SOLDIER OR CANCER VICTIM!

What does someone expect at 6 am on a Sunday morning..Did I get any appreciation out of this deal???????Nope, not any, or at least, yet. This is Jim's weekend to "play Army" and somehow this became my problem. Jim needed a haircut. I told him his hair was getting a little long. He put it off, came home yesterday and announced at dinner, "I need to get a haircut", then proceeded to tell me about Loya and how he messed up his hair and had to shave it all off. Loya's comrades proceeded to call him Uncle Fester all day yesterday. Well, for some reason Jim has decided he doesn't want to spend $7.50 on a haircut(yeah, whatever, bet you won't make that mistake again!!!). Jim is a collector of gadgets, he loves them all and believes they all work. He bought this ridiculous 1 inch haircutter to take with him when he left for Iraq. Let me assure you, it doesn't work. Here I was at 6 am ( I know, what was I thinking. I tell Jim I'll do something for him and he literally takes it as a spoken contract), doing his hair before he has to leave. Well, first off, Jim has hair like a cat. Soft, limp, and unruly(yes, that is a word). I did what he told me to do, and when I stood back to take a look at the final results of my early morning labor, I couldn't control it---I burst out laughing and couldn't stop. He looked like a cat who had gotten wet...His hair was a mess. There were patches that were cut to the skin(don't know how I did that), and some hair was scraggly. Jim just sat there and reminded me , he was going to be in formation with 30 something of America's finest in about an hour and Fester. He went into the bathroom to asess the damage. All I heard was my name in a very loud voice "SANDRA". Well, it didn't sound very friendly and Jim is not in a habit of raising his voice to me, so I tried to ignore it and went back to bed. Well, there he was at the foot of the bed telling me he couldn't and wouldn't walk out of the house looking like a cancer victim(now please do not take offense to this, he only meant that his hair looked like it had come in in different lengths all over). He had found Steve's hair trimmer and told me to just cut it off all over. I got up and did it, laughing the whole time. I couldn't help it, really, I couldn't. Alas, it was over!!! I stood back and again burst out laughing (come on, it was 6:30 and i was not fully awake yet, not to mention I had not even smelled the aroma of coffee at this point!). He had more hair coming out his nose and off his eyebrows than he did off his head. But at least it was even. My suggestion for the next time he doesn't want to spend $7.50 for a haircut, use my Nair for legs. It works perfect everytime. Well, I can't wait to hear what America's finest name will be for my soldier today when he gets home. All I can is what goes around, comes around. And Jim, didn't your beany fit a little looser today since you had no hair?????bwahahahaha...don't worry, honey, I am laughing with you, not at you...Oh i forgot , you aren't laughing...Ok, I feel like I can go back to bed now...My duty to America is over....

THANKSGIVING AND BLACK FRIDAY....

