Help me defeat ALS!

My first year at the ALS walk! 

This weekend I will be participating in the Greater New York Chapter for ALS.
Sorry,  I am going to have to do some copy and pasting because it's way too complicated to explain without messing it up. (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's Disease," is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to their death. When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. With voluntary muscle action progressively affected, patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed.)

Now you know what I'm talking about. My grandmother died from this, and one of my favorite cousins was diagnosed with it about 5 years ago. My cousin Nell is a tiny, feisty little woman. I had the privilege to hang out with her in the summers in the Adirondack Mountains. 

I only have fond memories of her. I truly looked up to her, she was my hero, I wanted to be her when I grew up. She had the sweetest little voice and the best laugh. She was always smiling or telling me to "stop whining!". She rode horses, climbed mountains, rock climbed, wind surfed and had a small dog that looked like a rat named "Mini". I hated this dog. 

Nell LOVED this dog, and the dog could do no wrong. She smelled, she hated me, and she growled whenever I went to pick her up. Horrible beast. Nell would greatly disagree with this. The dog only did it when no one was looking. 

Nell was married to Barry- an Irishman (with an accent!) tall, dark and handsome type of fellow. Also athletic, and he played the tin flute. Celtic style. The two of them were fun together, they had a great time romping around the mountains. 

I knew them before they had kids. Then the following summer Nell showed up pregnant. My only memory of this was people telling horrible stories about babies born on toilets... and Nell's little face went grey and her eyes went wide, and then people stopped talking about it... after all this was her first baby out of three. No need to tell her about the horror involved in birthing. (It truly is the number one worst pain... a woman will ever feel)

The following summer, Nell and Barry rented a house up the street from Toad Hall (the cabin that we stayed in) and this time, they brought a friend. His name was Brendan and he had a huge head. Their son. Cute as a button. I was maybe about 10 at the time. I was so excited to have this little baby around. Nell taught me everything. I learned to diaper, feed and walk with a backpack full of baby up a mountain! 

Last year we had Barry over for dinner. He remembers this time fondly. He said it was one of his happiest moments in his life. It was a magical time- everyone was happy, time was endless, and everything was one, so harmonious. 

That was the last  summer I saw Nell and Barry and Brendan, and that dog. 

After that, my parents were splitting up and again my mom was looking to dump me off with someone so she could deal with her marriage. She sent me to Washington D.C to go hang with Nell, Barry, Brendan, and now.... Connor. 

Connor was one of the most beautiful babies- he was so happy, and perfect. This was a time when I was starting to dislike children greatly. Connor changed that for me. Nell would change his diaper and the minute that thing came off his hands and legs would go to town... he loved being naked. Such joy. He would giggle and coo.

 I was in the living room with Connor one day and he climbed up on the chair and fell off the side hitting his head very hard against the side table. He had an enormous lump on his head... but didn't cry. I was in awe. He was the ultimate baby. I dreamed of one day having one as perfect. I didn't. ( just kidding? ).

Nell ran a daycare center out of her home. Parents would drop off their kids and Nell would take us to the zoo, or we would go for long walks. 

Something had changed though. I noticed a dullness. That laugh was gone... 
I especially noticed it when Barry came home from work. He looked dark to me. Vacant. My parents were having problems, and now I was super aware of other marriages. From such a young age... I knew that something wasn't right. 

That was the last time I saw Nell and spent time with her and the boys. She moved to England, got a few horses, got divorced, and came home with the boys in tow. She moved to her hometown and bought a 13 acre horse farm and worked at a local college. She had worked hard to get her life on track. 

Nell had disappeared from my life, we no longer went to the mountains in the summer, and all I knew was that she had three sons now. One day my mom got a phone call and on the answering machine was a tiny high pitched voice. "Hi Val! It's Nell... her voice was shaking. "Please give me a call back, I just found out that I have ALS, I would really like to talk to you" her voice was cracking and sounded as if she may cry....she hung up. 

"Oh my god! " my mom was beside herself. "What's ALS?" "Lou Gehrigs Disease, same as your grandmother!" 

(My mom came to the states to be a private nurse for my grandmother, she knew very well what ALS was)

Devastating. 

