This is almost all of the blogs from the other "site.."

I am going to post my bloggings from the easyjournal site...since it has gone down now, twice...for an extended period of time...so...if you have already read these (I am going from last to first) then disregard them...

July 9th, 2008
"I just want to feel loved"
So, I got an email today from my case manager saying that I have to be rescreened since it's been 6 months. So, now, I need to go through all the blood tests and the pap and such. No big deal.

Well, I called my IP's because they had originally wanted to help me pick out an OB since we are new to the area...and I don't know of any good doctors in the area. I mean, I may be up a crick..if my kids get sick cause I wouldn't know where to take them!! ACK..

But, I digress...
So, I call them..and they are on vacation in Colorado. So, I talk to J, and I ask him if they might have heard of any good OB's (as per our emails.) Well, no, they have not..and that it seems no one is taking on any new patients right now. So, I say, that is fine, and we will just talk when they get back. So, I tell them to have a good time, and I say goodbye..but as I put down my phone, I could still faintly hear him talking.

I then get a phone call back about 10 minutes later, and he said he felt that our conversation didn't go so great, and that it was very loud in their car, so he felt that he needed to call me back. Well...at this point..I was at my "whatever" stage...which is a stage that I get to when I really just want to stop everything that is making the problems and pretty much just leave me alone. I know..mature huh? J then explains that sometimes it's hard for them to try to want to get close to others because of what happened with their last surro. (I am not sure all of the details of their last journey..so, I can't know what they feel.) They said that it has nothing to do with me, and that they feel a little gun shy.

I do understand where they are coming from...so, I told them that I felt that I have tried several times to want to get together with them, but nothing ever comes of it. I mean, I told him that I have to go look at their picture to know who they are...since it's been February since I have seen them. He did apologize, and told me that I should be now talking to him and not T...which I think is ok since there isn't too much that has gone on with T. He said that we "would" get together once they get back and once we get back from our vacation. I told him that the ball is now in their court...

I do understand that it's hard having kids...and there isn't much time for anything...he agreed that they get up in the morning and go about their day, and before they know it, it is night time and "where did the day go?" I totally understand. I told him that I really just wanted them to love me in the friendly sense...and that I just wasn't feeling it. I also told him that I usually am not a "needy" or "insecure" type person...but that I just wanted to feel like they did like me. Know what I mean?

Anyways, I just got off the phone with T, and they are going to email some OB's in which they asked their pediatrician about...so, that is a good thing. I didn't really just want to close my eyes and pick a name out of the yellow pages.

I hope I said the right things...and that they are not running and screaming because they have a PSYCHO SURROGATE on their hands.:D

7/08/2008
"Memories"
So, yesterday, as I was changing the sheets on my bed..I started to think of my Grandma Margie. Isn't it amazing how sometimes, (when you think of someone who you have not thought of in a while,) the memories just come flooding back?
I was remembering her voice...how gravely it was from the many years that she had smoked. I was remembering how she would always go to bed with a hard candy in her mouth so that she wouldn't cough all night..And how every time I smell Bounce, it always makes me think of her.
Certain flowers make me think of her...she always had a garden of some sort...be it just flowers...or a full fledge, overflowing vegetable garden...her and grandpa had the best green thumbs.
I remember when my sister and I first came back from Idaho...and she told me she had a daughter. I was so excited, and I asked if I could play with her. Grandma laughed, and said, no..she was old and married.
I remember the time that grandma had a big box of candy...like the kind you would buy at Costco...and Marianne and I both "stole" some before we went back to our dads house. And, oh, the guilt I felt for taking that candy when she told me I couldn't. I think I still feel bad to this day.
There are so many other things that I think of about her...her laugh, her smile..her stance. I guess I miss her. Then last night, as Kent and I were driving home, I thought about her again. But this time, I remembered that yesterday was her birthday. So, Happy Birthday yesterday, grandma. :)

6/30/2008
"Total Blog SLACKER!!"
Oh geez...nothing like not blogging in like...what...a month??

