Flowergirl6

One of My Babies

2009-09-17T11:42:00.002-04:00

Finished!!!

2009-09-03T08:00:00.005-04:00

We had a graduation party for my oldest child! A fun time was had by all! I was very busy trying to get the house ready, food ordered - bought - prepared. And in-between all of that, I had a baby shower to go to 4 days after the party that I wanted to knit something. This is the sweater that I knit for one of our babysitters (I still can't believe that she is 25!).

The Back

2009-08-11T15:43:00.002-04:00

is almost done!

Progress

2009-08-10T16:12:00.005-04:00

Now,

knit one row,

purl one row,

repeat till piece measures 12".............................

Knit one

2009-08-08T19:23:00.000-04:00

Purl one,

knit one,

purl one,

details to follow.....................

We The People Stimulus Package

2009-08-04T10:09:00.000-04:00

Hand Sanitizer Recall

2009-06-12T09:46:00.002-04:00

I'm sitting here on the computer this morning perusing the news and I come across a news article about hand sanitizers being recalled. I do use them and just recently purchased some. I know there are good and bad things said about them, but the germ-a-phobe in me has me still using them. This story was of interest to me because of that.

My search techniques usually bring me pretty sufficient results - I do know how to search for answers. Today - not so much. They told us about the recall, but they didn't tell us anything more. Why?

Why? I just want to know WHY! Sure, I can see what brand they told me, but where is it sold? What does it look like? The Clarcon Labs Website doesn't even have it posted on their News and Events page.

Further reading leads me to a site that says Clarcon hand sanitizers are used in restaurants. RESTAURANTS people!!!! The article says - The recalled skin products were designed primarily for industrial use. Citrushield is a skin protection product marketed toward industrial users who handle harsh chemicals, such as mechanics and janitors. Skin Shield products are usually sold on janitor and restaurant supply websites.

Uggggghhhhhh, that is just bad! I am happy to report that none of my hand sanitizers in my house are made by Clarcon, but now I am concerned about food prep people and what kind of hand sanitizer they are using.

Baseball

2009-06-08T07:16:00.002-04:00

Can you believe that title? Most of my time has been consumed by baseball. It is a really good thing that I like baseball!!!! Saturday was spent going from one field to another. We left the house @ 11:20 and only stopped at home briefly for a snack and clean-up before we headed out to another game. My dh left the house at the same time with the oldest ball player for his game, returned home to pick up 2 other kids and head to the game where I was. We did not get home till after 5. Friday was like that too. I am glad that baseball is winding down. It has been a crazy schedule here.

My junior league son is in 3rd place.
My minor league son is in 5th place.
They will both go to the play-offs.

My rookie player is much improved. He started pitching a few games ago, he walked a LOT of kids! The last game, he pitched 2 innings. The first inning he pitched to 3 boys for a total of 15 pitches! The 2nd inning I lost count because I was so excited with how well he did the first! It was still a no hitter inning. He sat out the 3rd inning and then was catcher for the last 3 innings, the score was 16-1. All the boys played really well, the score was so high because the other teams pitchers walked a lot of our players.

I still have a few more weeks left of baseball, maybe then I can get back to regular blogging!!!

It's What's for Dinner

2009-05-18T12:55:00.004-04:00

and it was very yummy and accompanied by a glass of Leelanau Cellars Pomegranate Wine.

Another week of Baseball

2009-05-11T06:20:00.010-04:00

Baseball last week was interesting. My 11 year old is in the Minor League, he played twice. His first game was a very high scorring, down to the last minute WIN! Just about every inning was a mercy inning. In his league, if the team is ahead by 5 points, the inning is switched. They only play 6 innings, so in any given game, the highest score would be Visitors 55 Home 60. That's a lot of runs. Both teams played very well, the other team scored a lot of their runs by stealling home, most of ours were RBI's and the final score was 24-25. His second game, not so much. I think the other team had more seasoned players and they mercied us, the kids were still willing to play another inning, but the lightning was the final decision maker.

My 13 year old didn't have such a great week, all 3 of his games were mercy games and the scores were horrible 20 something to nothing; 14-4; and 12-2. In his league, they don't have a mercy rule per inning, it starts after the 3rd inning - if the team is ahead by 10 then the game is called. I hope they don't loose their spirit!

My 8 year old is on a Rookie League. This is their first year to pitch the whole game, last year was Coach Pitch and they only pitched the last inning. I missed the second game this week because I was at another field, but my husband was their to watch the 8 year old pitch his first game! He pitched the first two innings and was catcher for the last 4. They won 8-5! I am so excited for him as he really likes to play! He will be pitching again this week!

Also last week was Mother's Day Tea at preschool. The kids are absolutely adorable! They sang a song and gave us a present, which was an old fashioned picture of them in a suit coat. Myles is so much fun!

In between innings and during the game there is plenty of time to KNIT!!! Here is what I have accomplished! They are dishcloths!

T-ball

2009-05-06T08:33:00.004-04:00

Wordless Wednesday

2009-04-29T12:05:00.001-04:00

Hello Everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-03-28T10:14:00.003-04:00

I know I have been sorely absent here. There has been so much going on. Being unemployed takes up A LOT of time. My husband was one of the 650,000 people laid off in February, making Michigan's unemployment rate more than 12%. So far we are doing okay, but there doesn't seem to be too many jobs out there for the guy that is over 50 - even if he does have his MBA and EXPERIENCE.

I will try to keep you updated as much as possible. My husband has been hogging the computer scouring the country for job leads. When I do get a chance, I have been listing things on eBay. Please check out my auctions.

If you could spare any prayers, we would be eternally grateful. I know that we are not alone in this and have been praying for everyone.

Blessings,

Dot

Who is this Rat?

2009-02-09T12:44:00.001-05:00

My information says that it is from Tom & Jerry, but I don't remember him. Do you?

Baby It's Cold Outside

2009-01-22T14:51:00.003-05:00

You know how I said it was cold. Well, the cat thinks it is cold too and won't share the heat!!!!!!!!!

Brrrr it's Cold

2009-01-16T10:04:00.003-05:00

Temps this morning were 10 below with wind chills of 34 BELOW!!!! Kids are stuck in the house. I think I am going to make them CLEAN!!!! And I am going to KNIT!!!

My sister bought me yarn for my birthday last year. This is the yarn.

I started to make socks for myself! Yeah!! I have been working on them. It does take me a while to knit socks, I usually get interupted and have to put them down. I will keep you updated as to my progress!!

