifier running, so we tried our unit out, and it works. It works well. Also, I heard that if you don't use your central air at least once in a while it breaks down. Alright, back to work.

Seems like . . . Looks like . . . Feels like . . . Nobody's into blogging any more . . . Um, Are we done? Am I talking to myself in cyberspace?

Hey Emma! Welcome to the club of double digits! The big one-zero. You've made it a decade! Sweeeeeet.

July 7, 2006 8:17 pm

If you are choking on an ice cube, don't panic. Simply pour a cup of boiling water down your throat and presto, the blockage will be almost instantly removed. Avoid arguments with the Mrs. about lifting the toilet seat by simply using the sink. (For Daddy) For high blood pressure sufferers: simply cut yourself and bleed for a few minutes, thus reducing the pressure in your veins. Remember to use a timer. (Here's one for Adam...) A mouse trap, placed on top of your alarm clock, will prevent you from rolling over and going back to sleep after you hit the snooze button. If you have a bad cough, take a large dose of laxatives. Then you will be afraid to cough.

Oh boy! We're pooped. Let's see. Today. Cleaned stove. Did clutter. Resettle the kitchen, DR and LR after carpet guy left. Installed new exhaust fan. Repaired study window and painted it. Prepared curtains. Worked in cellar organizing!!! Cut grass. Grocery shopped. Library. Post Office... Bartolotta's...... Oh boy! We're pooped! Tomorrow another realtor is coming to give his opionion of price setting in morning. First potential buyer, [neighbor,] to look through the house. Pressure is mounting. Lots to do. Oh boy! So much fun! We rejoice that God is still helping us to keep the main thing the main thing! Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. This is a real marathon!

Here it is the Fourth of July and we have been celebrating in the cellar. More junque shuffling and organizing. We're thinking of having an auctioneer come in and pick up the whole kit and kaboodle and take it away! The thought of a house sale is starting to give me adjida! We just want to be done. Don Blake came over to look at the house and appraise it for us, and will let us know by Thursday his idea for pricing. One realtor came and said $189,900. He said she's close. So our hopeful bubble of 219,000 is burst. As I see it, if we list it for $189,900, we'll not get more than $185,000. Ah, well. It's only money. God will provide for our future if we are wise! Tomorrow the carpet comes. We will finish Dad's den/study and make it nicer. He wants to build new window casings. Then hang curtains. The main bathroom needs a bit of caulk. Then, I'll get the ad to the paper. Then, resettle the kitchen and dining room again and hopefully for the last t...

Here it is the Fourth of July and we have been celebrating in the cellar. More junque shuffling and organizing. We're thinking of having an auctioneer come in and pick up the whole kit and kaboodle and take it away! The thought of a house sale is starting to give me adjida! We just want to be done. Don Blake came over to look at the house and appraise it for us, and will let us know by Thursday his idea for pricing. One realtor came and said $189,900. He said she's close. So our hopeful bubble of 219,000 is burst. As I see it, if we list it for $189,900, we'll not get more than $185,000. Ah, well. It's only money. God will provide for our future if we are wise! Tomorrow the carpet comes. We will finish Dad's den/study and make it nicer. He wants to build new window casings. Then hang curtains. The main bathroom needs a bit of caulk. Then, I'll get the ad to the paper. Then, resettle the kitchen and dining room again and hopefully for the last t...

A lot got done this weekend. Thank you Alan for scraping painting the peak and washing windows. I'm so glad you're safe and sound on the ground again. That was a tough job! Thank you Adam for the kitchen floor removal and prep work! For the rehanging of the k shelf. For the moving... moving... moving ... moving of boxes... boxes... boxes... boxes.... and fruniture and furniture... and installing the new bedroom light And whatever else you both did to lighten Daddy's load that I don't know about.... THANK YOU! We're getting there... We're getting there! Soon it will end. Amen!

Well, thanks to Alan and Emma, who scraped the wall paper in the kitchen , Dad was able to paint the kitchen on Monday. Then Tuesday he started the DR which took two days because he had to strip the paper and hadn't planned to. Then yesterday he started the bedroom and finished it today plus put in the DR light which he removed from the bedroom and now the bedroom needs a light but we're too tired to do that tonight! And me? Clutter!

Too much stuff, too much stuff More than enuf, more than enuf! It's out of the closets and filling our space; It's growing and spilling all over the place; We're tripping all over, a terrible case of too much stuff. Too much stuff, too much stuff More than enuf, more than enuf! The piles are staring us in the face; They multiply at an alarming pace; And soon we'll be buried without a trace in too much stuff! Too much stuff, too much stuff More than enuf, more than enuf! It isn't easy to run the race; With all of this stuff slowing down the pace; I think that I need some additional grace for too much stuff! So, please pray for your mother/in law.... It's really getting to me! It's embarrassing and never ending. The more Leah and I clear out, the more there is to clear out! (Right Leah?) Bless her heart. She gives me courage and lightens the load with her good humor, love and encouraging words and ways. Plus, she throws things out behind my back! She carrie...

Daddy says the living room paint color can be discribed as grey poupon... I prefer to think of it as whipped honey. Whatever you wish to name it... it's a big improvement. And a tad classy if you ask me. Another big job done! More to come. We perservere!

This week Leah and I have worked together like mad getting the master bedroom, study, closet and bathroom cleaned out enuf so that an interior decorator friend could come thru and advise us how we could spruce up and make the house more inviting for buyers... Tonight she came..... Lot's of advice. Oh oh! Lot's of work! Should we or shouldn't we? Poor Daddy...

Large books, small... Short books, tall... Past and present Read and loved Hold me in their grip. Box them up? Get them out? Wisdom, knowledge, love, wit? Oh my passion All my love Of books... And dreams... I sigh. I cry. Gone.

I have been too busy to read the email about the camping equipment! No fair! I really wish I could be in NY during this time, not just for the stuff but to watch the big changes, too. Anyway -- will there be a tennis racket available? I played last night and did really, surprisingly well. I was much better than when I played years ago. It could have been the racket I was using -- one of those old wooden deals from the 60s or 70s. I thought the head was way too small and the strings too loose and that it would break as soon as I hit anything with it, but it was great. I'm still no match for Alan or Dad, probably, but I was pleasantly surprised. I played baseball on Saturday, too. I hit an in-the-park homerun on my first at bat. Work is going well. It's nice to have a brother in the business world now. Go get 'em, Aaron! Okay. Sorry this post was all about me being really good at sports. I'd like Emma to post now.

I KNOW YOU'RE OUT THERE ! (.... I CAN HEAR YOU BREATHING....)

No news from the north! No news from the south! None from the young. None from the old. What's the point!? Sigh Dumb old blog anyhow!

Today Dad and I were picked up by Glenna and Paul and were driven to Lowville where we are staying overnight and partying with cousins and Aunt Marion some of which we haven't seen in decades! Aunt Marion is the only sibling of Grandpa still living now. We are attending Aunt Evelyn's memorial service tomorrow. We have a nice room and I brought cupcakes and Paul and I bought Coffee at Duncan Donuts and had an in room party. Not as great a party as we had in our suite for Aaron's wedding, but great never-the less. My cousin Cindy brought a bunch of old books and pictures of the Tyner clan and passed em out to anyone who wanted em. Of course, I couldn't take much because of cleaning out myself... which added to my distress of lost days of old. Anyhow, I wish you all were here to meet and enjoy extended family! Adam, there is a baseball field here called Tyner Memorial Park in memory of my cousin Gary Tyner. I'd like to know more of that story... Life is good and ...

Does anyone want the bi-focals or the black iron squirrel nut cracker? Going- going -?

Oh bother! What a trouble it is to sell an already nice house! So far, since Monday, (and today is Tuesday) Dad has torn down the porch ceiling, scraped and sanded the dead layers of paint off the railing ledges, walls and floors, hauled out half a lumber yard of scrap lumber from under the porch, loaded the truck for the dump tomorrow, swept the driveway, cut the lawn and raked it, corrected the porch electricity, went to Lowes for a new door, and porch light, to erie materials to order porch ceiling and molding, and ??? who knows what major/minor stuff I cannot fathom! Bottom line: We need your prayers during this most incredibly demanding time! The Goal? On the market by the middle of July! THINK? Please keep us posted about that which you might want as you think of them! Perhaps you A's from MD may wish to make more than one trip up to case the joint! We don't want to sell something out from under you... Wouldn't that be sad... Think about it... That's all from 10 ...

daddy and i arrived HOME this noon and all the way from wilkes barre, pa, we talked about what options we have for selling and rebuying vs investing... and it struck me that this isn't idle talk........ but rather, a life changing moment in our otherwise steady, stable lives. well, i got so choked up i could hardly talk........... and then, when we got to nys, and everything looked so wonderfully familiar......... i melted some more into a pool of nostalgia........ and THEN when we drove onto alden av and all our neighbors came out of their houses to greet us and hug our necks, i wanted to yell, 'STOP THE WORKS! I'M NOT GOING ANYWHERE! WE HAVE TOO GOOD A LIFE HERE!!!' so who knows if i'll have the courage and gumption to do all we have talked about. one thing i know is i'm basking in the joy of being home and in familiar surroundings where people know and love us! and i'm so excited to have a car to drive! when we needed to eat i didn't have supper f...

