Happy Father's Day

Bandanas. My Dad always has one in his back pocket. We have tied them on our heads, cleaned up spills, wiped rust from motors, opened jars, obviously dried sweat and tears. Most recently Pops had one handy when Bear took a baseball in the mouth at Little League. It was even perfectly red, so Bear didn't see the blood. I'm sure at this very moment he has one tucked in his back pocket, love it. Have a great trip Dad, see you on the rock!

This is embarassing....

Really it is...I wish I could tell you where I have been but it's too long and most of it, I have tried to forget. Not that it was all that bad but we are talkin 4 funerals and 1 wedding....ish. Is there a great title about ear infections? Or randomly foul body functions??? okay, okay. So I'm starting new.
January 1st was so rough I vowed to start over January 10th, kinda got worse so now I'm gonna cough all this up-literally-and Feb 1st....I'm starting over.
So...on January 2nd, we lost BIG. THE Captain, my grandfather, Sam Lawrence met his peace. After years of declining health he passed away surrounded by love. It was strangely one of the coolest things I have ever done. I wasn't great at sitting still in his room, but I was pretty good at running around the house, laughing, crying, striking up conversation, making calls. Our cousins gathered and we bid farewell. Rest in Peace Grandpa Sam, you were simply larger than life.
So I pulled myself together, scooped up the creatures for a fun weekend with Mama Plover and her flock. Little did I know how much fun it would be. Ok, well I think Universal Studios sucks for small children but Disney with a private tour guide...pretty much the best trip ever!
On to Atlanta, with Taxi, Heather and Jill Alfond. My stomach hurts just thinking of how hard we laughed. Maybe not that hard when Taxi lost her wallet, but really hard when we finally got back to Tampa and my car was dead. Call us crazy, we were.
Sadly another loss. Dr. William Hale, the leader of the pack, the head honcho of all things good with the UPARC foundation. I am truly blessed to be trying to walk in his footsteps. Such a beautiful path of love for those who need us. Hang on UPARC, so much good to come!
OKeeeee. quick trip to Ft.Lauderdale/ Miami...mostly spent racing in and out of Mackenzie-child's as much as we could, and also got some amazing plants at the plant show.
Jonny B's wedding. love baseball. love macho scouts. love watching them freeze and cry as the bride came down the aisle. All good. Great COUNTY music, good friends, and a happy couple. Yay for happiness!
short lived. After a quick and drunken (for some) birthday given by the blue heron for her hubby, Shark got the poop flu from hell. 36 hours of nothing but complaining from him and paranoia from me. Yuck. Germy gross zoo and an angry zookeeper.
Fast forward...let Mama pull off one more fundraiser. With my amazing partner, Wendy, we kicked it into gear and our committee and made almost $20,000 for Bella Luna, supporting Monkey's preschool. My old school. downside. I have the plaque, I'm like the ad for Nyquil...coughing, sneezing, runny, stuffy....you get the picture.

So I haven't updated my blog, answered your text, email, voicemail, facebook message, invitation, tweet, etc...but I swear i haven't been sitting on my hiney watching tv at the zoo.

Stay tuned. Need your advice. Will ask you tomorrow!

Uh Oh Zoo

I knew there was a reason I was avoiding to see how long it had been since I wrote, and now Shark is really not going to be a fan of my oversharing, but here goes...So when I wrote we were heading out to Memorial Day activities...and during the week that followed, I had a miscarriage. Yep, it stunk. Such a strange, strange scenario. And now I am going to write a blog about what not to say when someone has a miscarriage. Just kidding. Well kinda. We are all good now...big hugs to any other families who have been through the same.
Now on for some more fun summer info!!! Three words Great.Wolf. Lodge. Go online, find one near you and book a trip. The creatures and I are totally obsessed. It was seriously Disneyesque but no crowds, and so much fun. Water park, bunk beds, storytime, candy store-all in one! Whats not to love?
I will do a separate post about Fishers...cant say enough about how truly blessed I am to be able to have the creatures share our family tradition. If I just close my eyes and take a deep breath of the sweet salty air, I really don't know which year it is...the more things change the more they stay the same.
One last awesome adventure, Mansion on Forsyth in Savannah. An inexpensive, romantic, interesting hotel AND a FAB! restaurant (fried green tomatoes). And its owned by Marriott which means you can use/earn Marriott rewards-because that is how we roll.
Catching up,
The Zookeeper

