Thoughts From an Evergreen Heart

SURPRISE!!!

2009-03-30T06:27:00.000-07:00

A surprise is brewing at our house...a big one.
I am SO excited that I can hardly contain myself.
I have been plotting and planning for WEEKS.
It is going to be GREAT!

Several times I've almost given in to the excitement and spilt the beans.

But, I am being a good secret keeper and not TELLING.

Everyone knows that SOMETHING is going to happen.

They just don't have any idea WHAT it will be.

You'll have to stay tuned to find out what our surprise is.

I PROMISE it is going to be a really good one.

I bet I'll even post PICTURES.

Its going to be SO worth the wait.

Who Said That Money Can't Buy Happiness?

2009-03-23T14:02:00.001-07:00

Because to day I bought a new bike, and I'm feeling pretty happy. I haven't really ridden a bike for 13 years. I haven't owned a bike for eight. I have wanted one for a really long time, and today I finally gave in.

I've been toodling around the cul-de-sac with my kids and feeling free as a bird, mind you with a little thigh burn. It is so much fun, and it does make me happy. As pretty as it is, I think it might make you happy too:

I think I'll have to give my bike a name. I'm not sure what it will be, but it will be something fantastic like Fiona, Cassandra or Daisy. I'll let you know when I've decided, if I remember. :)

You may see me cruising to the grocery store on my new pink beauty, or even riding to 7-eleven for slurpees with my kids. I L-O-V-E my new bike.

I got a new helmet today too. I think it makes me look stupid. Maybe it makes me look a bit smart too, but really mostly stupid. It looks smart because I'm being a good example for my kids and if I crash and hit my head, I will not get brain damage. Stupid, because it squishes my hair and looks utterly ridiculous. My helmet is pink too, that offers me a little consolation...not much though.

So, here's to money buying happiness, thighs burning, the wind blowing through my helmet and many a bike rides with my darling kiddos...all of us looking stupid, yet smart.

All Tuckered Out

2009-03-17T15:32:00.000-07:00

We are just four days into spring break and I am officially whipped. Entertaining kiddos is a tough job, but somebody's got to do it. Yesterday we went to Johnson Road Park followed by the movies, today was spent at The Log Cabin Village and a picnic to the park. Tomorrow will be spent scouring the neglected house, then on to more activities Thursday and Friday. I am SO thankful for such beautiful weather...80's and sunny. I don't remember a spring break that has not been rainy, since living in Texas. I'll try to remember and post pictures later in the week, or next week. For now, I gotta keep those kiddos busy and happy. TTFN!

Georgie Porgie Puddin n' Pie

2009-03-13T05:49:00.000-07:00

At school today the kids are putting on a living museum. J's historical person is George Washington. He has researched Washington for about three weeks and is now prepared to give a speech as George Washington. The challenge to this project was that the kids were to dress in character without buying anything from the store. Sure, I have a waistcoat laying around the house as well as a big pilgrim hat with a giant buckle right in the middle. Thank goodness Greg and I just got done watching the HBO John Adams series. Their wigs, tights and ruffly shirts were inspiration enough for me to get J dressed up. I hope my Georgie Porgie won't be kissing any girls today.

2009-03-12T11:41:00.000-07:00

I found this precious blog today while looking through c jane' s cute blog. If you're having a blue day, I wouldn't recommend reading it today. I have been crying for the last 30 minutes as I have read through Gracie's story. It is a touching story, please keep this sweet family in your prayers.

2009-03-06T09:54:00.000-08:00

My 12 year old, A, had a language arts project to write a "tone poem." Following is his tender poem about his Grandma, my mother. It is very sweet and has brought tears to more than one set of eyes. Enjoy.

Yes, it was my Grandma

Who fought.

People knew of her, saying:

“It’s a miracle that she recovered from that illness.”

She worked,

Raising six children.

She has bright and shiny eyes.

Even though she has been sick for as long as I have been alive,

She beats the odds.

She watches us slide down her hill.

She made me happy raising me up and down in her wheelchair.

My mom remembers when my Grandma could walk.

They used to shop at the mall for hours.

Grandma taught my mom to cook,

She has always been an example to my mom.

Oh Grandma,

Who taught me to cherish every moment with my family

And to look on the bright side of things.

I am positive like you.

I am determined to have a strong spirit like yours.

One day when I have a family,

I will remember you for your courage.

I promise to remember the traditions you have brought to us
and remember you for your joy.

