Saturday, May 5, 2012

Memory Lane...A stroll through the past...Wow, where has the time gone??

Can you say 2012? I had completely forgotten about this old blog. I took a few minutes to look back at pictures, memories, and other friends' stories both past and present. I laughed, and cried. I left some friends, made some new ones, I lost my dad, Pete's grandmother, and someone that was special to my mom. I'm in a new house, the kids are in new schools, and my husband is leaving a job that has made us who we are today. We have made it to Tampa where in July we will have been here for a year. We will be here until probably June of next year and then it's time to find that dream job for my Arabic speaking, plane flying, book writing, Author/Marine Pilot and Expert in the MiddleEastern region husband who happens to have his second book coming out in January 2013.

I'm still doing the Stay at Home gig. It's hard work and I have often contemplated going back to the "real world" workforce. The only thing holding me back is my addiction to doing what I want, when I want to do it. I also think it's been good for me to be home for the kids. They are both on the high honor roll and have never had any tough issues with school. 

Lauren got off to a rough start by being tossed in to a class of established looped kids. (Looping means that these kids were all in the same class with the same teacher last year). So being the new girl she had to make her way in to "established girl groups." This was a huge learning experience for me. I will never do that again. Let me tell you, 4th grade girls can be really mean!!! She now has many friends. Two of her best girlfriends are neighbors and they get to spend lots of time together. She also has a great group of girls in her Girl Scout Troop that she spends good quality time with. She is on her 4th year of piano and recently had her first solo singing part in the annual 4th grade performance.

Riley took a year off from ice hockey. His focus this year was to practice more on his skateboard and play as much xBox with the California friends as humanly possible. His upgrade to the Turtle Beach headset was well worth every penny. His grades are outstanding and he's still strumming the guitar. He's had a couple girl type friends.

Snoopy turned 8 this year. He's still his happy self. His latest job around the house is squirrel security. The squirrels here are relentless and insane. They walk up the lanai, the house, and the bird feeder. All I have to do is call out "Security", he runs out, chases them away and is rewarded with some kind of special treat.

LaurenRdoe's MaunaLisa aka "Minnie" (the cat), really enjoys going outside in the lanai and hunting small frogs and lizards.