Black Friday at the Zoo

Yesterday while everyone was out shopping, we took the kids to the Houston Zoo. We met Pete's brother(Chris) and our sister-in-law (Chelsea) and Chris' son (Ricky) there for the day. Everyone else seemed to have the same idea, as the place was packed. We had a lot of fun walking and chatting amongst the bears, monkeys, birds and giraffes.

Keep Crossing Those Fingers

I guess my blog server thingy has gone wacko because when I used to post photos for the blogs, the picture would show up for me to see. This morning I really wanted to post pictures of Nick's red cheek and the cute little balloon he likes to make out of surgical gloves, but when I tried to post it, something weird happened. A bunch of letters, numbers and gobbly-goo showed up instead of the picture, so I deleted them thinking something was wrong with Blogger.

Well, now I am going to try to post with the "secret code" showing and see what happens. If it works, you'll get to see the pictures. Keep crossing those fingers.

Not One, But Two

Going to the doctor on Monday morning before a holiday; not a good idea. This morning Nicholas and I were at the pediatrician's office for not one, but two hours. Can you believe it? Right now my nerves are almost all but shot, and I need Calgon to take me away. But that's not possible, so I decided to blog.

Saturday morning Nicholas woke up and the right side of his cheek was bright red. It looked like someone had kicked him. Then he came down with a fever yesterday, and since he's been nursing a cold and cough for a while, I decided to take my youngest to the doctor. We got there bright and early because our doctor has a walk-in clinic first thing in the morning for the kids who wake up sick. Was I surprised when not long after we arrived, not one, but two, kids from Nicholas' class showed up. And they all sit at the same table in the classroom! Sigh. I knew something was up. We found out later, after a llloooonngg wait in the room, that Nick has strep throat. Lo and behold this is not the first, but the second bout with strep throat in our family this year (Andrew had it several weeks ago). Keep your fingers crossed- we don't want three.

A Family Reunion

For the longest time, I had been hearing the chirp, chirp, chirping of cardinals outside of my kitchen window, but hadn't seen them. I began to wonder where my cardinals had gone, and if I was doing something wrong that could be preventing me from espying these majestic beauties.

This morning changed my perspective on the cardinals below my window. When I woke up and looked outside as I poured my first cup of coffee, I was showered with a bevy of these blessings. It's as if the cardinals were having a family reunion. I counted at least seven fledglings and two or more bright red males splashing around in the rain.

As is my usual response to this bright red delight, I stopped what I was doing and revelled in the whole magical scene. I must have stood in front of the window for ten minutes, praising and thanking God for His affirmation to me that everything is going to be alright. And the cardinals continued in their Saturday morning family play as I welcomed, with joy, this brand new day.

From the Kolp Elves to YOU

Please Don't Spread the Germs

What I don't get is why, in this scary time of H1N1 flu, parents must bring their little ones to school parties and allow them to cough and sneeze all over the food? This really happened Friday when I was helping with a taco party Andrew's class had as a reward for learning their multiplication facts. And guess what? Andrew is home sick again because he had a fever of 101 last night. Thanks whoever you are, for sharing the germs. Oh, and will you please be more considerate this holiday season and stay home during the Thanksgiving and Christmas parties if you or your toddler is sick? Thanks!

Friday the 13th

Did you have a good day? It is Friday the 13th and you know what that means- bad luck. I'm not privy to all that superstitious stuff, so today was like an ordinary for me today. I even found a penny heads up. Wow.

Unfortunately Pete came home from work and said he had the worse day he could ever remember having at work. I think his day got off to a rocky start, though. He had taken the kids to school like he usually does, and I was at the computer writing when the phone rang. The name on the caller ID was a foreign male. When I answered, nobody said anything so I hung up. They called right back and did the same thing- just sat there. I said into the phone, "Would you please quit bothering me?" Then I hung up and dialed Pete's number to tell him some weirdo was harassing me and give him the phone number so Pete could tell him a thing or two (we've done that before when a fax machine kept calling- my wonderful husband had to send a fax from work and tell them they had the wrong number). But I got Pete's voicemail. I left a message and hung up. Then guess what? The same person called again. I decided I wouldn't be quite as nice this time and vehemently answered "Hello?" and heard my sweet husband's voice! He had locked his keys in his jeep when he was getting gas. So I drove over and let him into his car and it was downhill for him after that. Sigh. At least the day is almost over, the weekend is here and everyone's safe and healthy. That, to me, is very lucky.

