Wandering through life

NEW PICS!

Sat, 16 Aug 2008 05:38:59 GMT

NEW PICTURES! More in the pictures..

John's wife Rosanna with her new grandkids!

Maddie, loving Pooh, in a Pooh dress we have a pic of her mom in when she was this age!

Don't you love the eyes?? And the angel kisses?

Rose trying to climb the window!! Never a dull moment there. I still think she looks like she's about to break out in "Tiny Bubbles"!!!

Nothing..

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 03:32:32 GMT

The "Drama Queen" asked the other day what was up with my being so quiet lately! And I realized she was right.. I've never had a problem thinking up LOTS to blog about, but right now I feel like I don't have anything to say! But.. I'll ramble a little anyway! LOL Don't say what you're thinking... I get this way occasionally.

Ohhhhh, our moonflowers are out! Is anyone else's?? We were outside last evening smelling them, and just enjoying the VERY unusual weather we've been having lately. We've had soooo much rain this summer, and it's been only 70-80 for about a week.. I don't remember EVER having it like this in August in Oklahoma! It's wonderful! I think we've been getting all of the Northwest's rain! They've been dry and warmer than normal lately. I think it just likes to keep the weathermen guessing sometimes.

Well, it's almost school time. Lilly is ready to go! Second grade.. they grow up way too fast! Vi will go next year, I think.. It's amazing. Don't forget to give your kids the benefit of a "parental blessing"! I blogged about this once before.. There's a power in what you speak over your children. So, be sure you and your spouse are speaking positive things over your children. The more you say things to/about them, the more true they become. The patriarchs knew the power of a blessing.. and it was something the family vied for.. like Jacob stealing Esau's blessing.. Esau was ready to kill to get it back! So remember that, and speak over your children accordingly. It works whether you're religious or not, christian or not, and even if you don't believe in it! How many times have you told your child "you're just like your _____".. and they're getting even more like them, aren't they? Speak over your children that they will do well in school this year.. that they are getting wiser as they get older, that they will have fewer problems this school year. You'll see it working! Just remember to be somewhat realistic, and take the child's wishes into consideration!! You have to believe what you say... You'll be amazed at what happens!

I'm getting some new pics of Miss Maddie! They'll be up soon.. and I got a new picture of Rose the other night on my phone while we were all playing games.. She's pulling herself up to stand! Kate's easy days are over for a while! She'll be running soon.. let's see, she's 9 months, now.. yep.. about time. She's so cute, looks like a cabbage patch, still!

Go to Jane's place for an email I forwarded that was so funny I spit water all over my screen.. She even Google'd it to verify it! And the comments are even funnier!!LOL

See you around the schoolyard!! AND SUNDAY'S MY BIRTHDAY!!!!

OH MY!

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 07:11:27 GMT

Well, God's in His heaven, all's right with the world! LOL Well, the 12 year old invasion has gone.. leaving tired people in their wake! We are very sorry to see them go.. we had fun! But, we were so busy, we didn't even get everything done we wanted to! We swam, , we picnic'd and had a fish fry, , we watched the stars and set off fireworks, and the coolest Japanese lanterns , , which you write your wish or prayer on, start a fire inside them, then as they heat up, you let them go.. they rise up (WAY UP) til they burn up completely, and disappear! It was wonderful.. there will be some pics in the picture albums, but they don't really show it well... Anyway, we fished, and they learned to do a "trotline" , we sweated through the afternoons and the evening fireworks displays , we only got one set of tie dye done, and we took Grandma's pennies, playing games in the evenings!! We love to play games.. Pictionary, zilch, yachtzee, hand and foot, aggravation, scattergories, cranium, you name it, we've probably played it.. All the children grow up learning you have to play games at Grandma's to earn your keep! LOL They were thrilled, because they were finally old enough to set off the fireworks for our evening shows! They can't do much in Denver, so we buy some on the Fourth to save for them to come down and do. They left far too soon, but they start Middle school this year, so they had to get back to get back into good habits before the big day. We miss them already..

I'm feeling better, but I'm still at the bottom of a well in my left ear.(sounds painful, doesn't it?) I hope by the time I finish the medicine, it'll be better, too! At least it doesn't hurt as bad as it did.

AND!!! ONLY 9 DAYS TIL MY BIRTHDAY!!! I love birthdays.. It's the 17th.. So, I think I've about covered everything. Hope you all have had a wonderful week.. and will have a great weekend!

Fever Pitch Again!!

