My favorite cousin – Double the trouble double the fun October 28, 2008

For my Cuz ( old blog)

My little sister found my Cousin on myspace…it was a good day…Actually, When I think about childhood I have give props to my cousin Raymie..AKA Ray.  Everyone has a story about what was so bad about childhood. People always like to recall all the BAD stuff.  Well, when I think about childhood…yes some of the crappy stuff comes to mind but I also like to recall all the good about it too. My cousin and I were very close in age and my other cousins were older then us. Since we were the youngest of the clan, we usually hung out together. We did some pretty funny and crazy stuff. I still laugh for hours when we talk about the stuff we did.  He was a crazy kinda kid and I loved going to my aunts house to have fun. A few things… I would show up and Raymie would rush me out to the freezer in the garage and show me the big black ants that he was freezing in the freezer, or show me how to burn them up with a magnifying glass. We would run all over the neighborhood finding what kind of trouble we could get into only to stop off at the friendly neighbors across the street, knock on the door and when they answered we would shout COOKIE… the nice friendly neighbors would then hand us cookies… We would ride our bikes all across town and arrive home just in time for dinner …parents never knowing what dangers we faced that day. We loved to ride up to the WELLS discount store…and usually terrorize the people shopping. We liked to watch cartoons in the family room and drink coffee with no less then 5 scoops of sugar…plot how were going to run away…making lists of supplies…never forgetting the dog food needed as we were going to take the dog along…the crazy ass tried it…I believe he even copped a ride from the blimp that was at the airport across the street…. Then to Grandmas house they would send us in the summer. I was a usual routine…get up find trouble and get the  paddle which his name was signed on the most! Soooo many stories on the Island, I think they finally decided not to send us both at the same time as we would cause soooo much trouble… those were the good days..young, energetic and so full of life… Kudos to Raymie for providing me hours of entertainment and a lifetime of great memories to drowned out the bad junk!

 

At Grandmas House on Jackson Street

 

My birthday party at Shakey's Pizza

May I have some more DRAMA please October 4, 2008

If anyone has had family issues you might understand all of this, and i just had to vent…lol

Recently while we were visiting The man of the house’s family 3 hours away, I decided I would dust off my saint wings, lose the ego and decided to just agree to disagree with the DQ. (short for Drama Queen) I knew that it was almost a guarentee that I would be seeing DQ during our visit, since we were all going to the same festival. Knowing this, I thought it was time to make some much needed peace in the family, since it seemed “the rest of the family” were the ones that seemed to be suffering the most after a fall out I had with my husbands sister. I personally could have gone the rest of my life with things the way they presently were. But, that just did not seem fair to the children involved nor the rest of the innocent by standers called family. Ok , I admit I dont hate DQ and we have actually had a lot of fun times, but she has on more then one occasion created un-needed drama within the family unit.

After seeing DQ at the parade and neither one of us speaking to the other, I asked Man of the house where my brother in law was. Man of the house said he was out of town.  I quickly realized that DQ and her 2 girls were home all weekend alone and here was the rest of the family sitting around a camp fire having a great time while she was possibly feeling unwelcome to join in because we were in town. It pulled on my heart strings and I felt i had to be the bigger person and try to make amends. Even if my ego was telling me I had done nothing wrong. Here was the opportunity  for one of us to make this right.

SO,  With my saint wings now on, I quietly without notice picked up my cell phone and made a phone call to DQ.  ” DQ, I know we are not on the best of terms, but just because we are camping at your moms house there is no reason for you to sit at home and not come over while we are all having a good time, So, if you want to bring the girls over I am sure Ty would love to see them”

With “The Man of The House” sitting next to me in the truck listening to the message i was leaving I am sure it was all he could do not to wreck the truck. Knowing the situation and  how stubborn I can be,  it must have shocked him that i was actually making THIS effort.  We gave each other “the look” and just went with it.  Hubby said ” think positive honey,  I am sure it will be fine”… “yeah..OK, we will see” I said. We rode on home and continued on with our day

UNTIL…

I got a voice mail back which i made hubby listen to with his own ears…. Seems DQ thinks it is BEST to keep the DRAMA going…….( insert sarcastic voice here..LOL) YES DQ it is ALWAYS BEST to keep drama going…..and YES DQ it is quite alright for you to BLAME our 12 year old “angry little shit” for all of it, if that is what it is going to take to make you feel better about yourself.

