In My Jammies

Hi All!

2011-03-28T08:41:00.000-07:00

Good Morning...
Hope everyone is having a good Monday.
I got up with my hubby this morning! What? Really? No I don't enjoy 5:00am. (Not unless I am getting to travel and getting up early to get out of town) But the real reason I got up so early is that we have a five month old puppy. My hubby doesn't actually understand babies of any sort. He thinks that HIS morning routine takes first place to anything. babies don't think that way. Needless to say he woke up kinda mad at the puppy who woke him up licking his face while the older dog whined at the edge of the bed. Of course his alarm was set to go off any second! When ya gotta go ya gotta go. Again their schedule does not compare to his. He gets up, heads to the shower! Geeze he is just a bit stubborn! So I get up and take the pups outside, but not before the puppy peed on the floor for Daddy! he he! I fed them all (dogs and cats) and me and the pups were playing on the bed when my dear husband gets around to coming out of the bathroom! He comes out grumbling and says something about waking up to the puppy...so in my sweetest voice I tried to explain to him about the puppy not being able to wait til he gets out of the shower. "Well why don't you get up and take them out then?" He was just a little more than surprised when I told him I had done just that, and they were all fed too! Then he was upset that they were coming to me this morning...men!!!

This n That!

2011-03-19T15:10:00.000-07:00

Wow...I went out to two places today and I am pooped! Just went and got some bones for our pups and stopped briefly at Wally's while hubby got some car stuff and I grabbed some pork steaks for dinner and a few odds and ends.

The only reason I am so tired is cuz I have not been doing anything lately. Had some kind of bacterial infection that really got me down and then some heart or blood flow kinda things on top of it. Just haven't been doing anything.

My daughter Melanie from Kate n Kaboodle has been sending me lots of cool links for giveaways. They are fun to do and who knows I may win a cool Arf Natural Dog House from Dog Houses Now for my pups from Mom Spotted or an awesome Vera Wang bed from Serta, courtesy of Born 2 Impress. Have you ever wanted granite countertops and knew you couldn't afford it? Oh my gosh...check out Giani Granite Paint Kit Is this stuff just too cool? The giveaway was brought to us by Angie With 2 I have been having so much fun!!!

A New Member to the Family!

2011-03-16T10:33:00.000-07:00

Yep, we did it! We now have a new puppy! His name is Tucker and he is almost 5 months old. He is a long haired Doxie. Oh so cute!!! But what a live wire. We are all kinda relatively old in this house. Nothing like a wild hare to stir up the order of your life!

Still alive!

2011-02-24T02:13:00.000-08:00

Ok now, you can pick yourselves up off your buns! I really am posting on here, no really...I am! Ok so it has been a busy almost year...naw, that's not true! I have been playing games on facebook! There really are other things that have gone on too, like surgery on my knee, having our faithful 16 year old golden retriever put down, and I am sure many other unpleasant things that I don't want to talk about too!

So now I think I need to rant a bit! We have not had any significant snowfall since December (before Christmas, of course). In fact it has been like it was on the verge of Spring ever since. A few flakes of snow every now and then but definitely nothing to write home about (or post about, as the case may be!) UNTIL TODAY!

I live in Northern Idaho. I had to go into Washington for a doctors appointment. ( It's only about 20-30 minutes away) No big deal. We got a few inches (3-4) of new snow last night. Pretty, but still no big deal! Slid a little heading out today but I am not one of the idiots. I know to slow down in this special white poop!

So I get to the stateline and it is like somebody opened a door to a different world. Snow up to the line and then ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! Dry as a bone, not a sign of a flake anywhere!

Oh well cool, no worries! On to the doctor! And after his bundle of good news, (you have a bacterial infection somewhere, we don't know where...your Cholesterol is high...lose weight...yada yada yada!) then I head out to do something fun while I am in town anyway! Hobby Lobby it is! Love that place, but only spend about 45 minutes looking thru scrapbook stuff cuz, you know I have an infection and it is kickin my buns. So as I get closer to the checkout I catch a glimpse of employees and some store patrons standing by the big front windows looking out! I thought there was something exciting going on...nope, not exciting! But it has just started to snow these big ole huge flakes, the kind that we have have not really had all winter! So out the door I trudge, only to have a lady in the parking lot wish me a Merry Christmas! It is the end of February, our snow is usually over by this time. Can I help it if it didn't take advantage of the last two months to snow?

Well, I am on the freeway now and the snow is still coming down as I head towards home where we already had about 4" when I left. It only took about 5 minutes and I was on a solid sheet of ice, skating along in white out conditions! Blizzards are not sposed to happen at the end of February! Bah Humbug!

Up here, some if not most of the SUV drivers think they can go whatever speed they like cuz they drive a 4 wheel drive SUV. OK, I will give it to you that you can get around a bit better than most two wheel drive vehicles in this, but can you stop faster? Big lesson to learn there!

Everybody, pretty much is going 45 or less on the freeway where it is posted 70 because of the ice, and whiteout, (Blizzard) conditions. MY exit comes up and I would rather do anything but take this exit as it goes downhill. But I have to pick up my antibiotics ( infection somewhere, remember?) so this is the one I have to take. I am barely coasting down this exit and slippin one way and the other. The friendly SUV driver is behind me, of course! I don't know if you are familiar with driving in the snow, but you don't use your brakes if you can help it or you will be getting intimate with the ditch, another car, or the guard rail. So I downshifted and even that sent my car careening sideways in the middle of the two exiting lanes, like you can see the lanes anyway! There is about six cars in front of me that I really didn't want to get to know that well. I mean they had their hands full trying to stay on the road and out of the person in front of them's trunk! So what does the SUV driver do? He decides he has had enough of my uncontrolled driving and while I am sliding who knows where he thinks this makes a great time to try and squeeze past me as I am taking too long for him, while I am praying that the other 6 cars can go before my car decides that that is the direction it wants to go....geeze has he NO BRAIN in his head.

My only vindication was after we had all negotiated the turn at the end of the nightmare exit (without an accident, with God's grace) my little SUV driver lost control trying to slow down in the turn lane and played slip and slide (on flat ground, I might add) and ended up hitting the curb as he turned into the parking lot. I did have to say a little prayer for safety for him as I was still feeling a bit triumphant at has lack of control. But in the next second I knew I really didn't want him to get hurt or even hurt his rig, but hopefully he learned to be more careful and slow down in this stuff.

As of right now we have 9" or more and sub zero weather and more snow coming today. Come on Spring!!!

Michael...Really?

2010-04-08T00:26:00.000-07:00

Come on America...what are you thinking? Michael? I couldn't believe it when Michael had the lowest number of votes.

I have to thank the judges. They got it right!

A painting we will go...

2010-03-25T11:01:00.001-07:00

Yes my friends the time has finally come. I have been in this house for almost 12 years and we are finally painting the bedroom.

This project may take awhile as I can't do too much climbing around on ladders etc. with my bad knee. (We have a very high cathedral ceiling in our room) I have figured this out the last couple of days as I was patching holes one day and painting the ceiling of the master bath yesterday. That may not seem like much to you but to me and my knee, it was more than enough! Owwww!

My husband is off tomorrow so I am going to try to get some cutting in done so if he wants to do some painting tomorrow it will be ready for him. He does not like the trim stuff. So if this part is done he may just be tempted to paint or something while I am visiting Mom.

I wanted kind of a sophisticated coastal theme, so the walls are a gray with a brown tint. The ceiling is lighter gray and the accent wall will be a darker gray. Dark chocolate brown looks really nice with it and I found some thermal curtains on sale for $10 a panel. Woo hoo! They kind of have a basketweave design to them. Then I have three nice chocolate brown storage baskets that will be in there also. I am going to accent with off white everywhere to brighten it up and then pops of color in pillows etc. I'm hoping it will be very restful and not come out depressing!

Please pray for my endurance in this and that I don't damage my knee any further. I had surgery the end of December and the doctor said the effects would be temporary. My joint is shot but he says I am too young for surgery (atleast I am too young for something) so I am just trying to lose some weight to improve the chances of not having to have a replacement so soon. Trying is the operative word here.

Hope you all have a great day!

Pseudo Tumor Cerebri Update

2010-03-14T17:33:00.001-07:00

I decided to do an update post on PTC as I have seen a lot of you have come to my blog by doing a search on Pseudo Tumor Cerebri.

When the neurologist first told me that I had PTC, it was actually a relief. He said it was actually very rare. Of course he had already checked for a brain tumor and MS. Hence my relief. Well, I have reason to feel relieved at this point in my life anyway.

See, I am very lucky and my PTC is controlled by taking one Diamox a day. I started out taking three. After a year or two, I went into remission for a year and a half. Even tho I had to start back on the pills it was only two a day this time. The worst thing I have had to deal with is my hands and feet tingling and not being able to drink anything carbonated. As time passed I was able to go down to one pill a day. Sometimes I don't even take one. I can tell when my body is starting to build up fluid real easily now before it can do any harm and a few days back on my pills take care of it.

The way we found out that I had PTC was my left eye was kind of dimming when I was in a bright flourescent room. I mentioned it to my primary care doc the next time I saw him and he didn't see anything and thought I was having occular migraines. Then when I started getting floaters I made an appointment to see him again and he sent me to my eye doc.

The eye doctor really scared me. He told me that my eye was hemmoraging and the most common cause was a brain tumor, and I need to get into a neurologist immediately. My neuro guy had to do a lumbar puncture to actually diagnose that it was PTC. That was not pleasant but it could have been worse.

I know that I am very blessed. My PTC could be alot worse. I have met or talked to several people who are worse than me. Basically all it boils down to be is a buildup of cerebral fluid that causes intracranial pressure that needs to be relieved. It can come out the eyes like mine did and can cause blindness, or build up in the spinal column and cause many problems. When the pills don't work, which are supposed to slow the making of the cerebral fluid, and eliminate some of it with a mild diretic, then there are shunts that are often used. I am not a doctor and don't profess to know all about this disease. I just know what has been my experience and from what my doctor has shared with me as well as what other people I have met with PTC have gone through.

If you have just been diagnosed with PTC, don't panic. There are support groups out there and actually alot of medical information now. Read as much as you can, and find a good neurologist that you trust. Praying that they find what actually causes this and they can figure out how to stop it from happening.

Remember Me

2010-03-13T10:31:00.000-08:00

Went to see "Remember Me" last night with my daughter and granddaughter. Thought we were going to a typical "chick flick". It did satisfy my female need for relationship movies, but so much more.

It's the kind of movie that I can't seem to get out of my head. The last 10 minutes took every person there on their own personal journey, including the 50 or so middle school (junior high) girls who just went to see "Edward".

Ahhh...Sunshine!

2010-03-12T12:14:00.000-08:00

Woke up to sunshine warm in my bedroom window...ahhhhh! Felt so good. And then as is life in Northern Idaho...10 minutes later it is cloudy cold and threatening to rain! Think my mood left with the sun!

This n That!

2010-03-06T13:29:00.000-08:00

Wow, I don't think I managed to post right after Christmas like I planned. Ooops! Nobody much knew that I was blogging again so guess it really doesn't matter.

Lots of things have happened since December, some good, some bad.

My youngest granddaughter is growing like a weed and trying new things. Loves to raspberry her mamma with a mouthful of food. What a kid! She also has two teeth now and looks adorable.

My oldest granddaughter decided she was big enough to live in the big world (with her boyfriend and his mom) Well somebody has to support him!

I lost 23 pounds woohoo! Then I went to Oregon for 5 days with my sister to my nephew's baptism and my niece's wedding, and gained 7 pounds...eeek! I have lost 4 of it since we got home.

My 13 year old grandson has all of a sudden gone totally girl crazy! My next to the oldest granddaughter is doing high school online now and is excelling! Yeah! She just turned 17...slow down girl! The twins are growing fast and love coming to spend the weekend with Gramma and Grampa. I think we spoil them too much!

My mom is slowly going downhill. She has Alzheimer's and she's really slowing down now, although she does still know us as her daughters and everybody else in the family are just her people. Except for my youngest granddaughter...that's HER baby!

That's about all for now...take care all!

Wow, this is weird!

2009-12-25T22:28:00.000-08:00

I have not written on this blog for three years! I changed to my own website, but finally closed it down as I never had time to blog. I am now "in my jammies" again and not working so here I am!

Merry Christmas! Hope you all had a great day with family and friends. We have a six (and a half) month old granddaughter this Christmas and it is a real kick watching as she discovers everything in her world. She has 4 older sisters and an older brother. It is really cool to see how much they love her. Fun Christmas! And I am pooped out so will post more tomorrow or the next day!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

This is it!

