No Title

OK So how come I cannot think of a Title for my blog this morning? I'm not sure. So much has gone on this week. Big things like Christmas Eve and Christmas day. They are all over with now and it is officially "After" Christmas. The stores are having their annual sales and the kids are trying hard to find even half of the toys and do dads they got for Christmas. Mom's and Dad's all over the world are still cleaning up trash from Christmas morning. A stray bow here, a missed gift there. Little wads of wrapping paper stuffed in the strangest places. This is the time of year for the let downs. No more visits from the family, friends and added visitors to our homes. No more trips to the store for that one forgotten gift or ingredient that has to be put in the pumpkin pie. But, sometimes this is a good thing. Stress has reduced by 90%. Parents are sitting on their couches deflated by the sheer magnitude of power that has run through their house in the last three days. So, now is the time for de-stressing. Just remember this. NEW YEARS is coming

A SPECIAL CHRISTMAS POEM

This entry is dedicated to all of the members of the USMC, ARMY, AIRFORCE, NAVY, and RESERVES.

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight. My wife was asleep, her head on my chest, My daughter beside me, angelic in rest. Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white, Transforming the yard to a winter delight. The sparkling lights in the tree I believe, Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve. My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep, Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep. In perfect contentment, or so it would seem, So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream. The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near, But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear. Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow. My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear, And I crept to the door just to see who was near. Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night, A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight. A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old, Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold. Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled, Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child. 'What are you doing?' I asked without fear, 'Come in this moment, it's freezing out here! Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve, You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!' For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift, Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts. To the window that danced with a warm fire's light Then he sighed and he said 'Its really all right, I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night.' 'It's my duty to stand at the front of the line, That separates you from the darkest of times. No one had to ask or beg or implore me, I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me. My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,' Then he sighed, 'That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers.' My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ', And now it is my turn and so, here I am. I've not seen my own son in more than a while, But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile. Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag, The red, white, and blue... an American flag. I can live through the cold and the being alone, Away from my family, my house and my home. I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet, I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat. I can carry the weight of killing another, Or lay down my life with my sister and brother.. Who stand at the front against any and all, To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.' ' So go back inside,' he said, 'harbor no fright, Your family is waiting and I'll be all right.' 'But isn't there something I can do, at the least, 'Give you money,' I asked, 'or prepare you a feast? It seems all too little for all that you've done, For being away from your wife and your son.' Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret, 'Just tell us you love us, and never forget. To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone, To stand your own watch, no matter how long. For when we come home, either standing or dead, To know you remember we fought and we bled. Is payment enough, and with that we will trust, That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.'

PLEASE, would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.

LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN 30th Naval Construction Regiment OIC, Logistics Cell One Al Taqqadum, Iraq

Sunday, December 21, 2008

WHY?

This is what I keep asking myself every morning my eyes open up at the "BUTT CRACK OF DAWN", as my daughter so lovingly puts it. She phrased this little jewel one morning when she woke up and her kids were already up, but that is another story. I use to hate to get up and would literally have to be drug out of bed to go to school, work or wherever I had to be. Sleep was my friend, my lover, my protector. Now every morning I am up at the "butt crack of dawn". I am not the type of person that can just roll back over and go back to sleep. When I wake up, I am up for the day. So, where do I have to be this early? NOWHERE ! I do not work, or go to school, or even have to be up for anyone else. So, pray tell me, WHY?

Home Again, Home Again Jig-da-de-gin!

Just thought I would let everyone know that "The Day At The Spa" went wonderfully well yesterday. Tina and I were successful in getting them to their appointment on time and with all of us in one piece. They were very excited, but Bella was a little nervous. She has never been to the groomers and did not know what to expect. I was told that she was "so cute". She pitched a fit when they came to take the other two dogs for their bath. She did not want to be separated. She finally decided that all was well, and calmed down. They were all so cute when they came out. Each one had a bandanna around their neck, but Bella was also wearing a little bow in her hair. They were really happy to be going home. It was a full day for them and when they got home they lay ed down on the floor and slept like there was no tomorrow. Bella still looks like a rag-a-muffin, but short of shaving her to the skin, she is going to. She got all the worse hair traits of her breed. That doesn't make me love her any less though. LOL

A Day At The Spa

Ok boys, and girls it is time again for a great adventure. The appointment has been make, and I cannot wait. It will be a wonderfull day. Tina and I are headed to New Bern for the 9:00 appointment. I can hardly contain my excitement. It will be a day of shampooing, massaging, manicures and pedicures. Doesn't that sound wonderful? TO bad it won't be Tina, and myself getting it done. No boys, and girls, this appointment for all the pampering is for Login, Susi, and Bella (the dogs). The adventure part is me and Tina trying to wrangle three dogs in a Ford Escort for the 9 mile trip. The bigger dogs should not be a problem, but Bella is going to want to drive again. She evidently does not trust my driving because she always try to take the wheel when we travel. She swears her eyes are better than mine, but even though that is true her legs will not reach the pedals. I have tried to explain this to her on several occasions, to no avail.
Tina is going along as my co-pilot this morning. She will also help me wrangle the bigger dogs into the shop. I can barely handle Bella on a leash....So, off we go on another "Janet and Tina" adventure. Roaddogs unite!
PRAY FOR US!!
WE'RE GOING TO NEED EVERY ONE WE CAN GET !

Trashy Tuesday

Well here we are again on trash day. It's the same day every week, four times a month, 12 months a year. I hate it just as much today as I did last week. I don't hate the day itself, just taking out the trash. I don't hate getting trash out of the house either, I just hate trash. We collect trash from various parts of the house and deposit it into a large can and roll it to the street. What could be more simple you ask? Just the fact that I always miss something I wanted to throw away every week. After the trash men are gone, I always find something I wanted to throw away.
It's the same way when I am doing dishes. I can search the house over for all the cups, glasses, and other things I leave sitting here and there. I pop everything in the dishwasher and start her up. Not 5 minutes into the cycle I find somethig that should have been put in. I am really bad at losing my latest cup of coffee, or drink, I search in vain, but never remember where I left it, Sooo, I finally give up and just make me another drink.
I am sitting here, waiting for the notion to hit me and I will collect all the trash and take it to the curb. But I promise you, as soon as the trash men pull away, I will find something that should have gone

Candid Carrie's FFFF

This is my first attempt at this. This is a picture of the famous "Bella", that my blog is named for. She was given to my by my son,and his wife after the untimely death of my poodle "Penny". I was really torn up and missed her very much. A few months past and I got a call from my son who at that time lived in Virginia. He called to tell me he was on the way to my sisters house for a visit. Little did I know what was in store for me, would change my world as I knew it. When I got out of the car he was walking down the ramp with this little ball of fur. I thought to m self "Ah, he got a new puppy!" When he handed her to me and told me that she was mine, I started crying. He and Am had driven all the way to our town to bring her to me. It was a 3 hour trip, which in itself isn't bad, but they had to turn around and go right back home. I hope you think she is as adorable as I do. So, now grab the link below and check out everyone else that is here for the phun today.

