The Adventures of The Merschmans

Very Sad News

As many of you know...I was on a plane last week with a couple, they lost their pregnant daughter and 13 year grandson.  It was head on collision by a 16 year girl trying to commit suicide.  The Celebration of Life services are Friday, March 27th in Montana.  I just cannot help but to think about what their family is going through.  There is so much tragedy in the world but for some reason these people really connected with me.  I pray for them at this time. 

Vacation Fun

We arrived home last night.  It is good to be home.  I miss Florida.  That is good...it is better to leave when you still want to stay. 

We had such a good time.  I walked to beach everyday and I have say, it felt so good at the time, now, my left leg is swollen.  Those darn knees....

Just the girls went to dinner on Thursday night.  We went to a place we have been before, Crab & Fin.  The food is great and we sit outside.  We were at the furthest table, 4 girls drinking wine, we were laughing and having a great time.  A woman come over to tell us to be a quiet, we were being too loud.  My friend, waves her away and tells her to get our check, we thought she worked there.  NO...she was sitting at the table next to us!  Did we quiet down...NO WAY!!!!  We even told on her to the wait staff. 

Friday morning, brought a dolphin show like no other.  There were a school of fish right in front of us.  The dolphins were even going up on shore to get the fish.  It was an amazing sight. 

We had so much watching all the birds on the beach...I have some great picture to post later.  Stay tuned for those.

It was fun to listen to all the stories from the guys skiing trip.  I don't think Nick stopped talking all night.  Every sentence started with, "Carl said...."  Carl was their snow board teacher.  He was awesome...he is from New Zeland and was so cool!  I now have two boys that can't wait to snow board again.  It is going to be interesting to see how they fair here with our little hills. 

Apparently, Nick has a new name..."Hoover", "Hov".  You guessed it, "Hoover" from Animal House.  We watched it as a family Saturday night.  It was hilarious.  Nick of course, has Hoover down to perfection!

What We Are Doing

 The girls have been walking the beach every day...I feel so healthy.  Oh, then I can't walk the rest of the day...it really sucks having knee pain.  I have only had about 2 oz. of meat all week...I feel wonderful.  We are having a blast.  Wine at night, wonderful dinners, the little girls have been good, except for my lovely daughter yesterday.  I sure hope she slept enough to be out of the devil mood she was in yesterday.  I was yelled at...told, I am the meanest mom in the world and she was going to run away.  Don't really know where she is going and thinking it really can't get any better than where she is right now.

The guys are having a great time skiing on the other side of the country.  Nicky has been sending me pictures of the trip...I will post them later.  The dad's went to a Michael Jackson tribute band and had a blast.  They were all a little tired last night. 

 

 

MaryElizabeth is on the left....look at what the "meanest mom" made her do!

Nothing Like A Little Longboat....

Last night we saw this...

 

  This is the space shuttle taking off...this is the second time in a year we have seen this and it is an amazing sight.  Thankfully, we were invited to dinner at a friends place on the bay side.

Now, for a few random pictures...

 

The girls playing in the water...

 

 

 

The last few MaryElizabeth took the last one Josie took....I love these pictures...BUT, this is my favorite..

Sunshine State.....

..here we come!  In exactly 12 hours we will be "wheels up".  I am so cold, I can't wait to stick in toes in the sand. 

I am just finishing all the last touches around the house.  I have to make sure it is picked up, the cleaning lady is coming tomorrow, the laundry done, the guys clothes are out...all they have to do is put them in a suitcase.  I got MaryElizabeth's 1st Holy Communion invitations ordered, they will be here waiting when we get back.  MaryElizabeth is so excited all the family will be here for her party.  She is busy planning.  She is such a wonderful spirit and faith. 

I am trying to get a little act together for the 6th grade boys for our Variety Show.  It will be so much fun.  They are going to do a little dance/act of songs from the 40's thru High School Musical. 

Just A Little Something....

...that has bothered me for a long time. 

We all get forwarded emails, right?  I sometimes read them, sometimes forward them, sometimes just delete them.  What really bothers me, is when someone (I may not even know) will "reply all" with a link to "snopes.com". 

I get these so frequently from people I don't even know.  I try not to forward anything that I don't check at snopes.  Now, I find out "snopes" is not always right.  How can that be?  Cyber world's, "go to" site for correctness is not always correct!

Whenever, I get one of those, "snopes" emails, again, from people I don't even know, I feel so bad for the person that originally sent me the email.  It is a cyber slap in the face.  I NEVER, yes NEVER send a "snopes" email to all the people on the list.  I may drop a little line to the original person but never to all on the list! 

This is just something that has bothered me for a long time, and NOW I have THAT off my proverbial chest, I can sleep tonight!

Feeling...

CRAPPY!!!!  Again, I have that horrible sore throat, aches (which could partially be from Pilates) and a temperature.  WHAT!!??  I hate it when I am sick.  I was starting to feel really good, when all of the sudden...I get hit, AGAIN!!!

Tonight, is the Science Fair at our school.  I am so glad to have that over.  Friday, we have Flat Stanley party in 2nd grade, another thing I will be glad to out of dining room.  It is always a fun project.  The "flats" in our home have gone to LA the past two times.  Our dear friends, always treat them to all the special sights in the area.  Flat Mary even went to UCSB (this is where Teddy wants to go to college)!  They have twins that are graduating from high school this year.  I am really hoping to make it out there for their party.  It could work out perfect too, Tom and Amy have the house in the Ozarks the weekend I want to go to LA!  We are celebrating Ed's birthday in the Ozarks this year.  Several of our friends will be at their homes that weekend too.  I will be a blast. 

This has been such a long winter, I am so ready for some nice weather and sunshine.  It is suppose to warm up later this week and and then right back to cold.  It is no wonderful there is so much sickness going around. 

I am off to try to rest a little. 

I Can ONLY Imagine....

...what her wedding will be like.  That would be the little princess that lives in our home.  No, not me, the little one.  We are in the planning stages of her 1st Holy Communion.  She has definite opinions about what she wants.  She KNOWS what she wants.  We are looking for the "perfect" invitations, thank you cards, and veil.  We already have the dress, thanks to Aunt Sarah, getting married almost 3 years ago.  I think MaryElizabeth may have gained a whooping 5 lbs. since then. 

We are planning the menu, which she is not liking.  She wants to have the party at the country club.  I told her that her father would not like that, so don't even ask.  We will have it catered by whomever she wants.  We are having the party here at our home.  The basement will be refinish by then.  Two walls are coming down this week. 

She is so excited about all the family that is coming to watch this very special event in her life.  She can not wait to be able to take part in such a wonderful experience.  To actually take the body and blood of Christ. 

Like I said, I can only imagine what the wedding planning will be like, if she has such ideas about her 1st Holy Communion.  Lord be with me!!!!