2006-09-12T18:25:00.000-07:00

My very last post on "In My Jammies". It's kinda sad, huh? Well, not really cuz I am starting to get things unpacked at my new place http://lovemyjammies.com So make sure you change your linkies! I am not ready for a house warming quite yet, but come and see the place. We will be making changes as we settle in, so keep checking back!

Good-bye Blogger, I would like to say I will miss ya, but well, not too much!

Remembering Alvin Peter Kappelman Jr.

2006-09-10T17:32:00.000-07:00

I hardly have words to describe the horrible disaster that hit our nation on September 11th, 2001. Today is the five year anniversary. It is a day to honor the heros that helped to save lives and to pay tribute to the lives of all 2,996 victims. I have the priviledge to honor Alvin Peter Kappelman Jr.

Al and his wife, Barbara, lived in Green Brook, New Jersey, where they had raised their two daughters, Melanie and Kristen. He had been a volunteer fireman for Green Brook Fire EMS for 41 years. He came by it naturally, his father had been a volunteer for 70 years. And his uncle was also a volunteer for the department. Al had served as chief for six years.

He was described as a straight shooter, someone that would always let you know where you stood and expected the same in return. No beating around the bush for him. His friend and fellow firefighter, John Kline, said that he was very outgoing, but he was going to tell you what he was thinking, like it or not! His daughter Melanie said that he had a very gentle way of saying things, and that his business sense was softened by an honest caring demeanor.

Al and Barbara liked to spend their weekends at their home in Ortley Beach on the Jersey Shore. They used to comb the beach for sea glass or watch for dolphins. This paints a very different picture than the high powered executive. His daughter also remembered a time on the Jersey Shore when she and her sister were very little, and they all had gone to a parade. Her father noticed smoke coming from a house. He went into the house before the fire department even got there, to make sure no one was inside, because that was the kind of man he was, always putting others before himself.

He was an insurence executive with Royal & Sun Alliance. He was at the World Trade Center that fateful morning for a scheduled meeting with Aon Corp. in Tower Two when the planes hit. I prefer to think he was there by Divine Appointment. His family can picture him helping people to flee the burning buildings and offering comfort and care to those he encountered. I have no doubt that he was, because that is what he did. He was a hero!

You are missed Alvin Kappelman, by your family, your fellow firefighters, your coworkers, and friends. You did not die in vain. This country will always remember, not just the tradgedy, but the 2,996 victims and their families. We didn't know you personally, but it feels like we did. This country was united as one that day, and we lost our brothers and sisters. God Bless You All!

I am jumping for joy...

2006-09-08T18:24:00.000-07:00

Yep, that's right! Dear Blogger f-i-n-a-l-l-y fixed my blog so I can get into it to post again! And my sweet daughter fixed the comments! I am thrilled! But ya know it only took Blogger several weeks. I don't think that they think I am so very important. After my 9/11 tribute goes up...I am gonna start packing my stuff! I am going where I can get some respect and maybe not so many problems. My birthday gift from my daughter is my own domain. Woo Hoo! In my Jammies is already taken, so it will be Love My Jammies. I will leave a note on moving day. It may take me a bit to get unpacked and all, before the place is guest ready...but I will let you know when the welcome mat goes out!

My New Look

2006-08-27T21:06:00.000-07:00

Hey, it's gonna be cool huh? It's got a few issues at the moment, but will be fixed soon! I am so gonna love it! It is a gift from my daughter. Danalyn designed it, and gave it as a prize during blogathon 2006. Well. my daughter won it. Beings she is a designer herself and loves her mommy so...she gave it to me! Woo Hoo!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

2006-08-26T10:20:00.000-07:00

I wish I could give you a big hug and kiss! You would have been 84 today! Unfortunately, you left us eight years ago. I don't blame you for going, being trapped in that hospital bed for 17 years. But you have a new body now, no longer restricted in movement, no longer trapped in a steel bed, no longer having to put up with whatever came your way. You are free of all that.

Daddy, I miss you sometimes so much. I miss talking with you. I miss watching electrical storms, and old war movies or science fiction movies. I miss camping and fishing with you and Grampa.

You built me my first skateboard. You taught me to shoot a gun. You hauled me accross town to the skating rink twice a week so I could practice.

You hated it when I had boyfriends who didn't respect me as you thought they should. You hated letting go of me. You knew I would leave someday. I hated letting go of you...I knew you would leave someday!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

(If you are wondering about my lip in this picture, this is shortly after I bit the corner of the coffee table...still have the scar to prove it!)

The things you do for love!

2006-08-22T10:16:00.000-07:00

Yep, I went camping for my honey! I myself, would have cheerfully spent the weekend in bed, where I should have been! And no...he did not know I felt as bad as I did. And I wouldn't have told him for the world. He needed this time away so bad. He has been under a lot of stress at work and really needed a change of scenery!

He had Thursday thru Monday off and it is the closest thing to a vacation he was gonna get this year. He takes a week off during VBS so he can lead a group of kids for the week. And then he has the week between Christmas and New Years off to recover from Christmas.

This man does so much for me, it was the least I could do for him. I think he was expecting me to say we couldn't go, he was treading very lightly knowing how I was feeling. I knew how much he needed it and was looking forward to it! And really, the only thing I had to do was make my special salad for Friday night and again for Saturday night. The rest I knew he would take care of. Both nights were pot lucks, and Saturday breakfast was a pancake feed. Sunday morning hubby was cooking.

I survived, and I did have fun but no, I would not do it that way again....oh, who am I kidding? Of course I would...just to hear his silly giggle when he is letting go of the world's stresses and enjoying himself, and spending time with our friends and church family.

Yesterday I spent paying for the weekend. The headaches are worse and the only relief was sleep, so sleep I did! Today, I am taking my Diamox. The doc did not want me to take it until I saw the eye doctor but, I can't get in there until the 7th and I can not live with this that long. The meds he gave me take the edge off but don't stop it from coming right back. ( and I am not supposed to take them every day) I need to get rid of the pressure. My neck is out also, but that is from the pressure on my spine. It doesn't do any good to have that adjusted until the pressure is down, so here we go. I am taking my diamox!

Home Again!

2006-08-21T21:10:00.000-07:00

I am back from camping...it was fun, and now I am sick and still having bad headaches ...no relief there! Bleh!

No Needles Today!

2006-08-16T18:40:00.000-07:00

Well, my appointment with the nuerologist was not everything that I hoped it would be! He examined my eyes very carefully and, did all his work up that he normally does. He didn't find any evidence of it being my psuedotumor cerebri returning. I should be happy you say...well, I would be if I believed it!

No spinal tap today though! He does want me to go to my Eye Specialist, as I figured! He said to call him when I had done that and he will go over his report also. I hate the jumping through hoops! He said I may be right but, he wants him to check it also. Geeeeez! I don't normally fill up with fluid in my head like this, guys, honest! I could have pushed and got my way, as he said he was not adverse to me being on the diamox, but if I truly don't need it, then I don't want to be on it either! I really like things cut and dried and this was not!

He did give me something for the headaches when they get really bad. This is not what I went in for. But on a good note...I have been having trouble lately with Restless Leg Syndrome, and he gave me a prescription to help that which may help my headaches and my sleep problems as well. That would be soooooo worth the trip if it helps my sleep, or my legs.

And I guess there was more good news too...I had lost 18 pounds since I saw him last May! Woo Hoo! He was very happy about that! And I am doin the "Happy Dance" too!

Update on PTC

2006-08-15T10:27:00.000-07:00

I have an appointment at 10:00am tomorrow morning to have my head examined...no pun intended! My head feels heavier today and the headache is still there, AND I have gained six pounds since yesterday, soooo...I made an appointment. As soon as I made the call, I started shaking all over. It's "real" again! And it's back. I can't deny it anymore.

Goin' Campin'!!!

2006-08-14T20:44:00.000-07:00

We're going camping this weekend! I can't wait! Are we there yet? We are going with about 100 crazy people from our church family!

Hubby and I need to get away and have some time together! We are not takin' any of the four legged kids with us as we have in the past! My daughter and her family are kid sittin' for us! I am sure she will get even either with four legged or two legged kids!

I am so ready! Well, not really! I have some menus planned but I need some ideas! It is just the two of us for one breakfast and two lunches, then we need potluck stuff for two nights! I think breakfast is covered as hubby has put in his order for bacon eggs and pancakes and beings he is cooking...who am I to argue? I am pot lucked out and I need a side dish for one and a dessert and one main dish for the other! Help!!! I really would like something I can make ahead that just needs to be in the cooler. No heating up! So if you all have any ideas, send 'em my way!

You Win!

2006-08-12T08:55:00.000-07:00

Ok it seems I have a couple of "mother hens"! I love you both and if this is not better by the coming week, I will call the doctor. Ok, ok! Who is going to hold my hand for the lumbar puncture?

Psuedo Tumor Cerebri

2006-08-09T23:30:00.000-07:00

The last couple of months I have been having problems on and off with my psuedo tumor cerebri. What is that, you ask? Well, for some reason my brain makes too much cerebrial fluid and it builds up pressure in the brain and spinal cord.
In 2000 or 2001 when I was originally diagnosed, I was going blind from it. It had caused a hemmorage in my left optical nerve. Luckily, I decided I better get a little more stern with my doctor about what was bothering me. He thought at first it was some kind of migraines. Well, I did have a headache but not migraines. After a trip to the eye doctor he found the hemmorage and sent me to a nuerologist, thinking I had a brain tumor. After much testing, (including spinal tap...yuck) I was diagnosed with PTC. I was put on medication 3 times a day. Great stuff, it did the trick! But made my hands and feet tingle and go numb. You also can't have anything carbonated. I am not complaining...I am very lucky! I was on a fairly low dose and after about a year, I went into remission. Some people are not nearly as lucky and have to have brain shunts put in. And sometimes that doesn't work. I feel very fortunate.
Lately I am getting kind of worried tho! Twice in the last few months I have felt the pressure again and took my pills for a few days and I lost nine pounds of fluid in a couiple days. But this week I really was feeling rough. I felt the pressure starting again but didn't want to start the meds again and then I woke up and I could hardly lift my head. That is the worse it has been since I have been off the meds in the last 4 years. I started on my meds and lost 10 pounds before the next morning. I stayed on the meds and lost a couple more the next day.
I am not liking the frequency of this. And it took me until today to loosen my neck up at all, from all the pressure. I think it is time to go back to the nuerologist and fess up! I hate doing that. But I am getting concerned. If I am concerned then my doc is probably gonna be mad at me!

Lara's Big Adventure!

2006-08-07T11:59:00.000-07:00

Lara had a great time! She went for hikes, went swimming, fishing, (don't think she caught anything tho!) and even went rafting!

Played with the boy!

Walked with the girls!

Melanie said she was the first one to bed and the last one up, she even outslept the "teenager"!

She was exhausted when she got home. She said "Hi" to everyone, drank two bowls of water, ate a few bites of food and went sound asleep for the rest of the day!

My kid is going camping!

2006-08-04T14:54:00.000-07:00

My daughter called and wants to take one of "my kids" camping with them. She's a four legged kid, and she started out to be her's anyway. Her name is Lara and she is half black lab and half golden retriever. She is jet black like a lab, but has the long fur of a retriever. She is dumb as a box of hair but her heart is bigger than the state of Texas. She is just a doll. She is very gentle and thinks she is a lap dog. She loves to go for walks and adores the kids. She will have a great time.
I just gave the big lug a bath so she can go play in the woods all week and get dirty. How smart was that? Maybe it is not her that is dumb as a box of hair!!! (Shut up Joe!) Anyway she will smell pretty along with the aroma of mountain dirt, but who will know, the kids will smell the same too! Have a great time all my kiddos!

Social Security

2006-07-28T11:43:00.000-07:00

Received this on my email today and thought it was interesting...

Franklin Roosevelt, a Democrat, introduced the Social
Security (FICA) Program. He promised:

1.) That participation in the Program would be
completely voluntary,

2.) That the participants would only have to pay
1% of the first $1,400 of their annual
incomes into the Program,

3.) That the money the participants elected to put
into the Program would be deductible from
their income for tax purposes each year,

4.) That the money the participants put into the
independent "Trust Fund" rather than into the
General operating fund, and therefore, would
only be used to fund the Social Security
Retirement Program, and no other
Government program, and,

5.) That the annuity payments to the retirees
would never be taxed as income.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Since many of us have paid into FICA for years and are
now receiving a Social Security check every month --
and then finding that we are getting taxed on 85% of
the money we paid to the Federal government to "put
away" -- you may be interested in the following:

-------------------------------------------------------------

Q: Which Political Party took Social Security from the
independent "Trust Fund" and put it into the
General fund so that Congress could spend it?