The Bright Side of Laundry

2009-02-05T09:47:00.000-08:00

The daily grind of a stay at home mom can easily become monotonous. Endless piles of laundry, never ending dishes and floors that just won't stay clean. As I was loading the washing machine for the third time this morning, I stopped to spray some of L's pink pants that looked like she'd swam in dirt. Staring at those dirt stains I was suddenly grateful for a healthy little girl that is capable of staining her new pink pants. Every stained shirt, ripped out knee and worn out shoe is a blessing. A strange blessing, but one that helps me to realize that my kids are happy and healthy.

It is a lot of work to keep up with the demands of four little people, but I wouldn't change it for a thing. Every blade of grass I sweep off my floor is a testament to their health and happiness. Were it not for their back yard schemes of surviving on a lone island, spying on ruthless criminals or playing kick the can, my floors would be clean, laundry would be less and dishes would be fewer. The grass and dirt are also testament to me that my house is a happy place. Were it not a happy place, there would not be eleven children adding to the chores that make up my day. Just so you know, it is a fact that spys, island refugees and hiding children get very thirsty and hungry. From yesterdays experience, it seems that Marshmallow Mateys are the food of choice for active, imaginative and dirty children.

As I plug through the next few hours cleaning and washing laundry, I am going to keep this in mind. With a new perspective on children, dirt and happiness, maybe the loads of laundry won't seem so big, the dishes won't seem so many and the blades of grass may each hold a story. The tasks of my day enable 4+ happy and healthy kids to have a safe haven to play where they are loved and appreciated, and where their dirt enables a smile.

Ding a Ling a Ding Dong

2009-01-30T11:11:00.000-08:00

I have done some dumb things in my lifetime. Lots of them in fact. Like the time I threw away my $50 Victoria's Secret bra. Let's just say they put way too much tissue in their bags. I've also done my fair share of sticking my foot in my mouth and clothing destruction...bleaching colored clothes, shrinking wool, you know the standards. Well, I did it again. Something really dumb. I was so good an got the registration for Greg's car taken care of early this year. I got the tag in the mail and installed in the window, with weeks to spare. Last night Greg pulled out a proof of insurance tag for me to put in my car, then asked me where his new license sticker was. I told him that I had already taken care of that for him. Then it hit me. I did take care of it, but I put it in my car! Crap. Those stickers are not easy to remove, especially after you've replaced them several years in a row. So, today I headed off to the tax assessors office with L. and two extra kiddos in tow. The last day of the month with property taxes and car taxes all due and two extra little kids in tow. Crap. Much to my relief we only ended up being there for about ten minutes. That was a modern day miracle if I've ever seen one. The end result is that my car is now registered until March of 2010, and Greg has a new sticker for his car. Let's hope that next year I can do it right!

Grapefruit

2009-01-28T19:07:00.000-08:00

I think I'm addicted to grapefruit. I've eaten 5 today. I just can't seem to get enough of them. I just decided that I like them two weeks ago. All my life I've been eating them wrong and after 13 1/2 years of marriage, Greg finally told me the secret. The trick is to completely dissect them so that there is no trace of any white stuff on them. You might think this would deter me. No. I just sit over a bowl peeling away with juice dripping from my fingers. The thought of them is making my mouth water, literally. I think I'll go eat another, do you think I'll turn PINK?

Scrumdidilyumptious!

2009-01-26T12:23:00.000-08:00

All right, its about time that I give this girl some serious props. She is the author of this raw dessert book:The book is amazing, the recipes are amazing, Heathy is amazing! Every recipe that I have tried from this book as been absolutely scrumptious, and I don't mean scrumptious to a person who has been eating raw for a long time either. This is scrumptious as in I'm trying really hard to get off my Christmas sugar kick and it still tastes wonderful kind of scrumptious. So what I'm getting at is, all you aspiring raw foodists need to buy this book. Come by and sneak a peak at mine if you'd like, even try a snack or two. You won't regret it! :)

Aaaaachoooo!

2009-01-26T07:48:00.000-08:00

The CRAZY Texas weather has resulted in a lot of sneezing at my house. We have become large consumers of tissue, nasal spray and allergy medicine. I have to say that I much prefer a cold. A cold has a light at the end of the tunnel. Allergies could leave us in this predicament until November. I'm so not joking. Last night in my attempts to soothe an ailing child, I was rummaging through my medicine cabinet looking for allergy meds and some pain reliever. Much to my chagrin, the vast majority of my medications were severely outdated. I must have thrown out a good five pounds of medicine. Before you are too frightened, some of this included large bottles of liquid, prescription allergy medicine. But seriously, you would think that I could stay on top of these things. The benefit of this exercise is that I found several unopened boxes of perfectly good allergy medicine and pain reliever and my cupboard now has a significant amount of room available. So here's to months of sneezing, runny noses, itchy eyes, scratchy throats and pill popping for the whole family. Or maybe, just maybe our most recent cold front will kill some pollen and I will be able to put away the meds for a couple months more. My fingers are crossed!

