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The DiSanto's

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More of klds' photos

Friday, March 30th

Political Math...

The next time you hear a politician use the word "billion" in a casual manner, think about whether you want the "politicians" spending your hard earned tax dollars.

A billion is a difficult number to comprehend, but one advertising agency did a good job of putting that figure into some perspective in one of its releases.

a. A billion seconds ago, it was 1959.
b. A billion minutes ago, Jesus was alive.
c. A billion hours ago, our ancestors were living in the Stone Age.
d. A billion days ago, no one walked on the earth on two feet.
e. However, a billion dollars ago is only 8 hours and 20 minutes ago at the rate our government is spending it.
While this thought is still fresh in our brain, let's take a look at New Orleans. It's amazing what you can learn with some simple division...

A Louisiana Senator, Mary Landrius (D), is presently asking Congress for $250 billion to rebuild New Orleans . Interesting number, but what does it mean?

a. Well if you are one of the 484,674 residents of New Orleans, you and every other man, woman and child in the city would each get $516,528.

b. Or, if you have one of the 188,251 homes in New Orleans, your home gets $1,329,787.
c. Not bad, but if you are a family of four, your family gets $2,066,012...even better and probably would furnish your new home nicely with a dollar or two left over for gumbo!

Washington, DC.... Hello!!!!! ...... Are all of your dang calculators broken?

klds on 03.30.07 @ 10:27 AM CST [link]

Thursday, March 29th

Shift Happens...

klds on 03.29.07 @ 01:46 AM CST [link]

Monday, March 26th

Dear Mr. President...

"What do you feel when you see all the homeless on the street?
Who do you pray for at night before you go to sleep?
What do you feel when you look in the mirror?
Are you proud?

klds on 03.26.07 @ 12:26 AM CST [link]

Sunday, March 25th

Weekend news...

* Well Delaney and Kay C. spent the weekend with Nana. Bob stayed home to paint.
* Kelly has a Vit. B12 deficiency- hope the shots help and you feel better soon.
* Erin and Beth are both waiting to hear from their job interviews- both have gone well so far.
* Karen and Linda are tearing up their kitchen. (See post below).
* This past week was spring break- I got lots done including my taxes.
* Kameron is chopping at the bit to go fishing...
* What's up with you?
klds on 03.25.07 @ 01:22 AM CST [link]

Spring has sprung here...

"Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers today;and give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here, all simply in the springing of the year."

klds on 03.25.07 @ 01:14 AM CST [link]

It couldn't be easy...

Well, when we started with the dremel- it was easy and the sides came right off. When we got on the back, outside wall next to the sink- it seems they used glue and cement because it ruined 2 blades and we had to hand chisel them out (please note pink hammer which helped donate to cancer research). Once we got all the tiles out and the silver bar- we started on the dishwasher. Here you see it, and now you don't. Later today we will attempt to put in the new one which was delivered yesterday. The other bad news- the countertop we ordered is on backorder- he hopes it won't take to long. Also- trying to match the grout to put tiles back after counter tops are in is not proving to be easy. Nothing in this house ever is!
klds on 03.25.07 @ 01:11 AM CST [link]

Thursday, March 22nd

What Makes 100%?

What does it mean to give MORE than 100%? Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%? We have all been to those meetings where someone wants you to give over 100%. How about achieving 103%? What makes up 100% in life?

Here's a little mathematical formula that might help you answer these questions:
If:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z is represented as:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.

Then:
H-A-R-D-W-O-R-K
8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%
and
K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E
11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%
But,
A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E
1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%
And,
B-U-L-L-S-H-I-T
2+21+12+12+19+8+9+20 = 103%
AND, look how far ass kissing will take you.
A-S-S-K-I-S-S-I-N-G
1+19+19+11+9+19+19+9+14+7 = 118%

So, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that While Hard work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get you there, it's the Bullshit and Ass kissing that will put you over the top.

klds on 03.22.07 @ 03:15 PM CST [link]

Wednesday, March 21st

Don't Buy IOMEGA!

