"Hoo-rah!" ~ Scent of a Woman, 1992.

My friend Kate attended her son Chris's graduated this past week from Parris Island. Here is his picture and her note about the ceremony.

God's protection, Chris, and thank you for your commitment to our country.
Thank you, too, Kate. I know personally what your sacrifice is.

"Chris looks great and his attitude is awesome!

Lost alot of weight and is lean, mean fighting machine!

The Emblem ceremony was incredible! We got front row seats and he was front row, so we could clearly see him! He cried; we all cried. Tears of pride and relief.

The graduation ceremony was truly remarkable; to see 626 young men and women, spit-shined and polished, marching in step with their leaders, to the beat of the band, with the colors flying, under crisp blues sky, surrounded by a sea of proud families, to hear their collective "Hoorah" and as we walked to our cars with Our Marines, a single Bald Eagle circled overhead, as if an omen that we had been truly blessed.

Chris has kept the pics of Heidi in a safe place in his locker; they are a Band of Brothers and how amazing is that?"

~ Kate

"Excellent!" ~

Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, 1989.



Recently, I caught Jackie Johnson in a weak moment and she agreed to host a pool party at her lovely home for our own JV Volleyball Team.

About fourteen girls attended, give or take seven or eight, and a good time was had by all. This unidentified male showed up, but was quickly invited in by Zoe and Christine.

Coach Quynh and Mr. Johnson discuss Papa John's Pizza versus Donatos, completely unaware Mrs. Johnson had actually ordered the pizza from Dominos.

Lindsay, Sammie, Rachel and Jenna

Rachel works the net.

Sammie and her 1000 watt smile!

Morgan

Damage to the Johnson home included, but was not limited to, a broken drain pipe, a small, easily contained fire, and a missing ceramic chicken.

Whereabouts of the chicken are still unknown.

Morgan and Katie

Jennings decided to pull out all the stops and beg his mother to refrain from volunteering the family pool for future volleyball parties.

He has even offered to give up video games and all fried foods.

Rachel

Even though it has been over thirty years since Jaws, Rachel still could not convince Daron it was 'safe to go back into the water'.

Everyone knows who the REAL boss is of the JV girls' volleyball team. Hayden eats pizza AND his vegetables while Coach encourages him.

Later, Hayden entertained Mr. Johnson with a drum solo.

Christine

The team uses every opportunity to play volleyball.

Right, Coach?




Jenna is happy, once again, to explain what a volleyball looks like to those of you who may have forgotten.

Thanks, Jenna!

Emily had to leave before someone broke out the camera and started taking pictures of the festivities. However, I have a stock pile of 'Em and Mo' pics and could certainly scare one up.

Thank you to

the Johnson Family~

Jeff, Jackie, Jenna and Jennings

"All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up ~ Sunset Boulevard, 1950.

JT FRIDSMA MAKES THE COVER OF

THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

MARCHING BAND WEBSITE

Our own beloved JT Fridsma (and his dad, Dan's, fabulous photos) made the University of Florida's Pride of the Sunshine marching band website.

Check him out.

“Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera” ~ The King and I, 1956.

This past week, there was so much going on, I needed a day planner to keep up. Oh yeah, I already have a day planner.

Saturday, Daron, Dad and I drove up to Gainesville for the weekend. I let Dad drive the new car as I couldn’t stand the tears. Marsh stayed home to attend Jon’s birthday party and missed out on all the fun. He's still upset about it.

Steve Spurrier and the 1996 Champion Season team, including Danny Wuerffel, were honored before the game and the Gators annihilated Southern Miss 34-7.

Ugly, but not as ugly as the UCF game (42-0) the next weekend.

When we got to Gainesville, Dad decided to let Daron use his ticket for the game and she and I joined the other 90,041 rabid fans sweating in the stands.

Why were we sweating? Well, I am so glad you asked.

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium was built in 1930 as Florida Field. In 1934, the stadium was dedicated to the memory of servicemen who died in the first World War. Though renamed in 1989 to honor legendary citrus grower and University of Florida benefactor Ben Hill Griffin, Jr., the name of the playing surface remains Florida Field.The stadium is best known as The Swamp, a nickname given to it by former head coach Steve Spurrier in the early 1990s.

"A swamp is where Gators live. We feel comfortable there, but we hope our opponents feel tentative. A swamp is hot and sticky and can be dangerous." While I completely agree with the description of 'hot and sticky', dangerous? Well, only if a drunken Gator supporter falls on you from one of the sky boxes or if an ibis poops on your head (which would fall back into the category of sticky). Tentative? This is NOT a football term, never will be and should on no account be used when describing large, hot, sweaty men bent on inflicting pain on anyone stupid enough to step in their path.

Daron and I enjoyed that closed-in, claustrophobic feel you get while there in the stands and the temperature at field level was probably about 100 F. Since every home game has been sold out since 1979, we felt happy to be a part of the festivites. New since the Urban Meyer Era is a large and extremely loud student section, named the "Swamp Things" on the east side of the stadium. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, the #1 toughest place to play. Only Gators get out alive!