Memorial Day Zoo

Going Old School. Have read "House Beautiful"for the first time in many years, wow! So many good ideas...cinnamon roast peaches, gorgeous tabletop www.laterrinedirect.com, great framing idea which I desperately needed for some photos of the creatures, Juliska's new line of gift (perfect for some Nantucket brides and grooms), and a very interesting article on the color yellow...I think I may get a subscription. Also just finished making an icebox cake on my mother's "almost" hexagon platter, just like she always did (til I took the plate)! Recipe to follow.
Now get the boys rallied, head to some poolside activities, and come home to nap. I will then go shop the memorial day sales (enter a cringe from my mother, who was probably smiling about the icebox cake) and come home to fire up some burgers.
My thoughts and prayers are with those who are missing loved ones both on earth and in heaven, who are fighting and have fought for our country. Special thanks to all my grandfathers and Shark's grandfathers for their service. They set the bar high, many many years ago. And to my favorite Marine, hope you have a happy day Grandpa Sam!

Icebox Cake
whip 1 carton of heavy whipping cream -I add a dash of sugar and a squirt of vanilla
use 2 boxes of Nabisco Famous Chocolate wafers-sometimes they are in the bread aisle or near ice cream topping

Build a tower by alternating wafers and whipped cream-like a continuous oreo tower
Make two of these and lay them side by side on the platter.
Use remaining whipped cream to "frost" the rest of the cake.

Place in the refrigerator, preferably overnight.
Do not cheat and use cool whip, it wont work!

Good Times at the Zoo

March 19th, really? Perfect, I'm only 56 days behind. All good things though, all good things. We survived Spring Break-Mommy style. That means we took the Owl with us and stayed in some very nice hotels, ordered room service, and swam until we collapsed on poolside couches.
We visited with the DC Zoo-in Boca Grande, and admired how Sweet T has already become a big boy with awesome HAIR!! Made it through Easter with some A-mazing cupcakes, I may even post a photo, seriously..they looked just like easter baskets. Check out http://www.coton-colorsblog.com/ great ideas!
On to the Omlette party to benefit UPARC, simply gorgeous...the zookeeper knows how to break open peonies now , so feel free to call on me for help!
Witnessed Bear's Art Show at school which nearly did Fluffy Bunny and I in, so impressive, we were walking around stunned! And the Monkey actually danced the May Day Dance, he was PRECIOUS! Had a great shopping day in Tampa with my little blue heron, fell deeply in love with MarketPlace Interiors, oh my gosh, every design theme you could want in your home and cool, cool, cool accessories. They are on facebook...and worth the drive to Tampa.
Ummmm, what else....Full Swing for Saint Paul's School Founders's Day and taking the Society of the Alumni to new levels, to my fellow Knights out there, contact me to come back to campus, you will never EVER want to leave!
I'm going to wrap up this run on deal, knowing the grammar may be KILLING my mother in law and auntie...once again Kelly Corrigan, kicked ASS. (sooooo ladylike, but no other word will do). If you have not read "Lift" grab it, download it, do whatever you do to read a little slice of heaven. We had an amazing turnout to support the Lois Odence (miss you Grandma) Nursing Scholarship, and to continue to provide mammography vouchers through the Morton Plant Mease Health system.
Oh, one more thing, threw in a little bit of a fishing tournament this weekend...Bear caught two, tiny little AWESOME fish!
See you again, right here in less then 56 hours...maybe.

365 days...

