Kim's World

Rock Lobster

2010-10-01T06:26:00.000-07:00

No, not the song, but the one Dennis caught while fishing! Looks good and he said it tasted very good. Wish I had been there to share it...Maybe next time.

Where does the time go?

2010-06-03T18:33:00.000-07:00

How did he go from this...

to this dirty little Bam Bam to...

this awkward young teen to...

to my wonderful, handsome son...graduate of 2010 on 4 June? I am proud of you, Tommy (or is it Thomas?). I love you.

Happy Birthday to Cole

2010-05-07T05:48:00.000-07:00

Today is the day I gave birth to a wonderful baby boy. He is now entering the "teens." I just find that hard to believe!

2010-02-26T09:53:00.000-08:00

What a great day. Many of us missed it, but we were there in spirit. Many more happy years to come. Good luck in Germany.

Happy 2nd Anniversary, Kimberly and Larry

2010-02-26T08:34:00.000-08:00

Birthday card from Cole...he's 12, remember!!!

2009-08-26T15:37:00.000-07:00

Second day of school

2009-08-25T14:14:00.000-07:00

This is how a teacher feels after the 2nd day of school, trying to learn more names than ever before!!!

Kimberly and Larry

2009-07-18T17:23:00.001-07:00

Off To Camp!!!

2009-07-12T07:42:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all who helped fund her camp trip. She is so excited.

Summer Projects

2009-07-06T05:22:00.000-07:00

Shadow Box is hung!!!

2009-07-01T04:38:00.000-07:00

Cole, Austin, Samantha, and Breann

ZoomAir

2009-06-24T03:55:00.001-07:00

The kids really enjoyed this. It was very hot and when the sisters go to do it, I am bringing my camel back! Must have water with me at all times.

2009-06-17T04:06:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday, Kathi!!!

Wish I could help you celebrate.

Love you.

2009-06-10T15:42:00.000-07:00

Murals in the subway station. Not all of them have designs, but they are very pretty and interesting to be at a station that does decorate.

New York Subway Designs

2009-06-10T05:24:00.001-07:00

These are some of the designs in the New York subway tunnels.

Rain and the road

2009-06-08T13:17:00.000-07:00

I hope this video comes out. Tommy was not exaggerating when he said the road was not visible. It isn't visible now, either.

Here's a picture of Larry

2009-06-01T13:29:00.000-07:00

Sorry, Larry, it's the only one I could find.

Happy birthday!!!

Happy Birthday, Larry

2009-06-01T12:28:00.000-07:00

I don't have a picture with me, but I wanted everyone to know that it is Larry's birthday. He was given a wonderful birthday present. The honor of going to France to take part in a ceremony at Normandy. Who could ask for anything more on their birthday? We are proud of you, Larry.

Happy Birthday, Leesha

2009-05-31T02:41:00.000-07:00

I don't know how my children have gotten so much older than me!

Leesha was born on 31 May or 1 June. We were given the choice because it was at midnight. It did help that she was born at home on Cadiz Street, in San Diego. She has been a joy to have around and I miss her, but will see her on the Disney Cruise.

Have a great day, Leesha. I love you.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg, VA

2009-05-15T06:03:00.000-07:00

Before I left for Kuwait in 2007, we went to Busch Gardens. It was the week before Halloween. These were some of the weird people we saw.

Dennis, Samantha, Kimberly

Cole, Breann, Tommy

2009-05-11T04:19:00.000-07:00

This is what I received from Johnathan. It was a big surprise since he is out on the water somewhere. Thank you, Johnathan. I love you and can't wait to see you.

2009-05-10T05:56:00.000-07:00

This is to all mother's, aunt's, and grandmother's out there. Have a wonderful day.

Family Fun

2009-05-09T08:35:00.001-07:00

Did the "Any Way You Can 5K" today. Dennis and the kids rode their bikes, which is why no pictures of them, and I ran. 3.12 miles in 36:50. The clock doesn't lie. The man who ran/walked with me is George. A lifetime member of Weight Watchers.

We were given coupons for Chick-fil-A and they enjoyed it. I came home and made a wonderful egg sandwich.

The happy family arrived at home and Tommy took a picture of all of us.

What a wonderful morning! I can't wait for the next one.

Digging the hole for the junk!

2009-05-08T10:49:00.000-07:00

Not to long ago, we rented this machine to bury ashes and various junk. It seemed like almost everyone had to have a go at it. I know Johnathan did it, too, but I couldn't find the picture of him. It was the one I posted on his birthday. Tommy.

Kimberly

Tom

No introduction needed for the man above!!!