Passing on a Little Funny

2008-09-17T07:22:00.002-04:00

Subject: Living Will

MY LIVING WILL

Last night, my friend and I were sitting in the living room and I said to her, 'I never want to live in a vegetative state, dependent on some machine and fluids from a bottle. If that ever happens, just pull the plug.'

She got up, unplugged the Computer, and threw out my wine.

She's such a bitch.....

Busy. Frantic. Hectic. Lively. Swamped. Tireless.

2008-08-25T10:26:00.002-04:00

Things around here have been ALL OF THE ABOVE. Not just one of them, but all of them. Never, ever say you are bored. I learned that lesson a long time ago. If I was to ever say that "I was bored" around my Dad, he would find something for me to do and I would be busy for hours.

Way back in March, my husband and I were talking about things that needed to be done around the house. Not things like laundry and picking up the toys and dusting. Things like replacing the carpet in our bedroom (that an iron was dropped on), repainting the bedroom (since we were thinking of tearing out the carpet), replacing the window in my daughter's room since that is rotting out. We came to the conclusion that we needed to call in reinforcements. I called my Dad! We picked a time when he was available and I booked his flight. April 3rd to April 15th. We were set, I was very happy to have him come out as we were not planning on going to see him and he was not planning on coming here because of the gas prices. The flight cost less than gas costs to drive here.

My husband and I start tearing apart the bedroom, we end up sleeping in the living room because we needed the floor completely empty to install wood.

My Dad arrived and we started working on the list. That Saturday, we were having lunch and hubby's older brother called to say that his Dad fell and can he come over. This was the start of a long few months of rehabilitation and deprivation, which in the whole scheme of things, was way to short of a time. From there to here went by in a flurry, but at the time, some of it seemed like it would never end.

My Dad's time here went by very fast. We didn't get to the list, only to the bedroom floor and walls. Hubby's Dad came here to live with us and rehabilitate. So we had 2 Dad's staying for about a week. We moved our stuff into the study and the study's stuff out into the living room. And hubby's Dad's stuff into our bedroom.

Caring for my husband's father was tough and chaotic and emotional and necessary and busy, but it is something I would never hesitate to do. I wish I could say he had a zest for life, but sadly, I cannot. In the end, that is what got him, a failure to thrive. He simply did not want to live anymore. He spend the last 18 years living without his wife. The friends he had were neighbors and they started to get sick and move away (either with family or into a nursing home). We started asking him to move in with us 10 years ago. My only regret is that he didn't move in sooner.

He was with us for 8 weeks when he got too sick and we took him to the doctors. She immediately put him in the hospital for dehydration. He was to be in for 24-48 hours. After the first day, they realized that he was not going to be well enough to come back home. It took 10 days in the short-stay portion of the hospital for them to find a place for him. He ended up in a hospice facility. It was a great place full of great people who really cared for him. They said it would take 7-10 days for him to pass. He was coherent and refusing any nourishment. The first 7 days were gruelling. My hubby was off work because he wanted to be there for his dad. His other 2 brothers were there too. After that first week my hubby and the one brother HAD to return to work. My hubby would go to the nursing home before work and after work. Sleep was negligent. His brother worked 3 hours away, he returned to work on Wednesday and came back Saturday night at about 9 pm. The oldest brother, who does not work, was in when the the other 2 couldn't be. 16 days after he entered the hospice facility, he passed. It was Sunday June 22nd. The day before, everyone had the chance to talk to him - he was still answering questions with hand gestures. You could tell he could understand everything you were saying.

God bless him and may he be at peace now.

Award

2008-08-25T09:38:00.003-04:00

I am blushing a bit now. My friend, Kristin has nominated me for a blog award.

Participation is optional, so I am going to optionally accept her award, but I am going to opt-out of passing it along. Only because I cannot pick just seven, like the rules say. Please check out my blog-roll in my sidebar. Those are the people I read on a daily basis (whether or not they post daily). They are in alphabetical order so I do not have to put them in order!!!

Thank you Kristin for thinking of me!!!!

Peace

2008-07-28T09:00:00.002-04:00

The committal service was very nice. The National Cemetery where my Father-in-law is buried is a very peaceful and beautiful place. This is a sample of his headstone.

He was in the army and served in WWII. I sure hope he is at peace now, as that is what he wanted. I did not read the poem I wanted to, but I did read from Eccelesiates. My sister-in-law and I shared the reading.

The weather was beautiful and all in all it was a nice day. Thank you to everyone who said a prayer for my Father-in-law. They are very much appreciated.

Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep

2008-07-07T09:39:00.002-04:00

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am in a thousand winds that blow,
I am the softly falling snow.
I am the gentle showers of rain,
I am the fields of ripening grain.
I am in the morning hush,
I am in the graceful rush
Of beautiful birds in circling flight,
I am the starshine of the night.
I am in the flowers that bloom,
I am in a quiet room.
I am in the birds that sing,
I am in each lovely thing.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there. I do not die.

Mary Elizabeth Frye (1905-2004)

What book are you?

2008-05-16T08:48:00.001-04:00

From Paula @ full of life

You're One Hundred Years of Solitude!

by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Lonely and struggling, you've been around for a very long time. Conflict has filled most of your life and torn apart nearly everyone you know. Yet there is something majestic and even epic about your presence in the world. You love life all the more for having seen its decimation. After all, it takes a village.

Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

Mother's Day

2008-05-16T06:17:00.002-04:00

Mother's Day is always a special day. A day of enjoyement, relaxation, celebration and family gathering. For me, it always has a bit of sadness too. Not only is my mother gone, but my husband's mother is gone too. Every year seems to get a little bit easier. This year was no exception. I posted on one of my boards some pictures of my mom. I want to share them here too!

I am about 1 here, my sister is in the background

This was in 1991

And a bonus picture of one of my presents

I hope everyone had a great day. Mine was low key and very pleasant.

Gas Prices

2008-05-02T07:32:00.003-04:00

What are gas prices in your area? I know they are high everywhere. Exxon Mobil just posted HISTORY MAKING PROFITS. What's up with that. The country is hitting a recession and we are being gouged at the pump. Exxon Mobil Corp., the world's largest publicly traded oil company, said Thursday record crude prices helped its first-quarter profit climb 17 percent to $10.9 billion the second biggest U.S. quarterly corporate profit ever.

I don't know about you, but that sure makes me want to stay home.

Interestingly enough, I received an email this morning with a link to MSN Autos that has a nifty tool that allows you to check out gas prices before you leave the house. Just enter your zip code in the site below, and it tells you which gas stations have the cheapest prices (and the highest) on gas in your zip code area. It's updated every evening!

