The Swine Flu

I think by now, if you watch television, browse the internet, or even listen the radio in the car, everyone has heard of the Swine Flu. And it's spreading rapidly.

At Rachel's Kindergarten physical this morning, I talked to our Pediatrician about it. I'm going to be honest, I was a little baffled at why the urgency. Dr Berry explained that every year, here in the United States, 35,000 people die from the flu, or complications from the flu. That flu is typically a strain from a bird. What makes the Swine Flu so 'urgent', is because it is a hybrid strain. It's one third human, one third bird, one third swine (pig). There is the unknown as to what course it will run exactly.

I asked about hand sanitizer and he said when you don't have access to washing your hands with good old fashioned soap and water, then yes, use it. Use it all day long. Use it when out in public (the counters of the medical clinic were well stalked with it). And take the 'normal' precautions for guarding against any sickness - not touching your hands to your mouth, eyes, and nose. Not using the hand rails up and down stairs. And using your non-dominant hand to open doors. And covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze (why you need to be told to do this is beyond me!).

Since Hannah is at school all day long, in a portable classroom with no sink, I loaded her up with wipes and hand sanitizer and I was flat out honest with her that people are getting really sick from an illness going around and that she needed to be using the hand sanitizer throughout the day. I even packed a special one in a sandwich baggie and put it inside her lunch box to use just prior to eating. I also told Hannah that she is not to drink from a drinking fountain. I hate drinking fountains in general because of the germs, but now it's even more so. I've got her water bottles filled and ready to toss into her backpack in the mornings, she just has to remind me to do it. When I was at the Dollar Tree on Tuesday, I picked up extra bottles of sanitizer to send to the classroom as well, I'm just waiting to hear back from her teacher as to whether or not she'll use them.

Today, a letter came home from the Principal letting the parents know that they were taking the steps to ensure our school's health and following the recommendations of the County Health Department.

It's on everyone's mind. We're hearing about it every time we turn around, but you know, this outbreak comes as no surprise to the Lord...

"There will be great earthquakes and famines and plagues in various places, and there will be fearful events and awful signs from heaven."
Luke 21:11
All we can do is follow the precautions and pray that the Lord keeps His hand about us and our health.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Today is my Dad's birthday.

He's 60.

60. That's a big number when you really sit and think about it. And when you think about it, our world has changed a lot in 60 years.

Not only has the world made great accomplishments and come a long way in 60 years, so has my Dad.

My Dad's great accomplishments include being married for almost 40 years, that alone is sadly becoming more and more uncommon. He's worked for the same company for 40 years. He's a wonderful Dad to my brother and I, and our spouses. A fun loving Papa to his four granddaughters. And he's a Godly man known for his integrity, his loyalty, and his unconditional love for his family.

Happy Birthday, Dad! I pray the Lord blesses us with your presence in our lives for many more years to come! I Love Ya! :)

Early Morning Thinking

I'm up early this morning. I woke up to go to the bathroom and couldn't get back to sleep. I was plagued with thinking.

Thinking about stuff I need to get done once the day officially starts. Thinking about some conversations I had at church yesterday. Thinking about Ministry obligations and how to get out of them. LOL. Thinking about how I really need to try to get Rachel in to see Dermatology sooner because her arm covered warts are getting worse.

Just thinking.

I couldn't stay in bed thinking, cause then I start dwelling on the stressful stuff. So I got up. I'm thankful it wasn't any earlier though. Often times I lay awake for hours at night, thinking. Dwelling. Trying to drown it all out with putting a worship song into my head. Most of the time it works. But not this morning, I think it was too close to 'getting up' time.

I have a list of all I want to accomplish today, so here's hoping it's a successful day! Happy Monday!

The End of An Extremely Busy Week

Are Sundays the beginning of a new week or the end of the week that led up to it?

Either way, this past week has been an extremely busy week for me. I'm tired. I'm worn out. And I have lots of things around the house to catch up on.

This last week held a lot of running in regards to the inter-district transfers, working one day at the preschool, an Orthodontist consult for Hannah, helping my Mom with my Dad's party, a few other miscellaneous things this week, and heaven forbid we not forget about my root canal whereas I completely lost a day. LOL.

A friend asked me to go to Disneyland this afternoon after church, and would you believe I turned down the offer!?!? Besides the fact that Hannah's pass expired this week and I'd been too busy to realize some Disney Reward Points needed to be transferred to the card towards purchasing it, I just really needed an afternoon home. Home, where my shoes have been kicked off, I'm in a grubby shirt, and my hair has been pulled up and I don't care if my make-up is smudged. I'm Home.