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 06:50:22 GMT

Well, we're at fever pitch again!! Probably the last gasp of the summer. The TWINS CAME TODAY!!! I've been soooo busy getting ready... and I went to the doctor to get some things for this stupid sinus infection and ear infection I can't get rid of!! I'm tired of my ear hurting and feeling like I'm down in a barrel!! Anyway, my "adopted" sis Tam got here this evening with our 12 1/2 year old twins! You've seen them as the ones with the "snow-O'lanterns", and the PEEP stories. The really imaginative ones.. I'm sure I'll have pictures next week. We're going to tie-dye some T-shirts, and do some picture transfers of their trip on some other T-shirts, for this year's crafts.. And Grandma has requested some more Window Art from them.. I have the paints.. Then we have some fishing to do.. Another uncle is the fishing king... and of course, swimming and boating, and skiing in the lake! They've already been in tonight!!! LOL So, we're going to be busy! And Miss Maddie will be here tomorrow to meet her cousins!!! She has been a busy girl. She's been having a "tic" that is worse when she is tired, etc. I thought it was just a tic.. and would go away.. But, it was getting worse, so they had her checked out, of course. All the tests so far look great! So, I was right! Thank God! So, we are blessed with more family this week.. and having a ball. We do love this visit in particular.. Tam's parents passed on years ago, so we took her under our wing.. My dad gave her away at her wedding, and when the twins were born on Dad's 70th birthday, Mom and Dad went up to Denver to help Tam out for a few weeks after she came home. So, she loves us and we her.. and we thoroughly enjoy her and the kids. Her husband couldn't make it this time.. He's the one that got Mom the Wheel of Fortune stuff!! So, by next week Mom will be exhausted, but happy, with lots more great memories of grandkids.

stuff and nonsense!

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 23:09:24 GMT

Well, Hello Again! I have some silly stuff at the bottom to amuse yourselves with. Just hangin' out today, recovering from yesterday! Mom and I went to town, determined to get some things accomplished... and we did! LOL

, , , , .

Don't you just hate it when you forget what you were going to say? This morning I had a whole wonderful blog written in my head.. then a couple of phone calls, mopped the kitchen floor, had lunch.. and *poof* get here and nothing in the old brain but cobwebs!!

Well, I know I was going to tell you about a couple of great blogs to go see.. Jaleen's blog.. she's a lovely young Christian South African woman living in Saudi Arabia with her husband and their two adorable young sons! LOTS of challenges in that statement! She's beautiful, and those kids are gorgeous! She has some powerful posts. Then there's Shirley. She's a homemaker from Ohio! She has some very funny stuff, and a couple of days back, one of the funniest things I've seen lately! "The Middle Wife".. Too cute! Especially with all of us thinking about birth with Aimee having Chuck a couple of days ago!!!! Jaxton Gauge Archer born 7/22/08 @ 7:27pm was 7lbs 4.5oz and 19 3/4" long...YEA!! Congratulations, Aimee and Kenny! Can't wait to see the pictures. .

Well, I hope you all are behaving... but get back here and blog! You need to entertain me better! It's hot here, and getting hotter!! It's only about 93 with a heat index of 110!!! Well, to sign off, here's a couple of games to divert yourselves with.

OH!! Here's a little video to amuse you, too! Somebody I think is kinda cute.

JEAN
J	Jolly
E	Enjoyable
A	Alluring
N	Naughty
Get Your Own Name Acronym

Get your own name Acronym

You entered: Jean Ann ***********

There are 18 letters in your name.
Those 18 letters total to 78
There are 6 vowels and 12 consonants in your name.

What your first name means:

Scottish	Female	Scottish version of the Old French Jehane, a feminine form of John: God is gracious.
Hebrew	Male	Gift from God.
French	Male	Variant of John. Jean is sometimes hyphenated with a second name and the French pronunciation may be used as in Jean-Luc and Jean-Paul.
French	Female	Variant of John. God is gracious.
English	Female	Feminine form of John: God is gracious.

Your number is: 6

The characteristics of #6 are: Responsibility, protection, nurturing, community, balance, sympathy.

The expression or destiny for #6:
The number 6 Expression provides you a truly outstanding sense of responsibility, love, and balance. The 6 is helpful and ever conscientious, making you quite capable of rectifying and balancing any sort of inharmonious situation. You are a person very much inclined to give help and comfort to those in need. You have a natural penchant for working with the old, the young, the sick, or the underprivileged. Although you may have considerable creative and artistic talents, the chances are that you will devote yourself to an occupation that shows concern for the betterment of the community. Think nursing qualifies?

The positive side of the number 6 suggests that you are very loving, friendly, and appreciative of others. You have a depth of understanding that produces much sympathetic, kindness, and generosity. The qualities of the 6 make the finest and most concerned parent and one often deeply involved in domestic activities. Openness and honesty is apparent in your approach to all relationships.

If there is an excess of the number 6 in your makeup, you may exhibit some of the negative traits associated with this number. Never There may be a tendency for you to be too exacting and demanding of yourself. In this regard, you may at times sacrifice yourself (or your loved ones) for the welfare of others. In some cases, the over zealous 6 has difficulty distinguishing helping from interfering. You may have difficulty expressing your own individuality, because of involvement with responsibilities and causes. Like all with the Expression of the number 6, it's quite likely that you worry much too much. Moi?? Naaaahh

Your Soul Urge number is: 8

A Soul Urge number of 8 means:
With an 8 soul urge, you have a natural flair for big business and the challenges imposed by the commercial world. Power, status and success are very important to you. Not much! You have strong urges to supervise, organize and lead. Material desires are also very pronounced. Ha! Not this girl! You have good executive abilities, and with these, confidence, energy and ambition.

