And the winner is....

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Karl and his design teammates Michael and Paul received first place at the BPA (Business Professionals of America) high school regional competition in Seminole County tonight for their division...Web Site Design!

They will be gearing up for the state competition to be held here in Orlando in February, 2007. I have high hopes for them and hope they place at state. Nationals would follow in NYC in the late spring, 2007. Good luck boys!!!

Paul, Michael and Karl proudly holding their plaques and wearing their medals.

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WWDFC

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What We Did For Chocolate...

Okay, so if you don't know me really well, you don't know that I have a really zany sense of humor! I laugh at a lot more things than the average person does. If you don't know this also, laughing creates endorphins and that creates better immune protection in your body.

With that said, I had several 50% off coupons burning a hole in my pocket! I "needed" to take care of that and the day was Sat. after Thanksgiving. We went out to dinner at T.G.I.Friday's and when driving out of the parking lot, Kent asked me if there was any place that I needed to go. (Knowing the stores usually close at 9 pm.) I said, "Well, as a matter of fact, there is!" I told him I wanted to stop at JoAnns to use a coupon and he said (jubilantly, I might add), "It's 9:06. They're already closed." To which I replied,"Holiday hours. They're open til 10!" (I won't say what Kent said next!)

I proceeded to pull out the coupons and cash. Then I said everyone needed to go in and that I had cash to go with the coupons for everyone. (***Droning noises***) All they needed to buy was a bag of chocolate for the new Chocolate Pro Chocolate Fountain I had purchased the week before. (You have to use this specific chocolate to make it flow easily.) So, I got out, went in, saw that they had enough for us and motioned them to come in. Kent and Sandy were the first and Teagan and KJ followed reluctantly. Karl, of course, was the last to stroll in ssllllooooowwwwwwllllllllyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!

Anyway, I handed them each a bag and they went to the checkout counter where the two girls working were having fun watching everyone walk up with the same item. One said to me, "Neat way to buck the system!"

So, I said, I think this is a great place for a picture and got my camera out and snapped a couple. Well, the other employee said, "Here, let me take one of all of you."

Hence the above picture named "What We Did For Chocolate"!!!

Awe, come on, laugh!!! It's funny...or it will be when they see the picture in future years to come!!! (ROTFLMAO)

Angels among us...

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Don't they look angelic when they are sleeping?!!! KJ has been staying up doing homework for hours and it finally caught up with him! He ate and went to sleep on the way home from the restaurant. We woke him up long enough to come in and lay on the family room couch only to not awaken for more homework. I wish his teachers knew how much homework he did...

Being 14

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Okay, so I didn't post a picture of KJ's birthday which was November 18th. He had a great time with his friends, had his favorite Mexican meal catered (Don Pablo's) and got mullah and gift cards to spend for the next year!!! But, I didn't put anything about it on my blog. So, here it is...

Creating

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So, this is where I'm at with my quilt. Now, I have to add the border strips and then layer with the batting and then finish the edges. I hope to have it finished by January. I want to get started on another one. I watch Simply Quilts now and really enjoy all the quilters on there.

Namaste...

Me and my shadow...

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Simba follows me around whereever I go. He meows when I'm not home and hopelessly follows everyone else until I get home, jumping on them and wanting full attention. But, who could pass up this cute face and Paul Newman eyes?!!!

The OHS 2006 Homecoming Queen

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I have the honor of personally knowing the 2006 Oviedo High School Homecoming Queen and with the Queen Mum's permission, I am happy to post her picture. So, ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce to you, the

Oviedo High School

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2006 Homecoming Queen...

Samantha Abelman...

and my son, Karl and his girlfriend, Teagan! (This is the part where they start playing "Isn't She Lovely...")
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OHS Homecoming 2006

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Here are Karl and his girlfriend Teagan by the pool before going to dinner and Homecoming. Don't they look stunning together?!!! (Okay, I'm biased, I'll admit it!!!)
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The Old Man and the C

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Today was senior citizen's day. Karl used his brother's suspenders and wore a baseball cap from his uncle's campground in TN. You know, the one all the old geezers like to wear?!!! LOL (Uncle Wilbur's gonna kill me for that!!!)

Happy Homecoming Lions!

For Those About to Rock

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we salute you!

Coming home...

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or homecoming which is the week we are in at Oviedo High School. I have three days of pictures so far. Karl as a nerd...Karl as a celebrity and.....Karl as Teagan (opposite day). He has been a trooper to participate in the dress ups !



















Check out the Chanel earring..

Oh the weather outside is frightful...

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ly wonderful!!! And that leads me to my dilemma. I have lots to do but don't know where to start. And, I think this will only last two days. Well, making my secret recipe chili is priority one. Then I can see about working in the garage and/or hedging/weeding. It's 50 degrees here at 8:15 am...a great day in the neighborhood!