So I've been throwing a load of laundry in here and there, baking some cookies and throwing some into the freezer for upcoming social events whereas I may need to bring a snack, and sitting and reading a chapter here and there of a new Karen Kingsbury book I started on Friday morning.

We had an early dinner, and the dishes have been cleaned up already. The girls have been bathed and are in their pajamas. It'll be to bed early for them. In the words of the famous Yoda "Rest. It's rest I need." I need rest. I need some rest on these weary ears from hearing whinning and nonstop talking all weekend. Yes, the stressful and busy week has caught up to me, and despite my Mom having them for two days this week, helping me out on the day of my root canal, as well as another day, my children are driving me nuts this weekend. LOL.

I have some ripened bananas that are needing to be turned into something, so I think I shall go turn it into banana bread and toss that into the freezer as well. Hope everyone else is enjoying this beautiful Sunday afternoon/evening!

Old Guys Rule!!!

This afternoon, family and friends gathered together to celebrate my Dad's birthday. He turns 60 this coming Tuesday. My Mom has been racking her brain for months as to what we could do to celebrate this momentous occasion and what we had was an "Old Guys Rule" birthday bash!Mom put a lot of thought into some things that would make the party special and themed just perfect for my Dad, in her creativeness, she put out all kinds of his favorite snacks and candies - Peanut M&Ms, dry roasted peanuts, Boston Baked Beans, jars of licorice, his favorite soda - Squirt, baskets of Fritos. It was fun and creative!Some longtime family friends, who are also Mom and Dad's card playing friends, joined us for this special occasion. It was a great afternoon of cards, playing Guitar Hero, the girls playing, Uncle Bart teaching the girls Checkers. We all were having a great time, just relaxing and fellow-shipping. On the menu for dinner - Mom's famous Spaghetti, an awesome salad, and killer bread. Gramma had a few helpers in the kitchen with the bread!After the great dinner, and some clean up, we sat around chatting some more and reading over the list of things that my Mom and I had come up with the last couple of days. A list of 60 Random Things. It was funny and quite a few laughs were made...at my Dad's expense. Dad with his Mom. Next was gifts. Dad got some things he wished for - like a new shovel and an 50 foot extension cord, he got a digital frame already loaded with 75 pictures of family to place on his desk at work, some cool "Old Guys Rule" shirts, and a couple gift cards!The cake was the last of the planned festivities, Dad's favorite of course, a chocolate cake with white frosting. I tried a new frosting recipe and LOVED it! It was a buttercream frosting and it was just as easier to decorate with as it was yummy. I cut the cake into layers and made a chocolate chip buttercream filling and that made the cake even more special!Yes, we put 60 candles on the cake. And by the time we had them all lit, sung Happy Birthday, and Dad blew out the candles, the candles were but small stubs of wax. LOL. Check out Rachel and McKenzie in the background
'helping' Papa blow out the candles.Papa and his granddaughters.
My Dad and Mom. I LOVE, LOVE this picture!It was a fun afternoon with family and a great time of games and fellow-shipping. It's hard to believe the big celebration has come and gone and in just a few days my Dad will be "halfway to 120!"

Quote for the Day

"If we ever forget that we're one nation under God,
then we will be a nation gone under."

~ Ronald Reagan


Need I say more???

Lice In The Preschool...AGAIN!

Rachel had a notice in her cubby today that she may have come in contact with lice at school this week....this is the third notice in the last two months!!! And would you believe it's the same child??

I know, I know, it's a hard thing to get rid of. But obviously they aren't working hard enough at it at home to get rid of it. You have to clean your sheets, stuffed animals, throw out hair brushes, etc.

They are obviously getting rid of it enough for her to pass initial inspection at school, and then at some point during the morning, she starts itching and scratching and they have to inspect the entire class!

I'm just hoping and praying that Rachel doesn't get it.

Back to Normal

I'm back to feeling normal this morning. Aside from my gums being a little raw and my tooth being sore. Mentally, I'm good. Whatever the dentist gave me to take the edge off and make me so relaxed...it was some GOOD STUFF I tell you! I came home from my appointment and took a two plus hour nap, and was back in bed, asleep, shortly after 9. I slept GOOD!