A year ago, Mama Plover had her "very simple" neck surgery...easy peasy, lemon squeezy. Got that tumor out, put some steel contraption in her neck and just don't lift the baby...easier said then done. A couple of weeks later the call I have tried hardest to forget came, "Momo, I have cancer." I think I perhaps hit the biggest shock and denial of my life so far. I remember walking out to the kitchen and feeling like I couldn't hear.
Fast forward, three surgeries, radiation, some "bone glue" infusions, super healthy soy-free organic diet, and Mama Plover is flying along just fine. We have talked, texted and visited more this year then probably the last five combined. We have laughed so hard that we cried and definitely cried so hard we have laughed. At times we have had some deep and scary thoughts but mostly Mama Plover just makes me feel better. Its the darndest thing.
I have learned weird stuff about cancer, cool stuff about neck braces, watched Daddy Plover puff his chest and protect his nest, and the baby Plovers look knowingly at us and then go back to playing. We have covered bakugan, legos, pajama pants, diamonds, bracelets, charms, mastectomy, lumpectomy, oophorectomy. I have realized that my Northern friends tend to say "white light, positive thoughts" (HIPPIES!) and my Southern friends say "prayer lists, lift up, vigil" (BIBLE BELT!). I say, no matter what, it's working.
I secretly hate "lemonade out of lemons" (as if a young mother has a choice but to make the best of it), but I thank you dear sweet Hillary for this most important lesson. Thank you, and God, for the lessons of the last 365 days...and here's to the next 18,250...(that's 50 years in case you are trying to figure it out) !

Kisses from the zoo!

Here is the bear signing Aunt Hillary's letter that Mommy had to finish before she would make him hot chocolate- teddy
see its the simple things....

(Thirty) FIVE ALIVE

As I type this, I am 35 years and 24 hours. And makin nachos! Yup, thought I'd round out my birthday weekend with one more super healthy meal! Ha! No danger of me running a 5k now! However, I had an amazing birthday thanks to soooo many-see my facebook page-Holy Birthday Wishes, Batman! Currently I am sunburned...I had to head south to get that....and HAPPY! Had an amazing visit with Mama Plover and so many others for whom I give thanks. Lotsa cool presents, yummy meals, and great memories! Thanks to all! PS. I have read a book, and may finish another by end of Feb!

Too Scared

to even look at last time I posted. Trust me when I say all is well. Read my other blog...oh Lord, my poor readers, know I have two blogs....way to spread out the ADHD, right? read it anyway and then check back here for details on birthday week...the zookeeper is about to turn 35! Again refer to title "Too Scared".
www.mrsschafferandsons.blogspot.com
kisses from the Zoo

Here I am...

I started writing this blog because I had been reading www.clemsongirlandthecoach.blogspot.com and REALLY wanted a blog of my own...and guess what...she has been slacking too! I keep checking in on her and she is not there...I am addicted to her writing and therefore need some updates. That being said I don't think I have any addicts but just in case....here goes.

I don't really love top ten lists, and I loathe the year in review (well you could just read this blog backwards), so here is what the zookeeper has in mind for the next year. Health and Happiness for all, World Peace, ok. ok. Now for the small scale things that I actually do have control over.
1. Run a 5k so I can round out being the girl I love to hate (short hair, minivan, always in exercise clothes as if a professional athlete like Shark)
2. Read 6 books.
3. Needlepoint Bear's stocking.
4. Serve 1 meal at a soup kitchen.
5. Spend a whole day with my Dad.( I may not actually have control over that).
6. Write the business plan (as soon as I understand what one is) for Mrs. Schaffer and Sons.
7. Take a weekend trip with Shark and the creatures somewhere we have never been.
8. More time listening, less time talking.
9. Buy a new house (so not really happening)
10. Take an accounting class and a safe boating course.
11. Be more patient with my children.
12. Be more patient with my husband.
13. Continue to make sure no one finds out how impatient I really am.