Skippin' School

2009-01-22T09:18:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, my kids stay home from school cause' they're sick
They cough and puke a lot on those days
Or just spend the day moaning on the sofa

Some days my kids fake being sick so well that I let them stay home
They don't cough or puke on those days
Amazingly, they're usually better by 10AM

I used to fake being sick too
I was so good that I missed a lot of school
I even ran the thermometer under hot water

My fake-sick kids stay home and play all day
We talk a lot, spend time on the computer and play games
On days like today, they play outside and jump on the tramp

On a good fake-sick day, my mom took me to McDonald's
Bad fake-sick days landed me at Sister Smith's house
On bad fake-sick days, I always wished that I had gone to school

Fake-sick kids aren't so bad, in fact I kinda like em'
They are usually happy-go-lucky and pleasant to be around
I like to think they are fake-sick cause' they just wanna spend time with me

I liked being fake-sick with my mom too, even when we didn't go to McDonald's
I liked hanging out with her and watching the soaps on her bed
I liked to fake-sick cause' I just wanted to be with my mom too

Ever So Sweet

2009-01-20T13:14:00.000-08:00

Does it get any sweeter than this? Perhaps only if I drizzled them with some syrup.

Honesty

2009-01-20T09:23:00.000-08:00

L. turned on the TV for a little electronic stimulation from PBS.

L. "where is the remote?"
Me "I don't know."
L. "Why?"
Me "I don't know."
L. "But Obama is on."
Me "Obama is on everywhere, today is the day he becomes the president."
L. "But why."
Me "I wish I knew."

Are we in for a ride? Will he give us more than just lip service? Will he make the world a better place?

Hold on tight, I think we're in for a bumpy ride!

No School!

2009-01-16T13:26:00.000-08:00

Summer vacation is long. I'll give you that. But, I seriously love it when the kids don't have school. There's no homework to do, no lunches to make, no getting up early and they play all day long. Days without school generally leave my kids very amiable and friendly to each other. After the grind of school work and non-stop craziness, they are just happy to chill out and enjoy each other. So here's to a four day weekend, less fighting and no homework. Enjoy!!!

Chanda, this one's for you!

2009-01-15T09:47:00.000-08:00

In case you've been wondering where I've been, you can blame it on Facebook. I wasn't going to join. I really wasn't. But, then I did. It has been fun, but it has taken place of my blog, and I'm okay with that. But today I'm back, in answer to Chanda's question "who wears dresses like that anyway?! Its me. I'm guilty. I'm a child of the 80's, puff sleeves and all. Don't forget the gloves. I loved wearing gloves. And my shoes, I always had bling, bling clips on my shoes. They matched my necklace and my earrings, which were ever so expensive you know. You can tell by looking at them.

And in case you are interested in viewing any more of my smokin' hot high school dance pictures, look below. Notice, they are all with my hot, hubba, hubba boyfriend, who just so happens to be my now hot, hubba, hubba, hubby. Enjoy!

Oh, and just so you know, these pictures contain my "Washington State" version of makeup. For a night on the town I'd splurge and put on some blush, some gloss with color instead of chapstick and maybe a little more eyeliner than usual. I think that my high school self would be scared by my current self. Foundation, mascara, lip liner, colored gloss, blush, eye shadow and liner almost every day. Oh the wildness of me!

Uneventful Extreme Home Makeover

2008-12-10T17:48:00.000-08:00

This morning I got my hiney showered, hair done, dressed and out the door in 15 minutes so that I could take part in a Keller edition of Extreme Home Makeover. I got to the site, picked up my blue shirt and hard hat, then waited for an hour. I was told that I would get to take part in the march towards the house. I went over to my "holding" place to find out that I would not be allowed. I was disappointed, but fully okay with that. I really just wanted to throw away some demolished house debris or something. So after freezing for an hour in 27 degree weather, I asked when I was going to be able to volunteer. I was sent to see Julie. Apparently I was supposed to sign up to volunteer a week ago, an now all the positions were filled. But, if I wanted to I could go to the viewing area and maybe, just maybe they would be short a hand or two and come pick me out of the crowd to hammer some nails or something. Hmmmm, wait in 27 degree weather (did I mention the wind was blowing?) to never be called on. I don't think so. So, I shed my blue shirt and white hard hat and headed to the car.