Woo-Hoo!!!!! Look out on the road...

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Yessiree Bob! He finally got the go ahead and passed the driving test. Now, look out world...Karl Banks is on the road!

If you see him driving, and see a problem, don't hesitate to call....

1-800-mom-&dad

Namaste

You can't be too rich or too thin...

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We visited Biltmore Estates today. WOW! It blows you away. There are 255 rooms in the main house and 31 guest quarters!!! 4 stories tall with north and south towers. My favorite bedroom was the south tower bedroom which had a spectacular view of the grounds and neighboring mountaintops. Plus a nice afternoon sun.

We ate at the Stable Cafe for lunch. The food was great. I had a beef tenderloin and broccoli quiche and it was fantastic!

Walking around the grounds, we were able to see many different varieties of trees, shrubs and plants. Some in their autumn glory. I was able to take pictures at the Conservatory of many types of palms, a huge staghorn fern and other exotic plants. It was a great day!!!

Karmelkorn, fudge and taffy, oh my.....

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Today we indulged in sweets and lots of it! We had pancakes for breakfast...



Apple pancakes, Parisienne Pancakes (strawberry crepes), Wild Blueberry Pancakes...mmmmmm!!! And who could pass up an order of bacon to go along with it?!!! We returned to Sevierville to do a bit of shopping at the Tanger Outlet Mall and the Scrapbook Superstore. Then we went to play laser tag.

Finally, we drove home in under 2 hours, late in the afternoon...just in time for Grandma Bank's baked steak and hashbrown casserole. I tell ya', this is heaven! After dinner, KJ chauffeured Karl and Teagan around the property for a little southern hayride - John Deere style!!!

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Now, it's time for bed and then onto a day in Asheville, NC at the Biltmore Estate.

Visiting Gatlinburg

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Yesterday we drove to The Great Smoky Mountains for an overnight stay in Gatlinburg and stops in Pigeon Forge and Sevierville.



We spent the night in Gatlinburg on the strip at the Greystone Lodge. It was quick and fun. Lots of good food and fun times. We walked down the strip to eat dinner at Calhoun's and then came back to the hotel stopping for Karmelcorn and Kilwin's fudge on the way. It was great weather and a yummy day!!!

The John Deere Picture

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Everyone has to have their picture on grandpa's John Deere! Teagan is no exception! She did a fine job and even said she would like to have one to mow the lawn back home!!!

The trip beginnings...

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We left for TN on Saturday at 7:51 am. (I specifically looked at the clock because I have been known to "make everyone wait" for much longer than that.) Well, because the male Banks are ever-so-primed to pace while I prepare to leave, KJ forgot his toiletry bag and more importantly, his retainer!!! So, I had my brother overnight the retainer by taking it to the airport USPS office Sunday night at 10 pm (thank goodness for him!). What are vactions for? Timed arrangements? Pacing and fretting? Worked up attitudes?

Today, Monday, we are having a slow start relaxing at home, having a leisure lunch, lounging and chatting. Now that is what vacations are for. Relax in the moment.

Namaste...

An afternoon walk by the creek

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We went for a walk by the creek and stopped for a group picture. The glare makes us look somewhat dreamy, doesn't it?!!!

First Day in TN

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There's nothing like spending the first day in TN lounging around the house and eating breakfast at noon!!! We all slept in...it felt good.

Sausage gravy, biscuits, scrambled eggs, sausages, bacon, beefsteak tomato slices, toast, homemade applesauce, strawberries and banana slices, OJ, coffee, milk...need I say more?!!!

Long Time, No See

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I haven't been able to walk for a month since I pulled something on my right knee. So, I've gained some weight back...bummer. But, I am in TN with 60 degree weather for a week. I'm lovin' it.

Pictures tomorrow. I need to sleep...11 hour drive.

Oh, BTW, I'm an affluent suburban woman!!!

Namaste...

Lavender

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I wanted to say something about Lavender. It is my favorite scent when I am in a less than desirable state of mind. I bought a lavender roll-on which I can apply on my wrists anytime and just fold my hands and lay them across my forehead and take deep breaths as I meditate to relax. It really works. Give it a try.

Namaste...

5 miles in 1 hour 14 minutes

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Good day. I am running half of the time. Sore legs but I've been soaking them and massaging as well. All good stuff!

Namaste

At least the Oviedo band looked good!

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Timber Creek 20 Oviedo 13

I think the big win last week affected the team! Next week we play Lyman away. Maybe they will be more grounded.

I lost another lb...175.5!!! I skipped a walk yesterday to allow the calves to rest. Good thing.
I'm off to the garden club for a morning at a woman's nursery. Then lunch at the Willow Tree restaurant in Sanford. Fun!!!

Namaste...

Keep it goin' down!!!

