'Twas the Day after Christmas

Wow guys Christmas has come and gone. I hope it was as good and refreshing for you as it was for me!

I finished my Christmas shopping Friday night. Baked & decorated sugar cookies with AC & Trace Saturday (while their mommy & daddy finished thier shopping - Andrew went to spend time with Nana). That was very interesting challenging (keeping them from licking their knives before spreading more icing became a challenge) but it was FUN.

Christmas Eve Britt & her boys went with Randy and I to our former church to see Julie & Eric dedicate Rachael. (It was great seeing lots of our old friends) Came home to finish up lunch ummmm Turkey (finally I've wanted some since Thanksgiving). We ate lunch then opened presents. The boys are so good about waiting their turn. (We started the system when our kids were young that each person opens a present while everyone watches and then the next person - we started it the year after one of my sisters presents were suddenly opened and sitting on the coffee table - video revealed my eldest (4 or 5 at the time) wripping into it while everyone else was opening other gifts. So now we open one at a time and everyone gets to see what you got.......also keeps us from finding presents later and having NO IDEA who gave it to whom. Went to Christmas Eve service at our church. Fixed Supper & played some more of my new game - It is SO MUCH FUN!!!!








Randy and I spent Christmas vegging out. He slept late - I took a nap in the afternoon. We watched lots of the shows we had DVR'd but hadn't gotten to watch because of his travel schedule. Some were from October. It was so relaxing and refreshing!

So people now that I've bored with details you didn't care about - How was your holiday?

What's Yours?

Elfin Magic - ME

http://www.elfyourself.com/?userid=9b4346b7b9269e863a10f20G06122008

Just click on the link above.

MeMe Mi Mo Mu

What type of Fae are you?

(Un)Happy Holidays to ME!

Well it's been a while since I've posted and am not sure how much longer my "loyal reader" is going to stay with me if I don't get "HAPPY" but here is another piss and moan post.

Randy is out of town AGAIN - I know it's part of his job to travel but this is getting OUT OF CONTROL! Since Nyki & Jeremy have left he has been out of town more than he has been here.

December 3rd - he went to Tennessee
December 7th - he's HOME! YEAH!
December 11th - he is off to ALASKA (another state he has that I haven't been too)
December 13th - he HOME (with flights being 15 hours each that shows you how little time he actually spent in the State of Alaska)
December 17th - he left for Montana (and that area)
December 22nd - he is suppose to be home

He did make it home in time for My Company Holiday party - It was awesome first time in a long time I felt PRETTY & actually enjoyed myself without forcing so was it the Dinner Cruise? Was it the Whiskey Sours I drank or was it that I finally had Randy's attention without his JOB seeming to be on his mind? I don't know but I liked it! I really LIKED IT!

Saturday morning started out rough (those were the Whisky Sours I'm sure - :) but hey whatever) we did laundry and went to a darling little girls birthday party, where you could tell Randy was only there physically - his mind on work (yes I rolled my eyes here) Saturday night was the Choir performance at church - Britt & I took the boys (RC had a part) and went because Randy had to stay home and book his flight for the next trip. Sunday morning I over slept (couldn't have anything to do with the sleeping pills I took because I have to catch up on my sleep due to not sleeping very well while he's gone and then it takes me a couple of nights to get used to his being home to sleep good again and that is all the time he's been home lately so I am to the point of sleep depravation effect my memory so I zonked myself out) We got up knew it was too late to make it to church so we got him packed went to bible study - grabbed some lunch and did some (very very very little) christmas shopping before taking him to the airport.

WHEN am I going to get Christmas shopping done you ask? The answer is HECK IF I KNOW! I know what I want to get everyone so that's half the battle - I guess I'll be fighting the HUGE crowds on Saturday rushing home to wrap it up for the boys to tear it opened Sunday. But hey Tis the Season!

UMMMM I Don't Know what to call it!

So here's an update (per request) - however, I have no idea what to write so here comes a brain dump hang on for the ride:

Things in the Local News that have pissed me off this week:

A grandmother going into Babies R Us with her grown son early Monday evening was robbed at gun point. As they are walking up to the building a car pulls between them & the entrance and 2 teenagers get out. Demanding their wallets, purses, & jewelry (some reports have said cell phones - some have not). They meet all the demands w/o putting up a fight. Robbers jump back in their car and for NO REASON SHOT the GRANDMOTHER - it just grazed her but still. HELLO, what purpose was there in shooting her? They had everything they wanted from them. URGHHHHHHHHHH

2 year old found in car (crying - screaming her lungs out strapped into a carseat) in a Nightclub (honkey tonk) parking lot. 3 strangers break into the car and free her - prior to police arriving. Police arrive and find her 19 year old (I think that was the age) Mother inside the club dancing. HELLO - You going for Mother of the year there lady?

A 6.5' snake is found on a jogging/bike trail. Snake was obviously a pet at one time. The news article states that it happens all the time. People get pets & decide they've grown bigger than they can handle it and turn them out into the wild, with no survival skills because until this point they have been hand fed. (One report stated that the Snake might have died and that the owners decided to dispose of the body by dumping it on the trail). First, do you know how badly I would hurt myself if I was walking or riding by and came across the snake? Second, why have a pet if you are going to dispose of it? There are articles in the flyer where people are moving and can't keep pet so they want to place them in a good home all the time - HELLO there are options.


Now for what's happening around our house:

Christmas tree is up (outside lights going up tomorrow - right RANDY?) .

(This is where I tried to put a picture but for some reason BLOGGER is resisting)

Randy has spent this week in Tennessee & Arkansas - AC & Trace went with me to take him to the Airport. AC informs me as we are leaving "I like picking him up better" I'm thinking - I bet you do cause we get out of the car and go in and wait for him when dropping him off we drive up to loading and drop him & his luggage off - so I answer him "Why's that buddy", and he says "I don't have to say goodbye". That just made my eyes fill with water - I wanted to say - My sentiments exactly - I like Hellos so much better than Goodbyes!

I asked the boys what they wanted for Christmas (YES PEOPLE I HAVE NOT STARTED MY CHRISTMAS SHOPPING YET). AC askes for CASH (is he his daddy's son or what - LOL) and Trace is like I want ummmm want ummmm - so I asked him if he wanted clothes and he said "Yes" then he said "Actually Grandma I want toys - not clothes - I was joking when I said yes" I cracked up - I know that he kind of agreed just because he was drawing a blank. Grandpa, suggested underwear and both boys said NO!! and wrinkled their noses - too sweet but be honest people how many of you received underwear somewhere along the way for Christmas.

The boys brought their mommy over Monday night and we baked cookies - that was fun (we plan on doing it a couple of more times between now and christmas) We made snicker doodles but next time we will cut bake and let them decorate sugar cookies. - I forgot to get pictures! Bummer but even Andrew set at the high chair and watched us.

Randy came home last night and I had a wonderful christmas party with some friends so life is GOOD and I'm ready to

Lonely, Sick & Broke

Yep that's me right now!

My daughter & SIL with the grandkids have gone home to Texas :( said day! My daughter & her family that live here are recooping considering the full 3 weeks that her sister & family were here they were here practically daily. So a house that was full of children's laughter & screams & fights & fits is now SILENT! It's kind of nice yet it is also kind of LONELY. Prior to their leaving Rylee & Trace both came down with some kind bug and like their mothers have taught them they shared nicely. With Grandma that is!

I've been achey, coughing, running fever and having a constant headache the last 3 days. I left work early Wednesday afternoon with a MONSTER of a headache & it's gone down hill from then on. Yesterday I coughed so hard I got sick, I jumped up to make it to the bathroom and kicked the rocking chair and broke my toe. So I'm no in that great of shape.

So as you can see from the pictures previously posted we had a great time while Nyki was here. I'll give you a quick highlight:

The girls have cooked for us a few times (great food).
We've gone to 3 different malls (even saw SANTA)
We spent time playing games & watching TV
Went to church & SS
We spent 2 nights in Orlando
We went to DisneyWorld (with three kids in Diapers it's not recommended but hey we made the best of it! It also had snowed (just flurries) but snowed in Orlando the night we got up to go to Disney so it was cold but the delight in the eyes of the kids (including Nyki & Jeremy who had never been there) made it worth it.
We made Nyki's family miss their flight (we thought it was Saturday morning - so when Nyki checked the time to leave on Friday evening so she could tell her friend when to pick her up - we discovered their flight was Friday morning not Saturday) So we got a bonue 4 days with them :)
They're home safe & sound (and seriously considering moving here - which would make this Grandma HAPPY!)

So now your caught up in my life - what's up with yours?

