Toy? What Toy?

I had to share this with you all because it made me laugh SO HARD. And the fact that Coda stood still long enough for me to get the camera, take pictures, and STILL try to get her to pay attention to what's on her head. Note: On her head is one of her toys, no longer filled with stuffing as she had pulled all of that out long ago. Why is it on her head? I was trying to distract her from trying to find the laser pointer light as mom (aka me) had had enough of that game. Coda didn't care, and doesn't care so long as she's focused on "the light". =)

Katy's in the Paper!

Yes, my face can be seen in the June 8, 2007 issue of the Daily Herald, a Chicago suburb newspaper. I couldn't believe the size of our picture! I've included scanned photos of the paper for your viewing pleasure. My favorite part is where the journalist describes me as "very slender." I about passed out from sheer delight. She can say whatever she wants about me after that comment. And I'll overlook the fact that she said "Orender stumbled frequently over her lines." Come on! It was one scene and I somehow made it through! But she did say I was "very slender." She is forgiven. But again, I must bring up that one of my characters stumbles over lines on purpose! Maybe I'm too good of an actress. Yes, that must be it.

And the show got two stars. She told Paul that she actually gave us two and a half stars. How generous.

You can also amuse yourself with the local happenings in the suburb area. I left the surrounding articles and advertisements in the scanned photos so you wouldn't think I completely made this up myself.

Medicare in a nutshell

Here's a health care joke I received this morning from a co-worker... That's what happens when you work in a hospital -- I'm sure there are other dorky jokes floating around about other industries. Feel free to share those!

Medicare in a Nutshell

The phone rings and the lady of the house answers, "Hello."

"Mrs. Ward, please."

"Speaking."

"Mrs. Ward, this is Doctor Jones at the Medical Testing Laboratory. When your doctor sent your husband's biopsy to the lab yesterday, a biopsy from another Mr. Ward arrived as well, and we are now uncertain which one is your husband's. Frankly the results are either bad or terrible."

"What do you mean?" Mrs. Ward asks nervously.

"Well, one of the specimens tested positive for Alzheimer's and the other one tested positive for AIDS. We can't tell which are your husbands."

"That's dreadful! Can't you do the test again?" questioned Mrs. Ward.

"Normally we can, but Medicare will only pay for these expensive tests one time. The people at Medicare recommend that you drop your husband off somewhere in the middle of town. If he finds his way home, don't sleep with him."

Erin's Birthday!

Happy birthday to Erin. Happy birthday to Erin. Happy birthday dear Erin. Happy birthday to you!!!!!!!

I will go against my better judgment and eat a piece of cake today in honor of you. And then maybe I'll have some Ben & Jerry's in honor of you too. And then tomorrow I'll have nachos followed by some Krispy Kreme's on friday. I love celebrating you!

New Job

I've done it. I've loved their products and now I've joined their ranks. I'm officially a Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant (which still really cracks me up, by the way)! OK. So at first I thought - ummmm... not so much. But with the hours that I get to set and the discount I get for me??? Oh yeah, and the GIRL TIME that I haven't had in FOREVER??? I'm excited now folks, and there's no telling how soon you'll see me in a pink Cadillac! So if you want to check out my site, it's http://www.marykay.com/kgabriel. Otherwise, enjoy life as you normally would! =)

PS: I have NOT given up my teaching position at my Middle School East - that's not going anywhere anytime soon!

Josh, Angie, Piper, Quinn Blog

Hey, Family! We just started our own blog! I know you all have been waiting, well, here it is: "Minding Our P's & Q's"
www.mindingourpsqs.blogspot.com
Enjoy!
Josh & Angie

School's Out!

Yippee!!! Free for the summer! Gotta say though - I'm thrilled with my new school. This past year has made me actually want to come back and teach ANOTHER year. Considering I was ready to leave the profession alltogether last spring I'm very happy. Good times at the middle school. Crazy kids though, I've gotta say. While I remember being that age, it's strange realizing that I too was THAT AWKWARD. We all were. Don't deny it. Even the "cool" kids were awkward. And that's OK! Thankfully we had family, friends, and teachers (slight plug) who were willing to deal with us and try to help us through the onset of puberty.

So yeah. If you're in the area or I'm in yours, let's get together! Because I don't have to be at school!!!! YEEEEEEE-HAW!

The Lindsay Clan

Jessie prompted me to do a little research today on the Lindsay Clan. I know what the Lindsay plaid looks like and I know that the crest has a swan on it. But I didn't know that the clan motto is "Endure Fort" or "Suffer Bravely." That's a new little nugget of information. Why does it have to have the word "suffer" in it? I think I prefer the word "endure."

Heavy Chicago! It's Coming Soon!

Please come see my show!

Show dates:

Opens: Friday, May 25th 10:30 p.m.

