April 18

I know we are a few days past April 18... but it was a good day. After all, it is my birthday. So I decided to take a look at other things that have happened on April 18th in history - as well as any holidays (real or bizarre) for that day.

In History

• In 1775, Paul Revere made his famous ride from Charlestown to Lexington, Ma., shouting "the Red Coats are coming" as the American Revolutionary War begins.
• In 1880, an F4 tornado strikes Marshfield, Missouri, killing 99 people
• In 1902, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala is destroyed by an earthquake
• In 1906, the Great San Francisco earthquake hit, killing 700 people.
• In 1923, Yankee Stadium opens
• In 1924, Simon & Schuster publish the first crossword puzzle book
• In 1981, the longest professional baseball game is begun in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The game is suspended at 4:00 the next morning and finally completed on June 23.

Famous Birthdays (aside from me... LOL)

• Actress Barbara Hale (1922)
• Actress Haley Mills (1946)
• Actor Rick Moranis (1953)
• Talk Show Host Conan O'Brien (1963)

Famous Deaths

• English Judge Julius Caesar (1636)
• German physicist Albert Einstein (1955)
• American Host & Businessman Dick Clark (2012)
• American Author KD Wentworth (2012)

Holidays

• Army Day (Iran)
• Christian Feast Day
• Independence Day (Zimbabwe)
• International Juggler's Day
• National Columnists Day

PUPPIES!!

Little Bebe Magoo, who we bred with my Hamlet, is having her puppies today! When I last talked to her Mama on the phone, she had 5 little pups. All are doing well so far. :)

RIP

I know I haven't posted in a while. Since losing Leslie, the family has been through other ups and downs. On Feb 16, we lost my cousin, Josh Adams. He was 29 years old.

On Feb 23, my husband lost his cousin, Swift Spaulding, at the age of 51.

In the early morning hours yesterday, April 22, we lost my cousin Brandon Duprie. He was 21. What is horribly tragic is Josh and Brandon were direct cousins - Josh's mom and Brandon's dad are brother and sister.

Over the weekend, I found a card that Leslie sent me when I was sick in August with the flu. I've been really missing her. Just remember to hold on to your loved ones - let them know how you feel! Never waste a moment!! In the blink of an eye, it could all be gone.

My Leslie

Words cannot describe this horrendous loss of such a special person. While I love all of my friends and family unconditionally, Leslie had a special place in my heart. She had such a huge heart that she wanted to share to the world.
The media reports are making me angry. So many assumptions about Leslie, about the family, about Nick. We are united and we all have to grieve in our own ways. It's human nature. I wish the press would just let us grieve - let anyone who has lost someone grieve. What is it? Because it is a celebrity, the family doesn't mourn the same? I'm no celebrity and I can honestly say - we are all grieving this loss. So don't judge Leslie, or Michael Jackson, or Heath Ledger, or anyone by what is said in the media. You only hear partial "truth."
I love you Leslie - we all do. I couldn't even put my makeup on this morning without crying. I had memories of you doing my hair and makeup at Grampa's house for his play. You had such an impact on me and I wish I could have done more for you.

Rest in Peace Leslie.

Yesterday was the big day -- David turned 18. 18! Can you believe it? It's hard for me to think that I have an 18 year old. Where did the time go? It was mainly a quiet day as it was a Tuesday. I made him dinner - his choice. Anisa came and had dinner wiht us. We watched a movie - his choice. :) And Anisa made him an ice cream cake that was soooo yummy. Now I just need to tackle his graduation from high school.

I started at the gym last week. Down almost 10 pounds! I missed the stretch class today :( My personal trainer I am sure will give me hell about it tomorrow. I'll do my cardio when I get home today. I have to keep myself motivated.

I am missing Alex quite a bit. He's doing really well though and I am proud of him. He's going to try to go to the Naval Academy for a week this summer. He had the 2nd highest PSAT score at his school and his Colonel recommended he try to go.

Gonna keep my pugs... which makes me happy. I love my babies... they keep my going, keep my laughing... it may sound silly... but if it does, that just means you haven't owned a dog, especially a pug. :D

Whine Fest

Been a lot on my mind lately. Feel the need to write... just not writing what I should be writing.
David had a great visit with his dad and brother. It makes me sad that the time has come for all of us to start going our separate ways. David just started his last semester of high school. He graduates in May and will be moving on to Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. I am so very proud of him, but the idea of not seeing him every day is hard. I love my kids. It's been hard enough not having Alex here with me anymore. I miss him very much.
Steve tells me that the empty nest thing is a good thing... but i'm not feeling like that yet. I know it will be.... But I have spent so much of my life caring for these boys.... I know that they will always need me, even when they don't want to need me. But I'm just not ready for David to be gone yet.
and then Steve talks about how he's all about making sure other people have a chance at success. Yet, I have found that this is only towards coworkers.... my children don't fit into the desire of success. And that makes me sad and angry too. I know he is not their father, but I was kinda hoping he'd take a small part of the job a little more to heart.
I'm thinking of selling my pugs. Which breaks my heart. They are my babies. But it is just too much. Ariel tries to attack Bambie which doesn't end well for Ariel. Sanders and Prospero get picked on all the time by all the dogs. So I am going to get Ariel spayed and then find a home for her and Hamlet. And then find a home for Pros and Sanders.
and myboss is moving to Switzerland. And that makes me happy for him, but sad for me. I'm not sure where this is going to take me. Technically he will still be my boss. And I dotted line report to 3 other people. I just don't get a good feeling about where I'll be in a few months. Not unelss Theo can work some magic and get me moved into an SAP security role. Application security is what I want to do. And I can do that from anywhere.
Just a lot to take in at one time.

Gerianne & Heather

Been thinking about these 2 friends a lot lately. Maybe it is because my 20 year high school reunion took place, even though I did not attend. Gerianne was one of my best friends through Jr High and High School. She had the most beautiful smile and laugh. She was always there for me. I used to drive to her house in the mornings so we could drive to school together in our Senior year. She was born in Seattle on June 20, 1973 but died of an aneurysm on May 18, 2003. She was only 29 years old.


Heather I was introduced to in 1997 by my friend Robert. We quickly became close and I loved her dearly. I only wish I had more pictures of her and I don't have anything digital. She died in a car accident in 2005. Her mom died in the accident too. She was a wonderful person who cared deeply for others. There is actually a scholarship that has been created under her name... that is how wonderful she was. It is the Heather Chapman Young Memorial Scholarship


So Heather and Gerianne - I love you both and you are not forgotten.