Springtime Woes and Garlic breath

I am one of the TWO people [count 'em] in my household who take care of our property outdoors. The two of us happen to be the owners, wouldn't you know. We try to enforce childhood and neighborhood labor, but busyness, laziness, having company, making trips to NYC, having loads of distractions, sending kids on class trips to Washington D.C., work schedules, little league games, softball games, playdates and TERRIBLE TREE POLLEN ALLERGIES have a little bit to do with why yardwork ends up on the bottom of the priority list.

The flower beds are overgrown and full of weeds...

I usually mow the lawn in the summertime. I like to do it. But I fear there won't be much grass this year based on the leaves from the fall that were never successfully removed. Nope. There will just be nice brown patches of dirt! or leaves with a tarp lying underneath...

The fledgling rhodies are trying ever so hard to make their way through the piles of leaves surrounding them. "One day you babies are gonna be awesome!"

The oak trees are dropping disgusting crud EVERYWHERE!!

But here comes the worst part! Get ready!!!

(But before that, just look at the pose Noah is giving for the picture--haha)

OK. Here it is. BJ removed the pool cover about a week ago or more... just in time for a BIG, WINDY STORM...

HORRORS!!!

(The "Pool Guy" comes on Monday--he won't be happy to see this)!!
I guess we decided to turn our pool into a backyard pond!

There is also another awful and ongoing plague we've been experiencing in the Hamptons every spring... INCHWORMS! The are everywhere. They have invaded the outdoors so much that no matter where you go along your way, you will stop to discover that 3-4 inchworms have hitched a ride on you clothes or hair. It's creepy! They are chowing down on the young, green leaves.
And the next part will be their delightful pooping from above. It literally sounds like a like rain, and these tiny black droppings that look like poppy seeds are everywhere.

This crap shown above and allergies I suffer from absolutely ruins my spring!

And about the garlic breath...
Well, I made Shepherd's pie last night and accidently put in too much garlic. So I figure the entire Hochstedler household is bound to keep the vampires away for a few days. Thank God for that.

This Doesn't Even Cover the Weekend

I think you know by now, my dear readers, that I enjoy taking photographs... and then I must display them. It's been such a busy week for my camera. I'll work backwards from the most recent takes. (Today's pics from the Memorial Day parade are still on the camera. Yesterday, BJ and I went to the city--no pics were taken. Saturday we had a party--no pics=no evidence). LOL.

The most recent event to show was FRIDAY NIGHT's PROM!

Luke was invited to a junior prom (different school) by the beautiful Aleshandra.
He knew several others who were in the same limo... from youth group, i.e. Jake and Josh... Don't they look soooo HANDSOME?!
There were about TWENTY kids in one limo!!!! There's a whole story behind the limo--and all I will say is that they are getting a refund on the HUGE payment they made.
It was stretch hummer... which happens to be in the shop now, I'm guessing.

Please excuse my washed out shots. I had the settings all wrong for some of these. (I struggle with setting when there is lots of bright sun and shadows).

================================================

FRIDAY MORNING belonged to Anika!!! She was selected to play a solo on her clarinet at a master class for the Swiss Artistic Foundation at the Brockman Playhouse Estate. It was awesome!!! These two gentlemen conducted and coached the young performers giving them some great instructional tips for their playing.

This is the Brockman Playhouse (under renovation, but an amazing place).
Here she is... giving her first clarinet performance before an audience. She was great!

Simon was showing her some specific places in the music, giving ideas that would help her overcome problem spots.
Jessica also played. These two girls started the clarinet together in 4th grade and have continued to grow in musicianship and friendship.
This was some of the ornate decor of the performance hall.
This is where the conductors sat while listening to the performances. The whole thing was professionally filmed as well. The master class going on it's fourth year, and nice scholarships are given to seniors. We hope Anika stays involved.

THURSDAY NIGHT was the Spring concert. Yes. That's me at the piano accompanying the 3rd-6th grade choir.

Jennah and Elizabeth love singing. Jennah had a featured part with a small ensemble.

