Oh, Con, STOP IT!!!!!!!!

Well finally after months, she shows up!!!! There she comes, the doors open instantly for her upon her arrival, and she tosses her head from left to right as if to move the hair from her face (yeah right!!). She looks around to make sure everyone is looking----at her....Yes, they are...She continues. If thats not enough, am I really seeing what I think I'm seeing? Yes, I think it is and she informs me she has every color...Well , the person I'm talking about is my friend Connie, aka Con or Hey Dude, and what she has on are tangerine crocs...Yes, thats what I said----TANGERINE....and every color, well of course she does, she is the most color coordinated person she and I know......And to top it off, she takes off her shoe to show me something, I mean, really, Con, I have allergies, odors tend to bother me? Duh!!!! Have you really forgotten everything since you've been gone? To add insult to injury, Con is not a real touchy, feely type of gal like I am...I go to hug her, not embrace, just hug and of course, she can't really get into it...don't know what thats about, but I've really missed her....It was so great to see her for the 3.6 minutes she was there...Well, of course while she was there, she told me what a total slacker I've become over the past month. Well, exxxxxxcuuuuuuuuuuuuse me!!!! I don't have all day to just sit around writing blogs..I know my life is so interesting and you all live life through me, but, I have a job....remember...ok, maybe not a job, but I'm employed anyway,and leave the house daily,hahahaha!!!!! I promise to start to keep up with my blog at least every other day...Dude , I didn't know you really cared but now that I do, I will no longer slack off on delivering to you my latest ramblings...also, i must plug myself here....she noticed I had lost weight....wooo hoooo....its really working......I made her say it at least 3 times, you know, like "really, you can tell?" and "like, where can you tell the most, Con?"....I know, pathetic, but ask me, do I care? Not one bit... 31 lbs and counting....Con is here for 4 days and somehow, someway, I am going to corner her for at least coffee somewhere..its hard huh, Con, everyone wants a piece of ya....so glad I got to see you for a minute...and next time don't pull away so fast, i really have missed ya...there's no one like you.......................really..........

I'M BACK....I KNOW, THANKS FOR THE WARNING, RIGHT?

Ok, where have I been lately...(as I hang my head down in shame,note:this is what Jim thinks I need to do here,hehe).. well in less than 3 weeks time I have caught up with 5 years (oh please, hold the gasp) of Soprano's...yeah, yeah, yeah...I've already heard, nothing new....My son Steve has been so addicted to this for the past few years and I always wondered what his fascination is with this show, wel,l now I know..I am hooked...I have always loved movies about the mafia and I admit I laugh through the whole thing, murder and all...I know, I could be labeled sick about right here, but I don't care, its just a tv show, you guys, make believe...Now, Steve tells me the new season won't be out until the spring...what's that about? I am still waiting on Season 6 (still not out), but Steve promised to buy it so I can get all caught up as soon as its released...What a son!! Now for those of you who have never watched the Soprano's I must warn you, the language is awful, but the family,well, you gotta love em...Jim thinks I'm still dillusional from the anesthesia, but this series has sure helped me pass the time.... I went to the ortho Dr. today and my knee is still healing and has a ways to go, but I am doing great...I can add a little walking to my day now...Jim was thrilled to hear this...I almost had him convinced that housekeeping was off limits, but the Dr sure put that to a fast death for me today..Now Jim is going to expect things from me...well, i guess its been a great run anyway...I tried to convince Jim that housework makes one ugly, but he thinks I'm way too beautiful for my own good at this point (Yeah whatever) and would love for me to flush it and get busy....what's a girl to do..Well the good news today is, I have lost another 5 lbs this month, making it a total of 28 lbs since mid March when I started WW. This has been all without exercise, but I am really hoping to see some good results now that I can start the walking... One more things to report..My niece, Kathleen may be a mother by the end of the week, or so her Dr. says...I can't wait!!!!! My great nieces and nephews are bringing Jim and I as much joy as their parents did. We have always, always enjoyed our roles as aunt and uncle, and here we are with another generation and we are so young!!!!!!! hahaha....The best part of all of this....we get to visit, stir them up, and leave...hahaha....As for Deven, he's now 6 months old (in a few days) and is eating baby food....have I told you lately he's so cute!!!! Steve is so taken with this baby, and as you know, STeve loves clothes..It appears when he buys clothes now, its one for Steve, one for Deven..haha..never thought I'd see the day, but its here..hahaha...later guys..........

POST TRAUMATIC STRESS SYNDROME?

