Freedom Stones

Dan's Flyover {FS vs. Miama}

My brother's best friend Dan Krause had the honor of flying a F/A-18 Super Hornet over the FSU vs. Miama game on September 7, 2009.

Here is a clip from the game. Dan is flying one of the Super Hornets.



Here is another video about the memory and life of Lt. Commander Scott Speicher in which the flyover was dedicated to.


Dan, I just couldn't be more proud.

And I can't wait to watch you represent my brother at his wedding as his Best Man.

You truly are a hero and an inspiration to us all.

Thank you for serving our country.

I love you.

Love, Your Big Sissy

Teacher Spotlight: Mrs. Stookey

I'm gonna go ahead and toot my own horn.

I was in the Teacher Spotlight section of our PTA newsletter, THE FOGHORN today. The Foghorn is a bi-weekly newsletter written by the PTA that gets sent to all parents at our school.

Thank you Maureen for making me sound so cool:

Mrs. Stookey teaches first grade at CLE. As many of you know, she married Mr. Stookey in June. Mrs. Stookey has a LARGE black lab named Cooper. Her favorite food is sushi, her favorite color is orange, and her favorite activity over the summer was going to Alaska with Mr. Stookey. In her spare time, Mrs. Stookey participates in a group called Women Of Purpose whose goal is to reduce trafficking of women and children in the world. Mrs. Stookey also went to South Africa last December to bring supplies and help orphans resulting from the AIDS crisis on the African continent.

I told Maureen, "You either write really good, or I enjoy reading about myself. Because this is really great!" :)

San Juan Island

Jay and I spent Labor Day weekend up on San Juan Island.

My Aunt and Uncle have a vacation home up there and Jay & I were able to spend a few days of relaxation with them.

My cousin Jenn was there too.

She lives up in Canada and I'm not able to see her as much as I'd like, so it was wonderful to spend that time with her too.

View from the hot tub. Heavenly.

Another hot tub view ...

My cousin Jenn and my Uncle Tim in the kitchen.
Amazing view huh!?!

Jenn and I love jumping into people's pictures.
In this picture, I'm getting a piece of my own medicine!

Whale watching with Jenn's dog Jasper.
We saw a HUGE pod of Orca whales.
So cool!

Happy Birthday charity: water

Happy Birthday Scott!

Happy Birthday charity: water!

Goodbye ...

Goodbye my friends.

I'm heading up to San Juan Island for Labor Day weekend.

I hope to be back.

But I might just stay.

Relaxing. Hot-tubbing. Reading. Crabbing. Walking. Swimming. Napping.

Sounds delish.

See you all on Tuesday.

Maybe.

Danny & Erica

My handsome brother and my beautiful {almost} sister-in-law.

Love you both ....

Looking forward to October 23rd when Erica becomes a Diederichs!

Am I 79?

Seriously.

Did I turn 79 this year?

I am exhausted and so tired from my students this year.

Day #1: work, nap, glass of wine and dinner.

Day #2: work, nap, glass of wine and popcorn. NOTE: no dinner.

Something has to change.

And it WON'T be the nap & wine.

:)

On a serious note ... I have wonderful kids. I'm looking forward to a really fun year.

And those of you who know my history with this ... I was once again successful about REMEMBERING to bring my camera the first day of school, but FORGETTING to actually take my student's picture.

Some things never change.