Well, we have another successful T'giving behind us....it all went without incident until about 8:30p.m. Take into mind I made the pies...after our 2nd go round of "the feast", some of us were finishing it off with dessert...Krissy yells from the kitchen, Sandra there's a nail in this pie...now, you have to understand,Krissy is our a brunette in a blondes' body at times (sorry, Kris, but its true, right Kat???) Knowing I had put cloves in the pie, i thought thats probably a piece of clove that didn't get ground up...I looked, of course it wasn't a nail, it was a screw, yes a screw!!!!!! GREAT FLYING SPAGHETTI MONSTORS, where the heck did that come from..it was lodged at the bottom of the pie,just on top of the crust, so it had to have come from the pumpkin mixture..I was sure I had solved the mystery, thinking that when i beat it with my electric mixer maybe it had come loose..i mean what else could it be or have come from?????NO SUCH LUCK..ALL SCREWS WERE INTACT UPON INSPECTION.... Poor Bubba, said" I would have a second piece but i'm afraid you might have a razor blade in there somewhere".Kenny was appalled that after he graciously invited me over for Thanksgiving that this is how I would repay them..Minerva ended it with "are you trying to screw us????"""""The ironic thing is I was very careful to make sure that none of the hair that i am loosing by the handfuls would end up in the pie....Now, we have decided it was in the can of pumkin or evaporated milk...but we have moved on, but unfortunately this is something i will be living with at least through the Christmas holiday and every Thanksgiving from now on....Now, did I mention black friday????? I had never been to a black friday event ever...how I let my nieces talk me into going (to which one didn't end up coming anyway) is still beyond me...I had just turned over early this morning thinking , thank goodness the girls decided not to go......well as soon as i entered into the sleep zone again, i thought i heard something..yes, there it is again. Yep, the dreaded phone call came...It was Minerva..are you ready????No, i don't think I should go....come on..no, you know standing in line and walking on the cement is not good for my knee...come on, we have mom's handicap parking thing, you can ride in the scooter ,, we''ll park in the handicap parking,but you have to come..are you sure i need to come...yes i'm sure..get up......ok....I DID IT!!!!!!! I can't believe I did it..We stood in line for about 30 minutes, it was a long line, i had my scooter (the thing ran so slow, i had to abandon it eventually, yes i know, but hey the crowds were crazy....).I do not shop so this is a HUGE DEAL to Jim...now rewind to 9 p.m. last night...got the call from Steve...he was headed to Best Buy to camp out...there were tents set up, football and soccer going on in the parking lot and bbq's at his spot...he was camping out to get a chance on a
$300 computer for Amy....I called him early this morning...HE GOT IT!!!!!Steve is an avid black friday shopper...he does what needs to be done to get the good deal, even if its sleeping out...So this is my life in the last 24hours...what am i doing now??? I called Minerva, we both decided we are ready to venture out again-----to WALMART...I never go---i hate that store, but for some reason we both want to go, so i am headed in for another shower and the tennies are at the front door...I am ready for the holidays...........................

NOVEMBER & THANKSGIVING...

Absolutely my most favorite month and holiday. November is the promise of 2 months of holidays and in the middle Thanksgiving. The day I have anticipated all year long. I have rarely ever cooked "ole Tom" myself. Those who know and love me would just as soon I stay away from the bird. My past experiences with Tommy havn't been so good, so I do what I do best. I am the "guest". I know, I know, you think its because I adorn a tiara, isn't it? Trust me, this is an act of love that I do for my family. One of my best friends and sister-in-law, Minerva, does the spread...and once you've had her menu, well, lets just say, you'd understand why no one wants me to mess with our fine feathered friend....But I do bring desserts. That is my contribution each holiday season. I save everyone the chance of food poisoning but bless this with my sweets...it works well for everyone..Ask anyone in my family....I have been up since 7 and have 2 fresh strawberry pies cooling, and of course, I just pulled out the pumpkin pies...my house smells wonderful!!!! I called Minerva to check on her and what is going on at the Simpson compound, and well, lets just say, she's had a minor setback..Now, we didn't plan on smoked turkey, but, ummm, dinner has been delayed while my brother, Kenny put the fire out in the oven....Don't be alarmed, the firetrucks were not called, he showed up in the nick of time and saved the day with a box of salt....apparently Minerva had way too many things going on at once and the aluminum pan had a hole poked in it...the sounds she heard coming from the oven, were not the results of her basting Tom, it was her basting dripping on the heating element, thus the fire....we laughed and then I remembered my own mishap 2 years ago...Again, I was up early, hmmming christmas carols(so what, i like them). I was baking 2 lemon meringue pies. I had lost my recipe for meringue, but i clearly remembered you just add sugar to egg whites and beat till they peak..well, apparently, too much sugar is NOT a good thing...the fire alarms went off, Jim ran into the kitchen, I am wondering what is going on...I was just thinking, I should have cleaned the oven before I started baking...Jim opened the oven and there were my 2 pies---ON FIRE--flames were all over them..Jim threw them in the sink and turned the water on...did that tick me off or what? I mean I had been squeezing lemons all morning and had plans for these pies...he didn't have to throw them in the sink...couldn't he have scooped the fire in the sink instead???? He says it didn't work that way, but I could have saved those pies...I learned a very valuable lesson that day...egg whites and too much sugar can be lethal..hahaha...use a recipe!!! HAPPY THANKSGIVING everyone...

