D's Place

A little peak

2011-10-19T19:25:00.000-05:00

Click and enjoy...

It's official....I have 6,338 photos of our trip to Peru and because of the randomness of when I was able to take video...those minutes of recorded time are still being counted.

Needless to say, I have a LOT of reviewing to do and even more editing before I have a documentary of our time in Peru worth showing.

Hope you enjoyed my vision above. I hope even more that it teased you enough to make you want more.

Between my family, work, the women's studies course/book I'm writing, this documentary and a few other smaller projects, my time is at an all time limit.

Don't get me wrong, I am loving it all and couldn't ask for more (really, there's no more time! lol), but please bear with me. I am keeping busy and looking forward to sharing it all with you as soon as I can!

Thanks for all of you who keep following and checking in on me- I appreciate every one of you!

Blessings,
D

I haven't forgotten you!

2011-09-27T18:12:00.000-05:00

We are all back home safe and sound as of Sunday night, Sept 18th. I have over 3,000 pics from the trip and some incredible stories to share.

At this time, Aaron is back to school, I am back to work and we are attempting to catch up from being absent from our actual lives for 14 days!

I will begin posting photos, stories and videos from out trip to Peru once we have settled back into our normal routines and can find the additional time to do so.

until then...

A view from the streets in Lima
The streets and sidewalks seem to be as crowed with cars and people as the hillsides.
There are approximately 250,000 to 300,000 people in Huancayo, Peru
There are approximately 7 to 8 million people in Lima, Peru

Hedelia showing us a hand embroidered skirt panel made by Inez
Inez does handi-work to supplement the family's income. This type of traditional skirt is handmade and requires two panels. Each panel takes two months to make. A skirt sells for maybe $200.

Inez with some of her family
The day after this picture, after I promised I would buy the school uniform for her 13 year old son because that was the only reason he wasn't in school, we were informed that her son in the picture above had to take his brother to another village to live with other family members. The young man had apparently crossed paths with a local 'mafia' or gang and in order to keep him safe and out of trouble, the family thought it best to remove him from the area. Because of the family's poverty and distance from the other village-they may or may not see thier son again.
Gives a whole new meaning to the term, 'tough love' doesn't it?

A cow still decorated from a recent festival
Both it and the chicken in the background are grazing...and pooping, in the front yard of a home....in the same place the children play. Add sheep and dogs to this and one can only imagine the big picture.

A street vendor in Huancayo
Storefronts on wheels....everywhere you turn!

A still decorated sheep grazing on land as hard as concrete
Imagine having to plow, by hand, the rows in a field of rock laden dirt dried as hard as the sidewalk.

A day on the streets of Huancayo
The people in Huancayo can never be mistaken for meanderers, they are all headed someplace in a hurry!

Women in Huancayo waiting for a bus
Imagine carrying all of your Saturday groceries on your back while traveling in standing room only public transportation to reach the 10-20 miles back home.

Aaron giving out some candy to one of the boys of Azapampa
They love the sour stuff!

One of the many faces we have come to love in Azapampa
One of his neighborhood playmates fell down a well the last day we were there
Little Percy is fine, but imagine something we might have national media coverage for as something the people of Azapampa deal with on a daily basis.

Blessings,

Sunday's River Baptism

2011-09-12T21:57:00.001-05:00

Sunday, people came from all around and miles away to celebrate the baptism of five Azapampa youth. It was a wonderful day full of God, love and laughter. The event was held in the middle of the fields next to a river and the beautiful Andes mountains set the backdrop. Today, pictures are worth more than words...

Raquel preparing for the baptism ceremony

Neighbors, friends and families traveled from all over to attend the baptism

The five children gather, listen to the sermon and prepare for the river baptism

Gracie was asked to sing at the ceremony- It was beautiful

After the baptisms, everyone stayed to eat lunch in the fields, celebrate the day, visit with one another and the children played together.

Blessings,

Say a little prayer....

2011-09-09T17:06:00.000-05:00

...for success. We are attempting to create a skype session between Peru and Cameron on Sat evening to share a little international fellowship and youth interaction. Stay posted for updates on the place, time and opportunity to atttend.

Until then, here are few photos from the last few days. Hope you enjoy!

Touring Azapampa the first day

Streets of Huancayo

Street vender in Huancayo

A family of Azapampa

Street woman in Huancayo

The little red church in Azapampa, Caesar, Gracie, Ruth and Donna

Common roofing of the housing in Azapampa....if they have roofs

Living in Azapampa

Rachael, a girl of Azapampa. She is a daughter of one of the families we've helped. She will have a forecver place in my heart. We shared some great moments and you'll hear stories about her later.

The playground in the back yard of the little red church in Azapampa.

A foundation to build on

2011-09-09T00:44:00.000-05:00

Day two began at 5:30 am with a cold shower. I don't complain after seeing what we are here to help with. We dressed and headed to Caesar and Karina’s house for a breakfast of eggs and mushrooms with warm chiabatta bread, strawberry jelly from the market and wonderful Peruvian coffee, from the jungle. A couple of smarter team members opted for warm showers at Caesar’s while the rest of us ate our breakfast.

Caesar dropped us at Azapampa and familiar faces greeted us with smiles and hugs as we entered the village on a road no vehicle should have to brave. We dropped our bags at the little red church and looked through our suitcases of tools as Hedelia, The Lay Pastor of Azapampa and Caesar, briefed us again on the needs of our first family. We were to purchase the rocks and dirt that would be used to fill the foundation trenches for their new home.

With business settled we entered the home area of our first family. More hugs, kisses and thanks greeted us. While waiting on materials to arrive, there was work to be done. We moved three big piles of dirt and rock created from the digging of the trenches and used it to level out the yard where our family lived. I think the piles grew for a bit when we began to dig them out and shovel the earth into wheelbarrows, but we prevailed. Several of the women kept the dust down by pulling buckets of water from the well and splashing it onto the hills of dirt.

The high altitude made the strenuous work even more difficult and I’m sure the people of this mountain gained a laugh or two at the gringos who had to take more than a few extra breaks between shoveling and moving dirt. But we never knew if they did. The people were gracious, loving and appreciative of our willingness help.

I think the two family members that stood out to me most during the day were the matriarch of the family and one of her daughters, Elizabeth. The matriarch seemed to rule the family with a silent but firm and loving hand. One word from her and the children and grandchildren quickly and respectfully carried out her wishes. I call her Mama. I think nothing happens under Mama’s watch that she is not aware of. She appears kind, extremely wise and very strong.

Mama must have thought that my American ball cap was not sufficient for the Azapampa sun, because she brought me a new hat to wear. The native Peruvian hat was beautiful, but unfortunately, my head is a little bigger than the people of this family, so it didn’t fit well. Ruth,my fellow mission team member, who was give a beautiful bright red hat by this family the day before swapped with me. Mama was right…the Peruvian hat protected my face and ears from the sun much better than my hat the day before.

I truly enjoyed getting to know Elizabeth. She is 33 and, along with her two sisters, will be getting baptized in the river Sunday. The team will be blessed in that we have been invited to attend the river baptism. Elizabeth is a bright, eager to learn young lady. I never see her when there is not a smile on her face. Even though I speak minimal Spanish ( I am learning more each day I am here) she comprehends English fairly well and we had great conversation about family, way of life, one another and our children. I am pulled to this young lady and it was a privilege to get to spend the afternoon with her and her family andto share a part of our lives with one another.

The dirt for the concrete arrived and the men, there are three sons, along with my son, began to sift the dirt for the foundation’s concrete mixture. I was proud of my son, who despite being unaccustomed to the mountain air, kept pace with the men of the family during the session of shoveling and mixing dirt, concrete and rock.

While the men, my Aaron included, prepared the mix for the concrete, we spent time with Mama, her daughters and grandchildren. The afternoon was filled with great accomplishment and fellowship. At Mama’s urging, we even tried chewing coca leaves. It tastes like chewing alfalfa. Mama says it is a great cure for altitude sickness, upset stomachs, headaches and a multitude of other ailments.

After a day of hard work, we took taxis back to Probitem, the seminary in Huancayo where we are staying, took showers, my first hot one since we’d arrived here, and headed out to the square with Karina to have some great Chinese food. After dinner, we walked around the square a bit. I visited a store in attempt to find some raw wool. We did not find any there and were told to visit another store in another area. Karina advised us we would have to visit this place during the day because it was located in an area that was not safe at night. We walked a little more and Aaron found a music store. He looked at some trumpets and even tried a couple out right there in the open store front next to the sidewalk. He failed to find one he couldn’t live without. But before we left the store, he was thanked by another patron leaving the store for the concert. It was a fun evening and a good end to a hard but good day.

Working alongside the people of Azapampa today made me reflect on the hardships these people have faced, both in the past and today. Watching their love for one another and their willingness to work hard for the little they have, makes my heart ache that I can’t give them more. Sometimes it is very hard to let go and let God do the rest.

I do not know how Gracie does it. It is obvious by the love that radiates from her eyes and her generous smiles the moment she first sees faces that are familiar to her here in Peru, that she genuinely loves the people here. She comes every year and does great things for them. And, every year, her heart breaks that she cannot do more. Today, after making sure this family had a strong and safe foundation to build their home on, she was asked if there was a way she could help them buy the bricks for their walls. The money only goes so far and Gracie works miracles in how much she is able to accomplish each year with the little money she has for the Peru mission. The fact remains, there is only so much money and she has other families, in just as much need.

It takes a while to upload photos from here, and I have so many....for now, I'll just leave you with a few moments from the day...

The dirt mix must be sifted, mixed with concrete mix, then mixed again with a sandy soil. All this is done with only manual labor.

A view of the compound type yard shared between our family and thier other family members and neighbors.

My new friend Jose, Hedelia's husband, and
I comparing our new hats!

Mama chewing coca leaves and setting next to one of her daughters while taking a break in the shade to watch the work. Mama had just finished carrying two bags of cement mix on her back. They weighed 100lbs each.

One of the children of Azapampa sitting on the side of the road while doing his homework.

Part of the foundation trench

One of the many spectacular views from the village of Azapampa.

The family's well. While recently the gov't has begun to truck clean water into the village, each family digs a well for daily use in the home. the well water is still used for cleaning, bathing and livestock. The water is poison for many reasons and not safe for consumption.

Blessings,

Peru Update

2011-09-06T22:09:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone! Finally have a decent connection to the internet that I think will be fairly consistant. It was a long trip to get here and once here, we have been immersed in the people, land and culture. I'll have a more in depth post for you later but to get everyone up to speed, here is a few quick words.

We arrived safely in Huancayo. Our 9 hour bus ride only took about 7 1/2 hrs. we dropped like rocks Monday evening and woke early this morning to meet the five families whom we are to help during our two week mission.

We will spend a day or two with each family getting to know them and helping them repair thier homes from the horrible rains earlier this year. I was told that the rainfall this year was 200% higher than normal.

The people are so gracious and full of love in Azapampa. It was sensory overload and extremely overwhelming to step into thier lives even for this day. Even knowing the poverty I was about to witness it was hard.

I think Aaron and I fell in love with the people of Azapampa today. They certainly have our hearts. Even though today was a day of meeting these families, we came home physically, mentally and emotionally exausted. I wish I could help them all. But, one can only do what one can do and we must trust God to do the rest.

Always easier said than done.

Today was a whirlwind and because my senses are on overload, I am still not familiar with the names of our families. We are learning one another. I am sure there will be additions and corrections to these stories, but for now, for the first heartbreaking and overwhelming day of introductions let me introduce you briefly to our families.

Family One:

large family, three generations, only one man-a husband to one of the daughters, and two boys-teenagers, all the reast are young girls and babies. A grandmother, with young kids, then there are the two sisters, both with kids only one with husband.

They are living in a small unstable adobe room while attempting to rebuild a room where they will all live. Thier home literally 'melted', from all the rain this last year.

They have dug the trench for the adobe foundation of thier new room/home. We are supposed to help build the foundation in our two days with them.

The second family: (we didn't get to meet these girls today-they were at school and working.)

Two young girls. 16 and 10. They are alone. The mother died from what they explained as, an exploding lung. The father is an alcoholic and has abandoned them. He is just gone. Thier home is completly crumbled. No roof, only three partial and very unstable walls.

The girls have no one. The oldest works to take care of them and still goes to school. The youngest girl is in school still also. They are temporarily staying in a small adobe shed that is very unsafe also.

We have to knock down the remaining walls and try to pour a concrete or adobe foundation.

The third family:

A family of man, wife and five kids. Thier home/room was also destroyed. The husband builds walls by trade so he is skilled but out of work so the family's only money right now comes from the sale of the wife's wares. She sells embroideried skirts cutomeary to thier culture. One skirt takes four months to make and only sells for about $60.

The husband has rebuilt much of the room but it needs to be plastered and to have windows installed.

We are going provide materials since they have no money to complete thier home and help complete the tasks during our two days with this family.

We are also buying the uniform and school supplies for thier 12 year old son so that he can attend school. This is the only reason is not in school. The family cannot afford the uniform or supplies (books) it takes for this boy to attend.

