Halloween Candy - Important

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=R3dbBQPIFf0

This is not the same message as the Pirate Candy melamine warning that's floating around in e-mail. It's legit on Snopes and worth the watch. The guy is a little off his rocker, but that just makes it FUN and important to watch. I'll bet you I could head to Marshall's or Target now and find some of this stuff. Be careful, be alert, be informed.

A familiar face from a happy time

I can't tell you what an Odyssey (yes, I just used a capitol letter b/c I'm used to referring to my mini-van) joining Facebook has been. I have several friends who have told me about it, encouraged me to join etc. But I had a My Space page and really don't get a lot out of it. Well, FB has been a very different experience. I have found and talked to soooooo many old friends, people I went to school with etc. It's been a week of re-living many memories. My high school reunion is coming up, so I thought it might be fun to refresh some faces and names, but I've found that I have taken so much more from it.

As you start searching through the recesses of your brain for "Friends" to "find" on FB your mind starts to wander. I decided to try and find a friend of my Dad's that I lost touch with shortly after he died. I looked up his name and and got a bunch of hits with female names attached. I moved on.

I decided to try again, my inner bloodhound on overdrive, and lo and behold - I found him!! I "friended" him and we've been exchanging e-mails ever since. There have been a lot of laughs and tears exchanged, and it made joining FB 150% worth it for me. Here is a photo he sent (probably taken by his amazingly talented daughter who is now all grown up, or by his beautiful and compassionate wife). But it pretty much summarizes how I remember him. Very deep and soulful, guitar in hand, making music.

WP's family had a lake house in NH that we went to. Some of my best memories of my Dad, even my life in general, are from that time. WP made up great games to play and organized this enormous scavenger hunt that required boats, cars etc. I still tell people about it.

The best part of this exchange (besides that we're now back in touch and getting to see him in these great photos) is that he wrote a song about my Dad. He sent me the lyrics and it was just amazing. It really healed a little part of my heart to know he had a friend that loved him and understood him so well that this song could have been written. I will treasure it more than you can imagine. So, thank you WP.

More of My Gorgeous Niece

I got to meet my beautiful little niece "A" yesterday and took a motherload of pixtures. I told Lindsay and Adam that she'll grow up thinking that Auntie Kelly has a lens for an eye. I don't want to spoil it too much since they may use some for her birth announcement, but here were some others. I could just eat her up!!

Anyone else see the strong family resemblence?? Those Hartzog genes are strong!

And yes, Neil has already said he wants another baby. Oh no...

SHE's HERE!!!!!

Say hello to my beautiful niece. Born 10/11, baby "A" weighed in at a healthy 8 lbs 5 oz. Mother, Father and baby all doing very well. Cannot WAIT to meet her tomorrow!! Can't believe she wasn't a he, totally blown my mind.

I'm an aunt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See the baby in the belly here...http://debhannadesigns.blogspot.com/2008/08/monster-maternity-post.html

A Little Closer To Equality

http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-national/20081010/Connecticut.Same.Sex.Marriage/

Yeah for Connecticut!! I've been thinking lately how unconstitutional it is to dis-allow gay marriage. Because that basically means individuals in same sex couple relationships have fewer rights than I do. Doesn't seem right, does it??

Max's Thoughts About the Debates

I think his face says it all. I couldn't agree more. I get myself all nestled in to hear them discuss the issues and ANSWER THE DANG QUESTIONS and what do I hear?? More blah blah blah (finger pointing) blah blah blah (more finger pointing). ENOUGH!!!!

I want a president who LEADS, who makes decisions, can think on his/her feet and takes some ownership. Done with all of them.

Max for president!!

Can my baby be 7??

Julia turned 7, is that possible?? Had her party tonight at a local kidstravaganza place with food, a rock wall and tons of games. Julia was giddy from her day at school, losing her other front tooth (!!), and her party. She had a blast with all her friends and was still buzzing when we got home. Here are a couple quick ones from tonight.

Couple cute moments...Devin chivalrous boy he is, giving the last slice of pizza to Emma. Then Julia picking her "two quietest friends" to go first on the rock wall with her and she picks Devin and Emma. Once in a while you realize they do love each other. :Sigh: