I'm Changing My Name to Ouisa

2012-01-09T22:43:00.002-05:00

Okay folks, I am in serious need of your prayers.
Long story, short....I applied for a job today. There are lots of financial issues going on right now and I could really use the job (that comes with benefits). I know that there are lots of folks out there with the same issues. But, if you remember, please throw my name in your prayers. I sure appreciate it. Hope everyone has a great week.

2012-01-06T23:34:00.002-05:00

Ten Years ago..........

I was having a great deal of trouble getting to sleep. For tomorrow, January 7th, I was blessed with a beautiful, little pink bundle. My daughter was born in 2002. It is so hard for me to believe that she is now "double digits, baby", as she puts it. What a beautiful person she is. I am so proud of the young lady she is becoming and how caring she is.
I must be out of my mind. I allowed her to have a sleepover tonight for her birthday. There are 12, count em, twelve, little girls under the age of 11 at my house. They have eaten pizza, cake, ice cream and drank lots of soda. I never knew that girls could make so much noise. Who am I kidding? I'll just be glad when they go to sleep.
Happy birthday Abby. We love you very much.

2012-01-02T01:42:00.001-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR bloggy buddies. I hope that all of you had a safe and wonderful New Years celebration.

2011-12-29T01:09:00.002-05:00

Have I ever mentioned how much I love to read? I really, really, really love to read. Unfortunately, I usually only have time for that right before I drop off to sleep at night. For Christmas, I got two books that I have been wanting to read for a long time. I just finished The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Wow!! That was a long book. It was both good and it also repulsed me in some places, too. Anyone else read this book already? I definitely wanted to read it before I go to see the movie.

2011-12-26T13:06:00.000-05:00

hope everyone had a Merry Christmas.

2011-12-01T00:37:00.000-05:00

Sixteen years ago, I was blessed with a son. It is so hard for me to believe that time has passed this quickly. In my mind, I still see that little boy I used to carry around in the laundry basket. I appreciate the blessing that he is. Happy birthday son. His birthday gift is going to get his drivers license. It makes me proud and sad at the same time.

2011-11-29T09:07:00.000-05:00

Yes, I can. I matter. I AM loved. I CAN make it. All of these very positive thoughts are what I am going to start focusing on. I'm tired of the negative voice in my head. I want to be a more positive person. I want to live a more positive life. I want to have a more positive influence in my children's life.
Who wants to go with me?

2011-11-06T22:23:00.000-05:00

Church was absolutely amazing today. Due to the time change last night, I was able to get up at 6:00 am and get all the kids ready and at the church by 7 am to eat a great breakfast provided by the Brotherhood. Then we were treated to a slide show presentation of the latest mission trip to Nicaragua. What a treat!!
After that, we went to early worship service and the music was absolutely fabulous and I could feel the presence of God. I felt so connected. I couldn't help smiling and I almost broke out dancing.
We had a great afternoon just hanging out and relaxing. After my son's youth choir practice tonight, we helped make a PILE of PBJ sandwiches that will be served to the homeless tomorrow. I wish I had more sometimes, then I could do more, you know?
I pray that each of you have a blessed week.

2011-11-05T20:25:00.000-04:00

Okay, no one is gonna believe me when I say that I don't know how to grill. Yep, you heard me. Other than plugging in my George Foreman, I do not have a clue how to use a barbeque grill. Open flame scares the poo out of me.

That is, until this evening. My friend asked me to come to the ball fields and help set up the concession stand for tonight's games. I sliced tomatoes, onions, and lettuce. Got the chips and candies all filled up and got the cash register ready. Then, the guy who was gonna cook the burgers, hotdogs, and chicken breasts called and said he was running late. Someone now has to do his job. You guessed it, grilling. I didn't even know how to turn the durn thang on. But now, I'm hooked. I want a gas grill. I LOVE the taste of grilled chicken and hamburgers and hot dogs. I'm ready. So, I think I'm gonna ask my sweet husband if Santa can bring me a grill for my back porch.

2011-10-21T15:24:00.000-04:00

One word for tonight:

BUNCO!!!!!!!!!!

Y'all have a great weekend.

2011-10-09T22:55:00.001-04:00

Hello everyone. Hope that everyone has had a nice relaxing weekend.

I try really hard to keep my political opinions to myself. With this whole

"Occupy Wall Street" protest movement, I don't really have an opinion. I am grateful to live in a country where we have the right to do so. As long as the protestors stay peaceful, I really don't have a problem with it.

Late this rainy Sunday evening, someone sent me a picture. I feel like I should share it with everyone. It touched something in me and I feel like, maybe, We, the people, should march or protest or whatever it's called to make our governmental representatives live with the retirement programs they have bankrupted and with the medical care they have voted for us, then we would see how fast they could make these systems work again. Just my opinion, for what it's worth.

Hope you all have a great week!!

RandomTidBits

2011-09-27T22:15:00.000-04:00

WOW! It has been quite a while since I posted. Time is slipping by faster and faster these days.

I hope everyone is healthy and doing well.

Today, I got progress reports for my kids. All three are doing well, but I'm freaking out just a small amount. HALF of the first grading period is gone. ALREADY!!!

I'm holding steady (bouncing back and forth on a 5 lb differential). I lose it, then I gain it back. I think the fact that anything chocolate passing within eating distance is eagerly devoured might have something to do with that. I'm hoping to get my self back under control in the next week or so. And maybe I can start round 2 of getting healthier.

I had a job interview on Monday. Can I just say that it has been waaaaaaay too long since I had to apply for a job. I have seriously marketable skills, but no college. My college has been the experience that I have gained while working in the public sector. I have applied to work at our local high school in a clerks position. Still haven't heard anything. Keeping my fingers crossed.

My oldest boy will be old enough to drive, by himself, in a little less than two months. What happened to that cute little baby sitting in my laundry basket? I blinked and he's almost an adult.

I hope that all of you are having a blessed week and if not, that the rest of this week will be blessed for you.

2011-09-06T22:42:00.002-04:00

ITS GONNA BE COLD HERE IN THE MORNING.

Well, it's gonna be 68, and only till about 10 am, BUT this little bit of chill in the early morning air is giving me the hope necessary to hold on to my sanity until the "real" cold weather gets here SOON I hope.
I was NOT one of those people whining when it was 50 degrees. I was yahooing and running around in shorts. I LOVE THE COOLER WEATHER.
I hope that you all have a great week. Do you like hot or cold weather?

2011-08-30T22:34:00.002-04:00

Hello everyone. I lost 3.4 lbs this past week. Yay!! Finally, the scale is going my way.
I have applied for a job. At the school where my oldest attends. Keep your fingers crossed and prayers are welcomed.
Hope that everyone has a blessed week.

2011-08-22T11:27:00.002-04:00

IT's THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR

I know you all have heard me say it before,

BUT

it is the most wonderful time of the year.

School is back in session.

This morning we were blessed. No one got out of bed

grumpy. Isn't that amazing?

Everyone had breakfast. No fighting. AT ALL.

WAIT just a doggone minute! Am I still asleep?

Am I just having a really good dream?

Please don't pinch me. I am enjoying this sensation

tooo much.

God bless you all. I hope your first day of school is blessed

as well. Have a great week!!

2011-08-13T21:18:00.003-04:00

Did you see it yet?

I did. I got the chance to go see The Help last night.

I was so happy to finally see the movie of the book I read last year. I was not disappointed. I tell ya, I laughed ( a LOT) and I cried and ran a gamut of emotions for this movie. It was wonderful. I can't wait to go see it again. (My snorting may have inadvertantly made me miss something key). Did you get to see it yet? What did you think?

2011-08-06T17:09:00.002-04:00

Today, my middle child turns 14. So, 14 years ago today, we received another fabulous blessing into our family. It is so hard for me to remember how little and precious he was that day. Yeah, right. He was 9 lbs 5 oz. I was ready for him to get out of me. LOL. Hope everyone is having a blessed weekend. Enjoy!

2011-07-17T22:50:00.002-04:00

I'm a failure......

As you all know, I have been on the WW plan since January. And I had lost 40 lbs.
This week, not so much. I have fallen off the food wagon and I can't seem to stop myself. I am eating everything in sight.

I have GOT to get back on it. I dread weigh in tomorrow. It will certainly tell the tale.

I hope all of you have a good week. Blessings.

2011-07-09T15:26:00.002-04:00

I'M SO EXCITED..................

In just three short weeks.....three.........this little ball of fur and poop is gonna come live with us at our house. His name is Hurley. (My oldest and my youngest got to pick him out, so the middle child got to name him). I hope that his name does not signify that he will be a hurler in my house.

He is a small ball of energy right now when we go to visit him each week.

Pets? Pet stories? Helpful hints for having an inside pet? Looking forward to your answers. Hope you all are having a great weekend.

2011-07-02T15:11:00.006-04:00

HAPPY 4th OF JULY WEEKEND EVERYONE!!!!!

Hope everyone is out getting their patriotic on. GO USA!!!!

Let's all remember to take some time this weekend to remember those who have paid the price for our freedoms, and pray for those who are currently protecting us.

NOW, on to something that has been bothering me since last weekend (when I was at Manatee Springs). Why is it that it is illegal for me to show my chest in public, but men can walk around with their chests exposed. Now, don't get me wrong, I like a good man chest as good as the next girl

BUT WHY IS IT LEGAL FOR ME TO HAVE TO SEE THIS???????

Seriously. I do not want to see big ole hairy man boobs when I'm swimming or driving down the road. Why do these men feel like it's okay to subject us to this? They wouldn't want me swinging my pendulums in public, so why do I have to suffer looking at them?

Just sayin'.

Y'all have a great holiday weekend and be safe.

2011-06-29T00:02:00.002-04:00

WINNER, WINNER......

I'm a winner. Brandy, at Craving Savings, hosted a giveaway of some of my favorite cereals. Oh, and 4 bowls from Crate and Barrel and some Zak spoons.
There are also some surprising data on the nutritional value of cereals. Go on over and read it. And while you are there, check out her couponing. She is a SUPER freak of coupons.
Brandy is a really nice person, who just happens to LOVE saving money. Stop in, you won't be disappointed.
Hope y'all are having a great week.