SO a while back, my Iomega external USB drive stopped being recognized by my computer. It was for backup purposes, but I am pretty sure I had a few things on there that were not on my computer. The kicker is that the drive was only 3 month old. I thought it wouldn't be a problem because it is still under warrenty... one problem though... does not cover data recovery. After three weeks of playing tag with the recovery service through iomega, I finally got in touch with them TODAY. I need to have the read/write head replaced and the circuitry is bad (PCB component) or something or other. So I said, "No problem, because that covered under warrenty, right?" NO! For some reason, this problem, which to me sounds like a hardware/equipment problem, falls under data recovery problem. So their economy service, which takes 4 weeks (because I figured go for lowest cost) is $1800!!! Come again? Did I hear that correctly? I only paid $125 in the first place - I can buy 15 new external drives or one whole new computer for that price. And this is all because I wanted to make sure that I have my pictures backed up. I told him no thanks because I know I have at least 80% of my data on the computer, maybe more. So I am having them send it back to me and figured I could ask you guys if you know of any other CHEAPER method? And I also want to urge people not to buy iomega products after this, because I think this is all a bit rediculous!
Erin on 03.21.07 @ 11:35 AM CST [link]

Tuesday, March 20th

Our strong willed girl...

“Often there is eloquence in a silent look”

Now this is not the look she gave her father in church when he told her to be quiet. She sat very still, with "the look", straight ahead for about 3 minutes then gently let the hymnal slip from her fingers to the floor- the last word! Here is our beautiful girl full of smiles and happiness- last year at Myrtle Beach- she can't wait to go back either. I think the whole family is looking forward to it.
klds on 03.20.07 @ 12:58 AM CST [link]

Kitchen make over...

Well we ordered the counter tops today- we went with Earthstone Nevada. The color is not exact here but it gives you an idea. It will be installed in about 2 weeks. Linda now has to remove the bottom row of tile so we can remove the metal trim piece.

And last- we will be replacing the dishwasher which is rusting out with a new Kenmore dishwasher. It is suppose to be very quiet and remove 99.99 % bacteria. I did not know dishwashers now come with their own garbage disposable and power washers in the bottom (have not had to buy one for a long time- they have changed).

This is like getting a kitchen redo.
klds on 03.20.07 @ 12:46 AM CST [link]

For Nana...

tnav_logo (5k image) A Maid-rite is a "loose meat" sandwich. The first Maid-Rite was opened in Muscatine,Iowa which was a walk-up restaurant. Later, a new eat-in building was opened that featured a "car hop" or drive-in service. This was the first such service of this kind in the United States. Today you can get a Maid-Rite in Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, and Ohio. Each time I would visit the Quad Cities mom and I would go get a sandwich- she loves them. So mom- here is a recipe to make those "loose-meat" sandwiches at home.

Maid-Rite's
1 lb ground beef or ground chuck (at least 15% fat)
1 cup water
1/4 cup beef broth
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 plain hamburger buns
yellow mustard
minced onions
dill pickle slices

1. Brown beef, use potato masher to help get beef into small pieces.
2. Drain excess fat as soon as pink is gone.
3. Add 1 cup water and 1/4 cup beef broth.
4. Simmer the meat uncovered for 1 hour or until liquid is gone. Stirring every 10 minutes or so.
5. When liquid is gone put meat on bun, top with mustard, onion and pickle.
6. Enjoy.
klds on 03.20.07 @ 12:27 AM CST [link]

Monday, March 19th

Counting the days...

"I don't care if there is snow on the ground- I want to go fishing."

Kameron got 2 new fishing poles and is counting the days to use them when he goes to Myrtle Beach with his family and friend Joemain. He tried to get Nana to let him go yesterday- it was too cold. Keep counting Kam- it will be here before you know it.
klds on 03.19.07 @ 01:19 AM CST [link]

Sunday, March 18th

Happy Birthday Bob...

“All of us are joining in to say, may the year which your birthday begins,
bring all the special things, that mean the most to you!”

Let's all join in with Delaney to wish Bob a very happy birthday!
klds on 03.18.07 @ 01:27 AM CST [link]

Saturday, March 17th

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

klds on 03.17.07 @ 09:54 PM CST [link]

Friday, March 16th

New counter tops...

We got our bid on new kitchen counter tops and it fell right into place (solid surface is not much more than laminate). They have a new product called "Wilsonart Gibraltar" and it is very nice. Once measured and ordered it takes 2 days to install, added bonus...all the cupboards will get cleaned out and organized (a spring break project). We are excited. We will also buy a new dishwasher at this time. This makes working every night worth it.

Bad news- I was driving to my doctors appointment Wednesday and all the lights went on in the dashboard. Three hours and $460.00 later- I had a new alternator. At least I had the money to fix it but it hurts to pay for something you don't want but need.
klds on 03.16.07 @ 11:09 AM CST [link]

Thursday, March 15th

Mim's day with Kelsie...

“A year, ten years from now, I'll remember this;
not why, only that we were here like this, together.”