Your mind is analytical and judgment sound; you're a good judge of material values and also human character. Self-controlled, you rarely let emotions cloud judgment. Ha! You are somewhat of an organizer at heart, and you like to keep those beneath you organized and on a proper track. This is a personality that wants to lead, not follow. You want to be known for your planning ability and solid judgment.

The negative aspects of the 8 soul urge are the often dominating and exacting attitude. You may have a tendency to be very rigid, sometimes stubborn. Who, me?? Naaahhh

Your Inner Dream number is: 7

An Inner Dream number of 7 means:
You dream of having the opportunity to read, study, and shut yourself off from worldly distractions. You can see yourself as a teacher, mystic, or ecclesiastic, spending your life in the pursuit of knowledge and learning.

Find out what your name means!

GOOD MORNING, VIETNAM!!!

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 21:39:32 GMT

Have you ever seen that movie? Some mornings I just want to spread my arms and yell "GOOD MORNING SPACES!!!" in a Robin Williams voice! LOL Don't know why... I just get it caught in my head sometimes! How is everyone? Not much blogging been going on around here lately. Everyone's off doing things, I guess. I've been fighting some illness.. Sinus infection, allergies, heart issues, just irritating stuff. Makes sleep fitful, then you feel like you're dragging the rest of the day! I've gotten myself turned around, so I'm up most of the night, and napping during the day! I've always been kind of a nightowl, so it's not all that unusual for me.. But this is getting ridiculous!LOL

But, we're getting to the time of year I LOVE! Fresh veggie time!! My bff's dad is keeping us in fresh squash, tomatoes, radishes, onions, cucumbers (yuck), etc.. what he can keep from the deer! They get used to everything he tries. I'm going to call the Tulsa Zoo and see if we can get lion umm... litter to put around the garden. I've heard that will keep them out. Last year, a radio did the trick, but this year, they're on to that. And fluttering pie plates and aluminum foil only lasted a few weeks... Anybody got any suggestions??

I love this time of year. I LOVE fresh veggies.. I have a huge pot of green beans and new potatoes going now. I wish we had a good farmer's market around here, but we don't... I don't even know of one in Tulsa! You'd think in rural areas, there'd be lots, but you'd be wrong. We used to have a lot, but people just don't do it as much anymore. I need to get a freezer to put in my storage building so I can freeze some summertime to use in winter time! And I need to get busy canning, although most produce can be frozen very well. We may make apple butter again this year. My bff and I did that a few years ago, and had a blast! And the best apple butter ever! We're considering it, now. She doesn't have as much time off as she used to, so she wants to think about it! I may do a small run on my own...

Well, I think I've run out of blabbering for today! Hope everyone gets more talkative this week!!

So much stuff..

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 07:09:05 GMT

I just realized, the other day, that I missed my 2 year Blogaversary a couple of weeks ago!!! I can't believe I forgot it, but it was right around the time I got fried by lightening! So.. happy Blogaversary to me!! I'm so glad I've "met" you all. Some have turned out to be really good friends. And I even got to meet one!! Stephanie's posts on her trip down Route 66 with her daughters are wonderful! I've learned lots about the "mother road"! And she and her girls were so sweet and fun to meet.

So.. I got tagged by Willow! Go visit her and bother her... she always has FABULOUS music going! I know you all are dying to know even more about me! Like I don't tell everything I know, anyway!!

Each person posts the rules before their list,
then lists 8 things about themselves.
At the end of the post, that person tags
and links to 8 other people and then
visits those peoples' spaces and comments
letting them know that they have been tagged, and to come and read the post,
so they know what they have to do.

1. I love God with everything in me..

2. I am VERY easily amused.. usually a little "slap-happy". Nope, I'm not on any drugs to do it!!LOL

3. I love looking at people's old family pictures, even if I don't know anyone.

4. I love watching toddlers interacting with the world. They are so intent on each thing.

5. My family is very important to me. We have spats and act like idiots, sometimes, but we all enjoy one another, and enjoy spending time together and playing games.

6. I love DisneyWorld. It's one of the most fun places on earth!!

7. I lived in Florida for 8 years. Moved back 8 years ago.

8. I love horses, riding and watching.

I've decided not to tag anyone. Everyone just do it on your space! If you don't, I'll tag you, so do it!!!

I'M BAAACCK!!

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 21:37:18 GMT

I finally got my baby back from the computer hospital!! It was very stressful having her in the hospital so long. Evidently lots of people got fried the same night I did, and the repair guy has been swamped. I have been soooo busy, and I have LOTS to talk about today! So, go get a snack and sit back and let's talk!