Dennis

Tennis Banquet 2009

2009-05-06T04:06:00.000-07:00

My handsome son! We had a very good meal at the banquet. Not really sure what they were looking at. Maybe the coach, trying to get him to hurry up. Both boys and girls coaches were long winded, but very nice.

What would a picture of Tommy be without bunny ears?

Did get him to be serious and take a nice picture.

View from the London Eye

2009-04-30T12:44:00.000-07:00

While in London, I went on the London Eye, twice! What a view of the city. If you ever get to London, do the Eye.

Happy Birthday, Johnathan

2009-04-24T09:28:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it? My little boy is 24. I bet Mum and Dad, Tammy, and Aunt Betty remember this day well. Don't ever have surgery with Aunt Betty around. Hurts the stomach!!! Love you, Johnathan.

New York City 2007

2009-04-24T04:15:00.000-07:00

This is the view from our hotel room and the odd way we had to look out the window to see it!

Who doesn't recognize "Gum, Gum?" If you don't, go rent, "Night at the Museum." Very funny.

2009-04-16T04:26:00.000-07:00

I might have shown this before, but I love laughning at the camel and thought it might make your day, too. The sights you see on the roads in Kuwait!!!

2009-04-10T14:12:00.000-07:00

We braved the Sky Hike at Stone Mountain. Cole and I made it to the 4th level. Had a good time.

2009-04-10T11:35:00.000-07:00

We went to Stone Mountain and had a really good time. I didn't know that I had a tree hugger until this trip.

Tommy's match and the hawk

2009-04-02T13:57:00.000-07:00

I went to Tommy's match today. He said I jinxed him because he lost. Then he said that wasn't it, the other guy was a good player. He ended the season 5-1. Not bad for someone who just started last season.

The hawk keeps coming back and no, I don't have a great lens, I was just that close. Don't you just love the yellow house in the background?

Breann's new bike

2009-03-24T17:12:00.001-07:00

Breann says "Thank you" to all who helped her buy a bike for her birthday. She is enjoying it.

Alligator Farm 2009

2009-03-19T15:43:00.000-07:00

They had fun.

Field trip to Alligator Farm

2009-03-19T05:47:00.000-07:00

Dennis and Breann are heading to the farm in St. Augustine today. I sent a camera, but I am not sure what that means. Instructed them to bring back many pictures. I will post them, if I have some, tonight.

Kuwait - 2004

2009-03-18T05:44:00.000-07:00

A few pictures of a sandstorm we had to endure while working at the port, loading ships. You can see it coming and you run for cover. It isn't all sandstorms, though. Kuwait City was very nice. Malls, restuarants, Harley Davidson stores. You name it, they probably have it.

2009-03-12T12:46:00.000-07:00

Alabama X
Alaska X
Arizona X
Arkansas
California XO
Colorado X
Connecticut X
Delaware X
Florida XO
Georgia XO
Hawaii X
Idaho X
Illinois XO
Indiana X
Iowa X
Kansas
Kentucky X
Louisiana X
Maine X
Maryland X
Massachusetts X
Michigan X
Minnesota X
Mississippi X
Missouri X
Montana X
Nebraska X
Nevada X
New Hampshire XO
New Jersey X
New Mexico X
New York XO ( I live in Brooklyn, at the Navy Station)
North Carolina X
North Dakota
Ohio X
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania XO
Rhode Island X
South Carolina X
South Dakota X
Tennessee X
Texas X
Utah X
Vermont X
Virginia X
Washington
West Virginia X
Wisconsin X
Wyoming X

44 states that I've visited, 7 States that I've lived in

Just a few facts:
I was stationed on a ship and went to Hawaii, Guam, and the Philippines. I lived in Sardinia, Italy for almost 4 years. I have been to Canada, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Iceland, Spain, France, England (where I lived and worked during an internship as a teacher for 3 weeks), Ireland, Germany, Turkey, Kuwait, Iraq, and Qatar.

Clay High Car Wash

2009-03-07T14:16:00.000-08:00

The Clay High Tennis team had a car wash today. Tommy doesn't wash, he holds signs! They raise money to support the team and go to away meets. Tommy won his matches yesterday. He was very proud.

2009-02-26T10:53:00.000-08:00

Our school is going to Teaming/Inclusion next school year. Our principal sent us this article. I wanted to share it with everyone.

