Life, Love and the pursuit of cheesecake

Hi Y'all

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 18:55:44 GMT

Well I just want to write a quick few lines to catch up. I've been so busy with work and the kids and all..haven't had much free time. I am taking a break from healthcare and am doing advertising/marketing for my husbands company (in radio) and i am having a ball doing it and am not half bad if i do say so myself! My daughter is back home, things didn't work out at "Dad's", and things are coming along between she and my husband and myself.... everyone's back in school and doing well. Three of the boys are doing football this year. Paige began her first yr of high school! WOW..hard to believe. All in all everyone is doing well. We all are busy and happy and getting along better so things are much better. Thanks for your well wishes and words...I've been readin your spaces as much as possible...hope u all are doing well! Hugs to all of my friends!! TTFN

Please vote on my photo in this photo contest

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 16:07:22 GMT

Brianna's pic is entered in a contest and you can vote....just go to link below if you want to participate

http://www.whattoexpect.com/photocontest/contest/photo_details.aspx?contestantId=3356

a big mess....i need your advice.....

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 05:02:39 GMT

ok..well as i said a lot going on here....busy with the new job.....but more pressing here is something i need some advice/prayer for....my spaces friends.....please read and send your advice and prayers for raising a difficult teen. i try to leave my personal life out of the discussion here but i need help...

My fifteen year old daughter has spent much of the past few years being angry on again and off at her father for various reasons..mainly due to the fact that he has been overly absent from her life ( and that of her siblings') for the better part of 8/9 years. She also does not like my husband (my other kids dont either and don't want him and i married) and due to the problems between my children and my husband as well as his children and myself...we recently seperated and moved into seperate homes to try to relieve the tension while working on our marriage and our "blended family"

Within the last yr and a half the kids dad has moved back to the state we live in after living in another for these last 8/9 yrs and has been finally more regular with visits with the kids. On occassion Paige has voiced her frustration with "dad" for this reason and that often refusing to go on weekend visits when the other kids went because she was mad at him.... the latest of these spells was the last month when Paige informed me she had argued with dad and didnt want to see/speak with him anymore because he has not ever been there for her or been a good parent for her. When asking "dad" what prompted the latest argument he told me it was mostly over how he dissapproved of her talking to a 19 yr old boy and wanting to date him ..being only 15 herself....(which i said no to as well which made her mad at me too) then she blew up at him and proceeded to rant about how he had no right because he's never been a real dad to her.....

Fast forward to a few days ago when i get a request from Paige to go on a trip to Tx with him....HUH????. Apparently she's emailed / called dad ...telling him she's sorry for the argument and asked to go see him...and go along on the trip....(backstory.... Paige found out dad and his wife..whom the kids also didnt like...and whom "dad" had problems off and on with for a few yrs..had just left him and they are apparently divorcing....which i think is inappropriate for Paige to hear all the detsils about anyway but that is another issue)..

upon further talking to "dad" he tells me he's as baffled as me at the sudden change of heart with Paige and tells me she also requested to come live with him. SAY WHAT!!!!???? I am in shock... she's thrown this at me before...wanting to live with dad when she doesnt like the rules/ and when she claims she hates my husband and is miserable....i try to talk to her to understand what is going on in her head...but she is very reluctant to talk and is very sassy and hateful...i am heart broken...and not sure what is best...she hates my husband, i have already seperated from him to try to focus on the kids and he is doing the same with his kids...but how much more can i do to cater to her selfish demands.....and "dad" has not been a real parent for so long..i am not sure i trust his abilities to do so....i love my daughter but i am not sure anything will ever make her happy....do i deserve any happiness here....??? I am always pulled in three directions...my way ..the kids way.. and my husbands way....help.....!!!!! I am tired of all the chaos and just want a happy life/family/marriage......any advice? (please pray for us that we find the answers and for me to have the strength to do the right thing) I let her go on the trip..cause i think it is a good chance for Paige and "dad" to spend some quality time together....and said we'd all sit down and discuss the living arrangements when they get home next week.....meanwhile i am torn up and heartbroken and am trying to make a right decision..is there a right here...HELP!!

