There must be a full moon out

Because the crazy people are out in full force in this part of Virginia. If it weren't for those dang privacy laws I would have some good stories for you. You would either be rolling on the floor laughing or running to bolt your door. I think I can tell you that a grown man dissolved into tears today and expected me to hug him. I did not, however, do that. I am not a stranger hugger.
I'm off tomorrow and I'll have to face something more frightening than crazy people......the laundry.

Blah, blah, blah

That's what this blog entry is going to sound like. I know I need to make an entry. Don't really feel like it. I worked several days in a row, so I'm very tired. And let me just say this---


If you think you have the flu, make an appointment with your family doctor. Don't come into the ER and then complain because I'm spending all my time on the guy in the next room WHO IS NOT BREATHING!!!! You think I'm exaggerating, don't you?


You know---this is how it goes in the ER. The people who really need to be there will wait until it is almost too late. The people who could go to their doctor's office instead show up when their temperature is a terrifying 99 degrees.

OK--I will get off my soap box.....for now. I reserve the right to pull it back out.

OK--what's going on in the Thompson house these days?? I bought some new clothes. Let me tell you. I am READY for the beach. Lost a little weight. Got a new swimming suit and a cute little beach dress. Cool sunglasses. Just need some warm sunny days.

What else? Are we that boring?? I can't believe it. I can't think of a thing. That is probably a good thing. At least it means that nothing bad is happening. John is home. Very glad to have him back. The kids are doing well in school. They are growing up too fast. John and Ethan are so tall. John is going to be 12 in April. Hard to believe. He is getting to the point in school where it is hard to help him with his homework. Some of that stuff is really hard. Perhaps I can save you if you are having a heart attack. Just don't ask me to do your 6th grade geometry. Emily will be 8 next month. We are planning a very BIG girl's day. She is going to get her ears pierced. And we are going to have manicures. I am so glad to have a daughter. She's my BFF.

Alright, I am staring at a dirty kitchen that just won't clean itself. I should just face the other direction. And if I don't go to the grocery store we will all starve.




Have you seen a better looking group of people. I love those guys!! And they all love me more than I deserve. I AM a lucky girl!

Guest Blogger

Kathy is working like a dog this week, her words not mine, and the kids are out of school today. So Dad is home this morning with the kids and nothing to do. We can't go outside because it is raining, sleeting and just plain cold. I'm setting by the fireplace with Emily and we are watching a sappy Keith Urban video. A good memory in the making for sure but somehow I need to insert some testosterone into this moment. I was hoping for a manly video next but Taylor Swift was next - Emily's favorite. I guess the Dad card trumps the man card every time. Besides the boys wake up grumpy and Emily wakes up with a smile - she is contagious. She even went and got dresses first thing this morning. Not only got dressed but put the shirt on that I bought for her. "You throw like a Girl"- I'm not sure she gets the irony of the shirt but she loves it because I do. I thought I would update Kathy's blog since she will not be able to update for a while. I'm really trying to understand the attraction to this blog thing. One paragraph down and I still don't get it. I'm sure blogging is triggered by the same gene that causes one to keep a journal. I can't (won't) keep a journal either.

The Thompsons are humming along just fine. Probably too well. Life is flying along way too fast. The kids are already planning summer events and I planning 2009 projects at work. Didn't we just celebrate New Year's last week? Oh I know what happened. I spent 3 weeks in New Jersey. As the old joke goes - it was the worst 3 MONTHS of my life. That is an odd place for sure. I would tell you more about that experience but I have successfully flushed it.

OK, I have used up all my creativity. I tried blogging and I don't get it. I will leave it to the pros.

In the Army we end all correspondences with an obligatory quote. Today I leave you with an appropriate quote for my efforts:

Without struggle, there is no progress. Fredrick Douglas

Hello friends. I need your honest opinion. I LOVE this color. Not so sure about having it all throughout the kitchen, though. It is an awfully dark color for the whole kitchen. We'll see. Alright, so, I need everyone to leave a comment and tell me what you think.

