An Almost Friday Funny

Two rednecks walk into a bar. While enjoying a shot of whiskey,
they talkabout their moonshine operation. Suddenly, a woman at a nearby table who is eating a sandwich, begins to cough and sputter. After a minute or so, it becomes apparent that
she is in real distress.

One of the rednecks looks at her and says "Kin ya swallar?"

The woman shakes her head no.

"Kin ya breathe?"

The woman begins to turn blue and shakes her head no.

The redeck walks over to the woman, lifts up the back of her dress
yanks down her drawers and quickly gives her right butt cheek a lick with
his tongue.
The woman is so shocked that she has a violent spasm and the
0bstruction flies from her throat and out of her mouth. As she begins to
breathe again, the redneck walks slowly back to the bar.

His partner says, "Ya know, I'd heard of that there 'Hind Lick
Maneuver,' but I ain't niver seen nobody do it."

Pumpkin Patch and Aikido Audrey

We went to the Washington Farms pumpkin patch with the Otto's and Dauphin's. The weather was great and the crowd wasn't bad at all so it made for a great day. We saw the pig races, rode the cow train, the hayride, spent way too long in a corn maze, picked out some pumpkins, rode some big bikes and saw the farm animals.

This is my favorite picture of the day. Duane and David were chasing Kelsey on the big bikes and she was just so determined that they would not pass her.



Don't let these smiles fool you...we were thinking "if we don't get out of this corn maze soon..."



Kelsey on they hayride, also known as the roller coaster (at least when you ask her about it).



Audrey and Randy at the pumpkin slingshot. They were too strong, kept overshooting the target.




We came across some cute farm animals...




Almost everyone smiling....




Zoe, Kelsey, Trinity, Audrey and David. It is rough being the only boy (besides Baby Daniel).




Audrey is loving her Aikido class. She earned her blue and red stripes last week and was so excited that she could barely tell me about it. She said usually you can only earn one stripe in a day but she got two! So this means she knows her punches and her kicks for her white belt. I think she has already memorized all the colors of the belts before she gets to black.

I just loved Audrey's expression in this photo...she laughs so much during class. Even when she looks like she should be hurt she hops up laughing.




Happy spectators :)



Audrey breaking the blue board. She has put these breakable boards on her Christmas list. Along with all sorts of other things out of the martial arts holiday catalog her Sensei gave her (earrings, a shirt, some gloves for punching, and of course the giant foam thing you practice kicking...I asked her where we would put that and she said in her room...guess we could just get rid of her bed).



HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Halloween here we come

This year we will get to enjoy a magical witch and Minnie Mouse. This is such a great time of year. There is all the fun of Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. You can also throw in the excitement of college football and the cooler days and beautiful trees. If only work and school didn't get in the way...

They wanted curls

When Kelsey was little she had a little bit of curl. Audrey has always had my hair, very straight (even though when I was 2, I did have quite the curls). So I bought some of the sponge curlers to see if we could make the curls happen.

Here are the girls all rolled up...not sure why my phone made the picture a little orange.


And the end result for Audrey. Before I pulled it back a little she thought she looked like a boy movie star (I am thinking a Jonas brother) but she reminds me of Annie. She wanted the smallest curlers...the curls ended up very tight!


Kelsey has a lot less hair and she wanted the pink curlers, so hers wasn't as curly.


We had a great weekend. I had a parent teacher conference with Audrey's teacher last week (it was kind of an unplanned one) and she had such good things to say about Audrey. Ever since then Audrey has been picking up books and reading them. I think she heard the teacher tell me that "Audrey is a great reader" and it convinced her that she can or now she knows that I know she is a good reader.

We also went on a bike ride on the Suwanee Greenway. We all made it the 3.5 miles to the end of the trail and then we sent Randy and Pa back to get the cars. It was a great ride with bridges, tunnels, and boardwalks. There were only a few wipeouts on some sandy areas (it looked like it had flooded last week and had a lot of extra dirt on the trail). At the end of the trail we had a picnic with lots of food.

Now back to work.

New Stuff

We have been doing a major furniture shift in our house. I love it because I LOVE moving furniture around. It is a great chance to clean and organize things. Now Audrey and Kelsey are in their own bedrooms. We gave Audrey our bedroom furniture (it was just a dresser and nightstand and then the headboard was stored in the basement) and we bought new furniture for our room. Actually Randy went and bought the furniture since he is the negotiator in our family. We are going to be finishing the final room in the basement which will become the new toy room. So for now we have toys and toy room furniture kind of dispersed among the girls rooms and my office.

Here are pictures of our room, the furniture was delivered yesterday. The walls are bare and we need some sort of window treatments, but that has always been a problem for me. I never seem to be able to find something I like for the windows. And it is just hard to take a picture of the bedroom where you can see everything.

