12/24/2008
And so this is Christmas
Merry Christmas!
Wendy
12/22/2008
I'm actually looking forward to detox
12/19/2008
Gaggle is to Geese
Duggar Family Welcomes 18th (!) Child
By Alicia Dennis Originally posted Thursday December 18, 2008 08:10 PM EST
Give us another J!
Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar of Tontitown, Ark., had their eighteenth child Thursday – Jordyn-Grace Makiya, who joins the rest of her J-named siblings.
Jordyn-Grace was born via C-section at Mercy Medical Center in Rogers, weeks before her due date of Jan. 1. She weighed in at 7 lbs, 3 oz and was 20 inches long.
"Mother and baby are resting and doing well," says a rep for the Duggar family, whose crowded house is featured on the TLC network show 17 Kids & Counting.
The newest Duggar has a lot of names to keep straight.
The other kids – who range in age from 20 years to 17 months – are Joshua (who married Anna Keller in September and says he is looking forward to the "blessing of children" of his own), twins John-David and Jana, Jill, Jessa, Jinger, Joseph, Josiah, Joy-Anna, twins Jeremiah and Jedidiah, Jason, James, Justin, Jackson, Johannah and Jennifer.
Their parents married when Michelle was 17 and Jim Bob was 19. (Her mother had to officially sign permission.) After birth-control pills were blamed for a miscarriage, the couple decided to throw them out. They've had a new baby approximately every 18 months since.
"What really works for me is swaddling a baby and snuggling up," Michelle told PEOPLE in an interview last year. "I love that time of just bonding and nursing a little baby. And, with a new baby, I realize that I don't need as much sleep as I used to think I did. You learn. This time goes by so quickly. I look at my older children and wonder where the time went."
A special on Jordyn-Grace's birth will air Dec. 22 at 10 p.m. on TLC.
12/16/2008
12/15/2008
Baby It's Freaking Cold Outside
12/10/2008
Happy three years, TFitch.
12/09/2008
Dear Sir I Confronted in the Von Maur Parking Lot
But you were parked illegally - not in a parking spot - and you trapped me in.
I nearly backed into your Trailblazer.
I'd probably still be sitting there in my car, waiting to back-up, if the woman parked next to me didn't come out of Von Maur and leave shortly after I tried to.
I was going to write you a note.
Instead you came out of Von Maur.
I confronted you.
You said "okay."
I contemplated even saying anything, in the spirit of the season.
But I did.
And now I feel bad.
So, sorry I yelled at you.
I was annoyed.
Just please don't park illegally and in my way again.
11/28/2008
All My Mom Wants for Thanksgiving is Her Two Front Teeth
11/20/2008
50 years old a still a little hottie
Barbie, wrinkle-less, grey-hair-less and still 36-18-38, has turned 50. My mom is so jealous. (Kidding, ma.)
Mattel, creators of the iconic doll, have put together a great video paying tribute to Barbie through the years. Any former or current Barbie lover should check out the piece. You can actually stop the video and click on Barbie things you had or wanted: her horses, the beauty parlor, Corvette - you name it. There's a polling feature, where you can click if you "had it" or "wanted it." You can also share your favorite Barbie memory. I think I always had my Ken and Barbie dolls make out. I'd never confess that on a Web site, though.
11/19/2008
11/14/2008
11/13/2008
The Gift of Giving
Habitat for Humanity
Arthritis Foundation
Boys & Girls Club
Kappa Kappa Gamma
YWCA
Special Olympics
United Way
And while that's all good and dandy, and I am sure my money is going to great programs and services, it was the giving six of my friends and I did last night that really made me feel fulfilled.
Maybe it's because I was with dear friends and we decided to turn girls night out into doing good. Maybe it's because The Food Bank stayed open late to accommodate us and were so appreciative our our time. Maybe it's because I could SEE what my efforts were doing - the massive unorganized cardboard boxes were getting smaller and categorized boxes were getting filled, sealed, stacked and new ones started.
I drove home last night with a great feeling radiating through me (until I got honked at - I don't think I cut him off). I thank my friends and The Food Bank for a sense of accomplishment. I'll continue to write checks as long as I am financially able, but I can't overlook the gift of giving time. While it seems like we could use a lot more time, it's something everyone can give - regardless if you are 8 1/2 months pregnant, have kids at home, work full time - whatever! We proved that last night.
I'd just like to close by saying I love my friends :-).
11/12/2008
Bump on 'da Head
I'm going to shit, I tell 'ya.
11/10/2008
A Victorious Saturday
After the victory we hurried back to Omaha and caught The Eagles live and in concert. What a fabulous show they put on! (Plus it never hurts to watch a concert in a suite at the Qwest Center.)
Man, I love the weekend. Is it Saturday yet?
11/04/2008
Better Late than Never
Click on the image below for a brief review in the Omaha World-Herald.
11/02/2008
Going for the Gold
10/31/2008
Movin' Out
10/30/2008
Goodwill
First to acknowledge the best lead I've read in a long time: "Even if you don't think Sarah Palin is a smart cookie, you have to admit she's a smart dresser." You're right, Niz, I don't think she is a smart cookie.