A: It was Lyndon Johnson and the democratically
controlled House and Senate.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: Which Political Party eliminated the income tax
deduction for Social Security (FICA) withholding?

A: The Democratic Party.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: Which Political Party started taxing Social
Security annuities?

A: The Democratic Party, with Al Gore casting the
"tie-breaking" deciding vote as President of the
Senate, while he was Vice President of the US.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: Which Political Party decided to start giving
annuity payments to immigrants?

AND MY FAVORITE:

A: That's right! Jimmy Carter and the Democratic Party.
Immigrants moved into this country, and at age 65,
began to receive Social Security payments! The
Democratic Party gave these payments to them,
even though they never paid a dime into it!

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Then, after doing all this lying and thieving and violating
of the original contract (FICA), the Democrats
turn around and tell you that the Republicans
want to take your Social Security away!

And the worst part about it is uninformed
citizens believe it!

==============================================

On Strike!

2006-07-27T19:58:00.000-07:00

It is 88 degrees in my house right now and it is almost 8:00 at night! I am not cooking! No sir, no way, forget it! Hubby said he would BBQ hotdogs, great, but there are no chips and I refuse to cook anything else! That's it! I am on strike till this house cools off sometime next week! Maybe!

America's Got Talent!

2006-07-27T10:39:00.000-07:00

For your viewing pleasure, One of the illustrious judges of the show...then (1980) and now!

Go Rappin Granny!

You know you have a new kitty when...

2006-07-26T13:53:00.000-07:00

Mine is the one all by itself!

when your legs have more red stripes than the American Flag

when your fancy livingroom curtains are tied in knots 3' below the curtain rod

when your big loving 30+ pound cat growls at you every time he looks at you

when you are up every morning by 4:30 am (not by choice)

when you get up in the middle of the night to pee, (and politely don't turn the light on to keep from waking hubby), and something flies accross your lap

when you turn over in bed and remember everything you used to know about the ten fingers of doom

when you have to pick up 15 things off the floor that don't normally reside there

when you find the beautiful knit throw that usually graces the room divider, in a wadded up ball on the love seat

when you trip over little plastic balls with jingle bells in them, scaring yourself to death

when you buy catnip mice just so the dog can drag it under the couch with her

when you fall for buying bubbles laced with catnip just to watch the kitty play and be silly, when in reality the kitten has much more fun with the plastic piece that was used to seal the cool whip container!

Pregnant at 52!

2006-07-22T10:34:00.000-07:00

Yes folks, that's what I said! I am 52 and pregnant, well atleast according to my Mother. I had a complete hysterectomy twenty nine years ago! But yesterday, my dear Mom said she wasn't pregnant like me!

Just to clarify...she was lying in a hospital bed awaiting the results of her CT Scan. She had a rather large blue lump on the side of her head and said it felt like her brains were rolling around in her head! Well, thank the good Lord, they weren't rolling around in there but she did have a mild concussion! She had fallen earlier in the day, running for the phone. Of course she did not feel the need to let us know!

Mom lives in a senior apartment complex. She insisted she was fine but by the time we found out from the apartment manager it was several hours later. She did not even know what month it was by 7:00 pm and this must have happened atleast 6 or 7 hours prior. Mom is suffering from early Alzheimers Disease or dymentia as it is, but this really gave us an eye opener as to how it will be soon. She was so disoriented. She couldn't even figure out how she fell or where for several hours. It was scarey! But at the same time she was laughing and cute, and not making a lick of sense!

My sister and I have been so concerned about her in the last year or so. She has become arguementative and complains about everything. She gets kind of paranoid and thinks there is some ulterior motive whenever someone does something nice or tries to care about her. It has been very hard on her moving into the apartment from her own mobile on her own property. Any change at this point throws her for a loop.

We have tried to take on as much of her responsibilities as we can while still letting her live on her own. My Sister does all her financial stuff, and deals with medicare and the apartment etc. I take her to all her doctor appointments, and do her grocery shopping. She still wants to take care of her housecleaning etc. So far she has been able to do that for the most part.

We encouraged her to move into the apartment as we were worried about her at the mobile. She was getting injured and falling while trying to take care of the yard etc. But it seems as though daily life is not much better, even though she does not have the yard to care for anymore. But she still is not ready for a rest home, and does not have the means for assisted living. We really don't know what to do at this point. What a helpless feeling this is. Two of us and our wonderful patient hubbies, and it is still not enough to take care of Mom. My hat goes off to the many that are taking care of aging parents by their selves. We are very thankful to have each other in this!

Well, last night was kind of entertaining and really nice to see Mom happy and smiling again as she used to be many years ago, but it is a shame that it took a fall and a head injury to show us a glimpse of our Mom again! We work so hard at trying to take care of her needs, that we had forgotton the woman that lives inside this "other person" that we call Mom. And just when you think "Mom" is not there anymore, God gives you a glimpse of the woman she used to be. Thank you Father!

What Cruise ship, in their right mind would play "The Titanic"?

2006-07-19T14:21:00.000-07:00

14 Seriously Hurt When Cruise Ship Rolls Off Port Canaveral

POSTED: 4:59 pm EDT July 18, 2006

UPDATED: 11:18 pm EDT July 18, 2006

PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The Crown Princess, a cruise ship making its fourth voyage, suddenly rolled heavily to its left Tuesday, throwing passengers and crew to the deck. A child and an adult were critically hurt, officials said.

About 12 others were seriously hurt and about 70 had lesser injuries, said Cape Canaveral Fire Rescue Capt. Jim Watson. No deaths have been reported and the Coast Guard said all passengers and crew have been accounted for.

Tom Daus, 32, told The Associated Press in a cell phone interview from the ship that he was sunbathing on the upper deck when the roll started.

"It became very disastrous because everything was flying with them - tables, glasses, lounge chairs went flying," said Daus, who was traveling with his parents. "I was just holding on for dear life onto the bannister of the ship.

"The Crown Princess, which was carrying about 3,100 passengers and 1,200 crew members, was 11 1/2 miles southeast of Port Canaveral en route to New York when it experienced problems with its steering equipment, causing the roll, Coast Guard Petty Officer James Judge said.

Judge said could not immediately say how many degrees the 113,000-ton ship listed.

Daus, of Brooklyn, N.Y., said the accident left several of the upper decks flooded and the elevators were not working. Gym equipment flipped over, TVs fell off their shelves and shattered glass was strewn across the deck, he said.

"The water came gushing out of the pool like a mini tsunami. It was really scary. People who were in the pool were shoved out.

"Daus said the majority of injured people he saw were senior citizens who were being taken out on wheelchairs or stretchers.

The remaining passengers were mostly calm, despite the chaotic surroundings, Daus said.

Passenger Bonnie Storie, 50, from Rochester, N.Y., was traveling with her husband and teenage son.

"It felt like it was going to fall over," Storie said. "It was shocking.

"Stan Payne, CEO of the Canaveral Port Authority, said the cruise line was asking passengers to stay on the ship until arrangements for their lodging can be made, but they can leave if they want. Customs officials were expected to arrive at 5 a.m. Wednesday to start processing passengers, authorities said.

"The problem is one of logistics, people getting to the airport, people getting to Orlando. We have been told Orlando's hotels are full," Payne said. He said the ship will remain in port for several days.

The ship is owned by Princess Cruises, one of 12 brands operated by Miami-based Carnival Corp. The company said it was investigating the roll's cause. The ship had just left Port Canaveral after a nine-day Western Caribbean cruise. It was originally scheduled to return to New York Thursday.

Martha Stewart christened the Crown Princess last month before it embarked on its maiden voyage to the Caribbean from its home terminal in Brooklyn.

"We deeply regret this incident, and are doing everything we can to make our passengers as comfortable as possible under these difficult circumstances," company spokeswoman Julie Benson said. The Coast Guard planned to inspect the ship Wednesday.

Seven patients were taken to Cape Canaveral Hospital and another 15 were expected, hospital spokeswoman Debbie Helton said. Of the seven, three had moderate injuries and four had minor injuries, she said.

Two other patients, one in good condition, went to Holms Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, she said.Parrish Medical Center spokeswoman Natalie Sellers said about 20 people were being treated at the hospital, mostly with minor neck and back injuries and bumps and bruises.

The Crown Princess carries a maximum of 3,080 passengers and a crew of 1,200, but it is not known how many people were on the ship when it left the port Tuesday.

"Ironically, the movie they were going to show (Wednesday) night was Titanic," Forbes said.

What Cruise ship, in their right mind would play "The Titanic"? Isn't that like tempting fate?

Blogathon 2006

2006-07-17T11:34:00.000-07:00

My daughter is making a difference in young childrens lives by doing Blogathon 2006 .
It is for "First Books". They provide free books for low income families with young children. It is a great charity. Please get involved and sponser Melanie! Just a dollar can make such a difference! (Of course you can sponser as much as you would like! Hint Hint!!!) So here's the link...go sponser her!

Sponsor Melanie!

If you read Plaid Toaster at all you know how goofy she is normally...can you imagine her blogging for 24 hours straight, every half an hour?

VBS is over for 2006

2006-07-15T14:18:00.000-07:00

Yep, VBS is over! It went very well this year! We all had a blast. We had 85 kids total! It is so fun to see these little faces light up, and to see them so excited to be there every morning. It was great! I have been fighting some intestinal thing since Wednesday, so I was really relieved when Friday was here. I have pretty much slept ever since. Boy what a wimp huh? Guess those 85 kids wore me out. So I will leave you with a little story that I recieved on my email awhile back.

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Mr. Common Sense. Mr. Sense has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such value lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm and that life isn't always fair.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial planning (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).
His health began to deteriorate when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place: reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Mr. Sense declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Tylenol to a student but could not inform parents when their 13-year-old daughter was pregnant and wanted to get an abortion.
Finally Common Sense lost the will to live when criminals received better treatment than their victims and a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot and was awarded a huge financial settlement.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by two stepbrothers, My Rights and Ima Whiner.

Just a quick note...

2006-07-10T20:01:00.000-07:00

Hi there! I lived through the first day of VBS! Woo hoo! Actually all the extra effort this last week spent on organizing and streamlining the process really paid off today. We didn't have the chaos that Monday usually entails.
For all my grumbling about having no time for anything, I really do love it! We checked the program on Group for next years VBS and are already excited about starting on it! He he! We had 61 children today plus 9 in preschool. Lots of smiles on little faces today and it is so cool to hear them all learning the Bible stories and saying their memory verses. Ok, I admit it...I am a Vacation Bible School Junkie!

Hubby is just as bad. He takes vacation time every year for VBS. He is a crew leader with five great kids. My daughter helped out in registration with me and has been a crew leader also in past years. My two older grandaughters have been helpers and have been on the dance team also. My three younger grandkids attend our VBS every year. It's fun to be flying down the hall and hear a familiar "Hi Grandma"... Couldn't be better!

Today's Character is "Ray"

If Life Ever Calms Down a Bit...

2006-07-08T13:07:00.000-07:00

If life ever calms down a bit...if everything is ever ready for VBS next week...if things are ever straightened out with my Mom's trailer, and the ex relatives...if family obligations (picnic) is over...if I ever learn how to say no...if I ever get my poor neglected house put back together...if if if...then maybe I will be able to come back to blog land and pay attention to my blog too!

Thank you all for your patience! Pray for our VBS program this next week! Pray that registration goes well on Monday! Pray for my sanity! Thanks you guys, see ya after next week!

Our Anniversary

2006-06-30T16:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was our 10th anniversary! Wow, seems like yesterday when we were planning our beautiful garden wedding!
My dear hubby wanted to plan our night together, but finally broke down and asked me what I would like to do. We originally wanted to go back to Cannon Beach where we spent the majority of our honeymoon, but with gas prices what they are, we decided to just have a quiet time together.
We have been so busy lately all I wanted to do is to have some time to re-connect and relax. Hubby had to work yesterday and I was working all day at the church so before I went in, I sent him an email, which I guess he really liked cuz I got a phone call immediately. It was very sweet. Then later at work, he called me again. Then about 3:30 he pops in with roses and a balloon and card. What a sweetie he is! His boss actually "fired" him for the afternoon so he would get to go home early. It was really fun to get to see him before 6:30 or so at night.
We had received a gift certificate to Red Lobster from his parents so we decided to go there to eat. It was scrumptous. We went for a walk on the beach and then just took a liesurely drive along the lake. It was so relaxing and really gave us a chance to spend some much needed "us" time together.
Amazing how well we fit together now. It is really like we are becoming one! Not that we don't disagree from time to time, and lose patience with one another, but we know that when we wake up in the morning God has given us another day together and we are walking side by side, trying to do what God has planned for us.