I've been busy guys!!!

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 20:54:14 GMT

Sorry to have neglected my space here lately...I started a new job and have about thirty seven things all going at the same time with moving and getting kids settled in and all.....so I've had no time to even look at my space this week,....i promise to update you all this weekend and stop by to see what u are all up to. Hugzzz!!!! Rissa

Tasty -Treats Thursday

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:27:24 GMT

Zucchini/Squash Recipes

Beef Stuffed Zucchini

Zucchini squash is cut in half, pulp is scooped, and the shells are fulled with a ground beef and seasoned crumb mixture. Scroll down to see more zucchini recipes.

Ingredients:

4 zucchini, about 6-inches in length
1/2 pound extra lean ground beef
2 tablespoons oatmeal
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
1 tablespoon chili sauce or ketchup
2 tablespoons butter, cut in small pieces
1 cup buttered bread crumbs

Preparation:

Split zucchini lengthwise; scoop out centers and chop pulp finely. Mix the chopped zucchini with the ground beef, oatmeal, onion powder, salt, and chili sauce. Stuff zucchini skins with ground beef mixture. Dot each zucchini with a little butter; sprinkle with bread crumbs. Put zucchini halves in a baking dish with about 1/2 cup water. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes, or until golden brown.

Zucchini Bread

Scroll down to see more zucchini bread recipes.

Ingredients:

2 cups shredded raw zucchini
3 eggs
1 3/4 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup chopped walnuts

Preparation:

Put zucchini in strainer and press or squeeze with hands to get excess liquid out. Beat eggs, sugar, and oil together. Add flour, baking powder, soda, cinnamon, salt, vanilla, and walnuts. Mix together by hand. Add drained zucchini. Mix well. Pour into 2 greased and floured loaf pans. Bake 55 to 65 minutes at 350°, or until a wooden pick or cake tester inserted in center comes out with very little cake clinging to it.

Zucchini Cake

Ingredients:

1 cup vegetable oil
2 cup sugar
3 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla (I always use pure vanilla extract)
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 cups grated zucchini (leave skins on)
1 cup walnuts

Preparation:

Mix oil and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time beating well after each addition; blend in vanilla. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and baking soda. Add sifted dry ingredients to first mixture; alternating with grated zucchini. Fold in chopped nuts. (Batter will be a bit thin.)
Pour into greased and floured 13x9x2-inch pan. Bake at 350° for 55 minutes.
Pork Chops With Zucchini and Tomatoes
Pork chops are cooked with a flavorful tomato sauce, topped with sliced zucchini and mozzarella cheese. Scroll down to see more pork chop recipes.
Ingredients:

1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/8 teaspoon pepper
4 pork chops, about 3/4-inch thick
1/2 cup raw rice
2 cans (14.5 ounces each) diced tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup sliced ripe olives
1 tablespoon sugar
2 cups thinly sliced zucchini or summer squash
1/2 to 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese

Preparation:

Mix salt, seasoned salt, chili powder, and pepper. Trim pork chops of fat. Heat oil in skillet; brown pork chops, seasoning with 1 teaspoon of the seasoning mixture.
Drain off fat. Add rice, tomatoes, green pepper, onion, olives, and sugar. Arrange sliced zucchini around edge of skillet and sprinkle with remaining seasoning mixture. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for 45 to 55 minutes, or until pork is cooked through. Top with the cheese and cover, cooking a few minutes longer, until cheese is melted.
Serves 4.
Squash Casserole With Bacon
Scroll down to see more summer squash recipes.
Ingredients:

4 strips bacon
5 medium yellow summer squash, or 32 ounces frozen sliced summer squash
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon butter
2 eggs, beaten
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 to 3/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Preparation:

Slice squash about 1/4-inch thick; cook in boiling salted water until tender. Fry bacon until crisp; drain on paper towels. Crumble bacon and set aside. In bacon drippings, brown onions. Add butter, squash, eggs, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until eggs are cooked. In a 2-quart casserole dish, place half of the squash mixture. Sprinkle with half of the crumbled bacon and half of the shredded cheese. Top with remaining squash mixture, bacon, and cheese. Bake at 350° until hot and cheese is melted.
Serves 4 to 6

Web-Wednesday

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:42:10 GMT

ok guys, well i first of all apologize for missing Tuesdays entry... I worked a day shift and was all outta whack when i got home...i passed out on the couch right after dinner...so I missed yesterdays entry all together...well anyways...

here's the "web walk" for this week, enjoy!