Family four:
This family was not at home and we have not met them yet. They have rebuilt thier home after it was destroyed in the rains but has no window coverings. They need this and a few other items that we'll be helping with. They are living with family until they can move into thier home.

Famliy five:

Same thing, only I think the filthiest living conditions. (and thier dog bit me as we walked by!) A woman and man and 4 or 5 children are living in a very nasty and smelly area while they are rebuilding a bigger room to live in. I think about a 10x12 room is what the new one will be.

We will be hauling big rocks to mix with mud for the adobe that goes into the foundation trench that he has already dug for the new place. The wife of this family told us how she had been bleeding from her mouth from carrying so many rocks. I do not know if it was the way she was carrying them or from the weight she bore while carrying them. Either way, it was heartbreaking.

(As we visited this family, thier dog ran out of thier fence, charged me and bit my calf. I'm fine, it didn't break the skin too bad, it is more sore from the pinch of the bite I think than the bite itself. )

We have a lot of work to get done and it is late. It is 10:45 and we are headed to bed. 5:30 comes early.

Please say a prayer for the people of Azapampa. They are full of love for one another and God and live a life no one should have to live.

Tomorrow I'll share more about the people and the history of Azapampa.

Goodnight.,
D

2011-09-05T14:23:00.000-05:00

D'Anna Balliett
Just checking in with everyone. Service will be spotty until we arrive in Huancayo. Everyone is safe, enjoying our exposure to Lima and as of 10 mins ago, packed onto the bus and headed for Huancayo. Before we pulled out- our photos were taken for our identification should we plummet off the side of the mountain at anytime during this 9 hour bus ride. Lol. Would it matter at that point?

Sorry for the crazy broken up posts from earlier. I was attempting to post from my phone and I think it broke the messages up into so many characters.

As I am typing this, our bus driver is battling it out with another bus. Literally. They are fighting for position and the two buses are so close, our bus driver reached out and started banging on the other driver's window! Guess we lost the battle, angry bus driver #2 refused to back down, bumped our bus and went ahead of us. City road rage has nothing on Peru.

I'm signing off to enjoy more incredible sights from the safety (did I say safety?) of my bus window. Ill post photos later.

With a new appreciation for US traffic laws,
D

2011-09-04T21:21:00.003-05:00

ng the states in 1 1/2 hrs. Four and a half hours after that, we'll be landing on the coast of Peru!

2011-09-04T21:21:00.001-05:00

settled in the Miami airport and just finished a croquetta, spinach and cheese empanada and guava and cheese pastry. Life is good. Yummo! We'll be leavi

2011-09-04T16:47:00.001-05:00

And... Gracie is the bomb....she got the five of us a seat change on the plane so we are all setting in the same row. You rock lady!

2011-09-04T16:46:00.005-05:00

s as packed!!! As I type we are waiting to board the plane in Dallas! Very excited to arrive in Lima!

2011-09-04T16:46:00.003-05:00

od Grief Charlie Brown! American Airlines took our roller carry-on bags and made us check them all the way thru to Peru! Hope-n-pray everything arrive

2011-09-04T16:46:00.001-05:00

We started with a bang- all the batteries in my carry on bag flagged security! After a very thorough bag search, we were on our way....almost! Then Go

Packing 101

2011-09-03T09:00:00.000-05:00

So what does one take when packing to leave for a mission trip? Good question. One that makes me realize I need a little more simplicity in my life. And one that makes me realize it is easier to fall into the stereotypical arrogant-American, living in excess, role that I strive to avoid.

Before anyone starts the rampage- back off. I am very proud and blessed to be an American.

This situation is one of the few reasons I hesitated on opening my personal blog up to the public. And, maybe I just need to get this statement out of the way. I’ll say this once and once only. I will not apologize for anything I say here because someone doesn’t like or understand the statement. I’ll discuss, explain (to an extent) but I will not argue, encourage or get lost in arguing over my choice of words or thoughts. This is my house (hence the name, D’s Place.) I have extended my welcome mat to you, cross and enter these pages peacefully- or don’t cross it at all.

Okay, I’m stepping off of my soapbox now, thanks for listening…

Packing 101, continued

I generally try to think of myself as a fairly down to earth person. I don’t attempt to keep up with the Jones’, I don’t live a lavish lifestyle and I live by my motto that as long as I have, I have something to give.

After attempting to pack for a two week mission trip to Peru, where I am going to help and serve others who are less fortunate than myself I’ve discovered something…..

I have too much stuff and a lot of room for personal growth

I skate closer to that stereotypical line than I realize

I envy those who can travel abroad for weeks at a time living out of a simple back pack with every need met.

It goes something like this:

Me(two weeks before trip): Hmm, we get one large checked bag that can weigh up to 50lbs, a carry on, back pack and computer bag. We only have to pack a couple of changes of clothes to work in, a few necessities and we can use the clothes we travel in for our visits to homes, churches and other locations. I can do that, sounds like I’ll have all the room to pack I’ll need.

Myself (days later): Crap, how am I going to get all of this stuff in these bags?! I know I’ll forget something if I don’t pack everything. I mean it is not like I can just run to the corner store to buy what I want. These bags are never going to hold everything.

I(5:30am the day before we fly out): Really D? Between the clothes you travel in, the toiletries and the emergency change of clothes you put in your carry-on, what else couldn’t you live without? Remember where you are going and why; remember the difference between need and want. Now go zip up your bags and be thankful for everything around you!

**********

I find it amazing at times how easy we (I) can drift from the attitude of need to want without even realizing it. Yes, we are blessed with luxuries around us. Things like running water, electricity, a choice of what we are going to wear today, shoes (with a rather large emphasis on the plural), solid buildings to house us, our wants and needs really are all luxuries aren’t they?

Well, I’m off to pack…a little lighter than before. I can’t wait to share this experience with you. Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings,

Peru Following

2011-08-25T12:58:00.000-05:00

Gracie's 1st visit to Azapampa..Sunday school meeting in the field, 2005

There has been such an overwhelming response of readers who have asked be placed on my blog alert list, I have had to create a new alert system.

Do not worry-if you have already advised me you want to receive these alerts you have been placed on the list. No need to ask again.

What happened is that, with the built in blogger post alert system provided here, I was limited in number of how many emails could be listed to receive alerts. I have blown that number away, soooooooo.....

I have just created my own own list via my own email program.

So bring on the Peru trip followers! My email alert list can now be as big as we need it to be. And I want everyone who is interested to receive the blog alerts!

So, once again, I remind you......

Providing internet service holds out in the mountains of Peru during our two week visit, i'll be blogging my way through this experience. I’ll be posting stories of people, the day’s experiences and lots of photographs along the way. If you would like to be notified each time I post to this blog, email me (gm@mynwmo.com) and ask to be placed on my email alert list. Or, you can leave a comment here with the email address you would like me to add.

I’ll be sending out notifications with a link each time I am able to post.

As always, comments and questions are encouraged but don't be shy....many people email them to me. It is okay to post the comments here...I will receive them as they are posted! I have it automatically set up to be forwarded when readers post comments. Also, other readers love to hear what you have to say!

Blessings,
D

11 days and counting

2011-08-24T17:16:00.001-05:00

I am accepting $15 donations. $15 will purchase a nice pair of shoes for one child in Peru. Interested? Email me.

It is August 24, 2011 and as little as one year ago, I would have laughed in your face if you’d told me I would ever see the mountains of Peru.

A year ago, I answered a very small and unassuming call to help.

Today I’m packing.

In 11 days my 16 year old son and I leave for the adventure of a lifetime. We will be heading to a mountain village in Azapampa, Peru. The plan is for us to help the people of this village rebuild and recover their homes from heavy flooding that took place in February and March of this year.

Passports are in hand, plane tickets are paid for, and bus tickets from Lima, Peru to a village 10,000 ft above sea level are purchased. And I still can’t believe we are going. Talk about getting out of one’s comfort zone, this is the mother jump.

The goal is to serve others. Yes, we will be working hard while mixing, hauling and pouring concrete to provide stoops (small concrete porches or steps for you younger generations) in hopes of creating a primitive curb and guttering that will keep water out of the villager’s homes. Yes, we will be re plastering and painting crumbled walls from the flood. Yes, we will be providing shoes to children who live in the mountains of Peru. But somehow, my son and I can’t help feeling like we are the ones winning in this situation because of what we are gaining in return. I’m looking forward to meeting the people, hearing their stories and learning what Peru has to offer.

Providing internet service holds out in those mountains (technology is amazing isn’t it?) during our two week visit, I hope to blog my way through this experience. I’ll be posting stories of people, the day’s experiences and lots of photographs along the way. If you would like to be notified each time I post, email me (gm@mynwmo.com) and ask to be placed on my email alert list. I’ll be sending out notifications with a link each time I am able to post.

My son and I, along with a few others in our traveling group, are going to be witnessing the beauty and the sadness of a foreign land and its people. We are going to be encountering the adventure of a foreign culture, its hardships, , foods, new languages and meeting people whom we would never have had the opportunity to meet without taking that mother jump of faith.

Today I sit at my desk in familiar surroundings writing to you. Eleven days from now, I’ll be blogging to you from Peru. It is amazing what happens when one is really open to the possibilities in front of them.

Look at that smile! You can't receive a better gift than that.

Blessings,

The big yellow pill

2011-08-17T14:34:00.000-05:00

School Started again this week and for many parents, there was a giant sigh of relief as that ‘big yellow pill’ (aka the bus!) drove off leaving many parents standing at the curb, coffee in hand, smiling from ear to ear in a glossy eyed state of surreal calm.

Let me tell you, as your last child nears the end of their high school career, that calm turns to an odd mix of emotion. After high school, each year they go back to college, that familiar sense of calm begins to turn into a confusing mixture of elation at watching your children enter further into their own life adventures and panicked realization that they do not need you as much as before…well, sans the money, laundry facilities and an occasional meal.

If I have learned nothing else in my 23 year stint as a parent, in the end, it is the small stuff that matters most, I’m not screwing up my kid as much as I think I am and the little people I’ve spent the first half of my life trying to shape into individuals, will challenge me the second half of my life as I try to let them actually be the individuals I’ve encouraged them to become. (That will teach me, I’ll be the one on the therapist’s couch, not them.)

Today, with our oldest out of the house, married and raising her own beautiful family, the middle two in college and my youngest in the last two years of his high school education I’m thinking, 'empty nest syndrome my foot, I've got this'.

As my youngest son left the house this morning for the first day of his junior year in high school he was smiling. He is looking at an exciting year with great possibilities, the likelihood of getting his own vehicle in the near future didn’t hurt his attitude either. I wasn’t exactly in the surreal state of calm from grade school days past, but was excited to watch him start a new year with such a great attitude.

Tomorrow, I may be hatching a plan to disguise the family dog as our newest family member and trying to enroll her in school.

Blessings,

28 days and counting

2011-08-08T16:12:00.000-05:00

Gracie has given me permission to share these photos with you. There are so many. So today, I will just be sharing photos of the village (Azapampa, Peru..near Huancayo in the mountains) where we will be concentrating our main work efforts this Sept. There are many places to serve but this location is where we will be working to help families repair their homes due flooding last winter. We will be pouring concrete floors, plastering and painting.

I can't imagine having to live out my daily existence in these conditions. How devastating the rains must have been for them. The first group of photos are from February of this year, right after the floods.

mucking out houses

pasture fencing collapsing

mud is seeping into homes

plaster coming off of saturated adobe walls

mud, mud, mud

This is the road into Azapampa

waterlogged adobe walls

digging little trenches trying to stop the water from getting in houses

trench dug by the church keeping the water out

more damage

dirt floors were saturated

discouraging work

Saturated adobe walls disintegrating

One of the flooded homes

mudslide

more walls falling down

the floors are getting undermined by the water

standing water everywhere

they tried to bucket the water out

I believe these photos (posted within the last week or so) are a more recent view of what the families have had to live with since the February flooding. I apologize for the varying sizes, the photos were downloaded straight from another site.

I'll never bitch about water in my basement again!

PLEASE NOTE:

I have had a few people ask to be notified of new posts so that they can follow along with my trip to Peru. Anyone who would like to be added to D's Place mailing list can just comment here with 'Add me' or send an email to dballiett@tmo.blackberry.net letting me know you'd like to be added to the email alert list. Once added, you will receive an email whenever I publish a new post. You can choose to be removed any time.

Blessings,

Livin' la vida loca...but lovin' every moment

2011-08-05T15:57:00.000-05:00

This morning I opened an email from a friend inquiring about an upcoming trip of mine. As I responded to her message about how a normal person might stop and think twice once realizing they were preparing to pack up thier youngest child and schlep across the world to a foreign country with a very small and unknown support system, it dawned on me...

I don't think I've shared the fact with you all that I am headed to the mountains of Peru in Sept.

My friend asked if I was excited yet.

I answered that I have been excited for awhile. But now, the 14-day trip is only 30 days away, and I'm beginning to get a little nervous. Of course, not nervous enough to cancel the trip, but the legistics of this trip are beginning to creep into my thoughts on a bit more regular basis.

Why?
It takes me well out of my comfort zone.

Let me explain...

