Here’s Don London at Ocean Breeze above their million gallon wave pool. Check out their multi-million dollar renovation in Virginia Beach. It’s awesome!

HEY, IT’S DON LONDON FROM 2WD’S STRESS FREE RIDE HOME. I WAS AT PEMBROKE MALL THE OTHER DAY AND BOUGHT SOME TERRIFIC CLOTHES. WITH THE DEALS AND THE PRICES I FOUND, I WAS ABLE TO REALLY STRETCH MY BUDGET AND I FOUND SOME GREAT LOOKING SUMMER SHIRTS AND SHORTS. THERE REALLY COMFORTABLE TOO. THERE’S A LOT OF FANTASTIC STORES THAT ARE PERFECT FOR FATHER’S DAY SHOPPING INCLUDING LEGENDS, BIT OF ENGLAND, MEMORY LANE SPORTS, FOOT LOCKER, GAME STOP, ATHLETE’S FOOT, LIDS RADIO SHACK AND MORE! THE FIRST 250 PEOPLE WHO SPEND SEVENTY FIVE DOLLARS OR MORE DURING FATHER’S DAY WEEKEND RECEIVE A FREE INSULATED TUMBLER FOR THOSE COOL AND REFRESHING SUMMER DRINKS. LOOK FOR THEM AT THE SPECIAL CUSTOMER SERVICE TABLE THAT WILL BE SET UP THAT IN CENTER COURT DURING FATHER’S DAY WEEKEND. DON’T FORGET, THE GREAT RACE FOR THE GRILL HAPPENS AT PEMBROKE MALL ON SATURDAY, JUNE 18. YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS TEN DADS GRILL BUILDING AND GRILL RACING FOR THE ULTIMATE GAS GRILL. IT’S ALL AT PEMBROKE MALL FOR FATHER’S DAY. PEMBROKE MALL IS AT THE INTERSECTION OF VIRGINIA BEACH BOULAVARD AND INDEPENDENCE BOULAVARD IN BEAUTIFUL VIRGINIA BEACH! EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE AT PEMBROKE MALL!

Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States operates with the same simple, transparent, emotional, guilt-driven logic as my five year old daughter. Clearly, Pakistan is hanging out with my little girl when I’m not watching!

For 6 days, the kids and I searched for my wallet. Searched! It was absurd – I KNEW it was somewhere in the house. When I finally DID find it in Theresa’s backpack, her red-faced startled response was “Mommy I forgot it was there!” My cocked eyebrow was met with embarrassment (disguised as anger) and “That’s MY backpack! That’s MY privacy!” Her crocodile tears and attempt to position herself the victim were awe-inspiring yet fruitless. It was a defensive, guilt-driven, twisted logic she was working. Impressive argumentation from five year old girl in Pre K. Pathetic for Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States.

After spending hundreds of billions of dollars and thousands of lives searching for Bin Laden, we find him right under the nose of the Pakistani government and military. They are our ally, and that is just embarrassing for them. Wow. I was sure they’d have some reasonable answers.

Sure enough, on Sunday, Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States VOWED that “heads will roll” in Pakistan following an investigation into how Bin Laden was able to live comfortably in a giant (for that area), custom-built-for-terrorists compound just outside Pakistan’s most esteemed military academy. For years, no less. YEARS! Okay…cool. I’m feeling you. You’re pissed, Mr. Pakistani Ambassador – and you SHOULD BE pissed! Pakistan has been shamed & embarrassed by (what we hoped were) a few ‘bad eggs’ making it appear as though Pakistan systematically harbors terrorists. That would mean Pakistan provides aid and comfort to terrorists, therefore implying Pakistan itself is, at the very least, a supporter of terrorism.

WooooWeeeee! I’d be pissed too. The World’s Most Wanted Terrorist living on your turf. For years. And right under your nose. And you had no idea at all. I’m sure you’ll get to the bottom of it! Like you said…heads will roll.