Wow, today was super....I went back to work today and I made it through..I am a little sore since I've been home, but broke out those coveted meds so I should be feeling good in about 20 minutes..haha..
Today, started off with the alarm ringing at 6:15, with the snoozer being hit about 4 of 5 times (poor Jim its on his side of the bed...haha). I made it to work (ok, so I was late, only 4 minutes..we aren't technically late at work until its 7 minutes past, and no, I don't purposely push that to the limits..........)Jim drove me, as he is not wanting me to be driving just yet, but something really weird happened..When he pulled up to the curb to let me out at the library, its almost like he didn't stop. It almost seemed as though the car was still rolling and when the door opened, I felt a jolt..He swears he wasn't pushing me out of the car, but I wonder....and he had this happy look on his face and his eyes were all glazed over...Not the kind of look that says, have a great day...it was more like HAVE A GREAT DAY,BECAUSE, NOW I AM..Now, he didn't have to verbally say anything, it was more of the attitude and his eagerness to get rid of me...Now, I know this has been a long 6 weeks, ok he says loooooooonnnnnnnngggggg, but hey, when we retire we are going to be together 24/7, and I don't want to feel like I am being thrown to the curb everytime he slows down..Is it possible he could be suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome? I mean, could I have been the cause of that(I really was suffering,I can show you the scar), after just a little stay at home? I mean, I try not be any trouble. Really I do!!!Oh thats just great, he returns home after 2 tours to Iraq and survives under enemy fire and spends 6 weeks at home with me, and this is what happens!!!! PTSS, like thats going to get you any sympathy from me....geezzzz, what's a girl to do.....

I AM RECOOPERATING, I AM NOT LAZY

I rolled out of bed at 11:15 today...ahh, it felt great to sleep in late and I got the whole bed to myself after 5 a.m. This is Jim's reserve duty weekend (YES!!!), so I stretched out all over that bed...There is just something about the air being turned way down, a comfy blanket on top of and the covers pulled up over your head... I decided I would get up and play a bit since I had the house to myself..I have the music turned on, and the tv OFF.....wow, it hasn't been off in at least 6 weeks....so what am I going to do until Jim gets home? Well, since I only have 2 more free jobless days, I am going back to bed...hahaha......its so peaceful and I am about to rejoin life next week, so I am going to enjoy it....

Steve is an avid Sopranos fan, so he brought me the first 3 seasons to watch...I literally have many days or should I say weeks of enjoyment on these cd's and I am going to get started today and for some reason I have always loved mafia shows..don't ask me why, I just do......I had my toast and coffe, I'm going to load the dishwasher and start a load of clothes. I know, housework makes you ugly, but if I don't "do something" then Jim will have to make a comment to which I will be forced to comment back and well you know, hahaha. I guess technically he is 'WORKING' today, but as a man, is playing Army a real job?....haha.. After I've done that, then I am going to hit the sack. I will be there by 1:30 and if I want to fall asleep, which I probalby will, then I can always rewind or whatever with these cd's...ahhh, modern technology...And remember, I am not lazy, I am recovering and its my job to rest...Thats what I have to remind Jim of daily...

I am hoping Jim will make his famous soup for me tonight...He is a great cook, but soups are his specialty and since he knows I am down to the wire on my convalescing (?) he will baby me and give me his all over the next 36 hours, while he's around...I don't always whine to get this attention (ok, maybe a little to get it started) but he enjoys us all making over his soup anyway, so really, if you think about it, its for him.....hahaha.....oh well, I am not going to make the 1:30 deadline if I don't get moving............I have to set the computer up in the bed so can see up close........hmmmm, Maybe I'll take a picture of Jim making his famous soup and post it next time..I need to get the hang of putting pictures on here anyway....Oh, well, another day in the life of me......................

CHANGE, NOT ALWAYS 'A GOOD THING'

Ok, I have great news to report....I am going back to work---6 weeks early...wooohooooo......am I excited? You bet your sweet potato sacks I am!!!! This has been the longest 6 weeks of my life!!!!! I have 3 days left...I will sleep in late for the next two days....

Now there is a slight problem that is going to happen come Monday morning..I forgot to mention to them when I told them I could come back to work on Monday, that 8 am really doesn't work well for me anymore, since sometimes I don't roll out of bed until 11....then, there is the issue of the Y&R that comes on at 11....do you think they'd mind me taking an hour break(because I'll still need my hour lunch break) at that time to keep up with my new addiction? ughhhhh...ahhh, ok I have many new issues now that I didn't have before...someone cooks lunch and dinner for me all the time, and dare I say, serves it to me also (said as I am hiding my face behind my hands and peeking through)...I know, spoiled, but its Jim's fault..Also, my couch...I have grown so used to the right side of the love seat...i sit on one end and my laptop sits in front of me on the other..yes, I surf all day..I am multi-tasked however, as I can do this and watch tv, and IM my friends all at the same time....Another thing, I have only worn shoes about 4 times in the past 6 weeks..I know, hillbilly, go ahead and say it....Who cares!!!!! They have this crazy rule at work that says you must wear shoes...I am a rebel, would it work if I accidentally, on purpose forgot somehow to put them on next Monday? I mean, would anyone really notice? And if they did, would they narc on me? Ughhhh...decisions, decisions....last, but not least is the bra...ughhhh...it has been wonderful to pretend I am a child of the 60's and forget wearing the thing, this is the one thing I'm not sure I can get away with doing without...darn it.....