And the 7th-12th graders did a wonderful job. Anika was talking in between songs in every picture (for shame).
The band pictures are never great... but there's Nate, playing the saxophone--third chair in.
Our school purchased world drumming marimbas this year. They are soooo cool. That's Jessica playing the bass marimba. This particular instrument is about 4 feet tall so one must stand on a chair to play.
The world drummers ensemble, which also includes hand drums, played a piece together with the band and a few pieces also with the choir. It was a wonderful, new addition to the concert. And of course, let us not forget the PreK-2nd graders. Here they were singing Yankee Doodle and after that they were "squishing up their baby bumble bee." So cute.

I loved the other new addition to the concert--a 10 minute drama presentation given by the language department--Napoleon. It was written by one of our teachers and the kids did a great job. Brenden played Napoleon. WHAT A HAM!!! Angelica played his wife.

Anika played the mistress who gives Napoleon what he wants--A SON! She gets in a bread fight with his wife.
Here they all are in various costumes holding props... it was a sketch of Genieve's dream. Very clever.
I mustn't forget to mention the amazing art that's on display at the school. Jake Patterson is the artist of the self-portraits below. He will be going on to college to study art. He's very talented and comes from a family with artistic talent.
Caleigh is not far behind Jake, with her amazing depiction of "BIRDS".
Anika's self-portrait sketch.
And self-portrait multi-media collage.
TUESDAY NIGHT was the election tally for school board and budget... and there I am waiting in anticipation of all the right results. I was right!

SATURDAY AFTERNOON the girls walked the red carpet at Annabel's birthday premiere.

Anika added the effects.

Jennah was feelin' it! Posing as Lindsay Lohan.There's Lindsay with two of the Cheetah Girls.
Elizabeth went as one of the Olsen Twins.
These two are just cute as a button.
And that ends my little slide show of a zillion pictures. There are tons more. Don't you wish you could see them all?

FUN IDEA!

hahahaha

Privacy

The state of being free from unsanctioned intrusion: a person's right to privacy.

The state of being free from intrusion or disturbance in one's private life or affairs: the right to privacy.

The quality of being secluded from the presence or view of others.

(Oh HERE'S a good one)
Where only the intended recipients can read a message.



I went public again with my blog. JUST NOW! I'm not so worried anymore about my "image" being all slandered and tainted from something found on KOOL DAZE! It was an issue that had come up in my mind several times during my BIG CAMPAIGN SEASON. The fear of ruthless and nasty exposure of my personal life actually caused a bit of writers block. But now that the elections are over and I didn't win, I can feel free to flip the back of my fingers up my neck and off of my chin to those who would have evil intent against me. I'm not so sure some people would ever get my sick sense of humor. It could easily be misconstrued.


There is also another issue though. It's much more sinister. Last month, about one week after a made an email boo boo I found myself in another saga, only this time I didn't make that fatal mistake of pressing "reply" when I meant to press "foward". NO. This time I DID press foward and did not include anyone else in the "to" line. I double checked based on my boo boo the week earlier. My message was intended for one recipient, and only one. The intended successfully received my foward (with my frustrated and snarky remark, because I was venting), and yet somehow--some UN-explainable HOW--the former party (the person whose response I was forwarding to my friend) also received the forward in her inbox... as a reply... four hours after I forwarded it to my friend. My privacy was violated!!!

I wouldn't have even known this happened, because there is nothing to show on my computer that it went anywhere else but to my friend. But I was called on the carpet about it the next day. This was my anxiety vs. anticipation post. To add insult to injury, I was being chastised for what the email said--even though it was illegally obtained. There is sooooo much more... oh the drama. Ohhh the intrigue... dang! I should set my blog back to private so I could tell the whole tale.
MwmmWHHHAAAaHAAHAAA!!!

It's been a very disturbing situation for me. Does anyone know about software or hacking abilities where a fowarded email can be flagged so that the original person would also see the forward? I know many corporations use software like this... and it also happened to a friend of mine this past year, so I was aware that these things do happen when it happened to me. Please email me if you have any information.