Dear Santa

First (and possibly only) time all the grandkids saw Santa together. Aren't they cute?

In order

Santa's Lap - Andrew 7 months & Jakob 4 Months

Mrs Santa's Lap - Rylee 2 years

Floor: AC 4 years & Trace 3 years.

A few of my Favorite Things (People)

As Promised

As Promised a few postings ago here is the map of Places We Have Been.

You can see by the Key that Randy has been so MANY more places than I have.

See my YELLOW compared to all of Randy's BLUE (Canada & England trump my Italy any day! Not to mention my little bitty DC).

Together we have seen a good bit of the USA and hopefully will se even more before too long.

Goodbye, Hello, Hello, Goodbye

These seem to be the words I say the most lately.

First Goodbye!
My parents were here for my birthday & left on Halloween Day. So Goodbye Momma & Daddy. Now for the things I learned while they were here.

1. The world did not come to an end because my house wasn't spotless when my mother came to visit
2. No matter how old you are it is always nice to be your parents little girl again (even if it's only for a short time)
3. I would not have survived having the 3 boys by myself, they were a HUGE help. (even if Trace did tell me on Saturday night - that there was too many Grandmas here.)

First Hello!
Randy came home from Chicago (having been home only about 36 hours in a 3 week period.)
Luckily he was able to fly in earlier than expected so we were able to go Camping! (pictures to follow!) His next schedule trip is December 4. We had Monday night alone only since we were camping Friday & Saturday and I co-coordinated a wedding of a Friend of mine's son.

Another Hello!
Nyki & her family flew in Tuesday morning. (Well actually afternoon thanks to flight changes.) So we have house guests again. Our lovely daughter will be with us for 3 weeks. We have 2 wonderful grandchildren laughing & playing in our house for 3 weeks. Our SIL has to go back on Sunday for a week but will be back in time for Thanksgiving :). Last night we listened to laughter - shouts of joy and tears, fits all the wonderful noises that grandkids make times 5! Britt got to see her new nephew Jakob and Nyki got to meet her new nephew Andrew. Rylee runs around calling "My Brittney" and cried really hard when she had to leave her last night. Andrew is enamored with Uncle Jeremy! Trace cuddles with Aunt Nyki. It's like they know in their hearts the love of an extended family!

Another Goodbye!
So much for Randy being home until December - due to issues at work he had to leave this morning for Montana until Saturday urghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh - I don't think they pay him enough for this CRAP!

Well now you know what's going on in my life - What's up with yours?

Of the Places I've been (in the US)

Look I've been coast to coast & top to bottom. (Wait until you see Randy's - WOW!)

Do I look OLDER to you? Or maybe just tired!

Wow so much has happened since my last "real" post. I will try to hit the highlights!

Camping weekend with my bestest friend and her family. RELAXING - WONDERFUL- ALL OTHER GREAT adjectives! Really was what the Doctor ordered (well if I bothered to go to a doctor it would have been anyway!) I've decided I could become a Hermit as long as Randy was with me!

Preparing for judgment House - (a Tour of your Final Destination - Drama). Randy and I co-direct JH with another couple. This year we have NOT held up our side of the bargain at all. Randy has been & will be out of town both weekends of the performance. We did help in setting up the individual rooms for the drama. We came home early from Camping for some meetings & then the following Sunday we spent 13 hours at the church setting up the scenes. Randy left town the following Tuesday morning for Dallas. I spent Tuesday night working late - Wednesday night at the church for final touches before dress rehearsal Thursday night. Thursday night went straight from home to the church for the dress rehearsal and got home after 10 did my laundry & packing until 1 a.m. and was at the airport by 5 a.m. for a flight to Dallas.

Trip to Dallas - hmmmmmmm where to begin? I arrived and Nyki and the kids met me at baggage claim. This was the first time I got my hands on Jakob (I know what kind of Grandmother doesn't even see their grandson for the first 3 months of their lives? I know I know I SUCK!) Anyhow I spent a wonderful day with Nyki, Rylee, & Jakob. (Jeremy was sleeping having gotten off work after 6 a.m.) We went to their new apartment - TOO CUTE! We kind of just chilled and played and dozed until about 2 when Jeremy got up - visited with him a short while. Shawn & Tasha were on the road from almost as early as I started flying. They got there about 2:30 just in time for Jeremy to say Hi & Bye and go back to work. Randy finally finished with his work and could join us.

Okay details are taking to long - I did say highlights so here it is!

Tasha & Shawn look GREAT! Shawn brought the kids badges from McGruff that actually say Dumas on them (Gotta say they are great - but not as awesome as Shawn's badge is!) Shared a room with Shawn & Tasha which gave us some good visiting time!

Nyki and kids came to the hotel with us Friday night - we went across the parking lot to Two Rows for supper. Nyki & kids came back and hung for a while then headed home about 10. We went back across the street for some drinks (after Shawn put his gun & badge in the room - wrapping them safely in my jacket). Remember this for a later.

Saturday - we picked up Nyki & kids (ate lunch at their house YUMMY CHILI - and then loaded into her mini van so we could all ride together) went to Winsboro where Randy's mother's family was having a reunion. We visited with them for a couple of hours. Randy's mom looks great! Went straight from Winsboro to Grapevine Mills mall for supper at the rain forest cafe (pictures to follow soon!) The drive alone was like 3 hours - which allowed good visit time. Has a BLAST at RBC! Went back to Nyki's house where Randy & Shawn helped Nyki get the sleeping/sleepy kids into the house. Went back to the Hotel and played some spades.

Sunday - Nyki & Kids came and joined us for breakfast & then we went to the outlet mall until Jeremy was ready to get up from working all night again so we could go to "BASS PRO SHOP"? I think that was the name of the place. Got some good deals at the outlet mall - had a good laugh at the Tommy shop - they have a security guard armed with a CELL PHONE! He noticed the shape of Shawn's gun through his shirt and followed Shawn step by step through out the store - Shawn didn't even notice - Tasha & I were cracking up watching him. Shawn walks up next to us and Tasha says "why don't you take a few more laps around the store" Shawn replied "Why?" and I said (yes I feel bad - but it was funny I don't care who you are) "Because he could use the exercise" and pointed at the SG - who rolled his eyes and walked off. I bought Shawn a new shirt for his birthday and he stepped outside and immediately changed shirts where the SG saw his badge & gun through the door - nodded his head and relaxed. I kept thinking if it was a "bad guy" with a gun what exactly could the SG do? He could possibly have out run my MIL who is 84 - I did say possibly! After BPS - wow what a cool store we spent 3 hours or so just there alone. We went to Fuddruckers to eat - kissed everyone bye and headed to the airport - our trip was over :(.

Got to the airport I got my boarding tickets for the Kiosk & Randy tried but it said for him to see the agent. When he went to the desk he was told that he could not possibly make his connection in Houston and there were no other flights to get us home Sunday night (I'm not sure why they were going to let me go and stopped him but...He did say ummm what about my wife we are on the same flights) They tried for an hour or more to get us on another airline that night and finally settled for tickets on an early flight Monday morning on American. (We were flying continental and the plane we were to use to go to Houston was coming out of Newark where they were having 150 mph winds so the plane could not take off.) So we called Shawn & Tasha to tell them what was going on - they were still at Grapevine Mills where they had gone from Fuddruckers and had decided to spend the night in Witchata Falls (4 hours away) since it was getting so late and they didn't want to drive the complete 8 hours home. So I talked them into coming back and spending the night at the hotel with us at the airport. So we got some bonus time with them - Not Nyki & Family because they were already 2 hours away from DFW with the kids getting ready for bed & our flight was EARLY in the morning so we couldn't go stay with her - we might have tried harder to get together but they will be here in less than 2 weeks for a 3 week visit so.

Monday Morning: When we were suppose to be getting ready for work we were standing in line again at DFW. We both were targeted because our tickets were purchased less than 24 hours in advance for the "Super Duper Security Check". We had to go into the blowing machine & then they took our shows and carry on and ran the paper all over everything - completely emptying our carry on. While they were scanning my jacket - I started thinking "Oh no - did Shawn wrap his gun in that jacket or the other one?" Luckily it was the other one - because even though he had not fired his weapon in days and had cleaned it since then I wasn't sure that it would not have some residue on it and I wasn't prepared to go to Airport Jail! LOL. Came home - went straight to work and after I got off work I went straight to get my Parents from the Airport.

Best Birthday present EVER! My parents are here for my Birthday (it was Yesterday) and to help me with Britt's boys this weekend while they ride their bikes across the State of Florida! So maybe it's not that I'm looking older - it's just that I'm tired. Did I mention Randy flew out again Wednesday Morning? No - well he did and won't be home until next Friday (Just in time for another Camping TRIP - LOL)

20 Words of Wisdom to Live By

1. Give People more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

2. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.