We went to go see her at the ALS walk four years ago. She was walking, but needed a walker, and sat in a wheelchair for long trips. She was talking and laughing. 
The next year, she was in a wheel chair, no longer walking, talking a little bit but slurring and was barely understandable. 
Last year, she lost her voice due to having a tracheotomy from pneumonia, (a killer for ALS patients... but not for Nell) Not only that, but she got the trach out. She's still so strong. And in Nell fashion refuses to give up. 

Nell, Brendan and I on top of Owls Head.

This year, we will soon find out. It's horrible to watch the decline of a loved one. With Nell, I can do it, because she is an inspiration to me. Every day that I complain about something stupid or get frustrated that I can't fly... I think of Nell. She's a bundle of energy and life confined to a wheelchair and still manages to write, laugh, and smile. 

So, with that... Nell was back in our lives for a short period every month when she writes a column in the daily newspaper, READ NELLS WRITING HERE. and once a year when we go to see her and her wonderful family in New York for the ALS walk. Please Donate to help me raise money for ALS research here!

Nell should be an inspiration to us all. Long live NELL! 

Nell with her three handsome boys. Brendan, Connor, and Emmet

Nell in true fashion, always smiling. Such a wonderful soul. 

Mother Hen of One

What a great weekend! We got a lot done on the homestead.
The lawn was mowed, I added some more moss to my rock garden/pond. AND! The hubster built a dock on the lake. (Not to mention Andrew Nicholson won the Rolex! He is such an amazing rider! )

It was a beautiful weekend. I got to ride the new horse Buddy who I have nick named "The (wet) noodle" because it feels as though I am on top of one while trying to ride him. I also got Giselle to jump over a cavaletti while lunging, and I got to hang out with a bunch of girl scouts. There was lots of sun, the leaves have bloomed on the trees... and on Sunday I got to drop Watts off with his Granny for a three day "vacation".

I called her this morning to see how things went for his first night sleeping over. He apparently is having a great time, he slept through the night, and is eating her out of house and home.

When I spoke to him on the phone I asked him if he missed me, "nope" came a quick reply. "Do you want to come home?" "NO! I want to stay here with Granny!" "Awesome!, I'm glad you like it there" Granny gets back on the phone. "He hates me!" "No he doesn't! Watts, come here, tell your mother that you love her" "I love you mommy" "See?" "You just made him say that" "No I didn't" ....
Anyway, my kid hates me... and we are fine with that.

Meanwhile, I have cleaned the entire house, vacuumed, did laundry, scrubbed the bathroom, there isn't a toy to be seen. James has not cried once, and has been happily playing and napping.

It's so quiet in fact that I can hear the clock ticking. It's amazing how much I can get done when my  drunk midget isn't nipping at my heels.

Hmmm....I don't even know what to do now cause all of my chores are done... I suppose it's time to go shopping with ease. It's a wonderful life... sing it people. C'mon....

cough.. oh I mean... man I miss Wattsy. Shit. My day sucks without him.

I SUCK

She ran... while we were asleep. 

I'm a terrible mother to humans. It's as if I don't understand them...and yet I am one. Maybe if I hot glue a tail on my boys I will like them more?

Currently, Watts is being toilet trained and James is Teething. I have a 9 month old that screams non-stop all day. His cry instantly makes me want to throw him out the window, it is one of the most irritating sounds I have ever heard. I hate it with a searing passion. I have to often walk away and go outside. It makes me want a hard drink and a pack of cigarettes. Most of the time he isn't even crying. He's just screaming for the hell of it.

Then....while I am trying to get James to.... shut the f*ck up Watts has pooped on my floor... AGAIN. After I have spend ALL MORNING asking him to sit on the potty, praising him, and giving him stickers  and reading to him, to be rewarded with shit on my floor? Why? Did I sign up for this.....

He did it on purpose, as if to say, "You turned your back on me for 1 minute to tend to that baby, here's a turd.

I am so overwhelmed with intense anger and hate for these children and mostly myself.

I hate myself. I feel like a terrible mother.... and sometimes I don't care. I am getting close to sitting the both of these boys outside with a sale sign. I would never do this, but I have thoughts of it.

