What's in our back yard?

I noticed that Beth posted last week about the beautiful creatures and flowers she found and took pictures of in her back yard. After looking over it- I thought that I would share a few pictures of our back yard... after Ohio felt the aftermath of Hurricane Ike.

This is one of the four trees that we lost during the storm last week. You can see that the tree just literally broke it two (half of the tree was still standing).

Unfortunately we didn't think to get pictures of the other trees until we had cleaned up most of the yard (which took us four days).

Here is a picture of part of our fence that the neighbor's tree fell on. This is the same part of the fence that we have had repaired two times already for trees falling on it... still waiting to hear back on that quote. The neighbor was kind enough to clean up the tree from the fence- mostly because I'm sure he wanted the firewood.

It's amazing to me that Hurricane Ike was so strong that it caused such damage in Ohio- which is many miles away from Texas... Even though we had plenty of damage and lost our power (and water- since we have a well)- we are still lucky that we didn't suffer any real loss.

I'll try to post some more pictures in the fall when leaves start to change- we really do have a beautiful back yard and I'd love to share it with friends are family that have yet to see it.

Walk for Autism

Over two years ago (on April 5, 2006), Christopher Kuhlmann was diagnosed with autism. Chris is the son of my friends Ken and Kate- who I have known and grown very close to over the last 10 years. Chris is a wonderful 6 year old who is planning to start the first grade this year. He loves learning the alphabet and writing letters, he loves reading stories, swinging and especially watching movies. He is a very special boy with some challenges.

Here are some facts on Autism that you may not know:

- 67 children are diagnosed with autism every day
- A new case is diagnosed almost every 20 minutes
- Autism receives less than 5% of the research funding of less prevalent childhood diseases


James and I have joined Ken and Kate’s relay team to walk on Sunday, September 28TH. If you feel led to help, please click on the website below and click on my name (Susan Moseley) and make a tax deductible donation.

http://www.walknowforautism.org/c.mrKQIUPAIoE/b.3619331/siteapps/teampage/ShowPage.aspx?c=mrKQIUPAIoE&b=3619331&sid=arKJK0NMLjLRJ2OGIsE

Thank you in advance for any donations or words of encouragement you can offer me and/or our team.


Susan

What I've been doing the last three months

I know, I know- I haven't been posting on my blog. I've been busy with so much lately that I haven't been able to find the time... but I'm going to TRY to start writing more often. Sooooo- here's what has happened in my/our lives since I last wrote in March....

1. My Grandma Hembree had knee replacement surgery and was moved into a Nursing Home. Though this may not seem like too much- it was a lot for the entire family. My Grandma is 87 and having knee replacement surgery was a VERY big deal. She had her surgery on "Good Friday" and everything went well. She didn't deal with the pain medication very well mentally (she made some very random phone calls telling family members that she had been kidnapped) so James and I visited her every day in the hospital. After she was moved to the Nursing Home- I visited her twice a week after work. I enjoyed our visits and got her hear some great stories of "When I was your age...." I love my chats with Grandma Hembree and so does James.
*** Update is that she's doing well and has been walking and was moved recently into Assisted Living- which is a great hurdle for her... I know that she was struggling with therapy.

2. Sieben (our dog) had a minor surgery. This is really no big deal and maybe not even worth mentioning- but she's my "baby" and I struggled a little because she was acting very odd and got very sick. She had two abscessed teeth which caused her to be in a great deal of pain and not eat. We didn't even know what the issue was because sometimes she does get into a mood where she won't eat. But she started throwing up a lot... and losing a lot of weight. Then- one morning we woke up and her cheek was about as big as a golf ball. So- I panicked and made a vet appointment that day and we got her teeth pulled. She had some recovery where she didn't want to eat... but a month later, she's back to normal and hyper as ever.

3. We traveled to Milwaukee to see James' folks for Mothers' Day. The weather was gorgeous and we had a wonderful visit. The drive is the worst part (7 hours one way). We drove Friday after work and arrived at midnight. We woke up on Saturday and went to the Botanical Gardens- which was really pretty. We went so early in the season that it would be great to go back in the late summer and see all the other flowers and plants that we're up in the Spring. We had a lovely dinner on a beautiful Restaurant which was right on Lake Michigan- we got to experience a gorgeous sunset. Then we all went to church together the next morning (Pentecost Sunday) and enjoyed a lovely service together. I just love James parents and always enjoy our visits!!!!