3. Don’t believe all you hear, don’t spend all you have, and don’t sleep all you want.

4. When you say, “I LOVE YOU.” mean it.

5. When you say, “I AM SORRY.” look the person in the eye.

6. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

7. Believe in love at first sight.

8. Never laugh at anyone’s dream. People who don’t have dreams don’t have much.

9. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it’s the only way to live life completely.

10. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.

11. Don’t judge people by their relatives.

12. Talks slowly but think quickly.

13. When someone asks you a question you don’t want to answer, smile and ask, “Why do you want to know?”

14. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

15. Say “bless you” when you hear someone sneeze.

16. When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.

17. Remember the three R’s: Respect for self, Respect for others, and Responsibility for all your actions.

18. Don’t let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

19. When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

20. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.

Bubble Bubble Toil & Trouble

I feel like a witch for stirring the pot - however I truly want other peoples take on this.

Lately I've noticed a terrible trend with some parents in my not so immediate circle (possibly in my immediate circle also - but they're not who I am thinking of currently).

SELFISHNESS.

Am I the only one that think that the "MY WAY NOW" generation has never out grown that? I will give some examples of direct quotes I've heard lately without too much detail due to not knowing who will read this blog.

1. "I have to give up so much for my children - I can't even get a new car because of the cost of tuition at private school" (existing car is 2 years old-without any issues)
2. "Did you see my new four wheeler? We only paid $$$$ for it we saved almost $1000" Not 5 minutes later "I need to take *** to the dentist. I was up 1/2 the night because of ***'s toothache for the third time this month, but I just can't afford to because I don't have dental insurance"
3. "I would start potty training ***** but I hate to prior to taking her out of the crib" Yes this child is almost 4!
4. Same parent as above "I would take her out of the crib - but then I would have to keep putting her back in bed at night where now I can just throw her in and walk out and let her scream until she goes to sleep" Scream does not equal crying in this case - it is actual Screaming for Mom to come get her out.
5. "My son-in-law doesn't get to spend much time with the kids because he works late 3 nights a week, and has other commentments on 2 nights & weekend mornings. I feel so sorry for him, because he is a great dad." Grandmother said. "By the way I will have the grandkids all day Saturday, so their parents can have some time alone"
6. "Going out to eat is so expensive - so we have started buying 1 child plate for the children to share and giving them peanut butter & jelly when we get home if they're still hungry" These are not young children like my grandson's who would only eat 1/2 a plate anyway - they are almost too old for the children's menu.
7. "My mom makes me lie to my dad about where we have been." Teenager "Then when we got home she complained to my father that I am too picky and we couldn't find any new school clothes at the mall. So now my dad says I don't get any school clothes because I was to snotty to pick something out. Mrs. H we didn't even go to the mall we went to a hotel for her to meet someone."

These are just some examples I have heard in the last month. I want to scream - "WHO SAID CHILD REARING IS EASY & CONVIENT? GROW UP PARENTS!"

I remember my parents sacrificing for me - be it mom not getting ice cream for dessert because I pitched a fit to have a nutty bar instead of an ice cream sandwich which was more expensive. I promise Randy & I went without or with a littler portion of food so that our growing children can eat. My daughter will buy the boys clothes with her birthday money because they have outgrown their clothes in place of a birthday present for herself. So I know that Parental sacrafice is still out there.

I've wondered many times over just how this will impact the way they raise children. Will we hear in the news in the future - Child starves to death while parents eat steak every night. Oh yeah I forgot I've already read about this happening a couple of times.

So at what point do I have the right to say enough.

Oh HAPPY DAYZZZZZZZZZZZ

This week has been much better mood wise than it started out! YEAHHHHHHH

1st - Kohl's finally came to TAMPA - one is under 3 miles from my house!
2nd - I went shopping at Kohl's and got some clothes that will cover my HUGE rear
3rd - Made it to Church on Wednesday Night - which always lifts my spirits
4th - Played Bunco (as a sub)
5th - Won Bunco (most BUNCOs)
6th - Randy did the laundry while I was playing with the girls :)
7th - We are on our way to go CAMPING this weekend
8th - Lots of REST ZZZZZZZZZ

So maybe - just maybe I can make the Happinest last awhile.

Homeless woman

A woman was walking down the street when she was accosted by a particularly dirty and shabby-looking homeless woman who asked her for a couple of dollars for dinner.

The woman took out her bill fold, extracted ten dollars and asked, "If I give you this money, will you buy some wine with it instead of dinner?"
"No," I had to stop drinking years ago, the homeless woman replied.

"Will you use it to go shopping instead of buying food?" the woman asked
"No," I don't waste time shopping, the homeless woman said. "I need to spend all my time trying to stay alive."

"Will you spend this on a beauty salon instead of food?" the woman asked."Are you NUTS!" replied the homeless woman. "I haven't had my hair done in 20 years!"

"Well," said the woman, "I'm not going to give you the money. Instead, I'm going to take you out for dinner with my hubby and myself tonight.

The homeless Woman was astounded. "Won't your husband be furious with you for doing that? I know I'm dirty, and I probably smell pretty disgusting."

The woman replied, "That's okay. It's important for him to see what a woman looks like after she has given up shopping, hair appointments and wine."

Pity Party

I don't know if you've noticed (I hope you have because if not that means you haven't been reading my blog :( that would be sad) I haven't posted much lately. I decided when I posted this post http://oldmotherhubbardsharesall.blogspot.com/2005/06/its-me-and-my-thoughts.html in June of 2006 and had my family kind of freak over it that I wouldn't post about my weird thoughts anymore. Seemed like a simple enough decision however, I sometimes feel like a fake because I don't lay it out there for the world to see. Maybe that is how it should be but I am stepping out here tonight on a night I can't sleep. I have been up the last 2 nights until after 2:30 and it looks like tonight might not be any different.

Warning stop reading if you don't want to attend my pity party!!

First, I have not been myself since before I posted the above blog log. I am trying to log why I've been down lately!

I eat because I'm depressed, I gain weight because I eat, I'm depressed because I've gained weight! It's a horribly cycle - and I can't seem to get off of it. Solution - I go to the Doctor. He treats my depression by Welbutrin - which has helped because I'm here to post. However, when I try to talk to him about helping me with my weight he says "Yes you need to loose weight" and goes back to writing in my chart. The first time this happened I thought well thanks for all your help - then blew it off as my being too sensitive. The third time this has happened. I'm pissed! I believe I will be looking for a new doctor! Not that I think a doctor owes me a way to loose weight - I do feel he owes me the time I'm paying for to listen to my concerns. Not act like he can't wait to get out the door as quickly as possible and that I'm a bother!

I feel alone, yet I want to be alone but hate feeling lonely! When we are with a group of friends I find myself feeling freaked out because Randy is not right by my side - if he is right there I just want us to go home! Anyone that knew me back when I was me - knows I am a party lover. The more the merrier has always been my motto. I loved to be center of attention. (and I see that in me still in this secure setting - my BLOG). I think you know if I DON'T LIKE ME WHY SHOULD ANYONE ELSE? I'm aware at all times how HUGE I am - I try to take up as little room as possible no matter where I am. I sometimes forget I'm not Twila anymore and will start talking and when people look at me and listen, I think SHUT UP no one wants to hear from you. They're only being nice. Which leads me to getting tongue tied and flustered and then I feel like I show everyone what a freak I am.

I'm sad because I don't get to see my family in Texas as often as I want but when we make plans to go or for someone to be here I start thinking things like. "Oh my gosh - I don't want them to see what a cow I am" "I know they are going to look at me and think how just 2 years ago I was still losing weight on weight watchers and fitting into jeans and clothes I hadn't been able to wear in YEARS. Now I can't even fit into my fat clothes.

So reading back through this I find a theme - if only I could lose my weight I would feel more confident and better about myself. So here's my resolve - I will start to lose weight somehow someway! Well I guess I should close and go eat my Chocolate Covered Payday now - because when I'm down chocolate makes me feel better.

Monkey Boys

Britt has always accused her boys of being little monkeys - I think Andrew has proven her point!

This is at his 1/2 Birthday. (I started this because I couldn't wait a whole year with AC to celebrate so just family celebrates 1/2 birthdays)

FLASHBACK - Soph Year Highschool

Found this on my BF - SIL's blog and thought it was kind of cool!