2011-06-18T14:08:00.002-04:00

Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there. Thank you daddy for always being there and loving us.

I haven't posted here in almost a month. Guess that proves I'm a better visitor than I am a visitee. I'm sorry about that. I wish I were as clever as everyone else on the planet seems to be, but I'm not. My joy comes from reading everyone's adventures and smiling at all their wonderful stories.

Drop in and just say Hi once in a while. I look forward to hearing from you all.
Hope everyone is having a great summer.

Be blessed.

2011-05-27T17:21:00.003-04:00

Hello all.....it has been some time since I last posted. I have just felt like I'm running around like a chicken with it's head cut off the last month or so. Can't promise to find any more time, but I will try.

Let's catch up.....

I have joined the WW movement. So far, I've managed to lose about 50 lbs. But about every two weeks or so, I gain 2 of it back, so I have to re-lose it. I still have an astounding amount of weight to lose, but I'm determined to try (no matter how many times I fall off the wagon).

I hope everyone is ready for summer, because I think it's here.....we haven't had a day lower than 95 for over a week now. YIKES, it's hot.

I am riding my bicycle everyday. Now I'm having to go at it early in the morning because its so stinking hot at the end of the day. I have to say that I love my bike.

School will be out here next Friday. For the most part, I am looking forward to not having the kids away all day. Check back with me in two weeks, and you know I'll be singing a different song then.

My middle child had to dress up at school yesterday for a presentation. He chose Wyatt Earp. Check him out, think he'll do?

I hope y'all have a great weekend.

2011-04-24T18:23:00.001-04:00

Happy Easter everyone. I cannot believe it has been almost two months since I have posted.
WOW. Time is flying by, before I know it, Christmas will be here.
I hope everyone has had a blessed Easter.

2011-02-28T10:43:00.002-05:00

Happy Monday everyone!!! I hope you all had a great week last week.
Starting out this new week with sun shining and the birds singing to each other. What blessings!!!
I have started walking (or trying to walk) each evening just before dark. I can't say I succeed in getting that little bit of walking in everyday, but I sure feel better if I do.
Hoping that spring is bursting forth in your neck of the woods.
Be blessed.

2011-02-21T15:15:00.003-05:00

Hey out there. I hope everyone is having a great February. I haven't posted in a while. Had to post today though. What a gorgeous day we are having here. The temps are in the upper 70s with a nice breeze blowing the leaves around and the pollen right into all our allergic noses. What beautiful blessings we can count.
Now, does anyone have any advice to me about menopause? Cause guess what? I think I have finally arrived at what they are calling perimenopause.
Hope you all are beginning to get some warmer temps and are doing well.

2011-02-09T21:27:00.002-05:00

Wow, I haven't posted in a long time. I guess I'm either so busy I don't have time or I'm so boring, I have nothing to post.
Probably the latter. I do enjoy checking in from time to time though.
The de-cluttering is going well. The baby steps approach was the way to go. Thanks for all the tips and support.
I hope to have more time to blog hop for more than a few minutes soon. Y'all be blessed.

2011-01-31T09:54:00.003-05:00

Good Monday morning to you all. I hope that this weekend was a blessed one for you all.
Since my last post, I have taken the advice (great advice, I might add) of my bloggy buddies about being overwhelmed with clutter. To take one small bite at a time.
I purchased some plastic bins (on sale, too)!! Started with one little bit and I am pleased to tell you all that I have made some significant progress in getting everything up off the floors and into some semblance of order.
Although, purchasing a storage shed is out of the financial question right now, I did locate an unused space in my home and have stored ALL of my Christmas decorations there.
That little move freed up some space in my children's bathroom closet (see, I told you it was bad).
I am so grateful to have wonderful bloggy buddies who have great advice and much compassion for me.
Hoping that each of you has a blessed week. :-))

2011-01-24T09:16:00.002-05:00

It's Monday.....is anyone else overwhelmed?

It is Monday morning. I am so overwhelmed, I am in tears.
I had such high hopes for myself this new year. I really, really want to get my house more organized and get myself on a routine of cleaning. But it is such a big job I just found myself sitting in the chair and crying. I am overwhelmed.
I wanted to get a portable storage shed this year and put all the decoration boxes and stuff that is seasonal in there. Well, we certainly can't afford that. I am trying to think of inventive ways to store those bazillion bins, but I just can't.
So I find that instead of accomplishing ANYthing, I am just so overwhelmed I am doing NOTHING.
Any tips, ladies? Help me, I'm drowning!!!

2011-01-18T12:35:00.002-05:00

Tuesday Tidbits.....

Okay, I don't know about y'all, but my 2011 has not been going as I planned.
Tap, tap....is this thing on?
We have been trying this past year and half to get out of debt. Seriously!
Because of choices made when we were both younger, we had some serious debt issues. This past May, we finally paid off both of the vehicles we had.
For the first time in sixteen years, we did not have a car payment. Not one!!!
God had blessed us with selling one of the paid off vehicles to get rid of some credit card debt (i.e. - devil debt).
So, when we returned from our vacation around Christmas, I got into my paid off vehicle and cranked it up. My husband came flying out of the house and said, "How long has it been doing that?" It hadn't. It was the first time evah.
Anyway, long story short, we now have a car payment. WAAAAA!!!! We didn't buy a new car. We went to a very reputable car agency and bought a good used one. But we still have that extra payment again. It makes me so sad.
AND that's not all. Last Thursday, I dropped the older kids at school and came home to start the laundry. I got the load in and put in the detergent and walked out to let the barrel fill up so I could put clothes in it. When I came in from collecting dirty clothes, I stepped in .....you guessed it...water. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I called my husband in from the cows and he disconnected the water pipes and pulled it out from the wall ( I would show you a picture but I seriously cannot believe all the crap that was under that washer in just three short years). Anywho, I digress. Come to find out, the bottom of the wash barrel had rusted through. Can you say, new washing machine? I can.
Now, we have more consumer debt, cause we didn't have any savings left after our vacation.
Does anyone else live like this? Do you ever feel like you just can't get ahead?
Please let me hear from you, cause I feel like the Lone Ranger here.

2011-01-08T14:31:00.002-05:00

Happy Saturday everyone.
I hope that you are getting some much needed R&R or doing whatever it is that makes you happy today.
So, I think I'm ready to begin writing about our Christmas break now.
On day one at 8:30 am, I climbed into the backseat of my MIL car and off we went. (My husband would be traveling in a seperate vehicle with our children when they got out of school that day.) You may not know this, but if you are prone to car sickness, the back seat is not the place to be. Guess what? I'm prone to car sickness. By the time we got about 150 miles from home, I was so sick I could barely hold my head up. Go figure!!! So the first day of my vacation, I was kind of wobbly. And we still had about 10 hours left to drive on the first day.
Once I got some Dramamine down my throat and got up front in the passenger seat, I was some better. We traveled all the way to Baltimore (from Florida) that first day. I saw many interesting things along the way. Wish I had been well enough, or had thought to bring a camera so I could have snapped some photos along the way. Hindsight is 20/20.
Day Two started at 7:30 am and was a lot more interstate driving. I may not be college educated, but it only took me once to figure out NOT to sit in the back seat. So, for most of the day, I rode in the passenger seat. We were somewhere in New York State when I finally felt well enough to give driving a try. It was much better, but I was too busy concentrating on the other cars to really enjoy much of the scenery.
When we got to Albany NY, we were within two hours of the house my MIL rented. And I could not have been more excited. I just have to say though, it is no wonder northerners have a higher rate of S.A.D.. It started getting dark at around 4:30 that afternoon.
So, we arrived in the beautiful little town of Danby VT about 45 minutes before it got totally dark. The house we stayed at was called Mettawee. Gorgeous!!! Since we were to be the first ones there, it was our mission to drive the 20 so miles to Rutland and buy groceries. Unh-uh!!! Not happening. It got dark so early, we didn't know the roads, so we decided to stay at the house and go back to the little store we had seen in Danby on the way to the house. It was in a house that had to be at least 100 years old and it was as fabulous as you can imagine. They even had a deli in the back to make up some "grinders" for supper.
Never heard of a grinder before then. Turns out, its a sub. Potatoe/potato??
Anyway, we took our subs back to the house and ate them. Then MIL and nephew spent the next hour or so putting up the Christmas tree and building a fire. I was soooooo missing my husband and kids. Who were supposed to be getting there the next day. I am trying to get how to post multiple pics figured out.
Tune in next time when I talk about NYC side trip.

2011-01-04T12:01:00.004-05:00

Happy 2011 everyone!!! (Better late than never, right?).

I hope everyone had a great New Year's Day and ate plenty of black eyed peas and rice, and greens, and all those other things that are supposed to symbolize a great start to a new year.

I have been absent from blogging for a while. I know you will not believe this, but I was in Vermont. Yeah, me, the homebody. My MIL rented a house up there for ten days over the Christmas holiday and it was fabulous.

Not having been from anywhere there is snow, I was utterly fascinated by it. While we were there we had over two foot of snow. (See the above picture).

I enjoyed the trip (except for the ride up and back) . I am hoping to post some more about our trip and the side trip that we took to New York City. WOOHOO!!!

Be blessed.

2010-12-25T10:45:00.001-05:00

From our home to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas. Our prayer is for a prosperous and safe 2011 for all.
God bless.

2010-12-23T11:44:00.003-05:00

Just got some time to look at my blog this morning. I see I have been missing in action for some time.
Just now, I am sitting in the bay window of a beautiful rental home in Vermont. My mother in law rented a three story home for 10 days and my husband and his brother and all their spawn are staying there through December 28th.
Right now, it is snowing so beautifully outside. Everyone else has gone cross country skiing. I am in the house, washing up clothes and just enjoying some "me" time.
My children and I have never really seen this much snow and my kids are having a ball.
This area, around Rutland, VT., is so scenic. When we arrived a few days ago, there was some snow on the ground, but yesterday, it started snowing, FO SHIZZLE, at about 12:30 and has been snowing in some capacity ever since.
I'm a cracker, y'all know that. So I have been snapping pictures and little videos like mad. Once we get home, maybe I'll even learn how to download some.
Love to all and be blessed.

