Family Times

We had a GREAT time playing a game as a family last night. Played SKipBo. The actual game didn't matter. It was family time. A15 (total adolescent) was so flippin' funny. He really busted out. L14 (edge of adolescence) laughed at my jokes. It was fantastic.

I continue to be reminded over and over and over and over again that time around the dinner table is just about the best time we can ever have as a family. When L and I sense disconnection with our family we plan a big meal. Too many sleepovers and camps pulling us apart? Plan the big meal. Favorite foods, good dessert and we find victory. We are a busy family and have to do these on purpose.

I hope this post will remind me when I forget. about family time.

A Few of MY Favorite Things

Pudge posted his list and I'm copying the

idea.

 Moleskine Notebooks - i can reach 4 moleskine notebooks from my desk right now without getting up: planner/diary, small reporter, regular size w/grid and the larger cahier (sp?) soft cover with grid. LOVE ‘em - been using moleskine for about 6 or 7 years.

Leatherman Juice - it’s orange. pliers, bottle opener, screw drivers…it even has a knife on it!   ha. Not a day goes by that i don’t use it. best part? my 4 kids bought it for me for Christmas a few years ago because they knew i had a serious crush on the juice.

Swiss army backpack - has a nifty suspended laptop pocket.  two large spaces for books

The Message/Remix - makes it clear.  like having Phillip next to the ethiopian

 

the 4 other small black notebooks i use for different purposes.  staff meeting notes, speeches/talks, journal, small notebook for paper,  and an action planner

staedtler 9505 .5mm mechanical pencil - the eraser is the best part

Zuma video game on my phone - makes bathroom time more fun.

Timex Ironman icontrol watch - i bought the one that controls an ipod. works great to control ambient sound in CM environments without hitting getting to the sound board in the back of the room.

Technorati Tags: moleskine,leatherman,wenger,staedtler,timex icontrol,zuma,the message/remix

U23D opens Wednesday!

The official site

Read the reviews on Rotten Tomatoes!

I'll see it on the largest screen and biggest sound system that i can find.  Will you see it?

Technorati Tags: U2 3D,rotten tomatoes,U2

It's Personal part 2

 

Great story.  Check it.

Don't Send in the Clowns!

LONDON (Reuters) - Bad news for Coco and Blinko -- children don't like clowns and even older kids are scared of them.

The news that will no doubt have clowns shedding tears was revealed in a poll of youngsters by researchers from the University of Sheffield who were examining how to improve the decor of hospital children's wards.

The study, reported in the Nursing Standard magazine, found all the 250 patients aged between four and 16 they quizzed disliked the use of clowns, with even the older ones finding them scary.

"As adults we make assumptions about what works for children," said Penny Curtis, a senior lecturer in research at the university.

"We found that clowns are universally disliked by children. Some found them quite frightening and unknowable."

(Reporting by Michael Holden; Editing by Steve Addison)

Rest in Peace Sir Edmund

Ray Lilley, AP

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - Sir Edmund Hillary, the unassuming beekeeper who conquered Mount Everest to win renown as one of the 20th century's greatest adventurers, has died, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark announced Friday. He was 88.

The gangling New Zealander devoted much of his life to aiding the mountain people of Nepal and took his fame in stride, preferring to be called "Ed" and considering himself just an ordinary beekeeper.

"Sir Ed described himself as an average New Zealander with modest abilities. In reality, he was a colossus. He was an heroic figure who not only 'knocked off' Everest but lived a life of determination, humility, and generosity," Clark said in a statement.

"The legendary mountaineer, adventurer, and philanthropist is the best-known New Zealander ever to have lived," she said.

Hillary's life was marked by grand achievements, high adventure, discovery, excitement — and by his personal humility. Humble to the point that he only admitted being the first man atop Everest long after the death of climbing companion Tenzing Norgay.

He had pride in his feats. Returning to base camp as the man who took the first step onto the top of the world's highest peak, he declared: "We knocked the bastard off."

The rest of the article here:  Edmund Hillary, first atop Everest, dies

 

Technorati Tags: Edmund Hillary,Everest

Peace On Earth

I'm listening to the U2 All That You Can't Leave Behind album this morning.  Peace On Earth played on my iPod.  Good song; good heart.  Check out the lyrics:

Heaven on earth We need it now
I'm sick of all of this Hanging around
Sick of sorrow I'm sick of the pain
I'm sick of hearing Again and again
That there's gonna be
Peace on earth
Where I grew up There weren't many trees
Where there was we'd tear them down And use them on our enemies
They say that what you mark Will surely overtake you
And you become a monster So the monster will not break you
And its already gone too far You said that if you go in hard You wont get hurt
Jesus can you take the time To throw a drowning man a line
Peace on earth
Tell the ones who hear no sound Whose sons are living in the ground
Peace on earth
No who's or whys No one cries like a mother cries
For peace on earth
She never got to say goodbye To see the color in his eyes Now hes in the dirt
Peace on earth
They're reading names out Over the radio
All the folks the rest of us Wont get to know
Sean and Julia, Gareth, Anne and peter
Their lives are bigger than Any big idea
Jesus can you take the time To throw a drowning man a line
Peace on earth
To tell the ones who hear no sound Whose sons are living in the ground
Peace on earth
Jesus in the song you wrote The words are sticking in my throat
Peace on earth
Hear it every Christmas time But hope and history wont rhyme
So what's it worth
This peace on earth
Peace on earth
Peace on earth
Peace on earth

Technorati Tags: U2,Peace on earth