Anyway--privacy schmivacy! It will ALL be reveal one day.

Where Do I Begin?

Do you think I used the wrong picture for my campaign flyer? I don't know what happened! Baaahahaha!!

OK. The results from the elections are in and the very essence of what I wanted in my heart of hearts has come to pass. I can remove my blog from its private status (after going private for a mere 24 hours)!! haha. Anyway, allow me to explain.

There were 2 seats open on the school board and 4 candidates running. Two of the candidates... I HAVE BEEN WAITING AND WAITING TO TELL THIS STORY... two of the candidates were incumbents--EK and JC. (JC is one of the "Two Joe Schmoes" who got on last year, but was only completing the final year of someone elses term). The other two candidates were Nicki and I. We were running together--endorsing each other. We were telling everyone to "vote for us--or we'll beat your ass!" haha... I'm a little giddy.

JC together with his crooney JB, the two schmoes, have been out to close our high school all year long. It has been a DIRTY, NASTY, DISGUSTING and a very YUCCY fight. Those two have lied and skewed numbers and boosted their plan using falsities like a true politician, in order to draw a particular class of tax payers to their side (those who live south of the highway--Ocean road and such). The two Joes have tried to ruin the reputation of the school by using old data from former troubled years and ignoring all the wonderful scores and test results that have been happening in the recent years. Can you believe that two school board members would get on the board with one mission in mind and one mission only--to close down the school!??

Here's a quote from a letter JB wrote to the paper this past week:

Joe Conti and I have taken the heat on the tuitioning of our high school students to other districts. That's fine; we can take it for the sake of the education of our young people. NOW it's time for the votes to decide if we are on track. There is a major effort to unseat Joe in this election. If that happens, it also means we may not have the voter support to pass a tuitioning out petition. So here's what we pledge to you, the voter: you get Joe reelected, and we will do what it takes to let you decide this issue. If Joe doesn't get reelected, we will accept your decision.

Well, my friends... Mr. Conti was UNSEATED!!! Woohoo. He came in with the lowest amount of votes! And the real beauty of it was the other three of us were actually splitting each other's votes. If there were just 2 of us running against him the gap would have been even more telling. It was EK with 161 votes, Nicki with 157 votes, me with 153 votes and JC with 144. It was a close race, but the results turned out exactly how I had hoped. Now if a board member gives up his or her seat before their term is up, the board would look to appoint me to the seat before they looked to JC. It was a total victory. And I can continue having all the fun, serving on the PTO. YESSSSSS! Maybe next year I will run again--but Nicki, starting July 1st, will start paving the way!! And EK is a strong school advocate and quite frankly needs to be the board president!!! PLEASE OH GOD!!!

About my blog... yesterday, I was looking at my sitemeter and seeing that someone in this locale had viewed 50 pages and then again another 17 pages and the entry page was from a google search of my full name. With the elections and having my name in the paper and all... I felt quite vulnerable. And the story I had just posted to my blog about that dream I had made my face turn red--hahaha. SO now... I don't have to clean it up anymore--woohoo! That was one of the longest days of my life.

Cheers!
Hahaha

19

Today marks nineteen years with the man I love!! Who can complain about life, when she has that piece in her pocket? (Not that Terry is a "piece" nor is he "in my pocket." I have a joy to claim! I am a rich woman! I am happy and content!!

Let me take you through the years of time... (I'd include pictures if my scanner worked--oh well--so very very sorry).

Year One--started a youth group with the kids in our church in NY and had a blast, then moved back to ORU where BJ was a dorm director on campus and had to deal with someone pulling the fire alarm at 1 AM about 4 times a week. PJs wouldn't have been necessary for either of us were it not for those damn fire alarms.

Year Two--Moved back to NY. YAY! BJ did carpentry and I helped my folks with their mailing and one-hour photo shop and was involved in the music group at our church. Also started on my first pregnancy.