Candid Carrie

RED MARBLES

THIS WAS SENT TO ME BY A VERY SWEET FRIEND. I HAD TO SHARE.

RED MARBLES


I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes. I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily apprizing a basket of freshly picked green peas. I paid for my potatoes, but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes. Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me. 'Hello Barry, how are you today?' 'H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas. They sure look good.' 'They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?' 'Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time.' 'Good. Anything I can help you with?' 'No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas.'20'Would you like take some home?' asked Mr. Miller. 'No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with.' 'Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?' 'All I got's my prize marble here.' 'Is that right? Let me see it' said Miller. 'Here 'tis. She's a dandy.' 'I can s ee that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?' the store owner asked. 'Not zackley but almost.' 'Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble', Mr. Miller told the boy. 'Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller.' Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me. With a smile said, 'There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever. When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store.' I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Colorado , but I never forgot the story o f this man, the boys, and their bartering for marbles. Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died. They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friend s wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could. Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts...all very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket. Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes. Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her husband's bartering for marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket. 'Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim 'traded' them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size....they came to pay their debt.' 'We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world,' she confided, 'but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho '. With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles. The Moral : We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath. Today I wish you a day of ordinary miracles ~ A fresh pot of coffee you didn't make yourself. An unexpected phone call from an old friend. All Green stoplights on your way to and from work. The=2 0fastest line at the grocery store. A good sing-along song on the radio. Your keys found right where you left them. Send this to the people you'll never forget. I just Did... If you don't send it to anyone, it means you are in way too much of a hurry to even notice the ordinary miracles when they occur . It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived!

We'll Leave a Light On

"SCREE-CHIRP" "SCREE-CHIRP" 'what?" zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. "SCREE-CHIRP" "SCREE-CHIRP" "WTF ?" zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
This is what was going on in my head at 5:25 this morning. My cell phone was trying to tell me it was dying a horrible death on my table. Great! So I get up, fumble to find it, and do I just cut it off. No! not me. I turned the light on and found the charger to plug it in. Then I realized it wasn't my new phone it was just my old one. Sheesh! So, now I am up on Saturday morning, at 5:OMG 30 . Needless to say I am not a happy camper. If you know me at all, you know once I am awake, I am NOT going back to sleep. But, when I walked outside to smoke my first cigarette of the day I was floored by the most beautiful sky. STARS ! EVERYWHERE! It was so beautiful. I had to stop and just stand in awe of GODS beautiful sky. Maybe that is what he wanted me to see. That no matter what is going on, or how bad we feel, that He is still there, watching over us. I wish Kim had seen them. She loves clear nights full of stars. It's 6:30 now and the sun is coming up. There is one little star left in the sky. It reminded me of the old commercial for Motel 6. "We'll leave a light on." A saying in some families. That means no matter what, no matter how late, you are always welcome home. To me it was kind of a sigh from GOD saying the same thing. No matter how far you roam HE will always leave a light on, so you can find your way home.

It is, what it is

Good morning. It is Thursday, and brrrrrrrrrr, it's chilly outside. The temperature last night here was 49. Lowest it has been here since last year. My daughter and her loving husband got home from their trip Tuesday. They had a great time in Washington, but they were sure glad to be home. I am being serenaded this morning by Logan. He is barking because the other two dogs are playing. It is their morning ritual. Go outside, come back in here, and play under my chair while I am trying to type. This playing makes him jealous and he barks this head splitting bark at them till I scream. Like I said, "morning ritual". Hurray! my coffee is ready. Must have it! Talk among yourselves, I will be right back. Mmmmmmmmmm! AHhhhhhhhhhh! Coffee. Is there nothing better in the morning. Well i could think of a few things. but I still have to have my first cup in me.

I had a doctors appointment yesterday. I had a swollen elbow from a fall I took way back in May. Not broken, just bruised. But the swelling never went away. So I had one skinny elbow and one fat one. While visiting with my sister last month I whacked in on a corner wall. It swelled up and wouldn't go down. To make a long story short (TO LATE), I had to have fluid drained. Sounds horrible I know. It really was very uneventful though. A little numbing medicine and the procedure began. Felt a little discomfort and expressed it with an OWee. All in all a successful procedure.

So this morning I am sitting here typing as fast as I can. No pain or even a twinge. Bella-bee is demanding to be fed, so I must go. Ta TA for now. Not to be mistaken with Tatas, which are a whole completely different subject altogether.

Blah blah day

Good Afternoon. It has finally stopped raining here, again. It has rained every day for the past few days. The sun peeks out occasionally, but then the clouds cover again. It has made for some strange ranges of temperatures. It is very pleasant now, but yesterday was muggy. A and I went to some local yard sales Saturday, and ended up trying on ball gowns at one of New Bern's formal wear stores. They had a wide selection of slightly used and new gowns. I tried two on. One a beautiful gold colored one. It was strapless, but came with a jacket. It was so beautiful and about a good 6 inches to long. It would have required alterations. But the way it made me look! I have never seen myself that beautiful in my life. Baring the mess hair, no makeup, and white socks of course. I would have loved to tell them to wrap it up, but alas the price tag with the needed alterations were a bit out of my meager range. A tried on several. Some of them looked very good on her, but none that we fell in love with. The military ball is coming up in November, and we have to hussle. I am sure I will be ready for my first official United States Marine Corp Ball when it gets here. Right?

YOU HAVE JUST BEEN HIT BY THE

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ I I I I I I...LIQUOR TRUCK.......... '';, ___._..._..._______====___..., ] -'(@)'(@)'' ''''**(@)(@)*****''(@)

