Gram's Place

A boss creates fear, a leader confidence. A boss fixes blame, a leader corrects mistakes. A boss knows all, a leader asks questions. A boss makes work drudgery, a leader makes it interesting. A boss is interested in himself or herself, a leader is interested in the group.

Nothing like a good meme to think of something to blog about right? Amy from the Flege Farm tagged me, so I thought I'd participate. Maybe get the creative mind thinking. (yeah, right, what creative mind) The Pizza Box Meme 1. What was your favorite thing about being a kid? You know those videos of Em I post now and then? Imagine me - with a tape recorder instead of a video camera.... yeah, that was so fun. 2. What was your favorite subject in school? I had a lot of favorite subjects actually. Math with Mr. Flickenger! He was awesome. German with Herr Hoffert. Loved him. And music.... okay, that had to be my all time favorite. 3. Who was your best friend when you were 10? 10? I'm not sure about 10. Chris and I met when we were 11. Unlike some people who lose track of their best friend through the years, Chris and I remained friends all through high school. We were inseparable. And we are still really good friends. She lives 20 minutes away and we don't see each other very o

Do you hear it? Listen real closely... you don't hear it? Okay... stop.... close your eyes.... and listen. Hear it now? Yeah, I thought so. It's beautiful isn't it? A slight whir of the air conditioner .... an ever so light click of the ceiling fan turning.... A little traffic in the distance far off.... Other than that........ silence. And so the School Year Begins.

The year was 1989. My daughter was 2 years old. We were bored. Then, suddenly, I remembered what I did when I was a kid and bored.... and so it began. Passed on from generation to generation... and now, 15 years later, the blanket fort continues.

I can't think of a thing to write so I am going random today... 1. When am I ever going to get my desk completely cleaned off at work? 2. Why doesn't my coffee stay hot enough? 3. I hate insurance companies. They are so much work for me. 4. I'd really like to go home right now. 5. Wouldn't it be amazing if my kids just cleaned the whole house and made supper for me when I get home? 6. WHO in their right mind would want to live with four teenagers and a pre-adolescent? ME! 7. By the way, I LOVE my teenage girls. They are so much fun and they keep me young! 8. I told someone yesterday that I had 19-17-16-14-7 year old girls living in my house and they said "You don't look old enough".... I love that person a lot! :) 9. Tomorrow we are taking the day off and going to the WATER PARK. Whooo Hoooo! 10. I introduced Julia (our german exchange daughter) to Mountain Dew! :)

It's FRIDAY ! Even when life is boring, Fridays are always refreshing! Supper tonight.... Goulash! It's Haleigh's favorite meal ever. And I like it because it's easy to make. We have a load of family here this weekend. My mom from Arizona, my sister and her husband from Washington, and with the exception of one nephew and one niece, it is quite possible that my entire family could be at the same place at the same time. My mom, her five kids, four spouses, 12 grandkids, and 2 great grandkids. you saw an earlier photo of shawn's family reunion... here's mine....

We might go down in the foreign exchange history books as the family who likes to shop. So far this week, we have made two trips to Wally, one shopping trip in a nearby city, and one major shopping mall. Actually, it hasn't even been a week.... only 5 days. crazy.

Wow! No update since July 25th. Holy Calamity Scream Insanity! We got our girl! She came on Saturday, and we ALREADY LOVE her! She is so sweet. She is from Germany, and we have already taught her so many things about Germany that she didn't even know... like what is braunschweiger. Her family is small - one older brother who lives in another city, so it's just her parents and her living in their home. Imagine what she must be thinking moving into this crazy insane home with all these GIRLS (six of us now with her!)!!!! ... uh...and then there's shawn. what a good sport. We absolutly adore her and we're getting to know her quite well. She has a wonderful sense of humor. Shawn and I both feel like we just had another baby girl! She's a great addition to our family. Tomorrow - we're off to the states largest amusement park! whoooo hooooo! And all the FRIED FOODS that American's are so well known for! mmmmmm mmmmm good!