Now and Then....

....I take a really good photo - trust me, it's been awhile.

Last summer, Bob and I went to the Venetian Festival in St. Joe, Michigan. Late afternoon, we were strolling along the beach and I snapped this picuture. Thanks to those two seagulls who chose that moment to take flight - the perfect touch.

High School Threats....

We received an email on Wednesday afternoon from Kelli's principal explaining that a 9th grade student had made some verbal threats against other students. Students then reported the incident to administrators who in turn removed the student from the building. According to the information we've received from the school, the student is now in the custody of his parents who are cooperating fully with officials. We questioned Kelli on Wednesday evening and she told us that she knew who he was - that his locker was four down from hers. She said that his problem was with football players, baseball players and popular girls. Bob asked Kelli, "are you popular?" Her response...."I hope not." Last evening she informed us that they had located a list of students that he had supposedly targeted. Line 27 of the list had a baseball player's name/girlfriend. The player happens to be Kelli's boyfriend. His parents insist that he did not have the means to succeed with his threats, but in this day, all of this has to be taken seriously. Just thankful that those who overhead his threats had the courage to step forward and say something.

Here is the article from the South Bend Tribune:

April 27. 2007 6:59AM

Teachers and administrators at Clay High School responded to a "credible threat against the school" Wednesday, Superintendent Robert L. Zimmerman said. Students reported the threat to school authorities, who took appropriate action, Zimmerman said. A freshman student apparently verbally threatened to use a weapon to harm a combination of teachers and students, Zimmerman said. The student did not possess a weapon Wednesday, he added. No one was injured during the incident, which Zimmerman said occurred about noon." This matter was taken seriously," Zimmerman said, "as all reports of this nature are." While there was word that Clay went into a lockdown mode Thursday, Zimmerman said that was not true and the climate of the building was calm and orderly, as reported by Principal Ruth Warren. As for disciplinary action, Zimmerman did not say whether or not the student would be expelled. That decision, he said, will be determined later. The student was not arrested. "He's in an environment he's being taken care of," Zimmerman said. Clay officials sent a brief e-mail to parents Wednesday afternoon regarding the incident.

Metal Cleats

Metal cleats aren't legal in little league, grade school and high school - but they are in college.

On Monday, Katie's college team played in Lansing, Michigan and the following photos show what happens when a player slides back into a base on a pick-off move. I'll let the photos speak for themselves, but be warned....it's not for the faint of heart.

It Must Be Spring.....

It must be spring - because I leave the house at 7:30 in the morning and get home at 7:30 in the evening. Most days (if the weather cooperates) find me leaving the office and heading to a softball field somewhere in the city. Tuesday we were at Riley and Thursday at Clay. Did I tell you that one of Carrie's high school teammates is now Kelli's high school coach? Yeah, I know I'm getting OLD!!!

I can't even BEGIN to calculate the number of grade school, high school and college softball games we've sat through - but we're on the home stretch now!!!!

Kelli's First "REAL" Job

While Kelli was playing (and winning) a double header in Logansport on Saturday, I was on the phone with her new employer (The Cushing Manor Inn) scheduling her to work on Sunday. As soon as she arrived home, it was off to Walmart to locate some black capris and a couple of white shirts.

The Cushing Manor Inn is a wonderful bed and breakfast in downtown South Bend - located in the historic district. http://www.cushingmanorinn.com/

From now through most of the summer, they are booked with bridal and baby showers on the weekends. They do wonderful appetizers and tea for their guests. (We hosted Colleen's bridal shower here three years ago).

The owner is also trying to get Kelli trained before Notre Dame and Saint Mary's graduation weekends - when they will have a "full house".

We have a family friend who's daughter has worked there all through high school and is now a senior - getting ready to go off to Purdue. Kelli is now the "new kid" who will be learning the ropes and can hopefully keep this job throughout her high school years. When I picked her up yesterday afternoon, the first thing she said was, "I LOVE IT!!"

Spittin' Image...

This is Ben - he belongs to Colleen and Jimmy. Ben is 16 months old.



It's just dawned on me in the past few weeks how much he looks like his mom.

Today, his Aunt Katie calls me with a funny story....

She has this photo in a frame on her desk at work. Today, a woman comes in, sits down and comments on the photo, asking Katie if this little guy belongs to her. Katie replies, "No - he's my sister's". The lady just can't get over HOW MUCH he looks like Katie - the same eyes, the same smile. Katie laughed and told her, "Well, that could be because his mom is my identical twin."

No wonder Ben gets such a big smile on his face when he sees his Aunt Katie...she looks just like his mama.

Easter

We celebrated Easter with our children and grandchildren starting with 8:30 Mass and then on to Brunch at the South Bend Country Club (thanks to Carrie and Joe's new membership). It may have been cold and wintry outside, but our hearts were warm surrounded by our family.

Quick Trip Home...

Bob and I left yesterday at lunch and made a quick trip to our hometown of Greenville, Illinois. In just 24 short hours, we were able to see all but one of his brothers and sisters, go out for dinner, breakfast and lunch and celebrate his dad's 77th birthday today. All of that, and we were safely home by 9:00 tonight, ready to celebrate Easter tomorrow with our own children and grandchildren.

So glad we were able to make this happen!!

I Messed Up...

This is what I get for trying to "change the look" of my BLOG. I clicked on one button and lost everything!

So....bear with me. It may take a few days to get it all back!!!

Accomplishments

Aside from eating and shopping and laughing and drinking pomegranate martinis and getting a pedicure - I did manage to knock off a few more cruise layouts this past weekend. My GOAL - is to have this album finished by the end of April!!! Of course, my "LIFE" may get in the way of that! To view my cruise layouts, click the link below:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/twinmom7/sets/72157594537749686/

Crop-a-Doodle-Doo

This was just the absolute BEST weekend!!! I spent the last three days with my DT scrapbooking buddies in Arcadia, Indiana at a beautiful and quaint scrapbook bed and breakfast. Our hostesses - Brenda and Melissa were the absolute BEST! They made sure we had everything we could possibly need. The homecooked meals were OUTSTANDING - pecan stuffed french toast, cornbread salad and fresh strawberries, chicken enchiladas, sausage souffle and blueberry scones - and the list goes on and on. I can't wait to return - hopefully with Carrie sometime this fall.