Better Today!

2006-06-25T23:01:00.000-07:00

The car show is in the history books! We had 46 cars, trucks, and motorcycles! We had a nice response from the people that came and altogether with the show and yard sale, earned $1558 for our charity, Open Arms Pregnancy Clinic to help Mom's and babies.

Boy was it a warm day! We had a lot of fun, gave out alot of hot dogs and pop and water. The guys had a raffle and blew up an engine, and we had a poker walk!

We met lots of new people and were able to see some of our old friends as well. It was a fun show! We even got some new people interested in joining our car club. It was an awesome time! I will have pictures soon!

Way too BUSY!

2006-06-23T07:59:00.000-07:00

Just stoppin' in to let you know that I haven't forgotten about you, just way too busy to blog! How sad is that?

Hoping life will slow down after the middle of July (VBS) but it is not looking too promising! Today we are hauling all the yard sale stuff to the church, pricing the last couple truckloads and setting it all up. Tomorrow is the Big Hot Rod Show, and the yard sale! After that is done my hubby can calm down a bit and things will be a little smoother for us even though I will be concentrating on VBS full tilt then. We already have 34 kids pre-registered! Woo-hoo! That's what we had last year by the time it started. And we ended up with 100 kids total. So looks as if we may exceed last years. That's awesome, can't wait. It's a whirlwind, but I love it!

Hubby came home last night and said they had tentively decided the dates when he was going to Korea with his job. It is set for 4 days After VBS. Then they are sending him to Singapore also for a week or so. Well, atleast I will get some rest after VBS. No cooking...awwwwww! That will be too cool! Yaaaa Hoooo!

Well, gotta run, gotta do the VBS sign to be put up today, and go work on the sale. Never a dull moment! BYeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

2006-06-21T09:03:00.000-07:00

My Baby Girl is 34 years old today! Wow, that makes me O-L-D! My little blonde California girl who still gets carded for cigarettes, the mother of my five amazing grandbabies, is thirty four! You'll have to pardon me, I have to say that a couple three thousand times to try to let it sink in. THIRTY-FOUR! Geeeeeez!

Go on over to Plaid Toaster and give her some love! But be quiet, she is trying to sleep in! I have no idea what tires her out...is it the five kiddos, (2 of which are teenagers), or the lovebird, or the 2 cockateils, or the kitty, or her six kitties, or the rest of the zoo, or school, or work, or maybe it's the hubs himself. But whatever it is, she deserves to sleep in anytime she can.

This girl is special . She has a very quick mind and actually the mouth to match! Sorry Mel. She grew up with two younger brothers. They brought her up right. She needed that strength to get her through the rough spots. She has survived more than a lot of people do in a lifetime. I really do admire her, but gosh, don't tell her, I'd never hear the end of it!

She really is my best friend and I would give her the world if I could. She is the best daughter any mother could ask for. I am truly honored to be her mom. Now go on over and wake her up...it's time she got her lazy fanny out of bed and faced the fact that she is
THIRTY FOUR years old! Love ya Mel!

Can Sculptures

2006-06-20T12:06:00.000-07:00

Some people are so creative. I wonder who first thought of making a sculpture out of cans! I think this is my favorite. Woodstock is just so cute!

This would have been really fun to watch as they were building them!

Our poor little M&M guys look a little scary!

And my special hero...King Kong!

Ok, so tell me who your favorite is!

Happy Father's Day Daddy!

2006-06-18T11:07:00.000-07:00

You have been gone for almost nine years. How is that possible?I remember the Father's Day card I got you on the last Father's day you had here on earth. It was sealed with a letter inside, still sitting on my entertainment center long after Father's Day! I found it after you had passed away. I thought we had mailed it. I am glad that we talked to you on that day.

It was hard to talk to you Dad! Hard to hear you struggle to hold on to the phone to talk to me. The stroke had left you with only one good hand and you were losing muscle tone in that. Sometimes it was very hard for you to talk. It broke my heart to hear the struggles that were your everyday life. You never complained though. You were always happy to hear from me or Tana. I'm sorry that I didn't call more often. I hated hearing Vivian yell at you to hold the phone or talk or whatever. I know now that it was part of the Alzheimers that she was suffering from that was undiagnosed at that time.

I know your last years were the kind no one should ever have to endure. Being trapped in that hospital bed not even able to turn on your own. Being at the mercy of an ailing wife and her daughter who was I'm sure stressed from helping her mother to care for you for so long. I know there were times when they were far from kind. So much came to light my last visit to see you. I felt like grabbing you up and carrying you all the way back home with me. You never would have survived the 900 mile trip.

Your only joy was Saturday nights when Uncle Cliff would call and talk to you. The two of you could be transported back to times when you were growing up. I know these were special conversations for you both. When Uncle Cliff fell and had a stroke, I know you were heartbroken. Then you and Vivian were put in the nursing home by Patsey. No phone, no way to communicate with the only family you had left. Then on Oct. 20th Uncle Cliff went home to be with the Lord. Daddy, I know this was just too much for you to bear. Your mind was clear, but you had to feel so alone that you just couldn't go on anymore. Forty five minutes after they told you about Uncle Cliff's death, you finally were freed from this pain and torture you had endured for the past seventeen years. When I recieved this news, the second in 24 hours, I was saddened beyond comprehenshion, but also happy for you! You were free to dance and run and do whatever it was that you wanted now.

Tana and Todd and Rick and I went down to Uncle Cliff's funeral, and then took my very first plane ride, down to get your remains. I did carry you home Daddy. Back to Oregon, back to where we started as a family. Back to be buried in Uncle Cliff's plot with him, right next to Grandma and Grandpa, and Aunt Iola. May You Rest in Peace. I love You!

2996 Update

2006-06-17T10:32:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, when I went downstairs and checked my mail, there it was! The email from D. Challener Roe with the name of one of the victims of 9/11 for me to do a tribute on.
(If you have not checked this out yet, please do so! Go read my post "2996". It is just two posts down or click on the button on my sidebar.)

I was struck with the reality of this moment as I stared at the name of the gentleman I was to research, and pay tribute to. I checked the website given and saw his picture. I have to say that with tears in my eyes, I read what was there. He was just a regular guy, going about his day, at work, making a living, possibly supporting a wife and kids. (ones he would never again see this side of Heaven) What was he thinking that day? What was the last thing he said to his wife that morning when he left for work? Did he have a sense of impending doom? Did he have any clue that it was going to be the last morning of his life? Or was he just like the majority of us who just do what we have to every day to get by? We always think we have our whole life ahead of us. Well, we do, but sometimes that whole life is only hours or minutes! Life is not always 80 or 90 years. There are not any promises of so many days or years. The only promise is of eternity. Eternity is not here! This is not our home!

An Honored Tradition

2006-06-15T23:17:00.000-07:00

Today when I was at church someone asked if I had ever read the flag folding instructions and knew what they meant, and what they stood for. I was pleasantly suprised when she started telling me what she had read. I always knew that there was honor, love, and a deep respect involved, but I didn't know how right that was and for what reason. I came home and looked it up. Here is what I found. (I know it is long, but read below the flag folding instructions, where the actual ceremony part begins.) I hope you all find it as fascinating as I did. Those that do not come from a military background may never have known this.

Flag Folding

As an Army and Navy custom, the flag is lowered daily at the last note of retreat. Special care should be taken that no part of the flag touches the ground. The Flag is then carefully folded into the shape of a tri-cornered hat, emblematic of the hats worn by colonial soldiers during the war for Independence. In the folding, the red and white stripes are finally wrapped into the blue, as the light of day vanishes into the darkness of night.

This custom of special folding is reserved for the United States Flag alone.

How to fold the Flag

Step 1

To properly fold the Flag, begin by holding it waist-high with another person so that its surface is parallel to the ground.

Step 2

Fold the lower half of the stripe section lengthwise over the field of stars, holding the bottom and top edges securely.

Step 3

Fold the flag again lengthwise with the blue field on the outside.

Step 4

Make a triangular fold by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to meet the open (top) edge of the flag.

Step 5

Turn the outer (end) point inward, parallel to the open edge, to form a second triangle.

Step 6

The triangular folding is continued until the entire length of the flag is folded in this manner.

Step 7

When the flag is completely folded, only a triangular blue field of stars should be visible.

Flag Folding Ceremony

The flag folding ceremony described by the Uniformed Services is a dramatic and uplifting way to honor the flag on special days, like Memorial Day or Veterans Day, and is sometimes used at retirement ceremonies. Here is a typical sequence of the reading:
(Begin reading as Honor Guard or Flag Detail is coming forward).

(Wait for the Honor Guard or Flag Detail to unravel and fold the flag into a quarter fold--resume reading when Honor Guard is standing ready.)

(Wait for the Honor Guard or Flag Detail to inspect the flag--after the inspection, resume reading.)

| The Flag Folding Ceremony above is from the US Air Force Academy |

2996

2006-06-15T18:15:00.000-07:00

Hi All, I just joined in on a very cool project that is going around the internet. It is to honor the victims of 9/11 in a very personal one by one basis. Here is how it works...(this is from the website of the person that started this tribute!)

2,996 is a tribute to the victims of 9/11.

On September 11, 2006, 2,996 volunteer bloggers will join together for a tribute to the victims of 9/11. Each person will pay tribute to a single victim.

We will honor them by remembering their lives, and not by remembering their murderers.

If you would like to help out, either by pledging to post a tribute on your own blog, or by offering your services to promote this cause, just leave a comment here and I’ll email you the name of a victim.

Then, on 9/11/2006, you will post a tribute to that victim on your blog.

But, and this is critical, the tributes should celebrate the lives of these people–kind of like a wake. Over the last 5 years we’ve heard the names of the killers, and all about the victim’s deaths. This is a chance to learn about and celebrate those who died. Forget the murderers, they don’t deserve to be remembered. But some people who died that day deserve to be remembered–2,996 people.

Thank you,

D.Challener Roe

I hope you all will use the button on my sidebar to link to the website to join in this worthwhile tribute.

Well, duh!

2006-06-10T22:31:00.000-07:00

My daughter asked me tonight if I was ever going to update my blog...Well, yeah, when I have something to say and the time to say it! I'm sure I will sometime! Just not now! It's almost 11 at night and I have need to sleep, unfortunately I have tons still to do.

Tomorrow is Sunday, my favorite day, for two reasons. One reason is church! Sunday's are great! I love our church, and I love going. It's not just "doin' church"! It's family and friends and fellowship, and worship, and the warm fuzzies all rolled into one! And our Pastor is a great teacher, a visionary, and yet he is real. What you see is what you get! We are really privilaged to have our worship Pastor too! The man can make a joyful noise! He can bring goosebumps just standing and singing all by himself. I feel very fortunate that God has led us to this church. Our executive Pastor is our administrative resident pro. But when called on to preach, you really get a treat indeed!

Tommorrow, we start our Summer classes at church. My husband and I are taking "Soul Care" this summer. I have heard so many good things about this class. We are excited for it to finally start.

Now back to the other reason I love Sundays....it is my habit to come home from church, have a quick bite to eat, and then...."Come on puppies, Mamma's goin' to bed!" It is NAP TIME! Yippee, I wait all week for it! My only guilt-free nap of the week! I usually have a long haired doxie under the covers by my side and a slug cat on my feet and two dogs on the floor. We joyfully snooze for a couple hours, then we are up and ready to get up and take on the rest of the day. It truly is our "Day of Rest". Ahhhh! I love it!

Unfortunately, along with church, and our class tomorrow, I also have to go work on getting ready for the yard sale for the Car Ministies Show and Shine! No nap for me! Oh pooh!

I really think I have something on my calendar for every day this month and most of next month, and I had so looked forward to summer. Who's gonna have time to know it is summer? Geeeez!

I will try to be better at posting...whether I am just blabbin' on like this or just sayin' I don't have time to blog...he he! I miss seeing you all!

Parade

2006-06-04T11:30:00.000-07:00

Well, yesterday was the parade for our community that I have been working on. I think I mentioned on here or my other blog that I was coordinating it for our church.

