"don't ever change"

Today was yearbook day!! The much anticipated, full color, overpriced book of memories was finally here! If you haven't seen a high school yearbook recently, they really have become amazing works of photo journalism. I'm not kidding.

Anyway, on the way home from school Kendall was reading some of the things her friends had written in the back of her yearbook to me. As we all remember from 8th grade, the better the friend, the longer the sentiment. Sometimes even not-so-close friends write small novels.
As she's happily reading, I suddenly hear it. That universal phrase that bonds together all high- schoolers throughout the ages.

"Don't ever change".

If you're 13, 33, 53 or 63 your yearbook contains the words "don't ever change". I think that's kinda cool. Just like how the word "cool" is still cool. Some things don't ever change (heh heh).

Some Skatin'

I took a little video at Jenna's last skating class & thought I'd share it. I know the first one is the beginnings of a "toeloop", but I don't know what move she's doing in the second one (help Chloe?). Anyway, Jenna passed her test recently and will be staring Freestyle 3 in the fall! Tomorrow, however, she gets to start learning her "Rock Lobster" routine for the ice show. Yes, they will be lobsters. :) Should be fun!!!

An Announcement

I can't believe I'm about to make this (sort of) public announcement because I may very well regret it, but here goes. No, there is no little addition on the way or anything as dramatic as that....sorry.

Exactly one month from today I will be"celebrating" a big, bad birthday. I'm not particularly looking forward to this one, but have thought of a way to make it a little more tolerable & maybe even a bit happy.

I have set a goal for myself to be 8 pounds lighter by this birthday. I need to lose more than 8 pounds, but this is my short term goal. I know this is not exactly facinating information for you folks & you're probably thinking "so what?". BUT, I'm hoping the threat of public failure and humiliation will keep me on track & out of the doritos.

So, as I march on toward middle age...here's hoping I leave a little of my middle behind. Ha ha! Clever huh?

A Couple Hours in the Backyard

The weather was beautiful today & we managed to get outside for a couple of hours in between church, errands, and dinner plans with friends. Kendall & her big teenage-type friends strolled the neighborhood & probably talked about boys while Jer, Jenna & I played some baseball.

As we frolicked in the yard enjoying the warm sun, we had a couple visitors who spent quite a long time enjoying the last patch of ice on the pond.

Then, in a dramatic, symbolic, welcoming of spring, they launched themselves into the water.

(yes, I'm quite certain that's what was going through their minds)

And Casey, not to be outdone by a couple of ducks, thought a dog in a pond was a much more picturesque portrait of spring.

As good luck would have it, she has an appointment with the groomer tomorrow so I just let her dirty, scummy fur dry in the sun. I think the groomer will appreciate the extra challenge. :)

Stuff is Happening!

Progress is well underway in the Peterson basement! We now have electricity in every room, plumbing, and the beginnings of walls thanks to my hard working hubby. For those of you anxiously awaiting the completion of the guest room (ok, 2-3 of you...but we do expect to be the future vacation hotspot in town), here are a few pictures.

the happy handyman

the guest room

cast your vote on whether or not Jer's trophys should remain on display

Jenna training for the big pull-up test in gym class
both girls were fortunate to NOT inherit my complete lack of upper body strength

TEOTWAWKI

I promise this will be my last weather rant as I am boring even myself with the topic, but it must be noted that today, APRIL 13TH, Jeremy & friends are off snowmobiling for the day.

Granted, they had to drive up north a ways, but the fact that snowmobiling is still possible is just wrong. Terribly, horribly wrong.

Oh good, it's snowing

Ok, this is getting ridiculous. Where is this global warming we're supposed to fear? My poor child is just hoping to enjoy one day of recess without her snowpants!

I wanna move. Who's with me???

NEWS FLASH - good customer service is not extinct

Easter weekend, my camera died. I hoped it was just a battery problem, but after trying a brand new one with no success I had to sadly acknowledge that my first digital camera, my beloved Kodak EasyShare was indeed, dead. After owning it for only 3 years, I was now going to have to go out & buy a new camera. Grrrrrrr.

Then today I remembered that I bought it at Costco. And the reason I bought it at Costco was because they supposedly had this amazing unlimited guarantee on pretty much everything in the store. Could I actually return my 3 year old camera?? I called Costco & sure enough, a friendly lady told me to pack up all the stuff that came with the camera & bring it in!

As we all know, electronics are one thing that get cheaper as they get better. So tonight I exchanged my old broken camera for a better brand & model that was HALF THE PRICE OF MY KODAK!! I walked out of there with a wad of money in my pocket and a new camera!! WHOO-HOOOO!!!

My new Sony camera is now charging & I'll be updating with new pics soon. Oh, and before you all rush out to Costco, they've recently changed their guarantee policy from "unlimited" to 90 days. They still have a lifelong friend in me though.