Sophomore Year
Fill this out about your SOPHOMORE year of high school. The longer ago it was, the more fun the answers will be:

1. Who was your best friend? Leslie Mosley
2. What kind of car did you want? 1974 Mustand II - Red and White (I loved that car!)
3. It's Friday night, where were you at? In the fall, I was at the football games because I was in the BAND. The rest of the year, I was usually hanging with friends.
4. Were you a party animal? Compared to some No, compared to some YES.
5. Were you considered a flirt? YES
6. Ever skip school? YES - wrecked my car doing it :(
No.7. Ever smoked? Not in HS
8. Were you a nerd? NOPE - not the most populare but not a NERD
9. Did you get suspended/expelled? No - detention a few dozen times.
10. Can you sing the Alma Mater? Yes & so can my children who never went there.
11. Who were your favorite teachers? Coach Reese
12. Who was your least favorite teacher? Coach Bridges (he was a JA)
13. Favorite class? Drama & Typing
14. What was your school's full name? Palo Duro High School
15. School mascot? Dons
16. Did you go to homecoming? Yes - w/o a date but had a blast
17. If you could go back to SOPHOMORE year and do it over, would you? YES
18. What do you remember most about SOPHOMORE year? Taking my sisters car to "skip" and being busted by her boyfriend (now husband) In my defense I couldn't take my car because it was always parked where it could be seen from the Principles Office
19. Favorite memory of your SOPHOMORE year? Drama Trips
20. Were you ever beaten up by an upperclassmen? Picked on YES - beat up NOPE!
21. Did you have a job your sophomore year? No
22. Where did you go most often for lunch? Taco Villa & Weinersnitzel
23. Have you gained weight since then? who hasn't?
24. What did you do after school? Drama practice - or to a friends house
25. When are/were you suppose to graduate? I graduated as scheduled 198o


OKAY YOUR TURN........IF I CAN REMEMBER (and I'm old) I KNOW YOU CAN!

Timeline - Milestones.

Sept. 15, 1979 - I married my High School Sweetheart (actually Jr. High is when I fell in love)
April 1980 - Had our baby girl
May 1980 - I graduated from High School
Feb 1982 - Had 2nd baby girl
Nov 1983 - Had a baby boy
May 1988 - Randy graduated from TSTI
Sept 1988 - Lost Randy's Dad
June 1989 - Moved to Allen, TX
April 1998 - Moved to Tampa (leaving behind our oldest - hardest thing I'd done to this point)
May 1998 - Eldest graduated & got married the next morning, living in Texas
May 2000 - 2nd baby girl graduated
Oct 2001 - 2nd girl married, living in Florida
March 2002 - #1 Grandson was born in Florida
May 2002 - Our baby boy graduated
Sept 2003 - #2 Grandson was born
Feb 2004 - Baby boy moved to Texas
June 2004 - Granddaughter was born
Sept 2004 - Baby boy married living in Texas Panhandle
March 2006 - Baby boy graduated from Police Academy - #3 grandson born in Florida
June 2006 - #4 grandson born in Texas
Sept 15, 2006 - Randy and I are celebrating 27 years of marriage

Looking back over the BIG milestones in our life - I can only say WOW HAVE WE BEEN BLESSED!

Looking forward to our family of 13 continue to GROW in numbers and closeness.

Remember 9-11

I would like to challenge all my blogger friends & family to post sometime this week their memories of the Morning of Sept 11, 2001. I know lots of you have posted a "Tribute to the fallen" but I would like to hear how you heard about it, what your reaction was & how it has changed your life (if at all). If you would prefer to just post a comment on my blog on how this played out that's fine. But please share.

Here's my story of 9/11/01 - in order for me to share it I need to start with 9/10/01.

9/10/06 - After spending 4 wonderful days in Vegas with my honey, BIL, & SIL. I boarded the red eye to fly back to Florida. Red eye had NO problems landed in Atlanta for a quick stop over. Was dog tired but had a little over an hour to grab some breakfast before my flight took off. Loaded the plane without incident and took off. About 30 minutes into the flight the whole plane shook and the captain came over and said that we had lost an engine. Reassuring us that the plane could fly on the other engine without any problems but they were going to try a couple of things to restart the dead engine. It became so quiet on the plane that I could hear an infant 6 or 7 rows back sucking it's bottle. After about 5 minutes the whole plane shook again and dropped enought that the diet coke in my cup hovered above my cup for a few seconds and then dropped back into the cup. I went from praying that we would get on the ground SAFELY to praying that God comforts my family - I was that certain that it was my time. The Captain came back on the PA and Laughingly said well that didn't work so well so we will be returning to Atlanta. He made a sharp turn and we headed back. Firetrucks met us on the runway - councilors were in the airport waiting on us. It was that scarry. After calling Randy in Vegas forgetting there was a 3 hour difference and it was only 5 a.m. there - I woke him up. Finally we were put on another flight and sent on our way arriving without incident.

Sept 11: I drove Brittney to work and was going to run some errands - as I was leaving her parking lot I heard on the radio that a plane had hit one of the Towers. As I turned it up to hear more they said a second plane was headed right for it. I called Randy again waking him up - Asking if he was watching CNN or FoxNews he reminded me he was sleeping. I insisted he turn it on and after he did we cried and prayed together. I completed my errands. As soon as I got home (resisting the urge to go get Britt from Work & Shawn from School) I started watching the news. My mom called to say goodbye and that she loved me (in case this was the end - they live near the #1 Atomic assemby plants.....so they have always figured they would be the target). As we talked the towers fell. I can't even begin to recount how many tears and prayers I had that day. I spoke with Nyki to let her know I was thinking of her. It was another 4 days before Randy could come home...........long long long days. He did get to witness the Moment of silence and darkness that Vegas had on that day....he said it was undiscribible for a city that never sleeps for no lights - no noise in the casinos.

How it has changed my life. I've always been a God fearing/believing person. I've always been very patriotic - I've always cried during the National Anthem & God Bless the USA. I still do all of these. However, I no longer have the sense of security that came with being an AMERICAN. I no longer assume that each trip Randy takes he will be coming home to me. I am more aware of people in the airport - mall - at games. Things that have not changed - I do not look at Musleums as if they are all the enemy - in fact I have a friend that is musleum and I know in my heart that Antar is not the same as the ones that plotted or are plotting against us. Just like I am not like the Christians who blow up Abortion clinics and shoot the doctors to protest murder.

Grease (My favorite Show)

http://rpwolfe.tripod.com/id21.html BABIES

Fun & Miracles

I have no idea where to start! I will start with last weekend that was so much FUN and end with Labor Day weekend that brought our family a miracle. WARNING an extremely long post ahead.

Last weekend: Randy's oldest brother (DHbro) & his wife(DH SIL) drove in from Texas to see their granddaughter MommaJ and her family at Patrick Air Force Base. (It was no fluke that their trip coincided with the scheduled Space Shuttle launch). Randy & I took a vacation day on Monday so we could go over and see them and watch the launch. We called R to see if he could take off on Monday and so B, R & all 3 boys went with us. We left Sunday morning to go to MommaJ's and had a great time visiting and catching up - they had already decided to postpone the launch because of the storm (Ernesto) but we were hopeful for Monday launch. BigJ cooked us some fried mushrooms (oh my gosh - they were better than any I've ever had) he also made us steaks for supper. We sat in the air conditioned house while the boys played in the little wading pool, MommaJ had for her boys, we were just about 5' from the boys and keeping eyes on them, they loved the freedom and we loved the fact that we could still be right there. They had a blast - they were brought in after turning into shriveled plums (and they still didn't want to come in - Even T who if you remember from past posts hates water - didn't want to get out) While the boys swam the men went and got us registered for the Hotel. After the guys got back we ate supper old folks went to living room to visit while the boys started a video and the young adults (MommaJ, BigJ, B & R) visited in the kitchen and garage. (I knew if R & BigJ ever met they would hit it off - like interests, love of music and more in common). T (with a 5 minute nap) fell asleep on the couch so Randy & I gathered up B's boys and took them to the hotel and MommaJ or BigJ were bringing B & R over later. The next morning we discovered the Space Shuttle was not going to launch due to lightening strike. We went swimming in the ocean - then the pool - T went Potty for the first time on the toilet. YEAHHHHHHHHHHH We went to visit MommaJ and family again - went to lunch came back and hung until we could say goodbye to BigJ then headed back across the state. Wonderful weekend! I always enjoy spending time with MommaJ and her family and it was a special bonus to see DHBro & DH SIL.

The week went normal - except for the added bonus that T was potting in the potty like a BIG BOY!!!!