Well, as if thinking of all of this weren't hard enough, Jim has told me that Monday morning, I have to retire my tiara for 8 hours a day..He said no one is going to care that I need to sleep in,and if I do, I can stay home permanently and can never miss another episode of Y&R (well, the nerve!!!). As for the break, who gets a break, and no one is stupid enough to not only cook lunch for me, but serve it to me and the only reason he does is because we signed a contact 28 years ago...he called himself a fool, hey, what's that about? He also said my couch and computer are not leaving the house, my surfing is going to be replaced with actual exercise, its called walking, and I will wear shoes, because no one wants to look at my feet (why?what's wrong with them, they're cute), and I must wear a bra as it will be an occupational hazard for me to leave home without it...What????
He says I'll trip over myself...some men have a lot of nerve...............oh well, I'm off to shine my tiara because I'm going to make the next 3 days a very long 3 days...hahahaha.......................

DIXIE CHICKS-PUT ON YOUR BIG GIRL PANTIES IF YOU WANT TO PLAY

Why do I watch these shows???...I love a good controversy, but geez, don'tcha just think sometimes we should "just do the right thing"...I know all about principals, I have been young and dumb too, and heck no, I wouldn't go back for all the money in the world..too many lessons have been learned and I for one don't want to relearn them..haha.....

I switched to Larry King last night and there they are!!!! The Dixie Chicks..quite frankly, I never knew anything about them until their outrageous behavior in England, just before the war. Yes, we have freedom of speech in this country, and I, for one, count that as one privelege we are so fortunate to have......On the other hand, with that privelege comes responsibility. Do I think we should call for a boycott of their albums? Not especially, but I secretly have to say I was happy they experienced a little of what their behavior brought to them..Though they said last night, it really didn't hurt them in the long run, they were very careful to pick their words. And, they of course, did this at a time when our President is suffering from low support in the polls.. I also found that interesting also..Would their comments have been the same if those poll numbers reflected a higher %....I think not...They actually reminded of what small children do. They have been sticking their toes in the water a little at a time, saying more with each interview, just wading out into the water a little more each time...Just enough to check the reprocutions and get away with just a little more ..ahhh, i remembered that well when Stevie was little....memories........

I believe very strongly in our freedom to speak what is on our minds and in our hearts...I know they wanted "the world" to know that President Bush doesn't speak for them, but excuse me, YES HE DOES........He is the President of our great country and like it or not, he does speak for America as a whole, just as Bill Clinton did for 8 years (did I like it, no I didn't, but I have great respect for the office. It is an entirely different thing to respect a person). He was elected by the majority. My problem is not that they disagreed with President Bush. I have on several things myself, but the platform in which they chose to express it. They were on foreign soil, with America on the brink of war. Whether we are Republican or Democrat or whatever, when the rubber hits the road we should remain united, whether we approve or not. Thats part of being an American, in my opinion...Sometimes, our responsiblity as an American is to not speak and no one has more trouble with that part than me, BUT, we sometimes have to do what is right and sometimes that means keeping our mouths shut....Is it hard? You betcha, especially when we feel very passionate about our beliefs.. I am reminded also, of one of the scenes from a movie, where a soldier lies dying and tells his comrades to "make it count"..Our soldiers are fighting for a cause that many of them don't agree with, but We as Americans need to "make their sacrifice count"..We need to remain United as they are, its for them. They are giving us their very best, and many have given their all, but they remained united, and this is a case where not only their position as a soldier I respect but, also, as a human being I highly respect.....Its our job as an American to remain united when that rubber hits the road, just as families somehow seem to find their way together during hardships and trying times..the may not all agree, but they stick together ..Why? Because they're family..Why should we remain a united front----because we're family, not necessarily bound by blood, but by our right as an American...........hey, just my opinion, but I'm on Texas soil!!

THAT'S JUST SICK......

Well, the things you notice when you are sitting in a car waiting for someone...I went for a ride with Jim this afternoon to his Reserve Unit to pick up his orders for Iraq. I waited in the car since it would be a quick trip in. I decided to take a look in "daylight" at my eyebrows..I have been noticing a few gray brows coming in this past year..I usually try to weed them out, but since I've been home for the past month, I've not paid too much attention...Well, there they were.....oh my gosh, I had to get plucking immediately..And what was that growing on my second chin? Oh my flying spaghetti monster !!!! That is a mini goteque growing there, ughhhh in dark brown hair (there were 7 hairs, oh yuuuuckkkk). Maybe thats why sometimes peoples eyes glaze over while I am talking. I wouldn't even wait for our return trip home to Harlingen some 35 miles away...I had Jim stop immediately to pick me up some tweezers...Now, anyone that knows me, knows I am anything but vain, but I won't even let Jim grow a goteque and here i am a female and sporting one around that could certainly give my son's a run for his money......I finally get the gray hairs out of my brows, there much better, but tell me, since I pulled these hairs from my chin, are they going to come back and will there be more? It is becoming apparent to me as I reach middle age (yes that age keeps changing the older i get also, but who cares, right?) that my body might be mixed up and not knowing if I am a girl or boy...I mean I heard about things drooping but the hair, ughhhhhh, is there a pill I can take? I now know what my next Dr.'s visit will be about.