Here is the link. Prices in my area are $3.50 for the low, $3.60 for the average and $3.69 for the high; but diesel prices are $4.25 - $4.40. The last time I filled up, I paid $4.25 for biodiesel and the truck has been sitting at the dealer for a week now, so I am saving money on gas, right?

A Catch up Post

2008-04-27T08:50:00.004-04:00

So much has been going on here. First - it is BASEBALL season!!! We have lots of running to do with 3 boys playing. My Father-in-law has come to live with us as he needs Assisted Living now. He had a fall and at the moment is recovering, but requires constant care, so my husband and I have been playing tag team in his care. All in all, I think he is doing well.

Here is a list, in pictures of what else we have been doing. And this is in no means a complete list!

Carpet damage:

Trying to pick a paint color:

Replacing Carpet with Wood (aka Going Green):

Almost done:

Spring has sprung:

The Cuteness is Astounding!!!

Lunar Eclipse

2008-02-22T06:12:00.002-05:00

How many of you saw this on Tuesday night?

We did! We were in and out of the house, watching the moon go into a full eclipse - on my Birthday!!! How cool is that??? Well, cold is was for sure. The temperature was in the teens and dropping. That is why we were in and out of the house. It really was something to see.

Random Thoughts From Me

2008-02-20T06:16:00.001-05:00

I'm very happy that 40 is over. It is an age that lots of people dread. The stigma attached to being 40 is ~~overwhelming~~ ~~amazing~~ ~~astounding~~ ~~devastating~~ ~~exciting~~ ~~mind-boggling~~ ~~shattering~~ ~~staggering~~ ~~stunning~~ ~~vast~~ eye-opening. I feel like I've spent the last year waiting for the other shoe to drop.

It has. Sort-of. My 16 year old son was just diagnosed with Juvenille Myoclonic Epilepsy. It sounds bad. It feels bad. But it really isn't. With medication, he should be able to live a seizure free life. Everything with him was up and down last year. First, he had a grand mal seizure, his only one ever. Then we had lots of testing with negative results. That felt good. It seemed like it was a fluke that he'd had the seizure. 40% of all people have 1 grand mal in their lifetime. The doctor thought that it was probable that he'd never have another one. Then he was having some mild twitching. At first, it didn't seem like anything. Then it became more prominent, so off to the doctor we went. More testing. Results this time showed some slow wave activity indicating his seizure disorder. So now he just needs to be on the seizure medication to prevent a grand mal. And I will be purchasing a medic alert bracelet for him.

And that was my year of 40. Up. Down. Up. Down. Up. I'm working on keeping it up!

Bottom Round Roast

2008-02-18T18:22:00.000-05:00

I am making a roast tonight for dinner. I wanted to document this so that I can redo it if it actually turns out good.

4 pound bottom round roast

cut up med onion and put in bottom of sprayed roasting pan
add 1 bay leaf and 1 tsp minced garlic
add 1 cup dry red wine

bring to a boil, then simmer - add roast continue to simmer

heat oven to 300 degrees

turn off stove-top and put in oven 3-4 hours

This was VERY good. Everyone liked it. I thought the gravy was outstanding, all I did was take out the onions. It wasn't super thick, but it was very yummy.

I would have taken pictures, but I had NO batteries for the camera.

I suppose I have been in the Mid-West for long enough!!!

2008-02-15T15:13:00.000-05:00

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Inland North You may think you speak "Standard English straight out of the dictionary" but when you step away from the Great Lakes you get asked annoying questions like "Are you from Wisconsin?" or "Are you from Chicago?" Chances are you call carbonated drinks "pop."
Philadelphia
The Northeast
The Midland
The South
The West
Boston
North Central
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

This is very silly.................

2008-02-14T06:54:00.005-05:00

but it made me laugh so hard, I had to share!!!!

Toilet Cleaning Instructions:

1. Put both lids of the toilet up and add 1/8 cup of pet shampoo to the water in the bowl.

2. Pick up the cat and soothe him while you carry him towards the bathroom.

3. In one smooth movement, put the cat in the toilet and close both lids.
You may need to stand on the lid.

4. The cat will self agitate and make ample suds. Never mind the noises that come from the toilet, the cat is actually enjoying this.

5. Flush the toilet
three or four times. This provides a 'power-wash' and rinse'.

6. Have someone open the front door of your home. Be sure that there are no people between the bathroom and the front door.

7. Stand behind the toilet as far as you can, and quickly lift both lids.

8. The cat will rocket out of the toilet, streak through the bathroom, and run outside where he will dry himself off.

9. Both the commode and the cat will be sparkling clean

Sincerely,
The Dog

Meme

2008-01-28T15:47:00.000-05:00

Joanne at A Piece of the Puzzle tagged me for this meme.

The rules for this meme are:

(1) Link to the person that tagged you.
(2) Post the rules on your blog.
(3) Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
(4) Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
(5) Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

1. I have to make my coffee the night before so that it brews just before I wake up.

2. I always load the dishwasher the same way, with specific cups having a specific place to go everytime.

3. I watch All My Children on ABC every day. And have for the last 26+ years!

4. I do laundry on Monday and Fridays and not usually in between.

5. I was a cheerleader all through High School for Football, Soccer, Basketball, and Wrestling.

6. I love Margaritas, on the rocks with salt.

I am going to tag the following 6 people.

1. Kathy,
2. Paula,
3. Heather,
4. Lisa,
5. Kim, and
6. My Sister.

An Accountability Post

2008-01-14T11:27:00.000-05:00

At the beginning of the new year, everyone is full of resolutions. I am getting on the bandwagon and adding mine, albeit a little late.

My New Year's Resolution for 2008: TO GET HEALTHY

In order to do that, I have to

1. actually start exercising,
2. eat better, and
3. gasp not drink ~~at all~~ so much.

So, far

1. I have worked out a total of 3 times this year. Last Monday, last Friday, and today.
2. I bought a book a while ago and have used it before, but I want to incorporate it more into my daily life. It has wonderful food selections and is not supplements, or starvation.
3. I had a glass of red wine with dinner on Sunday instead of a beer (hows that?)

My current weight is 151 lbs. (did I just type that?!?) My goal weight is somewhere in the 120's. I have no time frame in which I want to do this. Mostly because my goal is to be healthy. If I do 1, 2, and 3 the weight should come off!! So, wish me luck and I will update periodically on my progress!

2008-01-13T13:08:00.000-05:00

PHILOSOPHY OF HOUSECLEANING!