Audrey started karate this week. You can't really see in the picture but she is in the middle in red. She practiced some of her moves on us after her class, and seems to really enjoy it. We are reminding her often that she can't just walk up and karate chop someone in the side (like she did Randy)...so if she says anything to you like "hey grab me like this, or raise your hand up like that" I wouldn't do it....she is just setting you up to take you down.

We had a fun week and are heading towards a fun time of year. Randy is going to be playing softball, Kelsey is loving school, trips are planned to the pumpkin patch and Halloween costumes are being decided.

Small World

I took Audrey to a birthday party Saturday of a girl that she went to preschool with and still sees at school and in carpool. It was such a small-world moment. One of the other mom’s has a son in Kelsey’s PreK class and they were in the same preschool class last year. Her daughter rode the bus with Audrey last year (when Audrey was still fascinated with riding the bus) and Audrey always talked about how she wanted that girl to come over and play. They actually live one subdivision over from us. Another mom I saw last week at the Title 1 meeting and so we got to talk about that and another mom was Audrey's preK teacher.

So for two hours or more the girls all played and their moms sat and talked about school mainly. It feels good to hear everyone has the same complaints, joys and worries...and to get all sorts of inside scoop and the school and teachers.

Title 1

Randy suggested I blog my journey though figuring out Title 1. It has only been a week, so I don't know if that constitutes a "journey" but it has been an experience. Last Friday we received a form letter from Audrey's school addressed to the "parents of Audrey" that indicated that she qualified for title 1 services to help with various skills and invited us to attend a school wide meeting the following Thursday. My first reaction was "what skills does she need help with?" We have received only positive feedback from her teacher. So I emailed her teacher and asked the question and then went online to see what I could learn. Online I didn't learn much. I spoke over the weekend to some other parents and teachers, and by Monday decided that this didn't really mean much.

On Monday I received an email from Audrey's teacher that said, "this just means I get more help in my classroom...no need to worry!" Audrey's teacher doesn't come across as someone that would say something just to make you happy so I decided I would just go with the flow. When the meeting came around on Thursday I had pretty much decided that I wasn't going to attend...why go if it wasn't specific to Audrey? So last night after running I found myself walking into the gym for the meeting...I know I am a sucker...

Somehow (later to realize luckily) I ended up sitting with all the teachers and parapros. A lady gave a presentation about Title 1. In summary Title 1 is federal money that a school receives when they meet an eligibilty requirement. The eligibility requirement is based on the economic status of the students at the school. So for Yargo Elementary, this is the first year they have qualified. So the school gets all this money and then they can decide how to spend it. Yargo decided to spend their money by hiring 12 parapros (actually they are certified teachers who couldn't find a job) and building another computer lab. The parapros are divided up among grade levels (2 to 3 parapros per grade level). They work under the direction of the teacher and basically hold small groups with the students to work on whatever subject the teacher wants them to work on (counting money, sight words, handwriting, etc). The "title" students also get to go the new computer lab once a week for 45 minutes. Sounds like a pretty good deal for both the teachers and the students.

So then we get to the question portion. It was crazy. I thought they were going to have to call the sheriff. Parents apparently are not thrilled with their kids being titled a "title 1 student". It got very heated and I felt badly for the lady giving the presentation. Then the teachers around me got upset at accusastions that the school was simply "creating more jobs for teachers" and the need wasn't really there. To be called a title 1 student either you have to have scored a certain level on the CRCT or simply a teacher's recommendation. What teacher wouldn't want to have another teacher helping?

I was able to speak with a couple of the parapros including Audrey's. They taught me more than the lady presenting. She said that pretty much all the kids are participating in Audrey's class because her teacher recommended them. She explained this isn't EIP (early intervention) and that there was nothing specific that we needed to focus on with Audrey...this is just an extra helper and extra attention. I left the meeting feeling good...and I still think this is a good thing. I have always heard the complaint about public schools is that there isn't enough one on one focus. That teachers have to deal with behavior problems instead of teaching. Right now Yargo is a targeted assisted school. That means that only students that are labeled as "title 1" get to participate in the new computer lab and have small group with the parapro. They want to make the school a school wide program which means that parapros and the computer lab are still there but ALL kids get to partipate. All it takes is a desire to make it school wide. If you get a chance, go and vote to make it school wide:

http://www.barrow.k12.ga.us/yes/ (click on the school wide Title 1 parent survey - it is just one question and you don't even need to be a parent at that school)

