The Next Kristi Yamaguchis

Uncle Nathan and Laryssa bought ice-skates for the girls for Christmas and today was our first experience with them. We drove to a nearby town that floods their green...the location was perfect for our purposes.

It took sensible, cautious Avery a little bit to warm up to the idea that she was opening up herself to the possibility of falling and was very hesitant to do anything without a firm grasp on Uncle Nathan's hands, but she slowly grew more confident with her uncle's gentle persistence and words of encouragement.

Amanda, on the other hand, knows no fear and jumped right in as if it is a perfectly natural thing to be up on blades on the ice. She did really well and had a smile planted on her face for the duration.

Nathan's fiance Laryssa and her niece Bethany also joined us. Bethany managed well pushing a 5-gallon bucket around for balance.

Ideal Man

On our date night this week, we were in a restaurant with TVs. Without noticing it (I never do), I sat down. Some time passed and I finally saw that the Red Sox were on and so I offered to switch seats with Shaun. He declined, gave me a little smirk and said, "How 'bout you just talk to me instead?" Ahh...a man who's been married a while...smart answer! His response reminded me of a card I saw at the store.

The other day I was pouring through birthday cards, which I find to be a highly entertaining experience. Although, I've found that if one strikes me funny, then its twice as funny if someone you share it with thinks its funny, too.

I was not purposely looking for "this" type of card, but it happened. I hope you are not too offended.


On the front there was a very handsome, shirtless man. He looked something like this:

On the front it said, "For your birthday, Here's the Ideal Man". On the side there was a little wheel to turn and different "quotes" appeared in a little box next to the man:

• It doesn't take my brilliant mind to see how beautiful , unique and wonderful you are


• Let's share our innermost feelings and then go shoe shopping


• Just because I have a six-figure income doesn't mean I don't like to cook


• Why watch televised sports when we could be spending quality time together


• I noticed your car was dirty so I bought you a new one. Hope you like red