I don't do windows because ...

I love birds and

don't want one to run into a clean window

and get hurt.

I don't wax floors because ...

I am terrified a guest will slip and get hurt

then I'll feel terrible

( plus they may sue me.)

I don't mind the dust bunnies because ...

They are very good company,

I have named most of them,

and they agree with everything I say.

I don't disturb cobwebs because .

I want every creature to have a home of their own.

I don't Spring Clean because .

I love all the seasons

and don't want the others to get jealous

I don't pull weeds

in the garden because ..

I don't want to get

in God's way,

HE is an excellent designer!

I don't put things away because

My husband

will never be able to find them again.

I don't do gourmet meals
when I entertain because

I don't want my guests to

stress out over what to make when

they invite me

over for dinner.

I don't iron because ...

I choose to believe them

when they say "Permanent Press".

I don't stress much on anything because ...

"A Type" personalities die young and

I want to stick around

and become a wrinkled up crusty ol' woman!!!!

REMEMBER . . . .

Please share this humor with other important friends!

I found this over at Frontiernet.net

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

THE BUSINESS OF BEING BORN

2008-01-10T10:06:00.000-05:00

I just came across this information and thought it was valuable enough to share. I am planning on seeing the show when it comes to my area. If you go to the website, you can find a showing close to you or you can get the DVD.

The Business of Being Born trailer

Also:

I am alarmed at some of the information I have come across. According to the CDC and the National Center for Health Statistics: The cesarean delivery rate rose again in 2006, to 31.1 percent of all births, a 3 percent increase from 2005 and a new record high. The percentage of all births delivered by cesarean has climbed 50 percent over the last decade.

A Look Ahead For 2008

2008-01-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

Overview for Pisces

It's a good thing you're so adaptable, sweet Pisces, because the universe will continue throwing curveballs your way in 2008. Uranus, the planet of unexpected changes, will remain in your sign until 2011, opening the door to a whole new worldview. On a positive note, of all the signs, yours may be the most prepared to tear through the illusion of the current reality and see what lies beyond.

The only problem is, not everything will be immediately apparent to you. Several influences this year bring up issues surrounding secrets and hidden truths. Mercury's retrograde cycle from January 28 through February 18 will be a good time to go on a retreat or take a break from your usual routine. A solar eclipse on February 6 and a lunar eclipse on August 16 will both emphasize this theme of the unknown. Visiting someone in a hospital or other institution is a good way to discharge this energy -- and besides, you always feel good when you perform an act of service.

All these changes are affecting your relationships, but the good news is, you're feeling more centered and self-assured than ever before. That self-effacing pushover is nowhere to be found; instead, you're demanding what you deserve -- and it's getting harder for certain people in your life to meet your expectations. In the next couple of years, expect to do some major housecleaning in the realm of your friendships and other personal connections. Rest assured that any changes you make in these areas will be quickly rewarded.

Mercury's retrograde period from May 26 through June 18 urges you to contact your loved ones and family members. You could also use this energy to make some needed repairs in your home or bedroom. In August, pay particular attention to your health and your work environment, as the August 1 solar eclipse makes self-care crucial.

Love and Romance

There's no doubt about it, Pisces: In one way or another, you'll put a lot of energy into your relationships in 2008. The lunar eclipse on February 20 highlights your partnerships, focusing your attention on what you really want. This issue will come up again in May, when your love life will start moving forward after a period of doubt.

Mid-March launches a roller coaster ride of romantic action. Affectionate Venus and communicative Mercury move together into your sign, which usually signals a fun, flirtatious time -- but almost immediately, they encounter severe Saturn. Expect some sort of limitation to cool things down between you and your partner. At the very end of March, a highly exciting and disruptive influence enters the picture. You may be tempted to take a romantic risk or try something totally new and different in love.

Single Pisceans will see the most action from March 4 through May 19, when passionate Mars brings serious sizzle to your love connections. You'll see another spike a month later when Venus, the love planet, follows in Mars's ardent footsteps. These two periods offer your best opportunities to get out there and connect with someone new and special.

Coupled Pisceans are sure to enjoy themselves, too. Mars, the passion planet, spices things up starting July 2, but a week later, Saturn limits your ardor. But don't worry: You'll break through whatever has been holding you back on August 6. Just take care not to burn any bridges with your newfound assertiveness.

Mid-August brings limitations in love, Pisces, but you'll cast off this burden toward the end of the month. A New Moon on August 30 gives you the chance to redefine your relationship ideals. Early November could bring a conflict to a head between your personal growth and the status quo of a treasured relationship. This might occur on a very private level, but it's just as possible that it will happen in a broader, less personal way. Whatever happens, remember that it's just one step in a very important process.

Happy Yule

2007-12-22T09:05:00.000-05:00

I found this about celebrating Winter Solstice, over here and I just wanted to pass this on.

This looks like a great contraption!!

2007-12-13T09:33:00.000-05:00

Does anyone have this? It is the Hamilton Beach BrewStation. Is it really as neat as it looks? Does it make great coffee???

Time to bake Christmas cookies!!!

2007-12-11T15:58:00.000-05:00

Makes 4 dozen.

Ingredients

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
1/2 cup pure vegetable shortening
1 3/4 cups sugar, plus more if needed
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon, plus more if needed
2 large eggs

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees, with one rack in top third and one rack in bottom third of oven. Line baking sheets with Silpat baking mats or parchment paper; set aside.

Sift together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine butter, shortening, and 1 1/2 cups sugar. Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl. Add eggs, and beat to combine. Add dry ingredients, and beat to combine.

In a small bowl, combine remaining 1/4 cup sugar and the ground cinnamon. Use a small (1 1/4-ounce) ice-cream scoop to form balls of the dough, I just use my hands to form a ball and roll in cinnamon sugar just on the top, for Christmas I use gren or red sugar. Place about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake until the cookies are set in center and begin to crack (they will not brown), about 10 minutes, rotating the baking sheets after 5 minutes. Transfer the sheets to a wire rack to cool about 5 minutes before transferring the cookies to the rack. Store in an airtight container up to 1 week.

Don't cry over spilled milk

2007-11-28T16:35:00.000-05:00

This is what happens when your 2 year old wants to assert his independence and NOT ask for help!!!!

I guess, I should say MY 2 year old.

My son took these pictures when we were at a wedding

2007-10-01T07:07:00.000-04:00

I also wanted to check my watermarking abilities.

Where have I been????