I wrote, directed, and produced a documentary film called Four Questions (4 ?s). I asked students 4 questions. Get it? Do you like school? How many times have you moved? Do you know anybody in jail? Do you know anybody that has graduated from college? These are factors I believe contribute to school dropout rate. The district is all about drop out rates right now. Yesterday I was involved in a technology cohort training session. I was burning my movie during the training (I composed a rock opera on garage band). They asked to see it. They laughed, they cried. Really. My principal walked in at the end and my colleagues all started jumping up and down and said he should show it to the superintendent. Today we had a professional development day. I had a copy of the movie for one of my co-teachers. She wants to show it to her husband and soon to be teacher son so they can understand the demographic we work with. The assistant superintendent walks in during the menu and stays ...

My new job is really mind-boggling. Basically, I am ensuring that the all the software on the computers from [a company] that just merged with [my company] are licensed appropriately. I don't think there are any cohesive reports that state what all these applications are, and if there were they certainly wouldn't contain the licensing information on them, so it's my job to track down numerous spreadsheets and integrate them. I think. Anyway, it's the most responsibility I've ever had and it would be completely overwhelming, except I don't think the managers know exactly what they are looking for. Their expectations are that as I fumble along a clearer picture will develop regarding what they want, and hopefully all of my fumbling will have made me knowledgeable enough to actualize their vision. I, um, think. And after Day One I'm still thrilled to be working. I lunched in the Inner Harbor, watching people and boats and fountains. My bike ride to and f...

It is with JOY that we wish Aaron and Tekoa a VERY happy day of celebration! Green symbolizes growth, which is what our prayer is for your love and commitment! May God bless you richly during your new year! Love, prayers and hugs, Mom and Dad

Ok. Today I completed the last requirement for my elementary ed. permanent certification. I had to video tape a discrete lesson in which I provided direct, explicit instruction for 20 minutes and 10 minutes of non-whole-group instruction where students had a chance to be actively engaged in their own learning. Once the tape starts rolling there can be no stops or pauses or editing or sneezing. Of course to plan a lesson that fits these rigid standards and aligns with state and district learning standards takes a lot of planning. Ok. Now it is 9:30 and my camera operator is ready to go. I explained that there can be no accidental stops in the tape or I'll have to start again. I start the lesson at 9:35. The fire alarm goes off at 9:40. Stop the tape, exit the building. Return to the room. All the teachers had a little chuckle and say things like you'll laugh about this some day. No big deal. I'll start again. The students are ready, camera ready, I'm ready. Now I'm 2...

I got my old job back at Legg Mason! And a $1 raise. Hooray! Now I'll be able to look out the window at work and watch the left fielder at Orioles games.

On Tuesday, Alan and I took the Old Town kayak up around Ithaca. We had to portage a few feet, but we managed to crash into the Ithaca Falls. That was a sight. The falls were roaring and the whole thing was breathtaking. We passed some baby geese. They were chartreuse and fluffy. When we were paddling through the lake I got a thorough soaking from the wavy water. Alan enjoyed that. "Little brother has to sit up front," he said. I was drenched, head-to-toe. Then on Friday Stephanie and I went to Alex's circumcision party. It was a blast. Koa made him a perfect hot air balloon cake and when they were putting candles on it I said, "But Alex, it's not your birthday." "I know," he said, looking down. But then he looked up, shrugged and said, "It's my circumcision day!" So we all sang "Happy Circumcision to You." I wanted to sing "Cuts Like a Knife," though, by Bryan Adams. He was in good spirits. It just...