Well, I got to meet one of my fellow bloggers! Stephanie!! She and her three girls are following the mother road this summer.. Route 66!! A fairly long stretch of it runs within 1/2 hour of me. I've driven it and lived near it my whole life! So, we arranged to meet on one section of my road, at Clanton's restaurant in Vinita. They were a little late, which was not a problem.. too many great things to see in the area! I told her I wished they had an extra day to see all the things in our neck of the woods! Anyway, we had a delightful lunch, and she and her girls are wonderful. And, I must say, her girls are a welcome change from a lot of kids today. They were well-behaved and patient, and didn't constantly interrupt, wanting her attention. Such a refreshing difference from a lot of kids today. They are, however, beautiful, so I'm sure she and her husband will need a BIG shotgun to keep the boys away! I'm so glad we made time to meet!

I got to stay a couple of days in the nearest Small town. My bff was on vacation, and she and her dad needed to go to Texas to see a relative that was ill.. So, I went in and dog-sat a couple of days, and washed blankets in her large washer and dryer! Tuckered myself out!LOL

OK.. you all have to see the latest trick of Miss Maddie.. Jenn has posted a video of Maddie on her myspace, which is public. So, if you want to see what amuses us, go watch her amazing talents!!LOL That talent, and her razzberries kept us in stitches all weekend!

You should have been here for our Fourth of July celebration!! We had Miss Maddie and her parents, my bro's ex (the girl's mom), Mary, and Jenn's bff, her husband and their 15 month old son, Aiden.. the cutest little boy ever! We swam, had fun, played with the kids, and in the afternoon, we always sit on the deck and have "happy hour". It may start by 4 if the kids are really hungry.. Mom puts out a few dips and anything she has come up with for finger food, just to keep everyone going til we had grilled chicken for dinner. Everyone gets a beer, or drink, or soda or whatever, and we just sit around and visit, catch up on what's happening, and just enjoy each other. We've done this since I was a kid, and it's one of the things all the girls love about Grandma's. All the grandkids talk about "happy hour" whenever they talk about fun at the lake. (Grandpa always makes the little ones a special "drink", too.. it's sprite with a couple of cherries in it.) It's a time when the children really are part of the conversation (and the entertainment!), and they love it. Anyway, we were all sitting there visiting, when my brother called, from California. He talked to Mary (his youngest) for a few minutes, then told her to get Grandma on. Kind of ticked her off,as she was in the process of trying to schmooz him into buying her a car! But she gave the phone to Grandma. They're talking, when I felt someone walk up behind me. I turned to look, and it was my bro! He walked around in front of Mom, still talking. She looked up, looked at the phone, screamed and threw the phone, and jumped up to hug him! He and his wife had decided to surprise everyone and fly in for the weekend!It took all of us a minute to respond! And it was hard on those that could see him walking down the porch to keep their faces straight so Grandma wouldn't know til he got to her! What can I say.. we may be lame, but we enjoy ourselves! And we had three big fireworks shows on the lake, two of which we could see from our deck! How's that for service?

And the fun never ends.. Monday, after bidding John and Rosanna good-bye, Mom and I had a board meeting at 3, then we had to decorate the firehouse for the meeting that night, which was a Crisis Line speaker, and open to the public. Every month, two or three different members provide the refreshments for the meeting, and a little decorating. Nothing too elaborate, (unless you're my mother) just mainly on the serving table. Since it is July, we decorated for the Fourth, (of course)

and every July (for years) Mom and whoever, (her bff, and now me) have provided root beer floats for the refreshments. Now everyone looks forward to them, and won't let us stop! So, we ended up making about 35 root beer floats!!! Then we had to clean it all up! Luckily, our members are always very helpful, and it never takes long to clean up. But, after the weekend we had, we were tired!

Well, I guess I've caught you all up on the latest boring details of my life!! At least I enjoy myself! I'll get around and catch up.. don't hate me if I comment on old posts. The laptop I was using was great to be able to read, but it uses Win 98. Now I remember why XP seemed so great in comparison! For some reason, it didn't want to comment in Spaces! It had less problem with blogspot, etc., but in spaces, it took forever, stalled, hiccuped, anything.. I lost patience many times, and decided I didn't need to comment that badly.. sorry. But, I'm up and going now!!

Mother Nature's at it again!!!

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 20:52:42 GMT

Darn electrical storms!! Well, I got fried last night! A HUGE lightening bolt hit right outside, and fried my computer, phone lines, ALL.. No one around has phones and two others lost their computers, too! I'm at my dad's writing now.. If and when I get phone, I can get on my laptop, but til then I'll be limited! So, I'll see you as I can pry Dad off his computer!!LOL Oh, well, mother nature at her finest! Be good til I get back!!!

Nadine taught me!

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 07:06:51 GMT

This is way cool! Use the flickr search and make your own mosaic! And you get the coolest stuff! I was sure with my name, I'd get blue jeans for my first pic.. but it was second on their list.. this building was first! Some of them are really strange! The one of the ocean shooting up was what I got when I typed in "God"! Which is just awesome to me! (you'd have to hear a really long reason to understand-not worth it!!lol) It's really easy, and self explanatory. I just opened up three tabs in IE.. one with the questions, one with flickr, and one with the mosaic site. Then just flipped between them.. made it in a few minutes! Go make one, then come back and leave a comment so I can come see it!

