Celebrity Sighting

February 21, 2007


By Mr. Simply Sam
Have you ever had one of those moments when you are standing near to or talking to a celebrity?  I actually got to stand with a celebrity today and watch him work for a couple of hours in my very own backyard.  Literally, he was in my backyard!  I met one of those men today, and watched him do his magic.  He performed masterfully at his duties and I stood in awe as I watched.  I know the suspense is killing you, and you are begging to know who he is.
I am an avid fan of the Discovery Channel series "Dirty Jobs", it profiles people doing some of the most disgusting and important jobs in America.  The very first episode profiled a man who operated the "Honey Wagon".   I met a "Honey Wagon" technician today, otherwise known as a septic tank technician.  He found the lid in my backyard on the first try, sucked up over 1,000 gallons (8 years worth) of poo (they call it money), washed it clean, relaid the sod, and rode off into the sunset.
I salute the septic tank technicians of the world, for without them our houses would be filled with poo (and other unmetionables.)
Disclaimer: Sam has a different take on the event since she had to mop up the mess that precipitated calling in such a celebrity
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Africa or bust!

February 16, 2007


This past Wednesday was not only Valentine’s Day but also my 20th anniversary of being an American citizen.  OK, friends, stop yawning, I know you’ve heard it all before, but #20 is pretty significant! If you happen to notknow what I am talking about here is the link back to my original post concerning my history.
As you know, I haven’t been back to the land of my birth since we left in 1980.(if you’re doing the math, my mom could only take the citizenship test after being here at least 5 years)  A few months ago my dad  invited me to go back to South Africa with him this March.  I was a little hesitant at first, for many reasons; leaving David and the kids, being so far away etc….but now I am completely and wonderfully excited!  I’ll be visiting family whom I haven’t seen in years as well as places that are only a distant memory for me.  I even have the privilege of singing in my cousin’s wedding. 
I grew up in Durban with relatives all over including Cape Town so that’s where we will be spending our week.  Beautiful Cape Town!  Oh, and I forgot to mention that we have a day’s layover in Spain-a whole day from 7am to midnight!  I know I’ll probably be extremely tired but getting to see Spain, if only for a day, is definitely worth it!  And last, but definitely not least my Dad and I will be able be together just like the "old" days…off on one of our grand adventures!
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Kindred Spirits

February 6, 2007


Melissa and I have been friends for 12 years.  We met in 1994 at Teen Missions headquarters in Florida.  I was coming back to volunteer since I couldn’t go on a team because of college and Melissa was returning to volunteer, take leadership training and co-lead a team to France for the summer.  The night we met I had been at Bootcamp a day and as I walked in the dorm room shared by many ladies I proceeded to squish and break her travel alarm clock….yes, the very one she would need the rest of her summer on the field.  She forgave me easily and we’ve been best friends ever since.
That Fall we parted ways to our different schools but by the next year she transferred to Moody and we became roommates.  We did everything together, including Women’s Choir and seeing the world.  We both knew missions were in our future and we secretly planned to be on the field together one day telling people about Jesus.  At our time at Moody we saw each other through mean boys, broken hearts, realized dreams, and lots of coffee.  Sunday nights were time for "pockets" ( chicago restaurant) and long talks about nothing and sometimes everything.
Well, I could obviously go on and on speaking of my dear friend, but this post would never end!
I post about her today because we have just been able to spend a few hours together over the weekend.  Melissa sells The Body Shop products (did you know you could buy them from independent  consultants?) and had a big conference down here this weekend.  We didn’t have much time but it was great to visit with her and talk of old and new times.
Here are pictures of us "cooking a cow" together at Bootcamp and our meeting at the airport on Sunday:
                                                      
I love you, friend!!
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A Big Night

January 26, 2007


Last night Jonah slept in a "big boy bed" for the first time.  He will be 3 at the end of March and since potty training hasn’t yet been accomplished I thought we might work on another milestone.
Actually, I have to be honest…the main reason he’s in a big bed is because we are about to get a bunch of furniture from Mandy and we have to rearrange to fit the new in and get rid of the old.  AND I keep waffling on trying to figure out how to have a guest room for my in-laws when they visit twice a year (and whoever else might want to pop in).  So…I have moved the boys into our playroom, which is the biggest room upstairs and also the laundry room.  Their old room will now become a "real" guest room complete with our current queen bed, our old dresser, and whatever else I need to fit in there that I can’t fit elsewhere.
My mom has passed on to me this insatiable desire to move furniture around on a regular basis.  Now, compared to her I rarely manage to move a thing, but yesterday I am sure she would have been mighty proud!
First, I had to take all of the homeschool stuff off of the bookshelves in the playroom, then I had to move said gargantuan bookshelf to the hallway. Next I pushed the gargantuan desk also to the hallway( which was getting a little crowded) and proceeded to take apart Ethan’s bed and reassemble it in the playroom.  Next came Hannah’s bed which is now Jonah’s, I know …a little confusing  which I arranged next to Ethan’s so as to make a natural sort of railing ( see fig. a)  I then took apart Jonah’s crib ( much to his dismay…"where’s my bib, my bib"!!) and carried it downstairs and out to the garage ( sorry about the scratches on the wall, honey, you are still planning on painting?!)  OK, almost done!  Next I moved the bookshelves into the guest room where they will hopefully stay and last -but-not-least I cleaned up Hannah’s room in anticipation for her new bed. 
In between all of that Hannah and I worked on school.  I would work at 1 hour increments, an hour to move, an hour of school, move, school…And in between that 5 million snacks, lunch, trying to make Jonah take a nap in his new bed ( which never happened) and 4 loads of laundry.  Needless-to-say, it was an extremely long day and I had my rough moments of losing it and having to repent!
Your next question may be concerning our night’s sleep because of little boys in new rooms and beds!  Well, it wasn’t as bad as it could have been but it wasn’t perfect either.  At about 11:30 Ethan woke me up soaking wet.  He hasn’t had an accident in a couple of months, so I’ll chalk it up to all of the excitement.  Sometime later in the wee hours of the morning, Hannah arrived pillow in hand to sleep on David’s side of the floor ( since Ethan was on mine) because of a bad dream ( this occurs maybe once a month).  When morning finally arrived I heard a little voice from the playroom yelling "momeee, I need to wee!!".  Yip, it was little Jonah, the only one who had spent all night in his new bed , now asking to go potty ( which he did).  Children never cease to amaze and surprise me!  Way to go, Jo!!
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24!

January 14, 2007


All I have to say is, its about time!  Tonight at 8PM if you are already a fan, you know what to do! if this is your first time make sure and get whatever you need to eat and drink before it starts, including your bathroom run.  You’ll not want to miss a moment!  Welcome back, Jack!
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A Boy's Dream

January 13, 2007


Today my big boy will be attending the USHRA Monster Jam!  David decided it was time to introduce Ethan to the wonderful world of motorsports and bought tickets for the two of them last weekend.  He has been counting down the days and testing out his headphones every day.  I have never seen my serious little boy so excited!
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Cookie Time

January 12, 2007


Yip, believe it or not, it is that time of year again!  The Girl Scout cookie order form is in circulation and I am shamelessly promoting my girls sales to you, my friends( by way of my blog), since you are the only ones who read this anyway!  If your mouth starts watering upon hearing the names "Samoas", "Thin Mints", "Tagalongs", "Trefoils", and "Do-si-do’s" then drop me a line, give me a call and I’ll hook you up.  Sales end next Thursday so let me know soon!
The little Brownie behind the cookies
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