IT WAS A GREAT DAY!!!!

What a day yesterday was!!!! Jim and I spent the whole day being Aunt Sandi and Uncle Jim...It was nothing less than fabulous!!!! It began with lunch...My nephew Kyle, is currently serving our country in Iraq and his family (wife and 4, yes I said 4, of the most beautiful girls you've ever seen) met us for lunch. We stopped by and picked up my mom, their Great-Grandma and had a fun time at lunch. The girls are leaving soon for their home in Germany. I for one am really going to miss them. My older brother Jim, who died over 20 years ago would have been their grandfather, so they are especially important to us. There is never a dull moment with Megan, Autumn, and Kylie around. Now, Maddy is just over a month old, so she can't even hold her own yet..hahaha...It was wonderful holding that little bundle of joy and oh she smelled sooooooo good...nothing like the smell of a baby....Their Mom's name is Priscilla and today is her birthday,,,,Happy Birthday, Priscilla..I'm waving at you!!!..This is the first time they've been around for any length of time so it has been so great to get to know my brother's granddaughters...He would have been so proud of them...
Then, off to shop for a bit...Anyone who knows me, knows I hate shopping....but my dr. says its ok to venture out just a little bit as long as I don't overdue it...Well, our niece, Kathleen and JP are buying their first home and will start moving this week. Well, until the showers begin, we just had to be a small part of their "special" day. It was such fun and Jim had just as much fun picking things out as I did. Kathleen was the first girl in our family, so to say she is special is an understatement....Ahh, finally I could sit down again...took the "stuff" to Kathleen and she loved it...I am so glad..can't wait to get a picture of them in front of their 1st home..It's so exciting...
Now, as if that wasn't enough, Deven was there yesterday, the whole time....What a treat!!!...2 babies in one afternoon....he is starting to roll over..gosh that brought back memories of Stevie...As we were getting ready to go home, Uncle Steve showed up and took over..We think he's as attached to Deven as we are...haha,,that love thing getscha just when you least expect it...

REALLY WHAT HAPPENS WHILE I WAS SLEEPING

Are you like me? I mean what goes on in the bed while I'm sleeping?...I can go to bed in cute jammies and then wake up looking like I've run through the jungle half the night fighting off animals. And before you think Jim is the animal I am running from, forget it, he hits the bed and is out for the count, not him!!!!haha. My finger has been bandaged up (I can't look at owies) since I cut it. What's the first thing we do when we wake up...head to the bathroom..there I am sitting on the throne and look down at my hands and realize the bandage is gone...oh no, I am forced to look at the cut...not too bad on day 3, but there is blood all under my thumb nail..oh how gross!!!! Go to wash hands (why are there mirrors above the sink?) and look up, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh.....I just about scared myself, but snap back into reality when I realize its only Me!!!! Really, what happens while I am sleeping? My hair is straight as a board and has no body whatsoever, but when I wake up, it is shooting straight out of my head in all directions, at full attention......geez........and where do all those crease marks come from? I don't know about you, but I'm begiinning to wonder if I perhaps enter another dimension while I am suppose to be resting..Its really unsettling if you think about it.....hahaha...oh well, time to go wash my face and try to straighten out the mess I've been left with since I went to bed last night...and just fyi, I looked pretty cute when I headed to bed last night...Oh well.....

IT'S OFFICIAL

Yep, it finally happened yesterday...Here for over a month now, Jim has been waiting on me hand and foot (and yes, I like it,haha), but he has so much on his plate as I am a full-time job, hummmmhmmmmm,,,,Anyway, decided to help him make lunch yesterday..Jim makes a fabulous soup that no one can go up against...Well, he has made so much of this for my dieting lately that we were out of a few ingredients. Off he went to the store..I thought, wouldn't it be a nice surprise if I cut the meat and veggies up for him so he wouldn't have to..I mean, its almost, and I say almost, embarrassing just sitting on the couch while he runs around getting everything ready for me before he heads to work everyday...I did it..I was going to surprise him...got the knife out...I am very funny about knives...they must be sharpened..I refuse to struggle with them..Where did he put that sharpner...He has totally rearranged the kitchen since he finally admitted that this is his room...ahhh, found it...sharpened that sucker and off i was...had the music turned up, was singing away, and i was feeling really good that I was up on my feet for more than 10 minutes...all of a sudden, I screamed....Why did I do that? Where did it come from? Well, I looked down and realized I cut the tip of my thumb off!!!! When I realized that, I screamed again and of course, the eyes welled up..Jim will be the first to tell you that a knife in my hands always, always ends up in disaster...When we first got married, I was always sporting some sort of cut on my fingers..I don't know what the problem is, probably that royalty thing I was suppose to have been brought up into...hahahaha...I know in my heart of hearts I'm not to be a Cinderella but a Queen.....hahaha....anyway, Jim gets home and immediately tells me to please not help him out anytime it involves a knife..I am to stick to my scissors and paper cutter and away from the kitchen. Well, I never!!!!!! Hey, if thats the way he wants it, then he can have the kitchen and all that comes with it...Now, how do we incorporate kitchen knives into doing the laundry? Sooooryyyyyyy....just a thought..........but for now, I am only going to walk through the kitchen.....it truly is good to be queen......Jim says its his cross to bear..hahaha

WHERE DOES IT REALLY COME FROM??