Friday, May 12, 2006 Tonight marks the end of another chapter in The Great Adventure. We are preparing to leave in the morning. That means we are heading home and no more work until we get home and then there will be plenty. I have mixed feelings about leaving Mississippi and the disaster relief work. I wish I could do more to help, but I’m tired of life in the NDR compound. I’m also tired of the wind and the thunderstorms. Lightning here is extreme. It’s actually a little scary. I spent today getting the truck cleaned out and washed. I actually relocated all the tools so we have a back seat. We don’t really need it, but I thought it would be nice to get rid of the tools since I won’t need them. I also washed the Montana and did all the prep for leaving that I could do. It was a nice, sunny, 80 degree day and I enjoyed the radio and the puttering on my own stuff. Tonight, we went out for supper with the home team and had lot of laughs. I feel ready to leave. Last night, Agnes Cherry ca...

Here are our beautiful tomato plants..... finally separated into there own dirt. Soon they will go out into the world of our back yard and feed us delicious fresh tomatoes all summer...... thanks Stephanie. Your apartment must be a greenhouse by now....

Jack and I met Alan and his class at the zoo in Syracuse today. It was a wonderful day, the weather was amazing, and we had such a fun time. We sat and watched three monkeys play for at least 30 min.... Jack was belly laughing at all thier silly antics. He seems to really like "cute animals". I just love when he looks at a meerkat and says "Awwww, he is soooo cute" with such quiet sincerity in his little voice. It just makes me want to hug him forever. Alan is a super teacher, and the kids we spent time with today where great too. The only thing missing was Emma.... and giraffes.....

Jack got his first official not-by-mom hair cut this week!!! He really looks like a big kid now, I suppose he is. The last few days have been beautiful here and we have spent them playing baseball, Jacks new absolute favorite thing to do. Emma is doing great as well, she has a month to go before her dance recital, and she's getting excited about it. It's been a fun week watching the kids grow. :0)

Sunday, April 30, 2006 Orley and Bonnie left yesterday and already we miss them. Their personalities added a cheer and a charm that brightened up an otherwise not so inviting atmosphere. They were, in my mind, the best part of the group dynamics because they were positive, joyful, encouraging and fun. Orley has a personality that really can’t be authentically duplicated. He is loud, but not obnoxious. His Orleyisms, as I call them, became predictable, but nevertheless funny. "I am the man!" "It’s Friday!" "It’s my birthday!" Orleyisms in themselves are not funny, but when delivered Orley style clear out of the blue, they are. Even going to Lowes with Orley is an adventure. His winsomness when interacting with store personnel just adds a levity and joy to the task. In a few brief moments he had the checkout clerk’s testimony of salvation and encouraged her for this restoration time. When Orley is working, he keeps it light and positive even when the work is...

Hello everybody! The kids and I are back home from a visit to Mj and Josh's, and I thought I should post some pics. I should mention that the Big Bird pic was taken in Rochester but I thought I should toss it in. The one of Harper is him eating his 1st birthday cake, it was so funny, he kept scrunching up his nose at it and most of it ended up on the floor..the wall....on Ariana...! It was awesome to spend almost a week with him, I so love him and his expressions, he is such a mama bug but he loved having us there, especially the girls and Jack. Jack said, at least twice a day "Harper is soooo cute." in almost a whisper, like he couldn't believe just how cute he is. Jack's favorite thing was the beach, he is still asking me if we can go back there and swim and play in the sand. I think Emma's favorite was going to this place called Canopy. Mj found this amazing, beautiful studio where this great woman gives trapeez lessons, so the girls got to have an hour of...

Here's one I think you'll like, Emma.

Here is an interesting link , particularly for Alan (who loves the English). It's a high-speed video of a back draw in pool. Since it's high speed, the shot is really slow. There are more here. Like this one , of a dog catching a bone (requires downloading). I'm supposed to be writing about my meeting with my uBalt advisor, but I'm too tired. Suffice it to say that it went really well, and I'm excited about starting. The program looks (write) up my alley, and my advisor seems like a great guy. We talked for almost two hours. Okay, I'll take some Q&A in the comment box.

Sunday, April 23, 2006 New Orleans is another place of great contrast. We spent the day there yesterday. As we entered the area we saw building after building that had been underwater and completely damaged. It was beyond the term "whole neighborhoods;" it was everywhere. There was almost nothing that had been restored. There were a few "We’re Open" signs, but they definitely needed the sign. Underneath I-10, where we got off, we saw many cars with uplifted hoods and trunk lids and the flood had clearly trashed them. As we made the turn towards downtown we began to see improvement. The business area was up and running. Palm trees had been replanted and the city had been given a facelift. We headed for The French Quarter, where there was a festival, parked easily and began walking. By the end of the day we had walked all through the French Quarter and saw little evidence of destruction. We learned, from the proprietor of a photograph gallery, that the French Quarter ...