P.S. Nicholas was born on a Friday the 13th and he is a blessing!

Out of the Woodworks

They say the holidays bring people out of the woodworks, usually to the churches. But all kinds of things (can't think of a better word) come out from everywhere during this season. Especially thieves.

A dear friend of mine went to Wal-Mart yesterday at 2:00 in the afternoon, mind you, and was accosted by a handsome white man at her car. He knocked on her window and started asking for money, then proceeded to make an attempt to open her car door. He told her he meant no harm and didn't have a gun, but that he was from out of town and his aunt's child was in the hospital here. He claims they did not have money to pay. My friend was able to get away unscathed (except emotionally distraught). She then followed the man in her car and watched him try the same thing on several other ladies.

When the store manager was brought in, they were not very eager to be of help, which was very aggravating to my friend. They said their security was only out after dark until 3:00 a.m., but if I seem to recall many robbery and mugging attempts have occurred in the daytime.

So as you begin your holiday shopping, prepare yourself. Buy a can of mace, or go with another person. Never talk to anyone and try to park close to the front, or a light after dark.

Moral Support

For a writer, getting published for the first time is like Christmas for young children. It's as good as ice cream is with cake, or milk with cookies. Becoming a published author is as joyous as graduating from college, or having any dream come true.

People who support and encourage writers are necessary to not only keep the writer writing, but to boost their morale since writing is a "lonely" profession. There is no boss to give you kudos (unless you are lucky enough to land an agent) so words or encouragement are welcomed by authors (at least this one).

This past weekend was filled with book signings. I had the great opportunity to share these events with Carol Weishampel. We had a good time visiting and sharing ideas, and even though the turn-out was low, we were there to support each other. Thank you to my family and Carol.

Wonderful Christmas presents...

I have been very busy the past couple of days promoting my story in Christmas Miracles. Yesterday I was on a local morning news program. Then last night I went with a fellow author, Carol Weishampel (who was on the news with me also), to a nearby town's "First Friday" event. Today, we are having a book signing at Barnes&Noble from 1:00-3:00. I will post pictures later about these exciting times.

If you are interested in buying a signed copy of Christmas Miracles from me, please leave a comment with your contact information or you can e-mail me at lkkolpbmt@yahoo.com. Thank you for your support. Happy Christmas shopping (start early- stores only have a limited number of items in stock due to the economy).

Not so sweet dreams

As I was happily dreaming about going to summer camp with the kids, Nicholas was having a nightmare. He came to me in the middle of the night horrified at what he had just dreamt. I asked him if he wanted to tell me about the dream and he did.

This is what Nicholas said:

"I was hiding under my bed because Ms. Angelle was on the floor and I was scared. She was just bones (because she's dead, you know). All of the sudden she reached out her hand to pull me out and told me to get out from under the bed. I said, 'You're dead!' and then she screamed, 'AAARRR' and then she was still."

Dreams can be really strange. Have you had any strange dreams lately? Please share.

Letter to pepper spray carrier

Dear Whoever-sprayed-Mace-in-my-dog's-eyes,

Please don't spray my dogs with Mace anymore. My dogs do not bite. Snowie's eyes are nearly swollen shut. A trip to the vet yesterday confirmed it came from some kind of pepper spray.

If you are the mailman, please disregard the dog's barking when you walk by. Jake and Snowie look out their peephole at you, but they are only trying to protect the property. I can put up with the wet mail we get from your body sweat (which sometimes ruins our mail), but spraying my dogs' eyes is unacceptable.

If you are a meter reader, please ring the doorbell and I will put the dogs up. I am home most of the time and it will only take a second to go to the door first.

Have some compassion for innocent animals. They are God's lil' creatures that love unconditionally. Maybe you should try to practice some of that love. Ditch the pepper spray first, though.

Sincerely,

ME, an angry dog owner