With Free Rice you can increase your vocabulary and feed the hungry. Play this online world game and for each word you get right the site donates 20 grains of rice through the UN World Food Program.
http://www.freerice.com/

Mortified "is a comic excavation of the strange and extraordinary things we created as kids." Now you can see adults sharing their own adolescent journals, letters, poems, home movies, stories and more.
http://www.getmortified.com/

Joy Nash's Fat Rant has made her an Internet "star." Just visit her blog to see for your self why Joy says she's "fat" and proud of it.
http://fatrantblog.wordpress.com/

VBS.TV is "an online broadcast network which streams original content, free for 24 hours a day." The online network features videos from over 20 countries.
http://www.vbs.tv/

Death and Taxes: A Visual Guide to Where Your Federal Dollars Go this site features a poster than shows you how the federal government will spend your federal income taxes this year. Explore this cool piece of art online or order your own poster by visiting Wall Stats.
http://www.wallstats.com/

The folks at Warner Bros. have several Viral Batman Web Sites you can check out before seeing the new DARK Knight Movie. But the Joker has hacked most of the sites so be warned:

The Dark Knight Movie Trailer
http://thedarkknight.warnerbros.com/
Citizens for Batman
http://www.citizensforbatman.org/
why so serious:personality test
http://www.whysoserious.com/personalityprofile/
why so serious
http://www.whysoserious.com/
I Believe In Harvey Dent Gotham City DA Campaign Site
http://www.ibelieveinharveydent.com/
Dana Worthington For Gotham City DA Campaign Site
http://www.danaworthington.com/
Trust Garcetti Campaign Site for Gotham City Acting DA Site
http://www.trustgarcetti.com/
Gotham City Clerk
http://www.gothamcityclerk.com/
Concerned Citizens For A Better Gotham
http://www.ccfabg.org/
We Are The Answer A After Gotham Starts With You
http://www.wearetheanswer.org/
The Gotham Times
http://www.thegothamtimes.com/
The Ha Ha Ha Times
http://www.thehahahatimes.com/
A Taste For The Theatrical
http://www.atasteforthetheatrical.com/
Maiden Avenue Report
http://www.maidenavenuereport.com/
Gotham Police Department
http://www.gothampolice.com/
Gotham United School District
http://www.gothamusd.net/
Clown Travel Agency
http://www.clowntravelagency.com/
Rent-A-Clown
http://www.rent-a-clown.com/
Gotham City Rail
http://www.gothamcityrail.com/
Gotham Cab Company
http://www.gothamcab.com/
St. Swithus Catholic Church
http://www.saintswithunschurch.org/
Rossi's Delicatessen
http://www.rossisdelicatessen.com/
Betty's House of Pies
http://www.bettyshouseofpies.com/
Gotham City Pizzeria
http://www.gothamcitypizzeria.com/
Gotham National Bank
http://www.gothamnationalbank.com/
Acme Security Systems
http://www.acmesecuritysystems.com/

Have you read about these?

