The heart in my stone

Steve surprised with a new diamond last year for Christmas. Our good friend Ronnie who is a jeweler helped us with the setting, and I had a new ring in a few weeks. On Valentine's Day, I had a big surprise! I noticed that I could see the shadow of a heart, and if I tipped the ring, it would move from quadrant to quadrant, as the cut is symmetrical. I could not capture it in a photo. So we popped over to see Ronnie, and he had not seen the shadow before, either. There are some diamonds on the market - hearts afire - but this is not one of them. It is not a flaw in the diamond. Ronnie was able to capture it; you may have to click on the image to see it. (Btw, did you notice that my ring has balls! It's a tough cookie!)

Strangely, at times, the heart will disappear. It seems to act like a barometer. Currently, the heart is not visible, although I believe that it is waiting patiently below the surface to reappear. I have tried cleaning the ring to no avail. I thought it was perhaps my aging eyesight, so I asked my children if they could see it anymore and they could not. I don't think I control this heart in my stone anymore than I can control my own heart. It just seems to know what it wants.

My sister taught me to drive

My sister, four years my junior, taught me to drive a 5-speed stick shift. I had to learn how to drive it in a week because I needed to get to a job 250 miles away in Gary, Indiana. I was 20 years old at the time, and she was 16.

Believe me, she was not the first who tried. I think my dad tried first doing the grind maneuver before he jumped ship. I do remember my mother, who really had a tough time biting her tongue. I think even my brother gave me a few tips. Truly, it was painful.

No, it was my sister, who knew nothing about stick shifts, who taught me to drive. She just sat in the passenger seat, smiling, changing the radio station, and I think, smoking cigarettes. (Forgive me if I am remembering another time . . .) I don't believe she had much to say about the lurching and stalling. She was very supportive! She could care less. I enjoyed her company. I learned to drive, and even when I left flat Illinois and (almost) stalled sitting at a stop light at the top of the hill, I made it to Indiana and my job without a hitch.

Thanks, Val.

I am going to have to remember how to teach silently when the time comes with my own. Sometimes you just need to be there.

New Blog

Ken has a new blog!!! Ken has a new blog!! You are invited to post on his blog . . . you may have been sent an invitation, so please respond. Unfortunately, Ken walked out on me (or, more accurately, drove his VW bug) and I neglected to take any pictures of him, his easter bunny suit, etc. So comment and post away!!! He needs some immediate attention or I'm afraid he will be done with us for good. Find out how easy it is to blog - go for it!!

http://ken4everbirthdaytreat.blogspot.com/

I'm coming clean

I'm addicted . . . to John from Cincinnati . . . I watch it repeatedly. I love all the characters. The little surfer dude reminds me of Cameron. I totally identify with the porn star mom. (kidding!!! puhleeze!!!) But who knew that HBO would create every possible media marketing channel known to man? One thing I keep getting, loud and clear, is that when you get older, you don't keep up. I'm trying! I'm trying!!! I commit myself to trying to remain technically astute. ahem. Here are just a few of the blogs, you tubes, fake web sites, etc. that they have created to inspire interest in their new series. (I'm good but if you kill off Shaunie, I'm done. I can take anything on the sopranos but I couldn't take that.)

John from Cincinatti HBO Official web site: Cast and Crew (trivia: Dr. Michael Smith looks exactly like my sister's ex-husband Peter Barnes. Freaky!!!!!)

http://www.hbo.com/johnfromcincinnati/cast/

Here is the fake Yost Clan Web site that the character Dwayne hosts - even better, he stopped posting last September = it must be real!!!:

http://yostclan.com/site/index.htm

You tube: just search on JFC; here's one you shall surely enjoy with stills from the series:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEAQZOZd-5o&NR=1

Please also enjoy the Opening Credits (Johnny Appleseed song). I have been begging for Steve to record this so that I can share with my non HBO friends. If he is uber-hubbie, I'm sure he will!! I'm sure you will enjoy "Crap Machines," "Jesus, Mary, and Joseph" (thanks Bill Jacks i.e. Ed O'Neill from "Married with Children" ), and many more.

