Of Mice and Giants?

The giant, our eldest son, does nothing run of the mill; that includes illnesses and injuries. The flavor of the moment is MRSA, which his older sister calls Mutant Reaction to Sister Absence. But it is really staph infection in his knee area. The pain is such he can barely walk. So he is quarantined in the hospital wondering what became of his three-day weekend. Praying he is well soon.

As the saying goes, ...

The best laid schemes o' Mice an' Men,
The best laid schemes of Mice and Men
oft go awry,
And leave us nothing but grief and pain,
For promised joy!
Robert Burns, To a Mouse (Poem, November, 1785)

March October

Just noticed how far behind the blog I've gotten - much to make up for. It's been quite a year - a God year; but then isn't every year? I will attempt to bridge the gap and be more faithful to the future.

The months that have gone by have been filled with family, commuting, and ministry. The husband and I have been heavily into photography; he has ’skilz’; most of our work is on flickr.com. (Clicking the pictures should take you to more pictures). We’ve spent time on the street where we live just enjoying our neighbors, celebrating birthdays, engagements, triumphs, losses – people we’ve known since we moved here.

There were graduations - Bridgette from UC Santa Cruz (with the colorful braids whizzing by in a sea of people), Antoinette from Cal State San Bernardino now living a while Paris, and our vivacious queen from high school heading to take Chapman College by storm! The kid had a stellar year in the 5th grade and now he’s in his final year of elementary. We had great concern when the Giant cornea was scratched; but God is good and he is healing nicely.

As pastor of Friendship Community Church, the husband performed his first baptism and it was for precious mom and daughter members whose family near and far came to witness it. We have watched our youth grow under the dedicated loving care of Mike and Norma, enjoyed the worship presence of Leon Patillo and his wonderful wife Renee, and enjoyed the love of our congregation throughout the year in trial and tribulation, as well as times of rejoicing.


The summer also was a time of more trips and reunions too. In addition to Santa Cruz, we skipped down to the Palm Canyon timeshare (pool below), and were in Ogden, UT for the husband’s family reunion the Juneteenth weekend (city celebration below), stopping at the Las Vegas timeshare for a hot minute. His high school had friends coming in from all over to descend upon The Westin Hotel, Pasadena – a wonderful weekend of fun.



We also surprised the kid in visiting the Ramona timeshare again enjoying two days at the San Diego Zoo, getting to see the Panda girls (one above) before they returned to China the very next day. We also enjoyed short little jaunts like the 3rd Street Farmers Market in Upland.

Overall while absent we have been experiencing reaffirmation, forgiveness, growth, replenishment, hard work and refreshment, His blessing and Hand in our lives … singing ‘if I Could Still I Wouldn't Take Nothin' For My Journey Now.’ I’m recommitting to blogging. I’ve missed it. Thanks for sitting in.

Groom's mom pix

Mother of the groom didn't take the highest quality of picture - but here's a look at the goings on.

Family tree branches

spring blooms...

• The Giant is engaged - yes, its true! The young lady lives in our community and will become his wife May 10th. She's excited, to say the least. They'll have a celebration of the event in the area later. Meanwhile, it's Whidbey for Mother's Day weekend.
  
• The oldest nephew has a new one to this world. My great nephew is quite a cutie.

Life finds a way

TX trippin' Giant wise

Well as I continue the Texas saga, we finally connect with the Giant. As the husband kept saying tell me again, why did we make this trip? - all together at last!

He called when he was ready, and the eldest and I set out to get him. Well, did you know there were two AF bases in Lackland - we ended up, of course, at the wrong one. Through some sibling cellphone discussion in which while driving I referreed :-), we finally arrived where he was stationed that Friday evening. Today he is on his way to our direction, before continuing on to new orders in Washington state.