We had a great time! We had a little pick-up decorated for our Vacation Bible School that is coming in July. This year it is called "Fiesta" I rode in the back of the truck with a bunch of our little ones complete with sombreros. Our VBS dance team were leading everyone in the songs and sign language. We also had our 200 lb. chipmunk named "Chadder" handing out candy to the kids.

Our Hot Rod Ministry, "His Rides" were also represented with classic cars and motorcycles. They are having their second annual show at the end of this month. We have given out 500 flyers advertising these two events and ministries during the parade, and over 35 pounds of candy! Glad the dentist office was bringing up the rear of the parade...lol!

Our little town has a population of around 20,000 people and this parade is just a little community parade with the police cars, fire engines and the military all represented as well as local businesses and organizations. It really is a kick.

Our Pastor said the phone was ringing off the wall this morning with people calling to see what time our services were. What a blessing. And we were just having fun! I may have pictures for you later.

Homesick!

2006-06-02T14:14:00.000-07:00

Why I am homesick, I couldn't begin to tell you. Why this is affecting me now...don't know that either! Maybe it is hormonal!

My family moved to Santa Cruz when I was a year old. I left once for four years and then returned for another four or five years. A total of about 19 years spent in this little town on the coast of California

It was a great place to grow up. A small town nestled at the edge of the evergreens, complete with palm trees and the most beautiful begonias you have ever seen.

These are a few pictures of what most people associate with santa Cruz...

The "Big Dipper" was built in 1924. My Mom used to work at the "Coaster Lunch" which was a small little walk-in hamburger place that used to be right under the roller coaster. Now this is a large restaurant with a different name. This is a fond memoryto me as my Mom used to work evenings alot and would come and kiss me goodnight every night when she got home (still in her uniform). She smelled slightly of her perfume and french fries. I didn't know for years what the smell was, just that it was "Mom" and she was home.

On the days that Mom worked the morning shift Dad would drive her to work as we only had one car, and we got to see the guy walk the tracks to make sure they were safe.

The tourists come in droves for the beach and boardwalk, and the wharf, and then usually venture to downtown to wander in and out of the very unique little shops found there.

Here is what the beach and boardwalk looked like when we first moved down there. Sorry it is taken from a slide and somehow got flipped so what is on the left is actually on the right.

That is the "Coconut Grove". Don't you just love the old striped umbrellas? Yes folks, this picture was taken in the fifties!

Here's a better view! Remember they are backwards!

Back then there were several beaches for the local people and basically only the Boardwalk beach that the tourists used. The cement boat and beach is in a state park and my grandparents had a state pass so we got to go there alot and we would go fishing on the boat. This picture is so old that it was all still above water. It is partially closed off now and about half of it is under water. Who ever heard of building a boat out of cement?

I used to live by an old lagoon in the third house we lived in. That lagoon is now the Santa Cruz Harbor. The house was still there last time I went down for a visit. Still the same pink as it was then only, since the sixties it has been adorned with a huge white peace sign on the whole front of the house. Forever to be known as the hippie house!

Life was simple back then. We walked after dark, went for early morning walks on the beach and listened to the sea lions and the sea gulls as you walked your dog on West Cliff Drive.

When I was pregnant with my first child my husband and I lived in a studio apartment over looking the ocean. It was a spot where their was a lot of surfing. This proved to be a constant source of entertainment for me as I did not drive at the time and my husband worked swingshift. I would walk in the evenings or sit on our balcony and read or watch the goofy surfers changing in and out of their wetsuits. Did you know that they don't wear underwear under those things? I didn't before I lived there.

I used to love to sit on the cliff in around all the iceplant and just watch the ocean. I never could get over the immense power displayed right in front of me. It made me feel very small. I have to go back every so often to fill up my soul. I was not a Christian then and didn't realize that I was seeing the awesomeness of God in action, with every wave that broke on the shore. I just knew that there was something very special about it, and somehow I was a part of it, just by being there to witness it!

Would I like living there again? No probably not! It is way overcrowded now. And who could afford it? I am happy in my little home in Northern Idaho, with pine trees and mountains and lakes. But I do get homesick, and it probably won't be long before I head down again to refill my soul!

Casting Call Time Again!

2006-05-31T09:04:00.000-07:00

Yep, that's right! It is casting call time again over at Wendy's Whimsie's. You gotta join in! It is a great way to find some really cool blogs for your reading pleasure. You will also get a lot of visitors to your blog. And Wendy serves great cookies for the occaision!

OK, I am freakin' out!

2006-05-29T15:34:00.000-07:00

It was ok, when my oldest Grandaughter became a teenager. I felt kinda old but that is to be expected. She IS a teenager! It really doesn't feel like that long ago that I was a teenager! (Boy, we can convince ourselves of anything!) All in all, I handled it pretty well!

This girl is literally only 4 pounds from having to legally be in a car seat, she is so small! As she is maturing, some things make themselves quite apparent. Like where did she get those "perky" things anyway! Ok, I looked back at some old pics of her mother and me, yeah ok, I can deal with that, I guess!

I even did ok with her first job interview...and subsequent job. I am not living in a fairy tale world...I know she is growing up! But what I am having trouble handling is this...

Today she went on her first date, alone with a boy! Aghhhh! My daughter is trying to tell me that it is ONLY a movie! Hmphhhh! Has she lost her memory? Only a movie? Ok, it was in the afternoon and their parents dropped them off and picked them up, but, but, but...

Way to go Taylor!

2006-05-24T22:42:00.000-07:00

Taylor is our New American Idol!

American Idol update!

2006-05-24T10:36:00.000-07:00

Taylor will be the new

‘American Idol’

Odds of winning: 75 percent. Hicks has done better than McPhee throughout the competition, and he did better on Tuesday night as well. While nothing is certain, and there's always the dreaded telephone glitch to worry about, Hicks is in great position to be crowned the next 'American Idol' winner.

This quote is from MSN/NBC! Yippee! I hope they are right! But we did see Chris go home when he should be the clear cut winner tonight. But I still love Taylor! We will find out tonight!

Tonight's the Night!

2006-05-23T18:35:00.000-07:00

For all those still watching American Idol...this is the last night to see them perform! Who's it gonna be? Taylor or Kat? I'm rooting for Taylor, but truly it could go either way. America goofed up once with Chris so who knows? And I am gonna miss the show tomorrow, but please don't tell me, cuz I will watch it when I get home!

Seems like I am watching more tv this year than I usually do so I am relieved that they are finally getting over for the season. So maybe I will have time for other things...like blogging, and having a life, now that ER is done and Grey's Anatomy, and tommorrow AI will be done, and last night 24 was done. I do have some catching up to do on Lost though! I think I will wait for the series to come out on dvd and watch it all at once again.

Anyway, my vote is for Taylor! I will apoligise to Joe, (my ex) in advance! He has a very hard time with Taylor and can't figure out why women like him! lol! I personally, "heart" Taylor, and that's all there is to it!

Glad it is Monday!

2006-05-22T11:58:00.000-07:00

This weekend went by so fast...where did the time go?
just some of the things that we did this weekend...
watched my grandbabies
went to a wedding
went to the reception
watched my daughter's kitty have six adorable little kitties of her own
went to church
went shopping
went to a baptism
went to a wedding shower
worked in the yard
put up rain gutters
worked on the flyer for our local parade
umpteen trips to the store
a couple dozen phone calls
and then all the other normal things
I am getting to old for all this stuff
I have tons to do today, but I am rebelling just a bit!
looks like time is getting away from me...but I have already, eaten breakfast, updated my journal, read my Bible, walked on the treadmill, and worked on my project for the week, and did the dishes...ok, so maybe it is time for lunch and a nap! LOL! Yeah, like that is going to happen! Why do I feel bored with all this to do? Or maybe just restless, and a bit stressed? hmmmmm!

Sometimes you just need to sit back and wait!

2006-05-19T13:01:00.000-07:00

Last year, I had been working, after being off for a few years. Well, our four-legged kids were not too pleased about this. Not only did they not get to come in and out of the house at their liesure but they also had to go in the garage when I would go to work. We used to leave them outside, but they love to converse with the neighbor's four-legged kids as well, or anything that moves for that matter, so in the garage they go!

So that I would not have to round them up just before I left I would put them in first and then eat breakfast and pack my lunch. They thought this was so cool, that they would serenade me with a medley of their favorite howls! They harmonize quite well! Two golden retriever mixes and a long hair doxie!

I would tell hubby about it, and, understandably he was quite jealous that he never got to hear them. (not quite sure he believed me) So I have been off since a year ago January and have not been treated to their trio's performance.

Last night, we pulled into the driveway from my Grandson's play (very good, by the way) and hubby starts to turn off the air conditioner and the motor when he exclaims..."What the heck is that?" Up to now I had not heard it. I made him stay in the car and listen. He must have laughed for a full five minutes. We had two performances in one night! Oh the joys of being pet owners!

Anybody wanna make mudpies?

2006-05-18T09:56:00.000-07:00

Ok, I enjoyed the weather but some people in our area definately didn't! CLICK HERE for the story.
The warm temperatures melted the snow pack too rapidly and caused a huge mudslide to fly down the mountain and slam into and through the downstairs garage level of a condo/resort in our local ski area. Thank God there were no injuries or fatalities.

We had been wanting summer to hurry up. Guess you gotta be careful what you ask for!

And it's only Spring?

2006-05-17T17:04:00.000-07:00

Boy what a hot one...it is reported to be 100 degrees out there! And it's only May folks! Yikes, what will August be like? Hubby got the air conditioner put up in the bedroom window last night...thank you honey! It was so cool in there by the time I went to bed...I am a nite owl, that I had to turn it off...there were icicles on my pillow! It is just a small unit too! We have a tri-level and of course, the bedroom is upstairs, on the west exposure! Our basement level is pretty cool and the main floor is ok with the fans on. We are lucky to have trees to shade part of the back yard.

I am not sure where this day has gone. I was working on stuff for our local parade on June 3rd! Somehow I was elected to be in charge of it for our church, both for our Vacation Bible School, and our Hot Rod Ministry. I love the organizing of it all. Thanks to a little help from my daughter, the flyers are ready to print tomorrow. I had a meeting today with one of my helpers on the decorations for the parade. Woo hoo...it is all coming together!

One of my passions is doing the registration for our VBS program every year. I am also in charge of the publicity. It is really cool from my behind the scenes perspective to watch the kids hearts soften as they learn more about Jesus. But I am not a teacher. Teaching is not my gift, so this area of helping to organize and to keep all the paperwork straight works for me!

It looks like it is cooling off on my deck so I am off to water the flowers. You all have a great day! Enjoy this beautiful evening!

Oh I love the Sunshine!

2006-05-15T15:40:00.000-07:00

It is soooo pretty out today! I swept the back deck and planted some little flowers that we got from church for Mother's Day. Had to go do Mom's shopping and picked up some petunia's and marigolds for the planters on the deck. As soon as I cool off a bit I am gonna go plant them too! During the summer we use our deck as another room of our house, eating most of our meals out there too. We have a covered patio/gazebo thing over most of it, and spots to sit around that as well! I just love this time of year!
My daughter brought me over a gorgeous fushia yesterday for Mother's Day! It has the spot of honor in the front of the house. I will have her bring her camera over when it is all in bloom!
Hope you all have a great day!

Who is this lady and where is my Mom?

2006-05-15T00:14:00.000-07:00

I am sure from time to time you have come out of your favorite store and asked this question...Just where did I park? That quick little panic rising when you realize you have no idea where you parked and you really have to think to remember even which door you came in! It's really bad if someone is with you and you know you don't want to look stupid! Sometimes I will look for my car and can't seem to find it, and that's when it dawns on me that we are in the other car. I have done that lately as my husband just got a new truck, and when we are out together, we are usually in my car. Well, until he got the truck, that is! I like the truck! Not like his old one that smelled like an ashtray! (well, that's a whole other post)

Getting back to forgetting where you parked...You know how you feel for that split second when you can't find it, and you have looked everywhere that you thought you might have parked it...that fear that something bad has happened, maybe someone stole it, or no...
that couldn't be happenng. It's gotta be here somewhere...What if you felt that unsure all the time? What if you didn't know what had happened? What if you just couldn't find something important that you just had? What if you could no longer remember how simple things operate?
This is what is happening to my Mom. She no longer knows how to work a dishwasher, and recently she has trouble figuring out her microwave most of the time.
My sister was over at my Mom's house and was fixing them both some dinner and she asked Mom where her can opener was and she started looking in all the drawers. She had an electric can opener sitting on the counter top that we bought new when she moved into her new apartment in October. My sister saw the opener and says..."Oh there it is!" And Mom says "Oh is that what that is? Well where did I get that?"