There are many different aspects that live inside of us and two of them I respectfully dubbed the Dreamer and Doubter. When it comes to pursuing our dreams, The Dreamer is often gung ho while the Doubter can provide a laundry list of concerns and issues.
After a speech in Rome, a woman with a beautiful accent asked me to tell her one of my personal dreams. Assuming I'd never see her again, I decided to share a dream I had never spoken out loud, one I had kept such a good secret that even I was beginning to forget it.
"My dream is to spend the summer writing in the Greek Islands," I said all in one breath.
She handed me her card and replied, "I have a villa in Greece. Why don't you come as my guest?"
I was floored and reminded that amazing things happen when we share our dreams. I was elated, or more accurately, part of me was. Here's a peek inside my head. See if this kind of interchange sounds familiar.

Dreamer: I am so excited!
Doubter: Not me. I don't like this at all. It's far away and could be dangerous.
Dreamer: Nonsense. This is my dream handed to me on a silver platter.Doubter/Realist (they're close cousins): Who is going to run your business while you're away?
Dreamer: My fabulous team whom I completely trust.Doubter: Well, how's it going to look to your clients that you are out of the country for three months?
Dreamer: I think as a Dream Coach, it's going to look pretty good.

When you are stuck, procrastinating or worrying, chances are your Doubter has taken over. If ignored, it can sabotage your dreams. So how do you deal with it? Turn the volume down a notch and the Doubter simply becomes the Realist, the part that wants to know where the time and money will come from for your venture.
But before you turn down the Doubter, hear from it. It will give you valuable information such as a list of obstacles that you can manage later. Freedom comes as you appreciate its wisdom and insight rather than judging it as the enemy.
If you never deal with your doubt and you meet another Doubter on the road, their doubt will magnify yours. However, if you have worked with your own doubt, next time a Doubter challenges you, by contrast it will be the opportunity to deepen your commitment and conviction to your dream.

2009-02-11T15:36:00.000-08:00

1. Started your own blog.
2. Slept under the stars.
3. Played in a band.
4. Visited Hawaii.
5. Watched a meteor shower.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disney World (that’s the one in Florida).
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis.
10. Sang a solo.
11. Bungee jumped.
12. Visited Paris.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.
15. Adopted a child.
16. Had food poisoning.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.
18. Grown your own vegetables.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France.
20. Slept on an overnight train.
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Hitch hiked.
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not sick.
24. Built a snow fort.
25. Held a lamb.
26. Gone skinny dipping.
27. Run a marathon.
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice.
29. Seen a total eclipse.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset.
31. Hit a home run.
32. Been on a cruise.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.
35. Seen an Amish community.
36. Taught yourself a new language.
37. Had enough money to truly be satisfied.
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person.
39. Gone rock climbing.
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David.
41. Sung karaoke.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant.
44. Visited Africa.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.
46. Been transported in an ambulance. (I was an escort for Samantha)
47. Had your portrait painted.
48. Gone deep sea fishing.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling.
52. Kissed in the rain.
53. Played in the mud.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater.
55. Been in a movie.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China.
57. Started a business.
58. Taken a martial arts class.
59. Visited Russia.
60. Served in a soup kitchen.
61. Sold Girl Scout cookies.
62. Gone whale watching.
63. Gotten flowers for no reason.
64. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma.
65. Gone sky diving.
66. Visited a Nazi concentration camp.
67. Bounced a check. (NSF)
68. Flown in a helicopter.
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial.
71. Eaten caviar.
72. Pieced a quilt.
73. Stood in Times Square.
74. Toured the Everglades.
75. Been fired from a job.
76. Seen the changing of the guards in London.
77. Broken a bone.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person.
80. Published a book. (Does it count to be published in a magazine?)
81. Been to the Vatican.
82. Bought a brand new car.
83. Walked in Jerusalem.
84. Had your picture in the paper.
85. Read the entire Bible.
86. Visited the White House.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (watched my dad do this, does that count?).
88. Had Chicken pox.
89. Saved someone’s life. (I delivered life saving vehicles to Iraq, does this count?)
90. Sat on a jury.
91. Met someone famous.
92. Joined a book club.
93. Lost a loved one.
94. Had a baby.
95. Seen the Alamo in person.
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake.
97. Been involved in a lawsuit.
98. Owned a cell phone.
99. Been stung by a bee.
100. Read an entire book in one day.

The hawk came back!

2009-02-03T16:46:00.000-08:00

I think this is the same hawk that we saw last week. Notice how close I got to it. Such a beautiful bird.

2009-02-02T13:38:00.000-08:00

This beautiful hawk was on the wires in the front when we arrived home. No one scared him away, even though we were as close as we could get.

2009-01-29T13:53:00.000-08:00

Coles arm. The purple is where the doctor had to initial. He must be allergic to the tape because he is all red and ichy where it was on his skin.

2009-01-22T03:47:00.000-08:00

We went to Panera last Saturday. Everyone enjoyed the food and fun. Notice the boy. I think the girls were picking on him.