What a weird list. How about maintain my blog???? HOW COULD I FORGET THAT?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Snapshots from the Zoo

I swear I am trying to slow down, bear with me people, this is tough for me. The more plates I spin the less I have to worry about what is on them, right?
Last night it was COLD (relatively speaking for Florida) and pouring (typical).I was hopping through puddles leaving the grocery, balancing bags and my iPhone (I know, I know)and then all of the sudden it occured to me. This could be ANY night before Thanksgiving of my life. I am walking out of the grocery I have gone to my whole life, driving down the street I practiced for my driving test on, passing the Haydons and the Parkers house....on my way home. Unlike my childhood house, I turn a few blocks early and into my grown up house driveway. I come in the house and their are my two most precious gifts sitting at the dinner table with my Saving Grace (The Owl) watching over. And Shark walks out around the corner, ready for our date. A little choas insued which we must ignore because this was almost going to be romantic-nonetheless we headed out to dinner sans creatures. I saw half a dozen people (most of whom I babysat) that I really like, in our first 30 minutes out. We wrapped up the evening (ahem, midnight is not evening) with a really great group of new and old friends. Really great! I fell asleep going through the snapshots in my mind of what a blessed day I had. And that was the day BEFORE Thanksgiving.
Today has been AMAZING so far. Shark took the creatures to the park and I watched Tivo...what? Dont I have a big event tomorrow night, nevermind getting the creatures spiffed up for dinner tonight????but nevermind. Snapshot. I am in my pjs STILL. And I am cooking some onions and celery because our house smelled BORING! And I am so eager to see my dear family friends who have invited us over for dinner. Again I am so blessed.
A few shout outs from the Zoo. To my inlaws, yes I was crying when I hung up the phone...Shark doesnt get it...I am half torn between wishing you were here and trying to imagine what it will feel like when one of my boys lives across the country from me. Hope the girl is nice, right? To my parents, thank God for iPhones right? See you tomorrow, am so grateful that you are my parents and the older I get the more thankful I am (not that we can erase those occasions where I may have acted otherwise), to my sisters-can't beleive we are old enough to be apart on Thanksgiving. To my grandparents on earth and in heaven, thank you for a family history rich in tradition-it makes these days even more special.To my readers, thank you for the opportunity to entertain you...make you wonder...and hopefully laugh.
Snapshot. Am going to kick back into high gear and get some stuff done!

I am so thankful for Technology...

...that makes it so Bear's lunch is ordered through January, replacement advent candles are coming through Amazon.com, Nick at AT&T figured out my account so I am now an iPhone addict, thousands prayed for Stellan, my parents called from AFRICA, my garage door opener could be replaced. Not to mention my two quick flights that made it possible to be in Washington, DC and home again with seemingly zero problems...and FINALLY, the technology that will post this to my Facebook account and make it so Giraffe Daddy has to update his status!
And most of all that the little counter on the side of my blog can really count, and I finally broke 1000!

Ground Control to Zookeeper

Hello! Hello! Yup I am here, I think. All the cliches are true again. Everyone said when I closed the shop I would wonder how I ever did it all...I am stunned. But then again I did do less outside the shop, because I was actually at work. I have exciting news in the business department but that will wait a few days. I have so much else to say.
1. Dad nailed it. He and his dance partner were amazing. They won the online vote, the People's Choice award, best male dancer, and best "team". We were completely beside ourselves. I am going to plagiarize and paste a paragraph from Dad's thank you note that he sent supporters. Read closely. There is a message. "I must tell you that Saturday night was one of those experiences that will never, ever fade into oblivion. After all 25 forty-minute training sessions, our routine was really a stand out. The whole evening was great fun and everyone there seemed to enjoy themselves. It certainly was one of those challenges that takes you out of your comfort zone. To win made the whole effort even more rewarding. If you ever accept a challenge like this: choose your partner wisely, choose a good cause (if it is a charity), line up loyal supporters, and GO FOR IT!"

2. I am spreading myself a little thin in the volunteer department, but it seems worth it. I hung up a list of all the charities I am involved with and then panicked a bit. Right now this is a full time job. I will however share my moment today. You loyal readers will remember the Kelly Corrigan event. Well that is what we do in the Spring. In the Fall, Planters awards scholarships to LPNs who are in school to become RNs. The scholarships are named after my late maternal grandmother, Lois Odence. We have a nice luncheon, usually over 100 people attend, and we present the scholarships. That is coming up November 10th. Following is the email I sent to my fellow committee members tonight. "Tonight I had the moment, the one where all the emails over fudge sauce, all our meetings, all our flower arranging, all our application reviews, all of these things come together...and BOOM! I am standing at the Country Club with Trevor (after the golf tournament) and Trisha waves me over to this woman who is sobbing. She has just been told that she is a recipient of a Lois Odence Nursing Scholarship. And we just stand there hugging and crying. Never have I been so sure that what we do together matters. Her boyfriend just told her not to worry that she didn't get the money-they'd make it work. We changed her life tonight. And in turn she will be an amazing nurse and she will change other peoples lives.I know that there is one VERY proud Angel watching over us...let's keep up the good work!"