2010-12-13T08:00:00.003-05:00

It really is a great time of year around the farm. I am especially enamoured of all the new baby cows that deliver in this last month of the year 2010. The first one I was able to catch a picture of this week is a beautiful little girl. Which means, I will get to see her for years to come here on the farm. My husband encourages me NOT to name the animals. But when they are this cute, I can hardly keep myself from trying out names for them. :-))

Hope you all are doing well and have all your Christmas shopping done and can sit back, relax, and enjoy a nice cuppa hot chocolate ( or whatever floats your boat). Have a great week.

2010-12-04T16:14:00.002-05:00

Just a quick note to let everyone know that their prayers are answered.

Praise be to the Great Physician. The man in my last post has had the surgery to remove the tumor. They believe they got 95% of it through the surgery. They will be doing a biospy to test for cancer. We are believing that it is benign and that the remainder of the tumor can be taken care of with medication. Please believe with us on this matter.

Thanks again for your faithful prayers.

2010-11-30T22:29:00.002-05:00

I need all the prayer warriors out there to pray....
As you all know, I volunteer on a regular basis at our local high school. I am usually in the office of the Athletic Director. Got a call an hour ago from his assistant. He is in a hospital in Gainesville and they have discovered a tumor on his brain.
PLEASE, PLEASE, send up petitions to the Great Healer on his behalf.
Thank you so much for being faithful. Thank you for sending up prayers on behalf of him and his family.

2010-11-29T18:45:00.002-05:00

Random Drivel

Alright, so everyone knows that my middle child is big into soccer this year. As a matter of fact, he is playing right now, as I type. I, however, am not in attendance at his game. For once, his father is off work and I sent him to the game. I'm not really a bad mother, I've just had enough.(Plus, I am baking a cake, my oldest is having a birthday party tomorrow night, he's 15 YIKES!!)
I have been at the soccer field almost every game (whether he was playing or not). Because parents are supposed to be involved in every level of their child's sport, I volunteered to work the ticket booth and on a couple of occasions, the concessions. All this money goes to the soccer teams and to defer the cost of their uniforms and transportation. And I think it's only fair that the parents work in those two areas to help out. There are plenty of games going on when my child is not playing. I just don't volunteer to do anything for the time that his team is playing. Up until today, I thought this. There are four parents out of at least 60 sets that have actually signed up to help. FOUR!!!! And today, when the soccer secretary sent an email out to ask these parents for help (to raise money to benefit their kid), one of the parents responded by asking to be removed from the email list. Can you beat that? Drop your kid off to play and come back in a couple hours, but don't bother to volunteer to help support the organization that is teaching your child a sport?
What is wrong with people? Seriously? It's an hour and half. Give me a break.
Okay, through venting now. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving holiday. I know I sure enjoyed all my family and friends that came to visit.

2010-11-22T07:53:00.002-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving week everyone!!!
This is a great week. Only two days of school. My family will begin arriving on Wednesday. I am looking forward to those two days with my family here.
My wish for each of you out there is a week full of family, fun, and thankfulness for each of our blessings.
Please try to be good to yourself this week and not stress too badly about all the small details that no one else will think of.
I plan to take a few minutes each day this week and really stop looking at all the stressors and just look up and thank God for all His blessings on my family and I.
What are your family's plans for the holiday? I look forward to hearing about your plans.

2010-11-19T07:47:00.002-05:00

I am putting this out there, hoping that somewhere, in this great big blog world, there are others who feel the echo of what I'm about to confess.
I am going to preface this confession with the statement that I love my family. I would not trade them for anything. ANYTHING!!!!
But today, I feel resentful towards them all. I resent cleaning this house till my body and my brain hurt and then they carelessly tromp dirt all over the carpet that was just vacuumed. I resent the coffee spilled on the floor that it took me an hour to mop. I resent the pile of clean clothes that I just finished washing and folding being thrown in the floor rather than put away. I resent the dishes and plates carelessly left wherever they happened to finish eating off of them.
I think what I resent the most however, is their abililty to completely, totally not care what they live in. They are perfectly content to live in the squalor of their own making.
NO one would ever accuse me of being a nice-nasty kind of person. I can live with a certain amount of things on counter tops and even on the floor. But I am finding it harder and harder not to resent that they can pour Kool-aid and be perfectly content to leave that red ring on my countertop(which I might add is almost impossible to get off); harder not to resent that they can walk past dirty socks on the floor and never even think about picking them up.
Harder still for me is the disrespect the teenagers dish out. Mom is the one who makes sure that they have food and clean clothes and get to guitar, piano, or sports. The dentist, their doctors, and anywhere else in between that they want to go. And for all that, the sassy mouth and glares when they are asked to complete their simple chore list, it just astounds me.
I love my family, and I would not trade them for anything, but today, I'm very frustrated with them.
Thanks for listening bloggy pals. Let me know if I'm alone in this.

2010-11-16T07:55:00.004-05:00

This post may be a little long, but yesterday, I had a revelation of sorts, and I wanted to share it.
I find myself (often) asking, "What is wrong with people?" Seriously, why are they so crabby and grouchy and downright unpleasant?
I mean, we all have bad days, don't we? And disappointments?
My son had a banquet last night from a sport that he played. And as we were sitting there watching the video of the season, I noticed that one of the main players was not in attendance. I also know, that sometimes his family has transportation issues and monetary issues. This was a very special night and I hated to think that he would not be there to get the recognition that he had earned. So I hopped in my car and rushed around to their house. His grandmother would not let him go. After me begging her for about five minutes, she finally relented and let him go.
I got him there and he walked in the door just as they called his name to award him trophies.
The thought that kept running through my head is, "What kind of person wouldn't want her grandson to be there to receive awards?"
That was pretty judgmental thinking on my part, huh? After the program, I took him home and stopped in for a few minutes to talk to his grandma.
I came away with a whole different mindset than what I went in with. She was not being a "bad" person, or even being "mean". She was just tired. Life has beaten her down. She has her daughter and all of her daughters children living with her in that small house. The daughter is always at work, so she is left to raise those children. She has some illnesses that can be very debilitating and tiring. And she was upset with the sports program because they didn't give her adequate notice of the banquet. And I could see that. We were only given two days warning and then only because my son remembered to tell me. There were no letters sent home to any parents. She felt like she had been disrespected by the program and by her daughter, who had not mentioned to her about the banquet.
The moral of this for me was to stop being so judgmental when someone is being unpleasant and maybe take a moment and say a prayer that God will relieve them of whatever pressure it is that is making them that way.
HUGE eye opener for me.

2010-11-09T23:27:00.002-05:00

Seriously????

I have been thinking about blogging all day. Well, not actually all day, but it has been popping into my thought radar all day. There, that sounds a little bit better. Anyway, I kept telling myself, I am about to sit down and submit a new post on my blog. I must have told myself this about six different times today. (I can hear you laughing at me, please stop).
This goal may have been too lofty.
As I sat down, just now, to start this post, I looked up at the clock and it read 11:29 pm. Seriously???? It cannot be that late. But, alas, it is.
Where did my day go? How can I be so busy and yet seem to accomplish absolutely nothing? I didn't even get a chance to read any blogs today.
Now, I am just grateful that I have had a few minutes to sit down and unwind. I will set a goal to post tomorrow about what had me so busy today. Be blessed!!

2010-11-03T08:19:00.002-04:00

Random thoughts and observations:

I am typing this from a netbook. Because, my click happy children gave our home computer a virus. Not just any virus. The blue screen of death virus. My poor hubby stayed up ALL night trying to retrieve most of the pictures that have been taken in this family since Abby was born. I'm waiting with fingers crossed to see how that turns out. The entire hard drive is going to have to be redone. And who knows when that will get done because he is at work for the next two days and moi, I just ain't got the knowledge to mess with it. Thank you Lord for a husband who knows enough about computers.
The oldest child has been signed up and starts guitar lessons this afternoon. Thank you Lord for a child that wants to be musically inclined.
The youngest has moved piano teachers and will begin lessons with her new instructor today. Please let this lady be a little more kid friendly. Thank you Lord for a child that wants to continue with her lessons.
The middle child is now playing soccer. He looked like he was having a good time at practice yesterday. Thank you Lord for a child that wants to exercise.
It's my turn to cook at our church's Wednesday night Bus Stop Cafe. It will make for a long day. Thank you Lord for all the helpers that you will send my way today.
Thank you Lord, that for this month, at least, everyone's lessons are paid for with no use of credit card.
Thank you for the blessing of a vehicle to take us all where we need to go. Thank you for the blessing of my mother in law, who will help me get children where they need to be when there are two places to be at the same time.
Thank you Lord, for being.
I hope everyone is having a great week.

2010-10-31T16:31:00.002-04:00

Ever just had one of those days???? I am so, I can't even put a name on it. I am seriously in a bad case of the I don't give a rat's .... today. We had this super cool cookout here last night and had some friends over for a hot dog roast, but today, I woke up not feeling well and have decided that my mood (hopefully) is just an extension of that.

I love my family. But they are on my last nerve today. For no reason that I can think of. Maybe it's PMS. I sure hope it's PMS.

Somebody tell me a good joke to drag me up outta these doldrums.

2010-10-29T16:46:00.002-04:00

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!!

Sixteen years ago, I stood in a church, in a beautiful (borrowed) wedding gown and a beautiful veil (my mother made for me). I stood next to a wonderful man. Sexy, adventurous, loving, and hard working man.
We stood before our families and made a commitment to a marriage.
We stood and proclaimed our love for each other. And at the time, we truly believed we knew what that really was.
Now, 16 years later, we have been through good times and bad times. Flush and bust. Loving and not so loving times. He survived three pregnancies (and yes ladies, we know it can be a matter of survival for the man when we are so hormonal).
We have changed over these years. We weigh more, our hair is grayer, we aren't quite so adventuresome anymore. Not quite as sexy as we were back then.
That being said, I still love you as much, if not more than I did that day.
Here's to us, baby!!!! I love you!!