2007-09-20T09:35:00.000-04:00

Well, the end of July was very busy!!! First, we went away for the weekend in this:

borrowed from a friend, it was VERY luxurious!!!!

Then, a week later, we went out of state to the eastern shore and took along this:

It is small, but it is OURS. We slept in that for 3 nights. Some of the kids slept in a tent as we do not all fit!!! But it was fun, despite the limited sleeping arrangements, we had a great time. We stayed with family before and after our visit to the ocean. We were gone for 10 days total. After we returned home, it was a flurry of activity to get everyone ready for the start of school and the start of sports.

We are in full swing now and every night is busy, busy, busy!!!

Cooking with Anne: Shades of Dinner Tonight

2007-07-11T07:28:00.000-04:00

If you are looking for some great recipes, Cooking with Anne is a great place to look. I enjoy reading her blog. Today, however, I found this very hilarious video. Go check it out and you will be laughing with me.

Cooking with Anne: Shades of Dinner Tonight

TMI

2007-07-11T06:56:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, as I sat, peacefully knitting, waiting for my son to get his braces on, the woman next to me gave me a lot of personal information. I was completely surprised that she would share with me her husband's name, social security number, home telephone number, where he works, the name of their insurance company and their kid's name. Why would she tell me all of this information when I am a stranger. Never met her before? Probably never going to speak to her?

Why? Why, you ask. I ask why too. Why would she sit there and tell EVERYONE around her this information?

Because she was on her CELL PHONE!!!!

Do people not have any sense anymore???? I really did not want to know this information.

And by-the-way, she has a hair appointment next Wednesday, just a trim as she colored it herself over the weekend.

Being 40

2007-06-29T06:42:00.000-04:00

Being 40 doesn't make me feel old. I rather like being 40. For the most part, I feel that age is irrelevant. It doesn't matter how old you are, it is how you live your life - what you do with it - how you behave. My Father-in-law is 84, so how could I possibly feel old?

I'll tell you how - having your oldest child turn 16 - that's how you feel old!!!

My oldest child will turn 16 before July is over. I will officially be old then. I remember when I turned 16, what I was doing, who my friends were, the things I liked, the people I liked. Kinda freaks me out!!!

Things are different for my 16 year old. First of all, he is High Functioning Autistic, it's called Aspergers Syndrome. He doesn't do some of the normal 16 year old things (which is perfectly fine with me). He still likes to play his video games and play with bionicle, watch cartoons. But he doesn't hang out with other 16 year olds. I can only imagine how much older I would feel if he did those things.

Not too long ago I was doing some calculations, then I started to feel really old. Right now, son #1 is 16 - when son #5 is 16, I will be 54. That's not too bad, till you figure in that son #1 will be 30! Holy smokes!!!!!!!

So, here's to getting older and not feeling older!!!!

2007-06-26T09:54:00.000-04:00

The new way to celebrate birthdays, in your birthday suit!!!

2007-06-24T10:25:00.001-04:00

Happy Birthday to my now SEVEN year old!!!!

Oh yeah, and Happy Anniversary to my dh, for a wonderful 18 years!!!

No Need for An Alarm Clock This Morning

2007-06-08T08:38:00.000-04:00

When you have the whisper of a 2 year old saying, "Dad, where are sucky, DAD, where are sucky?"

*sucky is the name we use for pacifier.

2007-05-31T12:45:00.000-04:00

How can he possibly sleep like this???

Happy Memorial Day

2007-05-28T09:45:00.000-04:00

Happy Memorial Day to all of our military, past and present.

Thank you for the wonderful job you do.

The reason I have been AWOL

2007-05-22T06:26:00.000-04:00

Wow, I am surprised at how long it has been since I updated. Things here have been SO incredibly busy. My daughter is in track and has practice every day after school or a meet and needs to be picked up. That takes a bit of dinner time and seems to rush the evenings by quickly. My 9 year old son is in baseball and adds more to the time crunch. It has been a joy watching him play. He plays through the middle of June and the track meets are over this week.

With all the craziness of school, track, baseball, dinners, laundry and 6 kids in general, I have been knitting. I received an invitation to a baby shower for one of our older babysitters. She moved away several years ago. I hear from her at Christmastime through cards and have been able to follow her changing addresses. I was surprised to get the invitation and very much wanted to do something special. Since I now know how to knit, this is what I made for her and it took all of the 3 weeks I had to get it finished in time. I put the last row on at 6 in the morning, threw it in the wash, wrapped it and was out the door by 10:15 - phew!

Try one of these GREAT Chili Recipes

2007-03-13T07:27:00.000-04:00

I make these 2 different recipes often.

This one is on the back of BUSH's Great Northern Beans.

1 Med Onion
3 TBS Olive Oil
1 (4 oz) can Chopped Green Chilies drained
3 TBS flour
2 tsp Ground Cumin
2 (15.8 oz) cans Great Northern Beans
1 (14 1/2 oz) can Chicken Broth
1 1/2 cups finely chopped or ground Chicken Breasts

Optional:
Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese
Sour Cream
Salsa

In large skillet, cook onion in oil for 4 minutes or until transparent. Add chilies, flour and cumin. Stir for 2 minutes. Add beans and chicken broth, bring to a boil. Reduce heat, simmer 10 minutes or until thickened. Add chicken, cook until hot.

I like to make this with half the chicken broth and we use Tostitos and eat it like a dip.

CHICKEN CHILI STEW

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 large onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced (use less if your family doesn’t care for garlic)
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 (14.5 ounce) cans stewed tomatoes
2 (15 ounce) cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed
3 cups salsa (your choice on how hot this is)
1-teaspoon chili powder
1-teaspoon ground cumin

Cut chicken into bite-size pieces. Cook chicken, onion, green pepper, and garlic in olive oil until chicken loses its pinkness and starts to slightly turn brown. Add remaining ingredients and, after it comes to a boil, simmer for 20 minutes. Ladle into bowls and top with shredded cheddar, sour cream, or thinly sliced green onions.

Serves 8.

Wordless Wednesday

2007-02-28T06:19:00.000-05:00

The BIG 40

2007-02-20T10:27:00.000-05:00

Well, since I did this last year, I figured I could do it again this year.

I like birthday's. They are a celebration of life. I am happy to have been here this long. I plan to be here a lot longer. Turning 40 is such a big deal to a lot of people. They feel that their life is over. I am not like that. It is an accomplishment for me. Something I am proud of. I am very excited to be 40!

Now, is it too early for a Margarita or should I just go back to bed?

To get the ball rolling.........