I was thinking it all began with a box of crayolas, playdoh and dirt. Yes, dirt!! I was sure of it!!!! I can still see and smell them (ahh, can't you smell them?) as if they were right here in the room with me...There is nothing like it, right? This has got to be the root of all that creativity that is boxed up within me!!!! I love creating things.

Creativity has taken me different routes throughout my life, from sewing,cooking (I certainly lost interest in that one quickly,haha), rock painting (remember that one?), decorating, crocheting, ceramic, decorative painting, building things(yes, I have power tools, just ask Jim,haha), scrapbooking and so much more.

I can remember as far back as age 3, playing in a chicken coop (yes, that is what I said, and I can't believe it myself, my allergies are stirred up just thinking about it,haha) pretending it was my playhouse. I would stay in there for hours (it was at my babysitter's house) and make mud pies. They were the most beautiful mud pies in the world. And I can even remember trying to get that mud to the right consistency so that when I turned the cake out, it would hold its shapes. haha.... I also remember decorating them with grass and little rocks..And yes, if they were undecorated, I remember tasting them. I know, I know, probably where my love for sweets began.haha.....

Then there were the crayolas. I loved coloring in color books. The brighter the colors, the better. It, of course, didn't stop there. I love the muted look and wiping down the wax from the colors with a tissue. The pictures weren't completely done until I applied that last technique. Well, that and my beloved sinature. I loved thinking I was an artist. I also loved giving away my paintings to anyone who showed an interest, bless them....Ahhh, a Picasso in the making and I didn't even realize it..haha

The playdoh. Now this was a designer's dream. Those little round boxes gave me hours and hours of enjoyment. I designed everything from little boxes to jewelry to animals. A sculptures dream!!!.... I especially like mushing it between my hands before turning out my creations. I tried to keep the containers separate but it would eventually wind up all molded together creating some really unique colors....I can still see the purple tortillas I use to make..didn't taste so great, but they were oh so pretty.............

Where do we get the creativity we are born with. Could it really be that because we are created in His image that is where it really began? I am thinking so, just look around at the creation around us, God was one creative dude!!!! Now next time, you think you have no creativity in you, remember those childhhod years, but especially remember, the creative One who designed you and the world you live in. And don't forget we were created in His Image----a creative dude indeed.......

AHH......IT'S GOOD TO BE QUEEN.....................

Ahhh, Mother's Day is Sunday...another special day that I get to be queen of the earth. I love it!!!! I love holidays and especially those that celebrate ME, hahaha!!!! Is that wrong? Now, I have not always been this way. Steve agrees, Jim is the person who put the tiara on my head and most the time Jim doesn't object to my status(except if you count the second day I was home from the hospital and he took my tiara and bell away from me, thats a whole other story). Steve most certainly does not appreciate my royal lineage and tries to de-throne me at every opportuniy,haha...Not to worry, I don't let him..haha...Anyway, I was giving Mother's Day some thought today and know that time is not something Jim or Steve have much of these days. So, I decided to help them out and order my gift for them. Of course I did ask Jim if this is what he'd like to "get" me and he seemed thrilled to know he'd not have to head to mall to shop on his days off. I am, after all, trying to "help" my boys out. They are so good to me all year long, I just wanted to take one thing off their to do list. So, the gift is ordered and on Sunday, I'll let you know how I liked it. I mean I can't spoil the surprise now can I?haha...

WHERE DID I GET THIS KID....