3. Message from the Zoo tonight. Go make a difference in someone else's life. You will be surprised at what a difference it will make in your own life.
Kisses from the ZOO

Commercial Break

Taking a quick second for gratitude. To those of you readers, and those who don't, Grey Goose (aka T.L. duPont, Tom Terrific, Dear, Dad, Uncle Tommy, and his own fave-Pops) appears to have won the online voting for Dancing with the Stars Tampa Bay. I am in awe of so many good things today-but am going to give the prize to my Dad. Another A+ example of how to put yourself out there and make a difference in the world. See you on the dance floor tonight. We will be in the PROUD section.

The other award today goes to BEAR! Today is sandwiched between Monkey's friend birthday party yesterday and Monkey's family party tomorrow-who decided it was ok to have two parties per child- I LOVE YOU! Anyway, today was Bear's first soccer game and he made the Zookeeper (and the sick Shark-damn!) VERY PROUD!!! You good little jock Bear! Thank you for proving you got SOME of Daddy's genes.

Full report tomorrow on Grey Goose's performance AND Monkey Parrty, Part II!
whew! from the Zoo

Swine Flu Zoo

At least we think so. Bear, Monkey and The Zookeeper have been down for the count. Fevers and coughs-yuck. They dont test and they dont give kids Tamiflu, but we have had all the signs. LUCKILY, Shark got Tamiflu in time because there is nothing worse then a sick Daddy.
Speaking of Daddies, if you know me, you know how much I adore the Grey Goose himself!He braved the infirmary to deliver chicken and dumplings AND toys from Cracker Barrel. Just a small and silly example of his kindness and generosity. So please go to http://www.dwtstb.com/?page_id=431 and spend $10 to vote. And next time you need me to support your fave charity,I will do my best!
Coughs and Sneezes from the Zookeeper!

No Vacancy at the ZOO

For the love of the game???blah, blah, blah. Or the love of the Scouts? Shark and Giraffe Daddy are at a concert tonight...poor guys never get to do anything fun-ha! (That was for all of you who think they just get paid to watch games, and like that would be fun all year long!) Anyhoo, (Shark really hates that!) all creatures are having slumber party tonight. Big kids in sleeping bags in Bear's room, Monkey in pac n play in mine. All I can say is this is a GREAT start to a holiday weekend...everyone ASLEEP!
Since Giraffe Daddy reads this just wanted to say I will try to keep the AWESOME FOURSOME quiet in the morning...hope you guys had fun!
Happy Labor Day to everyone in New England, down South we don't care since we "can" wear white year round!
kisses from the Zookeeper

The Butterfly

Ten years ago today I was on a cross country flight from Monterey, California to Laguardia. After an 11 day vigil, my 14 year old cousin Emily, earned her butterfly wings. If you are one of my dedicated readers you know how special Fishers Island is to me. We had just been there for our eldest cousin's wedding and for our month long July stay. Shark was pitching in Knoxville, I was working at Sotheby's in Manhattan, life was easy! Emily's horseback riding accident changed my life FOREVER. In ways that are so obvious and in deep dark ways that are unforgettable.
The days we spent together that August seem like just yesterday and then seem so long ago at the same time...eerie. There is strength in numbers though and the Grey Gulls girls bonded together and paid tribute. You have to remember that ten years ago the internet was boosting web-rings as a major form of communication. Kate the Great got online and emailed a woman about getting some butterflies to release at the cemetary. While we were out running errands the woman called Kate's cell to confirm. For some unknown reason Kate asked this kind soul where she was calling from. The woman promptly answered, "Springfield, Mass." Emily died at a hospital in Springfield, Mass, she was taken there by helicopter. We didn't know ANYONE there. This was the first of many amazing signs that Emily was still with us. And I know today she still is.
My heart breaks when I think of all the things we havent shared. I always planned on Emily being a bridesmaid at our wedding, a godmother to our sons, a constant in my life. And I will tell you that she is a constant in my life. The memories, the hopes, and the dreams are all still here. She is just there. In every butterfly that passes she is there.
I missed you extra today. I ran through all the movies of you in my mind today. I wept as I looked at my boys today, imaging your parents agony, and I called my sisters today, wishing your brothers had you to call. Mom texted me a photo of a butterfly at Fishers this morning, I know it was you. And Dad sent me a text and mistyped using WTF instead of ETD, and I know that was you too. Have fun tonight with Gram, we miss you both too much. See you in my dreams.
With love, The Zookeeper