If I were you, I would have summoned the greatest scholars of our time – historians, sociologists and poets from across the globe to write the greatest, most inspiring apology in the history of mankind! A full admission of shame, shock, disgust & guilt – a speech that would make the world respect your integrity & admission of poor intel within your own borders! It would be a speech to make the world celebrate Pakistan! Support Pakistan! And most of all, HATE those few monsters that disgraced your country and your honor.

Mmmmm…but you didn’t do that, did you? No. Instead, Mr. Ambassador, you added insult to injury. You tried to blame the United States. Clearly, you’ve been hanging out with my 5 years old.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US stated that the United States contributed to the “cracks through which things fell” by paying too much attention to Iraq and Afghanistan, and not enough to Pakistan. So it’s our fault you hid a terrorist? Oh, okay Theresa, er, Mr. Ambassador. We should not have assumed your were competent and/or honest. (Somewhere along the line we learned you weren’t trustworthy, though!)

BUT WAIT…THERE’S MORE…

The ambassador then said Pakistan was “offended” by the violation of their sovereignty when United States Navy Seals conducted a top secret mission and extracted Bin Laden from Pakistan.

OMG. OMG! WHAT? When you say “the cracks through which things fell”…do you mean the terrorist you protected and hid from us as we gave billions of dollars to Pakistan? And you’re offended? Really. Really? Well, you too sir, offend me.

Pakistan needs a better PR rep. Give my little Theresa a full year in kindergarten and I’m confident she’ll run circles around this guy.

Last night and today we have witnessed what will be yet another great moment we’ll all remember for the rest of our lives as bin Laden is shot and killed by US Special Forces. My son goes to college in Fairfax, VA at George Mason University, not far from the US Capitol and the White House. He went down to Pennsylvania Avenue early this morning and sent me this picture from his phone with with caption “Outside the White House praising America with hundreds of people!!!!!!”. Way to make it happen Donald! You’re the greatest. Dad.

With both Charlie I sick, Theresas fierce competitive nature wouldnt allow her to be left out of the attention circuit. She was holding our 4 month old puppy when she stumbled outside. In an effort to protect the pup, she held him tight allowing her head – not her hands – to take the brunt of the fall. As Charlie praised his little sister for saving the dogs life, I was quick to say Whoa! No. Next time – drop the dog, Reese! Drop the dog!
Horrible instincts. Just horrible!br /br /a href=http://blogs.2wd.com/files/2011/04/20110427-065813.jpgimg src=http://blogs.2wd.com/files/2011/04/20110427-065813.jpg alt=20110427-065813.jpg class=alignnone size-full //abr /br /a href=http://blogs.2wd.com/files/2011/04/20110427-065813.jpgimg src=http://blogs.2wd.com/files/2011/04/20110427-065813.jpg alt=20110427-065813.jpg class=alignnone size-full //a

My niece & her friend came to visit over Spring Break. We took super fun pics & I keep cracking up at how similar my niece & daughter look!

Thanks to the Trans Siberian Orchestra for their huge donation to The Food Bank at their amazing concert this past Saturday night!

I am about to embark on week 4 with Tidewater Bariatrics.  For 3 solid weeks, I have followed the plan without fail…well, wait…I have eaten ONLY what I am supposed to eat but it took my a while to actually figure a way to get in some PA (physical activity) on a consistent basis. 

The hardest part of any diet (I know, it’s a lifestyle change, not a diet…just work with me here is deciding what food is good, what food is bad, and then the negotiation of…”well, if I eat this today, but nothing tomorrow, I should be okay, right?…”  Ugh! 

Fortunately with TWB, since they provide the food, there is no room for error – or negotiating!  There are other places that provide food, but with TWB, they also have a weekly get together with people also new to the program.  That has been a MAJOR factor in my success.  First because it’s obvious that I’m not alone in this struggle…second because you learn new ideas & recipes from each other…and finally because they become a major part of your support structure.

Not everyone has support at home or at work…and that can almost guarantee failure.  We all need a cheering section!  If your family isn’t supportive – despite all of their efforts…or your coworkers order Chinese for lunch everyday and say “you look great!  One egg roll won’t hurt…” – you’ll need your group at TWB to get through it and reach your goal.