We put the microwave over the oven. Now, if we could just get new cupboards and counters! Taking it slowly. Waiting for small child to get bigger and stop putting so much weight on the doors.

2009-01-16T04:01:00.000-08:00

I think our trip will be delayed until nice weather comes our way, so we are going to Starbucks for hot chocolate. I think the kids will enjoy that. Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

2009-01-11T12:03:00.000-08:00

After hearing that this park has make your own pancakes at the Sugar Mill, we have changed our trip from Manatee Springs to DeLeon Springs. The manatees will have to wait a couple of weeks. Here is the web site for our new choice. Can't wait for the pancakes!

http://www.floridastateparks.org/deleonsprings/default.cfm

2009-01-11T07:22:00.000-08:00

After reading Lauri's blog, it reminded me that while I was in Kuwait, I made a list of things to do when I got home. One of them was to see Florida. Next Saturday, we are heading to Manatee Springs. I am very excited. I hope the weather cooperates! Will post pictures following the trip.
http://www.floridastateparks.org/manateesprings/default.cfm

Those darn roosters!

2009-01-05T13:57:00.000-08:00

Not only do I have roosters at night keeping me awake, my portable is now being invaded by them! Look closely and you'll see a "Fred" looking guy. I thought I was safe at school.

Josie is very happy!

2009-01-03T13:15:00.000-08:00

We have finished the fence and Josie is just so happy! She was running around and playing with the kids. I hope she never finds a way out.

Helped Tom move furniture!

2009-01-03T06:08:00.000-08:00

Can you believe it! Our host put us to work after the lunch party! No, we volunteered to help him move his bedroom to the other one because it would be less noisy and less light from the windows. We did a pretty good job, don't you think? Before anyone asks, we didn't forget Breann somewhere, she was at her friend Megan's house. She must have known she would get put to work! Hope you sleep well in the new room, Tom.

2009-01-03T05:59:00.000-08:00

I just started in October, but here are my 3 from 2008:

1. Last weekend we camped in the back yard.
2. We saw many beautiful sunrises and this was no exception.
3. The Eiffel Tower was very tall.

Visit to Tom's apartment

2009-01-03T05:32:00.001-08:00

Yesterday, we had the honor of going to Tom's new apartment for his first lunch party. He was such a wonderful host.

2008-12-31T02:25:00.000-08:00

The Eiffel Tower was very tall. You can go all the way to the top. I enjoyed the view from the top.

This little guy was at the London Zoo. The penguin exhibit was so much fun to see. This was the only place I'd ever seen penguins that weren't behind a big sheet of glass.

2008-12-24T06:06:00.000-08:00

Samantha and I had a good time making the apple pie. If it isn't good, it's Samantha's fault!!!
See you soon.

2008-12-14T14:12:00.000-08:00

Had a really good time out at the park. Can you spot Sami?

2008-12-06T15:21:00.000-08:00

I came across this picture while going through a bunch of them. Did anyone but me not get this? If you want one, just let me know. There is a whole pile of them.

2008-12-06T03:52:00.000-08:00

In the summer of 2003, I had the pleasure of going to Siciliy. These are pictures of Mount Etna and the distruction that it cause in an eruption a few years back.

What a way to wake up. A room full of lava.

2008-12-01T02:41:00.000-08:00

These were pictures from last year. The trees and stockings were compliments of Mum and Tammy. It cheered us up to see them everyday. We even hid the keys to the office in the stockings. It was fun trying to find those keys in a different stocking everyday. Merry Christmas.

2008-11-26T05:22:00.000-08:00

Today you will see all the famous people that were in London when I was. Some of them look more real than others, but it was fun to see them.

2008-11-25T09:04:00.000-08:00

More pictures of my time in London. The sign tells it all.

2008-11-25T06:43:00.000-08:00

Saw all these lanterns while walking around Disneyland in Paris. Thought they were pretty.

2008-11-25T05:43:00.000-08:00

While in London, I visited the British Museum. These pieces of art were made of weapon pieces. They were very interesting.

2008-11-16T11:05:00.000-08:00

Johnathan and Jessica

Can you believe that I had 5 kids in the house at one time? It's been a long time since that's happened. Maybe I will have them all again in the future.

2008-11-14T18:52:00.000-08:00

We saw this t-shirt in Chicago when we went up for Johnathan's boot camp graduation. Thought it was interesting.

And here they are. The first time Kimberly and Tommy saw real snow.

2008-11-14T18:04:00.000-08:00

One of the cities in Kuwait. Out in the middle of nowhere, but such a big place. Not sure what its name is.

I took this at the Marina Mall on the water walkway. It is a view of Kuwait City. Very modern and beautiful.