IF YOU GET HIT AGAIN, YOU'LL KNOW YOU REALLY HAVE A PROBLEM ! WHEN GIRLS DRINK TOO MUCH ............1. WE HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA WHERE OUR PURSE IS.2. WE BELIEVE THAT DANCING WITH OUR ARMS OVERHEAD AND WIGGLING OUR BUTT WHILE YELLING 'WOO-HOO!' IS TRULY THE SEXIEST DANCE MOVE AROUND.3. WE'VE SUDDENLY DECIDED THAT WE WANT TO KICK SOMEONE'S BUTT AND HONESTLY BELIEVE WE COULD DO IT TOO .4. IN OUR LAST TRIP TO PEE, WE REALIZE THAT WE NOW LOOK MORE LIKE A HOMELESS HOOKER THAN THE GODDESS WE WERE JUST FOUR HOURS AGO.5. WE START CRYING AND TELLING EVERYONE WE SEE THAT WE LOVE THEM SOOOOO MUCH.6.WE GET EXTREMELY EXCITED AND JUMP UP AND DOWN EVERY TIME A NEW SONG PLAYS BECAUSE 'OH MY GOD! I LOVE THIS SONG!' 7. WE'VE FOUND A DEEPER/SPIRITUAL SIDE TO THE GEEK SITTING NEXT TO US.8. WE'VE SUDDENLY TAKEN UP SMOKING AND BECOME REALLY GOOD AT IT.9. WE YELL AT THE BARTENDER, WHO WE BELIEVE CHEATED US BY GIVING US JUST LEMONADE, BUT THAT'S JUST BECAUSE WE CAN NO LONGER TASTE THE GIN.10. WE THINK WE ARE IN BED, BUT OUR PILLOW FEELS STRANGELY LIKE THE KITCHEN FLOOR (or the mop?).11. WE FAIL TO NOTICE THAT THE TOILET LID IS DOWN WHEN WE SIT ON IT.12. WE TAKE OUR SHOES OFF BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IT'S THEIR FAULT THAT WE'RE HAVING PROBLEMS WALKING STRAIGHT.SEND THIS ALONG TO ALL THE GIRLS YOU KNOW WHO LIKE TO HAVE FUN. MAKE THEM LAUGH AT THEMSELVES LIKE YOU PROBABLY DID ....SADLY, MANY ARE TRUE!

And Remember... 'A clean house is the sign of a wasted life..." 'May your life be filled with relaxing sunsets, cool drinks, and sand between your toes'

Up, Up, and Away

I am sitting here on pins and needles this morning. Kim and Tim are boarding a plane this morning for the great state of Washington. This will be Kim's third time on a plane. The last time she was on a plane she was flying back with "NEW" baby T.J. from Japan. She had been there with Tim when he had been statiioned there. I was so terrified for her, being alone with a new baby, flying across the vast ocean. I am terrified today to. But I have said my prayers and now I leave it in the hands of God. I know she will be fine.
Here on the home front everything is fine. The dogs have finally settled down. They are pretty spastic first thing in the mornings. They have to chase the "outside" cat, play fight, and generally make a lot of noise. It's an everyday thing here. We are keeping a watchful eye on Logan. He decided to have raw chicken for supper last night. Ronnie and Amanda had gone to her Mom's house for a little while last night. The chicken was on the counter waiting to be cooked. I guess he didn't know or care that I was here. I thought Ronnie or Amanda had put it in the fridge. When I came down stairs to go outside I found the package on the floor. So, we had pasta last night for supper. LOL He wanted some of tlhat too. You can bet he didn't get it..

The Odd Day Out (The Boring Life)

Not sure why I chose that title, but nothing else came to mind. I have been very busy this week, trying not to do anything. I feel tired and restless. My mind says do "EVERTHING" but my body says "NO". They are clearing a lot right across the street from us and i have had a whole week of hearing this highpitched whirl of the stump grinder and various other machines. It's kind of like a dentist drill sound and it is driving me crazy.

Logan is kicking his empty food dish across the floor and looking at me with hope in his eyes and now Bella is licking the bottom of said "empty" bowl. "Pause" while I fill the bowls. If you could see the looks I am getting from the two larger dogs you would laugh. Bella is happily eating out of Logan's dish and Susi is eating out of hers. Logan gave me a very pained look because he was hoping for something else I guess. Bella eats different food usually. she eats in my room, with the door shut and me standing guard. Not sure why she is so brave today. She will sometimes steal a crumb or two while the other dogs are not watching, but today she acts like his dish is hers and hers alone. If I put her a bowl of the same food down (dry) she won't touch. Logan just walked up and turned his nose up at his bowl. how exciting, right? Such is the life of boring "granny".

ALWAYS GOOD FOR A FEW LAUGHS

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Sweet Tea, Puppet Master and the Negative effects of comedy and alcohol
This was posted on my son's blog in June and it always brightens my day. Enjoy!

This One's For You

Bet you were looking for a beer, right? Nah, no beer here. But this change in my color scheme is for someone special that help a lowly blogger in her hour of need. So with out further Ade..TA DA !

DANA

THIS ONE'S FOR YOU !!!

Thank you folks, thank you very much, I'll be here all weekend. Please come back and join us.

YOU CAN TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS

*PAUSE* Must let the hand-nudging dog out so I can type. Dang, now I have two of them. One on each hand. Swing back by the coffee pot, grab a second cup of Joe. Now, I think I am ready. I was "tagged" the other day by Mellisa B. and being the Old Dog that I am, I had never done this.. My cries of help were heard by my NEW BEST FRIEND in Blogspot, Dana. This poor woman has talked me through it all. Dana I hope I did you proud.

I have been "tagged" for a "meme"

I was over at Melissa B. site http://www.MelissaB.blogspot.com/ the other day and came home with this. This is my first attempt at this and My new best friend Dana http://www.danajoywyzard.blogspot.com/ has walked me through this. If its wrong "SORRY" I tried. But it was fun learning something new I can do now. Thanks again Dana! So here goes.

The simple rule of thumb here, folks, is that we have to answer each question with one word, and one word only. It's a heckuva lot harder than it looks, but we'll give it the Old College Try. And remember, y'all--make sure to Link Up with Them That Brung Ya. Here goes nothin!
1. Where is your cell phone? Bedroom
2. Where is your significant other? nonexsistant
3. Your hair color? grayish
4. Your mother? Heaven
5. Your father? Heaven
6. Your favorite thing? chocolate
7. Your dream last night? None
8. Your dream/goal? happiness
9. The room you’re in? Kitchen
10. Your hobby? Blogging
11. Your fear? Death
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Alive
13. Where were you last night? Home
14. What you’re not? Stoopid
15. One of your wish-list items? Health
16. Where you grew up? Carolina
17. The last thing you did? eat
18. What are you wearing? Clothes
19. Your TV? Normal
20. Your pet? many
21. Your computer? Dell
22. Your mood? Grouchy
23. Missing someone? Parents
24. Your car? Boring
25. Something you’re not wearing? Bra
26. Favorite store? pet
27. Your summer? Stressful
28. Love someone? Family
29. Your favorite color? Green
30. When is the last time you laughed? Earlier
31. Last time you cried? Earlier
32. Who do you want to tag?
Happy
Clix
Amy
Susie
Wolfqueen2
Edna Lee
Mozi Esmé
That's it, everyone! Make sure to do your homework--This Teacher's Checking

Teriffic Tuesday

Good Day everyone. It is a terrific day. My sister is coming home , at least by Saturday. Susi ( my son's dog) has come through her surgery and the night's stay at the vet's with flying colors. All is right with my world. Susi will be staying one more night because she refuses to eat so far. Poor thing she probably thinks she will start throwing up again. But her prognosis is great. Thanks to everyone who prayed and to the wonderful vet that finally figured out what was really wrong with her. She has been sick for almost a month now. It took 3 different visits to find out what was wrong with her. Wish we had taken her to this vet first. It would have saved her a lot of pain and precious time. Time she almost ran out of. But I think the worst is over now and that is what counts. Can you sue a vet for malpractice? Well he did misdiagnosis her and put her through a lot of extra pain and cost to my son and his wife. Two weeks of pain is to much for any animal or human to go through. But I digress. Whoopee! I feel like dancing a jig. The old hip( or should I say the "new" ball and pin ) cannot take it. LOL

