Thursday, February 18, 2010

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

Thursday, December 31, 2009

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!

Thursday, November 26, 2009

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!

Monday, November 16, 2009

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!

Thursday, October 15, 2009

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

Saturday, September 26, 2009

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

Monday, September 21, 2009

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!