The other reason I had to blog about this is because it reminds me of a Goodwill story of my own. (The part talking about the chances of Sarah Palin's expensive duds winding up at an Omaha-area Goodwill store.) You see, my dad used to own a hot pink Notre Dame polo. It was hot (pink). After he wore it out (or got too much ridicule) he took it to the Goodwill.
Fast forward a few weeks to a phat frat party. One of Trevor's brothas is rocking a hot pink Notre Dame polo shirt. Small hole near the buttons.
Wendy: "Where'd you get that shirt, Mike?"
Mike: "Goodwill."
Mike bought (actually, he confessed he STOLE) my dad's shirt.
What are the odds? I'm hoping as slim as the odds of Sarah Palin becoming vice-president.
10/29/2008
My name is Wendy and I'm a cold sore survivor
This weekend, from my basement (isn't that where all successful nonprofits begin?), I'm starting NCACS - the National Coalition Against Cold Sores. I'm sick of 'em and they need to be wiped out!! Pretty soon we'll have "Cure Cold Sore" walkathons and telethons and our own colored ribbon. Abreva will be a thing of the past.
They hurt, are ugly, expensive to make go away and - most importantly - are RUINING my Halloween costume for this year. It's time to put Herpes Simplex 1 to rest.
10/27/2008
Sign Language Class
I have been practicing since I got home. I've been spelling out "treat" to Macy and I think she gets it! I will have to try different words to see if she can actually read what I am spelling. Trevor said he is enjoying me taking my class because I am much quieter. I called him a mean name via sign language. Best part is he has no idea what I called him :-).
10/16/2008
Pledge Plays
In essence, the LLS Play Cures concept was created by the dad of an 11 year old boy with Leukemia. As he was dealing with his son's illness, he created an online gaming platform that could also raise money for causes. You "buy tokens" online (aka donate) and then you use your tokens to play games online. Solitaire, Putt Nutz...sounds fun to me!
Next time you're bored at work or hungover on Sunday and think you've found the end of the Internet, buy a few tokens at LLS Play Cures. It'll make you and many others feel much better.
10/15/2008
Hot Dog
I wonder if they hold paws behind the playset.
10/13/2008
I wish I could say I was kidding.
10/06/2008
This would be why I am a hypochondriac
Thinking about and praying for you, Heather.
10/04/2008
10/03/2008
10/02/2008
Politics Simplified
A little boy goes to his dad and asks, 'What is Politics?'
Dad says, 'Well son, let me try to explain it this way:
I am the head of the family , so call me The President .
Your mother is the administrator of the money, so we call her the Government.
We are here to take care of your needs, so we will call you the People.
The nanny, we will consider her the Working Class.
And your baby brother, we will call him the Future.
Now think about that and see if it makes sense.
So the little boy goes off to bed thinking about what Dad has said. Later that night, he hears his baby brother crying, so he gets up to check on him. He finds that the baby has severely soiled his diaper.
So the little boy goes to his parent's room and finds his mother asleep. Not wanting to wake her, he goes to the nanny's room. Finding the door locked, he peeks in the keyhole and sees his father in bed with the nanny. He gives up and goes back to bed.
The next morning, the little boy say's to his father, 'Dad, I think I understand the concept of politics now.'
The father says, 'Good, son, tell me in your own words what you think politics is all about.'
The little boy replies, 'The President is screwing the Working Class while the Government is sound asleep. The People are being ignored and the Future is in deep shit.
10/01/2008
Lights, Camera, Ew
Ironic Intersection
If you click on the photos it should enlarge. If you still can't read it, the streets intersecting are Crooks Road and Corporate Drive.
9/29/2008
Catching up on the DVR
Jennifer Anitson. Beyonce. Fergie Ferg. Miley Cyrus. Sheryl Crow. James Taylor. Melissa Ethridge. Charles Barkley. Eva Longoria Parker. Meryl Streep. Ellen DeGeneres. Jack Black. Robin Roberts. Natasha Bedingfield. Lance Armstrong. Elizabeth Edwards. Scarlett Johansen. Christina Applegate. Abigail Breslin. John McCain and Barack Obama. Katie Couric, Brian Williams and Charlie Gibson. All of these individuals and many more came together for one hour on a Friday night to show their dedication to ending a horrible disease that affects too many Americans.
I had a range of emotions when watching Stand Up to Cancer. I was sad, especially when Katie Couric interviewed a young girl (maybe 10 years old) currently facing cancer. I laughed when the same young girl said "I'm not a very complacent patient." I was scared when thinking about the odds that I or a close friend or family member will be diagnosed with cancer. I was amazed and thankful that some of the world's most influential celebrities volunteered to use their likeness to raise money for the horrible disease. But most of all, I was optimistic. Optimistic that with the dedication like that displayed on Sept. 5, a cure for cancer is close.
In the amount of time it's taken me to write this blog post, 38 people across the United States have died from cancer. I looked online this morning and Stand Up to Cancer has raised $100 million. An amazing result to something so simple and so important - and clearly, by the startling statics, something so desperately needed.
If you missed Stand Up to Cancer, you can watch it online HERE. I highly recommend it.