She will call me and when I answer, she will say "Where have you been? I have been calling all morning!" The sad thing is, I have been working on paperwork and projects beside the phone the whole day and there were no calls. Or she will call me on the cell phone and I will ask her why she didn't call me on the home phone, she will get all flustered and tell me that I didn't answer it, or that she did! Sometimes she doesn't even remember that she called me and thinks that I called her.

I have taken her into a nuerologist to test for Alzheimer's or dementia...but he says if she has it, then it is very mild. Her last appointment was about three months ago. I think he should see a marked increase in symptoms or signs of progression of the desease when he sees her again. It's hard cuz it's not like you can really say much to the doctor with Mom there. And of course she wants to be in the middle of everything.

Mom is really afraid she has Alzheimer's because my Gramma, her Mom, had Alzheimer's and died of complications from a stroke. Gramma's was really advanced and she was 84. Mom is 78. She is scared! It is a terrifying disease in which you totally lose all dignity as well as your treasured memories that you have stored away to last you through your life. Mom gets adgitated and frustrated and downright hateful to people around her.

My sister and I have taken over alot of her responsibilities to make life simpler for Mom. She feels it all slipping away at times and either digs in her heels and fights us on stuff or gets so frustrated that she is in tears. It is heartbreaking to watch. My sister balances her checkbook and pays all her bills. I take her to all her doctor appointments and do her grocery shopping for her. We got her moved into a senior apartment complex. She started off very happy there, but now seems to be fighting with the ones she had made friends with at first.

My sister and I go through phases of different feelings. One time we are very understanding and the next time just plain shocked at what she says or does and then there is a new emotion to deal with the next time. I am thankful that we have each other to talk to or I don't know how we would handle it.

The last couple of times I have seen Mom or talked to her I have been so upset with her, and I realized that I was actually mad at her! I have been feeling really bad about this and praying for a new attitude and finally yesterday my Sis and I were talking about it, ( she has already gone through this stage), and she asked me if I was mad because my Mom was gone! Well, talk about smacking you right in the face. The more I have thought about it, the more I tend to think that that is what it is. My Mom is gone and there is this woman here now, that I can't count on, that I can't lean on, that doesn't remember hardly anything of what we shared. And now I have to take care of her! And I don't even know her! She is a pretty negative lady that complains about everyone and everything! And soon she will probably not know me either! How sad is that?

I love you Mom, whereever you are!

Now it is Three!

2006-05-10T21:42:00.000-07:00

I just got home...and checked my favorite blogs for American Idol results! I am in shock! Chris is gone! I thought he would walk away with it! And I really thought that Kat was the worst in the last couple weeks! Yike! No more hottie rocker! I am crushed! What was America thinking?

Happy Birthday Chris!

2006-05-07T22:02:00.000-07:00

My little adorable giggly redheaded bundle of joy is 30 years old!

It seems like yesterday when I woke up from the anesthesia in recovery to find that I had a son. I thought that I had dreamed it and drifted back to sleep. When I awoke again I was back in my room with one happy husband! That was when I knew it was true.

Allow me to give you some background… Joe and I had been high school sweethearts and married a couple months after I graduated high school. Melanie, our only daughter, was concieved on our honeymoon. We were young, oh sooooo young! I was 17 and Joe was 19 when we got married. So when our only daughter was born, just 9 months and 16 days later we were really not prepared to be a husband and a wife, let alone a Mom and Dad. We adapted to the roles of parents quite easily, and loved our little girl dearly. Unfortunately the husband/wife thing was much harder to do! Joe and I split up when our daughter was two. In fact, we got a divorce. We went through a lot during that time. We found that through all our changing and growing, there was one thing that was not changing, and that was our love for each other. We went back together just before Melanie turned three. Within a month, I was pregnant with Chris! We were so happy to have our family back together again. Being pregnant just made it that much better.

Christopher was such a happy little baby. Always smiling…and his big sis adored him! He was the kind of little guy that made old ladies wanna come up and pinch his cheeks! His dad used to say that he needed a giggle-ectomy!

He had lots of nick names. We started calling him Mr. Christer when he was about two or so. By then he had a baby brother! Another little redhead! Yep, I love ‘em! Jason could not say Christer, sooo it became Critter…and it stuck! He was Critter for years! Jason preferred calling him “Vruv” which was short for his adaptation of Brother. He was Vruv for many years and finally became “Bruv”. Well, atleast he got the “B” in there.

When Chris was trying out for little league, he got named “Red Dog” and of course Jason became “Red Pup” when he started playing.

Now he has another nick name. It is one his little niece gave him. He is affectionately known as “Uncle Boob!”

Chris stole my heart when he was just a little guy…when he said, “Mommy, you are soooooo soft!” How could you not love that? He has always been a kid after my heart!

He indeed is very special. I have a hard time believing that he is thirty years old. And I just have one thing to say…

Isn’t it time for you to get married and give me some giggly little grandbabies? Your sister is threatening to retire, and your brother is always on the road, so it really is up to you!

I love you Chris, and I can not imagine my life without you. You have grown into the kind of person that any parent could be proud of.

I look like a Blowfish!

2006-05-05T00:29:00.000-07:00

Ok, I think i have been hangin' out with my daughter too much. She is the queen of strange medical conditions! Wednesday, I had to have her come and take me to urgent care! It is usually the other way around. I don't know how to act when it is me!

Are you ready for this? I have Erysipelas! Yeah, whatever that means! Pictures below!

I got up Tuesday morning, took my shower and was getting ready to go into the church to work on some projects that had to be done by Thursday. My cheeks were red and warm. Looked kinda like a butterfly on my face.

This may be no big deal for most people, and normally it would be for me too, but a few years ago I tested positive for lupus. I am not symtamatic, and I don't want to be. Unfortunately, a butterfly rash on the face is a symptom for lupus, and one I was told to watch for.

As the day progressed so did my rash, and the swelling! This seemed to be more than something to do with lupus. This is a good thing , I think! When I got off around four, I called my friend whose dear hubby is a doc. She had me call him and after talking to him we were convinced that it was probably some kind of allergic reaction and that I needed to go into emergency or urgent care. Not my favorite thing...and it is $50 copay! It was just after four by then and I called my doc's office in the off chance that they could get me in at the last minute, which , of course, was not possible. My doc was not even there that day. So after talking with the nurse and repeating my story for the second time...I called my daughter to come take me to urgent care. The doc's office said I may need someone to drive me in case they wanted to give me a shot that would make me drowsy.

So the doc tells me that he thinks it is a skin infection called Erysipelas, and I need to be on antibiotics. Ok, but just to make sure that it is not an allergic reaction he gives me a scrip for Zyrtek too.

Next stop is the pharmacy and when I go to pay, I find out that my co-pay on the Zyrtek is $71.49! I DON'T THINK SO! Ain't that kinda high? So I get the antibiotics and grab some Benedryl $4.79.

These pictures are from one of the medical websites. Yucky, huh?

I woke up this morning, with my vision half blocked from the swelling under my eyes...my face is red and puffy and oh so itchy! My dear sweet daughter said she was sorry I was puffed up like a blowfish. I didn't know weather to laugh or cry. I still had to run into the church to leave my stuff for someone else to do. Bless them! And I returned home,
and slathered on the calamine lotion, took my meds and called it a day! Can I help it if it was only 9:00 in the morning?

Expectations (prognosis)

If appropriate antibiotic therapy is given early, the outcome is favorable. Skin changes may take up to a few weeks to normalize and peeling is common.

In some patients, streptococci may travel to the blood (bacteremia) and additional sites may be involved such as heart valves, joints, and bones.

Complications

If bacteremia is present, infection may spread to other areas such as joints, bones, and heart valves.
Septic shock
Recurrence of infection

Sounds like loads of fun huh? Hey, have a great day! I would say that I'll see ya when everything is rosey again but I think it is just about as rosey as I can take...lol!

Monday Monday...

2006-05-01T10:42:00.000-07:00

Zero energy and lots to do...I haven't done anything this morning but read blogs, and talk on the phone! lol! Eating chocolate as we speak so "this too shall pass".

I can't believe that tomorrow is already American Idol again...I still had not commented on last weeks! Ok I am slow this week! Too much going on!
Kellie girl is gone...she is cute as a button and I am sure she will be heard singing country songs for years to come. The show is getting more serious now with only five left!
Personally, I think Elliot is a great singer, but never have I expected him to win.
I love Chris...he definately rocks and I am glad he has been able to show another side to him, as it seems that if you are stuck in one genre, you are not going to make it!
Cat is "Easy on the Eyes" as my dear hubby points out...well, duh! Am I blind? Yes she is beautiful and she can sing. I thought at first she was just another pretty girl going through every week on those merits alone, but folks...she is maturing in her talent as the weeks go by...she could walk away with it!
Paris comes from talent and has had the advantage of being mentored from her gramma. She has been a good student. She is a star! And, I am sure nothing will keep her from this destiny, even if she does not win American Idol. She is only 16...her age may hold her back right now as people say, oh she will grow into her talent, blah blah blah! The girl has more natural talent, and cultered talent than most!
And then there is Taylor. I "heart" Taylor! Unfortunately, I don't expect him to win...but I just gotta love him! He has more character. He does his own thing and I respect that! He just warms my heart to watch and listen to him, when he can be himself. It is hard to fit him in a box like they have to for some of the singing requirements that is part of AI. But I think he will go far! Look forward to seeing alot more of him.
Who is going home this week? Well, that is anybody's guess! If they goof up, at this point, I think they are gone! If everyone has a good week, I think it will be Taylor or possibly Paris!
Good luck to all of you!

What's going on out there?

2006-04-26T10:10:00.000-07:00

I haven't had time to catch up on my favorite blogs...haven't even had time to link them all! How pathetic is that?

So why do our lives get so busy? I can't seem to find time to catch my breath, let alone get anything accomplished before twelve other things are added to my plate! I am busier now that I don't have a paying job than I ever was when I worked 10-12 hours a day!

I woke up this morning very early, with a feeling of panic washing over me as things started swirling around in my head...everything I needed to do! OK, I took on a new project last night too...I do not know how to say "No"

I got up and started writing things down on a piece of computer paper, just as they came spilling out of my brain. The paper was full in a matter of two minutes! Yikes! No wonder I couldn't sleep!

Since then I have been organising my desk so I can find everything that goes with all those projects. None of the things listed had anything to do with my everyday responsibilities. I still have all those to do too.

On top of all that, my fibromyalgia is really flaring up! Probably because I went to Women of Faith this last weekend and sat for two days, except when I climbed the three flights of stairs to the bathroom all the time. I am sure the standing in the bathroom lines didn't help much either. Sitting for long periods of time really causes alot of problems with fluid retention and flaring up my hips and knees. But the conference was soooooo worth it! It was awesome. Ladies if you have never gone to a Women of Faith Conference, I would highly reccomend it! See the link in my side bar for more information.

Well, I better get back to work on this list...please bear with me if I am not checking in very regularly for awhile...

Happy Birthday "Mr. B"

2006-04-23T20:34:00.000-07:00

You are one great kid! Gramma and Grampa love you very much!

I watched as you struggled in your first minutes of life, not daring to think about the very real possibility that we may not get to keep you here in this world with all of us that had waited so long for you. As you fought for life, it was like time stood still for us. There were so many people working on you. We tried not to alarm your mamma, but she must of read it on my face and she started to cry! I have never felt so helpless! I could not help you and I could not help your mom. All I could do was pray! Well, God heard our prayers that day.

And then when you were six, tradgedy struck again! When I answered my door, and there stood your next door neighbor telling me that Grampa had run over you in the truck...my heart stood still again! It is not the kind of thing you are ever prepared to hear. It is very hard for your mind to wrap around something this upsetting!

For all of you that do not know...here is a little more of the story...My husband was over at my daughter and son-in-law's house helping them to load up some of their belongings to put in storage, as they were going to move. They lived in a four plex that faced another fourplex. They were lined up from front to back...with the garages all in the front. There was a drive that went along the back of the houses, and that is where they were loading stuff into the truck...a 3/4 ton pick-up!