You on line? ; )

I'm here in sunny Baltimore, just living it up. I just got back from uBalt where I went to a reading by Rachel DeWoskin, who wrote Foreign Babes in Beijing . It was interesting to revisit my China experiences and hear her perspectives on the country. I watched The Greatest Game Ever Played last night and recommend it. It's about golf, and one of the bonus features on the DVD has some interesting history of the game. I can't find my pen. I have to go.

We drove by miles and miles of destruction looking similar to this tonight. Mostly houses. Some stores and churches. ALL destroyed! ALL! It made me ill with sorrow. Gaping holes. Ghost towns! Ruin and rubble! All representing people like you and me. Not a great picture for we were driving 60mph, but look hard and maybe you'll feel a little of what we're feeling tonight. . .

we went to new orleans today to see the damage there. it is unspeakably disastrous! it's hugely worse than here in size and scope! oh, my. you just can't capture the magnitude of it all on tv or pictures. what we are doing is a drop in the bucket! no! a drop in the ocean! yet, whoever you talk to says, 'if it wasn't for the churches, we wouldn't be as far along as we are!' we also went to the french quaarter and i had some pretty good jamboliah. [sp-1] listened to a lot of jazz! saw a lot of art. went to the public market! went to cafe du monde! saw the mouth of the mighty mississippi river! it was fine all day, but we were happy to leave after supper and the crowd changed to the wild and hairy! yikes! oh yes. we did go to bourbin street. that is the creepiest place i've been to in my whole wide world. very eerie and sad! dad's gone to bed and so must i. we love you guys 'n dolls!

Thursday, April 20, 2006 Yesterday, I worked with a team from a church in Ohio and we gutted a house in Pascagoula. This was sure different from the finish work I had been doing in Gautier. This house was at the beginning stage for sure. The watermark was more than three feet on the walls and there was the presence of the dreaded black mold. We had to wear masks gloves and zippered coverall suits. It was a real experience. We tore drywall off all the walls and ceilings and made a mountain of it at the curb. Then the house had to be sprayed for mold. I was amazed at how much we accomplished with a team of mostly young boys along with five adults. Every one worked hard in a very discouraging situation. What a mess. In a few days it will be ok for a crew to go in and hang drywall. In driving through these neighborhoods I saw many FEMA trailers. In fact, nearly every yard had one. This must have been a very hard hit area. In looking at the map I saw that it’s practically an island surround...

Happy Easter! I hope today was a wonderful family day for all of you. I missed you. Special days are not quite the special times they should be without family. I look forward to the next time we can all be together even if it's packing up 10 Alden Ave. Dad

April 16, 2006 Easter Sunday I can’t remember a better Easter service! There were so many elements of the service and all so meaningful and well done. Pastor Ted Pagel, Jr. and his assoc. pastors did and excellent job of orchestrating a real celebration of Easter. One might wonder if baptisms and infant dedication should be a part of an Easter celebration, but they fit in beautifully and added meaning. The church, meaning the people … the bride of Christ, doesn’t just exist, but is alive and well. Pastor Ted preached from Revelation about Christ’s coming again and the choir sang a wonderful musical with video drama support. That’s a lot of stuff in one service and it was so good time just flew by. I’m not doing it justice in my report, but the fact that I’m trying is evidence in itself. I don’t usually feel this strongly about church services. I’ve slipped into journaling once a week instead of daily as I once was doing. Perhaps the days are not different or memorable enough, or I’m ad...

Here I am on Long Island. John and Eileen, Stephanie's dad and step-mom, have given us a beautiful 2001 Hyundai Elantra. It's a total problem solver for us as our loaned pick-up truck died in Baltimore last week. They acquired the car from Llana, Stephanie's sister, who was going to trade it in when she bought her new car. But they only offered her $400, so John, who is a mechanic (a body man) took it instead and was going to fix up the damage on the body and sell it for $3800. He didn't fix it, but the problems are only superficial, and he says that the engine is "stellar." I drove it yesterday and it was a fun, speedy little car. I just spent the last two nights getting insurance and then getting the car registered. It only took 20 minutes to do that last part, which to everyone involved seems a small miracle in itself. Baltimore was a fun trip. I wasn't thrilled with our performance, perhaps because I took my glasses off to look more like Menc...