Here is what to do if you would like to create your own mosaic:

Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
Using only the first page, pick an image. (click on it)
Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd’s mosaic maker.

1. What is your first name?

2. What is your favorite food?

3. What high school did you go to?

4. What is your favorite color?

5. Who is your celebrity crush?

6. Favorite drink?

7. Dream vacation?

8. Favorite dessert?

9. What you want to be when you grow up?

10. What do you love most in life?

11. One Word to describe you.

12. Your flickr name. (I had to use my initial, cause nothing came up with my name!)

What I Try to Be

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 03:25:01 GMT

A strong woman works out every day to keep her body in shape...

but a woman of strength kneels in prayer to keep her soul in shape

A strong woman isn't afraid of anything...

but a woman of strength shows courage in the midst of fear.

A strong woman won't let anyone get the best of her..

but a woman of strength gives the best of her to everyone.

A strong woman makes mistakes and avoids the same in the future...

but a woman of strength realizes life's mistakes can also be God's blessing and capitalizes on them.

A strong woman walks sure footedly...

but a woman of strength knows God will catch her when she falls.

A strong woman wears the look of confidence on her face...

but a woman of strength wears grace.

A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey...

but a woman of strength has faith that it is in the journey that she will become strong

We've seen this one before.. but I like it.

Friday!!

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 05:14:50 GMT

Well, it's Friday!! And Friday, the 13th to boot!! Now, this means very little to me, but to those of you that work Monday to Friday, it's great!! And I remember loving Friday! Although, as a nurse, I rarely had every weekend completely off in my career.. as a matter of fact, I can't remember.. yep.. there was one job.. as an HIV case manager that I had no duties on weekends and holidays.. But.. most of my career, I worked at least every third weekend. And, I really recommend it! Other than the fact that NO ONE else is ever on the same schedule..lol.. it really is nice to have days off during the week every week.. You can plan appointments, chores that must be done during the week, volunteer to do something with the children's class at school. I went in and assisted Morgan's teacher sometimes.. or just went and had lunch with her! She loved it! (when she was little.. ) And Friday the 13th has always been my blessed day!! I refuse to accept superstition. So, I expect to be blessed on days that the superstitious say I should be scared! I love full moons, etc. Anyway.. it's been a good day!

And this weekend is just MONSTROUSLY busy for me!! Jenn's father-in-law will be here to visit from Canada, so little Miss Maddie will be up to visit!! It's also time for our...

10th ANNUAL ~~LUAU~~!!!! er.. BARBEQUE!!! The Auxiliary has had an annual luau for 9 years (obviously). But, since it is Flag Day, we decided that was getting old, anyway, so we changed it! We're that way, you know. One of our "weekender" Island residents is the founder/owner of a wonderful barbeque sauce company, here in Oklahoma. Every year he donates the meat for this event, and he and his son bring their HUGE charcoal grill/smoker, and cook all this meat for our function! We have boneless beef ribs (YUM), chicken breasts or pork loin, and a special sausage he makes, that comes in rolls, kind of like a pork loin does.. it is to kill for, after it's been smoked!! Yes, Jane, we even smoke sausages here!! We make baked beans, potato salad, iced tea, lemonade, coffee, and DESSERTS!! We usually serve around 200 people! So, I'm sure I'll be totally wiped out by Saturday night! Then Sunday morning, early (sob), we'll meet for breakfast for Father's Day for Maddie's Grandpa on her Dad's side, her Daddy, and her Great Grandpa on her Momma's side!! We all just love Jenn's father-in-law, so we'll do stuff with them all weekend.

So everyone celebrate Father's Day! My friend, Dory, is posting people's Father's Day posts this week and weekend, and has one of mine to post.. I'm not sure when. She did this in May for Mother's Day, too! So, go read people's stories for Father's Day! And all of you fathers.. Happy Father's Day!!!

The Chocolate Oracle

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:04:51 GMT

What Your Taste in Chocolate Says About You

You are unique, creative, and fascinating. Of course
You don't do what's expected of you. Never
You go for what's unknown and uncharted. Always

You are emotionally expressive and sensitive.
You're effected by everything around you.
Your friends appreciate your open heart, but they are afraid of hurting your feelings. But not TOO afraid!

You love the feeling of accomplishment. You enjoy doing what's important.
You feel lost when you have to do frivolous tasks or hang out with shallow people. Well, duh

The Chocolate Oracle

I'm baaack!! And I'm better.. sorry about the drama.. a bratty family member surprising me with how bratty they've been allowed to be! Sometimes they can really hurt you, when you're not "on guard", which I am not with family.. rest assured I will be with this one, from now on.. I'm not very good at "on guard"... I've had to learn it due to an ex-in-law that won't go away.. guess I'll have to extend it a little! I'm just tired of the drama!

Well, everyone missed Yellow's birthday on Sunday! I can't remember how old he is.. but I'm sure it's older than dirt.. So, go wish him a belated happy birthday! Dirty old man..LOL Ya know I love ya, friend!!