9/27/2008
Today's Special
9/26/2008
9/25/2008
Just your ordinary Wednesday night
When we were at the hospital yesterday Michelle gave us one of Jackson's blankets to take to Berkley. Apparently a way to acclimate a dog to their new human brother or sister is to have them smell a blanket the baby has been wrapped in. We documented it for the Segers. Berkley didn't have too much interest, but Macy did (weird - she has to get her nose in everything!) so I was trying my best to keep her back and not contaminate ("add her smell to" is probably the operative phrase) the blankie.
9/24/2008
A question posed to all children's clothing manufacturers:
My little lunch date
Enjoy these photos of the little one.
Also thought you'd enjoy a photo of the sleeping arrangements at our house last night (minus me). We watched Berkley Seger last night so we could take her to Bark Avenue today. She and Macy are having a great time being roomies! So much in fact I dropped their hound hineys off at Bark Ave. at 6:40 this morning (they open at 6:30) and as Brian said, "Wendy will probably pick them up at 6:29:30 tonight." (They close at 6:30.) Just want to make sure we and the Segers are getting our money worth :-)
9/23/2008
Dear John
Your listener,
Wendy
There's Gonna be a Widdle Won!
In all seriousness, I can't concentrate because I keep thinking about what's going on! I can't wait to hear about the newest addition ... thinking about you, Segers!
Such a sad story
BY RICHARD EGAN
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
A Bellevue man used a golf club to beat his rat terrier because it wouldn't stop barking.
The dog's injuries were so severe that it was euthanized.
Carson Smith Sr., 41, of 1416 St. Joachin Court, was ticketed Sunday night by the Nebraska Humane Society on suspicion of animal cruelty.
Smith was cited on suspicion of a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Mark Langan of the Humane Society said he forwarded a report of the incident to the Sarpy County Attorney's Office, which will decide whether to upgrade the charge to a felony punishable by up to five years in jail and a $5,000 fine.
Langan said Smith got angry when his dog, Sam, wouldn't stop barking. Smith struck the dog on the head with a golf club, causing massive skull and brain injuries. The family rushed Sam to a veterinarian's office. The dog had to be euthanized at 3:30 p.m.
Langan said Smith was with the family at the veterinarian's office and was remorseful about the incident.
Langan encouraged pet owners to call the Humane Society's behavior hot line (444-7800, ext. 221) if they become frustrated with their dogs.
"People can get help from professionals about behavioral issues like barking, showing aggression or house training," Langan said. "We have great success. He (Carson) chose the wrong alternative and was criminally and morally wrong."
9/22/2008
My Weekend Totally Sucked
It's been sneezefest 2008 for me the last few weeks. I'm sure part of it has to do with the crap in the air (hayfever), but I am sure the amount of dust in the Fitch household was also a contributing factor. So, yesterday I said sayonara dust and busted out the Dyson.
I'm obsessed with the thing and thank the Hites for introducing us to such a sucky vacuum.
I started with our room and bathroom and spent two hours in those two areas only. The Dyson dominated the blinds, the ceiling fan, lamp shades, air vents, an artificial plant and other places where dust was inconspicuously hiding. I took a photo of how much crap the vacuum pulled up - and that was before vacuuming the carpet or the bathroom.
It
Was
Nasty.
I don't know if it's a good thing the Dyson was able to suck up that much dust or if it's a bad thing there was that much dust in our room.
Vacuuming might not sound like that exciting of a weekend, but in reality it was exactly what I wanted to do. Being that this was my first weekend home in five weeks (Boston Aug. 14-17, Cleveland August 21-24, Denver Aug. 29-31, Michigan Sept. 4-7 and KC Sept. 13-14) I was looking forward to a productive weekend. We purged cabinets and closets and cleaned the garage. Macy got groomed. We visited TCBY. We moved dangerously close to buying a new car. I worked Secure Your ID Day. We hosted an impromptu BBQ Saturday night.* It was a great weekend!
*One of the highlights of the BBQ was that the Neals came. It's so fun that they live in Omaha and can just swing by! Plus, they brought Stella, the world's happiest baby. Josh, Shannon, Emilie and Eric and Michelle and Brian came by too - it was great to see Shel...might just be the last time we see here prego! Baby Seger is coming any day now!!
9/20/2008
Day at the Spaw
9/19/2008
Yo to the Yo
It's been a good week. Has flown by actually. Last night we went to the MicroBrew HaHa, a benefit for Habitat for Humaity. It was a good time. Decent beers (I prefer my Mich Ultra over really dark MicroBrews) and a host of great restaurants, including Ms Pub, Flemings and Liberty Tavern. The weather was beautiful-I encourage all three of you who read this blog to go next year.
We have a pretty low-key weekend planned. I have a work event early tomorrow morning so we've decided to stay in tonight. After traveling for five weekends in a row (count 'em five) I'm looking forward to a Friday AND Saturday night in my own bed getting pestered by Macy.
Peace out reada.
9/16/2008
Because $25 for the second bag wasn't enough
If you have two bags you might as well just add $100 onto your ticket price.
Unbelievable.
*This annoying update brought to you courtesy of The Boston Globe.