Not all was lost though. While I was waiting in my small crowd, I got to schmooze with a man who was an extra in a made for television movie. He told us all about the ins and outs of movie and television filming for an hour. Now, I'm not being mean. I'm simply just telling you how it is. He was a very large, burly man with tattoos that might have needed a tissue or two. It was really, really hard to take him for real. But he was ever so serious and could literally speak of nothing else for an hour.

Later today, I drove the kiddos over and we watched some of the clean up from the demolition. Secretly, or not so much, we all just wanted to see Ty. J asked over and over where he was and when we were going to see him. A wanted to put on some work gloves and boots and join in the fun. The girls and I were cold. I think we will check back later this week and see how things are progressing.

Even through the cold and the movie tutorial from burly tattoo man, it really was fun for me. We watch the show together as a family every Sunday. How fun for the kids to be there and see some of the work actually taking place. Maybe if we get lucky we'll get to see Ty, Troy, Ed or Paige later in the week. Here's hoping!

Snakes, Snails and Puppy Dog Tails

2008-12-09T06:13:00.000-08:00

Do you ever have moments when you are dwelling on a thought and wonder how in the heck your brain got there? I had one the other day. It took me a while to think backwards and string my thoughts together, I started off thinking about one of my dads cats and ended up thinking about puppy dog tails. Real puppy dog tails, not just the nursery rhyme.

The story goes something like this: I must have been in second or third grade and was a faithful member of our local Blue Birds troop. (It must be a generic kick off of Girls Scouts) It was field trip day and we were going to visit a veterinarian to learn about animal care. It was just my luck that we were visiting Dr. McMonigle, my all time favorite veterinarian. (for real) Well, just before our troop had arrived, Dr. McMonigle had just finished cropping the tails off of some very unsuspecting puppies. (Who started this barbaric tradition? I think its horrible.) After touring his clinic, he brought us to the puppy torcher room, otherwise known as the surgical suite. There in front of us lay a handful of puppy-less puppy dog tails. Surely Dr. McMonigle was joking when he asked the question, but us Blue Birds thought he was serious. He asked us if we wanted to take home a puppy dog tail. Of course we did! (The thought is enough to make me vomit.) He laughingly wrapped each puppy dog tail in a piece of gauze and handed them to each of us girls. How cool is this? We not only got to visit the veterinarian, but we got to bring home a prize too! Much to my mothers dismay, she entered my room that evening to see a lone puppy dog tail standing up in a little cup. It was my new prized possesion. All the coersion in the world could not convince me to throw my new treasure out. My dad even took me to see a litter of brand new puppies that our neighbors dog had. No deal. Are you kidding me, how many kids get to have a real live, well kinda dead now, puppy dog tail on their dresser. I was going to take this baby in for show and tell. My parents were suckers. This would NEVER fly in my house. NEVER, EVER, EVER!!! But, that puppy dog tail sat on my dresser for days. Every once in a while I would take it out of the cup and pet it, then place it back in the cup for safe keeping. That puppy dog tail sat on my dresser until one day I noticed that my room was starting to stink. Upon inspecting my room, I noticed that it was the puppy dog tail. It had started to, well, rot. I threw it out that day.

Surprisingly enough, I have turned out to be a rather well rounded, well adjusted person. I have experienced no long term ill effects from saving a cropped puppy dog tail in my bedroom. I am ever so grossed out about the prospect as an adult. But I think I'll live. The next time I find a big ball of a chewed gum collection, a bag of moldy grapes or some seriously stinky soccer socks in my kids rooms, I think I'll give my kids a break. Nothing could possibly beat a puppy dog tail.

A Riddle....J Style

2008-12-05T18:45:00.000-08:00

In the car, on our way home from our ward Christmas party, the boys were making up riddles. If you can solve this one I'll give you some sort of big, fat prize.

J: There's a man in a house. There are no doors or windows. He is stuck inside. How does he get out?

Me: He blows up the walls. Mmmmm, I don't know. How does he get out?

J: No, he cuts a hole in the table with a saw. He climbs through the hole and gets out of the house.

Me: What? I don't get it.

J: I don't know. I don't get it either.

Oh a car filled with curious little minds. Their riddles are almost as good as their knock, knock jokes. :)

Fabulous Photo-shopper

2008-12-04T09:49:00.000-08:00

Our family photo shoot with Julianne went off without a hitch, thanks to my fabulously talented friend Rochelle.Even our ornery 12 year old, A, looks like he had a great time after she got done . Dont'cha think?This girl is a pro! Thank you so much Julianne and Rochelle, you're the best!!! Maybe next year 13 will make for a more amiable A. Hah! :)

I Be Illin...Tired of Chillin...