WHO IS YOUR AUNT 'REA'

Every family has one, or should....You know, the aunt, when just by the mention of her name brings a smile to your face instantly and brings warmth to your heart....She's the one you can call when you're going to be in "town" and she'll leave light on..Hospitality is her middle name....On the Simpson side of our family, it is our 'Aunt Rea'. I don't know exactly when Marie Simpson Ellis got the name Rea, but I am sure it came from the mouth of one of her first nieces or nephews. She is Marie to everyone else...The name Aunt Rea brings to mind many, many things... It brings memories of the best grape jelly ever to be canned and has made its way to homes all over the U.S. Everyone looks forward to it and secretly hopes she has made a little extra for them to take home in their suitcases. Aunt Rea has the wonderful gift of patience, and, well, lets just say most of us don't have it without medication..haha!!! I've never heard her raise her voice. She is the glue that has kept the Simpson clan tied together for many, many years and family is probably the most important thing to her. I regret living so far and being a homebody (to which I must blame this on her brother, Richard, as I take after him,hehe) because I have not gotten to know her even a fraction of what I would have liked to...I do know that I am warmed by thoughts and memories of her as I am sure everyone that knows her are. I also know, that I strive to be the 'Aunt Rea' in my own neices and nephews lives. She is a wonderful role model and am so happy she belongs to "us".....I love you Aunt Rea..I know I don't tell you have as much as I should and I admire you so very, very much...I love who you are and wish you a blest and Happy, Happy Birthday......Sandra

24 HOURS WITH NO CONSEQUENCES...

Ok, here's the scenario...If you could do anything for a 24 hour period and there would be no consequences what would it be....Now, I 've given this a lot of thought lately and here's what I'd do...I'd wake up early so I wouldn't waste one minute...I'd pull on my old blue jeans, throw on my sneakers and burn my bra---hey, no consequences right??? forget about it!!!!.Now of course I would have to include all those around me in this as well. I mean, I am not a selfish person....I would send Jim on an all expenses paid hunting trip to Colorado or Alaska on his private plane that I would have purchased..he, of course could take Steve, Kim's husband with him. Now, for you Kim, I would walk into Steve's work and quit his job for him----don't panic, Kim, at least for 24 hours, there are no consequences. don't wurrryyyyy about it!~OH, and I'd buy you that cute little house you saw in the city just for securtiy purposes..haha...In 24 hours, I'd have my mobile home, please don't gasp here, Connie, moved to your front yard right next to your pond at Casa de Belmont..Don't worry its not tacky and its not tin...you could say its the maids quarters.hahaha except a queen lives there......Hey, look at the bright side of it, I'd be right there...Ahh, still more time....I'd buy a home for Steve and Amy and hey, why not a few kids as well...I'm WAITING--- to be a grandma....Now here's the good part, I'd go to one of those hypnotist so i could loose weight..I wouldn't have to worry about what they'd get "out of me" cuz there are no consequences,,,who cares right??????? I would eat ice cream, brownies and not fudge all day long, cuz , say it with me----'THERE'S NO CONSEQUENCES'.....really, it couldn't get much better...well, it could,, i'd run to Hobby Lobby and tie about 10 carts together and throw in all sorts of scrapbook and stamping stuff and I'd fill those carts to the brim...all because i could...ahhhhhhhhhhh, oh no, its almost midnight, i'm about to turn back into the queen and my mobile home is back in Harlingen, my stomache really hurts and I'm bloated.ughhh....what??? you mean i had to come back?????

PURGING.....