Braden was in the house and came out to throw something in the trash that was by the garages. He decided to look down the drive and see how they were doing. So he turned the corner of the garage into the back drive, not hearing the truck as it was going so slow. Our truck sat up very high, like a big four wheel drive. When B saw the truck was coming he turned to run out of the way, but, he fell. Because the truck sits so high, Grampa never saw him. he fell and was run over from just below the hips down.

I can't go into all of the details, it is still hard to talk about, so I will just tell you Braden ended up having surgery to repair the rectum, inside and out where it had torn, and now had a colostomy bag, which required a second surgery to re-attach everything a month later. God was very gracious and faithful. Braden has battle scars now to show off, but no residual effects from his ordeal except a new respect for motor vehicles.

Grampa had us almost as worried as Braden did. The man was torn up, as you can imagine. That was the night my husband learned what true Christianity was all about, when two couples from our church and our small group showed up at the hospital and supported all of us. They held our hands, pulled my husband up from the depths of dispair and loved on all of us. Our whole small group fed all nine of us for the next week or so, as we took turns staying in the hospital with the boy.

Our dear grandson was lying in emergency before his surgery and Grampa walked in the room, afraid of what he may find...

Braden says " Grampa, it wasn't your fault...I saw you coming and turned to run and get out of the way and fell! " Can you believe this kid? He was as worried about Grampa as Grampa was about him? That's the kind of kid he is!

That was four years ago...Grampa and Braden have a special bond! They don't talk too much about the day of the accident, but I wish I could say the same for my daughter! When "B" is being a bit of a pill...or just a "poop" as little boys can be, what does my daughter do? "Braden, do I have to call Grampa to come over in the truck? " If you have not read Plaid Toaster, please follow the link and check her site out. (exuse the language tho!)

Have a great day little man...and good luck with this special girl! Quit growin up so fast. I am not ready for you to grow up so soon.

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRADEN! Love you Buddy!

2006-04-20T16:59:00.000-07:00

See, even girly girls like trucks and tractors!

Easter Past

2006-04-16T19:17:00.000-07:00

This is my Big Sis and I! Weren't we just too cute?

He is Risen

2006-04-16T12:31:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter!

Random?

2006-04-15T16:45:00.000-07:00

Have you ever noticed just how many blogs there are with RANDOM in the title?

Here are some I have noticed lately...

Some Random Dude
Reverand Mommy's Random Thoughts
Random Thoughts by Marybeth
Random John Reloaded
The Random Think
Random Genealogy
Random Anomalies
Latest Random Java Script Tips
Amy's Random Thoughts
LOHAD- Random Ramblings on Marketing and More
Random Blog Things
Celebrate the Random
Random Synaptic Transmissions
Akma's Random Thoughts
Random ($foo)
Pete's Random Notes
Random Flotsam from the Shattered
Random Thoughts of a Shoeaholic
Random Journal with Picture of Jack Sparrow
Random Droppings
Random Things Related to a Monster
My American Idol Blog/Random Graphics
Random and Incoherant
Random.Really
Random Thoughts and Small Epiphanies
Chris' Random Ramblings
Blog: Let's Get Random
Pete's Random Thoughts
Random Thoughts About Things
Random and Odd
Random Nonsense
My Random Ramblings
Mel's Random Ramblings
Random Responses
Randall's Rather Random Ramblings
Random Thoughts of a Chaotic Being
Random Pitches
Random Craziness
Tammt's Random Thoughts
Random Bytes
Sam's Random Musings
Random Neural Firings
Random Thoughts From an Idle Mind
Random Fiber Ramblings
Random (but not really)
Random Bovine
Random Acts of Reality
Random Walk in E-learning
A Random Walk
Letting Me Be...Random Wondering
Duff's Random Musings
The Random Lives of Empress Maruja
Stefan Tilkov's Random Stuff
Justin's Random Thoughts
Technews and Random Ramblings
A Random Journey
Randomness From Concentrate
Book's and Random Thoughts
Random Ria
A Random Act of Blogging
Random Fate
Random Roger's Big Picture
Random Thoughts
Random Thoughts From a Confused Mind
Random Yak
Random Numbers
Math Random

Wow, That leaves a person breathless! If you have a Random Blog too, and I missed you, please feel free to leave your ( Random blog Name) and I will add you too!

Update: Here's the first of the new Random blogs;

A New Random
Random Asides

Good Friday

2006-04-14T23:49:00.000-07:00

The Lamb who died to save us is also the Shepherd who lives to lead us.

Jesus, You died for me, may I always live for You!

Rude Interuption

2006-04-12T17:24:00.000-07:00

Last Night, Hubby was getting ready to head upstairs to bed, put the dogs outside, and when he came downstairs to kiss me goodnight...well, I, um, had other ideas! Being empty nesters, we have the luxury of being very spontanious! We have a big over stuffed couch with big pillows on the back. If you remove the pillows, you have a nice playground, so to speak! Well...just after our eyes rolled back in our heads...we heard this horrendous thump, at rather close proximity to our faces! We both turned and there is our 30 pound cat carefully straddling the narrow 2 1/2" back of the couch. He had jumped from the upstairs diningroom! Then he politely jumped down...guess he was making sure we were ok! Mental note to self...put cat out with the dogs next time!

Questions that make you go...hmmmmm!

2006-04-09T23:36:00.000-07:00

Why, when you have surgery, do they ask you to count backwards from 100?
100...99...98...97...96....95....94....93....92....91....90....Zzzz
They know you won't make it much past 90!
Why don't they say...count to ten?
Or maybe recite the alphabet?

Goodbye Mandisa!

2006-04-06T16:47:00.000-07:00

Ok, I admit it...I am an American Idol fan! I hardly ever miss a performance show! We are not home on Wednesday nights, and we tape Lost, so I don't get to see the results show. I am up till after midnite waiting for it to come on the website!

I about fell off my chair last night (this morning) when I read who was in the bottom three, let alone that Mandisa went home! Man! You know I was trying to think who I would rather have seen go home and truthfully, I don't want to see any of them go!

I have never had this feeling in any other season. The quality of singers this year is so different from the past shows. Anyone of these could have been atleast in the top three or won in the previous years. I think we will see them all in the future. And I just read that Lisa, who was eliminated last week, will be on an upcoming episode of the O.C.

How Sinful are You? Click the link below!

2006-04-05T08:45:00.000-07:00

Take the Seven Deadly Sins Quiz

Greed:	Medium
Gluttony:	Very Low
Wrath:	Very Low
Sloth:	Medium
Envy:	Low
Lust:	Very Low
Pride:	Medium

An allowance for Shelby

2006-04-04T18:30:00.000-07:00

I truly live in a different home! We always say we have a zoo...which of course we do! We are both animal lovers and have 3 dogs, 1 cat, a lovebird, and now a baby cockatiel!

The funny thing is...our oldest dog, Shelby, who is 13, has decided it is her job to protect the birds! The cat was investigating the birds and put his big ole paws on their cage (which sits on a stand). Shelby started growling at him and got up and started towards him. She has never been aggressive to the cat...he just wasn't going to bother those birds! If I go upstairs she lays at the top of the stairs which has a perfect view of the cage. We just let the dogs in from outside and as soon as she came in the door, she went and checked on the birds, and then went and layed down! (still where she could see them!)

I think we might have to give her an allowance of doggie bones for birdie-sitting!

Candidate for the Darwin Award!

2006-03-28T13:08:00.000-08:00

I stole this from another blog, I bout peed when I read it!

HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT THE TWO DUCK HUNTERS FROM WISCONSIN? ABSOLUTELY A TRUE STORY HEARD ON A WISCONSIN RADIO STATION REPORTING ON THE INCIDENT.

A guy buys a new Lincoln Navigator for $42,500.00 (with monthly payments of $560.00).
He and a friend go duck hunting in mid-winter; and of course all of the lakes are frozen. These two guys go on a lake with their GUNS, a DOG, and of course the new NAVIGATOR.

They decide they want to make a natural looking water area for the ducks, something for the decoys to float on.

Now making a hole in the ice large enough to invite a passing duck is going to take a little more power than the average drill auger can produce. So, out of the back of the new Navigator comes a stick of dynamite with a short 40 second-fuse. Now our two Rocket Scientists, afraid they might slip on the ice while trying to run away after lighting the fuse (and becoming toast, along with the Navigator), decide on the following course of action: they light the 40 second fuse; then, with a mighty thrust, they throw the stick of dynamite as far away as possible.

Remember a couple of paragraphs back when I mentioned the NAVIGATOR, the GUNS, and the DOG...???

Let's talk about the dog: A highly trained Black Lab used for RETRIEVING. Especially
things thrown by the owner. You guessed it: the dog takes off across the ice at a high rate of speed and grabs the stick of dynamite, with the burning 40-second fuse, just as it hits the ice.

The two men swallow, blink, start waving their arms and, with veins in their necks swelling to resemble stalks of rhubarb, scream and holler at the dog to stop. The dog, now apparently cheered on by his master, keeps coming. One hunter panics, grabs the shotgun and shoots the dog.

The shotgun is loaded with #8 bird shot, hardly big enough to stop a Black Lab. The dog stops for a moment, slightly confused then continues on. Another shot, and this time the dog, still standing, becomes really confused and of course terrified, thinks these two geniuses have gone insane. The dog takes off to find cover, under the brand new Navigator.

The men continue to scream as they run. The red hot exhaust pipe on the truck touches the dogs rear end, he yelps, drops the dynamite under the truck and takes off after his master.

Then BOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!! The truck is blown to bits and sinks to the bottom of the lake, leaving the two idiots standing there with "I can't believe this just happened" looks on their faces.

The insurance company says that sinking a vehicle in a lake by illegal use of explosives is NOT COVERED by the policy. He still had yet to make the first of those $560.00 a month payments. The dog is okay.

Introducing..."Kiwi"

2006-03-27T18:57:00.000-08:00

It's funny, but last night I had a dream and woke up with "kiwi" in mind and when I was checking my mail while eating breakfast, there it was...(Thank-you Mrs Byrd from Texas) My grandbabies approved too, and so did hubby...so there ya go! Kiwi it is! Although when she is flying, "Freebird" is what comes to mind! And it has some sentemental value also! Maybe a middle name? Thanks all who contributed!

Name That Bird

2006-03-24T22:08:00.000-08:00

Ok, let's play "Name That Bird"! She looks like she has had her head stuck in a bag of cheetos as that is the exact color on the top of her head. Her face is white and her underbelly goes from green to aqua. Her wings are green and her back and tailfeathers are bright blue. She is a pretty baby, but quite onery too! (read my last post) We are having trouble coming up with a name, so what better place to get suggestions? Help us out you guys! If we get some good suggestions, I will post the names so we can all vote for our favorite!

Our Newest Addition!

2006-03-24T21:25:00.000-08:00

This is our sweet little lovebird. We got her/him (we don't know which) on Tuesday Evening! This sweet innocent little bird has led my husband and I on a merry chase! She is an escape artist! She has figured out how to open the door on her cage. She showers the dogs and cats with water from her water dish, which she tips over when they are close by!
Tonight was particularly amusing. Hubby and I were going to go out to dinner. Hubby got a payraise today! So as he was trying to get ready, I thought I would interact with the bird for a minute. She is still a big chicken around us. If you know anything about lovebirds, they are very loving birds, hence the name, lovebird! They cuddle and ride on your sholder, or on your head. But this baby is still too shy so I try to put my hand in the cage and pet her or pick her up and hold her in my hand for a minute or two....well, she really is an escape artist, and away she flew! We have not gotton her wings clipped yet, so when I say fly, I mean fly! On top of my kitchen cabinets, on top of the ceiling fan, on top of the curtain rod, into the tree, back to the cabinets, upstairs etc. Finally she heads up to my craft room. Yeah! This is where I was able to get her the other day!
We must have tried to catch her for close to an hour! We finally gave up put her open cage in the craft room so she could have some food or water, shut the door and went out to dinner. When we got back she was still in the mood to make fools out of us! It was really quite comical to watch! Two grown adults that can not catch one little bird! So finally my hubby holds the open cage up to where she is perched on the curtain rod...she looks at it and politely steps in and jumps on her perch! OHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Tommorrow she is getting her wings clipped! lol!

Where are my flip flops?

2006-03-24T13:43:00.000-08:00

It is supposed to be Spring! I want to wear my flip flops! Capri's look dumb with big ole clunky shoes!
The weather can not make up it's mind! Rain, clouds, hail, sun, rain...I am grumpy! I don't want to work on my craft room, I don't want to walk on my treadmill...I just wanna go take a nap!
I have been whining all week cuz I did not have time to work on my craft room and now I do, and am I doing it? NOPE!
Don't want to! Where is chocolate when you need it? Guess I will just go put my lonely little flip flops back in the closet and crawl into bed with the puppy...