4. James experienced another Dive Tragedy. Bill Prince (one of his fellow divers) passed away in early May. Bill was not only a diver but had several boats and took many SCUBA Divers out in Lake Michigan through his charters. James has been on his boats several times- out of Milwaukee once and took a week like trip with him last summer out of White Peak Michigan. It was a terrible loss and quite surprising to all the Divers that we know. These accidents don't happen very often (you rarely hear of them)- but to have TWO deaths to James friends in six months is really tough. James hasn't talked much about it with me- but I know that it was difficult. He told me that other day that he knows that he has a dangerous hobby- but he loves it. So, you can't argue much with that. I know that he's trained to dive and only dives with buddies who are trained and safe- so I just have to trust that he will be fine and let him enjoy his life. It would be much harder to fight with him and be scared all the time...

5. I signed up for the Becker "fast pass" Review Course in order to prepare for the CPA Exam. It started in early May and goes until July 31st. I go up to Akron University on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights from 5:30 to 9:30PM. The material hasn't been too tough- but the schedule is brutal. I go to work from 7AM to 4:30PM and then straight to class. I'm lucky if I get home by 10PM. Most nights I'm in bed by 11:00PM. It's been really tough on me and James- but it's only for the summer and going to be one of the best things I even did when I get my CPA.

6. Last but not least... I'm not even sure if I should share this or not, but I'm excited. James and I have decided to start a family. For those of you who know me and James- this is AMAZING!! When James and I got married James didn't want kids and I was only 50/50 about having kids. We love our dog- and were happy with that. But, something changed in both of us this year and we have decided to plan for our future and have kids. Of course this isn't going to happen right away, especially with me taking classes and him traveling with SCUBA every weekend, but we hope in the next year or so to be able to make an "announcement."

Well, I know this is a lot of information (and sorry- no pics this time)... but I wanted to be sure that everyone was caught up. It has been a crazy few months and probably will continue to be- but who isn't busy and running around like a "chicken with their head cut off"?

Hugs to all friends and family. I hope that I can get in touch and catch up soon. I hope that you all enjoy a wonderful summer!!!!

Seven things you may or may not know about me

Denise has "tagged" me- so I have to list 7 things- interesting or wierd or random- about me... then I have to list 7 people at the end who are "tagged" and have to do the same (that might be the tough part because I don't know seven people who have blogs).

So.... here it goes-

Random fact #1 (that I think most of you already know):

I am a fraternal twin. No only am I a twin, but my brother Steve and I are POLAR OPPOSITES!! I don't know one person in the whole world that I'm more different than- other than my twin brother. I hate to get dirty and I work in an office every day, he loves getting dirty and works in a factory as a welder (hands always have some sort of grease on them). He smokes a pack a day, and I can't stand the smell of cigarette smoke. I drive an Audi which has to be in top working condition and have a full of gas at all times (I'm a freak like that)- he drives an old pick-up truck that has had the "check engine" light on for about 6 months now (at least!) It's so funny how two people who were born at the same time and raised by the same parents are so different (the list could go on and on)- but he's a blast and a great person... so maybe we are alike.

Random fact #2

My husband, James and I starting dating after we met eachother at work. Though I think most of you know this fact as well- what most of you probably don't know is that I met with the Controller and General Manager to inform them of James and I getting serious and told them "If this is going to be a problem- then we'll have to talk about my last day at PCC." Not only did I know that James was "the one"- but I knew that I was willing to risk my job for him. I kept my job at PCC- and we both still work there- but it has been difficult from day one because we always seem to end up talking about work when we get home. And- eventhough we work at the same place, we don't carpool. James still rides with Chuck to work every day. No matter how much you love someone- you can't spend 24 hours with them.

Random fact #3

My Junior year in college, when I was in Student Government Association, our group went to University of Tennessee for the day to meet with their SGA. The SGA from U.T. took us on a tour of the campus- and when we went into the Field House, we saw Payton Manning practicing. The guy giving us the tour knew Payton, so he took us over and introduced him to us. It was pretty cool. I'm not a football fan- but I knew who he was!! It was a very cool experience (I know that Becky is probably STILL mad about missing this one!)

Random fact #4

I am half Scottish. My great-great grandfather came over to America from Scotland (Albert Stewart). The most interesting thing to me about this fact is that we still have Scottish family reunions where family members wear the "Stewart tartan," play bagpipes and some of our extended family members know the Scottish dances. It's actually a very cool family reunion and I enjoy hearing the bagpipes every year. My older brother Bryan enjoys the bagpipes so much that he talked Lisa into having our cousin Nancy (who knows how to play the bagpipes) walk them up the aisle after saying their vows at their wedding.