2010-10-27T20:46:00.003-04:00

Dear Santa,

I know that it is a little early to start this letter writing business, but I wanted to get my list in a little early.

After spending the day using a friends' borrowed carpet cleaner, I would like to have, for myself, a Bissell Pro Heat 2X 9500. (See picture below).

I also would like to have a Hamilton Beach stand mixer. It's not for myself, you see, my family needs me to have these two things. And I have been somewhat good this year. I certainly have tried. Does that count?

P.S. I am aware that there is no way on this green earth that I am going to get these things for my Christmas. But a girl can wish, can't she?

Hope y'all have a good rest of the week.

2010-10-24T15:48:00.002-04:00

I have been absent from blogging for a while. Sorry, I know that my fan base was waiting with bated breath hoping for an update. However, I have been swamped. Between middle child's football career and this baby's talent show preparation, it has been a madhouse.
She did great by the way. Sat there at that piano and performed like a little girl. It was wonderful.
The boys football career for this year is winding down. Last game night after tomorrow. And then he wants to play soccer. WHAT? That's right, soccer. Can't wait for that season to begin. I think I should just put a stove and refrigerator in the truck and be done with it.
BUT seriously, thank you Lord for children that are healthy enough to participate. Y'all have a blessed week.

2010-10-11T11:29:00.002-04:00

I am so having a Monday........

Good Monday morning everyone. Just got to vent a little, so please just bear with me, cause I really need advice.

Got up to take my little girl to school today. And the back tire on my truck was flat as a pancake. SHOOT!!!!! Had to call and wake up my MIL to come and take us to the school.

This past Friday, my little darling came home scratching her head. And you guessed it. I found pediculosis in her hair. For us common people, pediculosis means lice. EEEEEEEEWWWWWW!!!!! Now this is our first go round with the little buggers and I have to tell you, I'm freaking exhausted. I spent Friday night, Saturday night, Sunday and Sunday night treating our home (with sprays) and washing clothes and bed linens and pillows (in only HOT water). Couches, chairs, car seats, anything I could think of, I sprayed it. Soft toys, in the dryer for 20 minutes on the high heat setting. I been a busy woman.
I am still relatively new to this area and probably have not gotten all the politics just down pat yet. But, as a mother, I thought that I should notify the school nurse that we had treated her. So, SHE could check the other children in the class and notify parents that there had been a child with nits/lice in their childs' classroom. That way, they would have the heads up and would be checking their kids for the next 10 days (since that is the incubation period). The school nurse found a couple of nits that I missed in the 47 times I pikked her hair this weekend. That is totally cool. I don't want her there perpetuating a cycle of nit/lice in that classroom for the rest of the school year.
As a parent, I asked the school nurse if I had the right to ask the school to check the other students in her classroom. I didn't ask for names or to even be notified if they found any. Just asked them to check the other students, so we can stop this before it becomes anything. Well, the school nurse told me that, "NO, I didnt' have the right to request the other children be checked". See the color of these words? Yeah, that's what I was seeing when I left that school. Not only did she tell me I didn't have the right to request the other children be checked. But that she didn't have the time. There were 700 students and only one of her. That if I wanted to get her some help, she'd be happy to check them.
#1...I didn't ask her to check the entire school. Just 18 students. Surely she can manage that. #2...Doesn't she want to stop this before it gets started? #3...What the ham sandwich??
Anyway, I got my girl back home and have begun the tedious treatment of all linens, pillows, blankets, clothing. Retreated the hair, now waiting to re pik it. Vacuuming the house, again. I guess this hit me the wrong way because I'm so exhausted from treating the house this weekend.
I mean, come on. Help me out here. Am I expecting too much from her school? Seriously!!! I don't want to know who has nits/lice. But how hard would it be to send a note home and tell the other parents to be on the look out? That's just common courtesy, right?
Well, thanks for letting me rant. Oh, I did call the school principal's secretary (where the real power lies) and explained to her what I wanted the school to do and why I thought it should be done. Well, now....isn't it interesting that their policy is to check the classroom of the child affected? So, she called me back several hours after I called her. The class has been checked. She didn't offer, nor would I ask if anyone else was affected by this scourge. I'm just happy that they checked them.
So, weigh in on this issue.....how did you treat your kids? What's the best way to make sure you get all the nits the first time? Do you think I was wrong to call the school?
Looking forward to hearing from you.

2010-10-07T20:13:00.002-04:00

This is my favorite time of year here on the farm. This is a picture of our front hayfield. It has been cut for the last time this year. I love riding around this place seeing and smelling the freshly cut hay.

The weather has finally broken and we only reached a high of 83 degrees today. I know, it's not cool by most standards, but after the oppressive heat that we had for so many days this summer, what a blessing it is.

The first calf of the season was born day before yesterday. I haven't gotten an opportunity to see it yet, but you can bet that this weekend, I'm gonna be spending some time riding through the ladies (as I call our cows) and trying to get a peek at this little youngster who was so anxious to get here. The ladies aren't supposed to start giving birth until the middle of November.

I love the new babies. Can't help myself.

I hope that each of you has had a good week and is looking forward to a restful weekend.

2010-10-03T12:12:00.002-04:00

I mentioned in my last post that my favorite casserole was for a Chicken Cordon Blue type casserole. Well, several of you have asked for the recipe, so I'm gonna give it to you, right now.......
I'm sorry to say that I hand wrote this out and cannot remember where I got the recipe for it, I'm sure it was off the internet. So, whoever created this recipe, you ROCK, just let me say that, okay?
What you will need:

* 2 lbs of chicken breast - cubed
* Bread Crumbs
* 1 egg
* 1/2 cup milk
* 8 oz. swiss cheese - cubed
* 8 oz. ham - cubed
* 1 can (10 3/4 oz) cream of chicken soup
* 1 cup milk

Whisk together the 1 egg and 1/2 cup of milk. Dip chicken chunks in egg mixture and then into the bread crumbs until thoroughly coated. Brown these in a little oil until golden.

Place chunks in a baking dish (9 X 13), add cubes of swiss and ham.
Mix cream of chicken soup with 1 cup of milk; mix well. Pour all over the chicken, swiss, and ham in the baking dish. Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees or until tender and bubbly.

Really, this is a fabulous dish. This recipe takes a little time. If you are interested in a short cut way, look for the recipes on line that use stuffing mix.

I hope you all enjoy this yummy casserole. Anyone else got a recipe they want to share? I'd love to hear what your favorite casserole type dish is and to have you share your recipe with me.

2010-09-29T18:18:00.002-04:00

Okay, so my buddy, Melissa, over at My Version of Sanity, has tagged me in a Me-Me.
I am supposed to answer her questions about myself, so here goes:

1. What is my favorite 80's song?
As my children can tell you, I do not discriminate in reference to 80s music. I have a sickness and it is called, STUCK IN THE 80s MUSIC. I love 80s music and can listen to it endlessly and very loudly (just ask my kids).
2. What is my favorite casserole? Well, I'm almost as sick about food as I am about music (one has only to look at me to note this). I am going to pick Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole as my favorite, this week. :-))
3. Cheesecake or pie? I'm gonna have to go with Lemon Meringue Pie.
4. There are at least five hundred things that I would do over given the opportunity. That being said, each experience has brought me to where I am today. And I'm not wanting to give up my family.
5. I would rather read the book FIRST, and then see the movie. (If only to poke fun at the director).
6. Am I a yeller or a talker with my children? I would so love to lie to you and say I was a talker, but I have not been in times past. I will say that I am learning to be a talker, does that count?
7. Um, I don't have wings, so I'm gonna pick driving.
8. Would I rather go to New York City or California?
I'm not sure I want to go either of those places. I would like to substitute Jackson Hole Wyoming for either of these. And since this is my me-me, that's where I want to go.
I am supposed to tag eight people to do this me-me, but I just cannot do it. I don't want anyone getting mad at me for tagging them.
So, if you want to participate, please feel free.

2010-09-27T08:02:00.001-04:00

Update on StanLee.....
Unfortunately, my son located his puppy yesterday afternoon. Not a good outcome. Thanks for all the care and concern.
Hope everyone has a great week.

2010-09-24T15:13:00.004-04:00

Michelle and the hateful, horrible, awful day...................

Today started off pretty good. I got my little sugar lump up and fed and dressed and took her and dropped her off at school. She was ready and raring to go for school today.
And then, the day got suddenly horrible...I mean, hateful, horrible, awful. In just the space of about twenty seconds, the laughter I had bubbling up in me was GONE!!!!

As I pulled back into our yard (our driveway is curvy and lined with trees and old stumps) I ran over what I thought was a stump. As I looked in the rearview mirror, I saw a sight that stole my breath away.
There was StanLee, our beautiful chocolate lab puppy running hell-bent for leather into the wooded lot. It took me about twenty seconds to realize that I had not hit a stump. In fact, I had run over my poor puppy.
I had to come inside and wake up my two boys to help me look for him. And we did. High and low; low and high, and I had to make them stop looking and get ready for school. And then we looked some more. (We live on ten acres and about99.99999% of that is woods). And the property surrounded ours is dense trees and underbrush.
Finally, I had to abandon the search and make the boys go to school. My oldest boy, (this was his puppy) is very angry with me and it breaks my heart. I have not seen my son cry in a long time and as we were searching, the tears were rolling down his face. My heart is broken. Not so much about the dog, although I do love that rascal, but because my son's heart is broken and I was the cause of it.
My husband got home from work and spent hours looking through the underbrush and has not been able to find StanLee.
My house is a sad place today.

2010-09-23T00:00:00.002-04:00

THE BUS STOP CAFE.........