In George Washington's Footsteps

We saw some very cool stuff today. We came to New Jersey to see John. While here, we went to Philadelphia. We were in the birthplace of our nation. Walked in the same room where the Declaration of Independence was signed. Very cool! We walked a few blocks away from the touristy part of town looking for food and saw some very interesting people. Walked quickly back to the touristy part. Although, the internet will tell you that Philadelphia is the safest large city in the US. Just stay away from large cities. That's what I say.

Independence Hall. The Declaration of Independence was signed on the first floor in the room to the left of the front door. The bell tower held the Liberty Bell at one time.

The room. It just gave me chills.

The tower of Independence Hall. Once housed the Liberty Bell. You may remember it from National Treasure. Pitifully, we had a hard time not focusing on that, while we were there. The clock really works. And there is a bell in the tower that chimes on the hour.

The Liberty Bell. It was very cool to see. You know, I have heard about it my whole life in history classes. So many people use it as a symbol. And there it was. Right there in front of me. It makes history very real. The Liberty Bell was made to celebrate the 50th anniversary of William Penn's Charter of Privileges, Pennsylvania's original constitution. Who knew it would become such an icon?
We also saw the rooms where George Washington and John Adams were inaugurated. That was pretty neat.

It was a good trip. I drove through parts of the US that I have never been through all by myself. And for those of you who haven't driven with me, that is saying something. I even made it home without getting lost. Drove through the nation's capital without breaking a sweat. I am taking a bow.

Work today was.......

........(drumroll please)...just about as thrilling as I thought it would be. But, there were no codes. And that is a good thing. I was in triage. I have a love/hate relationship with triage. It is a break from the hectic pace of "the back", but it gets lonely. You are alone in triage....well, except for those pesky patients. I love asking men when their last menstrual period was. I get some very interesting answers.

We are going to get to go see John this weekend in NJ. I am so happy! I didn't think we were going to get to go. He has such a busy schedule with this class. I didn't think he would have time for us. And it really is a very draining class. He'll be home on the 17th.

Okey dokey, folks, I must go to bed. Getting very sleepy. Eyelids getting very heavy. AND I DO have to go into work tomorrow for another draining 5 hour day. Love to all.

I don't want to go to work!!!

I am on the schedule for a whalloping (I don't even care if that is spelled right, you get the idea) 5 hours today. And I do NOOOOOT want to go! I am so sleepy (insomnia) and I have a headache. And so, off I go to work with a bad attitude. I'll be back tonight for more whining. You have been warned. or warmed. or warbed. I can't type today either.

Painting again

I am painting the kitchen while John is in New Jersey. And not moving very fast. I have found some good primer. Much better than what I used before. It will NOT come off of anything. Even me. So, I have grey freckles that will not scrub off. I already look old enough. And it smells awful. Which I equate with good quality paint. Don't ask me why. If it stinks it must be high quality stuff.

Which reminds me.....(and I don't know why. Maybe the smell of the paint is getting to me.) Emily said something funny one day recently. Well, not funny--haha, but funny. She ask me to do something for her that she could have done herself. So, I said "Emily, look at my forehead. Does it say sucker up there anywhere?" Her response?? "No, I just see one line here and one line here." John thought it was very funny. I did not.

Anyway, so painting is how I am occupying my time while John is away. Hopefully I will have it all done by the time he gets back.

Handsome Boy

John is in New Jersey in some Army course. I don't even know what he is supposed to be learning, but he is already miserable and he has only been there 2 days. Poor John! We feel for you, babe.

Happy Birthday to ME

John at the state championship. Did perfect in the practice round. Got nervous during the competition. Didn't win, but we sure had fun.


Emily and her friend, Arianna, having a picnic in the living room.


Cut a sliver off the end of my thumg cutting potatoes for dinner the other night. HURT!!! And John had the nerve to say "Is that going to be in my dinner?" I coulda killed him. Emily took good care of me. That is a Barbie bandaid on my bandage.


AND today is my birthday!! Happy birthday to me! John left to go to New Jersey today, so we had my party last night. What a great family I have. I got lots of great presents and a beautiful chocolate cake. I had some for breakfast today! YUMMY! What a lucky girl I am!