2008-11-30T06:51:00.000-08:00

I have been sick for a week, as of today. I'm very tired of being sick. Laying around the house is only fun for so long, then severe boredom hits. I even went to the doctor this week. I was told I have allergies. Pshaw! Last time I checked allergies don't travel rampantly through families. Everyone has had their turn, Greg is getting it just now. The kids, however were only sick for 3-4 days. Mine has traveled from my head, to my throat, to my lungs, back to my throat and back into my head. I blame it on Thanksgiving. Someone is sick at my house EVERY Thanksgiving. I'm not joking. Just ask my friends, or my sister. They will validate this. I have decided that we are not going to be able to make any holiday plans from here on out. I'm hoping that boycotting friends and family on the holidays will allow us to have a sick-free Thanksgiving or Christmas for the first time in, oh...12 years! It started with the Christmas from hell, when A was just 6 months old, this was our last Christmas home.

I can't remember who got sick first, or last. But, it hit every member of the family staying at my parents house, all 18 of us. The stomach flu of all stomach flu's. Everyone puking. I was one of the first bunch to catch it, along with my mom and Dad. Mom was so sick, and the rest of too sick to care for her, that we sent her to the hospital in an ambulance. It was gruesome. To make matters worse, a good old Washington snow storm blew though, shutting down the city and my parents electricity. Not so bad you might say, well they have well water that runs on an electric pump. No water in the toilets my friends, or heat but that of a wood burning fire place in ONE room. 18 puking people with no running water. Slowly but surely, after a few days, each family braved the treacherous roads to stay with friends or family that had electricity. That many puking people, no electricity, no water, no heat truly made for the Christmas from hell. That was the last Christmas anyone went home for Christmas. Sad, but true. May you never, ever have a Christmas as bad as that.

May I soon have a holiday free from bacteria and viruses.

Things I've done

2008-11-22T12:55:00.000-08:00

Mine are all in pink...go figure! Thanks Aurora
1. Started my own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than I can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sung a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught myself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown my own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice (it was a water taxi- but I am counting it!)
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors (Greece)
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught myself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke (at houses- not at a Karaoke club)
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had my portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican (we were outside- I am counting it)
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had my picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Chilly Pictures

2008-11-22T12:52:00.000-08:00

This very chilly morning was spent taking pictures with Julianne. I am ever so excited to get our pictures back from her. She does an absolutely amazing job. Stay tuned for some (hopefully) uber-fabulous Hanson family pictures!

Blog tag

2008-11-09T09:00:00.000-08:00

I've Been Tagged . . . by Stephenie

8 Random Facts About Me:

1. I think: deeply, but don't often tell my thoughts to anyone but Greg.

2. Sometimes I: sneak food when my children can't see me so I don't have to share or make them some too.

3. I said I would never: Wear white shoes before Labor Day. I wear them starting at Easter. I also said I would never spank my kids, sad to say, I have.

4. I will never: Jump out of an airplane, go bungee jumping, hang glide or go up in a hot air balloon. Heights terrify me.

5. The first concert I went to was: New Kids on the Block - whooa o whooa o o, hangin tough

6. I love: My family, my home, my friends and Texas

7. I love: My bed. I love stealing a nap. I also love sleeping in the sun shining through the widow on a cold day.

8. Right now I would give anything to: Have my house paid off.

Okay...I tag: Jill and Sandy Lynn :)

Here are the rules
1: Each player starts with 8 random habits/facts about themselves
2: People who are tagged need to write a post on their blog about their eight things and post these rules.
3: At the end of the post you need to choose 8 people to get tagged and list their names.

My Running Side Kick

2008-11-05T09:31:00.000-08:00

This sweet thing is no longer smaller than her bone.

She has grown and grown and grown.

Abby is a sweet dog and becoming well behaved, this can largely be attributed to her trainer Austin at PetSmart. She graduated at the top of her class a few months back.

I have been leery of running with Abby, because I didn't want her to over do it and pass out while I'm running. The last few days I have actually been taking her with me. She ran 4 miles the first day and 5 miles today. She is doing way better than I thought she would. The crazy thing is that the run doesn't wear her out. She's still bounding with energy afterward. I need to bottle her energy and sell it. I'd be rich!

Anyhoo, I love having her with me. She is a great running companion. She gives me a sense of comfort in the dark, she doesn't make me feel competitive, she lets me listen to my music and doesn't carry on a conversation while I'm so winded I could pass out. Oh, and I'm pretty sure she won't laugh at me when I fall. Thank you Abby!