Now for this weekend. Friday night was lazy - Saturday a.m. R & Randy got a good ride in. B & I went to a Women's Prayer Breakfast & Baby Shower. We got home and #1GS wanted to stay so I said he could but T went with mommy & A. #1GS watched Robotz (If you haven't watched it - it's GREAT!) with Grandpa & I then he was ready to go play. He informed GP we were all going to the computer/toy room. GP can play a game while #1GS & GM (me) played cars. We were having a great time when N called she was just leaving her Aunt JD's house (Randy's sister) and DHBro had called to tell them BabyJ had nearly drowned in the pool and was being care flighted to the hospital. I let her go as DHBro beeped through - I got very little details from him. Just that DH SIL & MommaJ had been playing cards at the coffee table watching the boys wade & play in the pool just 5' or less away. DH SIL looked up and LittleJ was floating. MommaJ ran and hollered for BigJ (who was doing school work on the computer in another room) and grabbed BabyJ . By the time BigJ got in the living room MommaJ was caring their limp non-responsive blue little boy back into the house. BigJ took him and shook him a couple of times gently calling his name with no response so he laid him down and began CPR while MommaJ called 911. After about 2 compressions and breathes he threw up lots of water - but was still not breathing on his own. The paramedics came and took over from MommaJ and BigJ who were both doing the CPR at that point. They loaded him & MommaJ in their ambulance and drove outside of the airbase where a care flight was waiting to take them to Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital in Orlando - due to bad thunderstorms they went to the Hospital in Melbourne. DHBro knew he was hooked up to a respirator and was somewhat responsive when he called. We called and started prayer chains.

MommaJ called me and said they were taking him to Orlando soon, I asked if she needed us there and she cried and said yes. So Randy and I called B to come get #1GS and packed a bag with toothbrushes and change of clothes etc. MommaJ called back and said it would be 8 before they started transporting and she wasn't sure if they were going by ambulance or helicopter. Randy and I got in the car and started the just under 2 hour drive to Orlando at about 6:45. We beat them all to the hospital. I spoke with the nurse who told us what bed he would be in and that when he got there BigJ would be told where we were. We ate some supper and waited. MommaJ calls and said they were on their way and BigJ was with BabyJ in the Mobile ICU unit. She had to go back to the house to show a detective & CPS rep where the incident had occurred. She also packed her and BigJ some clothes then drove the Hour and half to Orlando. LittleJ stayed home with DHBro & DH SIL.

BigJ came out while they were settling BabyJ into his bed and evaluating him. BigJ looked awful (as you can imagine) he said BabyJ had faired the trip well. He also informed us that the Doctor's had said that we would know something in the next 72 hours. Finally after what seemed to be hours (actually less than 30 minutes) the Doctor & Resident came out and took us into a room. Asked BigJ if he was there and could he tell them what happened. (which is where I got all the details I have stated above). BigJ's military background kicked in and he told the Doctor in an unemotional voice step by step what they had done. It was so clinical the Doctor asked if he had medical background. I told him Military and he nodded. The Doctor also told us the on a scale from 1 -10 with 10 the worse BabyJ was between a 2 & 3 which was good news however, he was still on a ventilator and not really breathing on his own. He couldn't guarantee there was no brain damage but said it should be minimal if any. Before he left he shook BigJ's hand and said "congratulations you saved your son's life". We took BigJ downstairs for some food (since he had not eaten since breakfast) and made phone calls to let everyone know what the doctor had said while we waited to be able to go back and see BabyJ. MommaJ got to the hospital prior to BigJ being allowed back to see him. They got to go back together and then we basically settled in (took over one whole waiting room) for the night. The hospital gave us sheets to cover up with we had all grabbed pillows from home and they had chairs that folded flat for a bed. I got up a couple of times during the night and went back to check on BabyJ. They were keeping him heavily sedated so he wouldn't be fighting against the respirator. BigJ woke each time I came back in the room for an updated. MommaJ had finally fallen asleep. Once she set straight up and cried out for BabyJ - I cannot imagine how this whole trauma felt to her. We talked for hours about lots of different stuff and she finally went back to sleep after 4. BigJ's mom arrived about 5:30 having driven all night from Alabama. Randy and I moved to another waiting room with her and Zack (BigJ's brother) and let MommaJ and BigJ get a little more sleep since neither had slept worth a darn. They went back to see BabyJ about 7:30 and the Nurses had just given him more sedative (Actually 3 different sedatives because none was working). The Respiratory Therapist came out and said as soon as he woke up they would remove the respirator because he was breathing over 90% on his own. An answer to prayer I guarantee it! They said he should be awake in the next hour or so & it was 8:45. We waited, waited & waited some more! finally at 11:30 I texted message B to have her SS class pray that he wakes up soon. By 11:40 he was awake and they were ready to remove the tube. He faired as any little boy would - he pushed them away and fought the medical staff arching his back kicking his legs.....the Nurse said this was a very GOOD sign. MommaJ got to hold him after they were finally done - BigJ got his pacifier and BabyJ sighed heavily and went back to sleep on mommy's shoulder. MommaJ after holding him for an hour or so discovered she was hungry - she had eaten NOTHING since breakfast the day before and it was after lunch time. BigJ went in and took BabyJ so she and LittleJ could go get something to eat (DHBro and DH SIL had gotten there about the time they removed the respirator with LittleJ). BigJ called while we were getting something to eat and said his mom had BabyJ and he was coming to join us, in the mean time some of their friends from the base had arrived so MommaJ got their food to go and Randy and I went and loaded up our stuff and headed home. Knowing that the worse was over and that BigJ and MommaJ had other family with them. MommaJ called yesterday and they were headed home - Doctor's see no lasting side effects. So basically prior to the 72 hours the doctor had declared "wait and see" time, they had dismissed him.

It was most assuredly a miracle! It could have been so much worse.

Someone Moved my Door

Those of you who know my family (well at least family stories) know that this means my day is Not the best!

When my son was 2 - I swapped middle child's and his room. In his room he was right across the hall from the bathroom and had to get out of bed and walk diagonally across the room to go potty. In his new room the door was a few feet from the foot of his bed. The first night after the big "switch" B my middle child came and woke me up saying S was crying. I couldn't hear him so I headed that way and as I walked into his room he was sitting in the floor diagonally from his bed and lightly slapping the wall. I asked "S what are you doing" and he turned to me with tears in his eyes saying "Someone moved my door and I need to potty". Needless to say it broke my heart!

Anyway now when we have a bad day or if something is not going as we wanted it too we will say "Someone moved my door".

Anyway why has my day been a "door move" day? (yes I heard you ask that) First I am exhausted - we went to the east coast of Florida Sunday & Monday (HAD A GREAT TIME) but I didn't sleep too good on Saturday or Sunday night so last night I was exhausted and didn't so woke up tired. Then our drive in looked a bunch like this.








Then having been gone yesterday my desk was stacked and I have a salesman who thinks my whole job is to assist him in doing his job. It is not - I will not do something that you can do - just because you think it is beneath you. I do not get your commission - I do not know what a good product to replace a discontinued one will be - it's not my job it's YOURS! (Okay enough ranting!)

Had to get a report ready for a conference call at 8 a.m. (WIP call - Work in Progress) I call it the WHIP report because I feel beat up each month after the meeting.

Best part of the day was going to lunch with my Honey! Then he blows that - when I thank him for taking me to lunch, I enjoyed it and am glad to be out of the office. He answers with I was desperate - I didn't have a lunch at work. (Actually I know he was kidding - I mean I am able to write in my blog - If he hadn't been kidding I'm sure I would be being booked for murder w/o access to a computer). I do love his humor - laughter makes life easier and that's part of how we survived 27 years in 16 days together!

Well I need to go pick him up at work (we carpool - yes we enjoy spending that much time together still!) So I will try to post about our weekend from home - where I will have pictures to show!

Challenge from my DIL

Your turn: copy, paste, and finish the sentence.
1. My ex is... I really don't have an EX so My Ex isn't...

2. I am listening to...a conference call - so basically people going blah blah blah(please don't tell on me :) for only 1/2 listening)

3. Maybe I should...be paying more attention to the call? NOPE NEVER MIND

4. I love....my family. My parents, HUSBAND, children (including all 3 inlaws) and my grandbabies.

5. My bestfriend(s)....is Awesome! She is always there for me (she maybe a little late - but that's just what she does)

6. I don't understand... people who talk trash about our country, president, or their spouses. Basically if it wasn't for our country they couldn't talk bad about our president for risk of being put to death! As for Spouses - they are the ONLY realitives you have that you actually got to pick so ........