But, that's ok...cause I can say everything that I need to say...right here..and right now. :)

(Which, in all reality...is not much...but here it is anyways!!)

There are some little coyote pups and a mom that live in the back area of our house...our house and all of the neighbors houses are contained by a fence.

Well, those little buggers!! Every time a siren goes off...(be it an ambulance, fire truck, police car...or some strange siren over in Gladstone...) these little pups go nuts!! And, when it's hot outside, and we sleep with our window open...well, yeah...you totally hear those pups...and the mom too. They howl, and howl...and if the siren is silent..they become silent...and then the siren goes off again, and again, the pups howl!! This happened at about 1am this morning. Sheesh!! I emailed the Dept of Fish and Wildlife asking what they do to the coyotes...and I have not heard a response from them. I don't want them to take the coyotes and kill them...I just would like them to be moved into the wilderness. So, I didn't give my name or address to the OFDW...just to be on the safe side. I would also hate it if a neighbor went out and hurt them. Guess I will just deal with the howls for now...and perhaps, re-email the ODFW.

In other news...

Kent, I, Kayte and our friend Dave went backpacking this weekend. It was very hot here in Portland over the weekend...and it was also warm where we went...but, not as hot as it was here. We hiked about 2 miles in...and then set up camp.
The next day, after breakfast, we hiked about 5 miles or so...then came back and cooled off in the COLD river!! BRRR!! Then, Kent and I took a hike (just the two of us) and hiked about another 2 miles. It was very nice!!

Sunday, we packed up and hiked out. We went to this place called Calamity Jane's for lunch...My gracious!! The burgers were HUGE!! They were good too!!

Got home around 2pm...unpacked out stuff. HOTTTTTT in the house...then, it cooled off a little outside because of thunderstorms...(which were awesome!!) It rained huge drops!! It got pretty humid after that...so, we ate our dinner downstairs since it was so hot upstairs. Yep..no AC!! (SAD!!)

That's pretty much it for now. The kids are at Shawn's house till the 9th...and they both are not happy about that. Guess mom's not happy about it either...cause I sure am MISSING them!! So, the countdown is on!!

That's it for now..Hugs, A

6/11/2008
"The power of..well...POWER!!"
Yesterday, about 11:30 am...I was working out in the garage and noticed that the lights started flickering...all 3 of them. Thought that was weird...so I came inside, sat down to the computer...and BOOM!! (That is a literal BOOM!!) No power!! 2 transformers blew...so PGE came out...and stayed until 3:30 am!! (At least that's when the lights came back on!!) So, we had a nice dinner (out of course) and came home and had candles and flashlights everywhere. I like romance, but not when you HAVE to have candlelight!! Thank goodness my mom sent me a power failure clock for Christmas!! :)
A neighbor said that a couple of neighbors up the street are still without power. WOW!! Hopefully, they will get everything fixed and won't need to dig up anyone else's yard. (A neighbor just did a beautiful job landscaping her yard...and wouldn't you know it? That's where PGE had to dig!!)

6/05/2008
"AF is BACK!!"
So, I have to tell you something...and this is from the heart. I was kind of secretly hoping that maybe the clinic was wrong with the blood test/beta...and that I REALLY WOULD be pregnant...and that maybe, there was a small number...not just the negative that they told me. But, sadly, it really DID NOT work...since Aunt Flo is coming to pay me a visit...

And quite possibly, maybe not getting pregnant the first time around DID bother me more than what I thought. I suppose that I just did not want to admit defeat. Oh well...another lesson to jot down in my little "been there...done that" non existent book. :)

But, that won't mean that I won't hope and pray that things will turn out differently next time. And, if it's meant to be, then it will be. Plain and simple!!