What an experience. At my church, on every Wednesday night while school is in session, we have teams that cook dinner. There are six teams, so we only have to cook once every six weeks. And to that I have to say, thank you Lord.
Last night was my first time ever being a team leader. I was large and in charge of the church kitchen. And they can be kind of strict, you know what I mean?
Anyway, my meal will be chicken and rice; green beans; rolls; and a variety of cakes for desert.
This being my first time and all, I got my pans of broth ready to heat up so I could put the uncooked rice in it. I was just sitting around there all fat, dumb and happy when the "head" honcho over all the teams comes in and asks me why my broth isn't even hot and it's just two hours before we start serving. I said, "WHAT??????" ACK!!!!! Apparently, you can't plug both pans in at the same receptacle. It flipped the breaker.
It's a good thing she came along, cause I didn't even know where the breaker box was.
Long story short, we barely got the chicken and rice done in time to start serving. Good news is, it got done and we served over 100 dinners.
So, the youth (who are the beneficiaries of the monies earned) wound up making a good profit on their investment.
YAY, only five more weeks till it's my turn AGAIN!!!! How long did they say school lasts this year?????
I hope you all are having a blessed week.

2010-09-22T09:55:00.002-04:00

I sure wish I had one of these growing out in my yard. Of course, then I would have to have some serious security, cause everyone would be sneaking in to pick some for themselves.

I am having an issue these days. I ask myself, how come the crooks are the ones who keep getting richer. While the middle class of America and the lower income of America keep getting poorer and poorer and poorer.

What's up with that?

I have always heard that money can't buy you happiness.....well, I would like about a million dollars to find that out for myself.

What would you do with a million, even a couple hundred thousand?

2010-09-14T00:01:00.000-04:00

SOME TABLE TOPICS TUESDAY UP IN HERE.......

Today's question is:

What reality TV show would I want to be a contestant on?

Uhm, okay. No, not survivor. There's no food, and everybody is all stinky, no, not that one.
Uhm, nah, no Big Brother. Cannot stand all the drama.

I think that I would like to be on Clean House. Yeah, get Neicy up in here to get me a makeover on a couple rooms in my house. And some fine looking helpers to cart off truck loads of garbage. Yep, that's it, that's the one.

If you wanna play, go to Shannon's place and link up.

2010-09-13T19:12:00.003-04:00

I WON!!!!!! I WON!!!!!!! I CAN HARDLY BELIEVE IT, I WON!!!!!!

I know you are hoping that I won the lottery. But, alas, it is not to be.

I just found out that I am the winner of the BlogHero contest over at

http://www.artisticallynuts.com/ . She wanted us to leave a comment on who

our blog hero was. To be truthful, I had forgotten that I even entered the

contest. I know, ungrateful heifer that I am.....

Anywho, she just notified me that I had won a wonderful MUG that she

had gotten just for ME.....and it has some sillybandz in it. (My daughter is so gonna love that).

She really is a funny lady, you should hear her talking to herself sometime.

In the meantime, if you need me, Ima be camping down by the mailbox waiting for my prize to arrive.

Hope y'all had a great Monday. Keep on smiling.

2010-09-12T21:18:00.003-04:00

Ya'll see these aggravating li'l .............*&@#$S?

I'm so ready for cooler weather, and not just because I hate to sweat.

I'm so sick of the GNATS. They are everywhere. You go outside, open your mouth to speak and man, you've swallowed one. Or one of the little aggravaters flies right into your eye, and that burns like heck.

The other reason I really, really hate gnats, is because when they are waiting around outside to attack the unsuspecting person, they are hanging around a certain unmentionable part of the anatomy of a dog for the most part. That's why we call 'em dog peter gnats. And that makes me throw up in my mouth a little every time I swallow one or one flies into my eye or when they are swarming my head.

Please, let the cooler weather come on.

2010-09-11T09:09:00.002-04:00

Good Saturday everyone. I just have some random thoughts for today, hope they don't bore you to tears.

I was just contemplating how there is nothing like the smell of fresh cow manure early in the morning. My middle child volunteered himself to take care of the feeding of two of the FFA cows this weekend. (Translated: Mom has to get up extra early on her only day to sleep late). Oh well, he's a very energetic, go-getter kind of kid. I kind of love him. It was very nostalgic for me to watch him care for these two animals. One had been de-horned and the wound site needed care. My boy, in the pen with these two big ole honking cows. Where has the time gone and how did he manage to grow up so fast? My head is spinning.

I L.O.V.E. a yard sale. I am looking for a small writing desk with two drawers on the side for my daughter's bedroom. It would be for her to do homework on and store her supplies in. (She's a writer, don't ya know). She spends hours sitting and writing stories. I kind of love her too. No luck on the desk today, but I did score a cool piece of luggage for an incredibly low price, YAY for me!!!! I also found a set of three ceramic nesting bowls with a delft blue pattern. Can you say INSTANT LOVE? I can. Incredibly low price as well.

I love my oldest son, too. I don't really have a cool story about him today, but he makes my heart feel good. He has a true servant's heart and I pray that God will do a mighty work in him.

Last night, we went, as a family (dad included) and saw the movie, Despicable Me. I loved that silly little movie. I laughed, I almost cried. But most of all, I loved the little country movie theater that we go to see movies at. It is only open on Friday night, Saturday night, and Monday night. It is owned by a local family in the next little town over. And let me tell you, if you sent your teenager to this theater without you, there is no way that you would have to worry about them behaving in a manner that was not good. The little old lady owner insists on proper behaviour at all times AND there is a dress code. You will not see anyone's underwear in this place. Nosireebob. They have a plethora of Coke collectibles and memorabilia in the lobby and all throughout the theater. It really is a treat to go to movie and not have to watch an R rated show put on by the people attending the movie. Just plain, good old fashioned family fun.
Oh well, plans are to attend an anniversary barbeque this afternoon and then chillax tonight. Tomorrow, we'll do Sunday school and church.

Prayers going up to the families of those who lost loved ones on this anniversary date of 9/11. Please lift them up and remember our service men and women on foreign soil and those here on domestic soil.
May you all be blessed in the coming week.

2010-09-09T14:38:00.001-04:00

Hello out there everyone. I just read the news that my bloggy friend Lilly's husband, Roy, passed away this morning from bladder cancer.
I don't really know Lilly. I didn't know Roy. But I followed her blog and caught snippets of their life together.
I have watched them both be so courageous in the fight against this horrible disease.
If you get a chance and you don't mind, please say a prayer for Lilly and her family in this season of grief. If you'd like to read some of her wonderful posts you can go to www.prayforroy.blogspot.com
Thank you bloggy buddies. Have a blessed evening.

2010-09-07T23:04:00.001-04:00

Okay, just a quick update.....I survived....I mean, my son survived his first football game. His team got whooped, but he survived. They put him in as the center. Those big ole boys came charging at him and he didn't run. He was much smaller but he took what they gave him and pushed back. Mama is so proud, can you tell?
AND BONUS, I didn't show out or yell. I promised him that I would not do anything that would shame Jesus or him and I am happy to say that I kept my word.
P.S. Angela Darhling is preggers!!!!!! YIPPEE!!!!!
Y'all have a good Wednesday now, you hear?

2010-09-01T11:53:00.004-04:00

Can you see #51? That's my youngest son. He has decided to play middle school football this year. Me, I'm not sure about all this.

He has been running (or conditioning) as he calls it, this past summer. Getting up in the early hours of the morning to run before it became blistering hot. He has endured practice for the last three weeks in the early afternoon hours (in the blistering heat) to get ready for this football season.

I'm not sure that I can sit in the stands (quietly) and watch other boys hit and run over my boy. Does anyone understand that?

The other players may see this: This is what I see:
Y'all better not hurt my baby. I might have to come up outta those stands and get you. Can you even imagine the embarrassment I could cause him? LOL!!

Hope you all are having a blessed week.!

2010-08-27T22:21:00.002-04:00

We've go the first week under our belt.
That's right. The first week of school is officially OVER!!!
I wish that I had been smart enough to buy stock in paper,
folders, pencils, and pens when I was younger. I would be
independently wealthy by now. I spent a TON on school
supplies this year. I hope that everyone's children are settling
in to their new school years happily and healthily.

An update on my sweet mama. Her kneecap is broken, although
not as badly as she was first led to believe. She will not require
surgery. He doesn't even want her in a cast. He put her in a brace,
offered her pain meds (which she refused outright), and told her that
she could do whatever activity she felt comfortable doing. Except for
driving. Unfortunately, she broke her right kneecap and it is too painful
to move back and forth between gas and brake pedal fast enough for
them to be comfortable letting her drive. (She really doesn't like that).
Thank you all for your prayers for her.
Hope you all have a great weekend. Be blessed.

2010-08-23T21:46:00.002-04:00

Today was the day.
My oldest boy started high school. My middle child started 8th grade and my youngest started 3rd grade.
I got up this morning and cooked breakfast for those who wanted it. Got myself and the youngest and the oldest ready and off we went. I was volunteering at the high school in the guidance department today. (Had I known what was in store, I would have faked a kidney stone or something). My little one hopped out of the truck and never even looked back, she was more than ready to get to school.
The oldest did some errands for me at the school before his classes even started. (He's just cool like that).
I spent the entire day babysitting teenagers who had not received schedules for one reason or another. YIKES!!!!! I really don't remember being that silly when I was a teenager. But, like, whatever, right?
So at 3:00 pm my cell phone rings and it is the receptionist from the elementary school wanting to know if I am coming to get my sweet daughter. I told her, "Well, no one called me to tell me there was anything wrong with her". The receptionist said, "It's 3 o'clock". I said, "I know it's three, but no one called me to tell me there was something wrong with my daughter." She said, "School got out at 2:15."
OMG!!! I forgot to pick up my daughter on the first day of school.
Yeah, I'll just be standing out by the mailbox waiting for that mother of the year award.
Anyone else ever done anything like that? I was so freaked out that I forgot her.
Oh well, maybe tomorrow I should set the alarm on my phone or make the ring tone, "ITS TWO O'CLOCK, GO GET YOUR CHILD".
Y'all have a good week.