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Another pound...176.5!!! Yeah! I have walked every day this week but today I'm skipping to allow my calves some rest. They are pretty tight and I need to massage them some more and have another epsom salt bath. I'll be ready tomorrow to start back.

Oviedo plays an away game against Timber Creek tonight. We will be there ... not square. ;O)

Site of the Day...

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My MIL forwarded a news clip which you can view at the first web link along with a web site worth looking at and especially passing along. I hope you will share with males, too, as many of them have wives or other loved ones to be shown this info...


http://www.komotv.com/ibc/


http://www.ibcresearch.org/


Namaste...

Two more 5 mile walks

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Down to 177.5 after two 15 minute mile walks. I am keeping the pace up!!! Feeling good and rested...something I hadn't really felt in years. The Lean Cuisines are still good and I have splurged a little, even. TGIFriday's one evening and Don Pablo's for lunch yesterday. I am still watching how much I consume and my total meal appetite is decreased even though I get hungry soon after walking away from the table. I just figure that is the calories being burned as each second rolls by!

Life is good!!!

Namaste....

Treadmill walk today...

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Well, I wasn't able to get out and walk my 5 miles but I did get on the treadmill for an hour and I did 3 and a half miles. Not too bad. It seems like the treadmill takes a lot more out of me than an outdoor's walk. I am sore and my back hurts which doesn't usually happen. I tried to get out at 7:15 this am but I went out back to water the plants first and saw two high schoolers coming by the backyard. They stopped at the corner of our yard and smoked cigarettes for about 10 minutes then headed back to school. I was so infuriated that I went out back after they left (one of them dropped something-turned out to be an empty carton of milk) and as I looked around the backyard behind the screen, I noticed one of my white bird-of-paradise was lying in the grass. I tried to lift it up and couldn't-it was full of water. I remembered that the lawn guy comes on Mondays so I thought I better get it out of the way. I got my cutting tools and gloves and two garbage cans and I cut up all the fronds that were laying on the ground. The base was extremely heavy so I had to cut it twice. Now there is a gap in the plant. So, after I walked the garbage can around front I stopped to cut a few hedges to even them out. By the time I was finished, I had done the entire perimeter of the house and all the Robellini palms!!! That was at 10:15 am. Then I went into the house to grab a bottle of water and left to do my walk...I was so determined!!! I went to the stop sign at the end of the block and noticed that my MP3 player wouldn't work because of a low battery!!! ARGH!!! So, I turned around and came home to charge the battery and thought I had better get on the treadmill before something else happens!
Here I am all done with my walk and I saw some cool HGTV morning shows. My favorite channel.

Namaste...

Belated Birthday Present...

It finally came. Only a day after it was shipped (so rare!). And Karl got up to answer the door to sign for it. He was so excited that he just stayed up and got it all hooked up.

He picked it out and is a happy camper today!

Oviedo 48 Atlantic 0

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It was a pre-season game so, it won't count but our Lions kicked some ocean butt!!! They were from Jax-ville and there were a handful of spectators on the visitors side. I felt sorry for them not having a good representation. (We had a bunch at the St. Augustine game last year. We filled the visitor's side...but we still lost!!!)

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The band was awesome as always. I'm still with the band!

Noon 5 mile walk/run in 1 hr 19 minutes

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It is a bit overcast today. I only saw the sun once and it was still through some opaqueness. Right now the Oviedo weather icon says 84 degrees which isn't bad to exercise in. The humidity is, however, in 4 digits, me thinks!!!!!

My weight is still at 179 since two days ago. Not bad considering I ate at Red Lobster for lunch yesterday and I think the body really wants to retain the fat the older you get! (Just my theory!) It just means I have to work harder. I am the determined one.



Tonight is the first Oviedo HS football game. Not counted but everyone will be there...well, everyone except my dear promboy! He quit band (would have been the drum captain) and will be working tonight at Tarjey. His girlfriend is on the varsity cheerleading squad so I will get to see her. He is supposed to meet us at (Mis)take and Shake after the game. He works across the street.

Wild KAJ, my youngest son, will be going with us to the game to chill. He has had homework constantly, even in his sleep, I think! 8th grade is starting off with a nuclear bomb (that's nucular to you Bush/Simpson fans!). He has between 4-5 hours a night plus more on the weekends. But he is keeping his grades at a plus side which is encouraging.

My BFF redid a few of my french manicured nails yesterday and I am now ready to rumble (old Spanish saying, I think!) Onward, upward...more walking tomorrow...10K in Waterford Lakes...come check it out here.

Namaste

More Running and walking, More Weight to be lost!

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. I walked/ran 4 miles in 56 minutes on Tuesday morning and tonight I did 5 miles in 1 hour and 13 minutes. I'm glad to be able to do it. I think of those who can't and it makes it easier for me to work harder.

I am at 180.5 lbs. I gained from the big weekend. But I think this week will be a turn around. The running seems to melt the weight off. I can feel looseness in my capris. Yeah!!!