Wow, who would know how much 2 people can accumulate over the years...I have been purging the drawers, closets and tossing just about anything thats not nailed or glued down lately...Whereas I love decorating and all my country and primitive "stuff" I am liking the dusting a lot less these days...Now, I hate to admit this....In my hall, sits, well stacked are thin boxes of laminate flooring I got over 2 years ago...yes, 2 years ago..they are out of the way, thats why I've been able to live with them there that long....dirtball, go ahead and say it...i have!!!! Anyway, the goal is to get the stuff down before November1...why that shouldn't be a problem should it??? well, in order to do this we have to rearrange the furniture..Jim bought me a beautiful oak shrunk for my 23 birthday in Belgium years ago, notice I said I was 23, and it is going to house our tv in our bedroom. So we are rearranging the house....in between all of this, I have decided I want to redo the kitchen...that all started with a piece of antique ceiling tin connie gave me...Jim says , thanks Connie....(between you and me, he didn't say it with the niceness he normally does, but you are still getting "the bag" anyway!!!,,a wink goes here)haha!!! So back to the purging...Oh my flying spaghetti monsters...I have filled up another 4 bags tonight..not the white ones that go in the kitchen, those big, black monster ones for yardwork (thats another blog!!!) Where does this junk come from???? Well, I have to admit we are all collectors here, but bless his heart, Jim feels its his duty as an American to pick up every pamphlet, magazine and newspaper that has "free" on it..I won't even tell you what he does with his highlighter with these things....hahaha!!!! Now I am reclaiming part of the walk in closet in our bathroom...Jim has slowly, but surely moved me out of there???? What's with that??? Has he overlooked my tiara at some point??? It was a slow process but I did notice..I just let him hang "my things" in the closet in my "crop room" though most is fold up stuff...thank you Jim for letting me still have my drawers...anyway, my goal is to be through every closet but that one by Friday..thats how I will spend my day off...all that military junk and his "collections" are coming out....I have plans...and while I am at it, I am going to help him say good-bye to a few of his things he has had a hard time letting go of....Now, what's up with size 34 pants, sorry, Jim but its been a while since you've seen that size!!!!Those are gone..Shoes, come on, some of these went out in the 80's, platforms, please!!!..just cuz you bought them in Europe, doesn't make them a collectable or heirloom.....Knives, one of Jim's collections...we have every size knife you can imagine from the smallest of pocket knives to the full blown swords(he thinks I didn't notice that he snuck a few in with my Delft pieces in the curio, I did, they're coming out)..he's always wanted to own his own business so he's getting to----he's going to be learning ebay...they're outta here....now poor Jim you say...don't feel sorry for Jim, he's got these things in every drawer , nook and cranny in this house....Now i have been going through my things also, but remember, as I tell him, my things are what make our house a home, plain and simple....no discussion!!!! right???? There was a time I'd say its the knives or me, but at this point i'm not sure I would win out, so I won't give that ultimatum, I'll just do it all myself....hahaha..oh well, so the purge continues.....

ALL FOR THE CAUSE OF CHRIST

The Amish---they've always intrigued me. Jim took me on a trip to Amish country a couple of years ago before he left for Iraq. I was in awe at how they lived their lives. Life was simple yet hard (or at least to the modern American). Everything was black and white, and never has there been more evidence of this than the past week. Black and white, not gray, clearly black and white. The world was watching. Many were interested in the story of the five little girls that had been murdered in their one room shoolhouse by a neighbor. The news media was scurring around trying to get the story and to give us a clear picture into the Amish world. A peculiar world to many. They were living their lives in front of America clearly walking what they know to be true. This queit community did more for the cause of Christ in a few short days than many of us do in a lifetime. They lived out their beliefs in front of all of us. They lived out Corinthians 4 -----"Love is patient, Love is kind,It does not envy, it does not boast,It is not proud, It is not rude,It is not self-seeking,It is not easily angered,It keeps no record of wrongs.Love does not delight in evil,but rejoices with the truth.Love always protects, always trusts,always hopes, always perseveres.Love bears all things, believes all things,hopes all things, endures all things.Love never ends. LOVE NEAR FAILS.... This community showed the world what only we can do if we have Christ in our lives---we can forgive the unforgivable. This week America saw the face of God. They have clearly "got it"--none of what we do on earth is about us---it truly is all about Him...I know for myself that I am challenged by them to represent my God just little better, to be just a little more forgiving, and to show his love just a little more. If we all did this, wow, what a world we'd have!!!

THANK YOU, ANDI....