2010-08-22T21:59:00.002-04:00

Hey everybody,
Can I ask y'all to do something very important for me?
My mama was on vacation this past week. It abruptly came to an end yesterday afternoon. My sweet mama fell. And broke her knee cap in three places. She was in Tennessee. She was transported by ambulance to a hospital there where x-rays confirmed that she did indeed break the knee cap in three places. They wanted to admit her and do surgery on the knee. However, she would not do it. She had my daddy drive her all the way back home (in Florida) so when she has her surgery she can be near home and her children.
My heart is so heavy. My mama is hurting and I cannot take her pain. Cause I would if I could. I can't stand the thought of that sweet woman in any kind of pain.
So, please, please, pray for my mama. Pray that she gets a really good doctor to do her surgery. Pray that God will guide that surgeons hands as he operates on my mama. Pray that God will grant her a quick recovery and will keep her pain to a minimum.
Thank you my friends, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers.

2010-08-20T17:08:00.002-04:00

I have found, at least in my case, that I am the one who has to deal with all the back to school issues. (My sweet mama takes my kids clothes shopping. I provide the money, she does the shopping part). I have to deal with everything else connected to it. But last night, I didn't. I told my DH, the boys have to be at school at 6:00 pm to get their schedules and meet their teachers. I said I wasn't going. And I didn't. So, don't bother mailing out that mother of the year award.
It stresses me out to be in a crowd of people. Especially pushy and sweaty people with only one thing on their mind, getting out of that place. And last year when this event went on, it nearly did me in. The older I get, the worse this gets.
I stayed home while he went with the boys and I didn't miss anything. Except a panic attack.
And then, just before I was dropping off to sleep. I was just on the cusp of lala land, he had to bring up the fact that one of the boys schedules is not right. ACK!!!!!!! Dang it all and back. My eyes flew open and instantly I was wide awake. Worrying that one of my babies was not settled securely in their schedule and that they might not be on the right track. (See I'm a little OCD about stuff like that).
Anyone else find themselves worrying over stuff like that?

2010-08-18T00:43:00.002-04:00

Okay, it is just about 1 am here....why am I up on the computer and not sleeping in my bed.....well, I'm actually on my laptop. And the weather is not so good here right now.
Don't get me wrong, I love a good storm. How the skies darken and the wind blows through the trees and the sweet, refreshing rain comes down. Love that part. Okay lightning, not so much. YIKES!!! We had a storm come through this evening around 7pm and had a huge lightning strike not more than 50 yds from our front door. Yep, that tree is a goner.
Now, another storm is rolling through and the thunder is rolling across the land here. And we just had another really close strike. I H A T E lightning.
So, now I have to turn off my little precious. My laptop that I got for Christmas. I must go to bed. I must go to sleep. I have to get up early in the morning. I must....
Okay, I talked myself into hiding my head under the pillow and calling it a night.
Later today, I'm gonna post about an award I "got". Bye for now.

2010-08-13T21:41:00.003-04:00

Back in the land of the lucid......
Wow, on Wednesday of this week, I had a wisdom tooth surgically extracted. WOW! Only one. Not four. Just one. Don't have anymore in my head and for that I praise Jesus from whom all blessings flow.

I am just now getting back to a semblance of normalcy. The dentist gave me something called percocet and then something to keep the percocet from making me throw up. WOW. Talk about not being able to operate machinery....I couldn't even operate my own legs. LOL. It was probably pretty funny to watch. Too bad it hurt so much.
Apparently, today is my "peak" swelling day. Hah! Hah! I'll say it again, hah! Now I know why nitous oxide was invented.
But today, I was able to go to the store and pick up some certain feminine products, cause when it rains.......it pours.
I hope that you all have a great weekend. Let me know what you're up to.

2010-08-09T15:19:00.002-04:00

Monday, Monday......

The next to the last Monday of the kids summer break. Apparently I woke up on the "cranky" side of the bed this morning. I hate it when I do that.
I don't like being a cranky pants to my kids.
Thankfully, Uncle Tom has taken the button pusher to the bike park today and I will only have a few hour window in which to yell at him.
The oldest boy has been made to do his "summer" reading requirement for school (which starts in two weeks) and I guess he was planning on waiting till the night before school started to work on that assignment. So, again, I get to be the "bad" guy and make him put up that video game that has become permanently attached to his hands and actually do something that will cost him grades when he starts school in two weeks (wow, is that the longest run on sentence ever, or what?).
Ah well, hopefully, the cool, crisp air of fall will arrive (P L E A S E) and the ringing of school bells will once again chime out over our community.
I'm hoping that my children will all enjoy this time in their lives (school and youth). High school was some of the best times I ever had, I hope that they will have a good an experience at schools as I did.
How about you? Are your kids self starters or do you find yourself having to crank on them to get it done? How did your school experience influence how you view your childs? Love to hear from you....

2010-08-08T14:41:00.000-04:00

Has it really gone by that quickly?

This is the question I am asking myself this weekend.
Thirteen years ago, my son entered this world. Butt first and screaming at the top of his lungs. What a ride. He has been a beautiful blessing to our family and the one of my children that can push my buttons like no ones business.
Looking at him today and listening as his voice is beginning to crack, it brings tears to my eyes that he is growing up so fast. Where is the little tow headed boy? How quicky he is becoming a young man.
So happy birthday to my second born, I love you son, I hope thirteen is a good year for you.

2010-08-03T17:59:00.000-04:00

I just cannot seem to get back on track. After our vacation last week, I am having a hard time getting back into the swing of our everyday routine.
I think I need to have my hormone levels checked or something. I was taken off Enbrel and put on Humira for my RA, and every since that, I have not been right.
Today, for example, I was tooling along in a fairly good mood, getting some house work done. One picture and one comment and I got in a foul mood FAST. I have been waiting all summer to hear from someone (whom I have left at least four messages for) about my daughter being a "mascot" cheerleader.
This person is in charge of that. No response to phone calls or emails. (And if the spots were already filled, then she should have had the decency to call or email me that information). Nothing. So today, I see that cheer camp has begun and that apparently the position has been filled. Now, I get to tell my daughter (who by the way asks about this subject every other day) that her hopes for this year are out.
It just irritates the crap out of me for someone to be so inconsiderate.
Then, I get mad at myself for letting someone that is so inconsiderate even bother me.
Ugh, I think I just need to get a job or something.
Pray for me, will ya?
Maybe she won't take it too hard.

2010-07-30T21:07:00.000-04:00

Home again, home again....jiggety jog.....

Hey everybody. Here's hoping your week was a good one and that your weekend will be relaxing and refreshing.

We are home from vacation in the southern part of our state.( This is one view from the boat). Man, it was hot enough to ..., well, to do something, just not exactly sure what.

The heat index all four days was 105-110. Nice. The kids had a really good time and I got to experience some pretty neat sights as well.

I also had one particular incident that had me thinking I was going in the drink, fo shizzle!!! We almost capsized my hubby's mom's boat in the Gulf of Mexico. NOT....FUN....AT...ALL!!!

I don't care if I ever get back in that sucker. Butter my bread and call me a landlubber. That's me alright.

It really was a beautiful time, lots of good food, friends, and lots of laughter. I am truly blessed for having gotten to go.

How was your week? What you got planned for the weekend? Love to hear from you.

2010-07-27T10:35:00.000-04:00

Greetings and salutations my wonderful bloggy friends.....

I am a slacker. Yep, it's a breaking news story. Actually, we are on vacation this week and have enjoyed several days of nearly 100 degree temperatures. Can I just ask, why can't summer vacation be April, May and June? Temperatures are mild enough to enjoy yourself outdoors but not so hot you have a heat stroke. And it's still hot enough to do water activities if you so choose? Oh well, can't have everything can we?

I am on a countdown now, only 27 more days and school will begin once again. It's the most wonderful time of the year....... :-)))))

I hope you all have a blessed week. I'd love to hear what's going on in your neck of the woods, let me hear from you.

2010-07-23T14:38:00.000-04:00

Hello Everyone.....
I just wanted to you to know how much I appreciated your prayer and your kind words from my last post. This is proof that we did, in fact, survive my hubby being gone for most of the week.
A lot of that time was spent at VBS at our church this week. I tell ya, that was the cutest bunch of kids around. The theme was Saddle Ridge Ranch, and the messages were on a kids level, but some of the music that went along with each day, just blessed me beyond belief. (That would be God giving me what I need, when I needed it). I can hardly wait to see all the little ones perform for their parents tonight. They are sooooo excited.
Each day, they got to do something a little different in how they dressed. One day was, of course, cowboy day, the next was Patriotic Day, the next was mixmatch day, and today was crazy hair day. I l.o.v.e.d. how creative these kids were. Hopefully, I will be able to post some of the pics later on.
I am so glad that we got to be a part of this. I got an opportunity to meet and really get to talk to some of the other ladies in our church that I would not have gotten to had we not participated. Thank you Lord for the blessing of these wonderful women.
I hope you all have a blessed and fulfilling weekend.

2010-07-18T18:17:00.000-04:00

Well, it's just me and my kids for a few days.....

My DH has just left our home. He has to take a three day course in a city a couple of hours away. I'm not really excited about him being gone....let me rephrase that...I'm pretty pissed off that he is gonna be gone for three days.
I hate to feel that way, I hate the resentment that creeps into my guts. His usual schedule is that he is gone 24 hours at a time. Lately, that has been 48 hours away and then home for 24. But in that 24 hours, he is spending that time working at his family business.
Does any body else ever get tired of being the "go-to" person? I guess I just need a vacation or I need to be heard or something.
Man I hate feeling like this.

2010-07-17T20:07:00.000-04:00

Hello, and happy Saturday to you all.
Yesterday was my birthday and many of you stopped by my facebook to wish me well. I appreciate all the warm wishes.
The day went fantastically. My DH had to work, but he had taken me out to din-din the night before, so that was handled.
We played BUNCO at my house and the whole group of us had a great time and laughed till we cried and our sides ached.
I just have to say, I am a very blessed woman.
Y'all have a great weekend.

2010-07-15T15:03:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone, I apologize in advance if I offend anyone with this post....but I gotta vent a little bit.