Rainy Wednesday

Today is not a good day for me. So, if I rant and rave to much just click off my site. My sister is back in the hospital. She just went home yesterday afternoon. She was in the hospital for 2 weeks after surgery on her parathyroid. She developed complication of a blood clot in her neck. They were doing a "wait and see" what happens . Well yesterday they deemed her well enough to go home. She goes home only to return after just 5 hours. She told them yesterday she was having a lot of pain in her neck and they said "that's normal" SURE IT IS! Any way she had emergency surgery last night. Some of the sights were oozing blood and they had to cauterize them, strip the blood clot out of her vein and general cleaning up. The have her on a ventilator now, and she will stay on that all day in the ICU. My other sister is with her and she says she is alert and is writing orders with a pen and paper, so she is doing great. I missed a visit with my daughter this morning, because I slept in till 9. She came by and I was sleeping so peacefully she would not wake me. Good thing she was not a mass murderer. So much for these VICIOUS man eating dogs we have here. LOL But, in their defense, they know her and did not bark when she came in. I am sure they would have alerted me if a stranger broke in. Right? It has been raining all morning, so the dogs are in a blue funk because they cannot go out, and I am right there with them. So, today has to get better, and I am sure it will. Eventually!

BLESSED DAY

So I have returned from my visit to my sisters yesterday. Her surgery went great and she is doing fine. The trip was long and I was very tired when I got home. R and A and myself went out for lunch, and visited a few shops. Found out that "IF" I ever want a trike that it will cost me approximately $30,000. Needless to say I will probably never have one unless I buy a used one, and the person feels very, very sorry for me. After our little outing we came home. A made a Kalua pie to take to a "kegger" that we were invited to last night. I didn't go. I knew I would be ready to come home way before they were and I didn't feel like driving myself. It was probably a good thing I didn't go. The last thing I remember was watching tv around 7:30 and the next thing I knew it was 3:15 AM. So, I have been up since then, drinking coffee and blogging. But as I sit here I feel blessed. My sister is fine, I am at home, and I am loved. No one could ask for more.

Babycakes pt. 3

Yes, he is still here. Living under our deck. He acts like he wants to be loved so bad. He will let us get close, but when I extend my hand he flinches and runs. I am not sure how to gain his trust. Its a work in progress. I am making a trip today, back home, to be with my sister during her surgery. They are operating on her parathyroid gland..It is sucking to much calcium out of her body and they think this surgery will help. I probably won't be able to be on-line until Saturday again. No computer to post from there. Be sweet, play nice, and mind CC while I am gone.

Lost In Space

Yep! That's were I have been lately. I have been on line. I have read all comments and blogs that I usually read. I have even commented on some of them. but as far as posting I am at a loss for words. My usual banter has forsaken me this week. I don't really have a lot on my mind, its just empty or so full I have brain lock. Not sure which. My oldest sister is facing surgery this week and I am anxious about that. Everyone here is fine. So, I don't know what is causing this melodically feeling. Babycakes is still here. I am trying to get him use to people so he has a better chance of being adopted. It's not working out to well. I guess that bothers me some. But all in all no drama, no stress, no fears. Maybe that is what is wrong. LOL To good of a life.

"Sex In The City"

As Jeff Dunham's puppet Peanut would say, "What The Hell"! After many weeks of waiting, wondering, and speculation, the time to see the movie arrived. For those of you that have not seen it, I will refrain from giving away anything. I liked it. I didn't love it, like I thought I would. I just liked it. I would still recommend it to anyone that knows what has been going on these past years in the "CITY". I have to admit, I was not a fan of SITC. I had seen a few shows through the years. Not my cup of tea, per say. We went as a group, five of us. All the others are much younger than me and all family of some sort. We were the loudest group there. It was surprising the amount of "men" that were present. You'll like the movie. What amazed me is the reaction of my son-in-law, and his brother-in-law after we returned. We were all discussing the movie and John said he would have to go see it. "WTF?" My son (R) just busted out laughing and threatened to cancel his something (I cannot remember) but it was funny. After R went for a walk, T. (brother-in-law) Let the truth be known by running down the past years of SITC to us. He says it use to come on HBO after "REAL SEX" which he watched. Good save there T. All in all it was a great night. Go see the movie. You'll like the twist and turns it has in store for you.

Saturday Night, Scary Movies, and Four Girls

Picture this if you will. Four girls, various ages, huddled in front of a black and white tv, watching scary movies on Saturday night. The light are turned off. The only way to watch scary movies. The house is quite. No one else is awake. A big, huge bowl of pop corn sitting in the oldest girls lap to be shared by all. It's the movie about bats flying from behind and biting people and then they become a dreaded vampire. The heroine of the movie was walking alone, (stupid girl) down a dark street in the dead of night. They are all hunched over watching the screen with bated breath. They know she is going to get bitten. The camera's have already shown the bat flying around and around her waiting to strike. He dives for her. Out of thin air comes a blood curdling scream and a bowl of flying pop corn raining down. All of us scream and duck too. It seems my sister had gotten hit in the back of the head by our canary "Tweedy" at the exact moment the bat struck the girl on tv. Mom and Dad came running to see what was killing their daughters and it was the funniest sight I have ever seen. Pop corn lay everywhere, we were scared out of our wits, and Mom and Dad were very confused. Tweedy had a trick of getting out of his cage, flying up to the curtain rod and then dive bombing us kids when we passed. He picked the perfect moment to dive bomb Joyce. I still say he knew just exactly what he was doing, and had planned his flight with perfection. No one can tell me any different.

"Babycakes" pt. 2

Well she is still here. Living under our deck. R says to call animal control today. I don't want to. As skittish as she is, she is not a good candidate for adoption and she only has three days for someone to want her. R is a cat lover, but our dogs go outside in the fenced in yard to do their business and I have to fend them off the opening in the deck each time I let them out. She will not come to me so I can find her a home. My daughter wants her, but we cannot catch her. She already has two cats and I am not sure they will welcome this one. What shall I do?