Mim took Kelsie on Monday and they spent the day together. At one point they were looking at family photos and came upon a picture of Aunt Kay C- Mim asked Kelsie what Kay C called her. Kelsie got so excited that she popped out with "Pepperoni" instead of "Kelsironi". Kim said they had a great time together.
klds on 03.15.07 @ 02:51 PM CST [link]

Annie...

"The sun'll come out Tomorrow
So ya gotta hang on 'Til tomorrow
Come what may Tomorrow! Tomorrow!
I love ya Tomorrow!
You're always A day A way!"

Last night the Carroll family went to the play "Annie". Delaney was so excited to get dressed up and go to a play. When "Tomorrow" came on- she threw up her arms and began to sing. She told her parents after she wants to act on the stage when she gets big...watch out world, she's coming!
klds on 03.15.07 @ 02:38 PM CST [link]

Italian Salad - SO DELISH!

I wanted to post my most favorite salad for all to enjoy! This is based off the Italian salad at Maggiono’s, which is one of our favorite Italian places to eat. We have been trying to stay out of there since we are on a health kick and trying to save money, so I came up with my own version that’s not too far off:

3 cups torn Romaine Lettuce
1 thin Red Onion slice (cut up as you please)
2 slices Reduced Fat Provolone Cheese (50 cal. per slice)
1/2 cup partially cooked Broccoli (I nuke in a steamer for 2 min.)
1/4 cup Garbanzo Beans
1/4-1/2 of one Roasted Red Pepper (cut into chunks)
3 Cherry Tomatoes
2 Tbsp. Good Seasons Italian Dressing (the kind you make from the envelope)

This salad is so delish and I eat it at least once a week. Try it and I promise you are sure to love it. Some of the ingredients sound a little strange (like broccoli), but I promise everything is perfection! At the restaurant they include croutons, but I didn’t want the extra carbs. Add them if you like. And it’s only about 382 calories. Now, that may sound like a lot for salad, but there is nice protein in the cheese and beans, you get lots of veggies, and it is very filling. You can probably reduce some of the calories in the dressing, but trust me… this one makes it!

Erin on 03.15.07 @ 02:29 PM CST [link]

Tuesday, March 13th

New header...

Did you notice the new header?
The picture was taken by Erin when the family visited the Grand Canyon (looks like they had a good time to me).
klds on 03.13.07 @ 01:09 AM CST [link]

Did you know...

Sarah and Katie both made the honor roll- smart kids! Congratulations- we are all so proud.

Matty had her first game with the School team- she scored the only goal to tie the game. They them had a "kick off" YES- you got it, she scored the winning kick too! Way to go Matty!

Kevin Michael will be moving into his new home by April 5th- what a relief. I want pictures Kevin!

I have finished 2 of the 3 families I have been working with so I finally have some free time (still teach on Tuesday's), going to a two day "Bully Prevention/Intervention Conference Tuesday and Wednesday and next week is Spring Break- YES!

What's happening with you?
klds on 03.13.07 @ 12:56 AM CST [link]

Monday, March 12th

Everything but the dress...

Today I went on my interview (haven't done this in 12.5 years) I got nails (thanks Kelly, they looked great), I got new ear rings, I got a new hair curler, I bought a new purse (I have never owned a purse), I got new make-up and then got a new pants, shirt and jacket.

With the looks down- did I dazzle them with my brain- don't know as they seemed stuck on why I would leave a job after 12.5 years...the bad news, I'll be expensive to hire on the teachers scale, the good news I know before I have to sign my contract with Park Hill. We will see. I got a new outfit (and purse!) out of it.
klds on 03.12.07 @ 09:47 PM CST [link]

Sunday, March 11th

Reach Your Goal

Okay, on this little fitness mission I call HELL, I found an article that may help. This started when I noticed many people at the gym reading books and magazines while they worked out. At first I thought, “How on earth can these people do both.” Well, I found out it is easier than I thought. Since they keep magazines there for people to use, I grabbed one, thinking that maybe it would make my workout seem less tedious (and it did). The one I grabbed was SELF magazine (Sept. 2006) and it had a great program in it for eating and working out. Basically, there is a one week eating plan that you can try and mix up any way that you want, and it sounds GREAT! And then you choose one of four programs to concentrate on (you can do others as you progress): Start an Exercise Habit, Drop 8 Pounds in a Month, Sculpt Sexy Muscles, and Go from Walking to Running. Each of these choices give you four weeks of cardio and strength routines that help you do more than what you normally would on your own (i.e. it tells you to walk at a normal pace for 5 minutes, jog for 1 minute, etc. EASY!). Anyway, each of these four routines cover a lot of people and levels and I LOVE it! Since I already started the habit, I am going to begin on Drop 8 pounds. I’m just simply going to follow the routines that they give me… and they’re not hard. Now, I will probably continue to do my strength routine that I got from my trainer, but I may switch out the cardio and see what can happen. I loved this so much that I thought I would copy the information off their website and include it here for people to see… especially since so many have stated that they want to get in shape for my wedding. So take a look and give it a try! I start tomorrow. Here it is: reach-your-goals.pdf (569k file)
Erin on 03.11.07 @ 03:28 PM CST [link]