Being a mother SUCKS!. Its not ice cream and lollipops. It's hard kicks to the stomach while putting on a sock, puke on your favorite shirt, and shit on your hands along with a nice big pee stain on your sofa.

Oh don't forgot the sticky lollipop on your leather interior, food thrown all over your floor, and a doodle in your favorite book along with a tantrum over the use of a cell phone or a sip from YOUR coffee that they can't have.

Brats.... ungrateful little brats.

The best part... is when people tell me it gets worse. "Just wait till they are teenagers! " Fuck that, they will be in boarding school if this keeps up.

I never wanted children.... I never walked around with a stroller and a doll.

 Instead, I was outside with a magnifying glass burning bugs and setting trees on fire.
This curse happened to me when I turned 27... all of a sudden I was "missing" something in my life.
A baby... I had to have a baby.
Something to love me... something warm and cuddly.
Sure they are cute to look at. Sure I get a kiss and a hug once in a while or a funny comment that makes me laugh, or a sense of pride when they do something I taught them.... or contentment when I finish the day without popping a vein in my eyeball.

But is this worth it?
Not right now... nope.

I rather be at the barn all day playing with horses and driving a really clean sports car while looking at my manicured nails on the steering wheel and worrying about if I will have time to get my highlights done.

Me me me me.... where did "me" go?

No wonder women rebelled against the man... and got jobs, and stopped having kids- this stay at home- mommy world shit sucks.

I know I'm not crazy... even my mom said it was exhausting and she is like mother Theressa.
 She left yesterday while we were all napping. Left is the nice word for it... she ran ... I don't blame her one bit... I just wish I could do the same.

Without her I don't know what I would do. I need help, and she is the only one that can give me a minute to breath through this tough time. So thanks mom- I love you... See? I appreciate my mom. She had to put up with me.... and she was 42 when she had me. All of my relatives say that I was the worst ever. What goes around comes around.... and now I am faced with two of... me. Run for the hills. I have duplicated myself.

Keep in mind- this is my only way of venting. I do not take any anger out on my boys, and they have no idea that I feel this way. To them I am just a cleaning lady, teething thing, jungle gym, lunch lady, lawyer, punching bag and play date that gives the occasional hug and kiss for a boo-boo. I do love them.... just not every second of the day.

And with that, I am off to fix the tap that Watts just broke while washing his hands.
I'm also a plumber....
Not to mention that wipes clog the toilet. They are worse then tampax.
Had to find that out the hard way.

Look at my spawn.... they sure do look cute... but dont be fooled, they suck energy. 

Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event

Buck Davidson jogging for the Vet Check. Love the socks. 

I hate watching sports. The hubster hates watching sports too, this is why I love him. Its super attractive to be married to an athlete that has no interest in watching others compete. I am the same way.

Why watch others have fun? Its boring. I can do it too, and better. well not really, but I feel that way.

I am totally about to break this rule. THE ROLEX THREE-DAY IS STARTING TODAY bitches... I have been waiting in anticipation. Not only is it starting today, but I can watch it live on the computer. I don't have cable TV, and I'm not sure where to find it on TV... so internet and phone will work for me.

My favorites are Phillip Dutton, Boyd Martin, and of course the winner from last year William Fox-Pitt.

I'm not familiar with the others.

I was surprised to see how strange Bruce (Buck) Davidson Jr.  on camera. He has a cross bite and kind of talks out of the side of mouth as if he has been kicked in the face at some point or another.  I watched the interviews. These people should just stick to riding horses. Most are terrible to interview. They are awkward, and ugly to look at but are some of the bravest, craziest athletes out there.

Oh I'm sorry, I suppose for you non-horse people I should explain three day eventing a little.

First off you need to be slightly insane to compete in this competition.

 Dressage (ballet and dance for horses-judged on grace, and movement)

Cross Country (jumping things that don't fall, like tractors, logs, hedges, up and down four foot walls, and galloping through water on a 12 mile course. This is a test of agility and endurance, it's insane. The horse has to be a warrior to make it through to the last jump. It is also judged on a pre-set time. The closer you finish to the set time the better you did. You get points taken off for falling, refusing, and going over the time limit.