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:57:12 GMT

There are new dolls on the market causing a stir around the world. They're called "reborn" baby dolls. They're incredibly real! Look online for photos of them. They look real, they're even weighted to fell like a baby's weight, and they flop like a baby. They're so real, some adults are getting attached to them. In fact, they're SO real, frantic police even smashed a window to rescue a seemingly unconscious baby from a locked car - only to find one of those "reborn" baby dolls. They sell for up to $1,000, are hand painted, with eyelashes, fingernails, and wispy hair.

go here to learn more:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reborn_doll

TOP 10 MILEAGE TIPS

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 13:53:33 GMT

TOP 10 MILEAGE TIPS FROM HYPERMILERS

Lighten Your Load -- Remove of all but the bare necessities, at least free your ride of things like toolkits, golf bags and whatever other uncritical mass.
Keep Your Tires Full -- If you want the best compromise of economy, handling and safety, a great mileage tip is to keep your tires inflated to your car's recommended settings. You can find that information in your owner's manual and on the car itself; most likely on the driver's door jam.
Map Out the Shortest Route -- Look for the shortest routes, but consider the flattest and least congested as well.
Keep Your Car Aerodynamic -- While you can't eliminate drag, you can reduce it. Do away with extraneous or occasional-use items like bug shields, rooftop carriers and bike/luggage/ski racks.
Coast Into Stops -- Just as aggressive takeoffs suck more gas, so too does staying on the gas until the last moment before you brake. If you try coasting a while before braking, you'll notice you don't lose much speed and your mileage will improve.
Use cruise control -- Passing and be passed by a driver who can't commit to one speed drains your tank a lot faster. On reasonably mild terrain (steep hills are an exception) and when traffic conditions allow, you could realize substantial gains in mileage.
Don't let your engine idle -- Standing still with an idling engine yields 0 mpg. That's not to say you ought to kill your motor at every red light or in stop-and-go traffic, but whenever you anticipate you'll be sitting for 30 seconds or more, it'll save you big.
Shift when revs are low -- If you have a manual gearbox, you'll want to reconsider your upshift points. When it comes to managing better gas mileage, keep the RPMs as low as you can without lugging the engine.
Watch your mileage in real time -- If your car has the function, pay attention to the current mpg monitor (or pick up one and install it). Either way, you'll be surprised how your driving style impacts your numbers.
Don't accelerate hard -- As tempting as it is to mash the gas as soon as the light goes green, hard acceleration tests have shown mileage to drop by over 35%.

Changing things up a bit

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 04:30:44 GMT

Starting Monday I am going to change my format up bit.... thought it might be good for when I have no idea of what to write about.

Here's the new lineup:

Monday Memories...... memories /stories from my life

Topics/Trivia Tuesday ...... facts and trivia / or a "hot topic"

Web Wednesday ...... a review of my favorite spaces and places on the world wide web

Tasty Tidbits Thursday...... recipes, kitchen tips and such

Fun Friday ...... silly games, stories, jokes, etc.

Weekend Whatever...... whatever comes to mind

Well hope ya all like it and stop in to see what's on the menu (lol) as always I hope to see lots of comments and input from u all.

Take care my friends

TTFN

Groundhog Day in July????

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:15:21 GMT

My husband works in a radio station here in small-town Missouri. He's had a long career in radio and has quite a few stories to tell. I thought I'd heard just about everything from these stories..but yesterday he had a new one..so i thought I'd share. Yesterday upon coming to work, he and another employee noticed that a back office was a mess. The carpet and walls were "scratched" through, a hole had been scratched or chewed in the ceiling, phone wires were chewed in half..and there was an utter mess including some type of excrement on the floor. Judging from the droppings, this was no rat or small critter. After setting a live-trap, putting out bait such as cheese and candy and peanut butter, last evening they caught the culprit..a groundhog which apparently was living in the hole in the ceiling...the animal control officer came and collected Mr Groundhog and set him free in the woods on the edge of town..so no worries he wasn't harmed, although from the pic below of him he does looked peturbed from the whole fiasco... anyhow all is seemingly back to normal now. LOL I just had to share this funny story, I had no clue groundhogs would climb like that to be living in the ceiling....just another thing to accept with living in the "boonies" I suppose...lol

Golly Gee Whiz...I' ve been tagged!!!!!!!!!!

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 03:22:46 GMT

Well I've seen it done to several of you, but now it's my turn I guess. Thanks to Detective Jake and Sheila......I must divulge my darkest deepest secrets....here goes...