I remember bits and pieces of the procedure. Which is good and bad. I am a person who likes to know what things are going on, especially when it comes to my health, procedures, etc, (it's the Nurse in me), and I have no idea what went on. LOL.

The dentist did tell Steven that the crown in which she had to drill through had a cavity/decay beneath it. She told him I may have to have the crown taken off and something down to it. What, I don't remember. It's really weird not remembering.

Thanks Mom for keeping Rachel all day and Hannah after-school and feeding them dinner and getting homework done...oh and for making us dinner. It was YUMMY! And thanks Dad for going with Steven to get the car. Man, I really know how to disrupt a day, don't I??? LOL.

My Root Canal Experience

Yea, let's just start out with warning you all that I am still under the influence of some narcotics and I'm still fuzzy headed from time to time. That alone should clue you into how my appointment went.

I have been busy for days leading up to today, which I think helped me not to think about it. If you remember, I have a high anxiety level when it comes to dental appointments. But I went into my appointment feeling pretty good. It was the Peace of the Lord, I'm sure.

They got me into the chair, got situated with my iPod and my worship music, and they went to town numbing me. Then my dentist explained to me that she needed to put a rubber dam up for my safety due to the medications and stuff they'd be using. She put it on and panic set in. There was too much in my space and I was on the verge of loosing it. She took it out and said the only other way she could do it is if they knocked me out, but that would have to be done another day because I had no driver with me (see, I thought it'd all be okay and I would go and come home on my own). I welled up in tears and explained that I was here now and it had to be done and that I'd try it again. Both my dentist and her assistant were so caring and full of compassion. They had the medications to do the procedure on me, however I would need a driver to come pick me up. So I called Steven, and it was arranged that he'd come for me when they called him and said I was ready to be picked up. I called my Mom to have her ready to go get Hannah from school. My bases were covered.

They gave me the pills to take, and then placed one under my tongue. I got re-situated with my ipod and my favorite worship songs playing. I think it took about 45 minutes for it all to kick in. They kept monitoring my blood pressure, which was extremely high following my break down and panic attack, but over time it came down and I became more and more relaxed. They started the procedure and just as my dentist said, I wouldn't have a care in the world. I fell asleep. I remember a few things.

But it's over.

It's behind me.

I'm not in any pain (but will take some Motrin soon to help ward any oncoming pain off).

And I don't remember much of the procedure. And in the future, if I have to have any major work done again, THIS is the route I will go, only next time I will bring a driver with me. :)

Monday. Monday.

I fell into bed last night absolutely exhausted. With putting on Hannah's party on Saturday, and then helping a friend with her daughters party yesterday, and the extreme heat wave (95+ degrees) that has fallen upon us, I was wiped out. And as if I could get any more tired, I looked ahead to all that this week holds for me and I'm worn out just thinking about it. LOL.

First of all, I am beaming with gratitude and praising the Lord for an answer to prayer. We received word from our school district this afternoon that our inter-district transfers for the upcoming school year have been granted and they are singed and ready to be picked up as of tomorrow morning! That's the first place I'll go as soon as Hannah is dropped off at school tomorrow morning. It's a relief to know where the girls will be going to school and now I can start on filling out this huge kindergarten registration packet for the school district in which we attend. Thank You Jesus!

Tomorrow is a busy day. And with the extra errand of running to the school district it's just one more thing to cross off on my list, happily. There's preschool for Rachel and then Hannah has a consult with an orthodontist tomorrow afternoon. At her cleaning appointment the end of January, it was discovered that not only is she missing adult teeth, but she has an issue with a couple of adult teeth on the bottom coming up weird. So our dentist suggested we consult with an orthodontist. I'll be taking her out of school early for that. I've NEVER taken her out of school early. But we're the first on the books for the afternoon and maybe we won't have to wait too long. I'd like to make it back in time for the PTA meeting. We haven't met since before we went off track in February, and it'll be nice to catch up on the going ons of the school.

Wednesday morning, I have my root canal. I'm currently on antibiotics in preparation for it. I'm not nervous, but perhaps it's because I'm too busy to think about it. LOL.

The other thing that's on my mind and I've been helping my Mom with the preparations for is my Dad's big 60th birthday dinner this weekend! My Dad turns 60 on the 28th, but we'll be celebrating this weekend with a special dinner at my parents house. I can't go into too many details about it here on the blog just yet, cause Dad reads my blog, but look for a full report with lots of pictures next week!