Now don't let her size fool you...she's about 38 inches tall and weighs in somewhere around 30 lbs....She's kinda a strawberry blonde and has a spark in her eyes that is very noticable!!!! In fact, let's just say its in both eyes!!! Who is this miniaure person???...Andi , of course...Now, I've heard about her (ok, braggings about her , is more like it!!!) for almost 2 years plus the nine months her mom carried her, from her "GRANDMA" Connie, and everything she's ever said about her is true and so much more...Look out world, you are going to know who Andi is..She will make her mark, trust me...she won't be living in our world, she'll be running it!!! She won't be just playing, she will be looking for adventure...Andi won't ever be driven anywhere, she'll be doing the driving, even if the wheels not attached to her hands and even at the very young age of two...She has her Moms beauty, her personality is definitely chipped off our Daddy, her need to constantly be moving around comes from you, Grandma Connie (its true!!) and I predict she'll be her Grandpa Randy's sidekick in about 1 year...yes, I can see it coming...I've seen the pictures and I''ve spent 6 or 7 hours with her, and she'll be driving Randy around in the mule on the family property.She won't be talking to those cute trees with faces at the casa, she'll be climbing them..She'll be herding the cows around, and probably leading her little cousin Adah on long walks at Casa de Belmont..They will get lost occassionally, but she'll never let anyone know she's sweating out anything..she'll be the one to inherit her grandpa's love of the outdoors, and dare i say she'll be his hunting buddy before your 1st grandson has a chance..(sorry Con, I call it like I see it!!!hahaha)..Randy, get ready, I promise, you'll be buying her, her first bebe gun in 3 years.....she's adorable, she's spunky (I like spunky), she's dainty with a tad of enough tomboyish in her to just make her cute, she's adventurous, and above all she's got that independence that will open up many doors for her.....Thank you Andi, for letting me spend your 2nd birthday with you...Connie's right, there can be nothing that matches being a grandparent...Now I know why your Grandma Connie and Grandpa Randy love you so much, they can't help it, even i fell under your spell.....You go girl!!!!!!

WELCOME HOME, JIM.....

I turned the corner into the arrival area of the airport and the first thing I see is a recognizable figure (no pun intended here). I'd recognize him anywhere!!!! It's been 29 years and I still get butterflies in my stomach when I see my Jim, especially after he's been gone awhile...a week is good ( just enough time to make me remember why i married him in the first place), anything more is way too long (sort of like, i realize how spoiled he's made he, and i love it, thank you very much!!!)...Jim's been away doing 2 weeks military duty and i hope this is it for awhile, but I doubt it...I'll enjoy him while I've got him....He came home and realized just how much he is needed ( I like to make him feel good you know)...the trash needed to be taken out, groceries needed to be bought(hey, he's the one who wants to go, don't look at me that way!!!), the water cooler was empty (uhh, HELLLOOOO,its too heavy for me and i'm a queen!!), and he realized that my talking to myself was not mentally healthy!!!!hahaha!!!!! After a quick how was your trip, how was life going here, he took me to lunch and a quick trip to Michaels...ahhh, an enabler to both my weaknesses...Now maybe thats part of the reason he still gives me butterflies!!!! Bad news for me was I had to go to work, good news for him---he got to go home and get prepared for the reintroduction of life at home...gotta love it!!!!!

HIS NAME IS RALPHIE..............

OK, we've all seen them....the kids that are doing a balancing act to keep their pants on..I know you've seen them...They are the ones who wear printed underwear(boxers , no doubt), no belt, and their pants hang about 12 inches below their waist. The pockets of their pants are literally at their knees...Yeah, see I told you, you've seen them...Well, I have finally figured out how they keep their pants on..just when I figured it out, one of the magazine news shows did a report on them also and observed exactly the same thing..I have been watching one person in particular and his name is Ralphie and have I had an education this summer,hahaha..Now here's the secret.It's in the knees..yes, the knees....Its all about balance and coordination. These kids turn their knees out a certain way and are slightly bent and they are just balanced on. That's it!!!! Now along with this balancing of the pants goes a whole other language, one set apart from any other. It seems they walk hand in hand....they throw their head slightly back, and to the left. Their eyes are only opened slightly. Then there's this arm thing going on where they extend from side to side and hands are pointed upwarded and then out from their mouths comes, yeah thats it, you've heard it!!!----"WASSUP"..I have to admit that I have probalby given way too much thought than anyway should to this, but hey, if a news magazine does a show on it, I can't be alone in my wonderings. hahahah!!!! so, 'WASSUP, RALPHIE!!'

ROAD TRIP, ROAD TRIP.....