Granted my child is 27, but regardless, I sometimes find myself wondering just where did he come from? I mean, I know where he came from, but you know, really, WHERE did he really come from? If Steve didn't look exactly like his Dad, I would wonder if he was really mine. I was working quietly at my table today going through pictures for his albums. Now remember this is my self proclaimed quiet day ( had only had a few mishaps till I came across the following). There in front of me were pictures of his senior prom. All of a sudden I couldn't be quiet any longer. I just burst out laughing...Now the Dr told me to keep my voice at a steady even keel. Not whispering and nothing above normal talking and the laugher that was coming out of my mouth was anything but average. What was I laughing at? Well let me tell you how he ruined his Sr. Prom for me. Yes, me!!!!
As moms we envision all sorts of special occassions for our kids, right? Having an only child we only got to do this once , so we needed to do it right. There would be no repeats. Well, Sr. Prom was like right up there. Everything was falling into place. His tux was absolutely beautiful and I could hardly wait to him in it. Well, of course, if I remember right, he kept shooing me out of his room (so what, I wanted to watch him get dressed, this was a special occassion) saying he didn't need my help. We didn't have a daughter but I still liked hanging out with him. He was ok with this until he turned 14. Well, I remember his door opening and hearing him come down the hall. I could hardly wait to see what he looked like. He was always in jeans or shorts and tennis shoes even for church so this was a big deal. Steve steps inside the l/r and I could literally feel my mouth hit the floor, just like it was yesterday..He looked great, all the way to his ankles, that is. Instead of dress shoes, he had on his white and orange tennis shoes.(yes I said orange) What's up with that? So of course, I being Mom and wanting wonderful pictures, told him to go chang his shoes. Well, he wasn't going to change his shoes. Jim just laughed and as usual was no help here. I tried to expain the "rules" of dressing up but he just let me know he'd be back with the date so I could see them together. Of course, I thought, well once they get back, she and I will be able to convince Steve to change shoes. I hear the car pull into the driveway, and when they came I, I let them know I'd like to take some pictures. "Steve go change your shoes, please". He said no, he was dressed and she giggled. GIGGLED...Not quite the response I had hoped for. Where was that understood allegience we women have with one another? She was dressed in a beautiful peach dress and all of a sudden she raised it up to her knees. The girl had on high top tennis shoes. How could they ruin Sr. Prom for me like this. One of the biggest days of my life for him, ruined. And here they are just laughing.........
Well, here I am 8 years later just laughing my head off and realizing just how classic that is of Steve. He is who is is. The way he was dressed is so reflective of his personality and what great memories those tennis shoes brought back. Gosh, I love that kid....

HAVE I NO SHAME?

SHEESHHHH. I totally humiliated myself once again today...I have been rotating between 2 therapists (physical, not psycho, just fyi). Well, one decides she needs a vacation in the middle of my therapy, the other, not sure why he didn't come today, maybe he thought I was french. Anyway, had a fill in therapist and I knew this, I had fair warning..Why don't I learn. I get to where I have eased the therapist into seeing a tiny little stubble to needing to shave my legs. I've had to gradually work them & myself up to this. I had been comfortable with this,finally. No one seemed really grossed out or scared. Kind of like the comfort level you have to work up to once you get a husband.. You finally don't care if they see your hairy legs nor care if they think its time to bring the lawnmower out before you shave them..Well, what was I thinking..I mean i had knee surgery. Not only does he have to "see" the evidence, he has to touch my leg. Did i mention he is on the floor and brings my leg within to eye level? I couldn't wait for the 22 minutes to end..ughhh.....I think women therapist understand this better don't you? Women should have women, and men, men..If this ever happens to me again, I will only accept a female..There is time to redeem myself, however. He is visiting 2 more times this week, so I am sending Jim to the store for some Nair. What's worse is I think I've seen him before, and I think it was at church....ughhhhhh.....I don't even want to go there. This is the only time in my life I wish I were a different nationality--I wish I were french. They do not worry about these things like we have to. Never give it a second thought. The women literally don't care if hair grows on their legs, pits, or chin. I don't understand, why when most of us consider it a chore to shave our legs don't we embrace this part of their culture. Never mind, I know...forget it, I will have hairless legs come Wed., but not one hour before he gets here. I so feel my pain.................

WHY CAN'T I BE QUIET?!!!!

I've been told that I learned to talk at age 2, & since that time have never stopped..My husband is inclined to believe that & at times so am I (I am all about honesty, so I am just stating the facts here, haha). After a procedure in November left my vocal chord damaged, my voice has really changed & I sound like I have a constant cold. And yes, I do get tired of being asked that by everyone, including you,hehehe. The Dr's thought my recoop time from surgery would be a great time to "rest" my vocal chords..Now what does that mean exactly? To stop talking? Well, I can say I have given it my best shot. My voice is stronger than it was, but I don't think its humanly possible for me to stop talking? I mean I have tried for over a month. I spend about 8 hours alone everyday so you'd think that would do it right? Well, you are wrong!! It appears that I not only have an opinion about what you say but even to myself!! haha!!! I am catching myself talking during the day and no one is here. No one, but "ME"...what does that mean exactly? Well, don't answer that, I know what it means.... I must be talking to myself!!! Now, today I have set tomorrow aside as a talk free day..Ok, not from sun up to sun down...only from 8-5. I can't go cold turkey afterall ( I have to work up to it you know), but I really want to give my voice a chance to heal. I liked my voice. I had it for almost 47 years..thats a long time. So, tomorrow, no phones will be answered while the "boyz" are gone. We are praying for a devine intervention because we know thats what it will take. Ah, for once, I realize I can't do something alone...its sinking in.....