It's been raining a blue streak here! I think this part of the country is tankin' up on water! We've had wwwaaaaaaayyy more rain than normal this spring! I love storms, so mostly I love this! Hope others are getting at least what water you need.. and get ready for Father's day this weekend!!

Painful things

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 03:35:44 GMT

How do you get past things? You know that feeling you get when family or someone you trust does or says something that just yanks you up short? Because it means they don't care for you like you thought? Because it means they put other things first before you and your feelings? And you had no idea? And as you think about it, you realize it's been going on for a while.. and you get hot in the face with humiliation and pain..and feel that stabbing feeling in your soul.. And then you realize you can't even blame someone for how they feel.. you're just so disappointed in them.. and they probably can't help how they feel.. but they can help how they act.. but they don't. How do you get past that? How do you just stuff it down like it doesn't even matter? How do you keep from giving them that power over you? I know I will be ok.. and it won't even be as important later.. but sometimes it's a shock at first.

Oh, Lord!

Fri, 30 May 2008 00:44:22 GMT

Well, I think I have pulled every muscle, and ticked off every joint I have. I have been toting that barge and lifting that bale.. I got some containers from a friend to plant things in. They hold cattle or horse feed, usually, and are great planters. They are round, about 3 feet across, and about 3 feet high..pretty big! So, I have had to fill them with dirt, and plant things in them. Now, I was smart enough to move them to where I wanted them BEFORE I filled them with dirt.. yea me. Then, I've gotten topsoil, potting soil, manure, and compost to mix and fill them. These things come in 40 lb bags.. which is bad enough, but when you leave them outside in the rain, they become approximately 60-70 lb bags which have to be lifted out of the truck, placed on the golf cart, opened, emptied into something that can accommodate mixing these things together, and then shoveled into the containers! Now, I don't know how much some of you know about me, but I have a habit of forgetting that I am disabled, and biting off more than I can chew, so to speak. So, let me just state, that it is VERY difficult to lift these things, mix them, etc. while you're sitting on a scooter, with oxygen, without hurting yourself! I have been doing all this for about three days, figuring that I had to keep moving for everything to get loosened up and moving.. well, scratch that theory! It just gets worse every day! There is some loosening and stuff, but not enough!LOL It just gets worse, with some tendonitis, and, unfortunately, my kind of heart problem doesn't get better with exercise, so I have to limit it or I can't breathe... Thank God tonight is the season finale for LOST!!! Yea!! Doesn't take much to sit glued to the TV for the evening! Maybe I'll finish planting this weekend.. if I can move! Wish me luck!!

Stuff

Sat, 24 May 2008 21:37:06 GMT

Hidey ho!! Hope everyone is well this week. I'm feeling better, and am busy planting stuff. I'm growing tomatoes and planting some fall bulbs. I got some saffron crocus' bulbs. They are the ones you get saffron spice threads from. They are one crocus that blooms in the fall. I'm trying them.. I love saffron rice, but saffron is one of the most expensive spices in the world. When I went to Russia a while ago, I found some in Georgia(USSR) for only $20 for a small packet of threads.. and that was cheap! So, I'm going to try growing my own! We'll see how this goes. I'm not known for my growing abilities!! I just hope my tomatoes do well again.. I LOVE fresh tomatoes. I love planting and gardening. I think it's a throwback to playing in the mud! My mother and brother got all the green thumbs in this family.. they can grow anything.. Dad and I are just the brute labor, most of the time.. We're not known for our ability to grow things. Fortunately, I can take stuff to Mom for her to heal it and make it thrive!! Several of the things I've taken to her for her to "fix", she just kept! So, I have plants, they just live at mom's house! So, we'll see how it goes!

Well the drama in Florida continues, but without me. M is actually doing well, being out of the house... so this may be the best thing. Maybe a cool down period.. But, I have withdrawn from the field.. can't stand the "did you say this".. and " she said, he said, they said" nonsense. You end up chasing the truth and never find it..