"Babycakes"

Took the dogs out for their daily constitutional Monday afternoon, and everything was going as planned. I was standing on the lower deck watching the dogs sniff the ground looking for that perfect spot. Login was very interested in a spot near the deck and started acting very excited. Susi decided that it was interesting enough to join him. All of a sudden I hear a very loud hiss coming from under the deck. I shouted for Am to come out because I knew we had a cat under the deck. Bella who is the smallest of the three decided to try to go under the deck and I was holding her. Am finally got the two larger dogs inside after pulling Susi bodily from under deck. She could not go under all the way because of her size. Then the cat started meowing in ernest. After searching for a hoe to pry the trap door up Am and I saw a ginger colored cat sitting just inside the opening of the house. We decided to put food down to lure her out. She would only come as far as the opening and then dart back when we tried to reach for her. I know, I know, I know, NEVER FEED A stray animal. But in all fairness we were trying to get her out from under the house. Her reluctance to leave made us think she may have kittens under the house. We put down water and she layed down just inside the entrance and waited. I went out every now and then to see if she had jumped out. No luck. She sat there looking at me with very sleepy eyes. Like it had been a long time since she had had any rest. (Another reason I thought she may have kittens) I told her to go ahead and sleep I had her back, nothing would hurt her while she slept. She looked at me as if to say "Oh, thank you" and promptly fell asleep. I had already dubbed her "Babycakes" by this time. I know, I know, I know, NEVER NAME a stray. R finally got home from work and crawled under the house to see if he could find said kittens. No luck. We retired for the night thinking she would be gone by morning. NOPE. which rhymes with DOPE I know. ANYWAY! Later on that night I took the dogs out for last call and she was out and promptly jumped the fence out of the yard. I thought GOOD! she will go home now. NOT! She was there yesterday morning in all her glory, sitting in the hole of the trap door again. As a last resort last night after the dogs had made her jump the fence again, (They only want to play with her. They love cats and dogs of all kinds.) R put the metal door back up going under the house. Case closed. Now she will go away. Wrong! She is back this morning, under the deck, crying again. Guess we are going to have to call the dreaded "animal control" to catch her. She cannot live under our deck. The dogs go crazy every time I let them out. So with a sad heart I contemplate what to do next. I would love to keep her, even if it is outside, but our pets have to come first. Anybody want a loving, pretty, ginger cat? We do not have a "NO KILL" animal shelter here.

Pot Calling the Kettle Black

The title is a saying that my parents always use to say to us as we were growing up. I have been fussing at my kids for not bloging and I am guilty of doing the same. LOL I have been sick lately, but I am feeling better today. I made a trip to see my Older sister last week. It was really great to see her, and spend time with her and her family. I took Bella with me, and she was a wonderful pup all the way. I drove at night because I like being on the road without a lot of traffic. I don't worry about driving at night, it seem to calm me. The only thing that bothered me is that for some reason every time I was at a point that I needed to get on another road someone always flew up behind me and scared me. Even though I have made the trip a thousand times I always end up second guessing myself about the route. Heavy traffic does not make me jumpy if I know where I am going and I am in the lane I am suppose to be in. Its the changing lanes in the middle of crazed drivers that make my heart jump out of my chest. But We made it there and back with no major accidents, so all is well.

Terrible Two's

OK he's done it now. He has pissed of the cat, gotten yelled at by his Mom and his Dad, alienated his sister and his aunt. Smiled at his grandma (ME) and fussed at me because he wants to play and NO ONE will play with him. He has finally given up and is laying in the floor pouting as I write this. He was so happy to see his Grandma, aunt, and his cousins this morning. He has been bouncing off the walls ever since. Playing has been his main goal, and after a lunch of pizza that he was not allowed to eat (health issues) he has tried unsuccessfully to get someone in this house to play. I was his last hope and here I was on the computer. I will stop blogging now so I can play with the little darling. Who am I speaking of? Why, Login, my fur grand baby. He has some age on him and he is not allowed to eat "real" food. Grandma has spoiled him since his Dad has been in Iraq and now he is paying the price. "BAD GRANDMA"! We will play tug rope, with him pulling me bodily across the floor because he is stronger than me. But that is ok, I love him and I will survive.

Frumpy Friday

Good Morning! It is now 5:45 AM. I have been awake since around 4:30. Woke up to nature's call and could not go back to sleep. I tried, trust me. Just as I was about to go back to sleep I felt the earth moving under me. Then I figured out it was my bed shaking and not the earth. Susi had decided at that precise moment to scratch her backside on the foot of my bed. I raised up and told her to stop. Being the loving dog that she is, she payed me no mind and continued to scratch. LOL If she were a smaller dog I probably would not have even noticed, but she weighs probably 50 pounds. When she has an itch it will be scratched by someone or something. She has been known to move deck chairs and dining room chairs around the room in her quest for the scratching. So, here I am, sitting at the computer reading my fav. blogs and posting this.

My son and daughter have blogs also, but you couldn't tell, they have not blogged lately. My son-in-law is taking a few weeks of leave and when he is home my daughter falls off the radar. You would think they were on a secret mission or something. But, maybe they are. Trying to find the family unit, and reconnect to each other. She has been having a marathon of watching old episodes of "Sex In The City" in order to go see the movie with a friend. She had never seen it before. Now I am afraid she is hooked on it. LOL BTW, everyone congratulate her on her NEW JOB she acquired yesterday. They hired her on the spot. You know that did wonders for her self-esteem. She had not been able to find a job that worked around her life style of being a mother and wife. She had been working part time and loved it. But "Mr REAL LIFE" reared his ugly head with his demands for more financial security and growing electric, gas, and food bills. So now she is a full time member of the work force again.

My son just started his blog after his return for Iraq. He has been trying to readjust to normal life for the last month. It hasn't been easy for him. But he will be fine. I know this in my "Mother's" heart. It will just take time and prayers. He has a lot of family and friends close to him and all he has to do is know that we love him and will be there for him.

The sun has finally come up, well its been up for at least an hour. I am tired now, but I won't sleep again till later I am just thankful that I have my son home. My daughter and her family are close and all is right in my world again.

George Carlin Dies

This is the first thing I read this morning. Before I even had a chance to get the first cup of coffee in me, this assaulted my brain. No, I did not know him personally. He has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I was introduced to his comedy act at a very young age and remember his transition into the "long haired hippy style" that he loved so well. His jokes were funny, and his facial expressions beyond belief. You were always sorry when it ended. I believe I could have listened to him all night. He knew how to "WOW" the crowd and keep them coming back for more. His views on politics we deemed controversial. He made you think. He was not a sheep, and didn't want anyone else to be. I am sad that he is gone.

I'm a Big Wuss

Yesterday I decided to stop smoking. I have a lot of reasons to quit. My grandsons want me to as do my children.. My daughter is currently trying to quit. She has a lot of will power, and she will do it. She has done it before. I have smoked for more years than I have needed to. I have COPD and the smoking is just making it worse faster. I lasted 4 hours yesterday. Not a very long time for some people but for me its a start. I WANT TO QUIT. I have tried the patches. They made me sick. I cannot use the gum, I wear dentures. I would love to try the pill, but alas Medicare won't cover the cost. From what I understand most insurance companies won't. This is something I don't understand. They will pay for the damage smoking does to thousands of people, but not the cure. Maybe it won't make everyone that tries it quit, but surely its worth a try. It has to be cheaper in the long run. So, I guess I am on my own. If anyone has any tips please let me know, I will try almost anything.