TWB also has the ‘mid-week’ call from one of their educators (who are SO helpful and informed…and GET IT).   Usually on Friday I get a call from Mariah (who is petite and adorable – thanks to her very own success with TWB) who wants to know how the week has been…she answers any questions I have… and helps me deal with any upcoming events that I may struggle with.  For example, this week Mariah will help me deal with EASTER AT MOM’S.  UGH! I know that will be a struggle for me, so we talk about it, find ways to diminish the temptation and remember the goals.

This week has been tough because it’s Spring Break and my 14 year old niece and her bff are in town.  We’ve been on the go – and I’ve been cooking more that I have in quite a while.  It’s hard to cook a meal and not taste-test! 

Last night I woke up about 2am and went to shut off the kitchen lights.  There on the counter were some delicious pumpkin muffins the girls had made earlier.  I thought to myself  “They smell so good, I’m a bit hungry – and really, they’re pumpkin muffins not cupcakes.  I can have a bite of one.”  NO!  I quickly recalled my perfect track record.  PERFECT track record…AND the question I asked myself when I started TWB almost 4 weeks ago…

“Why can I commit every ounce of energy to my family, but not to myself?  Why do I commit every penny of every dollar to my family, but not to myself? How can I convince myself I’m the greatest mom for my kids when I can’t commit 12 weeks to make myself healthier for me and them?”  And I realized that if I don’t commit this time and money and commitment to MYSELF, I’m teaching them a poor lesson.  I want them to put themselves first – but if I don’t do it now, they’ll never do it.

So…here I am…3 full weeks and 12 pounds lighter…and I am well on my way.  I’ll post more about TWB in the next few days…like what happens after 12 weeks – and what happens when diet becomes lifestyle…

Thank you for all of your emails & FB posts of support…it helps A LOT!

www.twb4u.com

The greatest description I’ve ever heard of my son came from my friend Robin who declared he is “24 karat boy!”. And I couldn’t agree more! He came running off the bus, a bit sweaty in his dirty jeans, Star Wars t-shirt & mop of hair…and dove on the ground and giggled uncontrollably as Lucky just pounced all over him. I love this kid!

Unprovoked bear attacks are very rare, and have never been documented in Virginia.

If you do meet a bear here are some suggestions:

• • Stay calm. If you see a bear and it has not seen you, calmly leave the area. As you move away, make noise to let the bear discover your presence.
• • Stop. Back away slowly while facing the bear.
• • Give the bear plenty of room to escape. Bears rarely attack people unless they feel cornered or provoked.
• • Do not run or make any sudden movements. Running could prompt the bear to give chase, and you cannot outrun a bear. If on a trail, step off the trail and slowly leave the area.
• • If there is a bear in your yard and it approaches you, make yourself look big and make loud noises. Remain at a safe distance and throw rocks to make the bear feel unwelcome.
• • If there is a bear in your house prop open all doors to the outside and get out of the way of the exit. Never close a bear into a room. Make noises and yell at bear to leave the house. Don’t approach the bear but make sure it knows it is violating your territory.
• • If you surprise a bear speak softly. This may reassure the bear that you mean it no harm.
• • Fight back. If a black bear attacks you, fight back. Black bears have been driven away when people have fought back with rocks, sticks, binoculars and even their bare hands.

(source: http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/bear/black-bear-factsheet.pdf)

In the expert opinion of our District Wildlife Biologist, Aaron Proctor, there is no public safety good produced by shooting or relocating a bear simply because it has been sighted near a human population.

His Department has recently published a list of Bear Facts and Myths which include:

Myth: Shooting or relocating a ‘nuisance’ bear will solve the problem.

Fact: Removing a ‘problem’ bear and not the attractant will only create a newly available habitat niche so another bear can move right back in, creating a vicious cycle of killing.

The most important response is to keep a respectful distance.  Black bears have a natural distrust of humans, and in most cases would rather flee than have an encounter with people. If a bear is up a tree, give it space. Do not approach or gather around the base of the tree.

Animal Control stands ready to provide assistance in these matters as does the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.