First off..THE RULES (no hitting below the belt, no biting, shake hands and come out clean...)

If you've been tagged. Post the rules at your Space. List eight things about yourself to share with all of your friends. After the list, choose eight other people to tag, list their names, and link to their Space. Then go to their space and tag them by leaving them a comment under one of their blogs telling them they've been tagged. Tell them to visit your Space to see the rules and what you wrote about yourself. You can copy/paste my blog, make the changes, and then post it at your Space. (Thanks for letting me copy this Sheila/Jake)

1. I have a rain man -like talent/sickness, (idiot savant) in that certain lines of songs, films, books, etc...sticks in my head and pop outta my mouth at the wierdest times..(for example...right now the one that comes to mind is "Congratulations, how's it feel to be an all American?" /"I gotta pee.")..if you can name that film...welcome to my crazy club...anyway these things crack me up personally, because I get where it is coming from....other people however look at me like I am needing to be medicated...lol...which makes it even funnier to me! (My husband gets it and does it too...that's how I knew it was true love!)

2. Since we are on the crazy thing here..another wierd unexplainable thing I do..and have done since I was a kid...without even realizing that i am doing it..is...I count things in my head over and over again......like and OCD thing or ?? for example...holes/openings in people's clothing, I count and add them up ..i'll try to explain... like say you have a shirt, pants, undergarments, socks,shoes..that's 14 for men, 18 for women(4 more for women becase we wear a bra)...go ahead count it up..you'll laugh when see i am right....weird right...i am crazy ??? Dont know why i do this..i also will count the people in a room over and over in my head...i do this while i am doing other things, its not like it distracts me...i usually dont know i am doing it until i get still or stop focusing on something and get bored or quiet and the realize what i am doing....lol

3. I have an overly sensitive sense of smell...i can smell things that most people dont...again weird i know

4. I created/published and dispensed a small human interest newspaper when i was first in respiratory school as an outlet for my writing...it paid for itself from ad space i sold in it...didn't make a profit but had a ball doing it.

5. If I could try any career besides the medical field I'd love to try graphic design or forensic science..i am fascinated by both!

6. I love to watch educational shows like How It's Made,everything on History channel, Alaska Experiment, etc..I love to learn something new.

7. I too have a love of the vocabulary. When I was in grade school...my teacher tested my reading/spelling comprehension and ability and found me to be able to read with a compreheelnsion level past the 12th grade. She wanted to promote me to high school level reading classes...my mom refused (SEE...idiot savant...)

8. Up until four years ago I didn't know how to open an email or navigate the internet at all...I'd had limited use of a computer..with my only education being 7/8 grade comp class with Dr Cuneo on the Apple computers which operated MS-DOS...then when I started college after GED classes, I had to turn in a thesis statement and term paper...I had to learn very quickly..and mostly taught myself...with some help from friends/ classmates if i had a question... now I am teaching my family/friends how to build web pages, edit pics, etc..... ironic huh

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OK..now I am going to list the eight lucky peoples i am tagging.... (Sara,Beth,drufusg,Cindy,Sherry, Liz, JoAnn,Scott)but let me say that if you dont respond within 12 hours....you’ll have the same luck either way, you may /may not love the same GOD as me, and you’ll still be my friend (wink to Det. Jake...haha) ..even if u make fun of my crazy issues..lol....have fun!

Summer Memories

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 05:38:37 GMT

I spent many a summer day during my youth in or near the Meramec River in Steelville Missouri. We had little money for much else and we did not have the gameboys and IPODs of todays youth. I remember so many endless days spent swimming and playing in the water, meals cooked in an open fire, nights spent chasing fireflies, staring into a camp fire hypnotically while being serenaded by God's creatures of the woods and sleeping out next to the river being lulled to sleep by the rhythm of the rushing current. It sounds cliche but those were simpler times.