On another note...I have a @#$%^& root canal in 3 hours. Am I counting the hours down? Yep...and I am totally feeling like I am gonna puke!! I do not like the dentist...Nope, I don't!! I have let this thing bother me for about 4 years now...and, I guess it's time to get er done. Although, the thought crossed my mind this morning that maybe I could be sick today and not have to have it done. But, then we get charged for breaking the appointment...so, I don't want that to happen. But, it went through my head more than once...I tell you that!!

OK...off to find something to do to get my mind off of the above mentioned dreaded R.C. WHAAAA!!!

6/4/2008
It's Wednesday..In case you forgot!!"
Hmnn... What to write??

Well, for starters, as posted in my title...today is Wednesday. So, that means that there are exactly 7 days left of school for the kids. Now, if you ask them...they will be inclined to say 6...because they have a couple of half days in there. So, I guess I will say 6 with them...just so they don't holler at me.

My IP's (Intended Parents) are looking into a new egg donor. They said that last time, they chose her based on her looks. This time, I think they will delve deeper...and maybe go for smarts and looks. And of course good genes. I am not sure how long the process takes...it seems to me that it takes a while. I have never looked into egg donation..although I am too old now, and I don't think I would, even if I could. But, that's just me. It seems to me that there are way more things involved with egg donation. And, since they are measuring your follicles and actually taking the minute (read tiny) eggs out of you...there is way more pain and bloating involved!! No thanks...I will just stick to being a surrogate.

I am excited to see how doing a fresh transfer will work. Some people say that the chances are greater (to get pregnant) than they are with a frozen transfer. With the frozen transfer, you risk losing a lot of eggs, due to the thawing. With a fresh transfer (and I am going off of hearsay and reading things) they fertilize the egg, and sometimes it start to hatch. And, if you get, say 20 eggs from the donor...and 15 of those eggs look great and are growing steadily, and you transfer the 3 best (into me of course) then you still have 12 eggs that you freeze...and on the off chance that I don't get pregnant with one of those three...then we still have the 12 totcycles.

Ok...enough about that. So, remember when I told you last Saturday, that I had hives and I thought it was from the caffeine? Well, it wasn't from the caffeine. And, it's not from coming off the meds either. I have a theory, but I am not going to tell it just yet...until I try a little experiment. Then I will tell you. Dr. S told me to see a dermatologist. Well, if you Google hives...it simply means that something is going on in your body. Some people get hives for years, and never know the cause of it. Hives are not necessarily bad...unless your throat starts to close shut...(That WOULD be BAD!!) but for the most case, they are just really bothersome (read ITCHY!!) I shaved my legs last night...bad move on my part since there were raised spots just above my knee...I shaved there on one leg and now am the proud wearer of lots of little scabs. (Yeah I know..SMART MOVE!!)

Well, I should probably do the never ending laundry. It's kind of like the energizer bunny...it just keep going, and going, and ....

5/31/2008
"So long coffee!!"
Yes, 2 posts from me in less than an hour!! WOW!!

So, I guess I really DO have to say "so long...coffee!!"

Right after writing in my journal...I went upstairs and suddenly, my legs were kind of itchy. I thought maybe it was because of my unshaven legs...(you know...that can make you itch when you have p.j. bottoms on!!)

Anyways, I came back downstairs...and took them off...and wow...I have HIVES!! They are mainly ALL OVER my legs, and some on my arms, and a few here and there on my torso...but all over my legs!!

So, of course I googled hives and caffeine...and yep, I guess you can get hives from caffeine. Parting ways with coffee will truly be such sorrow. Unless I decide to live with them till my body can adjust...hahaha

5/31/2008
"I caved"
So much for NOT drinking coffee!! HAHA!!

I tell ya...Kent asked me this morning if I wanted Tea or Coffee...so, I himmed and hawed...and well, I chose the coffee!!

The taste was AMAZING!! I need to go easy on it though...I can just see me bouncing off the walls.

My theory behind my drinking coffee is this...If I did it before (go off of it) then I can do it again...RIGHT??

