I love my family

Another family picnic come and gone. This one was particularly fun because of the return of...well, something of a "skit". The game show thing was a total hit, we had so much fun!!! When I look at the pictures Rachel took I laugh hysterically, remembering the day! Juliet and Troy's house was so reminiscent of Aunt Lee's, that I (and I think everyone) felt so comfortable there. In true "Aunt Lee" fashion, everyone was very accepting and warm when I introduced Alex and I was proud of how well she handled meeting everyone for the first time. It was admirable, and my family is awesome...

ever watchful

Glenn and I were in the garden on the side of the house, cleaning up the mess the rain has made, and all the time we were out there all we could hear in the silence of the early morning was the beautiful birdsong of a cardinal. I could see it on and off flying from branch to branch in the trees in the back yard. I turned to Glenn and told him to say good morning to Adeline! Then tonight I got this email from Ann Marie..."We went to the museum today and after it closed, we sat under the tent outside to have some lunch. Guess what landed in a tree next to the tent? That's right, a cardinal. Of course Callie said "I knew the cardinal would find us, just like in the book." We tried to get a picture of it, but it kept flying to different branches, and then we couldn't see it anymore. So we headed for the car and guess what was sitting in the parking lot, right in front of our car? The cardinal! But I had already put the camera away! By the time I got it out, the cardinal had flown up high in a tree." Ever watchful...

some fun from Rachel

So far in 06 have you...

1. Have you had more than 5 different boyfriends/girlfriends?
I beg your pardon... I'm a married woman!

2. Have you had your birthday?:
No

3. Been to church?:
Yes.

4. Cried yet?
Yes, I cry all the time

5. Had someone close to you pass away?
No, thank God

6. Pulled an all nighter?
No

7. Drank starbucks?:
No, but Barnes & Noble has seen my pretty face more than a few times

8. Went shopping?:
Yes

9. Been camping?:
No, I hate the outdoors, but for my garden

10.Been to the beach?
Ditto, I hate the beach!

11. Bought something for over $200
A car and a bathroom

12. Met someone new?:
I meet new people all the time in my line of work

13. Been out of state?
Yes

14. Gone Snowboarding?
No, I hate snow!

[[Have You Ever...]]

1. Kissed someone??:
Oh, once or twice.

2. Slept in someone else's bed?
Yes

3. Snuck someone over?
No

4. Snuck out of your own house?
No

5. Been to a bar?
Yes

6. Lied?
For certain.

7. Gotten a car?
Yes

8. Gone over your cell phone bill?
yes

9. Been called a whore?
No

10. Drove somewhere?:
I don't drive, but I've been driven many places

11. Done something you regret?
No

[[Lasts...]]

Last Thing you bought?
Dinner

Last Person you hugged?
Beth

Last Person you kissed?
Glenn

Last Person to call you?
Cookie

Last time you took a bath?
Last night, I love my new bathroom

When was the last time you felt stupid?
?

Last time you walked/ran a mile?
Rode a few miles last time I was at the gym

Who was the last person who saw you cry?
Glenn

Who was the last person who you watched a movie with?

Glenn

Who was the last person you danced with?
Rachel

Who did you last yell at?
Easy one! Glenn

What did you do today?
Worked, read my book (Marley and Me) wonderful story!

Happy Birthday America!

Independence Day is the national holiday of the United States of America commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At the time of the signing the US consisted of 13 colonies under the rule of England's King George III. There was growing unrest in the colonies concerning the taxes that had to be paid to England. This was commonly referred to as "Taxation without Representation" as the colonists did not have any representation in the English Parliament and had no say in what went on. As the unrest grew in the colonies, King George sent extra troops to help control any rebellion. In 1774 the 13 colonies sent delegates to Philadelphia Pennsylvania to form the First Continental Congress. The delegates were unhappy with England, but were not yet ready to declare war.
In April 1775 as the King's troops advanced on Concord Massachusetts Paul Revere would sound the alarm that "The British are coming, the British are coming" as he rode his horse through the late night streets. The battle of Concord and its "shot heard round the world" would mark the unofficial beginning of the colonies war for Independence. The following May the colonies again sent delegates to the Second Continental Congress. For almost a year the congress tried to work out its differences with England, again without formally declaring war. By June 1776 their efforts had become hopeless and a committee was formed to compose a formal declaration of independence. Headed by Thomas Jefferson, the committee included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Philip Livingston and Roger Sherman. Thomas Jefferson was chosen to write the first draft which was presented to the congress on June 28. After various changes a vote was taken late in the afternoon of July 4th. Of the 13 colonies, 9 voted in favor of the Declaration, 2 - Pennsylvania and South Carolina voted No, Delaware undecided and New York abstained. To make it official John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, signed the Declaration of Independence. It is said that John Hancock signed his name "with a great flourish" so "King George can read that without spectacles!." The following day copies of the Declaration were distributed. The first newspaper to print the Declaration was the Pennsylvania Evening Post on July 6, 1776. On July 8th the Declaration had its first public reading in Philadelphia's Independence Square. Twice that day the Declaration was read to cheering crowds and pealing church bells. Even the bell in Independence Hall was rung. The "Province Bell" would later be renamed "Liberty Bell" after its inscription -

Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants Thereof

And although the signing of the Declaration was not completed until August, the 4th of July has been accepted as the official anniversary of United States independence. The first Independence Day celebration took place the following year - July 4 1777.