And, I think I will share "Butt Dust" today. I guess I just want a very long post today.. What, you ask, is "Butt Dust"?
Read on and you'll discover the joy in a child's sincere originality. No adult is this creative!!
JACK (age 3) was watching his Mom breast-feeding his new baby sister. After a while he asked: "Mom why have you got two? Is one for hot and one for cold milk?"
MELANIE (age 5) asked her Granny how old she was. Granny replied she was so old she didn't remember any more. Melanie said, "If you don't remember you must look in the back of your panties. Mine say five to six ."
STEVEN (age 3) hugged and kissed his Mom good night. "I love you so much that when you die I'm going to bury you outside my bedroom window."
BRITTANY (age 4) had an earache and wanted a pain killer. She tried in vain to take the lid off the bottle. Seeing her frustration, her Mom explained it was a child-proof cap and she'd have to open it for her. Eyes wide with wonder, the little girl asked: "How does it know it's me?"
SUSAN(age 4) was drinking juice when she got the hiccups. "Please don't give me this juice again," she said, "It makes my teeth cough."
DJ (age 4) stepped onto the bathroom scale and asked: "How much do I cost?"
MARC (age 4) was engrossed in a young couple that were hugging and kissing in a restaurant. Without taking his eyes off them, he asked his dad: "Why is he whispering in her mouth?"
CLINTON(age 5) was in his bedroom looking worried. When his Mom asked what was troubling him, he replied, "I don't know what'll happen with this bed when I get married. How will my wife fit in?"
JAMES(age 4) was listening to a Bible story. His dad read: "The man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city but his wife looked back and was turned to salt." Concerned, James asked: "What happened to the flea?"
TAMMY(age 4) was with her mother when they met an elderly , rather wrinkled woman her Mom knew. Tammy looked at her for a while and then asked, "Why doesn't your skin fit your face?"
The Sunday Sermon I think this Mom will never forget..."Dear Lord," the minister began, with arms extended toward heaven and a rapturous look on his upturned face. "Without you, we are but dust..." He would have continued but at that moment my very obedient daughter leaned over to me and asked quite audibly in her shrill little four year old girl voice, "Mom, what is butt dust?

And, finally, I ummm "borrowed" this from Gail's space, to remind us of the reason for this weekend holiday.. Please honor all veterans and active service people in any way you can. Pay for their meal in a restaurant, anonymously, pay for their tank of gas, thank them, whatever you can do..

DEFINITION OF A VETERAN

A veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve - is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America", for an amount of "up to and including my life."

That is Honor...

Author Unknown

Sorry

Sun, 18 May 2008 04:49:49 GMT

Sorry to be gone so long.. haven't felt particularly well, and have also been learning some lessons about people this week! And.. today was the infamous Pancake Breakfast!! Our auxiliary held our community Pancake Breakfast this morning.. I had to be there by 7!! AM!! I had totally forgotten there was a 7 AM!! LOL Anyway, I made it.. We had a blast. We had the firefighters come and cook pancakes, and everyone had a wonderful time.. Of course, any time you have 6 or 8 or so hunky young men running around cooking and acting silly, the women love it.. And all the old men love to drop in conversations.. "Well, when I had breakfast with the Chief last week...." One of the firefighters is our pastor at the little Island Church out here.. He is hysterical.. He knows absolutely everyone, even if you don't go to his church, he LOVES to tell jokes and act silly, and he'd give anyone the shirt off his back.. He's known for his sweet personality and willingness to help anyone, anytime. So, when he's around, all the guys act silly and joke around, and just have fun.. So it was a little bit of a wild morning! And we earned a very good sum, I think! I haven't finished the figures. There's some costs I don't have yet.. but I think we profited about $650! That's not bad!!

And, early this week, my ex-SO's wife called (S2). We are very good friends. They are having some trouble with my ex stepdaughter, M.. She has left home and there was evidently some problems with her not believing the truth about her biological mother, who gave up rights to her about 8 years or so ago, and S2 adopted her. (She is S's daughter)M is 18 now, and has contacted her bio mother.. she is evidently telling a very different version of the truth (as usual for her). So, since S2 wasn't around when all that was going on (I was), she insisted I call M and tell her the truth.. which I did.. Then, over the next couple of days, I found out there is a big drama problem going on there.. I think it's a good thing I left Florida when I did!! I don't do drama.. so I told M the truth, told her I loved her and would help if I could, and bowed out. It is very difficult and painful for me to get into all the "stuff" there.. There's a lot more very boring stuff to it, but one reason I moved away from there was because I strongly disagreed with many of the ways S2 was raising M, and there was nothing I could do to help the situation, so I left it.. I've always felt like I abandoned M.. but my being there actually made things worse for her. It's just one of those times you don't know what to do, and nothing seems like the right thing! So, it's always unsettling, for me to end up back in the middle of that. It sounds so bad and I don't mean for it too.. there's just not a lot I can say without saying more than I need to..there are many sides to the problems. I'm just very sensitive where M is concerned, and it hurts my heart when she acts unwisely. She's such a wonderful young woman, I hate her being unhappy.

Last Sunday we got to take Jenn and MADDIE to lunch for Jenn's FIRST Mother's Day!! It was fun.. Maddie is learning to do razzberries, so we entertained each other for a long time! She thinks it's very funny when you do them back to her! And I'm quite lame enough to do them in public! So, we had fun.. Hope everyone is having a good weekend..