Year Three--BJ was a produce man, a deli man, a baker, a youth leader, a part-time manager, a new dad, a lawn mower (to help pay rent), the creator of a French exchange program, an "elder in training" <--oh brother, and my main squeeze. Second pregnancy!

Year Four--moved back in with parents for a short time. Arrival of second baby, awesome youth group, mission trip to India, and later some serious and tragic church problems (one of our elders committed suicide in his 50s). Eldership for Terry.

Year Five--Two boy toddlers!!! Need I say more? Oh... and a third pregnancy. Losing my mind! And... needing to find housing suddenly... in the Hamptons... just before Memorial Day! <--impossible! Miracles happen. My brother found a house for us. Had 3rd baby--homebirth. Glorious daze.

Year Six--Homeschooled. Taught piano. BJ started full-time on staff with church... assistant pastor and administrator. Had help from my dear dear friend, Jamie, who lived with us for a year, as did Leigh Ann for a few months. Pregnant for #4. Mission Trip to Guatamala with youth group.

Year Seven--French exchange program grew very big, lots of stuff continued to happen. More lovin. Forth baby; second homebirth. BABIES BABIES BABIES!! CAN'T REMEMBER MUCH.

Year Eight--Still don't remember much. Good times. Mission Trip with the youth group to Dominican Republic. Homeschooling as well as teaching eleven piano students and starting the fifth pregnancy. Terry became full-time pastor. We were driven.

Year Nine--Homebirth brought forth baby #5. More good times. Kids were fun and crazy. Can't remember much.

Year Ten--Bought a house! ANOTHER MIRACLE!

Year Eleven--Built an addition on the house. Train wrecked in the church. (not literally)

Year Twelve--Closed church doors. Pregnant for 6th AND FINAL!

Year Thirteen--Homebirth #4 for child #6. Moved to NJ. Met some great people. Experienced good times working with youth group and music ministry.

Year Fourteen--Another big train wrecked... in NJ church this time. We move back to NY.

Year Fifteen--Started a home church with friends. I got involved at the school. BJ picked up a job with a big-time construction company and moved into the office and into a building management position.

Year Sixteen--Ended our home church endeavors and finally moved on--IN MUCH NEED OF RECOVERY FROM YEARS OF... CRAZY!!! I began teaching Musikgarten classes and reconnecting with college friends and blogging!

Year Seventeen--BJ and I took an awesome cruise with the dear friends we made in NJ. Hooray. Started making new friends. Ventured into a local church on a Sunday... every once-in-a-while.

Year Eighteen--BJ started working with the youth in the church. I got more involved at the school. Boys became teenagers somehow not only in age but also in SPIRIT! BJ and I had getaways and good times all year and tried not to let teenage troubles seperate us. (This was a challenge my friends, and I thank you for being so supportive).

Year Nineteen--New pool went in the backyard! <--one of my favorite things. Boyz continued to give trouble on and off. Youth group grew. I got involved with the music team. Presently, I'm running for school board--vote is today! But most importantly... MY LOVE GROWS STRONGER FOR MY DARLING HUSBAND EACH AND EVERY DAY! HE IS THE MAN--THE ONE MADE FOR ME--AND I LOVE HIM FOREVER!!!

The Cell Phone Message (repost)

I can't think of anything good to post lately. So I'm reposting a random one from back in October. I thought it was funny. Maybe this is where my "problems" began. Great thanks to my girlfriends who have tainted me! har har har

I woke up in a panic last night. It was the weirdest thing, but it may have something to do with this little secret game that me and some of my friends came up with while we were in NYC. We truly are not the swearing type, and we are VERY upstanding individuals, but we thought we would create a little "mischief" by using one particular swear word--the really bad one--to surprise each other throughout the weekend. We choose the F-bomb!! *gasp* Why did we do it? I don't know. Maybe because someone was suppose to get a free dinner if they could be really brave. No one actually won the dinner did they?? But it was hilarious--to us anyway.