It is very sad when you realize the degree a person will go. But blaming a 12 year old who was then 11 for the demise of a family is about the lowest i have ever seen from anyone in all my years of life. Yep, I admit our youngest can be spoiled at times and can even be a little shit when he wants to be, we are well aware of what a pain in the ass he can be at times….lol …. But fighting with a pesty younger girl cousin is not a reason to shun him from a family… I realize he is not blood but jeeeeshhh is’nt that going a bit far?
So it is with great pleasure to add The man of the house nor I will not be burning the youngest at the stake per her wishes, instead Man of the house hugged him and dried his tears and told him some people just have BIG issues and this is NOT his fault.

Well, at least the dog had a good time. Needless to say I do not think i want to go back for a long long time…. We paid 150.00 for a weekend of drama and I can think of much better ways to spend our family vacation that would bring more joy and peace. It is such a shame, because I really do love it there and I really do enjoy the rest of the family there.  But, ignoring the problem does not make it go away, it just makes it worse and sweeping situations under the rug just to please ONE person is not the answer. So, staying away just might be the only alternative to a bad situation.
Maybe next time we will have to go visit my family. Because even with the high level
of dysfunction in my faimly, they would NEVER treat anyone I loved that way, especially a child!

Man of the house September 22, 2008

I am one lucky and blessed lady! Once in a life time  you have someone come along and enter your world and you find they somehow  make all the pieces of your puzzle fit. The pieces may be creased, and the edges might be bent but some how the pieces fit together like they are suppose to.

Today someone asked me how I got so lucky to have such a wonderful husband. I guess the answer just spilled out when I explained where my life had been, where it was when I met him and where I am today.  I wouldn’t exactly call it a Harlequin Romance novel. But, It is a true love story, it is OUR love story.

Now don’t get me wrong, life is not always PERFECT, but as I said the pieces fit together and work. I can’t explain how they do, they just DO. 

I have a lot of enery, I am always ready for the adventure. Some might call me moody or a bitch depending on who you are,  I have never met a stranger and feel that everyone at the grocery store is my friend. I cuss way to much and need to clean my mouth up, I am the most organized, unorganized person you will ever meet.  “The Man of the house” is my polar opposite, but I love him to the moon and back 3 times over. He is calm, cool, and collected on almost all occasions. He has a fun, quick witted, dry sense of humor. He is the most strong minded human on the planet ( the reason he was able to go through life without ever drinking or smoking) as well as smarter then anyone I have ever known. He has a will of steel but uses it wisly. He rarely cuss’s and when he does i laugh because it is funny.  He often does not have much to say but when he does it is either funny, right, or thought provoking. He butters my toast and calms my fears. He is quiet and mysterious, He is PERFECT and he is ALL mine!

I think I love “The man of the house” most because he has a gentle spirit and allows me to be who I am, insane and all.  He stands by my side,  not behind or in front of me.  Every girl should be so lucky!

“Wake up mom, the sun is shining” September 12, 2008

I have probably told this before but i must tell it again…. I remember when my youngest was little and not in school yet. Almost every morning he would wake up before me and run into my bed room. He would get straight up in my face and stare at me, then he would loudly, but sweetly say ” Wake up mom, the sun is shining” It is funny how just a few simple words out of his mouth could brighten my day the moment I woke up. It’s funny how on this rainy day I can remember those few simple words and the look on his sweet face and it has the power to brighten my day.