It's dinner time, and I can hear the natives getting restless. So it's off to the kitchen I go...and after the dinner clean up, perhaps a song or two on Guitar Hero!

A Weekend to Party

Today is Hannah's birthday party. It seems rather weird to actually have her birthday behind us and yet are still celebrating. I think in years past, we've always the done the party the weekend before her birthday. But because last weekend was Easter, we had to go with the weekend after.

The party is this morning. I made it this morning so that people could have the rest of the day for themselves. It seems like Spring weekends are so busy with other parties, ball games, etc., that I thought it would be best to do the party from 10-12. Those few hours will go by quickly, but Hannah is excited to be having friends over to her house.

The cake is made. I am pretty impressed with myself. Hannah's party theme is Hannah Montana and what better shape to make the cake into than into the shape of a guitar!She came home from school yesterday to find it on the counter and absolutely loved it! She thinks her friends are going to be impressed. I'm just glad it turned out like I had envisioned it. LOL.

My mind not only has been in every direction thinking about Hannah's party today, but a dear friends daughters birthday was yesterday and when asked what she wanted to do for her birthday, her daughter said she wanted "a party like the ones Hannah's Mommy does". She loved Hannah's tea party last year and that's what she was hoping for. So, tomorrow afternoon after church, I am helping my friend give her daughter a birthday party...a tea party. I'm in charge of the table and my friend is doing the food. Her Daddy is currently deployed so hopefully this will be a fun celebration for her, and hopefully a memorable birthday despite her Daddy not being here.

And with that, I should go and finish last minute things as the party here starts at 10:00!

Beware of Falling Arches

I was doing my usual browsing of the headlines on Drudge, and came across this article,couple injured by falling arches.

The couple were simply sitting in their parked car, when as a result of the winds in Arizona on Thursday, caused the golden arches of the nearby McDonald's sign to fall onto their car. They have both pretty severe injuries. Check out the article for yourself.

R.S.V.P.

Hannah is having a birthday party Saturday. The invites were handed out to some, others were mailed. She also received an invitation to a party the day after hers. Both invites have an RSVP on them. And it got me to thinking about RSVP's.

I have found more and more in recent years of giving parties for the girls, that a lot of people simply ignore the RSVP, which could mean one of two things. The first: that rudeness is a growing trend in our society, which I think we can all agree is most definitely an ever growing trend, or second that people simply do not understand what RSVP means.

The term R.S.V.P. comes from the French expression "repondes s'il vous plait". Translated to English means "please respond". When R.S.V.P. is written on an invitation, it means the party hostess would appreciate the guest informing the hostess whether or not they plan to or not plan to attend the party.

A lot of times there is the misunderstanding that it means to respond only if coming, or only if not coming. The expression for not coming would be "regrets only".

R.S.V.P. means the party host needs a definite count of people planning to come to the event. In the instance of children's parties, an R.S.V.P. is often asked for so that enough goodie bags can be prepared. Or in the instance for the party in which Hannah was invited to, enough place settings are set for the tea party.

A party list of incomplete party respondents is not only rude, but it can create difficulty for the party host in his or her planning. Perhaps todays post has been an informative and educational one?? If so, the next time you receive an invite with an R.S.V.P., you'll remember this post and alert the hostess as to whether or not you'll be attending. :)

Nine Years of Parenthood

Nine years ago today, Steven and I became parents. Hannah Rose entered our lives and it hasn't been the same since. LOL. We're so thankful for her and the joy and happiness she brings into our lives. And we look forward to what the Lord will do in her life and see how she grows into a young woman of God.

Wasted Energy

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about all the time I spend wasting energy. No, not the energy lost when leaving the lights on, but my own energy. Not wasting it in the physical sense, but more the thought processing sense.

There are so many things throughout the week where I waste so much energy thinking about things that do not involve me, nor do the outcomes effect me in any way, shape, or form.

Things such as 'why those parents let their kid do this, or do that', 'why a couple does this or does that', or 'why do they do things that way'.

See, wasted energy! And in all reality, really why do I care?? It doesn't effect me! LOL.


"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is of good repute,
if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise,
dwell on these things."
~~ Phillippians 4:8

I'm Not Good at Waiting...

I went to the school district in which the girls are supposed to belong to this morning. Today was the beginning of the the transfer window. I have been anxiously awaiting this day to find out if the school district was going to honor the inter-district renewal for Hannah, and a new one for Rachel for the 2009-2010 school year.