However, I DID NOT have my glass of wine last night. I suppose if I am going to be naughty, then I will do it all today...HAHA

Hugs, Andrea

5/30/2008
"No baby this time around"
Well, after much stressing out, (I think it's due to those stupid home pregnancy tests!!) it looks as though my beta is negative.

What that means is that we are out of the baby window (for this month anyways.) The Intended Parents are going to start looking for an egg donor...so, after all is said and done, we will probably do a fresh transfer in August or September. What that means for me is that my cycle will need to be synced up with the egg donor, so that will involve birth control pills, more shots, and playing the waiting game again.

I am a little sad that it didn't turn out for the positive. But, I am OK with it at the same time. At least now, no more SHOTS...(for the time being...) My upper buttocks was starting to get welts from all of the progesterone shots...So, that will be nice to take some time off from that!! Actually, they instructed me to stop ALL of the meds...So, no prenatal vitamins either. I think though, because I was doing such a good job of taking the prenatal at night before bed, I will bring some regular vitamins down and take them each night.

And you know what???

I AM GOING TO DRINK A GLASS OF WINE TONIGHT!! MAYBE EVEN TWO!! And it's all because I can!! I don't think I will start drinking coffee again though because that is really one thing I do miss...and it's so easy to go back to your old ways, only to have to start going off stuff again. I can easily miss the alcohol...coffee is a different story all together!!

Please keep reading my blog...don't give up on me yet. I will continue to update as the time goes on. You never know what I might write about!!

5/28/2008
"Ack..The WAIT!!"
So, my beta is on Friday, where they will tell me what my HCG is (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin-is produced during pregnancy. It is made by cells that form the placenta, which nourishes the egg after it has been fertilized and becomes attached to the uterine wall. Levels can first be detected by a blood test about 11 days after conception and about 12 - 14 days after conception by a urine test. )

If the beta is 0-well, that would mean that I am not pregnant and we will do the IVF again. If the HCG is over 100, then they will do another test on Sunday to see if it is doubling.

Therefore...I am just waiting, waiting, and waiting some more!! I have taken, hold on...let me count them...12 home pregnancy tests...yes 12!! I have one more left, which is a digital test (which is supposed to detect the HCG sooner than in other tests.) Don't worry...we are not going broke because of the tests...that's what the dollar tree is for!! At least for 10 of the initial tests anyways!!

Kayte was awarded a Citizen of the Month this morning at her school. They had a school assembly, and she was one out of 2 in her class to get it. Kent and I were both there. She was at first shocked to see us, then she figured it out that because we were there, she must be getting something. :)

Ashlyn has her last Master Choir concert on Friday. I did tell you all that the Master Choir went to STATE, didn't I? They sounded really good, but because they did so poorly on their sight reading part of the competition, then they didn't do so well overall. But, at least she can say that her school DID go to state!! Next year, she will be able to letter in choir. Who knew that? I thought you had to be in a sport to letter, but nope...Good for her!!

Shawn (Ashlyn and Michaels Dad) said that he would pay half of her trip to Washington D.C. In a previous post, I said New York, but I was mistaken. Oops. I still think that Ashlyn wants to earn some of the money herself. She is going to help cater a friends graduation party. I know she will do a fabulous job, because she has already catered 2 parties that we have had. That includes everything, from the appetizers, to the desserts, to the clean-up. She will hopefully get more money for helping at this party than what I paid her. Heehee.

Michael is still just Michael. Nothing new really to report on him. Happy as a clam...

Kent is busy, busy...as usual. He did go to Kayte's thing this morning...but he will be gone for dinner tonight with one of his bosses boss. I am super sure it will be better than the spaghetti that I am planning to make for dinner. At least I hope it will be. :)

OK...I am off to do something other than sit in front of this computer and Google in "how many days did it take for someone to get their first positive on the Home Pregnancy Tests." Yes, I have done that in case any of you were wondering. And, I MAY just do it again.