FRIENDSHIP, ONE OF GOD'S GREATEST GIFTS

Jim and I were sitting around realizing just how blest we are when it comes to "friends". Most are really an extension of our family.....There are many we don't see very often, but they are part of our lives and bring a smile to our face when the Lord brings them to mind.....
Jim has a friend that he's had for about 50 years...Though we don't see him, he is someone who Jim touches base with several times a year. He was so special , we named our son after him. I was reluctant at first. I am not superstitious at all, but hey, you never know..I have heard stories about Jim and Steve my whole married life..I didn't want a repeat, just in case..haha....I have not "kept" in touch with any friends from my childhood, but I love to hear them talking on the phone..They just pick up where they left off last time... What has been especially intresting is seeing where the Lord has brought them in their spiritual walk.
We have friends that we met on our travels in the military. Some we keep in touch with on holidays, but there are those special ones who's lives has been intertwined with ours for over 20 years. The phone was our connection with each other...We still share in birthdays, anniversaries, graduations as if we were "together". We have also cried through our children's struggles and illnesses and of course the victories when they come out on the other side. Though miles separate us, we are connected through a bond formed many years ago. I can't imagine a life without Kim and Steve, no matter how far they live from us...
Though we feel we can contact any of our friends when we are in need of prayer, there is that "special" group of God's intercessors that the Lord gave us over 6 years ago. Our home group at Jim and Sandy Greens has been a source of strength to us for many years..They remind us when we forget, that God is God, and He holds us in the palm of His hand. That He and He alone is in control. There are many times I need to be reminded of that, but they always remind me Who I really belong to.
Then there are those special friends we are given during certain seasons of our lives that extend throughout. When Jim left for Iraq, I was so alone or so I thought. I knew Connie from a few years back, but it is still amazing to me the way God re-entered her into my life at a time when I needed her "special" friendship and what she would sow into it.. I would have never imagined the friendship that would come out of this one, but its been one of greatest adventures (this is how I have to describe Connie, haha, or maybe us together..who knows, haha)...I knew and know that no matter what, I can count on her. There is Viv and Joe and the kids. Wow, what a source of inspiration you are to us...Joe, Jim and the boys are shooting buds and have such a connection and I with Viv. I can talk to her about anything and I do mean anything. They are 2 that check on me still today..When I need a pick me up, there is Viv on the other end of the phone.We know if there is anyone we can call at 2 in the morning, it is Joe and Viv. What a gift indeed!!! Their children are great, and you can't say that just about everyone's kids, can you? hahaha...This family is nothing short of a blessing to us...I can't end this without one of my very favorite friends in the whole world, my sister in law , Minerva. She inspires me. She is more than an inlaw.. She is the greatest gift to our family, ok, now its a close call between her and Deven. haha...She is just pure goodness. I have a whole other blog about this one but had to include her here...this is really a short list, but the Lord really brought you to our minds and hearts today and we really wanted you all to know what a blessing and treasure our friends are to us. We are so much better because you are all a part of our lives...truly one of God's greatest gifts.......

IT'S MY PARTY AND I'LL STAY IF I WANT TO...

Insomnia is setting in....ughhhh...its going to be a very long night...I don't know what it is, but after I've had surgery, I always, can count on insomnia being a part of the process for about 2 months...I go to bed anywhere from 12:30-5 a.m. What is it I do? Absolutely nothing!! Well, except for Lifetime tv (my son says anyone who watches it needs to get a life, I don't know maybe he has something there,haha) and computer surfing..I think after a month I've probably surfed from one side of the world to the other. I have to admit I am finally getting tired of "looking" for things to keep my interest. May I say, I can hardly wait to go back to my job. But, tonight I am getting ready for my next 3 days of full time scrapbooking. The pictures are spread out all over the place as I've been working on Krissy's album, and of course, I am committed to getting 10 pages done in my own personal albums. I can't wait to get started..I've got all kinds of new ideas and its so fun to go down memory lane as I start looking at them.I'm having a solo crop where me and mine will be the only attendees..Well sort of solo. I have a new friend who lives in Alabama and she is joining me on this venture. Only thing is she'll be there...I know its a little crazy, but hey don't knock it till you've tried it. We have challenged each other. We are new pacing partners in both our scrapbooking businesses (and please don't be shy everyone, feel free to ask me how I can help you get started,haha, what are you waiting on) and in our weight loss journeys. Its great to have someone that needs to attain the same goals you do and you can do them together....Are you ready Freda? Ready , get set, go.........last one done is a rotten egg....just kidding!!!!