But thanks to the budget cuts that our lovely governor made to the department of education, a new budget has not yet been decided on for our local school district and they are still trying to decide if they can afford for students to transfer out of the school district. The bottom line is they are not yet releasing students.

I was expecting to go to the school district this morning and get a "yes" or "no" answer. I never thought I'd get a "not yet". Therefore, I am frustrated. LOL.

I talked to the director of Enrollment Services, nice gentleman. He said he has enough inter-district transfers on his desk that would take a million dollars out of the school districts pocket. But he did say, if he had to guess, he'd guess they will end up releasing students. We just have to wait and be patient.

The transfer window for our current school district closes on Wednesday. Which was a concern of mine as to whether or not they will accept inter-district transfers late, seeing how the district isn't releasing. I called and they will accept them until the end of the school year, after that, they can't promise a space would be left for them.

I KNOW that no matter what, if the girls are denied a transfer out of the district in which we live, that the Lord has a plan for their schooling. He may want them out of the school that they are at for some unknown reasons. He may want them closer to home. I am so very thankful that since Hannah started school four years ago, that a new elementary school opened up right around the corner. It HAS to be an improvement over the one that she was originally supposed to go to when she started Kindergarten.

No matter where Rachel starts school, it'll be new for her. It'd be a new experience for her if she went to Hannah's school, and it'd be a new experience if she starts school around the corner. I'm not worried about Rachel. But for Hannah, it would mean leaving the school that she's become a part of for the last four years. The friends she's made. And the friends I've made as a result of being at that school. LOL. I know she'd adjust, but it would make me sad for a while. And it sure would be an adjustment of the girls going to school right around the corner!!

Out of curiosity, I called the school around the corner and asked if they had half day or full day Kindergarten. Their kindergarten is full day! I was used to the idea of Rachel being gone every day to school, but it's only half day where Hannah goes. All of a sudden the idea of our baby going to Kindergarten ALL DAY makes me kinda sad. I can't even begin to imagine how quiet the house would be everyday, all day long. Or what I'd do everyday...

...but I'm sure I'd adjust!! LOL.

For now, I have to call the school district weekly to see if the status has changed. And once I know, I can plan accordingly for the new school year that seems to quickly be approaching.

No Greater Love...

On this Friday, what we call 'Good Friday', there truly is no greater love than the love Christ demonstrated for us by dying on the cross.

Thursday Morning Ramblings

* I saw my dentist on Tuesday for the tooth that's been giving me problems. After consulting with her in office colleague, they decided that perhaps a root canal will solve my problems. Oh joy. Anyone who has been following my blog for a great length of time knows my anxieties over going to the dentist. Although I will admit, they are lessening with this new dentist. I was able to move my appointment from the 28th to the 22nd. At this point, I just want my tooth feeling better and my mouth to stop hurting and to be able to chew on the left side of my mouth.

* Steven was able to take this morning off from work and is accompanying Hannah on her school field trip to the local planetarium. His name was picked out of the hat to join the class on the school bus. Although, sadly, I think there were only a couple of parents able/interested in accompanying the class. Hannah is so excited for Daddy to be going on a field trip with her. They both love science and this was a perfect trip for Daddy to go on. We wanted one of us to accompany her to see what it is they will teach the kids about the origins of the planets, etc. If they teach the kids something we don't agree with, then we can correct it to Hannah on the spot, and remind her who ultimately made the heavens and the stars...God did! (Genesis 1:1)

* Rachel, Gramma, and myself will be going on our own field trip this morning...to the grocery store and to Costco! Sounds like way more fun than planets and stars, doesn't it?? LOL. Easter is just a few days away, so not only do we need ALL the holiday meal fixings, we need the rest of the weeks groceries as well. We're hoping that by going a day earlier, it won't be as busy as on Friday.

* Hannah's birthday is next week. She's going to be nine. NINE! Her birthday falls on Wednesday and once she's picked up from school, we'll be making a trip to Disneyland to claim her "Fun Card" in the amount of $59! She's already meandered through the shops and got an idea of some things she'd like to buy. She's having a Hannah Montana birthday party the following Saturday. Nothing big and a lot of work, simple and fun, and a good excuse to have friends come over that she doesn't get to always play with at school, etc.

* The new Hannah Montana movie comes out tomorrow and it looks good! We already have our tickets for Saturday morning!