 Stadium Jumping (jumping 5'-6' jumps that fall if hit. You get points taken off if a rail falls to the ground. You want to clear all the jumps without knocking a rail. At the end, those that had a clear round get to race each other for the quickest time without hitting a rail to determine the winner. It's thrilling to watch)

This is all done on the same horse. The horse needs to be good at all three of these acts.
It's called the three day, because it takes Three days to complete all of these. At the end, they take all of the scored and add them up, the person with the best scores in all three wins.

Today is Dressage,
Tomorrow is cross country,
and Saturday is Jumping.

Anyway, this is the only thing I watched when the Olympics were going. It was sick!

If you care to watch it with me, you can watch it Live at this website.
http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/Rolex3Day2013

Here is the order in which all the riders go in for the dressage:
http://usefnetwork.s3.amazonaws.com/pdfs/00/00/00/07/80/dressage+ride+times.pdf

It's about to start with William Fox-Pitt in 15 minutes.
I already know that these brats won't let me watch any of it....pointless really to get so excited over something that will be destroyed by children.

Go Phillip Dutton!
Go Boyd Martin! and there is a girl I think that is one of his students that made it in too- so it would be awesome if she does better then him.
Go William Fox-Pitt!
Actually I think I want a newbie to win. There are a few riders that are doing this for the first time. I will have to find out who they are.

Fingers crossed!

California 1991

This is a picture of me with my Aunt Lilia. I am riding her horse Grizelda.  I was about  5 I think. 

I was just speaking to my dad and he mentioned that my Uncle Richard reads this blog... "You should take it as a huge compliment that he likes it, he is very critical when it comes to writing"  erm...Thanks?

When I was eleven my parents were having some marital issues. My mom wanted to spend some quality time with my dad and needed to get rid of me for the summer. My Aunt Lilia and Uncle Richard lived in California and so they agreed to take me on for a month. They had no children of their own and were very "free spirited" intellectuals living on a small farmette.

My mom came with me for a week I think... and I remember her saying that she was going somewhere with Uncle Richard...

An hour went by... and then my Aunt Lilia came over and told me that my mom went home and that she would be taking care of me. "I was to go into the guest house and stay in there for an hour and find a way to entertain myself, she was not my babysitter, I was a big girl now" Oh shit... this is going to suck I thought.

Clearly this woman didn't know much about kids.... I was in shock. With that, I grew up....
I stopped whining, needing things, and complaining was ignored.

My Aunt Lilia is a very beautiful exotic lady.... My memories of her are blurry, but I do remember her walking around in white skinny jeans and a loose blouse and tennis shoes. She could groom a horse and come out covered in hair and muck... she would disappear into her quarters and come out as if she just stepped out of Sax Fifth.

She smoked, drank, and spoke 3 languages. I was best at understanding French... so I later studied it in school and failed it. She spoke Dutch and maybe German? She liked to call people "pigs" which I found very amusing.  She is super tiny, but very authoritative. She had a horse named Grizelda, two goats, Virtue and Violet, twelve cats, and a duck. She dislikes children... but I do remember her asking me to stay for another month. I believe she liked me. She also was an amazing rider, she learned how to ride in Persia...(Iran?) on some pretty nice horses I have been told. And... she really liked my Uncle... you couldnt find a stranger looking pair. They are best friends.

My Uncle named me "Lizard"... (this is where my blog name comes from). He has a funny accent even though he was born in Princeton NJ, has a long beard like Santa Clause and sells hard to find books.

 I remember that it was strange that he and Aunt Lilia had separate bedrooms. When I inquired about this I think the answer was that Uncle Richard had the Jimmy legs and snored? I remember his quarters being a complete mess, as well as his car which was named "Beauty" a horrible looking station wagon that was covered in cigarette ash and other "things".  I don't ever remember him taking much notice of me, but when he did it would always start with "Oh little Lizard" in the fondest voice that he could muster.... I think he liked me too!