While I attempt to juggle being a faithful follower of God, wife, mother, grandmother, friend, boss, employee, productive citizen and decent person just like everyone else, when it comes down to it- I am really a very average person. I work hard to fulfill my responsibilites in life. I am not rich, I am not privledged. I did not come from great means and have been providing for myself and living on my own since I was 17yrs old. I am very solid in my comfort zone, in the here and now. Where anyone or anything can throw any problem, cause or situation my way. And I, with my life experiences both good and bad, will stand flat-footed and confidently brave my way through whatever life throws at me. I am confident in the outcome.

I was married at 18, a mother at 20. At 27 I had a husband, 4 kids, two dogs and barely enough money to pay the bills. To be honest, we didn't always have that. I went to college after my youngest child was born. My husband and I both work, I have two kids in college, one in high school and one with her own husband and two kids.

I live in the midwest and have only traveled to 8 out of the 50 states (and one of those shouldn't count because it was via the airport during a layover!)

Oh and one more thing....despite 6 years of Spanish and 4.0 gpa....I do not speak enough spanish to fill a cubo! (That's bucket in spanish...and I had to look it up!)

The reason I am doing this loco (spanish for crazy and I knew that one!) thing?

Well, in addition to being nuts myself, my son and I are part of a mission trip headed to Asapampa, Peru for 14 days to help a village recover from some horrible flooding issues.

The area and our liasons there have a long standing relationship with our specific church and the leader with which we will be traveling. Between this and the strong calling I feel to be a part of this mission, I am putting my faith in God that if I work to do my best through this situation- He will bring us through safely and more fulfilled than ever before. (still can't say I didn't waiver when having to fill out and notarize the death notification paperwork...YIKES!!)

I know it will be the experience of a lifetime for us both. And, I hope for my son especially, a very eye opening and humbling experience! I feel like he really needs to realize the world around him more than he does. Please say a little prayer for all of us.

With all that said...

We are SO excited!

I will be holding two Skype sessions between the kids here at home and in Peru. One with our local middle school spanish class and one with our church youth group. I can't wait to see their interaction.

AND...

Providing internet service cooperates, I will post daily or attempted daily, blogs with updates on the people, our experiences, activities, reflections and photos so that should be fun as well. I think I am even going to have my son write at least one post from his point of view.

I can’t wait to meet the people in Asapampa. And I can't wait to share it with you!

The mission leader, a very active lady in our church, has years of photos on her page. I will ask for her permission to post some of them on this blog, but in the meantime, you should be able to see them here Gracie Feese under the photos link. Let me know if this link does not work for you.

I look forward to sharing this experience with you! I'll be posting a series of blogs sharing our preperations of the trip as Sept. 3 nears, so stay tuned!

Blessings,

Long time, no blog

2011-07-20T12:43:00.000-05:00

I just suck at this consistent blogging thing...guess life is way to busy for me. So I'll just keep doing the best I can!

This was a banner week in our lives....

Gabriella was born on July 14th!

Grandbaby #2 was born!

Day two...

Day three...

Day four....dressed to come home!

And Big Brother was ready to lend a helping hand at a moment's notice!

(Sans any dirty diapers, puking or loud crying! He made well known what he expected his 'helping' to consist of. )

Super J!

Yes, it was a week of beautiful gifts in our lives....even the flowers in my back yard were blooming in celebration!

And, literally, the banana trees grew over a foot in just a few days! the leaves are 4-5 foot in length!)

I had to use my camera phone for these photos so they do not really do justice to these plants....I'll post better when my camera returns from documenting Gigi!

So relaxing to be surrounded by!

They are loving this heat while we are waiting for a break. Temps rose to over 100 degrees this week.....thank God for the a/c!

Well, I must get back to my day but I wanted to share the news! Have a wonderful day!

Blessings,

S'more Drunk

2011-05-26T19:48:00.001-05:00

What better way to end a hard day of play than a S’more Drunk?

Let me explain…

We started with putting up the Teepee we made last Sept.

Had a great lunch with grilled hamburgers and hotdogs,

Planted one apple

and one peach tree,

Posed on the big blue 4-wheeler,

Then, wore the dog out with a long game of fetch,

It got pretty hot so we moved the Teepee over the sandbox.

Toward the evening, we built a nice fire in the fire pit

At the end of the day, tired from fun, warm from a fire and the beginnings of a sweet tooth craving….what else were we to do,

But end the day...

...on a S’more Drunk?

All in all, it was a terrific Mother's Day. My youngest daughter came home for the weekend, all my kids and their family surprised me in the church parking lot to attend with me (we attend different churches) and we had a wonderful day together!

I must apologize that it's been so long since my last post, life has a tendency to spin me oft in multiple directions sometimes. I'll check in soon with a current update on everything but in a quick note, career is going well, I hung in with Jillian's 30 day Shred for about 20 days then went out of town on business and my discipline went to hell. My oldest son graduated high school last week (yeah! 3 down, 1 to go and empty nest has only hit me with a ping here and there). My Youngest daughter moved out (was a little tough on mom, but it was a good thing for her, very excited for her.) Banana grove is doing so-so, this spring's weather had been wet, windy and tough but I think we'll pull out of it. I am much closer to completing the curriculum for my Women's Studies course. I should be able to offer the program within months.

Oh yeah, and I'm headed to the mountains of Peru in Sept with my youngest son. We are going to be building concrete 'stoops' with curbs to keep the flooding rainwater out of the villager's homes(those of you from back in the day remember what a stoop is don't you?). I'll fill you in more with a later post.

Until then however, enjoy every blessing and keep our Missouri and Alabama Tornado victims in your prayers every day.

Blessings,

Day two

2011-03-02T20:42:00.001-06:00

Ouch...
PW set the bar for today on Confessions of a Pioneer Woman with her tribute to Charlie, Charlie Haiku, and her Haiku challenge. Jillian Michael's Shred has kicked my ass for the second day in a row.

And God give me strength, cause I'm rubber from head to toe.

So, I think Haiku is all I have strength left for tonight...

Michael's, have mercy.
Rubber legs, carry me now
To bathe and to bed

What Haiku would describe your day....lol...or state at the end of your day?

Night all

Day one

2011-03-01T20:43:00.010-06:00

So today was the first of 30 to take part in Jillian's 30 day Shred! It kicked my butt!

Glad its over.

As I rushed from the first ass-kicking session in an effort to make my Tues night class on time, I was not sure my legs would hold out.

I arrived at class, caught my breath ten minutes later, waved my arse over as it came sliding in behind me twenty minutes into class.

All was fine until class was over and I stood up. My thighs had somehow turned to rubber during the hour and a half I sat in class.

I'm happy to say I managed to get to my car without any problem and now I'm home. Time to hit the shower (my apologies to the girl I sat next to in class-dont think I smelled too badly, but just in case ;)... Sorry)

Only 29 more to go!

Blessings

Stop already

2011-02-25T14:39:00.000-06:00

I'm cryin' uncle here!

I’ve had enough of this…

And I’m ready for this…

Last night I walk out of my office to see this…

Of course I have to dig out and warm up my car.

So, I trudge through the snow, open the door to my blazer, start the engine then grab the window scraper.

I turn to clean off the back of my car and this happens…

Apparently, I'm not smart enough to wear appropriate foot wear for today’s mid-western weather.

I had some cold toes by the time I got back into my Blazer.

Because, after the first time it happened….

I couldn’t manage to keep the damn shoes on!

All to say,

I am ready for this…

To turn back into this…

I dreamt of banana groves, Tiki's and Amaretto sours all night!

Thanks for skating by.

Anticipating GiGi

2011-02-24T16:56:00.000-06:00

When my grandson was born three plus years ago, I couldn’t have been more in love. It really is true what they say about grandkids. Late last year, our daughter and son-in-law announced the pending arrival of a second grandchild.

I am not sure just how to put my feelings in to words but,

Ya Hoo!

We are so excited, and then to find out that it was a girl made the upcoming event even more special.

Now we will have a grandson AND granddaughter.

My daughter is honoring her Italian heritage with the naming of her second child. Little Gabriella is scheduled to arrive around the 11^th of July and we couldn’t be happier.

Even GiGi’s big brother Jaden is gearing up with anticipation.

He has made it very clear however that he is not changing the "poopie" diapers. But he will share his old baby toys and that he will take care of his baby GiGi.

Today my daughter had a routine appt with the baby Dr. She texted me that she had a surprise. Her little family stopped into the office on their way home with this…

Isn’t life grand?

Even the sleet and snow outside isn’t fazing me today.

Wave bye-bye to the nice readers GiGi

Thanks for stopping by.

Love,

Erased

2011-02-23T19:32:00.000-06:00

You have just been erased…

Words no one wants to hear. Especially when it means five years of files, photos, documents, programs, blood sweat and tears have just been sent rushing down the drain like an unclogged sink full of water.

Really...

Gone...

Sure, I was able to recover some files. But five years of contacts, phone numbers, email addresses, you know, the stuff that is really tough to replace, those things are all gone.

Makes one feel a little numb…so I am off to go pout.

Because…

I’ve just been erased! (I’m sticking my tongue out at the damn pc right now if you need a visual) I know, very adult.

If I would’ve bothered to back that very pertinent information up in a secondary place then, I wouldn’t be crying now.

I know that.

But I didn’t.

So I am.

Well, looks like my recovery process has completed and it is time to reboot….though when I rejoin my laptop, it won’t be with the same info or settings or even the garauntee that the stupid virus that caused this whole mess is gone.

It is kind of like living in a house, I guess. After five years, you have it just the way you want it. Then when it burns down, you are left with this very empty feeling. And it sucks.

No clever ending tonight folks…I’m just not there.

I’m off to go rebuild the geeky part of my world. Very big frowny face!

Hope your day was better than mine. And that you never have to be erased.

Lots of love

What a sight

2011-01-28T13:09:00.000-06:00

So when you wake up in the morning,

open your front door to the world,

take a look to your left and see this...

Shiver....

then take a look to your right

and see this...

Shudder....

then maybe you can head off to work

and appreciate this...

Sigh....

There are blessings everywhere

We just have to be open to them.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Love,

Snow puppy on parade

2011-01-12T21:11:00.000-06:00

It snowed this week...

Poor Mickey.....all this snow and that was AFTER I cleared the infamous 'pee path!'

and snowed...

I think now is about the time he's beginning to realize at some point, 'I'm going to have to squat in this stuff to do my business!"

and snowed!

It was pretty, it was deep and I'm done now.

Spring anyone?

Have fun but stay safe.

Love,

Hello, 2011!

2011-01-03T18:32:00.000-06:00

JAN

Happy New Year friends! I hope you all had a safe & happy new year. No matter how you celebrated – I hope it was special all the same.

I hate the entire “resolutions” thing because I feel like I should be constantly challenging myself with new things anyway. But, to be honest, life kicked me in the but during 2010 and I haven’t set any goals for myself in a while – so what better time to do that than now?

Following are a list of random thoughts that I will strive to put into action a little better for the year of 2011…

> Relax. This is something I struggle with so much. I get serious ants in my pants when I have nothing to do but sit around – which is rare, but it does happen and instead of figiting and always living in the next moment, I would like to take that time and just enjoy the moment of where I am and what I have accomplished. Just sit and think or paint my toenails or sketch or daydream. I need to realize that it’s okay to do nothing for a few minutes.

> Make more time for my friends. I get so wrapped up in my work, life and other projects that I hardly ever went out lunch, made phone calls or just stopped by to say hello to some really great people. I’ve learned that good friends are an amazing thing that everyone should learn to cherish.

> Keep on blogging, taking pictures and maybe add a video or two!

> Make a new path from an old one. At some point we cannot continue to expect changes when we continue to engage in repetitive patterns. Change is not always a bad thing.

> Organize my bedroom/bathroom to simulate a divine spa like experience.

> Paint my Toenails more.

> Start yoga classes or running again. Hell, maybe both – but that is way too much like one of those nasty, “I’m going to lose weight resolution” so we won’t go into detail.

> Nurture my banana grove and have more hog roasts! See previous posts!

> Laugh more. This has been a tough year. I’m looking forward to new, less stressful times!

2010 in review...

2010-12-31T14:28:00.001-06:00

Hello gang,
Just thought I'd share my year in pictures with you.
January brought snow.....

In February the winter storms wouldn't stop

March brought St. Paddy's Day fun...

and Tornadic destruction!

Elections were the rage

and Baseball took the stage.

April showers....

...brought us May flowers,

Graduations,

and Camping Trips!

June brought Wedding announcements,

and new Family members.

In July...

We said Goodbyes.

We said Hellos.

We Roasted Hogs...

and planted Banana Groves!

In August,

momma was given

a Backyard Makeover!

September found a TeePee full of fun...

and treasured family time took over.

October geared up with Pumpkin Parties,

Sillyness,

wedding preparations,

the arrival of Iron Man,and the cutest Mickey Mouse ever!

It snuck in a hip replacement

and a rare photo of a treasured Senior Prom Moment!

November refused to be outdone!

and on the same day, we celebrated a 3rd Birthday...and then rushed to the ER with a Dislocated Hip!

There were announcements of a new baby

to come next July.

Scares of Cancer touched us all and Drs. removed an Ovary and a Tumor before they told us we could sigh a breath of relief!

(acutal tumor!)