Well, its been quite a while since I have hit the road...Jim leaves for 2 weeks of "play Army", so I am headed out of town for 4 days...where am I going? REally, come on you know, right?.....to Connie's!!!! Where else? I mean she treats me like the queen that I am, Randy lets us play in the scraproom, and its the best B&B this side of San Antonio...We will scrapbook and make cards all weekend, with the exception of Sat where I get to be a guest at Andi Mercer's 2nd birthday...wow, how did I rate that!!!!Note to STeve: please note that you went to school with Andi's dad and he has a 2 year old child.hmmmmph...anyway,don't want to make a big deal out of it, just want to point it out in case you haven't realized how long its been!!Please feel no pressure coming from me,hehehe...now back to the trip... A friend from work and I are traveling together, she is headed to go see her sister in nearby Austin....I am waving at you Edna!!!! Over here...she wants to leave at 5 (I am anxious to go but not that anxious,know what I mean???hahaha), but we are going to take off at 6. I would hate to get to Con's before she rolls out of bed...oops....sorry, Con, did I just let your "little secret" out of the bag? bwahahahahaha, not to worry, no one reads this blog anyway..ehehehe.....i will try to finally post some pics of our trip on here if i can ever figure it out(I am not really a computer guru, you know, but really a basic picture should be doable, yes?)Well, haven't been blogging much lately, but need to get started again soon... Well, I am off to get my stamps together............

9-11-2001

9-11-01 Those numbers represent a day like no other. They bring with it a vision like many of us have never seen before and one we will never forget. We all know where we were, who we were with and what we felt from the very moment we saw that plane hit the first twin tower. I saw America feeling vulnerable for the first time in my lifetime. I saw Americans in tears, on their knees looking to someone greater than themselves, helping one another, dying for their neighbor, it brought unity. Ironically, it was also one of America's finest moments. 9-11 changed our lives forever. It brought with it a new respect for our country, and many of its leaders, that our flag really did represent something, and a very real realization that we really weren't promised tomorrow. Life as we knew it was over. We had just realized something so horrific and couldn't believe that it happened on our soil. We witnessed something many people in other countries live through day after day. We saw the face of hate and what it brings. 9-11 brought a change to our military. Many of us sent loved ones to a foreign country within months to begin to put a stop to terrorism. Because of 9-11 we have buried hundreds of America's finest soldiers. We had a new found pride in those who served and represented us. On the fifth anniversary of 9-11, I didn't want to relive those moments..they are embedded in my memory forever. Instead, I chose to thank God for all the years He's had his hand upon our country. I realized that God could have stopped that day and we could have carried on. I can also see that as we wept that day, that God also wept. He not only wept for His children that were lost, but for the realization that so many of His other children were crying out to him, some for the very first time. Has America not realized it's been the hand of God all these years that has protected this country? My hope and prayer for America, is that as many of us remember 9-11 that we never forget our horror and feelings and realize where our comfort and our hope came from that day and the one who carried us through it all. Ironically, the source has always been and will always be from the one and only true God. May we never forget 9-11 but always look to the comforter of that day...........

TOXIC PEOPLE.....

Why is it people can't take no for an answer? I mean what part of "we love you but can't have you in our lives" don't they undersand. Here we are 5 years later and having to deal once again with one of the biggest heartaches in our married lives all over again ...Well, Jim is having to deal with itI should say. I personally have no problem washing my hands of people who continually demonstrate bad and toxic behavior, but Jim does..Wasn't it enough to leave and know you had just been in the presence of the biggest manipulator and liar you had ever encountered? Worse when your blood runs through their veins also. Unfortunately, these people love to prey on his sensitive side (to which that is one of Jim's biggest attributes). I have personally been at the crossroads and been hit by the speeding car many times...As I tell him, after you get run over so many times, you know not to go to that intersection again or even put your foot on the road...But Jim has made stipulations this time, good for him, cause now maybe we won't have to deal with "this" person afterall. Humility isn't one of "Mr Toxic"" strongest suits afterall.... I especially dislike when "someone" says "we're all getting older" only to answer back after Jim expresses his concerns with "well if you can live with it"...ughhhh, isn't it great , well whatever i won't even go there!!!! Yeah, I can live with it and yes we are getting older, thats even more a reason , i have high pressure, I don't need the stress!!!! Do they not feel their are consequences to their actions, that their behavior can continue as long as they say I'm sorry...Well, one thing, you have to mean it!!!! Now, why do I blog this? Because this is my little escape on the net and noone but friends has this site and will love me anyway,warts and all,hahaha!!! And most of you know what its all about anyway and i wanted to get it off my chest.....thats why...oh well, now i must move on....ok, i am off to get things ready for the week..don't forget to hang and fly your flags tomorrow.....