Waiting Sucks!! Especially when you are not a patient person....

5/22/2008
"Now, the waiting begins"
I had originally typed out a blog on my phone while I was waiting my hour with my feet in the air right after transfer, but for some reason, it didn't show up. So, now I am officially here to update...

(This might be long...just a forewarning...)

Kent and I flew out of Portland on Sunday at 11am. We arrived at LAX around 1pm and caught the shuttle to our hotel. We then wondered what we would do for the rest of the day since my doctors appointment wasn't until the next day. So, we asked the concierge how much a cab would cost to get to Venice Beach? Well, he said it runs about $30.00-$40.00 to get there, and $50.00-$60.00 to come back. That was a lot of money, so we decided not to go that route. He suggested to us though to take the city bus which would only cost us $.75 each way and he gave us a map and directions to get to the "Big Blue Bus." So, we went upstairs, and changed and were on our way.

We get to Venice Avenue and get off the bus and start walking towards Venice Beach. It was about a mile and a half to get there...and once we were there...WOW!! What an interesting community!! So, we walk, and walk and walk checking out this and that and the people...which on a Sunday afternoon...suffice it to say, there were plenty!! So, we decide to walk to the Santa Monica Pier...where we found a nice Mexican restaurantto go for dinner. We then hopped the Big Blue Bus back to the hotel and went and sat in the hot tub as our feet were very tired.

The next day, we get a cab to take us to the Dr.'s office. We left at 8am for our 8:45 am appointment, to get there at 8:55 am!! I hate being late!! Anyways, we wait to be called, go in, have the ultrasound, and was told by Dr. S that everything was great!! No fluid whatsoever...and that he would see us the next day. HOORAY!! So, we get the instructions from the nurse...and wander outside...wondering now what do we do? So, we go have a bagel and a smoothie...and then start walking...just walking along. We finally find a Ross Dress for Less where I buy a new swimsuit...(the one I brought was literally the most awful swimsuit I have ever wore!! So, it's not in the L.A. garbage!!) So, then, we catch another BBB (Big Blue Bus) and we slowly make it back to our hotel. I think we probably walked at least 3 miles that day!! And probably 5 miles the day before!! So, we get back to the hotel, slip into our swimsuits, and head on down to the pool. The weather was wonderful...warm...the pool was nice. So, after about 3 hours out in the sun, and after all the sun we got from walking in the morning...we decide to go find some dinner. So, we end up walking easily another mile and a half to have a burger and then another mile and a half back to the hotel, where we vegged all night.

We figured that since we were late on Monday to the Dr.s office, we would give ourselves a good hour to get there...we had to be at the office by 7:15 for the transfer. Well, we left the hotel at 6am, and got to the Dr's office at 6:20am!! So, we went to Starbucks where Kent had a cup of coffee and we waited. We went up to the office at 6:45am, but there wasn't anyone there until 7:15am...so, we waited...and waited.

I was supposed to drink a steady amount of water to make my bladder full so that the Dr could see where to place the embryo's in my uterus better. So, by the time he came in to do the procedure, I had at least drank 32 ounces of water, plus the cup of tea that I had that morning.

Dr. S came in and told us that out of the 10 embryos...only 3 of them made the thaw. They do a grading on the embryo's...with 10 being perfect, and down to one or zero to not being anything of quality. So, he explained that the embryo's that they would transfer were graded as an 8, a 5, and a 4. So, hopefully, out of the 3 that they transfered...at least one will take!!