People all around us we're using the F-bomb quite readily. The thing that really cracked me up was the United Brigade Theater. In their improv skits it just so happened that they used the F-bomb as their favorite word... and I'm almost sure they were using it just to play along with our game. They were always saying, "What the F***?" It's a very popular phrase right now. And I thought it was funny, based on our little inside joke. I'm so immature.

So, last night I was sleeping quite beautifully when I found myself waking from a disturbing dream. I was sitting in a waiting room somewhere, together with Sohailah and my mom and a few other people. I just happened to mention something about Terry and I considering adopting a child (which was ONLY in the dream btw) when my cell phone rang. I saw a name come up as some Simon Law Firm or whatever, so I didn't answer it and I didn't know why I was getting that call. But right away I check my voice mail and it was some lawyer calling about helping us with an adoption. The lawyer's message said, "I'm not sure if I'm SUPPOSED to leave a message or NOT supposed to. Um..." It was so weird that I pressed on my speaker phone for everyone to witness the quirkiness of it all, when my own outgoing voice message came on. It went like this:

Hi. This is Karen. I can't get your call right now... so leave a F***ing
message. Or DON'T leave a F***ing message. I don't care. Bye.

I couldn't turn off the message quick enough. I was totally embarrassed. Why did I leave such a recording like that on my cell phone? What was I thinking? I must have thought I was so funny at the time.

I woke up in totally anxiety with the cold sweats--hahah--and could not get back to sleep for a while. Did I really leave that message on my phone?? Was I in such a sophomoric mindset that I really thought I could do that??? Let's see... I faintly remember something... no... did I? Huh. I haven't received any message lately. Hmmm... Should I get up and check? No. No. I finally convinced myself that OF COURSE I DIDN'T LEAVE THAT MESSAGE!! (but I still wasn't totally sure). Finally, I fell back to sleep but I got up and checked it right away this morning. I was right. It was a normal boring message. No fancy, colorful words thrown in. Phew! Of course, this morning, in my right mind I knew that I would NEVER leave a message like that on my cell phone. Sheesh!

My brain is playing funny tricks on me.

Suzie Stewardess

Aaahhhh, Suzie Stewardess... maybe you've met her. She has been known to fly the sunny skies serving customers on some of those more "affordable" airlines.

Ok. Truth is... Suzie is fictitious. My friend, Shelly, and I made her up back in college. We were funny like that.

Suzie had this sweetsie-voice that was everso gentle. She would say things on a flight like:


"Can I get you anything to make you feel more comfortable? Would you like a blanket?"


And then her voice and facial expression would change drastically and she would finish the sentiment with,

"I BET YOU WOULD!!!!"



I know it would be better if I demonstrated Suzie with a video clip... but I don't have the camera man to help film (cop-out).


Suzie has been a long-time part of my personality and make-up over the years. I think it may be where some of my sarcasm originates. But Suzie makes people laugh--if they get the humor. Other people are very disturbed and put off by her--which makes me laugh.

~~//~~

You all should congratulate me for last night's event. It was "Meet the Candidates" night. Yup! I am on the ballot for the school board elections, which take place next Tuesday, May 20th.

VOTE FOR HEMBY AND HOCHSTEDLER

So, "Meet the Candidates" night was an invitation for the public come out to better understand the positions of the candidates, as we were drilled asked several questions on various matters concerning the school. Actually, it went well. The questions were good. A few of them were difficult, but most were questions that I felt I had definitive answers to offer. I didn't become tongue-tied like I tend to do when I am less prepared. Phew.


Afterwards though, my husband cheered me on and all... and then told me that I spoke in a voice that was unlike my normal voice. He indicated that it was a sing-songy, lighter, more gentler voice... not something I use on a regular basis. We laughed and laughed. I didn't notice that I was doing this at all. The whole thing is a blur to me at this point. But I figure that it must have been the nicer Suzie coming out to play!