Disney Photos

We took a million pictures on our trip, so this is just a sampling. If you want the "entire show" you can come by the house and watch the DVD of the pictures. We had a wonderful time. The kids were in great moods, the lines for the most part were short (at least with fast passes), we had some great time with family, and we will have great memories forever. We were in Orlando for 7 nights and went to the parks 6 days. We saw so many of the characters and had them sign autograph books. The girls rode pretty much everything. They didn't like the Tower of Terror. Audrey's favorite ride was the Aerosmith Rocking Roller Coaster. Kelsey's favorite was the carosel but she like Thunder Mountain Railroad a lot too. Some highlights include: we had to have an emergency evacuation of It's a Small World and ended up behind the ride with the dumpsters, Audrey and Randy were made movie stars as a "two headed monster" at the Monsters Inc. comedy show, the talking trash can spoke to Matthew, and Marsha managed to make it through the week without losing anything (though she tried to on several occasions).

Audrey and Kelsey at the entrance to the Magic Kingdom, waiting for the "good morning show"


The first characters we saw were Cinderella's stepmother and stepsisters. It was definetely the real thing...Audrey didn't know what to think when they acted just like they do in the movie. And Kelsey didn't want anything to do with them...but we did get a picture of Kelsey with them (she just didn't know they snuck up behind her).


Audrey with Belle (we later saw the village Belle with the Beast). This Belle commented that Randy could be her Beast.


Kelsey with Cinderella. She liked the "nice" people, but was not a fan of any villian or character that was over a certain size...even though she claims Pluto is her favorite she would only stand by him if I was between them. Better than I thought she would do considering she screams when she sees the Chick Fil A cow across the parking lot.

The longest line we stood in at the Magic Kingdom was to see the fairies (and that was like 30 mins). This is Silvermist, Audrey's favorite fairy, she is a water fairy.

Alladin and Jasmine with the girls. Jasmine is the favorite princess in our house.

Back at the condo after a long day.

Jocelyn, Audrey, Pa, Ma, Aunt Raven, Kelsey adn Greg and the boys way in the back on Thunder Mountain Railroad.

This is a neat picture. Looks like Rita and the boys are really flying on Alladin's magic carpet...just have to photoshop out that arm thing.

Marsha, Greg, Ma, Raven, Jocelyn, Pa and Rita wet after riding Splash Mountain and about to get on the jungle cruise.

The cousins in front of the castle. It is pretty tough to get these 5 in a picture together. They are wearing the hand made shirts by Aunt Rita. She could have sold them...people kept asking us where we got them. The shirts that is, not the kids.

Randy and Audrey about to ride Star Wars at Hollywood Studios.

The girls with Prince Caspien from Narnia. He has now made Audrey's list of people she loves. He was talking all sweet to her...and she still blushes when you mention his name.

Us with Mickey Mouse...one of many many times.

Audrey and her Chinese fan at Epcot.

The girls with Ariel. This was the missing princess that we ended up finding on our last day.

Kelsey posing by Splash Mountain. We were waiting for Randy and Audrey who rode it a couple more times on the last day.

All of us after the night time parade.

Back from Disney

Had a great time at Disney and will eventually get around to posting pictures. Too much going on with school starting on Monday, work changes (Randy promoted and at a new store, rumors about my work change daily), and trying to get the house organized.

Joshua and Kelsey...not sure where they were at...

Merial News

It looks like we are going to be sold. Not sure to whom or what changes that will bring. Good news is everyone seems to want us...bad news is just the normal stuff that comes with a new owner or merger.


Animal health offers growth for big pharma
Wed Jul 15, 2009 12:28pm EDT
By Jessica Hall
PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - After years of being dismissed as a secondary business, animal healthcare has become a coveted niche for pharmaceutical companies looking for new growth markets.

Thanks to two mega-mergers -- Merck & Co's (MRK.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) planned purchase of Schering Plough Corp (SGP.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and the pending merger of Pfizer Inc (PFE.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Wyeth (WYE.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) -- several animal health assets are currently up for sale. The merging companies must divest the assets to gain U.S. regulatory approval for their deals.
"Ten years ago, pharma companies looked down their noses at animal health. But as growth in human health has slowed, animal health has remained stable and is actually growing," said one healthcare investment banker.

"All of a sudden it looks like a crown jewel and not an after-thought," said the banker, who declined to be named because he was not authorized to speak to the press.
Even though the economic crisis has forced some animal owners to give up their pets or delay veterinary visits, the sector is still growing revenues in the low-teens range, the banker said.
The animal health sector, which also includes medication for livestock, remains attractive compared with the stagnant or shrinking sectors of the human health field, he said.
As large pharmaceutical companies have been hurt by the prevalence of generic drugs and few new drugs in their research pipeline, they have been looking for acquisitions in biotechnology and animal health.