My step-grandpa used to operate a floating expedition service for business men and their well -to-do families from the bigger cities, (mostly St. Louis). For a set fee "grandpa" Dave and his business partner "uncle" Leroy would supply a boat(s) and fishing gear and bait and would take the clients on a guided float trip down the Meramec. They knew all the good fishin holes, knew the whereabouts of a hidden natural spring, as well as a few caves. With being avid fisherman themselves, and having lived in the area all their adult lives, they made the perfect guides for those "city-slickers". Uncle Leroy and Grandpa Dave paddled the boat and pointed out the highlights of the float, while the wealthy clients fished and drank beer or sometimes the clients would swim and play(if their family was along on the trip.) I loved going along on these trips. I loved being on the river and thought the city folks were so funny. Most were clumsy at handling themelves in the water. They were in awe of my grandpa and uncles' skills and knowledge of the area.

One afternoon we were out on such a trip when in blew a sudden thunderstorm. The men taking taking the float that day were in a boat with uncle Leroy. Grandpa and my sister and I were in a second boat with the bait and tackle, and the cooler. Uncle Leroy had stayed behind at a fishing hole with the men. We went on ahead to pick a spot to stop for lunch. When the storm hit we were no where near any homes or shelter. Luckily, grandpa knew of an old abandoned cabin along the nearby bank. We made our way over to the bank as the wind picked up and the thunder clapped. I was really afraid that the lightening would hit us...as I had witnessed someone get struck by lightening once before (I'll save that for another story...) I was frantic and pulled at grandpas arm beggin him to get us out of the lightening...Jenny just cried and mumbled about how we were gonna drown or die or be lost forever...poor Grandpa was trying to keep his patience with two squealy young hysterical sobbing girls. He had a heck of a time dragging and pushing our sqawling butts up the muddy wet bank as the storm picked up momentum and ushered us into the old cabin. It was rickety and run down, but the roof and walls were intact so we had shelter from the summer storm. Although my sister and I were frightened and hysterical, grandpa tried to keep us calm. The storm passed quickly. We began making our way back toward the river's edge and the steep muddy bank. We would have to navigate the steep slope down to the bank to get to our boat. I went first and althought my butt hit the mudd a couple times on the way down, i made it unscathed. Next Jenny followed and had the same success as i had. Now Grandpa attempted to walk down the steep muddy slope, as we had. Upon stepping out onto the slope he tripped and went down face first into the mud. He slid all the way down on his belly with his face in the oozy brown mess. Knowing his pateince was spent with us girls and the day, we didn't dare speak a word. We merely stared in shock at the once white t-shirt and the slime covered face of our grandpa. He stood up looked around as if trying to take in what had just happened, and went to the river's edge to wash himself off. He loaded us back up into the boat and continued on to find the gravel bar we were to set up lunch at. Later that day with the rest of our "expedition" with us, uncle Leroy laughed and teased grandpa about his mud stained clothes. For years after that it was a running joke about how Grandpa went belly surfing on the Meramec. We had several good laughs over this. I still giggle when I pass a certain bridge over the river that is now built just down from that spot we were "shipwrecked" on so long ago.

What summer memories can you share? I'd love to love to read them......

Our Family Bumper Sticker

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 23:35:30 GMT

Blocks a Barbie and pink cupcakes

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 00:00:16 GMT

Brianna got a new Barbie and blocks today for her actual bday, so she and daddy were building this evening. I thought I'd share a pic of "daddy's" creativity..there's a house and garage and car and trees and even his own radio tower..lol. guess I know what to get daddy for his bday (lol) We had pink cupcakes tonight...the princess was very happy. It seems to be a good birthday.