These last three- James suggested for me (as signs of my "wierdness")

Random fact #5

I put my deodorant on the "wrong way." I move the deodorant stick from side-to-side rather than up-and-down. I never knew that I was "doing it wrong" until I got married. I guess that I'm supposed to move the deodorant stick up-and-down so that I cover more area and cover up the stinkiness... but I just can't do it the other way. James stops and makes a comment almost every single morning- but I've been "doing it wrong" for 32 years now... and I can't even make my wrist go the other way. So strange. I guess you'll have to sniff before you come too close- just in case I didn't cover the stiny areas correctly.

Random fact #6

If a light is "off"- then the light switch must be down. We have several light switches in our new house where most times there are two light switches for the same area (hall ways, kitchen, bedroom, garage, etc). There are times when James will turn on the light at one switch and then turn it off at the other switch.... this is enough to drive a woman insane!! If he turns it on at one switch and then turns it off at the other switch, then both switches are pointing up- but the light is off!! I run around the house after he leaves sometimes and "fix the switches." I finally fessed up one day (after he caught me running around fixing the switches) that this was a major issue. Funny thing is that James was making fun of me one day at a family party- and we quickly found out that both of my brothers must have their light switches the same way as I obsess about. Up is on, down is off.

Random fact #7

I must have the sound of a fan on while I sleep at night. I don't know when this started, but I have to have a fan sound or some type of "white noise" in order to sleep. I have the hardest time when I travel because I just can't get my mind to stop racing- I have to focus on the sound of James breathing or the furnace turning off and on. James has been a good sport and put up with my fan running at night- he just hopes it stops when we have kids so I can hear the baby crying. We'll see...

I don't have seven friends with blogs, but I do have friends with My Spaces, Facebook, etc (I'll figure out the links later)

Jen Barcus, Tim Barcus, Karen Ollis, Kristine Rohrer, Kate Kuhlmann, Krista Belcher, Kerri Shold

I blew out my candles- and now I'm THREE

Marissa's Birthday party was this weekend!! She had a "Princess Theme." It was a wonderful party- everyone had a great time.

Even though Marissa's actual birthday was on Tuesday, she was convinced that she didn't turn THREE until she blew out her candles!

Below is a picture of her cake and also a cup cake tree that Lisa decorated which was awesome!!

Marissa loves playing dress up- and usually wants to dress as a princess. She loves changing from one dress to another... and continued the tradition throughout her party. James and I counted NINE outfit changes during the Birthday celebration... below are the ones we got on camera- she looks so cute and had so much fun!!!!

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY MARISSA- WE LOVE YOU!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR

James and I enjoyed our Christmas celebrations with both the Lewis family & Moseley family- below are some pics...

We celebrated with my Mom, Dad, Grandma Hembree, Bryan, Lisa, Abby, Marissa, Steve, April, Audra, Sklar and Clayton (and Audra's boyfriend Jake). We ate lots of food and open TONS of gifts!! We all had a great time.

James and I drove up to Wisconsin Dells to enjoy Christmas with the Moseley family the weekend before Christmas. We made cookies and enjoyed lots of sled riding. Above is a picture of James, me, Sophie, Ellie (mom), Ben, Bill, Julia and Harry (dad)- and of course Lacey!!

We enjoy the Holidays and love traveling to spend time with everyone- but we are also happy to be home!! Merry Christmas (a little late) and Happy New Year!!

ALL THE BEST IN 2008

THANKSGIVING

This year James and I hosted the Family Thanksgiving Dinner- which included 16 people (James and I, his parents, my parents, Grandma Hembree, Steve, April & kids and Bryan, Lisa & kids- also there was Sieben and Lacy... the dogs)- it was a full house!!

Here is a picture of James' dad (Harry) taking the turkey out of the oven. Notice how close Lacy is to the turkey... she was very interested!

Next is a picture of the dining room table set (we had to use two tables this year). We used James' Grandpa's china and I bought new tablecloths and napkins.

James' parents stayed with us the entire weekend. Ellie and I went shopping and made cookies and got to catch up on all the family stories. James and his dad spent time building a new work bench in the basement... here are a few pictures.

James and I both enjoyed having family over and being able to have Thanksgiving Dinner in our House!