Friday, June 1st 10:30 p.m.

Friday, June 8th 10:30 p.m.

Friday, June 15th 10:30 p.m.

Closes: Friday, June 22nd 10:30 p.m.

It's at the Live Bait theater on Clark & Irving Park. Tickets are $10.

Visit our website: www.myspace.com/heavychicago

Jessie's Picture Blog

Someone has a picture blog and her name is JESSIE! Check out her new picture page. That girl is such a delight. I tell you what!

It's Begun...

Well, the time has arrived. Tomorrow Beth and Bob will make the drive to what is to be their new home - Albequerque, New Mexico. No, I can not spell it. I don't think. Anyways... Bob is moving into the temporary apartment while Mom finishes selling the house here in Texas. Then she'll follow shortly.

Prayers for both of them with all the travel, the house(s), and joy for their new adventure! I'll definitely miss having them so close. It's nice having your parents 30 minutes down the road! If you want to check out their new place, just follow the link! http://www.fsbonm.com/?x=860

Good luck to them both!!!

Hammy Pull

Oh goodness! It has been A WHILE since anyone has posted anything! I guess it's up to me then. I pulled a hammy doing this Tuesday night:
















Not so smart. Sometimes I pretend that I'm still 17.

Easter Weekend

I hope you all had a fantastic Easter weekend! Here are some pictures for you to peruse during your free time. Did I mention it snowed in Dallas...in April?!!! It's true y'all. I ain't lying.

Come visit us in Chicago soon!

A new chapter in my life

I just wanted to give you all a little update. I submitted my official acceptance to the University of Minnesota today, so I will be starting graduate school in September for speech-language pathology. So in three years, I will have my master's and a new career. It's a little scary since I haven't said anything to my current boss or anyone at work, but I will have to turn in my notice at some point. As of now, I plan on waiting to do that until July or August. So wish me luck on saving money for tuition, etc.! I have 5 months to keep on working and saving money....then I'll be a poor college student again. At that point, I will be looking forward to any and all family gatherings where free food is involved.

Wow.

After all the cute baby pics on here, I thought you might find the following amusing. It's me. Looking like a mutated dog, I might add. This was what went into getting my hair just right for my role in H.M.S. Pinafore. The performances are completed, and thankfully I don't have to cry trying to get my hair to detangle anymore. Who-hoo!
















Of course, I have to show you the final product. I'm in the teal. Hooray for the Pinafore chorus girls!!!

Warning

This is for those of you who haven't kept up with the individual blogs some of us have. I've noticed a trend that seems to run in our family that we should all be aware of. Not maintaing our balance. Katy's had the issue, Alyse has, and now so have I. I can tell my own story though.

For those of you who didn't know, I was in a show this past weekend. Gilbert & Sullivan's H.M.S. Pinafore. Too much fun! We're finished as of this afternoon, and I can say it was well worth the time to get back on stage. Anyhow... back to the inability to stay on two feet... OPENING NIGHT. The finale of Act 1. My partner turns, picks me up for a lift, I'm coming down, and my character shoes have no tread. So I fall flat on my back onstage in front of the entire audience. It was amazing! My parents especially loved it - it was reminicent (yes, I know I'm misspelling that - help me) of my senior year in The Mouse that Roared in HS. Thankfully I have the Lindsay ability to laugh at ones' self (what else COULD I do?) and was not seriously injured. New bruise though! Not on my butt this time! Katy, you should congratulate me. =)

Alright. So you've been warned. Watch out for ice, shoes without tread, or just walking around your home. I think we're at a slight disadvantage and need to all be more attentive to this obvious "talent" we possess. And we needed another new post on this blog. =)

CIAO!

New Blogger

FYI...We couldn't hold out any longer. We had to change over to the new google blogger. This won't mean anything unless you post. If you already have a log-in you should receive an email that asks you to create a blogger account. Just do it. Put in your email and then create a password. That's all you have to do. Then you can post away! And please do!

Andrew's Blog

Yet another Lindsay has started a blog! View the world from the eyes and heart of a teenage boy! Scary, I know! But it's sure to be fun!

Breckenridge, CO

You can check out pictures from our recent ski trip to Colorado here! Cousin Kate joined the Orender kiddos on the slope. Connor loves her and she was a saving grace to all of us sick kids. Plus she's hilarious! Ask her about her bruised butt. She'll probably show it to you.

The Orenders Head Home !

Alicia and I packed up today and headed for our 900 square feet of ranch property in Irving, TX. What a joyful day that is a historical landmark for us and Liam.

Alicia is doing a fantastic job feeding and adjusting to the physical changes. Liam is cute as ever - I now understand the love a parent develops for their child. Last night as I held Liam between feedings, I turned to Alicia and said to her with amazement, "I have never fallen in love this fast before in my life."

Here are a few more pics to help you understand why!