My Papaw Wee-Wee

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 20:59:03 GMT

I have been thinking so much lately about my grandpa. We kids called him papaw wee...(Grandpa Weekly). He was a very short man, I'd say about 5'3" or so. Everyone knew him as Shorty, few knew his real name. His hands were knarled and bent by arthritis after years of use as a mechanic his hands were left useless for much at all. He had white curly hair and tan leathery skin from yrs of sun exposure. He smelled of Old Spice, shoe polish and Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer. He wore the same outfit everyday, ablue mechanics uniform with a nem patch on the left breast pocket that said "Shorty" and black workman's boots which he polished daily. He had a compassionate heart and was fiercly loyal. It took a lot to make an enemy of him but once you had, you had an enemy for life. With the girls' birthdays this week, it has had my thoughts on him. He died a few months before Paige was born back in 93. He was one of a kind. It pains me to think how he never got to see his great grandchildren. He would have doted on them something terrible, as he spoiled me and my sister and two cousins rotten. There are so many memories that come to mind when I think of him, I'm not sure where to start..... He was never one to go to the doctor or take medicine. When he got sick and had to be admitted to the hospital (for the first time at age 81), it was clear that something was very very wrong. That few weeks was a trying time for him. Besides being ill, He hated having to listen to someone else tell him what to do or worse yet, have people fret over or take care of him. I remember one day I went to sit with him in his hospital room. I asked him how he was doing and I'll never forget his answer..."Oh ok I guess. They done did everything here but stick a bar of soap up my ass and the nurse just said their coming in soon to do that in a bit, so how ya think I'm doin?!" I couldn't help but giggle. He was serious and sarcastic all at the same time, but that was his way. That visit was the last time I ever saw him. That night I was awakened by a loud clap of thunder , i had a very uneasy feeling. I went into the kitchen to get a drink of water. My mom was sitting at the table and I suddenly felt overwhelmed with grief..I said "he's gone isn't he?" She nodded and I just cried. Not a day has gone by since that I haven't missed him.

He used to save up all his change, we're talking twenty dollars or so worth of change, and give it to us girls. He'd say "now you girls sit here at the table and divide this up between the two of you and then we'll go shopping." Shopping with grandpa was a real treat! He'd take us to the local convenience store where he had a monthly "tab" and buy us every form of junk food known to man. Cookies, ice cream, snack cakes, candy bars, soda, etc, etc...and take us home where we'd spend the weekend engulfed in our junkapalooza until we were sick to our stomachs from all the sugar. He always had change for us. Sometimes I'll happen upon a quarter or nickel or penny lying out on the ground or somewhere and i like to believe it is papaw weewee sending it to me...it's a nice thought for me to hold on to anyhow.

Well one more story comes to mind...one day my sister and I went to his house to visit. We knocked on the door but no one answered. We knew he was home as his car was in the drive. So we opened the door and peered in. There lie grandpa seemingly lifeless on his back on the couch. We immediately thought the worse...after all he'd been an alcoholic for years, was in his eighties..he was surely dead. We hesitated going in and facing the terrible reality....so after much disputing, I nudged my poor little sister who was around 13 or 14 to go in and see if poor grandpa was indeed dead. She reluctantly edged her way toward his lifeless body....I urged her to check him for a pulse, but not wanting to touch a dead body ..grandpa or not...she opted to place her face down close to his to see if he was still breathing. Her face was right nose to nose with his, all of a sudden he opened his eyes. My sister jumped backwards..my grandpa yelled "what the hell you trying to do, give me a heartatack!!???" He wanted to know what we were doing there...all we could do was apologize but we never did tell him we thought he was lying there dead. I don't know who it scared more me, my sis, or grandpa...lol.

Well that's it for now...just had this all in my head today, thanks for visiting and indulging me my walk down memory lane.

Snapshots from My Small Town Life

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 19:57:40 GMT

I took this at walmart the other day, I couldn't resist it was too funny. Seriously i couldn't make this stuff up..lmao!!!

Welcome to my world.

Big girl panties !!!!

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:17:50 GMT

Warning: For those of you that don't have kids, the following blog will probably not entertain you. Also the following blog may contain bathroom humor. continue at your own risk......

For those of you that do have,have had, or will have kids at some point, well you will get it...lol !!!!

Today is the first day of the rest of my life...today is the day I've dreamed of for 15 years, today is the day ....... when I no longer will poor endless chunks of my personal finances into the huge money grubbing thiefs better known as.....Diaper Companies!!!!!! Oh happy day!!!!!!!

So proud showing off her big girl panties "I made a poopy mommy!!"