Dear driver of the little blue car: What did you have to do that was so important as to make you pull out in front of me (I was doing 60). I had to slam on the brake to keep from hitting you. Then you drive one block, ONE BLOCK) and stop to make a left hand turn. Could you not have waited three more seconds for me to get past you? Was I invisible? Did you just not look? Oh, I see, I must have put my cloaking paint on the truck today. Lady, you are lucky that I didn't cream you. No, I take that back, I am BLESSED that I didn't cream you.

Dear Pharmacy Technician: I realize that you have a lot of responsibility. I do. Honest. How can a prescription from my doctor (that was ordered on the 1st of July) how can that prescription possibly not be ready on the 15th of July? Seriously, you know that I am due for that injection on the 18th and y'all sure as heck ain't gonna be open. It makes me want to say bad things to you, but since you barely speak English, you probably wouldn't understand me anyway. And if I said those things, I would just have to spend time asking Jesus to forgive me for em anyway. So maybe it's best if you don't speak the English well.

Dear receptionist in the doctors office: I know there are a lot of patients. I know this, cause I have waited in line to see a physician behind most of them. Please don't be upset with me because I question whether you have sent my prescription to the pharmacy. I just called to find out because the pharmacy tech (see above paragraph) said they had not received any communication from you all.

To my dear children: Please stay out of my room. It is my room. It has my personal things in it. Unless I send you in or ask you to come in, you should not be in my room. I don't care if you need bug spray, I don't care if you need notebook paper. The proper way to go about things is to ask first, get permission, then get what you need. Not go in my room, take things without asking and then NOT returning the items you took without permission in the first place. I am a hairs breadth from putting a keyed lock on my door. This close! I have got to have some privacy at some point. I thought we had settled this issue. And by the way, I can tell when you've been in my room on my laptop. Its called "cookies" and "history".

Thanks for listening to me vent folks. I have had a very frustrating day. It's a good thing I don't drink, cause after today, I'd be an alcoholic. LOL. Y'all have a great Friday.

2010-07-13T23:25:00.000-04:00

BUSY......BUSY....BUSY......

Man I have been busy today. I had to drive a couple hours to Jax to pick up those free Disney passes that I won in a contest....yeah, that's what I'm talking about. Had to pick up a liver sonogram result and deliver it to my rheumatologist.

I got home six hours later and the power went out....YIKES!!! So I opened the blind over my desk and looked out on the porch and there sat a beautiful little vase of roses. I was overcome with joy. My heart skipped a few beats and I was stunned. My DH had sent me some flowers (or so I thought). I was nearly in tears as I stepped out on the porch and picked them up.

I got back inside and sat down at the desk and opened the card. I was shocked. I couldn't read what the card said. It was TOTALLY illegible. So, me being me, I called the flower shop and asked them who had ordered the flowers that they had delivered to my house. They let me know quickly they had not made any deliveries in my area today. So, I described the flowers to them and they let me know that a little girl and her grandma had come in to purchase the flowers for a little girl who had broken her arm.

OMG!!!!! I was so embarrassed. You see, my birthday is coming up on Friday and for some stupid reason, I thought my husband had sent me flowers. What an idiot I am. Let's just say that wishing for something don't make it so.

So, the flowers belong to my daughter. Her little cousin (who is 5) had her grandmother take her and buy the flowers for my daughter to make her feel better. How sweet is that, I ask you?

My little girl was so excited. Check her out Hope y'all are having a great week.

2010-07-11T15:36:00.000-04:00

Life is never dull around here........

Thursday evening (around 7:30 ish), I decided that it had cooled sufficiently to have a go at mowing around the house. I know this may sound weird, but I really do enjoy being on my mower. It is not quiet, but it is a peaceful thing. (I know, bonkers, right?) I have time to not worry about anything, just cut the grass and let your mind wander and roam where it might.
Yeah, until my 8 year old lets a bloodcurdling scream go. I peed in my pants and nearly fell off the mower. All you moms know the kind of scream I'm talking about.
Apparently, she and my 12 year old son thought it would be "okay" to play tackle football IN.THE.HOUSE. After all, I was mowing the yard: Safety First!
He tackled her and then landed on her right wrist with his big ole knee.
YEP, you guessed it. I'll be visiting the orthopaedic institute again tomorrow to get a cast put on her arm.
By the time these three get grown, they will have been able to build a new wing from the times they have had to have bones casted. YIKES!!
That's what I get for thinking I was gonna have some peace.

I hope you all have a wonderful and a blessed week. Love to hear from you.

2010-07-06T23:50:00.000-04:00

What a weekend!!!!!!

Happy Tuesday everyone. Our 4th of July weekend was kind of wet, but man did we have fun.

On Saturday, we met some family on the gulf and went scalloping. Now, myself, being allergic to shellfish, I was unable to participate. So, I sat on the boat and read my book while DH and the kiddies swam and swam and scalloped (without luck). They had a ball and I got to finish my book. Win-win.

Sunday, after church, DH was at work, so me and the kiddies went to a friends' house and had the best time fellowshipping at the First Annual Classy White Trash BBQ. I thank God for these women and their families. They are what is keeping me sane, hanging on by my nails some days. Love you ladies.

Look at my sweet little girl. So worn out from swimming, she's passed out on the way to boat ramp.

I hope each of you had a happy, blessed holiday weekend and I'd love to hear all about it.

2010-07-02T08:23:00.000-04:00

Happy Friday everyone! I LOVE this country!!!!! I may not agree with everything that is going on in it or how it is being run, but I LOVE being an American.

This 4th of July weekend, when we all celebrate Independence Day, I plan on attending the first annual White Trash barbeque. Never happened before, but I sure hope it is an annual tradition. Some friends of mine from church are putting this together and we are certainly going to have some good ole fashioned, clean, fun.

My wish for you all is that you have a wonderful holiday covered in family and friends and fun. And may the grace and peace of our Lord and Savior be with us all.

So tell me, what are your plans for the celebration?

2010-06-26T15:24:00.000-04:00

Happy Saturday everyone......

Aaah, I have to tell you, I am enjoying a break from my 8 year old this week. She is visiting her nanny and papa. I love her more than my luggage, but having to find something to entertain her 24/7 since school has been out is a little tiring. But, I'll be glad to see her when she gets back that's for sure.

This fine Saturday morning, I woke, at my leisure. I got myself ready and went into the nearest village and picked up a library book they had been holding for me. You might have heard of it, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society? I am looking forward to digging into it a little later tonight.

I treated myself to a brunch (never had one before) at a quaint and quirky little restaurant called MAD HATTERS. (You really should click on this link to get a perfect view of it). What a cute little place. Their eclectic collection of goods and clocks and wall plaques and this and thats was definitely worth stopping in for. But the really, really good food will make me go back. Today, I chose the Monte Cristo. Never had one before. But I will be learning how to cook this bit of deliciousness. Anyone have any favorite recipes out there?
What a fantastic brunch. It was served up with a small helping of seasoned onion potato bits. YUM-O!!!

Anyway, hoping you all have a blessed weekend. Love to hear from you.

2010-06-24T15:58:00.000-04:00

Happy Thursday all you bloggers. I hope this week has been filled with joy and laughter.

I have been thinking......(yeah, you thought you smelled something burning, didn't you?) I have a plastic bin, one of those big ole 95 gallon suckers, and it is plumb full of pictures.
What kind of pictures? Well, from the time DH and I got married nearly 16 years ago, that's where I have dumped all my pictures. Now, I'm regretting not taking the time to put them in some kind of order, or to have at least written on the back of each one of them. Does anyone have any suggestions?
And let's face it, it seems insurmountable and overwhelming to me. And when that happens, you guessed it, I just walk away and pretend that it is not looming back there in the back of my closet.
I read all about you all scrapbooking each day of your children's lives and I am riddled with guilt. I don't have one single album with family pictures or anything. They are all dumped in that massive box. I really want my children (now ages 14, 13, and 8) to have some semblance of an ordered remembrance of their growing up years, but I'M SCARED........I AM A CHICKEN.....the thought of going back 14 years for the kids and nearly 16 for my marriage just SCARES THE CR** out of me.
So any of you wonderful ladies have any suggestions for me? Did anyone else do this too?
Thanks my blogger buddies.

2010-06-21T15:20:00.000-04:00

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! Be very, very quiet....I'm hiding in my room reading up on all my blog buddies. Hiding from my children. I guess that makes me a bad mommy, but I can't find it in myself to care right now. I want to catch up with all my blog buddies. Hope to leave a comment for you soon. T

2010-06-14T17:41:00.000-04:00

To all those whiners out there......who back in January, February, March and even some into May....

I have to say to you......

are YOU H A P P Y NOW??????????????????????

We reached the lovely temperature of 100 degrees here today. But the "humiture" was in

the 108 degree range.

All I can say is this.........................

BRING ON THE COLDER WEATHER.

LOL!!!!! No offense intended to anyone by this post, I'm just

HOT!!!!
What's the weather like in your neck of the woods?

2010-06-12T13:27:00.000-04:00

Happy Saturday everyone.
I hope that all of you who have little ones have completed your school year and are enjoying your summer break.
We are about to begin week two of our summer break. And I have discovered that (and I won't tell you how I discovered it) my temper is horrible. I'm a nit-picking nagger of a mother. I hear myself and I hear my Aunt Pat fussing and not giving a real good example to my children.
I'm ashamed and I don't like myself very much right now. I treat strangers better than I do my children when I'm upset with them. How terrible.
I just want to be a good mom. That's all. I want to teach them how to care for themselves and be responsible adults. But I have to realize that they are still children and not to expect them to have the skill levels of full grown people.
I found a prayer in a bible study that I just ran across that just speaks to what I SO want to be :
O Father, help me become a person of good temper. DWELL deep within me so that I shall be the peaceful exception amid the disturbed surroundings that I encounter day by day.
I want to be that person that teaches their children right from wrong, brings them up in the way they should and be the one they want to come see when they have issues.
Please pray that I will open my eyes and my heart to hear what God is saying to me about them and that He will help me to be the best mother they can have.
Thanks friends.

2010-06-10T23:39:00.001-04:00

Help.............
I'm being held hostage by my kids and this thing called summer.
I haven't blogged in over a week. YIKES!!!
I'm gonna try to do better, but I can't promise.
I will try to stop in on y'all from time to time and
catch up. Have a great day.