* My brother and his family are camping at the campground on the beach that we love to camp at. We'd be there too if Hannah didn't have school this week. With her being on a modified traditional school year schedule and my nieces on regular traditional, their Spring breaks weren't the same time. I really need a vacation. LOL

Enough rambling for this morning...I've got to finish getting Rachel dressed and get on our way for our 'big day'!

Side Dishes

I'm the type of cook that when I make dinner, there is the main dish and then sides that accompany the dinner.

The meal HAS to have two side dishes, one is usually a veggie, and the other is usually potatoes (mashed, roasted) or brown rice.

I'm making out my menu for the next two weeks in anticipation of getting groceries tomorrow. I need side dish ideas...I'm tired of the same ole, same ole.

Help a girl out...please. What are some sides you cook for your family?

A Song for the Day

SHOUT TO THE LORD

My Jesus, My Savior. Lord there is none like You
All of my days, I want to praise
The wonders of Your mighty love
My comfort, my shelter.
Tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath, all that I am
never cease to worship You.

Shout to the Lord all the earth, let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name
I sing for joy at the works of Your hands
Forever I'll love You, forever, I'll stand.
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.

A MUST HAVE Kitchen Gadget

I LOVE my kitchen scoops! I have three different sizes and I absolutely love them!

With Hannah being off track the past couple of weeks, we've made a couple different kids of cookies and I love using my little scooper to make all the cookies the exact same size and shape! They just look so pretty that way! I've also used my scoopers for making uniform shaped meatballs!!

A New High School

This morning, the girls and I attended the ground breaking ceremony for the new local high school.

This new high school is being built in the community in which I grew up in, where my parents still live to this day. For many, many years our community was promised a high school. There was a time in which there was the thought it would be built in time for me and all the other kids in our community to go to. It never happened. I've been out of high school seventeen years this year, so that tells you how long the community has been waiting.

This high school is going to be NICE! All state of the art classrooms and equipment, etc. It's supposed to be a technology magnet school, which means if our current school district continues to grant our inter district transfers every school year, Hannah will hopefully attend this school as a freshman in 2014.

It's unfortunate, but alongside of all the excitement of finally having a high school of 'our' own, there is some controversy that has come about. The controversy is not over building the school, not the location, but the name of the school.

The residents and people of the community and school district have voted on one name, while the school board members held their own vote and went against the will of the people. Instead of naming the new school after the community, the school has been named after a man who served 25+ years on the school board. This has caused a HUGE uproar among the community and petitions and protests and things are being done to change the school name.

At this mornings ground breaking ceremony, there were many, many signs and t-shirts displaying the desire for the name change. Some signs even calling for the recall of the elected school board members who voted against what the people wanted. Hopefully voices will be heard. The names on petitions will be accounted for, and the name of the school will be changed to what it should be, after the community in which it will stand.


*** When/if leaving comments, if you wish for your comments to appear, please refrain from being specific on the name of the community and high school in which I am referring to. While my general location might be able to be narrowed down, I try to avoid being specific with our school and community names when posting on all my blogs. Thanks! ***

Springtime at Disneyland

I love taking pictures of all the beautiful flowers when at Disneyland. Every time we go, the flowers are different. These pictures are from this week.Visit my previous post, Springtime Landscapes, to see more pictures of Spring around Disneyland.

Series Finale

After fifteen seasons, and 331 episodes, the doors of the ER will close for good tonight.

This is a television series I have actually watched every single year of, in it's prime time spot, as well as in syndication on cable channels. I've seen a lot of characters come and go through the years! And it's been great to see a lot of the old time favorite characters make a reappearance in this final season.

Anyone going to be sad to see the doors of the ER close this evening??

Things That Make You Go...Hmmmm

Edited to Add, 4:15pm:

I meant to mention that when I FOUND this picture on Google the other day, the picture made me think about all the different responses one might have to such an outcome of a pregnancy test.

For a couple who've been wanting and planning for children, it would be a response filled with excitement and great happiness.

For a couple such as ourselves, with one child weeks away from being nine years old, and our baby starting Kindergarten in the Fall, our response WOULD be one of surprise and feelings of starting all over.

But those AREN'T my hands and that ISN't a test I took. And for all of you who jumped to the conclusion and possibly thought it was...pay better attention to your calendar! LOL.

Bonus points to my brother for KNOWING this wasn't my hand, and to Stacey for questioning whether or not this really was my hand!