Also, "Stinkweed", the (I think- but what do I know, I am a stayathome mom) fictional website-

http://stinkweedusa.com/home.aspx

I got my eye on U . . . .

Learning Curve

A doctor told me once that not everyone can learn through another's experience. She gave the analogy of a pothole out in the parking lot. She said, "You might be able to just drive up and see the pothole; you would turn away and find a different way to pass." She explained further that not everyone could do that. Some would have to repeatedly drive up to the pothole, again and again, before changing a habit and going a different direction. And some would actually have to drop one wheel of their car into the pothole before realizing that it was, indeed, real! Worst case was the person that would have to sink the entire car into the pothole, again and again, getting hauled out by the tow truck. She said, unfortunately, that this person may never actually make a permanent change, being compelled to drive into the pothole - as if pulled by a magnet.

We hope we can save our children the trouble that we experienced by relaying personal experiences. But we will need to tap into their personal learning style if we are to make that connection. And we may not be able to help friends and family - or even ourselves - if this is not our learning style.

I like to think of myself as a person who learns from another's experience. But unfortunately, we are not all facing the same challenges. We are all on a separate path. I am sure that there are some potholes for me that I am compelled to test, again and again, to make sure that they are real, thus knowing that I am alive. They are just not the same potholes that you face; so I will try not to judge you (or your potholes) and just pray for you safe passage.

I want to rock 'n roll

All night . . . O.K., 'til about 8 p.m. This year's Camp Jam experience was doubled - Gavin joined John, which didn't exactly make it pleasant for the counselors or the parent carpoolers due to excessive brotherly love. The grand finale of the week-long camp was of course the concert, which was much shorter than in years past. Yes, the Raes rocked, as did the Swints and the McKenzies and numerous other kids. And never did I see so many of the elderly in the audience. Go, grandma! Turn off the hearing aids and jam.

Click on the pics to watch the videos. (thanks to Stephen Mitchell Rae Video Editing Svs, LTD.)

For more info, click on the Camp Jam logo. They have programs for you closet rockers at This House Rocks on weekends as well.

Kevin Enners & the Hoyt Foundation

Steve and I had just seen the most amazing story about Dick & Rick Hoyt . . . and now we find out that the Enners Team is racing to support this amazing duo and their foundation. How exciting and how amazing . . . please contribute, if only with a message of support, and be a part of their team. Take the time to watch this video about the Hoyt's and then view Kevin's video!!! (tip: grab box of kleenex now . . . ) (Plus, you can't see, but there is an amazing mom behind the scenes: Claudette!!! Trust me, she rocks . . . just like you do.)

P.S. You can donate today right from the blog! P.P.S. Check the comments for some of the feedback I am getting and post your own!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=9187482533183981137

A note from Claudette:

Hi all-

Rich and Kevin will be running the Virginia Beach Half-Marathon on Labor Day weekend with Dick and Rick Hoyt. Actually, Rich will be running and Kevin will be riding his bike. This will be their second half-marathon this year!

Although Kev has CP, he has competed in four 5K races this year, two of which he ran in his walker the entire 3.1 miles. He comes in last when he runs, but the crowd is so supportive and vocal, he wants to do it again and again. At each race, people have been inspired and, to an extent, educated as to his desire to participate like everyone else. For this reason, we are asking that you support Rich and Kevin's effort in raising $1,500 to be donated to the Hoyt Fund. Please click on the following link to read Kevin’s note about this event.

http://www.firstgiving.com/kevinenners

There are many tax-deductible, non-profit organizations that rely on donations to help find a cure for life-threatening diseases, help eliminate hunger, curb environmental issues and save animals. The Hoyt Fund's goal is to "integrate the physically challenged into everyday life ....... by actively helping the disabled to participate in activities that would otherwise be inaccessible to them."

We appreciate your support!

Claudette