I have an image of him dressed in slacks, oxford shoes, and a loose cotton button down shirt holding a pitchfork picking up horse manure out in the field. This was his chore. I thought it strange that he didn't dress as a farmer... he wore his business clothes to shovel crap. Such a strange fellow.... the last time I saw him was a few years back. He was staying at the Four Seasons and I stopped in for brunch with him and my father. He ordered Beef Tar Tar even though it wasnt on the menu. "Well it's not hard to make!" He told the waiter... as if he were a moron. I didn't even know what " Tar Tar " meant...I learned that day that my uncle was going to eat Raw Beef... I was horrified... and in awe all at the same time.

Anyway,  back to me at eleven... I liked the goats. I decided that I was going to wake up at 7 am and it was my job to rake the goat pellets off the table and feed them hay. I loved the responsibility. I felt like a little orphan farm girl. I loved having chores even though I wasn't asked to help, I wanted to do something.

One day someone dropped a box of kittens off at the base of the road. "Oh shit, more cats! " I was excited... but not Aunt Lilia, some shithead kept dropping off kittens knowing that she would take them in. They had worms, and eye infections. The vet came out and gave them some wormer and some yellow eye cream to put in their eyes. I took this job over happily. I loved caring for the kittens. The smallest one I named "Reject" . I loved her the most. She would follow me everywhere. She was my first animal friend. It turns out the reject became the alpha female of the group... Her name became... ironic.

I learned a lot that summer. I learned the anatomy of a horse, and how to ride. I learned how to care for animals especially horses, goats and cats... (now you know my obsession)  I learned how to occupy my time and take care of my own problems.

It was one of the best summers of my life. Sometimes those without kids are the best parents.

Happy birthday Hubster

Happy birthday dad! says Dr.Ronald Skynard.

Its the hubsters birthday today. I suck at doing birthday related things. I don't really understand them. I had one good birthday when I turned 30. It was a surprise party that the hubster set up... I loved it because it was truly a surprise and because my closest friends showed up. I was actually really happy. Which is rare.

I wish I could do this for the hubster. I'm not friends with his friends, and most of them live over two hours away and they are dudes... dudes don't come running for birthday parties.

Instead, I'm going to make his favorite naughty pleasure. (chocolate chip cookies and/or tapioca pudding), and take him wherever he wants to go tonight without the monsters in tow.

He loves presents, but never needs anything nor will ask for something. I suck at giving presents... so this is a huge problem for me.

He is one of the most difficult people I know to buy for.

The only thing he likes are motorcycles, gnomes, little people, big people, small things, big things, novelty items, guns and animals wearing clothing (preferably tiny sneakers).

ho hum... think Liz THINIK!... what would he like....

I suppose I could dress Ron up in something great.
or beg someone to help me!

Ok.....
So if you have a motorcycle that you would like to donate to us, bring it over! He would love it.
better still, bring the motorcycle over with a big red bow, a dog wearing motorcycle goggles, boots and maybe some leather chaps will be driving it...., and in the side car there could be a drunk midget dressed up as a gnome holding some tapioca pudding.

My god.... his face would light up... he may even smile for the first time in years.... it would be the ultimate present!

It would make his day. and mine... since I pulled this amazing gift off!

so c'mon people. Help a lady out. Get my husband this amazing gift of love.

thanks.

or! I will get him this car to drive to work in... this would fit under  "Novelty Item!" 

Get'in some Cardio

Raven and I practicing for a triathlon.

Yesterday I was working with little Raven the pony. She is getting much better every time I go to lunge her. This time I wanted to see if she would jog next to me. I started to jog and she picked up her trot right next to me. It was a neat feeling. If I stopped she stopped. She kept her distance about 4' away  to my side. I ran over some poles laying on the ground and she followed without a problem.

Ginger the owner of the barn walked past the ring and yelled out "What are you doing?! Getting some cardio in?" I immediately felt stupid and lost my self awareness and must have veered into Ravens path, next thing I know I have a horse pummeling the back of me, coming close to almost running me down.

She regained her footing as did I... and we kept on jogging around in the ring both looking a little embarrassed but determined to regain our composure.

 It reminded me of when I used to go running on trails with my dads Great Dane "Lucy". I had a vision of taking Raven with me to the same park and going for a two mile run with her.  She was a better running partner then Lucy, and isn't much bigger. Who knows, maybe this horse could be my new partner. Then who knows... marathons maybe, screw three day eventing, she rather do a triathlon.  Anyway, here is a drawing of what I had in mind.
Enjoy!