Mother's Day

Thu, 08 May 2008 07:29:17 GMT

Well, it's almost Mother's Day! My sweet friend,Dory, is making us do the work this month! (just kidding) NaBlaPoMo for May is "Voices", so she's having guest bloggers use their voices to talk about motherhood. She took a post I wrote about my beloved mom for today. If you've read my space for very long, you know "Family" is what I'm all about.. And, in our family, first and foremost is my Mom and Dad. They have been married for 63 years. They have two children, my older bro and me, and they have several that have "adopted" them, and won't go away! LOL And it's because they're so special. Then they have 5 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. My mom stayed home with us.. well, to be fair, she didn't have a full time job outside the home would actually be the best way to put it. My mom is definitely ADHD, as are two of my nieces. She can run rings around everyone, and, at 82, makes the 50-somethings feel like pokey dullards! She loves and supports us, laughs a lot and wakes up in a new world every morning. Last summer in Branson, she was the one on the "bumper boats" with the 11 year old twins. She's the one that taught my 25 year old niece to "Jetski", when she was only about 70 years old. If you look through my site, you'll see her with her "Wheel of Fortune" goodies she got from them through my Bro-in-law. Obviously she is kind of the center of our family. And she is the full meaning of the word "Mother". She is our cheerleader, and our taskmaster, backed up by Dad. She is the busiest person I know, with committments to volunteer everywhere...and usually is an officer of several boards at once. But we don't feel neglected.. never have. She juggles it all. And the fact that she does it in her 80's will make all of us feel inadequate!!! But, she'll never make you feel that way.. You'll love her just like we do.

Happy Hump Day!

Thu, 01 May 2008 04:33:25 GMT

Well, happy Hump Day to everyone! I've been so busy the last couple of days cleaning and washing EVERYTHING! I took TEN washer loads to the laundromat to get it all done at once. I had blankets, small rugs, sheets, lots of towels from my little flood not long ago.. I got everything unloaded back into the house and gave up! I haven't even put it away! And, to be truthful, have NO intention of doing it tonight! It'll just have to survive til tomorrow!

Well, I've had so much fun going around and reading everyone's quirks!! Some are surprisingly normal, and some are pretty wild! Joel is concerned he didn't do well on that one.. not a problem! We've all had posts we wish we'd done differently! And I thought he did a great job! We all agreed with a lot of his! And a few think they don't have any quirks.. but then again, they love flamingos, so how can we trust their judgement???LOL Some people don't like tags, but I love them! They give us a chance to really see likenesses and differences, to answer the same questions. I love going around and reading everyone's answers to all kinds of tags. It's like reading everyone's 101. If you haven't done one, you should! It's really hard to think of 101 things about yourself, especially when you first start blogging! Or probably any time... I think all of us that have been blogging more than a year or two should go back and completely re-write our 101's!! What would you think of doing that?? And no, you can't come kick me! C'mon, tell me your opinion! If enough will participate, it'll be fun to go around and read everyone's NEW 101!!!

Tagged!!

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 23:23:04 GMT

Ok.. I've been tagged by Becca. So get ready everyone else!

These are the rules. Link the person who tagged you. Mention the rules in your blog. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours. Tag 6 more blogger's by linking them. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger's blogs letting them know they've been tagged.

1. I am, for the most part, perfectly content with my own company, although I really don't mind having others around.

2. I love to people watch. Probably why I like blogging!

3. I hate being rushed. I like to do things on my own schedule, at my own pace.

4. I can talk to just about anyone, about just about anything. Strangers start the most amazing conversations, sometimes!

5. I love being out in the woods, or on the beach, anywhere really, just sitting and watching. The most amazing things are happening if you'll just watch.

6. I hate to answer the phone if the caller ID doesn't tell me who it is. Don't know why..

OK.. hope those are unspectacular enough! Let's see... I tag: Drama Queen, Jaysey, Maria, Nadine, Jadey, Skrumshz.

Photo Album: More family and funnies!

Sat, 16 Aug 2008 05:30:58 GMT

More family and funnies!

truer than you think!

Maddie and Pooh

Maddie

Friends

water baby!Maddie Aug 08

Rose Swimmin'!

Bailey's gettin old!

crowd's in the kitchen!

Japanese lantern that floats up

More Photos...

Photo Album: New ones!!

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 05:31:24 GMT

New ones!!

apr08

Nervous Lil with Mike

park apr08

Maddie finding feet

Maddie Smiles!

march08 maddie on me

march08

sleeping cousins

happy baby apr08

Tam and Rose Apr08

More Photos...

Photo Album: Lilly's birthday, Rose, Maddie

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 18:35:40 GMT

Lilly's birthday, Rose, Maddie

lil and violet

My garden Lilly, Violet, and Rose

sisters

birthday girl!

Princess Lilly 7th Birthday!

With Aunt Jean's very cool gift!

Rose at 4 mo.. Lilly's birthday2

Rose at 4mo

maddie2mo.

yum, fingers!

More Photos...

Photo Album: Maddie's here!!

Sat, 15 Dec 2007 22:52:01 GMT

Maddie's here!!

on the way to the hospital

Dad helped!

maddie

maddie3

New mom

New daddy

daddy

maddie2

maddie3

maddie1

Photo Album: Vi's first day of school, Thanksgiving.

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 13:04:56 GMT

Vi's first day of school, Thanksgiving.

thnksgiving07

tnksgvg07

vi first day of school

vi with the famous backpack!

Rose at 6 weeks

Rose 4 weeks

Rose 6weeks

my little Indian