R.I.P Jay September 3, 2008

We were able to get away for the weekend to relax and unwind. We were invited up north with some friends to 80 acres of beautiful country! We loaded up all the 4 wheelers and headed out. The fishing was great and even though it was in the middle of the day we all caught fish. With 80 acres there was plenty of room to roam on the 4 wheelers.  The guys loaded up all the guns and did some target practice, while we visited. I am kicking myself that I did not get a picture of David jumping out of the tree stand/ play house.  He tried to get me to do it but i passed on it. The matts looked cushoned enough but i had more fun watching…

 

It was almost time to get things packed up and we got a call from our middle some, our neighbor down the road who everyone loves had claimed his own life the news this morning is still shocking. Everyone on the road loved Jay, and we are all finding it heart breaking and confusing why he would decide to end his life. Jay was still so young,he was always ready to jump in and help you with what ever you asked him to help with. He was always driving up and down the road, passing by in his little blue truck with his dog maddie in the passenger seat. If you bought fresh veggies, he was always there to help you sack up your goodies and share a smile and even a funny story. I never seen Jay in a BAD mood, I dont think he had many of those days. He usually always had a smile on his face and something nice to say.  I just can not belive he is GONE.  He was such a  part of our neighbor hood, he was like our neighborhood watch dog.  It will be sad not to see him around anymore. It bothers my heart to think of how he must have felt so hopeless and sad inside of himself to take his life. No one should ever feel that sad or hopeless. We never saw this comming,  yet, in America suicide happens all to frequent, approx 89 people a day commit suicide. That does not account for the attemps made that left a person with a injury.   Some of the early signs could be change in mood, diet and sleep patterns. You can check out more detailed information about prevention and coping with lose at  http://www.save.org/ 

The SAVE mission is to prevent suicide through public awareness and education, reduce stigma, and serve as a resource for those touched by suicide.

  

In case of emergency, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK

 At times like this we are reminded how life can be way to short to be angry and bitter. It remind us to hug our kids and loved ones and tell them how much we love them. It is a time to mend the things in our life that are broken and live life as if we only have today.  R.I.P Jay…you will be missed and someday we will see you again.

 Edited on September 22nd-

It has almost been one month ago that Jay claimed his life. I spent a great deal of time thinking about this tragedy… I had some trouble understanding it.  I do not think people do this to hurt others, usually it is not in their nature to hurt others. I think for some people, Jay included, it was simply the only thing that made sense to him when he did it.  It is the ONLY thing that I can wrap my head around to understand suicide.

 

 

almost bloomed August 26, 2008

Nothing to say just pictures

Murphy Dog

Summer fun with PAWPAW

Lotus second day bloomed

Brugmansia almost in full bloom, looks to be yellow

Mother hen? August 19, 2008

 

 

Tomorrow is the first day of school. Yes, the youngest will be starting middle school in approx 10 1/2 hours.  I allowed him the day to get his last bit of fun in before the official start of a new school year. He spent the day swimming eating Mc Donald’s and playing Halo.  The scout meeting was cut short to allow the boys time to prepare for the first day of school. We arrived home and started to gather his things that were needed for tomorrow. It felt like total chaos to say the least!!!! When did school get so complicated?  When I went to school we had paper and pencils and maybe a special folder with some kind of picture on it.  The rules have changed my friend, we have gotten all high tech! This is in the name of making things run better. Kids now have to carry large messenger bags stuffed with everything you will need for the day because there is no time to visit lockers. You now need a bus pass to get on the bus, without it your screwed.  Not to mention they add a different form for the parents to fill out before you can even walk through the door. What happened to pencil and paper and a lunch card that was all that was required to go learn.  I think I just got stressed out watching my youngest try to stuff everything he needed into one bag and almost resorting to tears at the fact it did not all fit. I could sense his frustration and concern and I admit, I just wanted to sit and cry for him.  The first day of school was suppose to be exciting not filled with anxiety. Youngest is a smart boy but according to some people,  he lacks necessary organizational skills.  At our 4th grade “meet the teacher night” a teacher spoke to us about how important it was for these kids to be organized. She stated that the ones that were not organized by 5th grade were possibly doomed. Most would become uninterested in school and ultimately drop out. My ears perked  up and I suddenly felt defensive, she just put the last nail in the school coffin for me. Yes to be honest I got defensive and quite honestly formed a nasty attitude toward the public school system. How dare a teacher say something like that!!  What a discouraging comment.  I thought all teachers were suppose to believe in the students they teach.  She may have well said, ” if you cant get organized by the 5th grade kid, give up and stop trying, you will drop out anyway”… GRRRRRR makes my ears red just thinking about it.