7. I've lost.... my will to diet :) No my trust in people would be I guess the number 1 answer.

8. People say.... that I talk to much? that I'm weird? Okay how about People say the darndest things.

9. 10 years from now..... From my DIL's answer to this question I will have 7 grandchildren (I have 5 now) - Hopefully my whole family will be living within an 8 -10 hour drive from us (I know dear DIL that will mean us moving not you ;) but you never know what God has in mind)

10. Love is.....to be charished, but should never be fragile - it has to withstand many blows along the way. FOREVER (or what was never love in the first place)

11. Somewhere, someone is....asleep from reading my dumb answers. Actually first thought was Crying over the loss of a loved one.

12. I will always...... be weird. Love my family with an unconditional love!

13. Forever seems... too short of a time to love my honey!

14. I never want to.... have to be on a conference call again. Seriously loose a child/grandchild to death

15. My mobile phone is....... blue and has the coolest rings evah

16. When I wake up in the morning.... I want to go back to sleep. Where as my Husband jumps up and is ready to embrace the day.

17. I get annoyed when.... Randy jumps out of bed, talking and is all excited about a new day. Oh yeah and when I am ready to yak his ear off at night and he goes to sleep (they say opposites attract)

18. Parties.....are fun - especially if someone else has had to do all the set up & clean up :)

19. My pet.....Rock? I do not have any pets.

20. Kisses are the best when....unexpected! (gotta agree T)

21. Today I.....don't feel good, am stressed over how to be the best friend I can to someone who is hurting beyond my comprehension.

22. Tomorrow I will......sleep late? Do catch up paperwork from work (since I'm spending all this time at work not doing it)

23. I really want....to win the lottery so I can stay home. See my new grandson!

24. I cant wait.......until I see Nyki, Jeremy, Rylee, & Jakob (I would love to see Shawn & Tasha also - but who knows when that will happen)

25. I often.....blog at work.

26. I need......to be a better time manager so I don't have to do as much work stuff at home.

27. I think..... therefore I am.

28. My sibling(s)....lives too far away. Is great to talk to - but doesn't know how to use the phone to call me :) Is someone I have always looked up to even in my bratty days (you know last week) I have admired her.

29. My parent(s)....taught me everything, i.e. Unconditional love, how to cope with stress, how to trust God, how to survive in a world that is out to get you (in a non-paranoid sort of way - so stop talking about me. I know you are.........)

30. Life is..... to short, to be endured and other times moving too fast.

Your turn: copy, paste, and finish the sentence.

1. My ex is...
2. I am listening to...
3. Maybe I should...
4. I love....
5. My bestfriend(s)....
6. I don't understand...
7. I've lost....
8. People say....
9. 10 years from now.....
10. Love is.....
11. Somewhere, someone is....
12. I will always......
13. Forever seems...
14. I never want to....
15. My mobile phone is.......
16. When I wake up in the morning....
17. I get annoyed when....
18. Parties.....
19. My pet.....
20. Kisses are the best when....
21. Today I.....
22. Tomorrow I will......
23. I really want....
24. I cant wait.......
25. I often.....
26. I need......
27. I think.....
28. My sibling(s)....
29. My parent(s)....
30. Life is.....

Out of Town Again!

Twila is usually the one talking about me being out of town and how much she misses me, well of late she has been traveling more. I can tell you from experience that it's more fun to be the one traveling than the one at home alone. While travel isn't as glamorous as a lot of people think, you are busy. When at home you have the TV and food, not a good combo when you want to keep the weight off.

Anyway, I just thought I would post something since she is out of town.

Randy

Friday funny on THURSDAY

Hmmmm Might make it worth filling your car.


Prices are outragious - isn't it funny how when I was driving a small car it didn't bother me as much. (don't get me wrong I would NOT trade my new SUV for anything - well unless Gas hit's $6.)

Blood, Sweat, & Tears (oh yeah and PUKE)

Randy's still gone. I had a wonderful weekend anyway. (Usually when he's gone over a weekend there's a Party at my house - a Pity Party that is.) So here's my run down of the weekend.

Friday night: My best friend and I escaped - with no children. For me this is not an unusual thing but for her - Mother of 3 (one still nursing) it is a special treat. (Actually her husband is awesome about keeping the kids - I understand he even took all three to a ball game the night before so J. could destroy her house. She's swapping the kids rooms around and I think she only got as far as tear down and setting up a bed so the boys could sleep) I digress. We met up at her hubby's office he took the kids she climbed in with me and we were off. I thought we were heading to Kohls 45 miles away for the big sale! Which would be fun - however we did something funner (is that a word? - more fun?) Anywho, we decided on Sweet Tomoatoes for supper - we got there and saw a bar-b-que place and decided on it (again with my chasing rabbits - it was the best BBQ I have found in FLORIDA! - still ain't Texas style but was great) In the BBQ parking lot is an "Old Time Pottery" I have never been to one before - I've been to Cierra Pottery in Texas which is a lot like it but we had a blast! BTW the pumpkin candy dishes are glass - no one else has to test them to see if they are plastic - they are NOT. We closed the place down and still had not seen everything. We stopped at Starbucks on the way home - big mistake - Chai Tea has too much caffeine for me at 11 p.m. I got home and in bed about 12:30 and finally asleep after 2. Which would be okay but I had promised Britt I'd be at her house at 7 a.m. to keep the boys - while her and RC trained on the bikes (they are riding across the state of Florida in October and are in training for it).

I told Britt I would come to her house so that she didn't have to wake the boys up early. However they woke her up at 6 a.m. (YUCK!) We got them dressed and headed out because they wanted to go to my house. So as we are leaving AC said he was hungry so I suggest Chic-fil-A with which he responded. What day is it? I said Saturday. He said good because you said they are closed on Sundays. (I'm always surprised at his memory of what I have said previously - I think it's because of all the years that my kids were teens and didn't listen to me :) LOL) So we went to ChicLay (as Trace calls it) We ate - I let them play in the stinky playroom (Does anyone clean this room EVER?) until the Beauty Shop opened then we went a got both older boys hair cut. I was thinking man this 3 kids thing by myself isn't tooo bad. (THEN CAME SUNDAY!) So we went home they played Mommy and Daddy came to get them and I took a nap. Watched some TV and went to bed.

Sundays after Fellowship Bible Study - Grandpa and I go get the boys - because if they have to wait on Mommy and Daddy they are the last ones picked up. Which freaks Trace out - because one of the youth workers made a comment one time when he was the last that Maybe Mommy forgot him - so now even though he has NEVER been forgotten (something his mommy can't say - her mom forgot her 2 maybe 3 times - but that is whole nother story). So after the success of Saturday I'm thinking I can handle this by myself (normally I would have gotten just the older two and left Andrew in the nursery for mommy and daddy). So I gather them up we head out front to wait on the Parents. While standing out front in 90+ weather Sweating like pigs (do pigs actually sweat?) Andrew proceeds to puke on me - not just a little spit up but good old fashion puke. I'm trying to clean up from it and a friend of mine is standing behind me watching her grandson's play and I hear Patsy say Oh NO and AC screams. Comes running up holding his mouth crying hard. I'm trying to clean puke off my shoe and so I'm already kind of bent over and I start asking him what's wrong. I'm thinking he's been stung because I had just brushed a bee off of Andrews back. Patsy says - He just hit him with a rock. I get AC to move his hand and he is bleeding and saying Trace hit me. I call Britt on her cell - I don't care if I'm interrupting a class! She doesn't answer. I call RC he doesn't answer either. I have puke, blood, sweat and AC's tears on me. I see one of the Deacons come out of upstairs and ask him to step into the room and get Britt. He does she comes out and takes AC. Trace is bawling at this time - because one of his teachers have come by and I told her what happened and she talked to him about throwing things that aren't soft - reminding him they had talked about it before. So he thinks we are all mad at him. Britt yells over her shoulder as she heads in with AC (we still didn't know the extent of the injury because he wouldn't move his hand for long) to get RC. So again I send Todd in to get RC and he opens the door and says I think one of your kids are bleeding. So RC comes out. Finds out what happened and asked Trace why. Trace just freaks! For the next 1/2 hour he won't leave my side. I reassure him that we love him no less. He doesn't believe me - poor kid. Finally once we have Ice on AC's mouth (the cut is small and beside his mouth but looks awful!) Mommy talks with Trace and he calms down but still wouldn't leave my side. We leave Trace riding with me the others with Britt. We go to our house where RC bakes us Salmon (YUM) and things actually settle down and become normal. After putting Trace down for a nap and parking AC in front of the computer with his game and RC in front of the TV with the race. Britt and I take Andrew to go get his pictures made. We do a little shopping and have a great time. After we get home they gather up the boys head home to be ready for the Football game the AC & RC are so excited about.