"Animal health looks like a darling compared with human health. Patients don't complain. There's been a secular change as people spend more and more on their pets," said the investment banker.

A second round of bids for the animal health businesses being divested by Merck and Schering Plough are due this week with a final decision expected by the end of July, sources familiar with the situation previously told Reuters.

Merck is a partner in the Merial joint venture with French drugmaker Sanofi-Aventis SA. Merial's products include flea and tick treatments for dogs and a medication used to kill parasites in livestock.

Sanofi-Aventis (SASY.PA: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), Eli Lilly and Co (LLY.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), Bayer AG (BAYG.DE: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), Novartis AG (NOVN.VX: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Boehringer Ingelheim of Germany submitted offers in the first round of bidding, sources previously told Reuters.
Private equity firms are also interested in the animal health businesses, sources familiar with the situation said.

The sector has predictable cash flow that makes it attractive to buyout firms. But the corporate buyers all have deep pockets and a keen interest to find new growth products.
"All roads point to Sanofi winning, but it's a matter of price," said one person close to the Merck talks, who declined to be named because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
Schering's largest animal health business, Intervet, generated $1.9 billion in revenue last year. One complication of the Merck-Schering auction is the structure of the sale, the source close to the Merck talks said.

During the first round, bidders were able to submit offers for various assets since the sellers had not yet decided which businesses would be sold, that source said.
The decision would be made on whether to divest Merck or Schering's animal health assets once the companies reviewed the bids, that source said.
Pfizer and Wyeth also are divesting animal health assets due to their pending $68 billion merger and that auction is expected to conclude by the end of the month, as well, said two sources close to those negotiations.

"For the bidders, buying an animal health business to add to their existing business makes a lot of sense -- you can take out tons of costs because the same sales people can now sell more products," said a second healthcare investment banker.
"It's a reasonably good growth area -- there's the average flea and tick prevention, but there's now more and more vaccines vets are adding to the list of what you can give your pet. People are just spending more," the second investment banker said. (Additional reporting by Megan Davies in New York, editing by Leslie Gevirtz)

7 Days!

Seven more days until our disney trip. I am not sure who is the most excited...I think it is me! But we have been keeping busy. We had a family fun night at the Mall of GA. We went to Build a bear and jumping on the bungee thing. We also had a surprise birthday party for Randy. I didn't have any pictures of that on the phone and can't log on to the homeserver for some reason.

Look at me, look at me!


Audrey getting ready to jump as high as a giant!

We got a double jogging stroller off craigslist for disney. They keep bugging me to push them around the neighborhood while I jog...yea right...they would be flying down a hill with me dragging behind them. Oh, and that is one of those duck things in Audrey's mouth. If you ever take a duck tour (ours is from Stn Mtn) then they give everyone one. I would suggest you make it disappear before you ever leave the park...

Does anyone have any idea who this is? Kelsey just looks so unlike herself in the goggles. The girls have been like fish this summer. Audrey is able to swim along the bottom of the pool underwater and has learned the backstroke. Kelsey can dive down to the bottom to pick up the rings. And the water is never cold to them...you just have to get used to it!

Beach Photos

We had such a good time at the beach. I wish we were still there. But as Audrey would tell you if you stay at a hotel too long you will run out of money! So in no particular order, some pictures from the beach:

This is Audrey enjoying a tomato. I took this picture to show Grammy and Papa that the love of tomatoes skipped a generation (me and Randy) and landed on Audrey.


Audrey pulling me and Kelsey around on the raft at St. Andrews State Park.


I was picked to be a magician's helper at the Gulf World magic show. Audrey was not very happy about this. They pretended that they were going to cut me in half and she was freaking out about that. After I went back to the audience she would hold my hands down because she didn't want me to raise my hand and volunteer again.


Audrey shaking hands with a dolphin at Gulf World. She described the dolphin as hard but soft.

Randy and the girls on the Sea Dragon pirate cruise. This is one of our favorite things to do at Panama City. Kelsey will tell you all about it, over and over and over again. She has tons of favorite parts - mainly the chicken dance. She is still asking when we can go back to the pirate ship and the high divers (at Gulf World) her other favorite part.

Audrey being creative with her bread.

Kelsey and me - waiting for our food. The beach makes you very hungry!

Look out Audrey!

Ah! Now it has Kelsey!

The hottest game of putt putt ever! Audrey had to find Kelsey's ball in the cornfield behind them. It was sooo soooo sooo hot!

Making a sand castle at the beach. We also found tons of sand dollars on a sand bar out in the water. Luckily Randy's suit had pockets :)

Audrey posing.

Kelsey posing:

We miss you beach! We hope to see you again soon!!!!