~//~

Today, there was a BIG COMPETION at school: Teachers vs. Students in softball. I "logged on" with the teachers (because I am at the school about as much as any employee). Oh, we had a wickedly good time. I always enjoy competing against my boyz. We beat them so bad. Those students got a serious spanking. Halfway into the game, the teacher who was pitching got hit in the mouth with a line drive. It wasn't pretty. We had to usher her off the field, but the show must go on. I believe she is ok.

The game was quite the event. Anyway, I took over the pitching and that's when the real taunting began.

I can't help it. When I get in those positions, I just have to tease and taunt and mock the opponents--especially my two boyz. The meaner Suzie comes out, saying things like: "Aw here comes a hitter. Everyone move in!" "Oh, I'm sorry. Did I just strike you out?!!!" "Hey, great hit--but an EASY ONE TO CATCH!" "THAT'S STRIKE THREE!!!! YOU'RE OUT!!Hahaha!"


Yes. I feel that it's important to teach the kids how to lighten up and laugh... at themselves! It was fun, indeed.

~~//~~

I'm not quite sure if the board is ready for me. I think they are hoping and praying that I don't get elected on.

I've Forgotten How...

I've forgotten how to clean my house.

I've forgotten how to cook--it's softball season.

I've forgotten how to answer the phone when I recognize the number to be a "rainy-day friend" who calls only when they need something.

I've forgotten how to do those women's bible study groups. I just can't.

I've forgotten how to need someone else's approval in order to feel good about myself.

I've forgotten how to worry myself sick about anything.

I've forgotten how to clean my house... and Mitch is coming out for a few days! Mitch... the clean-freak!!! (I forgotten how to worry if that was an offensive thing to say--haha).

I've forgotten how to feel responsible for everyone else's feelings and issues.

I've forgotten how to be depressed, and when I'm down in lasts only for a short bit.

I've forgotten how to scream and yell and go on a rampage. (Ok--not completely).

I've forgotten how to motivate myself... to clean.
(The kids do chores every week, but this past week, for mother's day, they did a big yard clean up. The chores were forsaken. I am LOST!)

I've forgotten how to wear make-up on a daily basis (try twice a year).

I've forgotten how to blog regularly.

I've simply forgotten how.

GREAT TIMES!!!

Can you figure it all out?


1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

7-A)


7-B)

8)

9)

10)

11)

12)

13)

14)

15-A)

15-B)

16)

Let's see how well you did.

1) My dear friend, Nicki, shared her birthday package...

2) of 8 lobsters from Maine!!! Delicious!

3) Yesterday, we took a bunch of girls to Shea Stadium...

4) to see the Mets, of course! (They won!)

5) It's the last year at Shea before the new stadium is opened...

6) and we were in the bright sun at the very top!

7-A) Terry got ten tickets from work, so he brought a BUNCH OF GIRLS... 7-B) Way up HIGH!

8) and his BABE!

9) Next, Nina is taking care of Caleigh as we patiently wait...

10) for Caleigh's first train/subway ride into midtown Manhattan--she was soooooo excited.

11) We got off the subway at Bryant Park...

12) and Caleigh chased the pigeons for a while.

13) The four girls (plus me) who were privileged by Sohailah to come into Manhattan after the game, to see a Broadway---Woohoo!

14) Some things one may see while walking around Time Square, are suped up cars from the "Lunatics Lowrider Club;" cars which totally remind me of what Luke and Nate drive around in their dreams!

15-A) and then, bands of all kinds play on each street corners with extra LARGE containers for $$$ contributions... and the ability to make you feel obligated to give a donation just for listening. They are probably millionaires!

15-B) One never knows when he might run into a Mickey Mouse or Elmo look alike! We were one of the privileged few.

16) This is not a doll house! This is my illegal photo of the second scene at the Broadway we saw--Mary Poppins (which is a sheer delight, btw). I didn't know I wasn't supposed to take pictures... I thought I just couldn't use a flash, but the ushers made it clear to me after I took the photo that I WAS NOT ALLOWED. HAHAH! Oops!

We had an awesome time!

And now for another week. Lord Jesus help me!