Screaming Saturday

"I'm Up! I'm Up! I'm Up!" The very first words out of my mouth this morning!!! Picture this. You are sleeping so GOOD. Then you are half awake. You feel a nudge on your hand that you try to ignore. "No I don't want to get up yet!" To Late! Now your bladder is awake. It twinges letting you know you have only a few seconds to respond. Then here comes a full on assault to the hands. As you pull away the teeth and wiggly body follows. It's "BELLA", the early riser. I am talking 6:30 every morning. I am not sure if She wakes me up first or I wake her up by moving. Sometimes when I am half asleep, I can feel her watching and waiting for the first movement to signal her that I am alive. Either way, "SHE" will not be deterred. Out she wants, and out she will get, or I will suffer the consequences. She will go as far as waking the other dogs up and they will dance around me and on me till I get up. "SHE" has her ways, I promise you. So, a quick dash down the stairs to let them out, backtrack to downstairs bathroom to make my now screaming bladder shut up, and my day has begun. Grab my first cigarette of the day and out the door I go. Now on to bigger and better things. A fresh pot of coffee, that I cannot wait for (so I let just enough brew in the pot for a half a cup) and the second cigarette of the day. MMMMMMMMMMMMM good. fresh coffee and a cigarette... So, as I hack my left lung out I enjoy this danger to my life. I have decided to try to quit today. My daughter quit yesterday and if I am to show support, I must too. It has been I hour and 26 minutes since my last draw of the poison and I want one bad!!! So stay tuned to this channel and see if i make it. SUPPORT IS NEEDED AND GREATLY APPRECIATED. PEP TALKS MIGHT HELP. So please tell me I can do this. Tell me how important my lungs are to me. Tell me anything, just help!!!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

Today being Father's Day I am reminded of my own father. A very strict man, with a heart of gold and a hand of steel. Most of our "whuppins' were given to us by our mother, but we recieved some in our life from him. I have a mixture of memories of my father, some good and some bad. Mostly good. He was a hard working man, working most of the time sun up to sun down to provide for us. I remember Friday night wrestling, and Saturday morning shows like "Sky King". Saturday night shows of Gunsmoke, Mayberry RFD. Never did know what RFD stood for and still don't. Lawrence Welk, and so many others. Most Sunday's we would have a wonderful Lunch or Dinner as some people call it, of fried chicken, greenbeans, home made biscuits so good you would fight your sisters and brothers for the last one. Served with milk gravy so smooth and delicious you thought you had died and gone to heaven. My MOM was a wonderful cook and could feed an army from her loving hands at a moments notice. Most times we had a garden and plenty of meat in the freezer. Life was simple, and the food was great. Filling our bellies with love and our hearts with the knowledge that we were loved by our parents. I don't think a lot of kids have that anymore. Do they know they are loved by their parents and family? Do they have responibilites given to them? Tasks to complete, to show they are trusted and appreciated? Maybe that is part of what is causing the unrest of the youth today. Not knowing where they stand in the family circle. One can only wonder.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

To alll fathers everywhere. Be it children, fur babies, or any other creature of God's that you care for. My son recieved his FDP early . Login, Susi and Phat presented him with two ideos that he has been wanting., One of the is "Jeff Dunham"

Showtime Saturday

Jack Black rules and so does his new movie. Kung Fu Panda is awesome. My son-in-law took his 2 sons to see it yesterday and me, my son and his wife tagged along to see it to. The line wasn't really that long (Thank God). It was really hot today. So in the door we go, and up to the concession stand. I ordered snack boxes for my grandsons, a regular popcorn and a med.diet drink. $21.15 later we left the stand and headed down the isle to our seats. Settling in comfortabley, we watched the previews of coming attractions (a couple of the had cuss words not fit for the kids present) and the movie began. As I was sitting there, munching on high priced popcorn, watching this movie, I was filled with laughter. I believe the adults laughed as much as the kids. I don't think there was a dissappointed person in the crowd. As a smoker I thought I would miss most of the movie, outside filling my lungs with posion.(I know this, but I still smoke.) To give credit where credit is due, I didn't even think of a cigarette the whole time. It takes a lot to make me forget a cigarette, trust me. But, this movie succeeded where most of them fail. If you haven't seen it, go see it. If you are embarrased to be seeen going to a "KID" show as an adult, rent an kid, or borrow one, just go. You won't be sorry. It will make you feel like a kid again, and who knows, you might actually reclaim the joy in your life. Thats the best feeling in the world.

High Flying Friday

OK! So tonight is the Air Show at Cherry Point. We are all going to go, and have our ears split from the noise of the fly-overs we will be witnessing. But who cares. It's worth it. I was able to see this show some years back and I still haven't gotten over it. Anyone who loves planes should go. It is indescribable. The gates will be open to the public, and I know everyone in and around town will be there. It is suppose to be in the 90's today, so bunches of sunblock will be in use. I have almost as much fun watching the kids, watch the planes. The awe and wonder in their little faces is priceless. Granted, sometimes it scares them when they do a fly-over, but by the end of the show they seem to adapt to it very well. We live so close to the base we could almost watch it from here. They spent the whole day yesterday practicing, so we had planes in the air over our house all day. The dogs don't even seem to hear them anymore. They pay no attention to the noise at all. When I first moved here my little dog, Bella, use to tuck her tail between her legs and run for the nearest cover. Now she just stands there. I guess the other dogs told her it was nothing to be scare of.

So, have a great day. If I can beg, threaten, blackmail, guilt, or somehow get someone to post pictures, I will.

Weird Wednesday

Good Morning! I hope every ones day is as bright and cheery as mine has been so far. I woke up at 6:30 AM and could not force myself to go back to sleep. This was after repeatedly waking up through the night, wondering why I was awake.

I had a long trip home yesterday. Four hours of driving, by myself, without a radio to keep me company. My newer car does not have a radio, and I did not have the required discs to listen to. But I digress.

I heard Phat (the house queen cat) meowing sometime this morning and I refused to answer her call from downstairs. I knew she had something bad to tell me and I could not face it this morning. That was around 5:00. She only meows up the stairway if she has made a mess and wants me to clean it up. She is the only cat (that I know of), that will tell you when her litter box is dirty, or that she has thrown up somewhere, or decided that something that is laying on the floor(clothes, paper, or what ever) is her "new" litter box. She tells on herself every time. She is a sweet cat, only loving on her mind. She doesn't really mind the face chewing from the dogs, and will occasionally play with said dogs if she is in the mood. Being three legged does not slow her down. She rules this house with an iron paw and is proud of it. Please excuse this interruption, the dogs must go out. Talk with the voices in your head while I let them out. HUmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

We now continue with the regularly scheduled craziness that is "madmamma".