So even though Randy was gone - and I had Blood, Sweat, & Tears (oh yeah and PUKE) it was a pretty good weekend. To be followed by the migraine from HELL on Monday.

How was your weekend?

Your Parting Gift is..............

Randy is traveling again (I should be more understanding since I was gone for 4 days a week ago) but before he left he got me a present :). So my parting gift is..........................DRUM Roll - Music Building. No I've decided not to tell you what it is. HA!

The grand babies are growing so fast! Jakob is already a month old and I haven't gotten my hands on him yet. (It's just wrong everyone else has - my mom & sister and Son, Daughter-in-Law and the rest of the family that lives in the panhandle has held him) and said he is a doll. I cannot wait to see him! Looks like it will be end of August or early September due to all the travel Randy and I are doing with work. Here's the latest picture of him and Rylee.

















Andrew is over 4 months old and growing so fast! I take pictures of him all the time but have none here with me (at work- shhhhh don't tell my boss!) so you will have to wait for pictures of him and his brothers.

Trace is 2.5 and he is the funniest kid. He bit his baby brother (no that is not the funny part) but a couple of days after he bit him - I asked Trace why did you bite Andrew? He said "I wanted to know what he tasted like." What do you say to that? I just said "All babies taste the same you don't ever have to taste another one!" He agreed and went on. He noticed my fish tank was gone (it took him almost 2 months but.......) he asked where my fish was. I said "It died" so he asked again where's the fish? answer It died and I flushed it. He said "Did it come out your butt?" I couldn't help but laugh - his mom corrected him for saying butt (that's what mom's do -you know) Anyway I told him no I poured him in the toilet with his water and flushed him. He went running to tell AC and he says - The fish came out Grandma's butt so she flushed it. HELLO! AC came in and said "Did you eat it?" So the whole conversation started again - next time I will wait until they are here to flush.

AC is fast becoming a computer addict he loves playing on the computer. There are worse things he could do with his time!

Okay you've waited long enough if your still with me I'll tell you. Randy got me a new TRUCK - a Ford Expedition - I can now drive all my grandbabies at once :) Happy DAYS!

Time is FLYING

I cannot believe that it is almost the end of July! HELLO - it shouldn't even be MAY yet. The years keep speeding up - so I thought I might do a quick Past Present & Future

10 years ago:
I had 3 children living at home and in school
I was working at a job that I loved with the greatest group of people - most of them my friends
We lived in Texas and could see our extended family 4 to 5 times a year
I was happy being married

Now
I have 3 children married and living in 3 different cities (2 different states) - 5 grandkids
I'm working a job that I'm less than thrilled with. The people are okay but none do I socialize with.
We live in Florida and only get to see our family 1 possibly 2 times a year
I'm even more happily married

10 years from now
I hope all 3 children and their familes will be living within a10 hour drive from us
I hope I've won the lottery and am not having to work :) or maybe running my own Wedding Planning company
Colorado comes to mind..... be close enough to extended family to see them 2 or 3 times a year
I'm beyond happily married and on to Marriage made in heaven

So how about some of you? What was life like 10 years ago vrs Now and where do you want to be in 10 years?

HEALTH QUESTION & ANSWER SESSION

Q: I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life; is this true?
A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it... don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.

Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Bottoms up!

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain...Good!

Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU'RE NOT LISTENING!!!... Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?

Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy? HELLO Cocoa beans! Another vegetable!!! It's the best feel-good food around!
Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.

Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?
A: Hey! 'Round' is a shape!

Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.
And remember:


"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO, What a Ride"

Sorry - Nothing I could do!

Crazy & Lazy Days

Work has still been CRAZY but getting a little better every day - I no longer feel it is 100% hopeless just 50% or so. LOL

Here's how we spent part of our "Vacation" and Holiday Weekend over the 4th.

Randy & I drove to Cocco Beach to see his Great Niece and her family. We were hoping to see the Shuttle launch and we could see the Shuttle on the launch pad from our hotel window - would have been GREAT but it was postponed until the 4th (of course the day after we had to leave)......oh well. We had a great view from the hotel and a great visit with Jamie, Jared, Jace & Jadon.


We returned and went to the 4th of July Parade - Had a great time. Here's some of the pictures I took but for some reason Blogger won't let me load all the pictures - but it was GREAT! Then we went back to my house and actually got 5 of the 6 kids asleep at the sametime (Ethan layed down and rested but didn't ever go to sleep) All three husbands and Britt & I at one point Julie was the only one up in the whole house - NOW YOU KNOW WHAT KIND OF HOSTESS I AM! Then we went to watch the fireworks and I'll leave you with a picture Randy took of the fireworks. If I can figure out how to make the slideshow work I'll post all of the pictures.

Twins? Cousins? Identical Twin Cousins?

Andrew (in hat) less than a day old. Born March 23; weighing 7 lbs 13 oz - 20' Long

Jakob less than a day old. Born June 23; weighing 7 lbs 13 oz - 20' Long


When looking at my girl's baby pictures I have a very hard time telling if it's Nyki or Brittney - they looked so much a like as babies. Now they each have a son that in order to prevent my sitting there (20 years from now) Going which one is this? I MUST label pictures!

Now that I have shown off 2 of my 5 little blessings I will make you sit through some more bragging!

Rylee helps Nyki feed Jakob. She loves her baby brother.













All 3 of Britt's boys before a fashion show

Next Best Thing to Being There

I'm a Grandma Again






Jakob Connor, born 06/23/06 @ 11:51 a.m. cst weighing in at 7lbs 13 ozs and 20" long.

I was not able to be in Texas for his birth so his daddy called and put me on speaker phone so I could hear the birth. I could hear the doctor telling my eldest daughter to PUSH PUSH just one more GOOD PUSH and we will have a BABY. I heard Jakob's other grandmother laugh and then I heard the sweetest cry in the whole world!

So as I sat in Logan's Steakhouse - my eyes filled with TEARS as I heard the sound of a HEALTHY BABY BOYS first CRY. He has a great stage voice - his CRY was strong.

Look for more pictures - Hopefully some with his big sister Rylee soon.

I know NOTHING!

This morning Randy said "I know nothing" like Schultz from Hogan's Heroes. It just reminded me of the fact that I knew exactly where it came from but my children (and grandchildren) never will.

What sayings (references) do you still use that your kids won't have a clue about? Or what are your favorite borrowed quotes from a show or movie? Lucy you got some splaining to do! So start splaining my blogger friends!

Pardon me but do you know me?

I was just in Circle K. I'm in line to check out and this girl walks in the door. She has a tatoo on her leg.......Large covers the complete calf. I saw vines and I saw butterflies (probably a jungle scene - didn't really look long enough to tell).

Anyway back to my story. I'm in line at Circle K, in walks this girl

the lady behind me (LBM) said, "oh my gosh - what a tramp".

Me "Are you talking to me?"

LBM "No did you just see the girl that walked in?"

Me "Yes I did"

LBM "Said I bet her parents are really proud of her!"

Me "Ummmm do you know her?"

LBM "No but anyone that get a tatoo must not think anymore of thier body than a TRAMP"

Me "Lady I don't know you - and from the sound of it I don't care to. However, I have 2 Tat's and I do not think I am in anyway a TRAMP"

LBM "At least yours is hidden"

I check out - with a bazillion things going through my head that I "should have said". What would you have done?

Seriously I want to know!

Silly Survey

What is your favorite
color?	Red
day of the week?	Saturday
soda?	Diet Coke
flower?	Yellow Rose
time of day?	5:30 p.m.
ringtone?	Amarillo by Morning (it's what's on it NOW)
number?	7
animal?	Poodle
thing to drink other than soda?	Propel Water - Grape Flavor
book?	Reader's Digest (about the only one I read cover to cover - no matter what)
What was your favorite childhood
toy?	Barbies
memory?	the Christmas I was given my Madam Alexander Doll
color?	Blue
song?	Sad Movies make me Cry (from my Aunt's collection)
tv show?	Bewitched
cartoon?	Road Runner
bestfriend?	Stephanie & Leslie
Are you
still friends with your childhood bestfriend?	Yes - email regularly
married?	Yes
bored with this yet?	Nope
Last
person you talked to on the phone	Nyki (looks like Jakob will be here SOON!)
movie you saw	Break Up
last thing you ate	Bennigan's Browning bottom pie
last book you read	Study of David - Beth Moore
thought	What the heck was the name of that book
CREATE YOUR OWN! - or - GET PAID TO TAKE SURVEYS!

Wacky Tobacky

I don’t understand why people refuse to grow up!