New Hours at the Zoo

I have said more then once over the past few days that I think all (ok maybe most) parenting cliches are true. Mostly "They grow up so fast". Bear going to a new school has just about done me in-lotsa cahnge. However, it is all for the good of the group! Bear absolutely LOVES it! He heads off with his backpack and his carpool buddies and never looks back. Gulp-enter the zookeeper crying-AGAIN!
In the meantime Monkey has been up to his usual tricks. He is talking so much more and has a lot to say about his big brother not being home "Where T.D. go? Where T.D. go?" And next week he will be back at schools as well.
So we are up early to get to school and time, and going to bed earlier...this grown up stuff is exhahusting!
kisses from the zoo

Back to School Zoo

Shark and I headed back to my alma mater tonight in a new role, new parents! Say it isn't so, but it so is....Bear is headed to Pre-K! So surreal to be calling my old teachers by their first names...and trying to prepare them for the arrival of our somewhat sensitive, very imaginative and eager to please...Teddy. I started at the same school when I was only a year older. Now for the most part our creatures tend to look like Shark, but Bear's behavior will put the faculty back 30 years. Mini-me offically goes to Pre-K in a week, I am not sure who is more excited!
Catch you up on the road trip details tomorrow!
Sweet dreams from the Zookeeper

score: love, love

Love tennis. Yup, I do. I have achieved nearly every thirtysomething mom stereotype... Shortish hair, not so great jeans, and I seriously listen to Kidz Bop when the creatures aren't even in the car, and Bear officially signs up for soccer next week, so there you have it!
As for my Summer Tennis Career...The Big Club Zoo pros are of the charming and talented variety. Hailing from their native countries of Sweden,Scotland, and Vermont (yup almost a country of its own). AND they come equipped with their own beautiful zookeeper/organizer/wardrobe consultant who makes it all happen!
These guys challenged the ladies clinic and we challenged them back. (Ladies being a loose term in some scenarios, but not to worry, the zookeeper is first and foremost a lady!) We made it through a "summer season" relatively unscathed and we all learned a lot. Us about tennis, and them about family trees, island history, English slang, and getting the most out of the all white dress code. Their words will be with me as I consider the next move in my tennis career (you are supposed to be laughing) " In this scenario when the players come to the net (Swedish for in case you make it to Wimbledon with out me remember this explanation)...ok.ok.ok. (Vermontian for Please try to stop gossiping and finish this drill) and Nice Try (Scottish for that was the best shot all summer!)
In all seriousness many old friendships were rekindled, many new ones were made and lots of people now know the true defintion of cousins....
We will miss you all til next year!
I'll be practicing!
The zookeeper
Disclaimer: The Grammar in this is so bad...sorry, must go get a diet coke and wake up!

Piping Plovers

I vaguely remember these little birds from my college summers on Nantucket,
but what I do remember is many days and nights partying, shopping, swimming, dancing, etc. With my friend "mama plover". We have been the best of friends ever since! Mama Plover has the dearest mate, and three amazing hatchlings. And Mama Plover has breast cancer. So please join my zoo in supporting her flock! Just positive thoughts towards New Hampshire! And stay posted for good news!
Silver lining...if there is such a thing in this situation... Zookeeper and Mama Plover are closer then ever to actually getting matching tattoos!
With love and hope,
the zookeeperP