OMG!! Brianna, my youngest (of eight kids..five of my own and three step children) is finally going on the big potty!! What a great thing this is. She woke up two days ago (four days before her third bday) and just started telling me..."I have to go potty mommy"....after a yr and a half of introducing her to the concept..bribing, praising, begging her to do it..she just wakes up and does it. She is so proud of her "big girl panties"(aka pullups). She beams with excitement and insists the potty not be flushed until we all come to the bathroom to see the latest thing she's done. LOL... for all you out there potty training..keep the faith alive there is hope!!!

Yikes Paige is fifteen today!!!!!!!!!

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 17:28:17 GMT

W0W!!!! I don't know where the time has gone. Seems like yesterday I was pregnant with Paige, my first child. As you all may have read here in previous posts, I was a teen when Paige was conceived. Little did I know that despite the circumstances at the time, having Paige come into my life was the best and most challenging thing to ever happen to me! She's made me a better person. I've learned soo much from her, and am still every day in awe of what an awesome an inspiring beautiful young woman she is turning into!

The day she was born, is still fresh in my mind as if it were yesterday. From the moment I first held her, I knew she was going to change the world for the better, In her first few breaths she already had changed mine! She was perfect, so tiny and pink, her hair all fuzzy and long and dark..it later turned to blonde. That night I sat and held her soo long, just gazing at her. She was so pretty already, her skin so flawless and smooth. She was not all swollen and discolored like most newborns. I sat in awe of this miracle God had bestowed upon me. I still look at her when she doesnt know it , cause she's a teen now and if she knew she'd roll her eyes and tell me how weird i am...lol. But I still am amazed at the miracle of her life and am thankful every day that God graced me with such a beautiful mistake. He knew what he was doing whether I did or not.

So, here's to my baby girl....Thank you for making my world a brighter better place! (XO MOM)

Happy Birthday Paigeey Poo!!! I love you!!

Friendship Prayer for all my pals

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 19:02:10 GMT

Happy Birthday Princess Brianna!!!!!!!!

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:26:55 GMT

Happy Birthday Brianna

Our Baby Girl will be Three years old on the 11th!!! We asked her what she wanted for her bday and her only two requests were: a "bicycle (with basket and horn) and a birthday cake", so that's what she got! We celebrated early so she could be with papa,grandma,aunt rae rae and family. She is loving the tricycle!

Photo Album: kids at Clemens-Munsinger Gardens

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 20:44:18 GMT

kids at Clemens-Munsinger Gardens

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Photo Album: Summer 08 pics

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 03:31:28 GMT

Summer 08 pics

pretty posing Brianna

camping with baby

helping daddy do a live broadcast on the radio

Brianna and Daddy @ Jamesriver I love America" airshow

airshow

daddy,Brianna, mommy

skydiver with flag

river rat

looking for "seashells"

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Photo Album: My family

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:43:27 GMT

My family

Keith and "Gooey"

Paige's Pageant

Keith & Rams Cheerleaders

Our little Princess

Keith & Rissa

Keith & Boys

Riss & Kids

Brianna aka "Gooey"

Daddy & Gooey

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Photo Album: visiting Nana @ MN

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 16:03:21 GMT

visiting Nana @ MN

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Shy Brianna

Bailey

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OMG!!!

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pretty Ronnie

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Austin

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Photo Album: Beautiful Clemens-Meunsinger Gardens St Cloud MN

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 11:44:45 GMT

Beautiful Clemens-Meunsinger Gardens St Cloud MN

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tiptoe through the tulips with me....

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Photo Album: Mother Nature's Beauty

Fri, 23 May 2008 07:45:45 GMT

Mother Nature's Beauty

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Photo Album: The amazing somethin man and What's this?

Fri, 23 May 2008 07:43:19 GMT

The amazing somethin man and What's this?

Bailey, Brianna and Austin with Something man?? in St Cloud MN

this guy stands on the street corner in St Cloud MN

the town knows him as superman

St Cloud Superman

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weird bug

what is this??

some kind of bug the kids found ibn mom's parking lot

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creepy

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