By the end of the month, with a clean bill of health for all, we had much to celebrate that Thanksgiving and spent the day and night laughing, loving and joyfully crying!

December was nuts, with a Wedding, Christmas and the prayer of no more traumas!

We shared Special Moments,

Treasured Memories,

And we

were THANKFUL

for all of the BLESSINGS bestowed upon our family this year!

May you all have a safe and wonderful New Year!

Love,

The days after...

2010-12-28T14:42:00.005-06:00

Hope you all had a terrific Christmas.

Everyone got into the action at my house, even the dog!

From the Christmas Eve candle light service

to the snowy, foggy Christmas Eve goodnights, it made for a wonderful and peaceful holiday at the Balliett homestead.

Jaden literally spent the entire DAY opening presents!

I love having my immediate family around me. Watching my grandson enjoy his Christmas day made me yearn for the times we spent growing up. We would spend Christmas Eve at my Granny’s house and Christmas Day and my Grandma Kay and Grandpa Jr.’s farm. I loved that place and them. I spent a LOT of time there, as child-it was my own Terabithia.

Grandpa was like a dad to me when I was very young, I think of him often. Grandma Kay is spending her last days not recognizing anyone and Gran, well we have the same conversation every week and I’m sure she forgets that I’ve called as soon as she hangs up. During our talks though, there are nano-moments of clarity when she knows everything, including that she doesn’t know anymore.

Everyone’s days of youth disappear, so I believe we should grasp those rare moments of recollection with our future generations every moment we can. And those are the moments, like this Christmas with Jaden that I cherish most. And, I hope you are all able to, somehow, do the same.

We are gearing up for the annual New Year’s celebration now.

Christmas decorations won’t come down until after the first and we pull a wingding of an all-nighter at our house.

Every kid has his or her own bottle of Welch’s sparkling grape juice, white or red, their choice. Plates of hoity-toity appetizers such as lil’ smokey’s, cheese cubes, grapes, pickles, stuff Ivana Trump’s mouth would water for. We play rough and tumble games like Yatzee, Poker, Catch Phrase, Wii, Hand & Foot (you think I’m kidding about the rough and tumble-one hasn’t lived until they’ve survived game night at the Balliett’s-it’s cutthroat). We count down the old and in the new with shouts, fireworks, lots of I love you, hugs and kisses. Yes, we Ballietts do it up right.

It seems we do it so right, that this year, my teenager’s friends have decided that we are the house to be at when they ring in their new year. I love it! Even my recently married daughter and her husband are coming over to celebrate the New Year with their family. Even Meg has a long time friend who has decided to bring her fiancé and spend the evening with us. Who’d have thought the newlyweds would chose to celebrate the New Year’s party at the ‘parents’ house?

You won’t catch me complaining, I’m just grateful.

May your new year be overfilled with blessings!

Love,

Merry Christmas to all

2010-12-23T17:08:00.003-06:00

Sorry I have been so out of touch. I have really missed everyone on here. Let me do a quick update on what has happened in the last few months....

I am now running the newspaper. Yep, that means I'm the person in charge.... good, bad and otherwise! This has meant a LOT of changes both at home and at work. And even more hours being worked in the beginning of things.

Then, Rob had an unplanned hip revision surgery Oct 10th. Four weeks later, Nov 14th, we had to rush him to NKC with a dislocated hip (it happened during grandson's third birthday party). After the doctors could not reduce the hip back into the socket, Rob was placed into traction for 20+hrs and when that did not work, Drs took him to OR and spent about 2 1/2 hours maneuvering his hip back into the socket. (It took 11 people working on him to get it back in place!) He then stayed in the hospital for a week or so.

During the month between Rob's surgery and hip dislocation, doctors discovered a rather large tumor had overtaken my daughter's left ovary. After multiple tests and exams we were told that it was non cancerous but that it likely involved her bowels because of its size and her obgyn wanted a general surgeon in the surgery to handle any bowl or other organ surgery that might have to be undertaken during the removal of the tumor.

The day Rob is scheduled to FINALLY come home from his dislocation hospital stay...I get a frantic call from Becca, my 19 year old daughter. She had to be rushed to the ER at a second hospital with complications from her tumor. Long story short the tumor had turned on itself and cut off it's blood supply and was causing great pain. We thought they would go ahead and admit her to the hospital since surgery was already scheduled three days later. But, she had not consulted with the general surgeon yet so they treated her and sent her home.

The very next day we met with the general surgeon. After being told for weeks there was nothing other than the major surgery and potential bowel involvement to worry about, the surgeon walks into the room, informs us of the high chance that it IS cancer because of what the CT found.

The ride home was not easy. And we spent the next couple of days and into surgery in an emotional agony.

Her tumor was removed- it was the size of an extremely large cantaloupe- and finally last week they told us there was absolutely no cancer. God was watching over our family.

Rob has been off work due to his hip dislocation injury. Becca is still recovering from her surgery but went back to work and college two weeks ago and finished her semester.

Oh yeah, during all that, we found out that my oldest daughter and her at the time fiancé are expecting. WOO HOO another grandchild in July. For insurance purposes, their wedding was moved up from next June.

You guessed it.

We had a wedding. It was last Saturday. It was beautiful. AND, it just gave us one more thing to be thankful for this year.

I hope everyone of you have a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year and have as many wonderful blessings as we have found to be thankful for.

Blessings to you all!

Love,

Who in the world is Amy James?

2010-08-11T18:13:00.004-05:00

As I was out driving the other day, I saw a miss Amy James' name in large vibrant colors...

See? Now wouldn't that catch your attention?

But like a good informercial there is always more.....

To help appreciate why it was such an attention grabber, we have this view....

Keep in mind, this is a fairly decent neighborhood. and this house is surrounded by individually family owned homes in a smaller community.

But honestly, I think one has to see the entire picture to appreciate the art....

Doesn't it make you wonder, just who in the world is Amy James?

Winner, Winner....Chicken Dinner!

2010-08-05T18:08:00.005-05:00

We have a winner!

After careful and scientific calculation I am proud to announce the winner of the Mini-Tropical Makeover is Pat from K9friend.

Congratulations Pat!

Just email me (dballiett@tmo.blackberry.net)

and let me know which prize you prefer,

the make-over kit or the $10 Wal-Mart gift card.

I want to thank everyone for their comments and hope you stop by again soon. I enjoyed making some new friends and keep an eye out for future contests.

Contest Give-A-Way!!

2010-07-28T19:58:00.002-05:00

Okay, the other day I was talking about having a contest while I was bragging on my new banana grove (see disclaimer on using the word grove in previous post). It means a lot to me to have a private, soothing and relaxing place that I can retreat to when life is nuts, phone won't stop ringing, work is crazy and house, laundry, chores, errands are looming like a big rain cloud waiting to burst and kids are hanging from the ceiling (or about to be hung from the ceiling, but whatever).

I don't care if it is because I need a quiet moment, need to do some deep thinking, need to yoga in the privacy of my own tropical retreat or that my kids have placed me in the chaise lounge because I've finally gone off the deep end and I hear the words from somewhere in a deep trance:

Voice 1:

"Gee, I think mom has gone comatose."

Voice 2:

"What do we do? She is staring off into space, she won't speak and we can't keep up with the drool that keeps running down her chin."

Voice 3:

"We better plant her in the backyard because she always loved it there."

Voice 4:

"Yeah, and there's no one else to make dinner so we need her to rest for like five minutes."

My backyard does something to regenerate me. I asked the other day, what places do you seek out for regeneration? (And I must say that in that post I apparently had horrible moments of weaknesses because there were atrocious misplaced prepositions and dangling participles everywhere...it was a massacre, but I digress...)

So here is the skinny.

THE CONTEST:

Post a comment not this blog that describes where you find your place of solace and maybe even what drives you there. It can be funny, sad, matter of fact or still pending on your wish list.

The contest will go until 10 a.m. on Monday, August 2nd.

I will print all of the comments and have Jaden pick one at random. (Yes, this contest is so official we are having results compiled, tallied, hermetically sealed and delivered to my doorstep by the firm of Robberson, Cheatum and Steal.)

The winner will be posted later that day.

PRIZE:

Because my private get-a-way has a tropical theme, you will win a Mini-Tropical Makeover kit for your own get-a-way or a $10 gift certificate to Wal-Mart. YOUR CHOICE!

I can't wait to read your comments....GOOD LUCK!

Smile of the day

2010-07-28T14:12:00.003-05:00

How can you just not have a great day when you get little treasures like this...
I haven't forgotten about the contest posting. That will still be posted later today. I just had to stop and share my smile of the day.

I was trudging through the day, just working a way when a little buzz caught my attention.

I picked up my phone, opened the new message and was greeted by the cutest darn faces I know.

Banana Grove...Score!

2010-07-27T20:20:00.007-05:00

Now I don't know that six whole banana trees constitutes a grove, heck I don't even know if you call a forest of them a grove. I do know that I am one happy camper since, not only did I get my full size banana trees Saturday, but that I got them PLANTED the same day!

Last weekend I planted over 120 Rose-of-Sharon's that will make an incredible privacy fence next year.

Now, it's simply a matter of time before I am sipping my coffee, tea or amaretto (depends on the moment and mood of the day) in a floral sanctuary, under giant leaves of banana trees while surrounded by my burning Tiki's,

listening to the running water of my ponds and fountains,

and enjoying the various gardens

and potted plants arranged along the deck in my back yard.

my own little piece of heaven on earth..

Even the lizards are happy....

Aaaaahhhhhhh

Now it all may be a just parts of my little backyard in the community where I live....but I love it! It's my private little get-a-way when I can't get anywhere else.

Where is your someplace private or special that you like to just sit and relax? Maybe it's a place you travel to. Or maybe, it is a place that you have created for yourself.

Oh, and that contest....I've got my idea. So surf on over tomorrow and I'll post the details.

Oh yes...A contest

2010-07-22T10:31:00.001-05:00

I am thinking of having a contest.....I first have to come up with a fun prize.

Yes, I think next week I will be posting a contest.

Watch for the details and fun to come

I took a little trip…

2010-07-22T10:18:00.002-05:00

Not to the Mississip’ but to Iowa.Lamoni, Iowa. I headed out Tuesday mid morning to do a few things for work and to try and beat the predicted storm.

I left Mickey at home because it was just too hot for me to have to worry about him, even in a running car.

I headed north on I-35 and when I reached the visitor’s center what did I spy?

Why metal cows of course…

Did you know that there was a ‘Chief Lamoni’ AND that he had a hotel?

Anyway, not much to update on lately. Just keeping busy with work and getting a lot of planting done at home.

In fact, just last weekend I planted over 120 Rose of Sharon’s, Yucca and Antler Trees….and trust me, I have the blisters to prove it!

I made it back home before the rain fell from the clouds and though it has rained quite a bit lately, you won’t find me complaining because that means less watering for me!

Well I’m headed off to Weston, Mo. today for an antique special. Hope I don’t spend more money than I make!

I’ll bring back pictures.

Have a terrific day!

A month of good-byes

2010-07-09T18:13:00.005-05:00

I hate saying good-bye.

Especially when it is someone that is dear to my heart.

But in the last three weeks I have had to say good-bye to two people I am very fond of.

First we said good-bye to Jenn. Free spirit, fun-loving, always laughing, kookie, giant-hearted, flip-flop loving Jenn.

She was the Associate Minister of our church who at last conference was re-appointed. We are excited that she is getting her very own church. She will be awesome and the new congregation is so lucky to have her.

Meet Jenn- We threw her farewell luau:

I doubt she'll be wearing this stole during her services at church but it is almost guaranteed you'll find it hanging up on her wall at her office. There is something that represents not only her individuality, but every aspect we love about her on this garment.

We are excited for you Jenn. And we love you.....and if you aren't careful - you'll see us sitting one Sunday in your pews for a surprise visit!

The second good-bye I said this month was just this week.

It was to my friend Tracie, a beautiful, 31 year old, mother, daughter, friend and wife. She went into the hospital on May 13 with a serious lung issue and even though her mind and spirit were strong, her body was not able to pull her through the illness.

She died on Tuesday, July 6th.

She started as a co-worker and ended up as a dear friend. As the years went on, my daughter babysat her sons, we talked together, had fun together, had a few drinks together, continued to work together and best of all- we were friends. She was a sassy little southern girl from Tupelo Mississippi who transplanted in northern Missouri. She was her own unique personality and she never knew a stranger. She was so full of life it is hard to believe she is even gone.

My heart aches.

For the loss of such a vibrant life.

For the loss of a mother who leaves behind three very young boys.

The loss of a friend.

For everything she could have been.

For everything she was.

I love you Tracie.

It is too hard to say much of anything else so I will leave you with a small photo tribute to my friend.

Tracie and her three boys

Tracie, our friend Tarrah and me hamming it up during a trip to Branson, Mo last fall.

Titanic was her favorite movie

Tracie and Tarrah cheesing it up on the Duck Ride

I tried to tell her those ruby slippers wouldn't take her back to Mississippi

RIP Tracie - we are all going to miss you.

Oh, what a sight

2010-06-18T18:03:00.003-05:00

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the rainbow I saw on Wednesday evening!

I can't tell you how much I love real rainbows.

