Recital, Again

Amanda played in the recital at ESU on Thursday. With all that's been going on, I'm not sure if she really had her heart in it. She played one of Mozart's sonatas, as well as three of Bartok's Rumanian folk dances.

Download Mozart Bartok Recital Pieces 4 24 08.WAV

She did make mistakes in the Mozart piece, but overall did very well. Playing Mozart in a concert hall is difficult, or so I've been told by the pianists in the recital.

My Dad

My dad, Joseph Alexovitz, passed away on Tuesday, April 15 at 10:09 PM at Pocono Medical Center. I will post more later, especially pictures of him and of our family together.

Long Time, No See

I can't believe it's been over two weeks since I blogged last. During that time, I lost more weight (doesn't reflect on my ticker yet), and was diagnosed diabetic. Okay, I was expecting to be diagnosed, only because my test numbers weren't that great last time. My doctor said if they go any higher or stay the same, he would put me on meds. So now I'm on metformin and zocor for cholesterol, and I test my BG three times a day. My fasting test seems to be the one I'm having trouble with, as it's usually in the 170-180 range every morning. I don't get it, because I'm not eating anything that should cause it to rise so much.

The great news is I'm walking. A lot!!!! I've been doing the WATP series, as well as other walks by Leslie Sansone. I have to say she is great and such a motivator. She is truly a blessing for those of us who follow her walking program.

I love watching those miles add up on my ticker 8-)

Notice My New Tickers On The Sidebar

I finally decided to do something about losing weight. I had been on the South Beach diet for some time, and it does work. My biggest problems started right around Thanksgiving, with all those refined carbs and sugars I was eating. Everything I lost, I quickly regained.

This time, I decided to go with the one-two punch. A combination of exercise and a modified and extended phase 1 of the SBD has been helping. I've been using some of Leslie Sansone's "Walk Away The Pounds" videos. I can say they work very well.

I actually underestimated how far I've "walked" and the weight I've already lost. So far, the weight loss is closer to 10 lbs, but I won't know officially until I'm weighed at the doctor's office (my scale has a mind of its own, and is off by as much as 10 lbs).

Amanda has also been walking with me. She has the "Teen Walk", which is very fun to do. Leslie's own daughter is in that video, as well as the Walk Slim 3 Mile Fast Walk. Most of the music in the teen walk is from the 80's, so I enjoy it very much. We've been doing mostly the two mile walks, but I may have to bump up to one of the three milers very soon. I didn't start sweating until I got to the cool down on the last two mile walk I did.

A few weeks ago, I could barely get through the one mile. Now look at me :D

Pictures, Pictures

It's been awhile since I posted last. I took a break from most everything for Lent. It was a good idea, because I needed the "rest" ;-)

Anyhoo, here are some pictues I took. Fuzzy friends first :-)

Gussie, basking in the sun


Monica waiting for her chipmunk


Amanda's Easter lamb cake


What big eyes the lamb has :-)

Why My Keyboard Is Hairy

Amanda's recording of Monica:



I don't mind the cat being on the desk, but could she please stay away from the keyboard!!! I hate having to pick out her hair all the time ;-)

Better Start Returning Those Books On Time

Library Late Fee Lands Woman In Jail

I'll admit it, I'm almost always late in returning books. On two occasions, Amanda forgot several books for well over a month, and the fees were very high. I'd hope our local library system doesn't use the criminal courts to throw people in jail over late fees.

With all the criminal activity going on in the pokes, you'd think they would be busy enough without adding this extra burden. I guess they have to fill all those empty cots in Monroe county jail :-(

Look Back At WYD 2002

Video can be viewed here

PV To Start Own Cyber School

Pleasant Valley to open online school in effort to retain students, funds

Notice how it's all about the money, not education. I find it ironic they're looking to jump on the cyber school bandwagon. It's good for them, not anyone else.

More Crazy Pet Pictures

It's been awhile since I posted pictures of the "family". There is a certain theme among these pictures:













Little miss attitude did not photograph well for St. Valentine's Day. So this is what I'm stuck with.

She thinks she owns all of us. I have a newsflash for the little darling ;-)

The Beautiful Hands Of A Priest

Today's Lenten reflection from EWTN:

We need them in life's early morning,
We need them again at its close;
We feel their warm clasp of true friendship,
We seek them when tasting life's woes.
At the altar each day we behold them,
And the hands of a king on his throne
Are not equal to them in their greatness;
Their dignity stands all alone;
And when we are tempted and wander,
To pathways of shame and of sin,
It's the hand of a priest that will absolve us--
Not once, but again and again.
And when we are taking life's partner,
Other hands may prepare us a feast,
But the hand that will bless and unite us--
Is the beautiful hand of a priest.
God bless them and keep them all holy,
For the Host which their fingers caress;
When can a poor sinner do better,
Than to ask Him to guide thee and bless?
When the hour of death comes upon us,
May our courage and strength be increased,
By seeing raised over us in blessing--
The beautiful hands of a priest.

Another Reason Why I Homeschool

Watch this shocking video between a "young lady" and a bus driver (warning: offensive language):



It's apparent this girl wanted to get off the bus and demanded the driver let her off where she wanted. These kids know the driver isn't allowed to drop them off at an unassigned location.

She has the language down pat, screaming "don't touch me" and "you punched me". Typical nonsense from a spoiled rotten brat who becomes out of control when she doesn't get her way. The driver should sue the parents of that girl for raising an idiot.

I don't even want to imagine what this little darling would have done to the driver if there was no camera on the bus.

The mom of this girl is defending her little "baby's" behavior. The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree, so I have to assume idiocy is hereditary.

Funny Homeschool Videos

Two funny homeschool videos on youtube:





Well, I think they're funny, showing how we spend our day ;-)

Snow, Again!

This time, we're getting an actual snowstorm! Yippee, no ice until later :-)

It was a whiteout an hour ago:




The view from where my computer is located:


Okay, when will spring arrive ;-)