Potty Training.

This is not my kid, but it sure is funny.

Its time to do this- potty training thing. I started it a few months ago but then Watts was peeing everywhere and dumping his potty bucket on the floor.  I made the huge mistake of yelling at him, and that brought everything to a skidding halt. First rule of potty training: dont ever yell at them for ruining your house.

So now its warm enough to let loose. Currently my two year old is sitting on my sofa with out pants... watching his favorite show Daniel Tiger. He used the potty 8 times already. And its 10 am. That my friends is called SUCCESS!

I have a sticker board on the bathroom door. When he goes potty I let him pick a sticker and put it on the board. This way he really looks forward to using the potty. I ask him every half hour... "Do you need to use the potty?" "Nope" "Ok well why don't you just try it for a sticker?" "Ok" and with that I get a poop, and he gets a sticker!

Who knew I would be so excited for a bucket of poop!

Anyway, Grand dad came over the other day and I noticed something funny about the sticker board.

I suppose he wanted a sticker too.... I feel bad that he had to write his own name down and the date AND write down his own encouragement word. He never even mentioned wanting a sticker. I feel really bad. Potty training ain't just for two year olds. Sometimes grandparents need them too. 

My mom has told me that I was potty trained at 18 months. It was summer and I was up in the Adirondacks. She just took my diaper off and put the potty in the bathroom. I would run around naked and go whenever needed. I tried this on Watts.... yesterday he was running around.. bare butt, boots, and a t-shirt. I wonder what the neighbors thought?

 Anyway, he came back and was like "Mommy! I went poop!" I was like, "Ok you need to use the potty?! "NO I went poopy!" "Where? show me" Low and behold he took my hand and showed me his work in the middle of our lawn. 

My kid just pooped in my yard. 

like a dog. 

what do I do?

pick it up, say good job and explain the importance of going ON the potty. 

.....not on my living room floor 

which he did

........not on the floor in his bedroom

which he did

.......not on my sofa

which he did

......not on the rug

which he did.

everywhere!! He goes potty everywhere!  except ON the potty! 

Its exactly like having a puppy that isnt cute, fluffy OR happy to see you.

this potty training thing sucks.

BUT TODAY!

he did it in the potty....

so 

he got 8 stickers. 

Thats my life currently. 

training horses, ponies, and boys and maybe a grandparent or two.

Explosions

Together we stand? or type? or text? or blog? 

Well of course I need to write about the Boston Marathon Explosion. I'm fascinated by these terrible things that humans are capable of doing. I'm not entirely kidding when I tell you that I am prepping for war.

I'm not going to talk about how tragic this is... or focus on who must have done this.... of course this is just terrible, and sick. I'm more interested in discussing the revolution of terrible things in general. Is there a pattern to all of this?

 This year we had psychopath's walk into an elementary school and a movie theater and willy nilly just started to shoot people including little kids. We have had bombs on trains, planes, automobiles.... the list is endless. There is something wrong here.

Is this getting worse or has this always been the nature of humans? What I'm getting at is... perhaps this has always been going on before the Internet.... or not? Now with just a click the whole world can see terrible things in a few seconds. For instance, I knew that something bad had happened in Boston without even turning on my TV. I saw a bunch of people talking about it on Facebook, and then I went and looked it up. It seems like Yahoo is filled with nothing but terrible news. Is this just because we have more access to it? It's easier to report on something because all it takes is a quick "hey look I just got raped by a monkey!" and then its all over the news.

Think back to a time before Internet and phone. Let's go back to when there was Paul Revere. "The british are coming!" lets light lanterns. It took days for word of mouth to spread. Back then it would have been impossible for psychopaths to get their shits and giggles off of hurting hundreds. Unless I suppose you set off a cannon or something on a small village... but still... whats the fun in that if the world can't read or see images of your sick deed? No fun at all.

What did psychopaths do before Internet? Did they just kill and eat their family members and hope that maybe it would make the newspaper? "Local man eats mother?"