Nothing makes me feel like a kid again like seeing a beautiful rainbow in the sky. So when I see a complete rainbow (the entire arch) and a DOUBLE one at that....I had to take out my camera and snap a few shots.

It was raining and I couldn't position myself from where I was located to capture the entire thing within my lens but here are just a few of the unedited pics.

Rough, I know. But I just had to share. It was amazing to see it in it's entirety. It looked like a window into our world...maybe something like God's looking glass.

Happy Friday!

TGIF

2010-06-18T17:38:00.007-05:00

Hey all, it has been awhile. Thought while I had a few rare moments I would update you on the crew, our life and what’s next.

So, here goes…

Koda ran away.

All the way to the other side of town to live with his new boy…..

My grandson!

He did it under the clever guise of spending a night or two here and there and then one day never came home. What a conspiracy!

It was hard to see him go…still is at times, but I do get to see him and can go visit anytime I want. It also is nice to know he is there protecting my loved ones when Matt is away in the evenings working.

But, do you know what than means then?

It means this….

We have a new little fur ball in our midst.

(That’s him taking over my office chair at work)

Mickey is a sweetie and fits in well with everyone, including Brandy.

Speaking of which, Brandy is still the same ol’ ornery, yard-escaping, deck-eating, storm-hating, critter chasin’, very precious fur ball.

Aaron finished out his freshman baseball season with a lot of hard work and wins. He went on to compete at state as a trumpet soloist and placed well. He’s now spending his summer days working as a farm hand.

Rebecca celebrated her high school graduation and just completed college orientation yesterday! WooHoo….from senior in HS to a freshman in college….mama is soooo proud of her baby girl!

Stephen, my ever-elusive teen, is enjoying his senior summer just takin’ it easy, despite the urging of mom and dad to, ‘get a job.’

Meg has announced her engagement (we kinda knew it was coming since her hubby-to-be asked Rob for permission to propose a while back.) So a few short weeks ago, the girls and I, my sister-in-law (Meg’s Godmother) and a few nieces went dress shopping….whew, That was an experience!

p.s. That’ not the dress…we’re keeping the ‘one’ a secret.

Rob, much like myself, is keeping busy with work, family and life.

So there you have it, well most of the major parts of it anyway, on what’s been happening over at my place since I last wrote.

I'm off to get started on my busy weekend.....Happy Father's Day to any of you father's out there who may be reading this (Well, and even to those of you who aren't reading it.)

2010-02-04T17:54:00.002-06:00

Koda is my Baby Huey. He's turned out to be a GREAT dog. I am so lucky. But, he weighs a TON. He is still getting used to having a camera shoved in his face at any given moment and now, between him getting older, obeying most commands, an attention span that is growing a bit longer than that of a goldfish, and a new camera, he isn't just a blur when I start snapping away.

Someday he'll learn he just can't win the battle.....he must submit to my whims. He should be happy I am not dressing him up like a puppy doll! Muaaahhahahahahah

This time, he didn't break his sit and stay when I approached. And, I am not sure if he was distracted by Brandy or if he was telling me, "Get that contraption out of my face woman! You'll never get my picture."

In either case (I think the latter) he was a good boy.

He tried to ignore me

"Well, maybe. I must not act interested. I must not act interested."

But I persisted

"Will my, 'I'm sexy but not interested look,' work?"

Finally he started to work with me

"Or my, 'Who Me? I have no idea who got into the trash look.' work?"

Then he just took over!

"Okay, you win, here is my million dollar look. Get out of the way and let me work that camera!"

Maybe you all can help me with this one. It is either his, "Good Lookin' Bad Boy," look or his, "Quick, I need something to chase.Throw that camera!" look.

Then came Brandy's turn.

She's old hat at this and doesn't even run and hide anymore when she sees me approach with the camera. Now, she just finds ways to pay me back for subjecting her to the cruelties of photo shoots.

I don't know if this is her pensive look, "Crap not again look," or her "I've got something cooking for you," look.

OKay, here's my smile....she knows I won't go away without a smile!

and for the finale...

We find out it was her, "I've got something cooking for you," look!

Kind of like kids, you try and you try but someone always gets a picture of them picking their nose.

Have a great evening!

We've got a jumper...

2010-02-02T17:55:00.006-06:00

Well, not really but if you had the day I've had, you might consider it!

Nothing that I'm ready to jump of the bridge for but the old saying did make me think about the really cool bridge I found today in a small town I drove through while I was out and about traveling, working and researching.

Look closely at the floor (Floor? Is that what you call what is normally the PAVED portion on which we drive?) of the bridge.....makes you wonder what happens if you don't keep your wheels on the planks.

So, what do I do......

I drive...

to the middle of the bridge...

stop,

and roll down my window.

Hey, it was a cool scene and I wanted to snap a photo or two.

Then I drove on. Which makes sense. Until I realized that my window was still down and I could hear the snapping and cracking and squeaking of the wood planks as I rolled my little SUV across them. Hmmm, maybe this wasn't such a smart idea.

Needless to say, I'm here and blogging this so, I didn't go crashing into the icy waters below.

But I did get a chance to use my new toy.

Check out the new

Nikon D40

I'm so excited!

Kind of makes for a high point in an otherwise crappy day, doesn't it?

And it gives me reasons to check out old creepy bridges. If it weren't so cold outside I would have gotten out of my blazer and taken tons of cool photos.

Come on sun and warm weather!!

Till next time,

Merry Christmas to you all

2009-12-24T15:58:00.003-06:00

I know I have not been on much lately. But I did want to get on to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!!!!!!

May your holiday be a warm and loving one which surrounds you all with those you love. And, God Bless everyone of our men and women in the service, as well as their families, who are unable to be with their loved ones at this time. God Bless all of you too!

Blessings,

A sling & a prayer

2009-12-05T21:34:00.000-06:00

Maybe not a favorite, but defineately a most memorable Christmas memory is one of our first together.

Hubby & I had been married for a couple of years. We'd been living in this old rental house and prior to the season had searched for, let's say, an upgrade in living arrangements.

We looked at some nice places but nothing was open for moving in. We couldn't find anything e loved enough to commit to buying either.

Holiday time rolled around & our search turned from new homes to Christmas trees. As has become our annual family tradition, we traveled to our favorite tree farm, traversed acres of tree rows and hunted that year's perfect tree.

We cut it, hauled it back to the bagging station, loaded it on top of the car, drove home, drug it up the stairs, set it up, strung the lights and hung the decorations. It was beautiful.

Within the week we received the call that one of the places we'd looked at had unexpectedly become available. There were other people wanting the new place so we had to act then or lose out on the deal.

Boxes were packed, address notifications were sent and yes...down came the tree & ornaments were carefully wrapped and put away.

We were off to our new home, and right before Christmas. How exciting!

That was the first & only time I can say I have ever moved a Christmas tree.

There was lots of craziness & hurried unpacking in attempt to reestablish some symblence of normalcy before Christmas.

Do you know how hard it is to place a Christmas tree into a stand, with any stability, a second time? Nature just doesn't grow a perfect trunk. At least not that year. I mean after you have already drilled holes into the trunk in the one place that holds it straight the first time, it just ain't happening right again.

We tried. To get the tree straight meant placing the tree stand screws too close to the previously drilled holes. Move the screws far enough away from the previous holes and our tree looked like it was bending at the waist.

Finally! We found the spot. Perfect tree stand placement.The tree was rapped with lights again and up went the ornaments.

We were officially in our new home. Bring on the holiday.

At some point that same night my husband & I were awakened from our peaceful slumber by the sounds of shattering ornaments as the tree crashed to the floor in the next room.

Standing half asleep, half in disbelief, my husband unplugged the tree, made sure there were no fires about to disrupt and we stumbeled, disappointed, back to bed.

The next morning we cleaned up the mess, salvaged what ornaments we could. Fought the trunk/tree stand battle to no avail and then fashioned a sling from twine rope that wrapped around the upper part of the tree trunk and hooked to a nail in the wall of our new home.

That was our Christmas tree. Once statuesque, now balanced in a tree stand on a prayer and a makeshift sling. At the time we were mortified that this is what our symbol of Christmas had deteriorated into. Now, we just laugh and chalk it up to the many curves one gets thrown in life.

Merry Christmas everyone. Maybe next post I'll recount the story of how my husband ended up in the rosebushes while hanging light on the roof of our house.

Anyone else have a crazy Christmas tale to tell?

I look forward to reading them, feel free to share.

D

Mania, Monsters & Monk

2009-12-04T18:22:00.003-06:00

Hi Gang,

well I guess I'm off to a rousing start on catching you all up, huh?

As overwhelming at this last week has been let's just start there. I have never, and I mean never, since starting this job, been so glad for Friday. I normally could take it or leave it when Friday's come because I love my job. I really do. This week has just been one of those times when you stop yourself and take a good long look at why you chose to do what you do.

At one point this week, I entertained the comparison of how much more enjoyable my day would become if I picked up the stapler calling to me from the corner of my desk and gouged my eyes out with it. I quickly decided against it....it was not dull enough.

So, it is Friday. I am leaving slacker, "I just work here," employees who will never measure up to my personal standards at the door when I walk out of it. Monday is a new day and we will start again....hopefully without the high dollar faux paus, shitty I just work here attitudes and the believe that the company should be grateful to them that they just show up to get a check every pay day.

In the last 8 months there have been cancer scares, career chaos, household remodels, teenage meltdowns, antics and attitudes and somewhere along the way.....it feels like a couple hours of each day have been stolen.

Oh, and the arrival of a new pup into our family, who, by the way, I now affectionately call baby huey.

This little guy.....

(and yes, he is a guy...he was playing with a ribbon off of my Mother's Day package and had flipped it onto his back.....I had to snap the picture. It was too cute.)

THIS little guy,

so cute....and cudley.....

turned into my new baby Huey overnight....

Exibit A:(it is likely this picture was taken after he ate his weight in puppy chow, ran after and retrieved an untold number of balls, toys, socks, you-name-it, with a, "pant, pant, pant, please throw it again," look

Exibit B:(This mouth watering picture was likely taken as we arrived home from the store with a rather large bag of replacement puppy chow!)

I have started work on my new book...don't ask. I am very excited about this one and will entertain the idea of putting up teasers at some point but we are a way off from that.

Becca has, I think, made a decision on what college she wants to attend next year.

Aaron has made honor band with an invitation to try out for state band.

Steven has found love (but I am not supposed to tell anyone so keep it on the down-low)

Megan is looking for a new career...while she loves being a hair stylist...she is finding life isn't always what we want and sometimes we have to make sacrifices to live in this world.

I am now officially the General Manager of the newspaper

Rob is happy at his work and perfecting his BBQ smoking techniques at every opportunity.

Brandy is getting old and lets Koda know in no uncertain terms when she has had enough.

Koda is eating his way to Utopia.

Well gang, in a very tight nutshell, there you have it. My crazy life update in a 10 minute blog.

It is late and I have a date with Becca to watch the final episode of Monk in 45 minutes...we've been planning this for months now. I think I have it all solved. I know why Trudy was killed! But, who knows.....they could throw me for a loop.

Becca claims I have ruined the finale for her (I HAD to tell her my version of what happened- I have to be right and beat them to the punch like that.)

I'll let you know if I was right...Talk to you all soon.

Have a great and relaxing weekend if I don't post or hear from you sooner!

8 months.....Wow, that's a long time

2009-11-17T18:26:00.003-06:00

Well, guess I better get to catching people up and get my butt back on track. Unless I was writing to you from the grave, because that is just way too long to even come up with any excuse other than life!

I will get something up soon...I promise....to catch you all up and begin posting again.

In the meantime.....I will leave you with the worlds cutest superhero!

Isn't he just the cutest! (yes, I know that was a question.....but I am a grandma and can make it a statement that ends in a ! So there!

Talk soon,

My Love

2009-03-12T19:12:00.005-05:00

I love a pencil.

March 10th Photo

I don’t care how much I’m on a computer (and I write for a living so that is a LOT ) I will never fall out of love with the feel of writing. The feel of the lead as it scratches across a piece of paper. I guess I just need that tactile satisfaction.

Plain and simple...

I like pens.

But I love a pencil.

I know - I’m very weird.

But I’m okay with it.

Okay - so it’s Tuesday’s photo and I have a ton of things to do....You almost got a joking comparison on why I love a pencil.

You know....Sturdy wood...Always says what I tell him to...Sometimes a little dull but can be sharpened...Doesn’t have to ask for directions because he writes them down...My pencil makes my fingers look skinny...Never argues with what I have to say...Erases his own mistakes....yadda, yadda, yadda, insert all the bad jokes here.

Trust me....you got the better version by just hearing that I love my pencil.

Meet Catherine

2009-03-12T13:18:00.008-05:00

She remembers celebrating the salmon runs in Oregon’s rich Columbia River.

March 9th Photo(s)

Where the salmon were thick and plentiful and the river’s spray cleansed her soul.

The first salmon run of the year always heralded a traditional Wasco Indian Celebration - traveling for four days in horse drawn wagons, gathering huckleberries and harvesting the salmon - just as her own mother had done.

She is a Wasco Indian and has fond memories of growing up on the Warm Springs Indian reservation .