 Organization and handwriting are both things his teachers and myself have worked on with him since the 4th grade. But according to that teacher he may not have  what it takes for this new age schooling.  I just want him to have a pleasant experience at school this year. I am going to believe that he will be just fine!

This leaves me feeling so nervous. I never felt this way with my two older kids, I just kissed them good bye and sent them to the bus stop and knew they would be ok. This younger one is a whole different story. I do not feel like a over protective hen, I am just trying to raise him in a whole different era. things have changed so much since the other two were his age. I did not worry about letting them walk to the store, or if they were organized enough to pass the 6th grade. The world is a different place and I am not sure I know how to adjust.

 

20 days and counting August 7, 2008

 

 

 

I Would have to agree,Middle School IS Worse than Meatloaf

Just remembering how it felt for me on the first day of Jr High is enough to send shivers down my spine. Being handed a 7 class schedule and my locker combination sent me clear into an anxiety attack.  Today at 8:30am some 25 years later, I trot into the middle school to enroll my youngest son…  :::::sigh:::: how bitter sweet it is to me.

My youngest baby is in the middle school, this is enough to add yet another wrinkle to my already growing collection.  To think it will not be that much longer before I will have to trot into the high school to enroll him into the last years of free education.

As usual, Walmart was a mad house with all the parents in town grabbing at the last of the supplies on the shelf.  Clothing stores were no less busy with isles littered with fallen clothing from the racks.  Oh Joy,  summer is almost over and the little curtain climbers  will be back in school and off the street unable to wreck havoc in the community.  Thank you sweet Jesus!!!!

Some days I get lonely after the start of school, being in the house all by my self, the silence is almost deafening… I  get over that  quickly though, I would say within the first hour. It is that moment I realize I no longer have to listen to youtube, cartoons or to hear those bad words “I am bored”

 

20 days and counting!!!!!

Visitors Sunday August 5, 2008

We were greeted with a big smile and a welcoming hug on visitor’s day this past Sunday.  The youngest went to his 10 day camp at Bartle camp Mic-o-say.  Youngest gave a tour of the camp and had plenty of stories to share. The weather was hot and muggy but we all survived.  Today the campers will arrive back home  tired, bruised, and begging for McDonalds. It will be nice to have my little buddy back.

Preparing the camp box

Preparing the camp box

Ready to go!

Catching up July 2, 2008

Wow it has been a long time since I last posted in this blog. So many things have happened I could not possibly write them all down.  so, here is just a brief list of what I have been doing.

 

* New dog, he is a  AKC yellow lab named Murphy.  He is almost 6 months old, smart, cute, can be stubborn, likes to take long walks down the road and poop in the neighbors yard. I did not think I was going to keep him but he is still here…..for now,  provided I can find something to remove all the hair from his body and make him smell more human.

* Working the fireworks tent for long sweaty hours earning money towards next years 10 day  Scout camp.

* I have decided to also attend next years 10 day Scout camp to obtain the honorary claws which means working even more sweaty hours at the fireworks tent.

*Eating to much Taco bell which sits next to the fireworks tent

* Girls night out to celebrate birthdays in June. Lots of laughs mixed with lots of drinks = Great memories

* Mutilated by Chiggers from my yard while gathering the daily mail.

* watching the pool turn green because I am working to many sweaty hours at the firworks tent

that’s it for a while..  Life is GRAND..

 

 

I found the following on the web and wanted to share it… Peace and blessings

The World is your Mirror

 

 

 

The good you find in others, is in you too.

The faults you find in others, are your faults as well.

After all, to recognize something you must know it.

The possibilities you see in others, are possible for you as well.

The beauty you see around you, is your beauty.

The world around you is a reflection, a mirror showing you the person you are.

To change your world, you must change yourself.

To blame and complain will only make matters worse.

Whatever you care about, is your responsibility.

What you see in others, shows you yourself.

See the best in others, and you will be your best.

Give to others, and you give to yourself.

Appreciate beauty, and you will be beautiful.

Admire creativity, and you will be creative.

Love, and you will be loved.

Seek to understand, and you will be understood.

Listen, and your voice will be heard.

Teach, and you will learn.