That Friday, he showed us around, introduced us to some of the people he knew, and we took some pictures and then headed with him back to our home away from home so that all of us could go out to dinner. Another sibling conversation insued about what is the best steakhouse in Texas. After picking up the rest of our passengers we went looking for the eldest's recommendation - 1.5 hour wait. So we drove around the area - there were a lot of eaterys - checking time. We left the Giant at the Outback, because they had a .75 hour wait, to check out some more only to find that was our best bet. Outback - it was! We enjoyed ourselves and each other, and the food was delicious. By now it was late and we were all very tired and the giant had a curfew. The men (strange referring to the kids as adults even still) took him back against the odds of extreme traffic and delivered him there on time.

A week ago Saturday morning, as we had arranged, we set out early, after checking out of the hotel, for the base to have breakfast. As it was, we were too late - by a minute or so. Our second plan was to go to the PX to experience military shopping - so we waited for the bus. And on that icy wind morning, we waited and waited and waited. The every half hour bus hadn't shown up in over an hour. It was on that note we had to say our 'goodbyes' as we had to get back to Denton, and then back home before the end of Sunday night. Military life had its effect on the Giant in ways difficult to deliniate, beyond the fact that we needed a dictionary for all the acronyms he spoke. He had worn his military 'dress' that day so we could take pictures. I guess all mothers want to say of their son, he looks a little thin. I'm so glad we made the trip and at least a little time with the oldest son. Love that boy!

So we departed from him and headed north due Denton.

TX trippin' - not so sweet Suites (loathesome travelodging)

As stated we arrived in SA when it was dark on Thursday. It was about a half past six. We were all spent from our journey and ready for the spaghetti the eldest had made the night before.

The two bedroom with kitchen turned out to be a sad excuse for accommodations, we discovered. Over time we came across numerous issues with the room and were sorely disappointed.

• pull out couch poorly supported mattress
• no glass tray in microwave
• stove burners didn't work because gas was off; when on, only two of four worked, but then it emitted gas fumes
• no light in closet
• no iron where it was supposed to go
• no carafe for coffeepot which had old coffee bag still in it (nasty!); no cream, sugar
  
• kitchenette void of pots, pans, utensils, dishes, etc.
  
• 5 person room with 3 towel sets
  

But we made the best of sub-par circumstances and enjoyed a delicious meal after a run to Walmart on the other side of the highway turnaround for supplies.

In the morning, we found that the popping sound we had heard in the early hours was a transformer - there was no electricity sporadically throughout the complex including our unit. The free breakfast offerings became extremely limited for the same reason.

Sharing our overall displeasure with the Travelodge Suites front desk gained us an upgraded room soon to be operational - we had another whole night yet to get through. This took a lot of the morning to accomplish, but we were indeed much more comfortable. However there was no making their ice machines work.

Putting this trauma behind us, with the knowledge we couldn't connect with the giant until 16:00 hours, we set out to experience finer aspects of San Antonio.

TX trippin' climate

What's left after fog, wind, rain, and sun - can you believe it snowed! For the sake of packing, I obtained from the SIM (son-in-marriage) a weather forecast for the week, which not surprisingly did not include flaky white stuff. Where we come from the temperature doesn't drastically drop during the day. We stayed in, caught up on our rest, and watched the weather pattern develop - which really just meant it became colder and colder outside while the hearthside of the fireplace became more and more inviting.
When the eldest returned from coursework and SIM from the office, they barbequed and the snow fell - steaks, links, ears of corn, and snow on the bar-b! We closed off the evening with a game of 'The Settlers of Catan'. The husband and I hadn't played before although the eldest had been telling me about it for some time. No wonder - by the time we caught on, she won the game! It was a nice end to a snovely day and we woke up to sunny snowfall on Election Tuesday. Meanwhile, The youngest played with Cali the yellow (white) labrador, who I am sure was thankful the youngest finally became engaged with his electronic games too! We also watched 'Beowulf'.

TX trippin'

Well the time came when we could kill two birds, the two eldest, with one trip. The youngest is off-track for March, so off we went to Dallas and San Antonio for a visit - coincidentally in time for the crucial OH and TX primaries. The eldest did the early voting, but will be participating in the caucuses on Tuesday. She said democratic presidential candidate Senator Barak Obama called their house.