Catherine taught her own daughter, Mavis, the Wasco ways of knowing when the salmon would be plentiful.

“In spring, when the fields fill with yellow flowers, the rivers will fill with salmon,” Catherine says.

Meet Catherine...

She’s real.

Cherish your past.

A rare sighting

2009-03-12T11:08:00.006-05:00

March 8th Photo

The average person would think that this is just an everyday photo. The average person would not realize that in this photo I have captured the rare, exotic, once in a lifetime, full on shot of my oldest male child.

Considering that this is a normal shot of my son:

Or the even more famous duck and cover maneuver....He's perfected this one!

So, to capture a photo like the one above, I have had to develop the stalking skills of a national Geographic photographer or resort to using my grandson (who ADORES my son & has Stephen wrapped around his little finger) as a tool for capturing my own son in pictures!

You know it is over when...

2009-03-12T10:36:00.005-05:00

March 7 Photo

I drive by this location quite often and it always makes me laugh to see this monument to love.

At first glance it is nothing more than a stone moniker designating the homestead of the Thompsons.

At second glance you notice that all may not be well at the Thompson ponderosa.

Ronnie and his bride must have had a pretty good falling out.

Keep in mind this is one BIG STONE. (The sign not Ronnie....I guess)

If you look very closely, on the left, where it names Ronnie and his bride....well, she is no longer named....and yes, there used to be a name there.

Wonder if she got that part of the ponderosa in the divorce....or if she pissed him off so bad he chiseled that sucker right outta there!

Wow, bet there's a story behind that one...and I am sure he hired some company to come out and remove her name from the stone.

But it is more fun to imagine him out there with chisel in one hand, hammer in the other and him just sweatin' away his frustrations as he chips away at her name until the last reminder of her is gone!

Can't you just see it?????

I can, and its pretty darn funny.

Blooming Orange

2009-03-06T17:35:00.005-06:00

March 6th Photos

These flowers are from a dear friend's funeral on Wednesday.

A couple of the arrangements ended up at my house and by today

the gladiolas were just beginning to start blooming.

They are absolutely beautiful.

I thought I would share a shot or two

or even three with you.

Okay, so the last one isn't of a gladiola but a carnation....It is still very pretty!

Have a wonderful weekend and I'll talk to you all soon.

Can you see what I see?

2009-03-06T17:19:00.003-06:00

March 5th photo

What do you see?

Most rooms in my home are fairly modern. And, I guess, so was this one until I pulled up the carpet that someone laid in our master bedroom's bathroom!

(Sorry if I offend anyone....Well, no I'm not...but anyway....I will never understand why anyone in their right mind would ever, and I mean EVER, put a full floor of carpet in ANY bathroom.)

So now when I am occupied in the bathroom (how do you say that with class?) I tend to stare at the ugly, gold flecked, 1970's, did I say ugly?, linoleum that covers the floor of my bathroom.

Now for those of you who know me this next statement is not likely to come as such an odd one...for those of you who don't know me, well, your just lucky to not have experienced this twisted world I live in.

As I stare at this freak of home design nature I tend to see things. (Yes, I know what this sounds like) I do this with a lot of items that have patterns to them. When you get down to it, its a bit like cloud watching, only different.

I've been known to see horses in bare tree limbs, faces in walls, The Virgin Mary in my mashed potatoes...not really on the last one but you get the point.

So, as I asked you before...what do you see in this picture?

Me? I see a face.

A face wearing glasses.

Hell, maybe it's Lennon.

Oh Crap! John Lennon is watching me in my bathroom!

Okay, this rant could just get worse (or maybe it can't because I'm the only one that is likely to see just where this could go.) so I'll end it here.

Have a great day. Talk to you all soon.

Don't point your fingers just yet...

2009-03-06T16:56:00.005-06:00

I haven't fallen off of the photo wagon already

I have not posted them due to lack of time but I have taken my picture a day so I will get to posting them right away!

Here is my photo for Wednesday the 4th.

I caught our guys putting out a fire. There were a lot of hay-bales lost in this mess. Not a good thing when this is the feed that get many farmers through this time of year!

I can’t wait for Spring to spring!

2009-03-03T09:20:00.007-06:00

I am tired of being cold.

Period.

I have had to be outside quite a bit for work lately and BBBBRRRRRrrrrrrr....I am NOT a cold weather person....unless of course I am experiencing it through a double paned window from inside my warm home with no reason to venture out. Then, snow it beautiful!

I’ve decided to try to snap one post worthy photo a day for a year.....please muffle your snickers.....I thought maybe it would help me post more regularly on this blog.

My basement is still studs, cement and insulation, no progress there. It’s been too cold and life has kept us too busy.

My youngest daughter is starting her Jr. year panic about college after she graduates high school, I just keep telling her to take it easy concentrate on her grades and the rest will work

itself out. I’ll admit that she is my drama queen but she is a great kid, has an even bigger heart and is dedicated to going after what she wants in life and succeeding at it. I am really proud of her.

What are some of your stories for getting your children through that stressful time?

Well, it is still early in the day and I need to get some work done so I’ll talk to you all soon.

By the way.... whoever stops in to my humble little place here on the web....thanks, I really do appreciate you all.

Now, here’s a photo or two from this morning....what you won’t see is the ice and snow on the ground! But it does look like there may be love in the air for this little Red Bird and his friend.

Have a wonderful day.

Ms. Cranky Pants

2009-02-13T09:29:00.001-06:00

I don’t have many days that drain me but today is dreary, cloudy, my head is pounding from a sinus headache and I just have no energy to get going. It really is just a blah kind of day. I have clients to meet with and I would rather be curled up in my bed under my comforter snoozing the morning away instead of talking advertising or doing interviews. The office is quiet this morning and while usually that is a welcomed (and RARE) event, today the lack of chaos is making me want to crawl under my desk and sleep!

I am off to get meetings out of the way.... maybe I’ll be in perkier spirits upon my return!

Have a wonderful day...hope it is sunny where ever you are.

Arrrgh! I just went to post this little ditty and you know what.....I couldn’t get signed in...do you know why???? Because someone using my computer decided to sign me out so that they could access their own blog when they should have been working!

This is my computer and occasionally one of my part-time writer’s needs to access something via my Mac...well I have found she likes to sign in on several programs that bump me when another user signs in. This really pisses me off.... so, I guess I’ll have to have the talk.

One would think that when one is a ‘guest’ on another’s computer...especially when the guest is using the computer for work reasons....that the guest/employee wouldn’t take the time to be screwing around!

I’m off my soapbox and off to reset all my damn passwords.... talk to you all soon.

Miss me?

2009-02-11T10:44:00.003-06:00

Okay, so I have given up trying to say I am going to do the daily blog and then follow through...Life just gets in the way and makes a liar out of me. So once again I’ll catch you up and we’ll see just how long I’ll hang in there before the next train of life arrives to carry me off.

Besides, I am not sure there are that many readers out there who are greatly affected by my words of wisdom so I'm pretty sure I am safe.

My last post was about my buddy, Gabe. I have since lost my best pal. I still get quite emotional over his loss so we won’t go there for now. I’ll just say I miss him like crazy and I’m happy to at least have spent one last Christmas with him.

The holidays were great. Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and day were spent with my husband, kids and grandson. The weekends after were spend with extended family and always make for a wonderfully memorable time. I miss being around my family (that group specifically) so much.

Not long after ringing in the New Year (well that Monday following actually) I was hit with a horrible flu monster, and the City’s sewer main decided to back up and flow freely into the entire lower level of my home...we are still recovering from that one. Construction will be ongoing for a while because we’ve had to tear down everything but the studs and begin the rebuild process.

The good news for you...well dearest friends and blog readers, you will get to witness a process that will document the near killing of one another by my husband and myself as we ride the remodeling rollercoaster! Lucky you.

Really we aren’t that bad and work well together but we do take the opportunity to harass one another thoroughly during these DIY type jobs.

While the City has been kind enough to reimburse us for the expense of their screw up (yes they admitted it was their fault!) Their gift of kindness was not quite enough to completely replace what they destroyed. So as we pay from our own pockets to get the second half of our living and storage space back, please forgive me if I get a little sarcastic and moody.

Yesterday, just as I entered a cranky/this is costing me money I shouldn’t have to spend/why me/ I miss my dog, diatribe, the phone rang. Now I hate talking on the phone but this particular phone call did put me in a better mood because it allowed me to have a little fun at someone else’s expense.

Sometimes it really is just the little things that make me happy.

I received a call in which the caller informed me I had been chosen to receive a $5,000 grant from the U.S. Government. Me? How exciting, because who does not want free money? Especially when everyone is screaming about how tough times are.

It must have been my excitement, because I had to ask this very kind person on the other end of the phone to please speak slower so that I could understand what they were saying. I am sure it was not the heavy accent that troubled my ears, it had to have been the fact that I had just been given 500,000 pennies from heaven and rapture was singing loudly between my ears making any comprehension of what these angelic messengers were telling me much harder to understand.

As the phone call continued I was repeatedly assured that this miraculous gift NEVER had to be repaid to the US Government. I questioned why I had been chosen for this wonderful gift, because I didn’t recall applying for any personal grants for that specific amount - the smaller ones had been denied already and that million dollar grant for the remodel of the mansion had just a little more red tape to get through before final approval.

The answer was simple enough, the angels explained. Apparently the US Government had received - now see if you can believe this miracle of miracles- 40-Hundred-Trillion dollars from overpaid taxes by US citizens. (I had to repeat this back because I thought I misunderstood. I had not)

AND, these monies were going toward helping people globally! And they picked little ol’ me to receive $5k of that honey pot. I was told this happened because I paid all of my bills to the US Government on time! Will wonders never cease? They must have heard through the grape vine that I was in process of a basement remodel. I knew my diligence would pay off someday.

They assured me I couldn’t use this money for illegal activities and that they would be happy to deliver this money to my doorstep. How nice of them. Too good to be true? Surely not, but one can never be too careful. Better proceed carefully, I told myself.

The nice lady on the other end told me that I would be receiving my money very shortly, my new friends (and I call them this because suddenly they were close enough to call me Honey and Dear) only needed to know where I wanted my money deposited. It was that easy.

Remembering I’d told myself to be careful of potential scammers, I decided to take the doorstep delivery option. When I advised the angels I had to be careful because I didn’t want to be scammed and that they could just bring the money to my home instead of bothering to deposit it in my account, our connection seemed to falter.

As I explained to them I wanted to be careful so as not to get scammed they seemed offended. I reminded them of how careful one must be in today’s times. They agreed and informed me that doorstep delivery did come with a fee of $99. Shortly after I questioned these angels on what it would take to get a loan of $99 from them so that I could get my grant money, the connection was lost completely.

Too bad, I could have really used that $5k. It’s okay though, I’m sure they’ll call back again closer to the delivery date. If I don’t hear from them soon maybe I can call them back at the number they left me, 509-588-7561.

My old man

2008-11-11T10:42:00.007-06:00

My best pal is has been with me since 2000. I rescued him as a young stray and I, along with my family, fell quickly in love. I named him after an angel, Gabriel, because he came to me at a time when I most needed him. And I think if it were not for him, there are times when I would have just been plain lost.

I am so grateful to have Gabe in my life. The other day I included him in my blog and then later that same night- as he sat on the floor with my one-year-old grandson, I thought again of how much he means to me.

I pulled out the camera and we had an impromptu photo session. He is not fond of the shoots, but he loves me so he tolerates it.

The vet says that he is about 11 or 12 years old in human years. And, Doc reassures me that my old friend is in great shape for his advanced years. I see him aging fast and it breaks my heart but I have promised him that I will make his last few years as comfy as possible.

We jokingly call him Scooby because, though he is named after an angel, over the years he has proven his ability to find his way into many, “Ruh, Rho Raggy,” situations!

We have been through a lot together and every once in a while, I just have to relish in the miracle of my pal.

"Be sure to photograph my good side."

"Oh, Don't forget to get my beauty mark."

"Okay, I'm done."

"Don't you have something better to be doing?"

"Really. Go away kid, you're bothering me."

I just love my old man.

The zoo

2008-11-07T10:35:00.004-06:00

AFter fellow blogger, The Pioneer Woman - Ree Drummond, kept going on and on about her stand in Charlie, who really is quite adorable (Gabe, you didn't hear that love.) I tried to share with her a picture of my own furry pal.

Well, the link didn't work so I told everyone I'd post a picture of him here. so viola!

I give you Gabe:

My confidant, my pal, my Scoobie! Isn't he stylin' in his John Lennon glasses? I'm telling you he's all personality!

So I as bragged, guilt started to build.

I couldn't mention my love and then, because our family really does have a big heart, not mention my husband's love. (Though I know she love me more we just don't share that bit of information with him. Its a secret love.)

So here is me mentioning Brandy:

She's waaaay to smart for her own good. THis one's got some 'mad skilz' when it comes to brains. And, she's a camera hog...can you tell?

Then the guilt hit full force.

These little buggars started out as something my sons just HAD to have....At first I thought they were cool. Then I thought I could kind of like them. And then....It happened. I fell in love again. I know, it is a face only a mother could love.....but the thing is....I really do!