2010-06-02T13:55:00.000-04:00

Please allow me to introduce you to the newest member of our family:

Although we had anticipated his arrival for the past six weeks, it really did come as a complete shock that my husband relented and allowed this to happen. He has said since our daughter was born that there would be no more babies in this family.

After eight years, he finally relented and allowed this wonderful little creature to enter our lives:

Please meet, Stan Lee. (That's my 14 year old's sense of humor). My daughter wanted to name him Butterbread, but that got vetoed.

He had his first vet visit today. He is 7 weeks old and weighs 5 lbs and 12 oz. He has a lot of baby teeth and they are sharp, but he is currently enjoying using them on his play toys. If he grows into his feet, we are gonna have one big honking dog on our hands. He is a chocolate lab and is learning how to do all the things that nice little doggies are supposed to do.

I have a dilemma. I really don't want a big ole 150 lb dog in my house, BUT, our next door neighbors dog has parvo and is currently recovering and I don't want to chance letting this little fellow go exploring and come home with it. He got his first vaccine for it today, but will not be immune until his final shot in six weeks. What am I gonna do? Our neighbor is my BIL and SIL and my nephew is graduating tomorrow night and we are expected at a party at their house (where the sick dog is) and this parvo stuff is extremely contagious. What should I do?

2010-06-01T13:20:00.000-04:00

Is it more fun to be a parent or the child?

That is the question today at table topics Tuesday. If you wanna play, hop on over to Shannon's place and link up with your answer.

I think it is definitely a tie. I think that being a parent certainly has it privileges, but being a kid and so worry free and not a care in the world, well, that was pretty awesome too.

What do you think? I'd love to hear it.

2010-05-31T03:00:00.000-04:00

To all those who have served and given the ultimate sacrifice for my freedom; I say, I may not have known you, but I thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving up your tomorrows so that I can be free today. God bless you, your families and the United States of America.

2010-05-27T10:18:00.000-04:00

I need some serious help friends.
I am having a super, hard time letting go.
My oldest boy is 14. He wants to go on a
trip with his friend to a theme park. I'm not
invited.
I have a hard time letting my kids go off with
other families. I have a super hard time letting them
sleep over at someone's house.
I'm just paranoid. I'm scared for them. I imagine all
kinds of weird things that "Could" be happening.
Help me. Give me some words of wisdom.
Tell me I'm not alone.

2010-05-25T19:49:00.000-04:00

WOWZER. This week's question is a doozie.

The question is what bad habit of yours would you most like to break?

I have sooooo many bad habits, I hardly know where to begin.

Forgetting to floss

Forgetting to take meds on time

Nagging about the small stuff

Freaking out over silly stuff

I think that the habit I would most like to break would be not having a big ole guffawing laugh. I bray out like a mule when something strikes me as funny. It's loud and unladylike. I've done it my whole life. Maybe a nice sexy, attractive laugh could take it's place. Just sayin'.

If you wanna join the fun, hop on over and link to Shannon's blog.

2010-05-24T08:12:00.000-04:00

Happy Monday!!!!
It's gonna be a great day.
This is the last Monday of the 2009-2010 school year. Next Monday is an official holiday, so there will be no school then.
As the school year winds down, I find it harder and harder to get my kids to get out of bed in the mornings. Anyone else having this problem?
As you all may guess, I sometimes am very tired myself in the morning. Having stayed up till the wee hours getting my fix of computer time. However, I still get up each morning and try to get everyone dressed in the right clothes and fed, if they want to eat, lunches made and take them to school.
This morning on the way to take my elementary age child to school, I sang out, "It's gonna be a great day!" Not that I have anything special planned or anything, but it just came out.
My little one looked at me with sleep in her eyes and said, "Mama!" "Yes, lovely", I said. "Please stop singing that." "But it is gonna be a great day, I'm sure of it." "Yes, but I'm tired, so please stop that singing."
Oh well, that's what I get for waking up in a good mood. LOL.
Y'all have a blessed week!!

2010-05-18T11:12:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone. Sorry I have been absent this past week. I have been super busy for some reason. You would think with school winding down, it would get a more relaxed atmosphere, NOT!!!

Anyway, today is Table Topic Tuesday, If you want to join in on the conversation, hop on over to Shannon's and link up. I am particularly interested in everyone's answer for today's question, which is:

Is it harder for you to speak kindly or honestly?

Unfortunately, for me, it is not hard at all to speak honestly. I open my mouth and things just come flying out, even if I don't want them to sometimes. I try to remember how I would feel if things were just blurted out. And to be honest, I have gotten a lot better, but I am no where near what I'd like to be.

How about you?

2010-05-11T15:19:00.000-04:00

Happy Tuesday everyone!!!! Table Topics Tuesday is back this week and it is a question that plagues the mind of all parents each year (or at least it plagues my mind). Cause there is just so many places and things that I want to go do and want my kids to see, but our budget sucks.

So today's TTT question is this:

where would you like to go on vacation this year?

I would love, love, love to go to the Grand Canyon. But, like I said, our budget will not support that kind of trip. Plus, it would be a real pain in the wazoo for my hubby to get that many days off work at one time. We could fly, but I won't get on an airplane. So that method of travel is out. So, we would like to drive across country visiting other wonderful places along the way. Then stay a couple days at the canyon and drive back home. I think it would be a great trip and one day, we will have bills paid down to the point that budget won't be the issue. I hope it's in a year or two before my arthritis makes it impossible for me to do that kind of travelling easily.

So, where do you wanna go? Hop on over to Shannon's and link up your post. Hope you all have a great week.

2010-05-10T09:28:00.000-04:00

Good Monday morning all... here's hoping that your Mother's Day this year was a grand one.

There were no flowers, no cards, no candy, no jewelry here this year. Not one card.....

apparently, my entire family forgot it was Mother's Day. Special, no?

Instead, we spent the day with my MIL and SIL and her family and a wonderful friend who is like a grammy to my little girl. We went out on a lake and they all had a chance to get towed around behind on something called a Big Bertha. It was a beautiful day. Full of sunshine and a good breeze that kept us from sweating. The temps were in the high 70s lower 80s and it was fun to watch the smiles that my children got to wear. Enjoy the pic.

2010-05-07T22:23:00.000-04:00

What a beauty.....

Yesterday morning, hubby called me on the house phone. He was whispering. Yeah, hot, right? Not, he was wanting me to bring him the camera "stealthily" so he could take pictures of this

big, beautiful bird that was having his way with a stump in my front yard.

God is just really amazing when you get right down to it, isn't He?

I hope you all have a wonderful Friday evening.

2010-05-04T15:55:00.000-04:00

Happy Tuesday everyone. I hope that your weekends were fabulous and that your Monday was not too terribly bad.

Myself, well, I can't really complain. My antibiotic has worked and I'm fine as frog hair split five ways.

I usually do Table Top Tuesdays with Shannon at the Nuthouse blog, but this week, she is not able to participate due to circumstances. So, I'm just gonna tell you about my trip to the vet's office yesterday.

Yes, you heard me, the veterinarian's office. I took our little kitty cat, Sydney to have her a checkup and find out exactly how old she is and what kind of shots,etc. we needed to get her started on.

Okay, several things about this visit bothered me.

1. I suck as a judge of animals. Sydney is now named A.J. because it is a BOY!!!!

( I just looked, I didn't go digging around in the hair) Ha ha ha , now that's funny right there.

2. She, sorry, still trying to get used to calling her a him. Had to have a blood test for some kind of leukemia. And tested for feline aids, and fecal samples taken and just a bunch of stuff that I barely want to know. Just give him some shots for rabies and vaccinations for all that crap and let me out of there.

3. Um, am I the only person who is paying for your childs' college education. Crap, 264 dollars later, I am on my way home. Are you kidding me? Wow. I was totally unprepared for that kind of money to be going into a little noise box called AJ.

Oh well, the kids are loving him and he's pretty amusing to me too. So, we'll just keep on keeping on and playing with the cat.

Ya'll have a good week now, you hear.

2010-05-02T17:02:00.000-04:00

This is not a post for the faint of heart.....

I absolutely despise the horrid pain and burning and back pain
that accompanies a urinary tract infection. Not only is is painful,
but I really loathe feeling like I have to pee every five seconds.
It messed up my day with my family yesterday. We took my MIL's boat
to my home town and my parents and aunt and her husband and my brother
and SIL and my beautiful great niece all got on the boat and proceeded on a
small ride across the river to a wonderful restaurant to have lunch together.
I haven't been home in a long time. So I was kind of aggravated that I was
feeling so poorly. I wound up missing the ride back because I had my dad
take me to a Doc in the Box cause I couldn't stand it anymore.
This doctor, actually a physician's assistant, concurred that it was a UTI
and proceeded to write me a scrip for Cipro. Which is an antibiotic. He also
wrote me a scrip for something called Peridium. I have never heard of this
medication before. But, it has been about five years since my last UTI.
It is a urinary tract analgesic. You ever heard of that before? Let me tell
you, he is my new best friend. Not to have to suffer the pain and burning
and the awful back pain is just a Godsend. So, next time, if you doc doesn't
mention it, ask for it. It so works.!!

2010-04-29T11:45:00.000-04:00

My Dh and I have not been exactly what you would call "animal" people since we've been married.

We had a couple of dogs (one of which had to be given away because it bit our son). And he finally broke down and allowed the kids to have a cat a couple of years ago.

When we moved here almost two years ago, this cat ran away. I was kind of attached and hated that she was gone almost as much as my kids.

So, for almost two years, he had adamantly refused to let them have any kind of pets. No way, no how.

Two days ago, we got a new addition to our home. I'd like you all to meet Sydney. My middle son got to pick her out and my daughter got to name her.

In a few weeks, DH is allowing my oldest son to pick a chocolate lab puppy for his very own. And you guessed it, my daughter gets to name it.

I'm not sure how we went from a no pet family to having a calf, a cat, and a dog all within a few months. Whatever, right?

My question is this: What kind of pet do you have and how did you either litter train or house break your pet?