Anyway to get back on subject, its a cold Sunday 9:27 am on highway 40 east outside of Santa Rosa, New Mexico. We just left Denny's for breakfast after catching some shuteye Motel 76 from 1-6 am. The innkeeper was very accommodating even though the only room available was a king-size/smoking - felt like we slept in an ashtray. But we are all refreshed and its a beautiful day.
So...we left in the foggy mist of noon yesterday north on highway 15 into the sunshine of the 40. We've seen where Cars took place and interestingly a lot of race car carriers like the one in the movie. We've also seen very long freight trains moving about the countryside - on one we counted 99 including the three engines, another with 133.

The youngest has finished the last episode of The Spiderwick Chronicles. He's recording all the state license plates he's seen (even Alaska). We've gone through Barstow, Bullhead City, Flagstaff, the Grand Canyon area and Gallup.

Comparing to the majestic moutain ranges in Oahu, I was equally enthralled with meticulous sculpting of the Arizona mountains we saw - the Lord put forth an intricate display!

Can't say too much about New Mexico - what we are seeing is wide-openness with buttes on the horizon. Fernando, found your town though :-) - Villanueva NM! We approach Amarillo now.

So now I am getting back to our time of worship and praise and prayer. We are having an awesome time with mp3s. We are overcomers...order my steps...hold me Holy Spirit...He's taken my heart and shown me the right way...I will open my heart to everyone I see and say Jesus Christ is the Way!

Will get back to this later. If pictures aren't here, will insert later.
Texas here we are! Now we are leaving warm and windy Childress heading toward Wichita Falls; its 1:36 pm Cali time. We love Sonic commercials, but have never been to a establishment, not having near us. Very enjoyable - the youngest had chicken strips kids meal, the husband who has done all but 8 hours driving on this trip had a huge cheeseburger, and I had the bacon cheeseburger on toast which included an onion ring. I got a 'brain freeze' in the throat with my strawberry drink, then the husband got one over his eye with his green apple drink, and then the yougest who thought he had escaped was attacked causing him to hold the side of his head by his ear by his lime drink. No wonder they ask "how many have you had"?
Now we are on the road again encountering a little rain with distant lightning strikes, hoping to arrive around 5 pm Cali time. Saw my sister's block, Laurie St. Indeed, we did arrive the corresponding Texas time 7 pm.

Mulling with Cider - Goodbye 2007; Happy 2008!

Goodbye 2007; Happy 2008!

Was going to Palm Springs - but as things go the high there will be about 66; not that much different than here and rain is imminent. So I am taking care of a few things and sitting down (looking 'round for a spider) with some cider to mull over the last few days :-)

The vacation time is waning away and I will return to work on the 8th. Have a few things to lock in school (yes, I picked one - will talk about that another time) - but have to write a 500 word paper among other things.

A wonderful animal story for children is Andre, the seal - if you like that genre I recommend it for renting. Today I watched the Miracle Dogs - and that is cute as well. I discovered that there is Miracle Dogs Too,

Watched Will Smith's I am Legend. That was intense. It talks about listening for God; here's an interesting review. While I didn't recall the whole story line, I vividly remember one Christmas going to see its predecessor, Charleton Heston's The Omega Man, with my father years ago. Richard Matheson's novel was also made as The Last Man on Earth.

Watched Louis Gossett Jr., a darling little girl, Penny Bae Bridges (she's related to Todd Bridges of Different Strokes fame), and the incomparable Gena Rowlands in a movie, The Color of Love: Jacey's Story, about mixed relations in the south. The youngest, watching it with me,was able to see what hatred does to people.

A site recommended couples watching and discussing relationship movies together and provided a list. Meanwhile, I happened across a Story of Us movie with Bruce Willis and Michelle Pfieffer about a couple entertaining ending their marriage - it was a scary concept and I could see familiar personality traits in it.

I have yet to watch Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol, but I will. Dicken's Christmas Carol is the most remade Christmas movie ever. I saw one yesterday with lovely multi-talented Vanessa Williams playing a witchy diva who comes to her senses.

