Wreaths Across America

You can read more about this campaign here.

Today was a big day for the G men. I had hoped to attend, but was OUT OF IT with this cold/flu whatever bug. Mike had planned to attend anyway so all was not lost.

Jamin was contacted by the local newspaper and ASKED to go cover this event. His first ASSIGNMENT! Jared was a CAP participant.

Our CAP Cadet Commander organizes this event locally.

Jamin at work.


Jared at "work" (notice how windy it was).

Jared the tallest cadet in this photo


Three PKs (Chaplain's sons)



©2008 D.R.G.

A Girl and her Chocolate

Stacia brought this bag of Chocolate to me this a.m. She said she found it under the recliner. Being the quick draw that I am, I immediately discerned that this had to be one of the "advent hunts" that wasn't completed last night. She gave them to me with no fuss.
©2008 D.R.G.

Piano Update

I've been meaning to write a piano update. Zander opted out. That was fine with us. He did it for a few months and still likes to sit and play. I suspect he'll pick it up again in a few years, and we never planned for him to take lessons this year. LOL

Nolan and Arielle continue to enjoy their lessons. We love our teacher....and most weeks we get some social time in with Sarah and Eric (or is he an Erik or an ERICK....or ERIKKKK) as well.

Some days are.....

...better than others (never clown around when I have my camera out. ::snort::)

And, now, dear friend you've attained your goal of infamy...published on an international blog. ::snort::

Well, I've just remembered I have a spouse breakfast at 8 a.m. I've had 2 hours of sleep. I am fading....I've worked on my address book, I've updated the blog...now I'll try to sleep a few more hours...and ladies if I don't make it for breakfast, you'll know that cough syrup finally kicked in and I'm sleeping. ::snort:: I'll be there.

©2008 D.R.G.

I Did it Myself

These words now strike fear into my heart.

©2008 D.R.G.

Sleep Deprivation

Irony? Finally being convicted that the human body NEEDS sleep and that sleep isn't for wimps....finally making an effort to get in bed at a decent hour and allow for the possibility of 6-8 hours of sleep.....THEN coming down with a cough that keeps you up all night.

Yesterday morning I took three of the kids to see Willy Wonka. This was the "school" showing of the play. It was cute. I did have to leave due to coughing. We'd thought of going to see the Gospel According to Scrooge...but I couldn't bear the thought of all the disapproving stares again when I had a coughing fit. I'm praying I'm better by Sunday and we can catch it then. LOL

Produce co-op was moved to the afternoon due to the play. Sleep deprivation (you wondered how I'd tie this together?) is the only explanation I have to arriving to pick up 2 pallets of produce with a Toyota Camry instead of a 15 pass van. I can't believe they fit it all in! I had produce EVERYWHERE...floor, seats, trunk.....

We ended the evening watching the new Tim Hawkins DVD that we found as a family gift last Sunday.

Half-way through this daily/advent/calendar/gift/thing I have mixed feelings. The kids LOVE the hunt. They are enjoying it...but I think it causes a focus on GIFTS that we've not had before....and I am wondering what in the world I'll put in their stockings this year as we've been giving them daily little gifts. Maybe we'll skip stockings and then the daily gifts won't seem excessive...just stockings stretched over the month. I don't know. They LOVE it...and the hunts have been a tremendous amount of fun. The activity calendar is a hit....but I'm not feeling well and so I wish there wasn't a daily nagging to "do something". LOL I do think that these activities have insured that we have "family moments" even when we are busy, even when we are sick. Here's some random photos of the past few days of treasure hunts.

Gift of the night - stickers

Zander promises to learn to read so he can read the clues himself next year.

Gotta love the teamwork - clue "mountain of knowledge"

Gift of the night - Ocean toobs (which we needed for our ocean boxes ::snort::)

So....the signature place is wonking out again - I really need to take the time to download a program to create my own signature.....

©2008 D.R.G.

Civil Air Patrol Promotion & Award Dinner

Nearly a year and a half ago Jared joined CAP. At the Award Banquet last year we thought he might pass out when he had to march up, salute and accept his promotion to Sr. Airman. He set the goal of being promoted to SMsgt by the next Award Dinner.

Tonight he handled the walk and salute with ease.

Jared was promoted to Sr. Master Sgt...

Then he was surprised to be named Cadet of the Year.


Way to go, Jared. We're proud of you, son.

They also gave Mike a plaque for filling in for their chaplain while he was deployed.

I only had to leave the room twice due to coughing fits!

©2008 D.R.G.

Easy Oreo Truffles

1 pkg (18 0z) Oreo cookies, finely crushed, divided

1 pkg (8 oz) Cream Cheese, softened

2 pkg (8 squares each) Bakers semi-sweet Chocolate, melted (I used choc chunks)

MIX 3 cups of the cookie crumbs and the cream cheese until well blended. Shape into 42 (1-inch) balls. We got 39 with the little Pampered Chef scoop.

DIP balls in melted chocolate; place on waxed paper-covered baking sheet. (Any leftover melted chocolate can be stored in tightly covered container at room temperature and saved for another use.) Sprinkle with remaining cookie crumbs.

REFRIGERATE 1 hour or until firm. Store any leftover truffles in tightly covered container in refrigerator.

*I first heard of these from Mary or Liz....but these are wonderful and I do not want to lose the recipe again. You can make a ton of variations of these...white chocolate, flavored Oreos etc... BTW Newman O's work just fine. ::snort:: I found this at kraft.com. Enjoy!

For more of my recipes check out my recipe index.

©2008 D.R.G.