After the transfer, I had to lay on my back with my feet raised way above my head...and I had to lay there for an hour!! Well, knowing that I had to pee...I thought I could easily wait it out. After 30 minutes, I was dying...I thought that I was going to lose it...yeah...the pee!! Oh MY GOSH!! I don't think that I have EVER had to pee THAT bad!! So, I waited another 10 minutes and a nurse came in to get something and I said, "ya know, I just don't think that I am gonna make it...I think I will need the bed pan." So, she goes and gets my nurse, and she comes in and says that I had only 10 minutes to go and that I could get up and go to the bathroom. OK...so, you try getting your panties and pants on when you can't raise your leg knowing you will pee if you do!! ARGH!! So, Kent helps me, tells me to leave my shoes there, and we rush out to the bathroom...where it's in use!! So, we rush to another bathroom, and again, it's in use!! I swear...they were going to have a mess to clean up!! Finally...the door opens...and I rush in, and I go!! Sweet Mother of Lamb Chops!! I think I peed for 10 minutes!! Na...that's an exaggeration, but I did pee for a while. After my bladder was nice and empty, I slip on my shoes..and we head to the nurses station to get my discharge instructions. Basically, lay in bed for the next 36 hours, and do nothing. Yes, I could get up to go to the bathroom...but then right back to bed. I swear...that was very boring!! And, the bed wasn't all the comfortable...(not like my own bed) so it just made matters worse.

Kent was a doll though...he ran to McD's for some French Fries, and got me pineapple as well...(that's what you are supposed to eat when you are trying to conceive...or so I have been told.)

So, now we are back home...Kent dropped me home and went to work. Now we just play the waiting game. I go in on the 30th for my Beta...which will tell me if I am pregnant or not. Keep us in your thoughts that we are pregnant...

May 16th, 2008
"Well, It's today which was tomorrow, yesterday!!"
So, the news is good.

Kent and I will fly down to L.A. on Sunday night, then we will have another ultrasound on Monday morning at 8:45 am to recheck the lining. I don't know if Dr. S didn't trust the tech here in Portland or what...but, since we are on the ball...then that's great!!

I finally told my ex-husband about the Surrogacy. I have put it off, and put it off because it's really none of his business. But, I kind of needed to tell him something since there was no way that I could get the kids on Sunday night...so he will bring them all the way home. I think he was in complete shock...He asked if we were doing it for friends and I said yes...because in all actuality, they are friends that we are doing it for.

The pain in my neck is almost completely gone now. Hooray. I think it could have been stress...Kent tried to pop my back the other morning, but I was just too tense. So, he hugged me and told me to relax and that if this is what's meant to happen, then it will happen. He is such a wonderful man!!

Hope everyones weekend goes well. It's supposed to be 96-98 degrees here today. It's pretty overcast though...so, I don't know if we will make it. I say this because I am downstairs in my office, and it's always cold downstairs. Only when I go upstairs, I can feel the heat.

Hugs-A

5/15/2008
"Great..No news till tomorrow!!"
So, there is no news...none, nada, zippo, zilch!! Dr. S's office FINALLY got the report...but wouldn't ya know it? Dr. S has to look at it, and he was gone for the day. GRRR!!!
So, this is what I am thinking...
Worst Case Scenario...We have to stop this cycle...wait for AF and then begin again in June.
Best Case Scenario...We go to L.A. on Monday to have Dr. S do his own ultrasound and then we transfer on Tuesday.

Kent is a very positive person and he is going with the best case option. Gosh!! I love him for that!! Always the optimist. Balances me out..I tell ya since I am not overly optimistic at times. I feel like I have to worry about something...anything really. If I can't worry...then that means I am probably no longer living!! And that worries me. HaHa!!

So, till tomorrow...

5/15/2008
"Too thick of lining?"
Well, I went in this morning for my ultrasound and bloodwork. I guess my uterine lining is at a 21...and I don't think that is good. Crum!! And there seems to be some fluid in the uterine cavity and I have no idea what that means. I won't know anything until Dr. S calls me and tells me what to expect...either we will drop this cycle and do it again next month, or we will go ahead and see what happens. But, now I just need to wait on that phone call. ACK!! Wish me luck...A

5/13/2008
"They said it was going to get nice...and it's raining!!"
So it looks like the embryos will be 3 dayers as opposed to 5 dayers. I am not sure exactly what that means, but I am assuming it means that they thaw them and then grow them for only 3 days instead of 5...purely speculating though.