Better than seeing Spurrier OR Danny Wuerffel (and you know how much I love Danny), was seeing JT Fridsma march for the very first time with the Pride of the Sunshine. You may not know this, but the "Pride of the Sunshine", the University of Florida's Fightin' Gator Marching Band, was the first marching band in the state of Florida. Much, MUCH before that girls' school in Tallahassee.

"JT, is that uniform WOOL?"

JT and his Fabulous Fridsma Family.

On Sunday, we moved from athletics to fine arts to celebrate Miss Katharine's Sixth Birthday Bash at the Do Art. About ten of Miss K’s nearest and dearest, everyone who was anyone, were there for the merriment. Daron and I were promised an excellent table and Debs came through for us.

Guests painted and were painted, and were treated to a lavish spread of olives, cheeses, assorted crackers, chips, hand-cut peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, juice boxes, salami, pita breads and white wine. High points in the birthday revelry including the lighting of the hot pink and bright green birthday cake, hide and go seek with Uncle David, ‘paint-it-yourself’ pottery, mosaic art and creative face works of art.

Included on the guest list were ~ Alex Martin, escorted by his glamorously tall mom, Tamara; the fleet-footed Anderson Shigo, Miss K’s after-school companion; clever siblings Oliver and Lily accompanied by their extraordinary mom, Gretta; the remarkable Missy and her talented son Alex Garcia; classmates Allen McBride, diligent artist and grape-lover and amazing Alex with expectant mom, Laura; dazzling in pink, Rachel; reunited and enchanting Savanah and her mom, Krissie; and finally EuGene Joung, world traveler, but in the class next door this year.

A good time was had by all and no doubt the memories will linger on.

The party was beautiful, the crowd was beautiful, the day was beautiful, the weekend was beautiful.

Happy Sixth Birthday,

Miss K,

you ROCK!

"They may take away our lives, but they'll never take our freedom!" ~ Braveheart, 1995.

The proud warriors of Baker Company wanted to do something to pay tribute To Our Fallen Comrades.
So since we are part of the only Marine Infantry Battalion left in Iraq the one way that we could think of doing that is by taking a picture of Baker Company saying the way we feel.
It would be awesome if you could find a way to share this with our fellow countrymen. I was wondering if there was any way to get this into your papers to let the world know that "WE HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN" and are proud to serve our country.

Semper Fi
1st Sgt Dave Jobe

"You're gonna need a bigger boat" ~ Jaws, 1975.


Not everyone sat around on the holiday this past Monday, eating hotdogs, folding clean clothes and watching football. Oh, no.

My Clearwater friends Carolyn and Rick and their fabulous children, Kyle and Kaley, fueled up the boat, packed the fishing rods, netted some bait and took out for Tampa Bay. I bet Carolyn even made a delicious lunch, because she can pack a mean cooler.





Carolyn and I go way back. Though much older than I am, she and I were great friends while we were in high school, some time in the early or mid-80s. Carolyn was my hero. Not only was she super sweet, extrememly talented (and younger sister to the famed Bob E.), she was an athlete extraordinaire. It runs in the family, but back to the fishing trip.......


Kaley caught this 13 pound shark on Labor Day, 2006.

Marsh thinks it might be a reef shark, but needs Kaley to clarify this.

My gosh, can you put a thrilling accomplishment like this on your college application? I sincerely hope so.

A young woman this talented shouldn't have any trouble with Humanities or Biology, for that matter.

Guys, look out! Way to go, Kaley!

Kyle makes friends wherever he goes.


Any brother (listen up Marsh) who can sit patiently for hours while his sister plays volleyball AND attracts beautiful birds, is tops in my book. Kyle has many other talents too numerous to name, but as a reserved young man, he refused to let me list them.

It is a little known fact, Kyle and Kaley train dolphins for secret missions with the US Navy.

Most people are totally unaware 'cowfish' love human interaction and, in fact, make excellent pets. These little fellows amused themselves and the family before being returned to the ocean.



















In my family it is no secret ~ Mom hates fishing. Okay, I've admitted it. As far as I am concerned, there will be fishing in hell. So sue me.

However, I am beginning to think the problem is I have been fishing with the wrong people. This family knows how to have a good time while fishing. I'm adding my name to their waiting list and hope to go out with them by Fall of 2010.

Finally, it would be remiss of me if I didn't thank Rick for all the wonderful pictures he sends me, not only of his precious family, but the volleyball pictures as well. Yes, dear friends, Rick makes many of the great volleyball pictures of Daron I send to you. Though Kaley and Daron are on rival teams (look out next year, Kaley, Daron finally got that serve down), Rick has sent me some of the BEST pictures we have of Daron, better even than the ones I paid the big bucks for.

Rick graciously has allowed me to post this one final picture from their family Labor Day fishing trip. He captured this shot from the boat on the way in after an amazing day on the water. Rick has promised to wait until I post it on my blog before he sells it to the Enquirer.

Apparently, Yetis hang out in Tampa Bay also and make good use of a vacation day.