The Lean Cuisines are still great! I have tried many of them. My favorite one is the Sesame Chicken. My least favorite was the Chicken Fried Rice. Kind of bland. The mac and cheese is good but I'd rather have something with meat. It seemed like a side dish!

Onward and upward...Namaste...

5 miles in 1 hour 15 minutes

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That's a 15 minute mile! Not bad. I still can't run the entire way but I try as hard as I can. I have nothing but time on my side...well, and a few good friends!!! You know who you are!

I hadn't walked since Thursday night and I gained a few lbs back from yesterday but my metabolism is a bit faster now so I will lose it and more. My next goal is 10 lbs by Sept. 7th. That's Kent's birthday. If I get there, it will be 169 lbs. and then onto the next goal. I want to get the junk outta my trunk!!!

Wedding

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Waiting for the bride and groom.

The wedding cake...the top is the castle made of white chocolate. The letter "M" is their last name.

The line waiting to throw rose petals on the bride and groom.

The town cryer announcing the arrival of the bride and groom.

When You Wish Upon a Star.....

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Today was a beautiful day! My brother and I went to a wedding at the Wedding Pavilion at the Grand Floridian. It was my brother's boss's wedding. It was magnificent. I didn't take many pictures but I was able to get a couple of good ones.

My Newest maiden voyage

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I am down to 179. First time in months! It feels great! I can wear any of my size 14 capris. Now, it is time for the next ten lbs. Not as easy to lose but I've been walking 5 days a week and some minor "running" in those walks. Not too shabby!

I finally took the plunge and had my eyebrows waxed. Not bad. It looks nice and I feel ready for the big day tomorrow.




I also had my first french manicure and pedicure.

Somber is as Somber Sees....

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Okay, I am very "somber" today. I received an e-mail forwarded a couple of times but from someone I know through my HS senior. Four girls were driving in a Chevy Blazer Friday night (in Daytona Beach area) and the vehicle flipped over. The driver was NOT wearing her seat belt. The other three were. Here:

"She's in intensive care at Halifax Medical Center in Daytona. She has massive internal injuries and they thought she might not make it Friday night. Saturday she had 6 hours of surgery to stop the bleeding, which (her dad) said the doctors thought was successful. Her pelvis is crushed and they had to put plates in. Today she was supposed to have more surgery, but I don't know how that went. He said she'll need reconstructive surgery to her pelvis and hip."

Quoted from the e-mail. So, you can see why the somber mood. It is hitting close to home. My son is just learning how to drive. I say he isn't nearly ready. (And he certainly isn't the only one not ready, in my opinion.) I would even be willing to wait until next year before he has his license since I see a lot more than I say. It's scary out there and one wrong move can change your direction for the rest of your life. Yes, I know it can happen at any time but with teens' hormones raging and so many pressures on them to succeed and be something while also trying to fit in with their peers...well, you get the picture. At least you do if you have been there. And more so if you have children.

The other story I saw on the news...also close to home...was about the football player from Lake Brantley who was shot and killed by a fellow ex-classmate. A possible drug deal gone bad, from what I read on-line at WFTV. Why was this student allowed to be on the football team if he had "minor" drug charges against him? And he was a top-notch wrestler. I feel badly for his family. Like I said, it hits close to home. Maybe this is a wake up call to the class of 2007.

My new ending will be "Namaste". A word that is from Sanskrit and means "Peace be with you". It is my way of life... so, until another entry...Namaste...

Another 5 miles

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KJ and I walked 5 miles tonight. It was before dark and we returned to our street as the darkness settled in. I ate a Healthy Choice. The last one, I think I bought. It was chicken parm and was actually the best I've have. Though still not worth buying again. I will have Lean Cuisine tomorrow for dinner and probably a sub for lunch. Drinking lots of water.

I have to buy more LC meals at Albertsons or Publix tomorrow. I want the 7 and 8 point meals as I don't think I'm eating enough calories each day. I'm enjoying reading other's blogs about their weight loss. Very encouraging to me.

My goal after the 10 lbs for the wedding will be another 10 lbs by Kent's birthday which is Sept. 7th. That will be three weeks from then (plus a couple of days). That should bring me down to 168 lbs. Then our anniversary is October 5th. Another 10 lbs. So, by fall break I should be down below 160 which I haven't seen since my stepdad died in 2001.

10K in 2 hours

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I did a MFM (see links to right) walk yesterday. It was hot but refreshing to be out. I lost another lb. Down to 180 now. I have 2 lbs to go before Saturday. NP

I hope I can start running (jogging is running for me) soon. I did about a minute on the treadmill the other night but I have to take it really slow since I have the shin splints in the back of my mind.

There are MFM walks every weekend til labor day. I will miss this Saturday but hope to go to the other 5.