They have the best little individual personalaties......

Here's Giz (short for Gizzard). Don't ask...the boys were running out of names by this time for creatures at our house. (Yes, this is just a sampling). Giz is the most recent family member - He moved here from a home that tired of having him around. We love him.

Majestic even.....

This is Godzilla - original, I know. He was our first Bearded Dragon. He is such a kind gentle spirit....really. He loves to just sit on your shoulder and watch the world go by. I like to think he would have a Ben Stein kind of voice and that same subtle humor about the world.

Also a rescue!

And absolutely.....

adorable!

This is Saphera. She came to our family only days after Godzilla. When we got her she was no bigger than the length of your thumb. Really! Now, though the picture doesn't show it well - she is the entire length of my arm from finger tip to elbow.

Well, there you have it....a continuing introduction to our zoo. You've already met the kids!

Have a spectacular day!

Bad Blogger.....Part Deux

2008-10-23T16:54:00.005-05:00

Okay, like a Band-Aid…I’m going to catch the rest of the missing link up quick - in one rip, one breath even so here it goes…….

Deep breath…..

After the Ren Fest we spent the next day doing family things, running, errands, dinner, moving a few last things of Meg’s - the next week was spent working from early to late, covering a late hour open house on Wednesday, a community meeting on Thursday and Friday was filled with doing next Monday’s work a head of time on top of regular Friday work - Tuesday was filled with left over Monday work in addition to Wednesday’s work all because I had to go out of town on a business meeting and would be gone for Wednesday and Thursday. Friday of that same week was spent catching up on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday’s work so that we could have an actual paper the next week. Saturday we woke up early to go watch the Missouri Western Homecoming parade that our high school band was participating and that my 8th grade son was invited to march in. That afternoon we ran errands around the city, picked up four, yes four, scarecrows from Michaels (they were on sale!) Hit the bookstore for coffee and a read, pet store for crickets and headed back home. That afternoon I went into work to update our website, then we were off to a friend’s house to help him cut down, cut up and split a tree on his property. Sunday we were up and at ‘em early. It was winter wood cutting time. We traveled through four different pastures and tree lines, selecting trees, cutting, hauling and splitting wood then stacking it on the trailer. After the wood was stacked we all huddled around the bon fire, roasted hotdogs and marshmallows - YUM - Monday was spent working still catching up and then covering a hearing - over garage sales no less - and Tuesday was spent getting ready for Wednesday’s publication! Yesterday we got the week’s paper out and then…..today has been somewhat normal.

gasp……cough…..deeeeeeep breath!

And there you have it.

I think I will take tomorrow off…being so busy has left my homestead in a shambles. I don’t know where you find the Stepford potion….but I could use it right about now. My kids have decided that with mom working so much it is okay to leave a trail of socks, shoes, various other clothing items, dishes, books and video games in a snail-like fashion all over the house.

Maybe it is like Hansel and Gretel….they are worried about getting lost in our mansion of a home so they need to leave a trail to find their way back!

I’d buy it but, our house is not a mansion and even after they find their way back…..the trail is still there! It only disappears with my threats of banishment from the kingdom.

Besides, I have some creative juices I need to put to rest. So I will take tomorrow and enjoy some time by myself sketch a little, clean some house, write a chapter or two, do my laundry, sew on a couple of projects….yes….I can taste the peacefulness productiveness as I type.

Can’t wait!

I’m blogged out for the day….I’ll leave you with some pictures from the last week to keep you entertained…..or tortured….whichever.

A 1 a.m. house fire....nothing like standing in the rain documenting a flaming structure! No one lived there though, so that was a good thing.

There's my boy.....On the left.

Not exactly the Axe Men....but we did get some firewood for the winter!

"Hey grandma....what's that?'

"Hi Jaden....See....It's a fuzzy catapillar."

"I want to hold it Grandma."

"Okay....That's enough. I'm done."

Have a wonderful day....I'll talk to you all very soon!

Life interrupted......Missing kids

2008-10-22T09:28:00.008-05:00

Okay gang,

So I am holding off on the continuation of the update because of some breaking and very important news...

I am using whatever means necessary to help these kids and families. We have two area kids that have taken off and families who are in need of finding them. One is a 14 year old girl the other a 16 year old boy. I will post the details below with a picture but I am asking all of you who come across this to please forward especially if you have contacts in Arkansas, California or Colorado.

Authorities are stating that this case does not look good and the kids have been missing since Friday night, Oct. 17.

This is a legitimate case - Please help if you can.

Thanks

Christina Paige Alley, 14, and Levi Samuel Carlson, 16, have been missing since Friday, October 17 when it is believed that Levi took Paige from a football game in Lathrop, Mo. According to authorities, the two were last seen between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. that evening.

Christina is five feet, two inches tall, 130 pounds with auburn hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing a royal blue in color shirt with lace on the sleeves, black
in color pants, and sandals.

Levi is five feet, eight inches tall with brown hair and brown eyes. He
was last seen wearing a black in color hoodie sweatshirt and possibly jeans.

The couple were last seen in Lathrop and possibly headed to either California or Arkansas. They were driving a maroon, 4-door, 1996 Toyota Avalon with license plates PD0A5U.

Neither Paige nor Levi have a Driver's License or much experience with driving a motor vehicle. Levi is known to be bi-polar and off of his prescribed medications. He has threatened suicide, but is not known to have a weapon.

The destination of the couple is unknown. According to authorities, some friends of Levi's mentioned that Levi always wanted to be a "rock star" in California. Paige has some biological family in the Pine Bluff, Arkansas Area.

In an update issued on Monday, Oct. 20, authorities stated that information from sources advised that the pair may be headed to Colorado and that Levi had a guitar with him that could be used to pawn for money. Levi was known to have mentioned wanting to live in the wild in Colorado to fish and hunt. Authorities are contacting pawnshops in the area to see if they noticed Levi or Paige selling any items for money.

An Amber alert was issued for Christina late Monday Afternoon.

Any with information about the teens are asked to please contact Clinton County Sheriff's Office at 816-539-2156 or call 911.

Please say a prayer for all involved with this case.

Thank you my friends. Go home, hug your family tight today and know how blessed we all truly are.

Bad Blogger.....

2008-10-21T14:21:00.008-05:00

Well, forgive me readers for I have sinned, it has been seven days since my last post. I am officially a bad blogger. please reserve my penance until you have read a recount of the whirlwind that is my life.

Prior to my last post we took the kids, minus one, to the KC Renaissance Festival. Stephan bailed on us to go hang out with his buddy for the weekend. I couldn’t even guilt him into it....I must be losing my touch.

We had a great time though. Jaden was so fun, I think all the movement, people and colors kept him interested. And he had a great time trying on hats...

Okay, so it was us that had the great time while he tried on the hats, but I swear he didn’t mind.

And Becca....well she found the Sock Hut......She is one crazy sock lovin' girl!

I even ran into Mother Nature.....I was taught at a very young age not to upset this woman....they even made a commercial about that!
Megan got to play Fair Maiden at the Jousting event......
We had a family disagreement on which Jouster to support....of course there was the one who wore the faithful red and blue....then the others were black and gold....well KU was a given but the black and gold are also our high school colors....oh the delima.....Well half of the family went with the Knight in college colors and the other cheered for the high school representin' Knight....
Black and gold started of strong......but events took a quick turn for the worse.......
Yep, college kicked high school's but and you would be correct in saying that they carried the dead, black and gold night off the field on a stretcher!
Jaden was all about trying to snatch the balloons of any unsuspecting child who wandered too close....
The food was delicious and the games were fun. I kicked Rob and Aaron’s butt in archery.
Look up....that's me winning! Look down....that's Aaron's first shot of the day....and to think he advanced to the crossbow after that.

The girls are convinced that they are going to dress up as fairies next year and join the fun.

I think this fairy meant business!

Aaron just liked all the knives, jousting and bungee jump. Did you know that they had that event back then?

Look at that girl in the background!

“Here ye, here ye.....everyone gather round for the royal bungee bounce. See how far you can fling your knights!”

Anyway, I had not been in years and it was fun but the characters did not seem to stay in character as much as they used to. Back in the day, I remember that the characters would really play the part and would try to engage you as those characters. Last weekend I saw texting-wenches, gum-popping fairies, cell phone-talking pirates and a few ipod-wearing gypsies. Few spoke in the ‘language’ and none of them, unless they were in a formal show, actually held character.

Here are a few miscellaneous pics from the day...

We still managed to have fun. People watching is one of my all-time favorite hobbies.

Cheesecake.....yum!

"Grandma, can I have one of these to take home?"

Overall, the day was nice, not too hot or cold, lots of walking and then we went to dinner afterwards. Everyone was beat by the time we got home.

On a work note, I did find my new personal assistant this weekend though....

Now if I can just get the boss to budget him...

Sunday was pretty much a lazy day. Should have cleaned house but there was too much rest to catch up on. We watched football and spent time together as a family. I did spend some of the day messing around with my digital camera and its settings.

Oh yeah...I lept ahead of the pack in my football pick by two! Yep, that’s right - I am the pick’em queen right now.

I did get my new writer last week! Man that is a nice thing to get to say. Can’t wait until he’s acclimated and in full swing. Maybe then I’ll be able to schedule a few days off.

Election propaganda is getting ridiculous and we are gearing up for the actual election coverage.

I am working on a surprise trip for DH....don’t worry, by the time he reads this we’ll have gone and returned so no worries. ….I hope.

Christmas is only 64 days away so to avoid a panic attack I am focusing on Halloween - its only 10 days away. Thanks Carol for daily dose of terror as the counter numbers the day aways-guess you could say you’ve donated to my Halloween freight.

I see this is getting pretty long…..I’ll post the rest in a second blog. Besides catching everyone up….it will look like I’ve actually done something productive!

How do you throw Jesus in the trash?

2008-10-13T23:47:00.000-05:00

Recently I suffered a flashback of an ill-fated wedding present. My husband and I laugh about it now, but for a time, it was something that left us, well, in a quandary.

For our wedding, we’ll just say, ‘over 20-years ago,’ we were gifted with a clock by some friends of ours. Now, this was not your ordinary clock you see. I like to believe this clock was one of a kind and soon you’ll understand why.

Imagine an imitation grandfather wall clock molded out of cheap, gold - and I mean gold - plastic. As if that were not bad enough, the picture on the face of the clock was a holographic photo of Jesus. And Jesus was not placed on a palette of muted colors either. Oh, no. This was a bright, happy Jesus placed on a vibrant blue and purple background.

I guess the placement of a holographic Jesus on the face of a clock with rotating arms was not sacrilegious enough....the great clock master of the ages felt it necessary to top off the masterpiece, with even more cheap, gold plastic when creating the numbers that outlined the face of the clock.

So, you can imagine the scene, while opening presents on our blessed wedding day, in front of the masses, the difficulty with which we pulled out this creation, swallowed, smiled, looked at our friends and uttered...

“It’s beautiful. We love it.”

For several years after, we were tortured with this gift. First with literally swapping clocks on the wall right before the arrival of these same friends for a visit to eventually- after we gave up the effort to even make them think we still hung it on our wall - trying to figure out what to do with the Jesus clock?

Which begged the fateful question, “How do you throw Jesus in the trash?”

Now, while the clock was a tragic thing, my husband and I just couldn’t make the physical move of putting something with Jesus on it, in the trash. The guilt. The damnation.

You laugh, I know. But, you try it - go ahead. It really isn’t an easy thing to do.

For years, the poor, garish, Jesus clock sat packed away. In its box. In a closet. Waiting. It even traveled with us during the move to our first house. Eventually we found our out.

Hallelujah!

The way to get out from under the clock without going to Hell!

Our problems were solved!

We re-gifted it in a gag gift exchange!

It was genius.

Have you ever tasted a Jones Soda?

2008-10-13T14:52:00.002-05:00

First off, let me say that as long as you stay within the realm of tastes that most would consider to be normal, the drinks are fantastic. Did you know that on occasion they put out 'special' flavors? Flavors that make you go hmmmm?

Recently a friend made a comment about her experience with some of these special flavored sodas. In fact, her comment brought back a memory that I hadn't thought of in a while. And, I just had to share.

The flavor my friend spoke so eloquently about, was one of a variety pack made especially for the holidays. It was a holiday pack of sodas based on a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. My first encounter with these drinks was thanks to my sister in law who, during one of her adventures, discovered the drinks. (Yes, the same sister-in-law that prepared to meet her maker during a tornado by scrap booking-Yes, definitely another story for another time.)

Anyway...The flavors were something like turkey, potatoes and gravy, green beans, sweet potatoes, cranberries, stuffing and pumpkin pie.

Really - I'm not kidding. And I must compliment Jones on their efforts too. Not because the sodas tasted good, but because they really did taste like turkey, potatoes and gravy, green beans, sweet potatoes, cranberries, stuffing and pumpkin pie.

I must say however, the flavored turkey dinner sodas made by Jones turned out to be a GREAT idea for the Thanksgiving holiday. Again, not because of taste but because several years ago we bought the thanksgiving six pack and it provided a great source of entertainment at the end of a long, stress filled, holiday event.