2007-01-30T08:01:00.000-05:00

You Sometimes Don't Get Enough Sleep

You're often more tired than you'd like, and you're probably not getting enough quality sleep.Sleeping a little more could make you a lot more energetic and happy.Try having a bedtime, keep your bedroom cool, and only eat fruit before bed.

Do You Get Enough Sleep?

Somehow I already knew this!!!!! (could it be the 2 year old?)

I think I owe you an update.

2007-01-12T06:54:00.000-05:00

This is the completed bathroom. I wish I could get a better picture, however, the bathroom is so small that this is the best I can do.

Let me know what you think!

Bathroom Update

2006-09-10T10:52:00.000-04:00

We've made more progress than you can see:

the pipe underneath has been cut away and the new pipe has been purchased. The wood has been installed and sanded. The new toilet and sink have also been purchased. Soon it will be time to pick out a color for the bathroom.

Thinking of doing it either the "English Tea Party" color of the kitchen, or the "Earl Grey" of the hallway. What do you think?

Kitchen (first pic)

Kitchen (second pic)

Hallway (third pic)

Foyer (fourth pic) just so you can see my colors

Bathroom

2006-09-02T15:06:00.000-04:00

Trying to find a toilet and sink for the bathroom. Trying not to break the budget, but at the same time, I want a toilet that will actually flush. This is what I have been looking at for a toilet.

This is the sink.

Haven't picked out the faucet yet. I understand the drawbacks to a vessel sink (like water on the counter, and soap scum under the bowl). But I want a little something to be upscale in my house. I was thinking about putting wainscoting in there, but not sure how it will look with the sink. If I did that, then I will paint it the same color as the kitchen. Which I will show you after I actually take pictures of the newly painted kitchen.

Your comments are appreciated, as I haven't ordered anything yet.

School

2006-08-30T06:58:00.000-04:00

School started for my oldest, yesterday. Wooohooo!!! If he's at school, I don't have to argue with him. At least that's the way it should be. I think in the 2 days that he has gone to school, we have argued more in the 30 minutes he is up before he leaves, than we have on any given day over the summer. I took a different approach today. I told him straight up, "I don't like arguing with you, it's not right that I should have to yell at you to get you to listen. Can we just do this without the fighting?" He calmed down after that and was a little better. I probably said some other things, but that is all that my memory snagged. I hope tomorrow is a better morning. I think it might be, because he will have the allure of the weekend.

On a further note, the bathroom is coming along. I have to pick out a toilet and sink that I want. Not sure how much money I want to sink (pun intended) into the pair. I found a pedestal sink that I like and it is inexpensive, YEAH! But the toilet to go with it, I am not sure of it's flushing power.

Water Closet

2006-08-03T10:23:00.000-04:00

The half bath on the main floor has been reduced to a water closet.

That's it.

Nothing more.

What started out as as simple renovation, has turned out to be a MAJOR redo!!!

Not sure what we are going to do anymore. We were going to replace the toilet with a new one that will actually flush more than just, eh hem, number 1. In the process, we were also going to install a new pedestal sink (just because I like the look of them). And why not, I ask, why not? We have to refinish the floor as we didn't do it when we did the kitchen. Mostly because we knew the toilet had to come off for the job.

Well, insert big sigh after the sink came out, it revealed the unforseeable....... The floor underneath the sink was not complete!

We are on hold now till the floor dries. The toilet was actually leaking and we won't know the extent of that damage until after we sand it.

For your pleasure, here is a picture. And yes, that is all the bigger the bathroom is.

July 29, 1991

2006-08-01T07:53:00.000-04:00

That day changed my life. That was the day my first child was born. How different I felt, yet how the same I felt. This birth story is a short one. As far as labors can go, this one was relatively short.

I had an appointment on Monday the 29 th, one day past my official due date. I was to go to the hospital for a Non-stress Test. The check-in procedure at the hospital was that I went to the ER, told them I had an appointment and sat in the waiting room. The thing is, my appointment was scheduled for 7 am and I checked in to the ER at 6:30 am, like I was told to do. The ER, since I WASN'T in labor, made me wait and apparently forgot about me. When they were done with their ~~coffee break~~ paperwork it was 9 o'clock!!!! I had been sitting there for over TWO HOURS. All they had to do was walk me upstairs!!!

Anyway, since I was waiting so long, I had to pee!!!! (Not that I couldn't have gone when I was in the ER, but I was by myself and I knew that if I went to the bathroom, they would call my name and I would have missed it.) I let the OB nurse know as soon as I got up there and she led me to a bathroom. AS SOON AS I SAT DOWN, my water broke!!!!! I came out and told the nurse, and then she had to check and make sure, because she didn't believe me!!! When I proved her right, I got my very own room. The hospital's maternity ward was brand-new that year and they had LDRP's (Labor, Delivery, Recovery and Postpartum rooms).

I was hooked up to the monitor, got an IV started and sat there and waited for contractions to start. I was actually contracting every 6 minutes, but they were barely noticeable. My doctor came from the office at noon to check on me and ordered pit, since I was still not feeling the contractions. I remember being able to watch All My Children, but after that things start to get fuzzy. My contractions were building and I was unable to concentrate so I asked for something. The something I was given was Demerol. It really just put me to sleep, except for when I was contracting - so it seems to me like one really long contraction. The doctor came back some time after office hours (most likely just after 5). I was a 6-7 by then. The doctor waited in the my room and watched me to decide if I was going to be much longer as he wanted to go home. After about 20 minutes, he decided he was going home. Ha! As soon as he left the room, I said to the nurse, I think I have to push. She wants to check me first, and in doing so realizes that I am in transition and runs out of the room chasing after my doctor.

About a half an hour later, my first child, my first son comes in to this world by my husband's (my son's father's) hands. What a miraculous feeling as my husband lays him on my stomach. The doctor clamps the cord and my husband cuts the cord. The baby is quickly taken to the warming bed where he is given O2 as he is a little purple. After they are all done with the warming, cleaning, checking, weighing and wrapping. The nurse puts my new baby in my arms and I can still feel his weight in my arms, all 8 lbs. 12 1/2 oz. of him, after 6 1/2 hours on pitocin.

This was one of the biggest life changing moments for me (next to marring my husband). Every day it changes. Every day I learn from this, my oldest child, my first son. Happy Birthday Son!

What Color Green are You?

2006-06-09T10:31:00.000-04:00

You Are Apple Green

You are almost super-humanly upbeat. You have a very positive energy that surrounds you.
And while you are happy go lucky, you're also charmingly assertive.
You get what you want, even if you have to persuade those against you to see things your way.
Reflective and thoughtful, you know yourself well - and you know that you want out of life.