JUST CALL HIM "UNCLE STEVE"

Have I mentioned that we are crazy about our new grand-nephew, Deven? He is absolutely the cutest little baby. He could be on commercials he's so cute. I'd love to share a picture of him, but his mom, Krissy, knows that you are all a bunch of internet axe murderers, so I cannot share his picture at this time.haha!!!
Our son, Steve likes to visit him weekly. When he talks to Deven, he calls himself Uncle Steve. Now theoretically he is his great cousin, right? Well, Steve is not one who really cares if he's politically correct or not. He says he's tired of being a cousin and he is Uncle Steve to Deven.
As the parents of an "only child", we have always worried about Steve not having brothers or sisters. We worry because we think he'll not "have anyone" when we are gone(not that we are planning on going anywhere, anytime soon, but hey, it happens, right?). Yes, he will have a wife and children, hopefully, but its different with siblings, don't you think?
My sister-in-law and I just laugh and smile because he is so funny when it comes to Deven. When I heard him call himself Uncle Steve to Deven the other day, it occurred to me, he will have someone when we are gone. I realized as I sat and watched him act and react (hey you have to know all of them to understand this one...haha) with his cousins, he most definitely will never be alone. These kids who are all growing up,( all horrible rugrats with each other during their growing up years, and including and especially mine,haha) know they can count on each other. It brought back memories of the past couple of years when they've all had things going on in their lives, and I remember the phone calls between the two houses of them checking upon each other. Memories of the 4 of them started to run through my mind and made me smile. Those thoughts still warm my heart even today. They all really care about each other. I would hate to use the love word here, still don't know if they'd admit that one.haha!! But, He is Uncle Steve, and I realize that we don't have to be born into a family to be an aunt or an uncle to make a child feel loved. The best part of it all, he got a brother and sisters the easy way, from his aunt and uncle. Ahh, and they'll be the ones to make him an "uncle" and I didn't have to do a thing.... Wow, one more reason its good to be the aunt....

I AM ON A ROLL.......

Great news on the homefront...I had my post-op appointment with my Dr since my surgery on April 11 and I could hardly wait to get to his office. I was intrested in how my knee is progressing, but I was more anxious to get on the scale. I know, I was shocked at this also. Now usually, I walk clear around the building to keep from coming anywhere near that piece of equipment and if that doesn't work, I try to pretend I don't hear the nurse when they ask me to get up there. I know rude, but hey, why's it their business anyway. I'm there for my knee, you know? But today, I had to stop the nurse and ask for a weight check. YES, I ASKED TO BE WEIGHED. Its true, there is a first for everything, I guess.
Now I started WW 6 weeks ago, and I had lost another 9 lbs since my surgery. That is a total of 23 lbs. Talk about putting a swing in my step!!! This was indeed exciting news. I have finally found a diet that works for me and am motivated for the first time in years. I don't have to count calories, just points..its the easiest thing I've ever done...I just had to share my good news.
Ok, now for the knee. It has healed up wonderfully, thanks to the Great Physican and his assistant, Dr. V. They work so well as a team. God is good....My bend is great so far but I am having trouble with the extension part. I am doing therapy 3 times a week and then on my own for the other 4 days for about 6 hours a day...ughhhhhh...I have graduated today from the walker to the cane..Yeah....baby steps, but I'm getting there!!! Thanks for sharing in my exictement.....

WHY DON'T MEN JUST CARRY PURSES!!

I know tomorrow I will probably wonder what in the world I thought I was doing at 1 a.m. in the morning, but right nowI thought it was a pretty good idea. As I was clomping through the house on my walker today, there was all of Jim's "pocket items" laying on the table. Now this is really not unusal but the red cat collar holding his wallet together caught my eye. You ask why was that on there? That seems like a valid question to me, since I said it outloud. His wallet is so full, and we are not talking full of good old American cash, but full of "stuff". The red collar has been taken off of the wallet and things reshifted since the comments came bursting out of my mouth. He apparently reshifted stuff before he went to work. Well, here I am with insomnia, and there is that wallet and all his pocket items just staring at me. You guessed it. I went to the kitchen, got my scale (I am on a diet, and btw, thanks Viv for the scale) and weighed his stuff. 2 pounds ladies and gentlemen, 2 pounds. And this is a light day I can tell you..I have seen his pockets bulging. Well, I decided to help him out tonight and rearranged and cleaned out his wallet. Apparently he is feeling lucky these days as he has a nice collection of Texas Lotto papers accumulating in there...cleaned those out, put them in the drawer, just in case we get the "call". Now Jim loves business cards, doesn't seem to matter whose they are, he appears to like them. I've never even heard of some of these people or places that are on them.I hope he doesn't mind that I only left mine in there for him to hand out. Now that brings me to the pictures...come on, our son Steve is 27 and his only picture of him in there is when he was 4. Come on, I know Steve had a picture made in the 8th grade. I am sure of it! He should keep up with this, afterall we only have 1 child. Now I know military personnel are suppose to carry their leave slips with them, but his leave was up in June 2005. I can now file that away with his used up calling cards from Iraq.
Well his wallet is looking pretty nice and organized at this point. His keys are a whole other subect(really, why do we need 2 miniature flashlights attached to it) as is his separate ID holder. My question is why don't men just carry a purse. I mean it would make things so much easier. For some reason when I am out and about with him he loves to hand me the things from his pocket to carry. Why? I don't want that stuff, I have 10 pounds of my own junk to carry around!!! I sure hope Jim likes how I organized his wallet today...I'll let you know.....