Our interim pastor, whose term is soon coming to an end as they begin a new pastorate in Wisconsin, and family is in Iowa attending a funeral for his wife's brother. Our thoughts and prayers are with her and the family. Church had a watch service this year - a good way to harken the new year. The veggie tale pirates break open a new movie so we are going to see a preview at Family Christian Store. On the tail end of a season of fasting and praying (try that during the holidays *L), the ladies have a brunch that Saturday as well. The annual superbowl fellowship is coming up too. There also is a couples Valentine retreat in the works down the road.

Had hoped to get out to see the Giant before the end of my vacation, but now plan to make that visit within the next 7 weeks while he's there; hoping to see my brother before vacation end too. Will be previewing a card graphic from the son-in-law - telling him we should do greeting cards together.

loins and elephants

Larger than life are times you can spend with your kids. The youngest has been awarded many certificates which I've collected, but some of them included certificates for things like free lunch. This week we used one for the Elephant Bar - to which neither of us had been before. Thus that trunked image in the background is none other than an elephant, not living of course. This picture was taken with my HTC mogul phone.

I enjoyed the restaurant's decor and ambiance. The youngest ordered a hamburger sans cheese, lettuce and tomato which came with ample fries with chocolate milk which he loves, (it also came with a chocolate sundae) and I had the chicken fingers. The service was friendly and responsive, and the manager came by to make sure all was well. And it was until the bill which had errors; but they were corrected, and we left unscathed and happy. We enjoyed our day out. The youngest had a haircut earlier, but here he has his head hooded. He was an attractive date underneath, and amusing; but not as engaging as the husband.

Speaking of whom gave me a gps device for my birthday - it sure comes in handy. (This could be marriage saving - can you imagine me not getting us lost any more? - He's really cute when he tries to suck in his frustration for the love of me.) Anyways, the youngest and I, we were able to figure how to leave the Montclair shopping center without getting confused amongst all the after-Christmas shoppers. We call it Garmi.

The Giant called. He's officially a navy seaman and soon will be off to master of arms A-school in Texas for a couple of months. He'll be spending a few more days in Chicago before he goes. It was the first time we've had to talk since he left for boot camp. It was good to hear his voice. His boot camp stores were original with dental nightmares and a temperature above 104. He's graduated. He sounds good. He'll be in the same hemisphere as the eldest - afterall TX is more than an state - it's huge!

I have eight kids, mutual or not, I love them all. They are varied in gifts and personality -- each a unique treasure. These 3 came from my loins.

Hits of the Season ...

Christmas on Division Street was initial tissue fare - a good movie with Fred Savage looking at sides of life that matter; aired today

Today, saw the black and white of It's a Wonderful Life showing how a life matters, again. The wife, Donna Reed, in this version reminds me (look at their eyes) of Kirstin Davis who I just saw in the entertaining film, Deck the Halls about getting caught in sides of life that don't matter with Danny De Vito, Matthew Broderick, and the lady with a lovely voice - Kristen Chenoweth - she's filming a Christmas movie coming out next year called 'Four Christmases'

Jane Seymour, who I love most from Somewhere in Time did a review I enjoyed of Christmas films over the years - A Hollywood Christmas

The husband and youngest were at the keyboard singing christmas carols - priceless! We put our lights out today, a lovely nativity scene, and dressed our tree yesterday evening, the first time in my adult years not having natural tree. The youngest assisted the husband with the lights and me with the tree. He went to bed early in anticipation of tomorrow's events

The giant is a navy seaman. He graduates Friday in Chicago and on the same day is bound for San Antonio. Am hoping to see him there, the Lord willing. Two kids - eldest and giant - in Texas ...

Yesterday the children sang for christmas in our worship service, and the night before we gathered for a fellowship of caroling. The Ace sang a moving 'Mary Did You Know', and I was able to accompany her singing 'O Holy Night'. Worshiping the Lord in song in celebration of His birth - precious!