I was talking to a friend of mine who is in shock – her and hubby had a play date/get to know the other parents night out a while back with some neighbors who have a son the same grade as said friend’s son. They are all over, the boys are playing in the next room and the father of the little boy (9 years old probably isn’t considered little anymore) lights up – yes my blogger friends he just pulls out a joint lights it and offers it to my friend and her husband. She was stunned – they wrapped up the night very quickly and took their son home. 1st she was shocked that someone would just light up in front of practical strangers 2nd she was pissed that someone lit up right in front of her son. Just this past week the neighbors called to see if her son could “sleep over” in the tent in the back yard. Friend said NO – she could not comprehend letting her son stay at the other kids house “with his parents home”. Now that is back asswards – I wouldn’t let my children go to a friends house if their “parent’s were not home”.

I was at a friends house – (friends that are older than I) and I could smell it – not just a faint maybe their son had smoked it the night before smell – but a STRONG they must have just finished smell (and their son was not home and had not been since the night before) so that leaves me to believe that it had to be them that was smoking weed. I’ve suspected before due to some really weird conversations about the supply of “ham”.

One of our employees is concerned about qualifying for a “background” test because of the drug test involved with it. He partakes in recreational toking – direct quote from him. One former employee talked about how many “tires” he needed for the evening on the phone with his best buddy – with me standing there. Then he would come to work the next morning smelling like stale pot – and so out of it he couldn’t function. He would tell me he stayed out partying all night long – and I don’t think it was just alcohol.

Am I just OLD? Did most of us not outgrow this type of behavior in high school or college? At the very least when we became parents? All of the above mentioned people are parents with at least one child living in their home. All of them are healthy individuals so it is not for medicinal purposes. SO AM I JUST MISSING OUT ON THE LATEST TREND OR............ am I being too judgmental?

Let’s take a poll real quick do you think this is the norm or just that I know (know of) the exception to the rules. (If you vote it’s the norm – I won’t immediately think you are ‘one of them’).

"L" my letter is!!!!!

My pal Shawna has challenged me to come up with 10 things that describe me, that start with the letter L. If you want to play along leave a comment and I will give you a letter of your own!

Late: I hate to keep people waiting and I hate showing up late to things but.........way to many times I am 5 to 10 minutes LATE to things. I always think that I have time to do one more thing.

Lonely: Most of the time I am very lonely – hubby travels a bunch – like lately 2 weeks out of the month. I’m lonely when he is gone. (I have friends and family near or at least just a phone call away but I seem to prefer to sit along and have my pity party)

Lucky: I was lucky enough to meet my Hubby when I was in 8th grade – I stated at that time to my mom – I was going to marry him. We dated off and on all through high school – truth be known more off than on. But got married during my Senior Year and have been married almost 27 years now.

Large Family: I come from an average size family – Mom Dad & 2 daughters – I have tons of first cousins that I’m still in touch with for the most part. My sister and I are both married with children and grandkids so now when it’s Mom & Dad and down instead of 4 we count at a whopping 23 (will be 24 by the end of this month). Which to me makes us a LARGE FAMILY – my hope is that all the “great grand-kids” can grow up as close as all the “grand-kids” did.

Loser: I am a poor loser – I hate losing arguments - I can’t stand to lose games. Unfortunately I married a worse loser than I am so I’ve learned to lose games better (preferable to having a grump!) (Okay truth be known I’m just not as good as he is at most of the games – so of course I lose but hey if I use the above excuse then I make him think I threw the game)

Lone Star Girl: Even though I now live in Florida – I am and will always be a Lone Star Girl. Texas bred and raised and plan to return someday.

Looking: I’m currently looking for a new job. (See previous posting for reasons)

Lumpy: I am a large and lumpy girl – hence my going to weight watchers. My favorite diet has been the fin fen – lost quickly had lots of energy and liked the way I looked! WW worked well for me while I was on it.......go figure when I started eating my old way I started gaining weight like I did before – baffles me! So this time I'm going to lose and keep it off (or at least try to!)

Logical: I like things to be logical......if there is some type of tapping on my car it should be able to be fixed by tightening something down.......if it hurts when a child hits his head, they shouldn’t hit their head. When things aren’t logical or I can’t wrap my mind around a proper order of doing something I can’t stand it. (It comes back to my control freak tendencies – if I can understand it or control it I’m alright with it – if it is out of my control or understanding it DRIVES ME CRAZY!)

10 Things I hate about..........

MY JOB!

1. I'm underpaid - not just like "not paid as much as I think I'm worth" but in out of 5 of us with the same job (and title) I've been at my job the longest and make the LEAST

2. Out of the 2 months that my new boss has been here I do not think he has worked a single 40 hour week

3. My NB's first conversation with me was our office hours are 8 - 4:30 and then he has assigned me work to do from 4:30 to 5:30 everyday (just until I get caught up - which is an impossibility).

4. NB's first conversation with the Technicians was how he had an "Opened Door" Policy and then he tells me NO ONE is allowed in my office except for me and him and then when he is is in the office his door is ALWAYS CLOSED.

5. NB's only job as I can tell is to "delegate" work to the project manager and myself - to the point we are buried but I haven't seen any evidence that he does ANY work

6. I have to use my PTO time whenever I'm out of the office sick (I agree when I'm out on a vacation day) but like last Tuesday I worked from 7:30 a.m. until 11:15 p.m with only the drive home as off the clock. But being out sick yesterday I'm sure it will cost me 8 hours of PTO.

7. I am expected to attend a weekly hour long conference call to discuss SERVICE TICKETS - I do not take the calls from customers - I do not assign the Technician that is dispatched to do the call - I do not complete the tickets that are generated to detail what actions were taken and I do not invoice the customer. So why the heck should I give up an hour of my week to discuss something I have NO CONTROL or participation in?

8. NB has informed me that I am not to talk to my former boss - direct quote "it bothers me when you call ***** - please stop it" later "I know you talk to ***** daily but" (which I do not - I have talked to him since he left but only a few times - not daily and some of those calls have been at NB's urging to ask questions that we do not have another resource to find the answer to. )

9. When the salesman, NB or even a tech does not "want" to do something it lands on my desk to get it done - be it to fill out the forms that must be completed to "book" a job or "signing" my boss' name to pay applications because he's not in the office to sign off on them

10. I'm being punished for stating to former boss that I was thinking about changing jobs. He said something to a former employee who said something to a current employee who said something to his boss - who said something to my boss' boss' boss who called my boss and his boss and discussed it with them. Which led to my boss asking me if I was going to leave - and if he had done something to offend me or upset me (I like a chicken did not state any of the above things - like I probably should have - but to be honest I could not see anything positive as an outcome but lots of negatives) Anyhow back to how I've been punished - I was one of the "Super Trainers" picked to test our new accounting system in INDY and my name was removed from the list to go this month (and probably next month) by the boss x3 within 2 days of her having heard the rumor and talking to my boss and boss x2. UGHHHHHH that was one of the things I really really enjoyed about my job lately. (BAD TWILA NO TRAINING)

I dread going to work everyday - I used to have days that I think I really don't want to go to work today about 1 time a month or every couple of months - but now I get sick to my stomach every morning as the alarm clock goes off.

Solution - I guess is to find a new job. Draw backs to that is I like the majority of the guys I work with - I have 4 weeks of vacation a year that I would lose (not many companies start out with that much after only 5 years) I make fairly decent wages (still not as much as I was making in previous job - company went bankrupt so I had no choice but to leave) but my wages are still really good.

Do I hang in there and pray it gets better - do I bail while the bailing is good????? So what do you think my blog buddies?

Christians - By Maya Angelou

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'."
I'm whispering "I was lost,
Now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And need His strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.

When I say. "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace, somehow!

Hope vrs No Hope

You may or may not have heard about the confusion of who died and who didn't in a horrible van wreck in Indiana.

Both girls in question were Taylor University students.
Both girls had GREAT faith along with their families.

Here's an article from their college newpaper




http://www.taylor.edu/community/news/2006_05_31_accident.htm


This is a blog where Laura's family documented some stepping stones of her recovery. Best if read from the archived to current.

http://lauravanryn.blogspot.com

I cannot imagine how either family feels - but I do know that both speak volumns towards how faith in God can carry you over ALL rough places.

One family went from Hope - Hope that their daughter/sister/friend would fully recover from a comma to find that they lost their beautiful daughter 5 weeks ago.

One family is greiving the loss of their daughter and find that she has been recovering from a comma for the last 5 weeks - they are given Hope again.

Praise God that both families have faith and know that they will spend eternity with their loved ones. We are here but a moment compared to eternity. My prayers are with both of these families.