2008-11-14T04:14:00.000-08:00

How could I have forgotten the prettiest girl in the family?

2008-11-14T03:57:00.001-08:00

Everyone loved the birds, except Samantha!

Hey, Kathi, bet you didn't know we went to Australia last weekend, too! Okay, maybe it was just the Brevard Zoo, but we had fun!

2008-11-13T11:38:00.000-08:00

While doing my internship for my Master's, I was able to spend 3 weeks in London at a school teaching. As you can see, it was not all teaching. The sights were beautiful. This is the London Eye. a great 30 minute ride for those who want to brave the heights in a capsule.

2008-11-09T17:47:00.000-08:00

We saw many beautiful sunrises and this was no exception. I hope we are all able to go next time.

We didn't know who they were, but decided their names were Trey and Carrie. We had a very nice story made up about them and I think we had the kids believing that we knew them.

2008-10-19T04:41:00.000-07:00

Just a few pictures from our summer vacation. We had a lot of fun. Wish we had more time.

2008-10-13T17:17:00.000-07:00

Here are the Christmas butter carvings. I don't know what an elephant has to do with Christmas, so just don't ask!!

2008-10-13T16:51:00.000-07:00

This was our golf cart. The guys fought over who would drive out to pick up the balls!

We had to make fun somehow and golf seemed like the thing to do at one of our barbeques.

2008-10-13T16:45:00.000-07:00

Not a place Mum wanted me to go, but it was quite an experience and possibly one of the most important things I have ever done. There was a sand storm this day, but those Russian's don't let anything bother their flights.

2008-10-13T16:22:00.000-07:00

I know you are thinking to yourself, "Is that really a butter carving?" Well, yes, they all are. I will try to find the rest. Those TCN's, what will they think of next?

2008-10-12T16:03:00.000-07:00

One of the many signs that makes you think twice or laugh! It says, "Speed Short Way to Prison or Death." Very true if you saw the accidents I saw. At least one a day!

Do you think they were serious?

This was one of the coldest days in Kuwait. It is about 28 F. Very cold.

A beautiful sunset in the desert.

2008-10-11T17:19:00.000-07:00

We "Walked for the Cure" this morning. Isn't this a happy looking bunch!? We started at the Kennel Club in Orange Park, (where they bet on dogs), and walked by the St. Johns River. What a beautiful walk. After the walk, we took the kids to La Napolara, a Mexican resturant. We came home and worked on the fence for Josie. Had a good day.

2008-10-10T13:51:00.000-07:00

Taken right before we left for the dining out. That was also when we found out that Dennis was going to Virginia before OIF started. We sure do clean up nice!

What a cute bunch of kids! They look like orphans, but happy orphans!

Found this picture today. How cute she was!

2008-10-09T16:42:00.000-07:00

One of the bases we went to during our time over there.

This is the stage that so many performers use when they come over. It is also where the

POTUS said his 3 minute speech. Took over a month to set everything up and seemed like a let down to have such a short speech.

2008-10-09T16:36:00.000-07:00

Hopefully this sign will be true for 7 straight.

One of the many sights one can see in Kuwait on the way to work.

2008-10-08T03:40:00.000-07:00

The Pearl is a symbol of Doha, Qatar. The big warehouse with huge tents is where the guys slept while on R & R. The women slept in warehouses, but we had rooms with about 14 other women.

2008-10-07T16:11:00.000-07:00

This is the boat we went on for the day. Very relaxing. At the back end of the boat, they barbeque your lunch.

2008-10-07T16:09:00.000-07:00

One of the funny signs in Qatar.

2008-10-07T16:06:00.000-07:00

This was in Doha, Qatar. I went here for R & R and had so much fun. There was a lot of sightseeing and relaxation. It ended and we had to go back to work, but it was worth the time and effort to get there.

2008-10-07T15:02:00.000-07:00

Samantha put Blu in Dennis' arms last night and he didn't move. Just fell asleep the way she dropped him off.

2008-10-05T12:53:00.000-07:00

Today I worked on the posts for the chainlink fence. I have them in and next weekend we will put up the fence. Josie will love it. Finally able to be free to run. Hope everyone had a good weekend.

2008-10-03T02:49:00.000-07:00

Tommy doesn't join us very often, but if food is involved, he's there.

Here is Cole, cooking his hot dog. You can see the hamburgers beside his dog. So yummy!

2008-10-02T15:21:00.000-07:00

I did it!!!

2008-10-02T14:47:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we camped in the back yard. We ate hamburgers and hot dogs that were the best ever! They always taste so good over the open campfire. The kids finished it off with smores!