I was able to get the husband a gift he never suspected and would love! Time after time he has been there for me - lifted me up, been my strength, my safety blanket, my as it is described in one of Madea's movies representation of God's love. He loves the wind up clocks that chime the hour. Not long ago, his was over-wound. Come to find out they are expensive to fix or buy. But I found a deal. I hope chime after chime, it reminds him how much I love him.

Merry Christmas every one!

Praise the Lord! Jesus Christ was born! Go tell it!

bond...age

One of the gyrlz wondered why no one told them the giant was gone.
Asked her, weren't you the one that called a family meeting about the giant about a year ago.
She said, yeah...but he grows on you.
Family bonding.

He graduates the 28th!

Veterans Day movies

obtained this from - Bill Leonard - can't take the credit ...

***Veterans Day Movies***

Next week we will be celebrating Veterans Day to honor those men and women who have served in our armed forces. Sad to say, such honor is bestowed less and less these days because more and more people do not know the basics about when, where, why and how our armed forces have served. Recently, a high school teacher and war veteran emailed me saying that there is a vacuum of knowledge among our youth about our history and geography. When it came to WWII, he said that the average high school student may know that there was a great world war and that we were on the winning side, but they could not name who the Allies were, much less the Axis powers that we defeated. So, for this Veterans Day, I recommend that your family watch one of many excellent movies that depict “men at war” and why it is sometimes necessary to take up arms to defend our freedoms and our values. Follow the link below to a list of movies, including their ratings and brief descriptions courtesy of the Internet Movie Data Base website. The film recommendations stretch from the origin of our nation with “The Patriot” depicting the American Revolution to “Black Hawk Down” depicting the more recent battle in Somalia. This is not an exhaustive list of war movies, though it is long, and many of the movies on this list are not at all appropriate for young children. I urge parents to use common sense and caution when choosing a movie, but there are several on the list that are suitable for older children and can help teach them the values necessary to keep the meaning in Veterans Day. My list is available here.

Thanks, Bill. Here's War Movies and Veterans Day on Fox Movie Channel.

One takes these things more personally the more personally involved family members are, huh? Love you Giant; keep you in our prayers!

Cast die; but dye not cast ...hmmm ... and more

Okay, to the side is a depiction of my fire roasted creation. I made it again - it is a hit in the household.

We are watching closing episodes of Stargate Atlantis. The other night we lost a beloved member of the Atlantis team. I was loathed that should happen while I was not quite yet dealing with real personal loss, but at least - my reality was not death. Yeah, I know, clear as mud and morbid. Okay, but the good news is that there has been a outcry from the fans, and they are going to bring the beloved team member back from what was beyond next to impossible odds. Remember the tune "I Write the Songs..." - well this is more "we write the words, that make the characters we love live" LOL.

I spoke to the Giant. He's fine. His room looks awfully empty.

Halloween is the worst traffic night of the year! Left work at 4:30 pm and got home near 7 pm. Set up to give candy out at the parsonage and Prayed Until Something Happened.

But the dish looks great doesn't it!

Okay so I rambled! I'll meander some more soon. Goodbye October. Night!

ginormous Giant 'mom' ent

Continuing in one's life as a mother has exponentially to borrow a word from a precious friend, 'huge' or his equally special daughter-in-law's 'ginormous' 'mom'ents.

My first baby boy is off to the military. Tomorrow the Giant embarks upon his naval career, leaving for boot camp in Chicago. Two months into two years, he's leaving and I will miss him. He is special and a joy to my heart. I'm not keen on this war, but I'm keen on him and, as I hum "His Eye is on the Sparrow", I am trusting him to God. We prayed over him at church this morning and the pastor spoke about the 30 men of God that surrounded David, James 5, and the Lord's hedge. Of the Giant's 30 or so crew, Lord let me be first in line!

My love for you goes with you boy! Do; learn; be what you've gotta- God's will be done; the Lord be with you in it all! May He give you wisdom and discernment, peace, and return you home safe and whole. And when ever you don't have the answers I borrow upon a friend's favorite shirt - 'Ask the Chief!'

Whenever I am tempted,
whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing,
when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him,
from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow,
and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow,
and I know He watches me.