WHAT'S THIS LIST ABOUT??

THE LIST:

*empty gum wrappers (x4 wadded up, one with chewed up gum in it)
*47 cents in change
*grocery list (whose is this???I don't shop!!)
*baby picture of Deven (he's a couple days old, note to self: the kid is 8 months old, ask mother for updated picture...also, tell Kathleen I can't be expected to not show favoritism if she doesn't at least share a pic of Jayden..
*my dependent military ID card(another note to self: it expires this month, update)
*my wallet, brown leather(why are the contents all dumped in my purse)
*2 pens, now thats where my grape flavored pen is, yes that is what i said, grape flavored..
*stickers of giraffes (was going to give these to my special kids at work)
*lipstick
*tweezers (that's where they were)
*bandaid
*sunglasses
*cell phone bill from fe(what???? thank goodness it was paid!!)
*a pair of Jim's glasses (he has these cheap $2 glasses spread out all over the house and car and apparently in my purse!!
*mirror (ahhh still not broken)
*pictures
*a small piece of paper with the number 47 on it..got this at Dr. Vargas office to tell me what number i was...
*my WW journal, boy have I backslid on this special project.dont' think i'll read tonight...
*key, not sure what this is to??
*empty checkbook...
*2 single dollar bills(wow, i am not broke after all)
*contacts (well they were contacts, they are all dried up now, bummer)
*starburst (no red ones, they are my favorites)
*jim's ako email addy and password (gee thats secure)
*the top of nice and easy with the perfect color for me on it...which reminds me, i am due a coloring....

So what is this list all about????Well, since my surgery in April, I have not carried a purse..I know, I've returned to work and everything and just carry a tube of lipstick with me..thats it!! It's worked great until recently..i am getting out more and most of my clothes do not have pockets so unfortunately if someone requests the pleasure of my company and Jim is not around, well, sorry, but guess who doens't pay!!!This is not intentional, I just got used to being without that bag..i didn't really need it at the hospital and was home for so long i got to where i enjoyed being without it...besides, a queen always has someone around to carry her things don'tcha know??? hahaha
Well, I am getting this purse cleaned out and my contents under control and under 2 lbs cuz , well just cuz i'm a girl and thats a girl rule....The one thing that wasn't in my purse is my Driver License...this is in storage somewhere awaiting an arrival time from Iraq...Yep that DL went to Iraq and back, don't ask...other than Jim had it to make a deposit, not sure why he needed my dl oh well...I know, I know, but really how many times do we really get stopped....watch me get stopped in a few minutes when i head out the door....well, thanks for sharing this horrible ordeal with me, and next time you see me feel free to ask me to lunch, my treat!!!!

JUST A LITTLE TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE!!!!

PETS.....wow, they bring so much to our lives, don't they? I've been contemplating on getting a new kitty or puppy. Our last pet Sidney was with us for 15 years...We have so many memories of Sid and miss him so much. He was put to sleep about a year ago due to old illnesses and it was one of the hardest things we've ever had to do...this got Jim and I to "remembering" some of our special pets from our 28 year marriage...Over the next few days, because it will take more than one blog, sorry, change channels if you aren't interested in going down memory lane with us, but its my page and I can write what I want..haha...but we have had some great pets....
I am really wanting a new pet and not a fish...fish and I don't do well. They either die from me not knowing what they need or some trip comes up and I am forced to flush them into that big fish tank in the ground...oh, stop it....everyone has flushed a fish at one time or another...and please, do not report me to any animal advocacy group because I'll delete my message and "never remember" writing it..two can play your game..haha.....I wasn't ready to fill Sidney's place in our family because he was irreplaceable and to be honest, since he's been gone, my allergies (except for today, something is going on in the world) are almost non existent, but it almost seems non American to not have a pet...Everyone needs a pet...well, Jim says no, but we'll see!!!!
Anyway, sit back, because over the next few days I am going to introduce you to Max, Elsaphant and Chicken (you'll love this one), Precious (aka as percious, you'll see why!!), Herman, Bandit, Mortimer,Shelby and, of course, our beloved Sidney. When this introduction into our family album is over, you'll either think we have no minds, or have a very strong opinion of whether or not we should be allowed to have pets..hahaha..in our defense, most of these pets were "Steve's" during his growing up years so I can't really take any credit to their names or what they brought into our lives...