Anyway, what I'm wondering is, could Internet be making us more violent as humans? Could lack of time with each other be creating more mentally ill people to roam and act all crazy? I'm thinking back to an early time in Salem where a village could take a crazy woman , accuse her of being a witch and throw her on a public BBQ or drown them for all to see. I suppose some things are getting better, but maybe if we paid more attention to those around us, less people would end up dead. Just like Adam Lanza- that kid should have been in a nut house. It could have been avoided. He totally would have been called a "witch" by the village.

As for war and other countries. Well that's a whole other blog that I'm not really capable of talking about since my mind has trouble understanding it all. For now let's focus on us. Get off the phone and the computer and take time to talk to people. There is one good thing that comes from all of this. Nature has a cruel way of making us come together as a nation. Why does it take a bomb to make us love and care about one another? Look at these images. Total strangers coming together in complete chaos. People giving real hugs to loved ones. Real emotion. Perhaps that's what Internet has done. It's sucked the soul out of the human race. Sometimes an explosion is what snaps us out of it.

Total strangers helping each other. Raw emotion. Is this our future? Will this be a weekly event soon? 

And the psychopath wins at scaring and hurting hundreds.

clearly someone is mentally ill and has planned this well.

Grab a canoe!

Christina posted this photo of the paddock today on Facebook and then this conversation took place. 


Grab a canoe!!!!!!

• 

  Kari     Ugh. Gross.

  2 hours ago · Like
• 

  Christina     Better luck tomorrow!!

  
  
• 

  Kari     I probably won't be around tomorrow, Sunday?

  
  
• 

  Liz    I'm feeling left out. I guess I'm not invited on the boating trip. 

  
  
• 

  Kari    Liz, you are obviously required to attend. You bring the oars.

  
  
• 

  Liz      I have a blow up boat AND oars! SAdly no life preservers or a fishing license though. YAY! oh... umm... who is bringing the keg...cause I aint boating without some brews.

  
  
• 

  Kari    Ginger would bring that. She's the bartender.

  
  
• 

  Christina    Ill bring the life preservers.. Safety first! And I don't know if I have ever been on a boat with out beer. Do people do that?

  
  
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  Liz     I went tubing without beer once... we were lucky enough to tube for three hours next to a party boat that brought beer. It was thrilling to watch people party that hard. I learned the hard way. I eventually jumped off my tube and swam for shore because I was having that much fun watching people drink without my company.

  
  
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  Kari    I'm pretty sure beer prevents seasickness. Can't go without it. I also went tubing without beer once. I spent three hours listening to my tubing partner (Matt) complain how slow the current was and how thirsty he was.

  
  
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  Liz    yes hubster did the same. oh and it rained for a little while.

  
  
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  Tina    Now I'M feeling left out!!! ;P Even though I'm technically gone until Monday.

  
  
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  Kari     Tina, you're on music. We're going to need that too while we are bobbing around with our beer.

  
  
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  Liz       Tina....No rap music...I get too rowdy while drinking and listening to it. Also, no jazz... it ruins my mood. Disco is fine and welcomed. Along with show tunes.

  
  
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  Kari     Sorry Liz. No disco. We're going to have to compromise here if we are all on a little canoe together.

  
  
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  Liz     but you havent seen me dance yet

  
  
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  Kari     Alright, we can let you do a try out. But if you point your finger up and down and do Stayin Alive, we can't allow it.

  
  
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  Liz      damnit. fine. no dancing then.

  
  
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  Kari    Maybe some classic rock?

  
  
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  Liz      Ok sounds good. I do have a habit of singing along... I have a wonderful voice. You are in for a real treat.

  
  
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  Kari       Me too, but I usually reserve that for when I drive in the car by myself.
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  Liz      reserve no longer my friend, I will let you sing with me on our trip around the paddock. Tina and Christina are going to have a great time with us crooners.
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  Kari    I am picturing the four of us in a blow up boat in the middle of that puddle. It's happening.

  
  
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  Liz      I'm doing a cartoon of it.
  

  
  
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  Kari     Yess!!!!

  
  
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  Tina     Show tunes it is!

  
  
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  Cindy     SnapDragon fundraising idea...a comedy show featuring you ladies! You friggin crack me up!!!!