Clowning Around

Twenty Years Ago Today...

I was a clown for Halloween.

My mom made this costume for us.

Hey, where is my other eye?

I decided I did not like to go trick or treating. I was scared of the costumes. So I just played on my slide in the house.

I am still scared of clowns. Which means I am scared of ME!!!  Happy Halloween everybody:)

A New Do

I decided it was time for a hair cut. I always get nervous when they start putting my hair up in clips.

I said I wanted just a little trim.

Sometimes Marci makes me laugh.

Can you see the back?  Just a little trim, right?

Voila!! What do you think?

I love it!!!

My Little Brother

My little brother is fifteen today. And he is a whole foot taller than I am. Actually he is taller now than everyone in my family. Except my Grandpa Hillick. He is 6 ' 4" tall. Matt might catch up to him.  We were going to go to the Olive Garden for dinner. Actually we did, but it was way too crowded. Matt just wanted to get to Game Stop to pick up a new set of head phones so he can talk to his friend in California when they are playing games.  He is on that game system all the time. I guess that's what teenage boys do.  Happy Birthday Matt.

Making Cake

I just decided to make a cake. A chocolate cake.

Holding this mixer gives me strong muscles.

Look who's here to eat some batter.

Dad stop eating my chocolate cake.

Oh ya this is good. Really, really good.

Sibling Love

Twenty Years Ago...

Down Syndrome in the Ukraine

by Joyce:  A quick request.  If you are reading this and have adopted a child with Down syndrome from the Ukraine, will you please call me at the quilt store on Friday @ 440-684-9830. I would love to hear about your experience.

A friend of a friend of a friend, has an international house guest this week who is from the Ukraine.  She is a teacher and has a son with Down syndrome. She recently started a program in her homeland for parents who are raising their child with Down syndrome.  This friend thought I might be a good person to talk to since I have experience in the not-for-profit world and a daughter with Down syndrome. What she did not know is I have had the privilege of getting to know so many of you who have had experience in the Ukraine.

On a tiny side note...the woman who is hosting the dinner sent me directions to her place today.  She lives in The Waterford on the coast of Lake Erie. The same building I lived in. The one John and I had our wedding reception in the party room a short twenty five years ago. I have not been been back there since August 1986.  I'm thinking there's more to this plan than I know right now. I wonder if that's By Chance or By Design?

UPDATE: Thank you to everyone who tried to call and left messages. I appreciate the quick response. I had such a wonderful evening with Olena. She is an amazing woman and trail blazer for kiddos with Down syndrome in her country. I will post more soon.

The Girls on Mini Street

OMG!!! I rocked out to this song one hundred million times when I was younger.  Lisa and Stacy and I would dance to it all the time:)



Turns out this is Christa Collins singing.  She is one of the final 32 contestants on The X Factor.  Go Christa!!! I'm cheering her on to win.

Together Forever

Carly Elizabeth George

1/2/02 ~ 4/23/10

&

Bradley Paul George

11/4/89 ~ 10/8/11

Let their lights be forever in our hearts.  And our deepest thoughts for strength and uplifting presence be with Joany, Paul & Ashleigh and their extended family.

Let's Go Brutus

Hey Brutus, I have something to show you.

I think you will like it.

Oh my gosh this sun is so bright.

That's better.  Ok hang on we have to go for a ride.

Well Brutus...what do you think?...

The State Fair

Ten Years Ago...

My Girl Scout Troop 1977 went to the Ohio State Fair.

We were going to march in the parade and I was going to carry this flag. So I had to practice.

Time for the parade to begin.

Do you see me?  I was doing a really good job.

As we were rounding the bend, Mrs. Maddox pulled up beside me with the wheelchair so I could make it the rest of the way.  I had been really sick that summer.

Hey no fair. Look where my mom got to ride.  She had the bag with all the emergency medical equipment with her. Just in case, but we never had to use it.

After the parade we went into the arts & crafts barn and helped lead some craft activities.

We also entered our scrapbooks into the exhibit. Everyone received a ribbon.

Late that night, we got to hang out on the midway.  We are looking at jewelry.  Some of my friends bought some to take home.

While we were walking around the fair it started to rain really hard.  We got soaked. It was fun.

Look at me. I am so wet. But I did not care. My mom let me buy this dolphin. It lite up like a flashlight.

That night I slept with it.  We got to sleep in the bunk house that the people training to become State Highway patrol officers stay in. That was fun.

The next day we got to go on the fair rides.  Here I am with Jessica and Kelly. I was a little scared.

Then we went on the merry-go-round. I really liked that one.

Then my friends wanted to go on this really fast one. I was scared. So my mom went with me.

But then she was screaming louder than me.

Next stop was bumper cars. I liked driving my own car.

We even went through the fun house.  The floor made really funny noises.

Then we went into some barns.  Look at the little baby chicks. That's the other Sarah holding one. And Nina and Jennifer.

Oh cool. A corn maze.

I can climb this corn. I know I can.

Almost to the top.  Don't look down. Oh wait, it looks like I did.

Coming down was harder than going up.

Time to head back to the dorm for dinner.  My friends took turns pushing me so I would not get worn out.

I love dinner time.  My favorite was the hot dog and french fries.

Posing for a picture in front of the Girl scout sign.

Time for a little fun.

Looks like I'm the Congo line leader.

One final picture in front of the big red bird.  The cardinal is the state bird of Ohio.  That was a fun trip to the Ohio State Fair.