Sweet Dreams!

2006-03-21T23:19:00.000-08:00

Did you ever have one of those dreams? NO, NOT ONE OF THOSE DREAMS!
You know, the kind where there is someone in your dream who is dear to you, that has passed away, and you know it in your dream, but you are sitting there talking and laughing with them again? You wake up happy, and kinda sad to know it was only a dream. Or sometimes you get to say the things in your dream that you didn't get to say when they were still here.
I don't know what got me thinking about these special times. It has been awhile since I have had one. I have had talks with my Dad, my Grampa, my first Mother-in-law, and a few others. Personally, I think these are special visits that we are allowed to have. Good Night and sweet dreams.

Wow, I'm Impressed!

2006-03-18T14:17:00.000-08:00

Blogmad is way cool! I signed up and added this blog when I started it last Saturday and I have gotton 1086 hits in a weeks time! Go Blogmad! It is currently in Beta and invitation only, so if you need an invite just give me a holler in the comments and I will make sure you get one!

The Rest of the Story

2006-03-17T10:50:00.000-08:00

We had our ups and downs over the next couple years as moms and daughters do. But it didn’t take long out on her own before I got the letter that I still have and still treasure! She apoligised for everything she had done as a teenager, and didn’t realize that I just loved her and was trying to protect her. (insert tears here) I still don’t remember much about the rest of the letter as I was always too blurry from the tears to read much of the rest!

My gramma was a wise woman and she used to say “You pay for your raisin’” Me, I used to tell my daughter that I couldn’t wait till she had a daughter. After all “You reap what you sow.” She just hated it when I said that!

Melanie had her first born--her daughter, when she was 19! She was the first of five! Four of which, are daughters…She must of done a lot more than I thought she did when she was a teenager--more to pay for! lol!

Isn’t it funny when you get together on holidays or family dinners and your grown kids start talking about things they did, and think you never knew about? Then it is very fun to enlighten them. “You knew about that? How Mom?” And then on the other side, there is the thrill they get when they tell me about the things that I didn’t know about! Yike, where was I? It’s sometimes a wonder we all survived!

I could not be more proud of my daughter! She is indeed, my best friend! She is married to a wonderful man, who any Mom would be proud to have as a son in law, or son, for that matter! He is one of my kids! She has a great family! Two teenage girls (lol), a nine year old boy, and then bringing up the rear with five year old twin girls!

It’s rare if Mel and I don’t talk to each other in some way every day! I am so glad God blessed me with a daughter. She is a special woman! My grandkids are very lucky to have her for their mother. If you want to hear more about her life and the hilarity that ensues with five kids, a husband, and a small zoo in one house, check out “plaid toaster” in my side bar.

Number Three

2006-03-16T09:22:00.000-08:00

Number three came many years later when I was a single mom of three, and I got up for work, went in to wake Mel up for school and found her bed empty and the bedroom window wide open! I can not begin to tell you the thoughts that go through your mind about then…I ran to the bathroom to see if she was there! Bathroom was empty! She was gone…she was 16 and missing! What happened, why had I not heard anything? Where was she? Was she ok?

As it turned out she had snuck out to a party and didn’t get back in time, before I was due to get up, and was scared to come home, so for 3 weeks I didn’t know where she was! I kept hearing from kids that had seen her, so I knew she was still alive at that particular moment. She even snuck INTO the house once when I was at work to heat up some chili rolls for lunch! I came home early cuz I could not get my mind on work and off the safety and welfare of my daughter. Her and her girlfriend booked, before I knew she was there. I walked in and the oven was on and I could smell the chili rolls.

The day before Thanksgiving a man called me and told me that her and her girlfriend were at his house with his daughter and that he thought I should know where she was on Thanksgiving! Thank God! Then I had to decide what to do! He said they were welcome there, but he didn’t want to get in trouble for having them there. I told him I would call him back! I really thought that she would just run again if I went and demanded that she come home, so after much thought and prayer, I called him back and told him that she could stay for the time being, but please keep me posted. That was the hardest Thanksgiving I ever spent! Knowing where she was and not being able to be with her!

I received another call from her friends father the day after Thanksgiving. he said he had heard talk of plans to take off again, and he thought I better come and get her! I told him I would be right there!

All the way over there, some 20 minutes away….I was thinking “What do I say, what do I do, do I force her to come home?” Again no instruction manual!

When I got there, and knocked on the door, no answer for awhile, then I hear murmering on the other side of the door! Finally the door opens a crack and there stands my 16 year old…half child/half woman, looking more like a little girl standing there in her jammies, wrapped up in a blanket, with the look of a scared animal! She says…”Hi Mom!” And we hugged. We stepped outside to talk…and then she went and got her stuff, and her girlfriend, who spent several weeks living at our house until her mom got out here to live (she had been staying with her Gramma). Needless to say, her girlfriend stayed in my daughter's bed, and Mel slept in my waterbed with me so I knew where she was!

Do you want to know how she turned out? Stay tuned for "The Rest of the Story"

My daughter--my first born!

2006-03-15T14:17:00.000-08:00

I knew she was going to be something special when it took me almost 3 days to bring her into this world! (And there have been a few times I would have liked to have taken her out again over the years- I’m thinkin’ those were somewhere around those wonderful teen-age years!)

You know when you have children, they don’t come with an instruction manual. And she was my first! Need I say more? Mel you have scared me on so many levels! Parents do weird things when they are scared!

It’s all peaches and cream when you have a beautiful little baby in your arms who’s whole world revolves around you. You are in control then! It’s later when their world starts to encompass other people and things that the scarey part begins!

My daughter was quite creative at an early age. When she was around six months old she created a work of art for me! She was down for a nap, and so far I had not heard a sound! Then I heard a little giggle and went in to get her up. I opened the door and said “How's Mommy's little girl doing?” and then I saw…she made me a finger painting! On the walls, on the crib, on the mattress, on herself! Unfortunately the only art medium she had to work with came from the inside of her diaper, which was now discarded on the floor. (well, hey it was empty now, right?)

Have you ever been scared, I mean really scared for the safety of your child? My little sweetheart has done this more times than I care to remember…But one that comes to mind is when she was two. I had taken her to the park to play. When it was time to go, she didn’t want to go, of course, but it had never been a problem before so coaxingly I said…”come on honey we can come back tomorrow, Mommy’s gotta get home now!” Well, at that time we were without benefit of a car, so we had to walk home. The park was actually on a very busy street right by the river. When I finally got my little “two year old” moving towards the direction of home, all of a sudden she threw back her head and pulled out of my hands, running towards the traffic! I pretty much had totackle her and sat down with my arms and legs wrapped around her! Her eyes were totally glassed over! Talk about a temper tantrum! It seemed like forever before she even knew who I was, let alone quit trying to get away! She was perfectly fine the rest of the way home! Didn’t think I would be that scared again!

I forgot I had a child though! I indeed was that scared again. In fact it was probably only about 6 months later! My husband and I were outside our new apartment with our little girl, then three! There was a field next to the apartments where all the kids liked to play. Of course that was not a problem, but you see our apartments bordered the freeway! There was a 6 foot cyclone fence between us and the freeway. But down at the end of the field someone had torn down part of the fence, which we didn’t know about until that day. It was almost a block from us! We looked up and Melanie was getting a little too far away for our liking, so we told her to come play over here. She thought it would be great fun to go the other way. After she wouldn’t listen to me, her Daddy tried his luck! Stubborn little thing took off running! She had a pretty good head start by this time so he really had to run to catch her, and you guessed it just before the end of the field and the open fence. I was frozen in place and it was like watching in slow motion!

That was gray hair number one and two, and things went along pretty well for quite awhile without any more from her...but trust me she made up for it with the third gray hair! Stay tuned for that one tomorrow!

Ahhhh...Sweet Sunday

2006-03-12T21:39:00.000-08:00

Our day starts out with hauling all the animals off our bed and out of the bedroom, downstairs and outside. Oh it's ok, I know it's cold out and you just left the warmth of all those cuddly blankets! Then we, (and the rest of the neighborhood) have to endure their morning chorus of hello's to the world! Yes they do get pretty vocal when they see their yard for the first time every day. After they have checked out every square inch of their domain, they are ready to re-assemble at the slider door.

Shelby, our oldest at 13, (half golden retriever/half collie) scratches at the sliding glass door. If this doesn't get the appropriate response then our little midget, Casey (longhair doxie) decides to talk/howl/bark to us! At this we are usually racing to the door before they wake up the whole neighborhood! If you ignore Casey she just gets louder! And then bringing up the rear is Lara, who is actually my daughter's dog! She is the sweetest dog! She is black lab and golden retriever mix, Her fur is long and looks like a golden's but she is jet black! But let me tell you this poor beautiful dog is about as dumb as they come! She has no brain matter! And whatever she did have once is now gone as she is epileptic. She has had awful seizures for the last 3 years or so. She usually had one about every two weeks like clockwork. She has not had one now for several months. We are praying she has grown out of them.

My hubby usually lets our motley crew into the house for their morning ritual...they all gather around him in the kitchen until he gets the bones. Then they move backward, stepping all over each other until they reach the dining room carpet and just as in sychronized swimming they all sit up...and wait! Once they have their special treat they dissapear to their own designated spots to gobble down the little bone in a great big hurry in hopes that "Daddy" is feeling generous enough to let them have another one!

Meanwhile, I have been upstairs feeding Harry the wonder cat! It's a wonder if you can pick him up! He is somewhere between 20 & 30 pounds! More like a small mountain lion, than a cat! The funny thing, he is not fat, at all! He is a very muscular, ball of fluff, with an attitude!

We have a small stool in the kitchen, that I have to use to reach things from the cupboards cuz I am kinda vertically challenged, well Harry thinks this is His Throne! When the dust has cleared from the dogs, Harry can be seen upon his throne patiently waiting for his treat, which of course he will sit up for also!

Then and only then can we go about getting our showers and getting dressed and ready for church! By the time we are both ready, Fuzz Butt is sprawled out on the bed waiting for us to leave so he can take his morning bath and nap! With the dogs safely escorted to the garage dog beds, we are able to collect our things and actually leave.

The next couple of hours is spent worshipping and fellowshipping with our friends and family. Our church really is a family, every bit as much as the one we left at home! We do have human kids and even grandkids too! (But that is another blog entry.) We are very blessed!

When we leave to go back home again, if hubby hasn't filled up on too many cookies, we sometimes go out to breakfast as we did this morning. Of course when we get home...the whole routine starts over again! The dogs come in from the garage and head outside to check out their kingdom again. The cat stretches and yawns and comes downstairs to see if he can pilfer another treat!

Hubby heads to change his clothes and to warm up the tv for his beloved Nascar race. I am already back "in my jammies" and usually on the computer checkin my mail! As I hear hubby snoring softly during pre race announcements, I make sure he is awake in time for the green flag, that's when I let the dogs in...Casey is in his lap approximately 3.2 seconds after the sliding glass door is cracked open! Shelby heads to the water dish and then downstairs to lay at daddy's feet. Lara will lay up against the stairs heading upstairs.

Then it is my favorite time of day! Just when the sun has had a chance to stream in on our bedroom, and the blankets are all tousled (no I don't make my bed in the morning, I know I am bad) I say to the pups..."mamma's goin' to bed!" The race is on to see who can beat me upstairs! Casey is usually laying in my spot with her head on my pillow and Shelby is standing close by waiting for me to get in bed so she can jump up and make herself comfy! Lara does not sleep on the bed, but will take up residence on the floor at the end of the bed where she can stretch out. And, in case you forgot, there is Harry! He'll jump up on his desk (not mine) and grab a quick bite of food, and then he'll very carefully jump over to the bed and walk very lightly between Shelby and my legs, and head up and across where Casey is snuggled under the blankets by my side, and find his spot right in front of my face! And "Sunday Afternoon Naptime" has officially begun!

And how was your Sunday?

I'm a Jammie-holic!

2006-03-10T22:48:00.000-08:00

You may wonder where I got the name for this blog, very simply, I feel the most comfortable when I am cuddled up "in my jammies". Most of my "at home time" is spent barefoot and in my jammie pants, and beings I will be posting from home, this just made sense to me. Not that I want you to get all visual on me or anything, but just know that when you read a post here I will be as comfortable as I can be while I am sharing my somewhat crazy life.