J & T (the Intended Parents) asked me today if I wanted to have fertility acupuncture. I told them that I am game for it. Anything to help them get their baby!!

We went to that dinner last night at the Governors Hotel here in Portland. That's a nice hotel...looks old and very sturdy. There was also an auction there...and we won...4 bottles of wine. Doesn't do me any good right now as I am not drinking...but, maybe by the time we are through with the surrogacy, one of the bottles might still be around. I drank tonic waters all night...no gin, no vodka. Sigh. :)

Ashlyn has a choir concert tonight. I wish it wasn't tonight as we got home later than usual last night and bed way later than usual. So, I am tired today. Hopefully the concert will be nice and quick...then we can all come home and go to bed.

That's it for now...

5/12/2008
"A Day in the life of a MONDAY!!"
Yup...Tis Monday, again!! Sometimes, I really would like the week to just stop at Sunday so that you can have a few days of rest...not just the one Sunday, but several...all in a row. But, if I could change that, then some might call me God, so I guess I will just leave the calendar as it is. :)

The day started out pretty good...then I got out of bed. I feel like my shoulders are being weighted down by rocks...and I am not sure why. I had Ashlyn massage them for me this morning...but, you can't really relax when you are being massaged and making lunches at the same time now can you? So, I took some Ibuprofen instead...didn't really help...so, here I sit and complain. Maybe I slept on my back wrong or something...I just don't know.

Ashlyn got a letter in the mail on Saturday...actually, it was a huge envelope and it was addressed to the parents of Ashlyn Korin Swisher. But, me being the nice mom that I am...I put the envelope on the bed so that she could open it when she got home from her dads.
Well, I was getting some items out of the car and she comes running out saying "Oh My Gosh, Oh My Gosh!!" So, I looked at what she had, and it's a letter to her from the NYLC- National Youth Leaders Conference. She has been nominated to represent her school (I am not sure just how many students are going from her school, but I don't think there are very many...) in the fall in New York.

The National Young Leaders Conference (NYLC) is designed to instruct and enrich promising students in a hands-on, experiential atmosphere while preparing them for a lifetime of leadership.

NYLC offers students the opportunity to discuss current events and issues with top policy makers in Washington, D.C., analyze concepts and then put them immediately to work. This dynamic program features creative decision-making simulations that challenge young minds to solve problems and lead their peers through role-playing exercises in an energy-charged environment far from the traditional classroom experience.

(yeah, I got that from the NYLC website...)

Anyways, I am so very proud of her...I told her to think about it since it will cost us an arm, a spleen, and possibly a leg...but, I don't want money to stand in the way of her achieving higher goals for herself. I mean, can you imagine being able to put that experience on a college application? That is just so "WHOA!!"

Kent and I talked it over, and we feel that it might be a good idea if she earns some of the money for her trip on her own. I mean, the politicians fund raise, right? But, I have not talked to her about that yet...so, we will see how she feels about it. I was thinking of maybe a penny or change drive...there are lots of people who would rather give up their change than their hard earned greenbacks. I suppose I probably have some change around here that I could start her out on. What a great slogan it could be too... " Ashlyn, trying to make some change, so that Ashlyn could change the world." Well, that was really just off the top of my head, so we will need to give it some more thought.

Kent and I are going to a dinner tonight in downtown Portland for the NW Grocers Association. And, I kind of don't feel up to it cause my neck and shoulders are so tight...I should go take a hot shower to see if I can loosen it up. Good idea me thinks!!

TTFN....

There are more to these blogs, but I don't want to run out of room and have blogger not work for me..so, if you want to see the other one's, feel free...if easyjournal still works..
www.lovingmylife36.easyjournal.com