Spring Forward...

2003591969 (28k image)
At 2 a.m. on March 11, groggy Americans will turn their clocks forward one hour, marking the beginning of Daylight Saving Time (DST).

The federal law that established "daylight time" in this country does not require any area to observe daylight saving time. But if a state chooses to observe DST, it must follow the starting and ending dates set by the law. From 1986 to 2006 this has been the first Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October, but starting in 2007, it will be observed from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November, adding about a month to daylight saving time.
klds on 03.11.07 @ 12:37 AM CST [link]

Friday, March 9th

Strike...

Delaney went bowling and got a strike (see frame 7). This is what she looked like after...

klds on 03.09.07 @ 12:09 AM CST [link]

Tuesday, March 6th

Put something in...

"Draw a crazy picture,
Write a nutty poem,
Sing a mumble-grumble song,
Whistle through your comb.
Do a loony-goony dance
'Cross the kitchen floor,
Put something silly in the world
That ain't been there before."

klds on 03.06.07 @ 12:46 AM CST [link]

Monday, March 5th

House projects...

Well it's that time of year again- income tax returns which means house projects and repairs. This year we are having the cottage cheese scrapped off and redone- we are having a bid today. They scrap, sand, refinish and clean up. If it comes in close to the insurance claim to repaint we are going for it. We also hope to get new kitchen counter tops this year.I swear- it never ends!
klds on 03.05.07 @ 12:35 AM CST [link]

Sunday, March 4th

The Wedding Location

hp-park1 (27k image) Sorry about the confusion... La copied the post off of my site and didn't include the link (where is said the location is here, the "here" was a link to Emerson park). It is not here where we live; it's in Auburn. Here are some pictures off their site:

pavilion2 (23k image)

We fell in love with the place and felt that it gave us the "feel" that we wanted, an outdoor landscape that was beautiful overlooking the lake, and provided a covered ballroom and dining room area in case of bad weather without having to rent tents.

pavilion1 (22k image) These are of other events that were held there, but we would decorate ourselves:

2007ballroom1
2007ballroom2
2007ballroom3
2007dining1
dining2
pkitchen1

We have many ideas and think that this can be so beautiful and magical. We want white lights in the trees, hanging lanterns, lit luminari pathways, etc. To me it is the perfect location... and it took a lot of deliberating because I didn't want it to be stressful on anyone. In the end, I just couldn't help it. That's why we rented it for 2 days so that Sunday can be a total prep day and we will hold the rehearsal dinner there so that it is not a total waste of money.

We're excited and hope you are too!
Erin on 03.04.07 @ 03:51 PM CST [link]

Thursday, March 1st

Finally...a date (September 3, 2007)

We finally booked a location and set a date for the wedding! I know, we've been engaged for 3+ years, but you have follow the path that is set before you and prior to recently it wasn’t the right time due to our circumstances and living situations. But now, we're ready! It's a little unorthodox, but we are getting married on Monday, September 3. Part of this is money and availability of the location. We're okay with it, although Sunday would have been better so people could travel home. Sorry. Anyway, here is the chosen location: Emerson park. My mom called them and the contracts are being sent today. We also have a fabulous catering company in line for our elegant family Labor Day event. And surprisingly, they are preparing the foods we want AND letting us do some of it on our own! We haven't signed a contract yet, but it sounds pretty darn good. It will be an hors'duevre (I can never spell that stupid word) and wine/beer event. Think of it as an elegant, yet semi-casual, cocktail party. Now that we have some info started, more will come as things get finalized... For now we are making lists and trying to get prepared. If we go home in March, we will go with my mom and sister to look at dresses for the party (I already have mine... whether I will fit into it is another story though). So, here we go! We might just get hitched after all!
klds on 03.01.07 @ 01:26 PM CST [link]

March 2007
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