Giant, I know He watches thee!

Who's favor'n Who?

well thanks to Kendra and Nicole - I checked this out - kewl!



Eldest favors her dad by 6% and the giant looks 3% more like me!

Steptember is here! Oh where o where has my August gone!

to catch things up ...

• I joined the Steptember challenge on America on the Move - taking the Oregon trail while the husband traverses the Pacific. You do 2 things - increase you average monthly steps by 2000 and decrease calories consumed by 100 daily. Began that the 4th.
• I've met my first fitness goal - 177 pounds. Saw the doctor near the end of the month and my blood pressure was 122/80; I'm off those medz. woo hoo! Still working on the cholesterol though.
• The youngest started third grade a month ago already; has already completed his first school sale campaign - thanks to all of you at the husband's job who always come through for him big time, mine, church and friends that supported him. He got all but the top 2 prizes (and the top one just wasn't going to happen anyway). He's thrilled! We've already 'been there and done that' Back to School night as well. He's doing really great in school too and has a wonderful teacher rather than military commander. He's testing well. We're proud of him as he works on focus focus focus! He was Student of the Week last week.
• Speaking of the military, the giant laid on me that he has joined the armed forces - now a member of the U.S. navy - the plan: qualifying for Seals or being a MA; expecting to have basic training in November - Lord keep your hand upon him.
• Planning to go to the Pomona fair again this year and to the Angel City Classic this weekend; the calendar is getting awfully full - I've got to go to traffic school before the vacation too.
• The trip to Hawaii is a couple of weeks away - ooo wee aloha!
  
• It'll be in celebration of our 8th anniversary - as we rushed to end up being the last to be married in the Old Orange County Courthouse. In August, celebrated the official marriage and in September we celebrate our wedding ceremony standing before God and man (friends and family close at hand). Sometimes things want to creep in and whisper its not as good as it has been. But I know where that talk comes from. God has been so good to us - blessed us with this child and our blended family and friends and purpose and the ability to stand hand in hand with a common vision sewn by a common faith.
• We have non-dueling keyboards and have been enjoying quiet evenings at home with the music - very peaceful and relaxing - more on those later.
• Congrats to the Holybees on the addition of Hezekiah to their family!

... And its my anniversary in blog too!

Weighing in on stuff

I've settled on FitDay.com - it fits where I am on my wellness program right now. It is easy to use, provides the feedback I want and what sealed it is that the calorie database of DietFacts.com feeds right into it. So, if I eat at McDonald's and had the new Angus Burger with mushrooms and cheese (why did I?) I can not only confirm that I shouldn't have eaten what amounted to 810 calories, but also it puts the data right into FitDay so I didn't have to input all the gory details, making foods to be added an easier proposition.

Since I see value in all the other programs I've checked out, I hope to some day do a comparison showing the differences in what they offer. I really think it depends on what you want to get from it - high to low maintenance, being informed, support/accountability, types of reports, and high on my list is what is available for free.

My best weight was last week. I've had people noticing - once last Tuesday by a lady I see ocassionally in a restaurant I a frequent weekly. It is beyond words to be aware of actual progress. The proof is not only in the scale but in the measuring tape, and former clothes I can wear, and feeling so much better physically and mentally. So it goes.

It's hard to be a sport about this year's NBA season - the Warriors are gone and too the Suns; this requires the label 'kleenex'. Who am I to root for. I'd root for the current underdogs but they've got to muster up what now seems like a miracle. If they don't its going to leave me with teams I don't like and won't care who wins! Worst case scenario the Spurs win? I've probably jinxed the whole thing now. *sigh*

I have a four-day weekend. To the extent possible, I'm including in my holiday celebration vacationing at the Spa of Normandy - a holiday weekend getaway at home. It'll begin with getting the hair done (with a side trip to the AAA for a car registration), acquiring some ribs, the makings for the famous beans and other delicacies (will have to work those into the food program), and then being jacuzzi bound. I'll work in appropriate mood music, watch some movies (watching Sleepless in Seattle - yes, again - right now) - there'll be no crowds or traffic! See you on the other side!