What Color Green Are You?

My Fortune

2006-06-05T07:53:00.000-04:00

We had Chinese food over the weekend. This was my fortune from the cookie I shouldn't have eaten the next day!!!

You are a bundle of energy, always on the go.

That pretty much describes me, lately. After having done the wood floors and painted the new trim. I said to my dh, "I think crown molding would look really nice in the kitchen." And then he bought it!!!! Well now, I couldn't see having to stare at the kitchen paint that I really didn't like. I just painted a couple of years ago and it just wasn't what I was going for!!

So, here we are a few weeks later and I have done the following:

Had a girls martini party (because that is first, ya know!!)
cleaned out hall closet
painted hall closet and hall
painted kitchen
painted other hallway
painted crown molding
listed my first few eBay items
held sick baby all day
took sick baby to Dr (that lasted 3 hours b/c of blood work and urinalysis)
held sick baby all day
held sick baby most of the night too!!

Baby is better now, and we have opened the pool and put in all the floor molding. Now we just need to put up the crown.

My list seems short to me, but that is because I left out all the normal day to day stuff and all the end of school activities we have been doing of late.

Will post pictures after the crown molding goes up!!!

WOW!!!!

2006-05-21T14:39:00.000-04:00

Coming out of Meijer last week, this was parked a few spaces away from my ~~bus~~ truck. My head turned!!!! Wow, what a sleek looking car. I had to come home and look it up. I knew it was going to be a lot. It sure didn't look like it belonged in the Meijer parking lot!!!

MSRP $65,675
Engine 5.0L 24-valve V-8 engine
Net Power 302 hp @ 5,600 rpm
Net Torque 339 lb-ft @ 2,700 - 4,250 rpm

That picture doesn't do it justice. I would have taken a picture with my camera phone, but in my awe, I forgot I even owned one!!! In hind-sight, I don't think the driver would have liked me snapping his picture!!!!

The rest of the pictures

2006-05-20T13:54:00.000-04:00

F

G

Thanks for looking, happy voting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What to Wear???

2006-05-20T12:55:00.000-04:00

So, I have a wedding coming up and I have to find something to wear. Nothing in my closet is appropriate nor does it fit right. I have been looking on eBay for some halter dresses. I have seen a few that I like, however, I am not ready to buy anything yet. Still working on that walking thing.

Now, thanks to Carmen at Mom to the Screaming Masses, I have been perusing the Nordstrom website and have found a bit more than a few that I like. Please vote for your favorite.

Thanks!

A

B

C

D

E

There are a couple more that I am having a hard time uploading. I will post them next................

Walking, Jogging, Running......

2006-05-01T11:37:00.000-04:00

Or a variance of all three.

I just bought these shoes. I have started walking and trying to jog..... I am up to jogging 9 houses. I have 15 pounds that I want to loose. We have a wedding in July, and I would like to look physically fit! I am hoping to stay motivated by getting this out in the open!!!

Stay tuned for more updates on my goal.

Trifle

2006-05-01T11:23:00.000-04:00

I made this on Friday!!! It was so yummy!!

How to make:

Place Ladyfingers in bottom of trifle bowl
Brush with mixture of (single)brewed espresso and dark rum (to taste)
Sprinkle on some raspberries
Add 1/3 of vanilla pudding (I used Jello fat free 4 servings)
Add another layer of Ladyfingers and brush with espresso
Add the rest of the pudding
Top with Cool-whip
Sprinkle with your choice of chocolate, slivered almonds or raspberries (or all 3)

An Extravaganza Post

2006-04-26T08:48:00.000-04:00

I suppose I need to update my few readers. It has been a very busy month. There's been:

Hospital visits
Mom 2 mom sales
Teacher Conferences
Spring break
Oral surgery
Allergies
An ear infection
Eye appointments
Glasses
Remodeling of sorts
and NO KNITTING

All in all, everything has worked out fine, but it has been rather busy. Dh ended up in the hospital overnight for what turned out to be stomach problems related to stress. They probably didn't need to keep him, but because he complained of pain near his chest, they kept him as a precaution. He has an appointment with a Gastroenterologist and a follow-up with his GP.

The mom2mom sale was horrible!! For starters, my 12 yo daughter was going to come with me and help with the table and dh was to be home with the boys. Well, wouldn't you know that his hospital stay was on THE.VERY.SAME.DAY. So............I asked his brother to come stay at the house to help. He doesn't know about babies, so I needed my daughter to stay at home to take care of him. I ended up taking my 10 yo ds to help with the table (just what a 10 yo boy wants to do!!!). As far as the kids being taken care of, everything worked out fine. The real stinker is that I only made $37. Not hardly worth my 6 hours there plus prep time.

Next was parent-teacher conferences. My dd's (who is a middle-schooler) was first and went really well, she is doing great and is self motivated. A couple of weeks later, I had the elementary boy's conferences. They were okay and completely what I expected. What I didn't expect was that I wrote the time on the WRONG date. I had it down for Thursday and my 10 yo asks me Wednesday at 1:15 if we are going to conferences and I said yes they are tomorrow at 1:30, and he calmly informs me that they are in fact on Wednesday. Well, the baby had just woken up from his nap and was having lunch and I wasn't even dressed! Somehow, I managed to get some makeup and clothes on and everyone out the door in 8 minutes. We made it to the first conference on time and it went really well. When I was done with that one, we all headed to the next one with 10 minutes to spare. Turns out I needed all 10 minutes because the baby pooped and nobody brought the diaper bag. Went home, changed a diaper and back to class in 10 minutes flat!! The last conference was the Jr. High kid, on Thursday and was completely expected.

Spring break started on Good Friday and had me at the Oral Surgeons office getting a tooth extracted under a local and NOT under-under!!! How completely and utterly horrible, but unfortunately necessary. Good dental care is a must at all times. Tooth #19 started out just needing a filling, but because I was pregnant, they wouldn't fill it. So it got left to fester for 6 months and needed a root canal when I was no longer pregnant. That was 15 years ago and the dentist, I'm assuming pocketed the insurance money for the whole procedure, because she didn't finish putting a crown on the tooth that was almost completely filled with amalgam. When I got out of the dental HMO and picked my own dentist, he finished the work, but there wasn't much left of the actual tooth and the crown kept breaking off and we could not save it. So I am left with a hole in my mouth to heal for 6 months and the decision as to what to do next - an implant or a bridge.