Just returned from outside where "Bella", "Susi" and "Login" have finished a round of "Chase Me, but Don't Kill Me" around the pool. Bella loves to be chased, and will chew on the other two dogs till she gets her way. She is fast as lightning, and loves to run. Around and around the pool, followed by Susi and Login. Sometimes they split up and try to box her in on one side or the other. That's how she fell in the pool the last time, trying to pass one of the dogs on the pool side. But again I digress.

It looks to be a beautiful day outside, and I have things to do, and places to go. My daughter will be over soon for coffee and I must make a fresh pot (having emptied the first pot already). So, I will leave you with this question. Its 8am, do you know where your car keys are?

Family Cook-out

Boy-Howdy! It was hot yesterday. We had our "Welcome Home Ronnie" Family cook-out yesterday and it was great. There was 26 people (I lost count at some point) in attendance. Brothers and sisters, their wives and husbands. Their children and their children. It gets confusing! A few family friends,and their kids. But the star attraction came in the form of Lucifer. Who is Lucifer ? None other than a 6 ft Rosy Boa. A snake for those not in the know. Seems like we have become the God-parents for him, and he needs a place to stay for a month. Foote, one of Ronnie's men, has block leave for a month and is making a trip to Florida and cannot take him with. Sooooooooooo! Being good God-parents, Ronnie and Amanda welcomed him. Amanda stated to Foote that if he got out, he would have a new belt to wear when he got home! LOL The crowd thinned out after his arrival. The kids in attendance loved it,. The Mommies of the crowd, not so much. I on the other hand petted him, and fussed over him so the kids wouldn't be scared, but I should have known the kids would be all right. I should have been worried about the parents. LOL All in all it was a great day. Thank you Miss Maggie and Miss Cindy for hanging with me. They are my buddies, and stuck with me through it all. Amanda and Ronnie were the perfect Host and Hostess with the most-est. Food was great! Everyone went home full, we hope and way to early. So until next time, I leave you with a "High-Ho Silver, Away!" No wait, wrong show. Ta Ta for Now!

A Belated Birthday Present

"Surprise, surprise, surprise," as Gomer Pyle would say. Ronnie's last 2 trunks arrived at the beginning of May and they just found them yesterday. They had been sitting at the post office all this time. No delivery attempt was ever done on it. No little peach colored notice in the mail box, no nothing. Am and Km found them at the post office yesterday when they picked up another package. The wonderful "man" wheeled them out to the car, and watched while my Km and Am struggled trying to put them in the back of the car. People we are talking about a foot locker that weighs at least 75 lbs or more. What is wrong with men now? Well for that matter, in general? If my son had seen two women struggling to load something he would go directly to them and offer and insist on helping them as would my son-in-law. There would not be any question about it. (sorry venting again). Anyway I digress. As soon as my son got home he started going through it Inside was a flag that he arranged to have flown over Iraq for the whole day for my grandson, on his birthday. Real foreign soil (dust) and all. There was a certificate stating that this flag was flown in honor of my grandson. He jumped in his uncles arms and hugged him saying "this is the best est birthday present I ever got!" We all laughed, and Ronnie went on searching through his trunk. I looked up and he is coming towards me with another box in his hand. When he handed me the box I cried, because I knew that I had been honored also. The strange part about it was, he had left instructions to fly it "any day". They flew this flag on what would have been my Mom's birthday, April 16. My daughter saw it before I did and said "Mom, did you notice the date it was flown?" When I looked at it I cried some more. For some strange reason they had flown it on my Mom's birthday, there for honoring her and me at the SAME TIME. Ronnie was shocked to say the least. He said that was a pure accident, because he had stated "any day" for mine. But I know it wasn't an accident that that flag flew over Iraq on what would have been my Mom's birthday (God rest her soul). I think it was her way of saying that she is always with us, no matter where we may go in our life. WE MISS YOU MOM! Now I must dry my tears, again, and carry on with my day. So, if you are blessed to still have your Mom in your life, go to her today, if you can, and hug her real tight, tell her you love her, for me. I wish I still could.

Wicked Wednesday

Better known to the world as "Hump Day". But I feel wicked today. I woke up with a wicked headache this morning and the day has just gone down hill from there. It's very cloudy outside and my bones are telling me it is going to rain. I was going to water the plants today, but now I will just wait and see if God does it for me. My daughter came by this morning(the one bright spot of my day so far) and hung out with her old Mom before going to work. She has to pass my house to get to work, so that works out well for both of us. She drops the kids of at school, and comes here. We drink coffee, chat about the family events that are coming up, and any other topic we can think of. I have a great time being with her and I think she does too. I have finally become the Mother I should have been years ago. Long story there, but I have come out from the other side of my history, on the right side. I am where I want to be, with the ones I love around me, and I am at peace. The dogs are being quite for now. No monsters lurking about for them to attack. It's time for me to take my meds so I will leave you with this thought. Having the most expensive coffee alone means nothing. Having regular old coffee with someone you love, is priceless.

Candid Carrie: The Wienie Roast and The White Rabbit

Candid Carrie: The Wienie Roast and The White Rabbit

Frumpy Friday

Boy do we feel frumpy today. My daughter and I have decided that we don't feel like getting all dolled up today. She usually puts on makeup every day, but today we are being frumpy. lol We had a cook-out at my son's lasy night and then they came over to my daughter's for fun and games. John and Michael played Rock Band at the top of the volume button and we girls just talked. The they got down to a game of Cranium, with me as 5th wheel helping both sides. It was so funny. Michael guessed Wonder Woman that John had drawn. The funny part is that it was a stick figure with American flag underwear. We all laughed, and marveled at both of them. Then I came back with 90210 for the letter-line-up for the girls. I just pulled that one out of thin air, because I had seen it on tv last week. LOL Then I got one for the boys cameoed by Michael "hungry like a wolf" so I felt I had given my services fairly. They are all amazing at this game. They are so close its almost like they read each others minds. Its great to have a family that gets together and has fun with out fussing, fighting, or someone going home mad. I don't think a lot of familys have that now, and that is sad. I am living my dream life, smack in the middle of the ones I love. A little more money wouldn't hurt, but all in all its great.