Oh, on another divergent note - have a friend that has been looking into his family history. When I have the time, which is rare, I dabble at this myself - to date unable to make that connection into the slavery/plantation time period. However he has been able to trace his latino heritage to someone who ran with Pancho Villa. He found too that the name changed to be safe from the authorities. Interesting to find your surname changes back in history. The giant will encounter that - his last name is not the same as his father's which changes everything for his future lineage. Of course in this day and age there are hyphenated names too - it's a whole new game!

Okay, well leaving Seattle to get the hair done!

Maydays!

Mayday Mayday Mayday! Where is the time going? The youngest has about 8 weeks left in the second grade (applause) - we did not like that teacher (military school for free).

A turtle risked life and shell to enter our yard this weekend. To its dismay, our dogs were very entertained when the kids came to its rescue. 'To keep or not to keep' now is the question - whether it is too costly or troublesome to give the youngest the pleasure of having a turtle and where did it come from anyway? I spent the lunch hour addressing such questions at PETCO. Of course a naming process has began -- turk? Slider? - anything but Shell!

The giant went to an Orange County auction and bought a car - yippee! We've been sharing mine of late.

Getting back to my blog title, the phrase, first used on May 1st, 1927, comes from Mayday which wiki says "is an emergency code word used internationally as a distress signal in voice procedure radio communications, derived from the French m'aider, meaning "help me." It is used to signal a life-threatening emergency by many groups, such as police forces, pilots, the fire brigade, and transportation organizations. The call is always given three times in a row ("Mayday Mayday Mayday") to prevent mistaking it for some similar-sounding phrase under noisy conditions, and to distinguish an actual mayday call from a message about a mayday call.

The holiday, May Day, itself is May 1, and refers to any of several holidays celebrated on this day. May 1 was a traditional summer holiday in many pre-Christian European pagan cultures, and many elements of these holidays are still celebrated on May 1 today, such as the Maypole. While February 1 was the first day of Spring, May 1 was the first day of summer: hence, the summer solstice on June 25 (now June 21) was "midsummer."

Besides the two major May holidays, Mothers Day and Memorial Day and Believer's Ascension Day (17th) and Pentecost (27th), also proclaimed for commemoration this month are Cinco de Mayo and Armed Forces Day (20th).

I've been struggling a bit with motivation which reminds me of a word from one of our daughters (and she knows who she is) - disencouraged. I like it! Thanks be to the Lord (not the lord that Sara called her hubbi) and the husband, I've been able to push past these feelings enough to keep on my program.

On the movie tip, we recently enjoyed 'Corpse Bride' - I liked it, 'Night at the Museum' - I loved it, and 'Deja Vu' in which it was great to see work from Erika Alexander from the "The Cosby Show". The movie was very captivating, in some ways reminiscent of Denzel's the 'The Bone Collector' and appears to have similarities to Cage's movie. We shall see. Meanwhile the husband bought me 'Beauty Shop ' with Queen Latifah and an 'old school' cast with people I haven't seen in awhile (from "Martin" Laura Hayes, 'the Cosby Show' Keshia Knight Pulliam, "The Jamie Foxx Show" Sherri Shepherd, and others)t o give a 'looksee'. Meanwhile we are so behind on '24' and all of our sci-fi regulars, not to mention movies we've purchased.

I'll try not to be a stranger. You too okay?

The Giant had a birthday this week and my mother's birthday would have been this week also. Just thinking about the both of them in the midst of this very busy week. The Giant requested my meatloaf and said the result was one of the best! There's a few things I make well, as attested to by my family - and meatloaf is one of them! Mom would have loved it too!

Too today my youngest cousin on my mom's side was married on a cruise ship - right now they would be asail to the Mexican Riviera. My oldest cousin is in town from Jersey for the occasion. Hoping to spend more time with her before she returns home the end of next week.

Hoping to catch up with my brother too; I haven't been too sucessful in doing that. His son will have a birthday the end of this week as well.

God bless us every one!