My allergies have been extremely bad, so I went to the Dr. yesterday and low and behold, I have an ear infection. Antibiotics and Clarinex-D for me.

Took 2 of the kids with me to the eye doctor. I need new glasses and my 10 yo got glasses. He looks really cute in them and I'm glad he can see better.

The remodeling that we did was the original wood floor that we put in when we built the house 10 years ago. It needed a refinish job. LOTS of sanding and 3 coats of polyurethane later, it is looking good. It needs to sit for a week before we can put the furniture back, so maybe in that time we can put up new baseboards.

Here are a few pictures of before and after.

New wood just for this little hallway.

And after

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY

2006-03-17T08:27:00.000-05:00

To all my fellow Irishmen (we are all Irish on St. Patty's Day, no?), I say Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Thanks to Mopsy over at Lifenut, I got the idea of having Lucky Charms for breakfast this morning. It was a hit and almost everyone loved them!

Since it is Friday, I think I will prepare the following for dinner tonight:

Shamrockshake

Erin's Soda Bread

Corned Beef Sandwiches and green mashed potatoes, along with some green vegetables.

**********************

So that was the plan for Friday. Also, I had planned to get my post up, actually on Friday. It didn't seem to work out that way. So here I am on ~~Monday~~ Tuesday, finishing up my post.

I didn't get to make the soda bread, but plan to some time this week because I did buy the buttermilk.

Knitting

2006-03-15T14:53:00.000-05:00

The last thing I finished knitting!!! It was about 6 weeks ago, for the baby's christening.

What a Great Shirt

2006-03-11T16:25:00.000-05:00

This is the cutest shirt.

You can go to http://www.cafepress.com to get one.

Baby Proofing 101

2006-03-07T10:16:00.000-05:00

How do you baby proof this?

And yes, he figured out how to get to the next step.

He gets up.

I take him down.

He gets up.

I take him down.

Do you see a pattern?

Do you know what I will be doing ALL. DAY. LONG?????

New Word For The Day

2006-03-07T06:57:00.000-05:00

From my 8 year old. Going through the spelling list and finding a new way to spell - whole. According to him it is spelled W-H-O-R-E. I rolled my eyes and asked him to please not spell it that way on the test.....................hoping he remembers.

2006-03-07T06:49:00.000-05:00

It's 8:30 pm and I'm wondering why the doctor hasn't called me back.

Picking up the phone to call the office and bitch.

Hearing a busy signal.

Steaming that somebody let the baby play with the phone.

Finding the other phone.

Embarrassment - realizing it was ME that left the phone off the hook 245 minutes ago.

Nobody will get through that way.

2006-03-06T10:13:00.000-05:00

About me, this picture was taken about 2 years ago. I am usually behind the camera, so there aren't a lot of pictures of me. I am new to blogging and trying to figure this whole thing out. I will add more about my family soon.

A Great Book

2006-03-06T06:44:00.000-05:00

I just finished reading this great book! It's called The Baby Catcher by Peggy Vincent. You can go to http://www.babycatcher.net/ to get some information about her book and some excerpts. Now I wish I could have had a homebirth. I have always wondered about it and now after reading Peggy's book, I really wish I could have. If you are interested in anything to do with midwifery, check out her book. I think you'll like it.

The Circle of Life

2006-02-26T21:20:00.000-05:00

Death follows birth, but today for me, birth followed death. A friend of mine lost her mother early this morning. What sadness. She was sick, but hadn't been sick for long. It opens old wounds for me. Even though it has been 12 years since I lost my mother, the pain is still near. A different friend called me to give me the news of the death. It was hard to hold it together, to get through the conversation without breaking down. I didn't know my friend's Mother, I ache for my friend. I ache for myself and my own loss so many years ago. I ache for my friend that called me to give me the news. She lost her Father 10 months ago, very suddenly. I knew her Dad. I ache.

I have always wanted a quick and painless death. Especially after watching my Mother-in-law suffer from cancer. She died 6 months after my husband and I got married. She was so sick, her death was welcomed. We didn't want to see her in anymore pain. A few years later, my Mom was diagnosed with cancer. 18 months later and her death was welcomed too. We didn't want to see her in anymore pain. Not for ourselves, but for them. They didn't deserve the pain. I think that prepared me.

When my friend lost her Dad, my first thought was that he didn't suffer. He'd had a massive heart attack. There was no saving him. Wow, he didn't suffer. But my friend................. She is still suffering, grieving the loss of her Dad. I am still sad. I think I have changed my mind. For my children's sake. I want them to be prepared. I want them to be at peace with life and death. If that means I am to bear the burden, so be it. I want to do everything I can to help my children through this life.

Life that is beginning everywhere, is beginning for my niece today. This was welcomed news today. Nine months ago it was not so welcomed, but today it was. My 17 year old niece gave birth to her baby boy at 12:30 this afternoon. We are happy that everyone is doing well. I am sad that I cannot be there, but happy still.

I went through the whole circle of life today, accompanied by a whole circle of emotions and I just have to say, "here's to tomorrow"!

Blessings to all.

Happy Birthday To Me!!!!!!!!

2006-02-20T13:37:00.000-05:00

Today is the big day, 39 and holding now. I got phone calls and emails wishing me a Happy Birthday. That was so nice and made me feel very loved. That's what Birthday's are all about, anyway ~ feeling loved.

When my husband got home from work, we all hopped in the car to go to dinner. Little did I know that my hubby arranged for the President of the United States! to drive by and WAVE at me!!!! (Okay, not really ~ but we did see the motorcade). And that felt special to me to be able to see that on my Birthday and for the first time in my life!

We got to dinner, a very nice Mexican Restaurant with great food and I got to have a Margarita! Which I had to slam the last several ounces b/c the baby wouldn't sit the entire meal and he was getting loud, so it was time for us to leave!!! I've had my fair share of one-year olds to know that his behavoir was completely horrifiying, I mean normal!!!

I did enjoy myself and after we got home, we had cake, the kids sang to me, my daughter gave me a present, then I sent them all to bed (in actuallity, that means that they whined, complained, stomped, cried, and I gave in and let them watch the new Sponge Bob Square Pants in my room and hubby and I watched House in the living romm ~ then I sent them to bed).

My First Post

2006-02-18T10:18:00.000-05:00

Wow, I have my own blog. Of course as soon as I get this started, I have to go break up a fight between 2 of the 6 kids....................

Well, now that the fight is settled, I will have to get to work. More later from me, I hope to be able to post on a regular basis. I love the blogging world.