As tradition would have it, that year after dinner and dishes the adults were sitting around the kitchen table. My sister in law revealed her flavorful find. Knowing we could not let the children see one another's reaction to the sodas, they were cut from the heard one by one calling them in and letting them taste which ever ones they wanted to...PRICELESS!

The reactions on their unsuspecting faces combined with the, "your-my-parents-how-could-you-do-this-to-me," looks were grand.

Yes, we had a fine Thanksgiving that year.

Oh get off it all you softhearted sympathizers.

We aren't a family of completely cruel parents. We tried them first. That's when we decided that the kids were probably smarter than the adults and wouldn't dare taste something bound to be so obviously horrible on their own.... we HAD to trick them!

Of course we all did begin to wonder when one of the kids just kept coming back for more.

In honor of Room Mothers everywhere...

2008-10-02T16:16:00.002-05:00

So I was quite involved with my children's PTA organization when they were in grade school. For those of you who don't know what a PTA is, it is a Parent/Teacher Association....some schools now have PTSA's which apparently include students.

One year, as PTA president I was left..uh...I mean honored with the charge of planning, organizing and hosting the school's student Halloween party.

(For my girlies who know me in the real world AND who know the geographical details.....this event took place at Mark Twain Elementary....and in all likelihood, that is all the explanation they will need to make this story all that much more meaningful.....nuf said)

Anyway......school party....grades K-5....short attention spans.....games....Halloween...okay back on track.

I thought it would be fun to let the kids all decorate a spooky tombstone out of paper grocery sacks. They could open the sack, use the inside and then cut out their tombstone. We would then use them for a game.....oh....say something similar to musical chairs. We had a big gymnasium and I thought what better than to let the kids go crazy in a game of musical tombstones?????

Who knew?

Apparently I caused all sorts of, "Oh, Hell No!" and "Oh No She Didn't!" reactions among concerned parents everywhere.

The school got so many calls about letting the kids 'dance on graves' and 'disrespecting the dead' and 'practicing devilish things' that they started giving out my number to complaining parents.

Well, you can imagine after enough times of saying I was sorry and trying to explain that we were just having some innocent fun and not trying to turn their little angels into devil worshiping heathens, that I put on my pointy had and finally said.....well you know what I said.

Yep. I said it.

So....a word of advice to room mothers around the scholastic world...Don't, I repeat DON'T, let your students dance on the graves of make-believe, paper grocery-bag people. Otherwise, the townspeople might storm the castle and burn you at the stake!

P.S.

We hosted that same activity at a couple of our own personal Halloween parties for the kids and everyone LOVED it!

Now, I'm off to have my broom tuned up. Have a great day.

Friends, Pox Parties, revenge and getting back to basics

2008-10-02T11:51:00.011-05:00

How's that for a post title?

It has been a couple of days and a lot has gone on. Wednesdays we put the paper to bed and until that point in the week, its crazy around here. I survived yet another week of life and here I am to talk about it.

I was right, my daughter (you know the one who so tragically kidnapped my grandson recently) still comes home to eat and do laundry. God love young independence!

The more time I spend on this blog site, the more neat people I find. I am finding some unexpected friends and very enjoyable reads. PDUb and Country Doctor's Wife, you are are both quite humorous experiences. Though Ree, you might need to take it easy on those scary morning drag queens. Even though I know you have an affinity for NY Freaks!

I read in an area paper (Yes, I have to keep an eye on what the competition is up to-its a dirty job but someone has to do it.) about a woman who was attending Chicken Pox parties with her baby. I am not sure the writer was even old enough to know what that was, but I was a bit humored to hear they still existed.

I remember as a young kid being so pissed off at my mom after I realized that she'd drug me to my cousin's house to play, have lunch and GET SICK. The excitement of getting to see my cousins hit the ground like Less Nessman's frozen turkeys after I'd dashed into my cousins' house, pried their location from my aunt and ran into the bedroom to be greeted by red-faced polka dotted children lying in bed looking like the last thing they wanted to do was play with me!

The rest of the day was spent in a push and pull contest between my mother, my aunt and me. I was trying to stay as far away from the sickos as possible (I wasn't as stupid back then as I am today), my mother kept trying to heard me into the disease room and my aunt was her partner in crime.

Ahhhhh, memories.

By the way, it didn't work. That time. We attended several more Pox Parties before it took. I still have a scar from my mother's gift of the childhood disease....and not the emotional kind.

I've often said that mothers have to stick together because the kids outnumber us....but I have never endorsed giving the kids a disease to keep them at bay. Well, okay....maybe that's a lie.

My sister-in-law and I did the same think to our kids....however, and this is where my stupidity level kicked up a notch, between the two of us....we had 7 kids at the time and I was due with my 4th. And, I mean LITERALLY due.

When I screw up....well, lets just say that I don't do it in a small way.

Little did my sister-in-law, or I, realize was that my dear husband (twin to SIL's hubby) had never suffered from the dreaded CP as a child.....or as an adolecent......or as a teen. Nope, in great DH fashion......he got it as an adult. At the SAME time as our 7 children!

So there I sat, doctoring my three kids (ages 6, 3 & 16 mos at the time) AND my husband at the time I was due with my 4th baby at literally any day. Oh, it was a joyful experience.

I used to think that as a mom, unless I pissed my kids of a minimum of at least once a day - I was just not doing my job. Now that they are getting older, I believe that they are getting their revenge. I really believe that teenagers and young adults are our own mothers' curse reigning down upon us in full form. I myself have uttered the fateful words....."I hope you have one child exactly like you. THen you'll see."

Never fear. I do have faith in the circle of life though. And, as God as my witness, I will have the last word.

Maybe I'll show up as a box of cremated ashes long after my death, leaking on counters and needing an explination from my kids as to what the dirt like substance is that the postmaster just wiped on his pants. (By the way - thanks CDW for such a great idea!)

Or better yet, I'll come back as a stray dog, show up on my kid's doorstep, make them and all the grandkids fall in love with me and then once they think I am too adorable to kick to the curb, I'm going to plague them with my incessant love for digging up the yard and gardens.

Either way.....I'll enjoy the ride!

This turned into a pretty long post because I had time to sit and physically write it out. Talk about getting back to the basics. Which, is pretty funny considering how the day started.

This morning we had a staff meeting in which the point was, business is great and this year we are also going to focus on getting back to the basics. As everyone was pumped up and ready to dig in to a new day's work.....the transformers blew......twice.

So, while I had time to sit and think, and catch up on reading those pesky 'other' papers.....I began to think about my column and of my blog. Then I began to jot down some notes (Yes, manual labor is not pretty but putting pencil to paper is sometimes a necessary evil in this time of technology.) Then, it turned into this.

Lucky you.

Actually - I am a pencil and paper freak. If I were ever a contestant on Survior..scratch that, as much as I tell myself how awesome I am, I could never hang......If ever my Princess cruise boat ran into the perfect storm and left me stranded on a desert island, I'd throw the kids overboard and save my pencil and paper. (it's okay....they can swim like fish!)

Okay, we're back from the bad dream sequence. I just thought it was funny that after the big hype about getting back to basics.....we all went back to our technology filled offices and I ended up handwriting my weekly column and this blog entry with a pencil.

(But I really meant what I said about saving my pencil and paper)

Have a great day!

p.s. How many of you even caught the fact that I was crazy enough to think I'd bring my four kids on a cruise!?! In a dream even!

Long day gone...

2008-10-01T00:23:00.005-05:00

Well, I seemed to have survived the initial act of my oldest moving out. A little tearful when I walk into her room and see everything gone. But, reassured that I've raise a smart daughter and a good person.

Today was deadline day and so it was a nonstop Tuesday as usual. In addition to my wonderful husband being thoughtful enough to bring me dinner, he also brought my grandson by to say hi! He snuck by and picked him up from daycare. Grandpa is missing him just as much as I do. Even his teenage aunt and uncles are noticeably suffering from the absence of the little guy.....and though they wouldn't admit it (even under severe water torture) I think they miss their older sister a bit too.

I got a good laugh out of our local sheriff's clerk today. I really think he believes himself to be a self-proclaimed savior and world problem solver. Today he wrote us a letter saying he knew how to save America from the bail-out problem. (He must have gotten hold of a recent erroneous email floating around cyberspace) He swore that if the government would pay the american people instead of bailing out the financial institutions people would be paying off mortgages, college tuitions and buying cars with cash....yadda, yadda, yadda.

Problem was that he didn' t do the math......the entire formula worked out to $465.00 per person NOT the $465,000.00 he was touting. (Sound anything like the recent stimulus checks we received not too long ago?)

Now I am not saying I am in favor of or against the bail-out. I'm just saying that the poor fella didn't do his homework like so many others who blindly pass along these anonymous emails. I mean my God - If your going to hitch your wagon to a star, at least make sure it is not a falling one!

Oh well, it made me laugh today. I don't know about you but it will take a hell of a lot more than $465 to pay off my mortgage and send my 3 remaining children to college. But Hey, maybe his financial advisor has a few tricks up his sleeve that mine doesn't know about.

Its been a long day and it is time for me to sneak off home to bed. Hope your day was good and even better tomorrow.....

Sweet dreams,

Crazy Swamped

2008-09-29T13:27:00.002-05:00

So life has been right on track with keeping me busy as hell.

Sometimes I think God just thinks things are getting a little boring so he looks down, plucks my little snow globe up off his shelf and shakes it like crazy.

Not that it is always a bad thing, it just keeps me hopping.

A week ago last Sunday, the 20th, my oldest dropped the bomb that she was moving out. Her father and I were excited for her to begin her next life adventure but she was pretty difficult on the negotiations to leave her son, our grandson, at home with us. That was a toughie.....but we are working it out.....they still eat and do laundry at our house. Oh yeah, didn't I tell you? she gave us ONE WEEK notice. That was a big adjustment for mom and dad's hearts.

On Saturday, the 27th, we worked like dogs and got her all moved into her great new place. It really is a nice apartment and perfect for her and Jaden.

Last week at work I spent my time juggling interviews for potential new writers to assist my staff, a deadline for a Fall Harvest section and deadlines for the weekly paper and daily website. Add that to regular meetings and it is no wonder my work weeks are well over the traditional 40 hours.

Yes, in a very sick world, I am living my dream.

My youngest daughter had her Junior Homecoming on Saturday...we had to work that into the crazy moving day. That didn't bode well for Becca, the ride, 'All About Me,' broke down a few times. But with a firm bag 'o tricks, the world was righted with a quick maneuver or two and we were off again. She wore a beautiful tea-length black dress and Meg cut, colored and styled her hair....she was gorgeous....she left for the dance from a friend's house where the girls readied for the dance.....I was a little disappointed, usually all the girls gather at our house for the readying of these events, but it was a little crazy with the move. I am still waiting on pictures. My threat is that she has to dress up again for recreated pics if I don't get them soon...that should light a fire because she HATES to get al dressy, dressy.

At about 1 a.m Sat. morn, I had enough. Meg and Jaden were moved, beds were put up and that was good enough for me. Stephen and I headed home and proceeded to drop dead asleep. I guess Rob, Becca and Aaron weren't far behind us, about 30-40 mins, but I didn't hear them enter the castle. Sunday we finished the move with final touches of groceries, odds and ends and by Sunday night, Jaden was happy to head to his new home because he was exhausted! And, I was broke!

Meg learned that one can cook Hot Pockets in a real oven.....you don't have to have a microwave and that those old fashioned hot boxes called ovens really do perform a useful function.

Really, she is a good cook and knows how to use the oven, she was just used to having a microwave and now she doesn't have one at her new apt. I got the text about 10:30 p.m. Sunday saying, "I was just thinking, I got hot pockets and no microwave. lol. "

Received a gift in the mail from a friend on Friday....that made my day since the week was kinda tough emotionally....was nice to get something that made me smile. Thanks Rita!

My sons both received a go cart this weekend, it was used and Rob found it at a sale for $50. The boys loved it and are having a great time playing with it. It works, the couple's own kids had grown and they were getting rid of it. So, after helping move their sister in a whirlwind weekend, it was a small reward and they are having a blast.

Hope your last week was as blessed as mine. Talk to you all soon.

GIrls night out! Well, maybe.

2008-09-19T12:11:00.000-05:00

Well, so much for girls night out to the Royals game. ...

First, I get these killer tickets to the game - club level - six of them. Rob is playing cards with his buddies on the same Friday so instead of family outing - it gets to be girls night......YEAH! (Can you tell I don't get as many of those as I would like.)

Sooooo, I round up the girls. Beer, hotdogs, ball at the park....I can't wait. Really. Next to Hawks basketball, its golden.

We plan all week. We'll hit a restaurant in Liberty on the way then its off to park. It's Fireworks Friday too!

Well, one by one the mighty fell. Work, Family, Family event, illness - the reasons start to roll in Wednesday and

continue to flow until I am left all alone. Dumped. Sigh. Well - I guess I could clone myself and have one hell of a time.

Nah.....too much me. ~Shiver~that was scary.

Anyway, guess I'll just hang my head and either go alone, or call some more friends (to tell them about these last minute tickets I picked up) and hope they don’t throw my out of the car on the side of the highway because they find out I didn’t call them first!

Go Royals! Hope I’m there to see you tonight.