He's Home

Yup, its really true. He's home. We picked him up yesterday,on base. It was 4 hours of unrelenting sun, and heat. The Corps had set up tents, and chairs, and refreshments for all. The sun beat down on the ones of us that could not fit in the tents. There was a bouncy house for the little ones and music for all. My daughter, daughter-in-law, an old friend from my son's ROTC unit in high school and my grandsons we all present to greet him. First one unit arrived, all cheers and applause, then another unit, same as before. It was so great to see the men grab their wives, and children and hug them like there was no tomorrow. Then they would slowly walk to the aged of us waiting in the background. More waiting till I thought my brain would bake inside my head, and then the announcement. The buses are here! Up rolls 6 buses, all with tinted windows. silent silhouettes inside, some sitting still, some waving. Everyone looks the same. Standing, cheering, waving we wait with bated breath, our eyes trained on the crowd looking for that first glimpse of HIM. Then this voice from behind me says "why is everyone looking up that way?" My heart stopped, I knew that voice. As I turned I saw him, MY SON, alive and whole and smiling at us. I screamed (I don't know what now) and ran, and jumped in his arms. Guess what? with the proper provocation an old cripple women can jump! His wife got second hug. (Sorry about that sweetie). But I think she has forgiven me now. (I hope) Will write more later, still feel ing the affects of yesterdays excitement.

ONE DAY, THREE HOURS, AND COUNTING

MY SON WILL BE HOME TOMORROW! I am so excited I cannot breath or think straight. My son is in the air as I write this. Winging his way towards the states. He will be here around noon tomorrow. I have not been able to think straight since he IM us on his way out of Iraq. He is probably waiting in Germany or Ireland for his flight home now. They stop at various countries to connect. I kind of hope he got to go to Ireland. He had his heart set on walking the streets of his homeland. Germany would be homeland also, but he had a burning in his chest for Ireland. He has always been interested in his "melting pot" of a family. His father is German, I am Irish and American Indian, with a few other cultures thrown in for taste. This "melting pot" of cultures has caused some medical problems for my generation of our line. The younger generation seems to have fared better though. But he is a good son, and family is important to him and his sister. But I digress! He is coming home, whole, healthy, and happy and that is what counts.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

What a great and glorious day. It has been raining here all morning. My plants are drowning again. I must get them re-potted soon. They are starting to grow gills and fins. LOL I had planned to do that today, but God had a different plan. He won! But we need the rain, and so I am not going to be blue about it. I have already talked to my son from Iraq. He told me that they have just taken away their computer communications yesterday, so no more Mommie e-mails till he gets stateside. He called this morning to wish me Happy Mother's Day. My daughter came to visit this morning. So my day has been filled with the ones I love. This is what Mother's Day is all about. Its not the gifts, or the meal, but love. I' m very blessed that I am able to be so close to my kids and their family. My son will be coming home soon, and all will be right with my world again. So, here's to all us Mother's of the world, on our special day. May God bless you and keep you.

Sucky Saturday

This morning broke through bright and shiny. It had rained during the night, and the world was fresh and shiny and new. I on the other hand was grumpy, hungery, and needed a cup of coffee bad. So I fixed coffee, made toast, and converced with the dogs. After my second cup of coffee I felt I could face the world again. Am beat me up this morning. Said she had been up since about 4 I think. She felt horrible, and went back to bed asking me to not let her sleep all day. This was around 9:30. I don't usually sleep that late, but I guess the muscle relaxers and pain killer I took last night did their job.

Taking my coffee outside, I sat in my usual place (perched on the railing to the deck) and watched my growing plants swim in their pool of water from last night. They are in a pod tray and it has no holes in the bottom. After fishing them out, and placing them on the deck to dry out a little, I finished my coffee.

Wow this is so boring! I need to get a better life. Right? But actually I pretty much have the life I want. True, I would like to have a little more money each month. Be able to cure cancer. (That monster has taken more lives than is necessary in this world) Have my health back, and a few things that are gone now. But for me this is the life I choose. My children, and my grandchildren close by, my little companion (Bella), and all the other furbabies that my children have. A roof over my head, and food in my belly. That doesn't seem like a lot to some people I know, but for me it is heaven here on earth.

On that note, I will close for now. God's Speed and my prayers to you all.

World of Pain

OK. I am in a world of pain because:

I fell down the stairs night before last and landed on my butt.

Funny right?

To bad I didn't have a video camera at the bottom of the stairs. I could have made millions.

Soooo, after several hours in ER I was sent home with a broken tail bone, sprained neck and a swollen elbow. Pumped full on morphine, I was a sight to see, and listen to I am told. I passed out right after we left the ER. Woke up with my hand in a McDonald's bag, eating a sausage biscuit . Which isn't strange in itself except I was tearing off pieces of biscuit and putting them in my mouth. The funny part is, I never chewed it or swallowed it. When we got home I had a mouth full of biscuit and a diet Coke in my hand. I had to spit the biscuit out because my mouth was so dry I could not even swallow with the help of the Coke. My poor daughter-in-law (daughter of my heart) got me home safely and upstairs to my bed. Next morning I found the aforementioned biscuit still in the bag, uneaten. I guess she figured I wasn't in any shape to eat when I got here.

Bless her heart, I don't know what I would do with out her. We really didn't know each other that well when I came here to live, but now you cannot separate us with a crowbar. I would gladly lay down my life for her.

Anyway, to day I am in pain from my head to my toes. I am getting ready to take the dreaded pain pills and muscle relaxers they have prescribed. Ta Ta for now.

Blue Monday

Monday, Monday. Not feeling great this morning. Went to a birthday/block party yesterday. It was a beautiful day. Everyone had a great time. The "Birthday Boy" of 70 was indeed surprised, and the kids were all cute and adorable. I had a great time, met a lot of new people, played with the babies and promply ate to much. It felt good to get home and veg. This morning I am sore in places I forgot I had. LOL The dogs (Bella Login, and Susi) did not appreciate being in the house all afternoon and let us know about it as soon as we got home. Today I have the honor of waiting on the "Sears" repairman all day. He is coming to officially approve our defunked washer from "Sears" for a new one. The last repairman can not simply say, "Yes, I checked it and if it breaks again we need to replace it." NO! That would be to easy. We have been without a washer for 2 months now. Every time we call "Sears" its a two week wait. So today is suppose to be the day. So even though I detest "Sears" I must remove the litter box from the laundry room for the sake of the nice repair man.

Thank God

We finally had word from my son that he is ok. He had e-mailed his wife and told her that he was ok, and that if we heard anything on the news, that he was ok. Then they(uncle sam) cut communications. (Bless their black hearts) I know it is for everyones safety, but they don't understand a Mother's heart. When official work came, we found out that they had had a small arms attack outside the base. My son and his men were ok, but they lost one of the guys in their unit. That is when we really freaked. Sunday (almost a week after the e-mail) we found out that he is truly ok, and very busy trying to get everything shipped out to the states. I know this sounds like overreaction on our part. We have been able to e-mail and talk to him this whole time. Then they have an attack, cut communications, and left us with a big question in out head. (IS HE TRULY OK, OR DID THEY GET HIT AFTER THE E-MAIL AGAIN?) I would not wish this terror on anyone. I pray each night for the safety of all out men and women fighting for out freedom and the future of out children and grandchildren. So ladies and gentleman, hug your babies just a little harder tonight and thank God and the men and women of out Armed Forces for all our freedom.