Quick update on Jayden our newest nephew..he is in the hospital and is very anemic and has jaundice...Please pray for our little man and his parents, Kathleen and JP...It is hard enough being new parents but especially hard to face something like this when they are so little....

EVER BEEN TICKED OFF AT SOMEONE YOU DIDN'T PERSONALLY KNOW?

Well, I am!!!! Ok, I've had it with these hot flashes.........I wish God would give me just five minutes with Eve, thats all I would need..I would not only represent myself, but every woman over the age of 45 for years past and in the future...I am so ticked at her and Adam...Why couldn't he keep his woman under control...who'd of thought men had the same problems then as our husbands have now....Here we are thousands of years later still paying for that bite of apple....ughhhhhhhhhh ...I hope it was worth it, EEEEVVVVVVVVEEEEE, I really do, because I am having a hard time forgiving you for that bite... you had so many choices, girl, why the apples of all things. They aren't even that great....I can't get the a/c down any further than it is and a girl can only take off so much without grossing everyone out, well, at least at my house.....I now sleep with not only the a/c going, but the ceiling fan and a big fan directed right at me...its only 2 feet away from my bed..The only thing left to do would be to have Jim duct tape me to a fan blade and hit the switch. hmmm, maybe I've got something here...This has me thinking, no never mind, Jim would never get me down, he'd leave me up there...I can see it now, my life spent spinning around out of control...Jim goes to bed and sleeps straight through..not hot at all....I hit the sack, toss and turn, lay there awake, kick the sheets off(I won't gross you out further with all the gory details), sit up, lay down, and just get to sleep, when the alarm goes off..Again, thanks Eve...you really tick me off....

WHERE'S MY TIARA WHEN I REALLY NEED IT!!!

Ever heard the phrase, "housework makes you ugly"? That phrase is the #1 reason I hate housework..I hate very few things in life, but this type of work, is, well to say the least, ughhhhhhhh....I have spent most of my only day off this week knee deep in the stuff...It's true, it does make you ugly...I was cleaning out my lunchbox from 2 days ago, ughhhh, should have rinsed that thing out before I left work,,,I had cereal that day (I'm on a bran kick right now,haha)...I know my nose scruntched way up and i had wrinkles all over my face...Then there's bathroom duty...What's worse...Its not that it looks bad, but just the thoughts of what goes on in there, well lets just say, I had more wrinkles on my face and of course for some reason, I tend to just hold my breathe the whole time I'm working in there......I am doing laundry right now, and this is a little better.... Jim changed the sheets (chicken!!!) so at least thats over with....I am off to unload the dishwasher which brings me to another thought....Why aren't kitchen's built with 2 dishwashers..Really, who likes to unload the thing? It makes much more sense to load one, wash, take from that, and then keep the other one to reload as you use...a win, win , situation...Jim says thats laziness, I say, its common sense!!!hahaha.....Again, a man, must have been the inspirations of kitchen musts, don'tcha think? I have to vacum, and dust before I can finally sit down to play and work on Kat's birth announcements.....yeah, there are a lot of wrinkles going on on this face today and I'm wondering why I didn't do a little of this at a time...In case you are wondering why I am doing housework these days? Jim figured he did way too much while I was healing after surgery and he just isn't quite as helpful these days as he was before....urghhhhhhhhh...At least he does still do quite a lot more than most males, for that I am thankful....Well off to unload that dishwasher and thaw something for dinner....I know, oh great, just get the kitchen all under control, only to mess it up again...I feel a headache coming on, maybe a migrane, you think that will get me out of some work around here?hahaha...and another thought, if I'm the queen around here, why am I doing all the work, shouldn't I have a maid or something? OH, well, guess the jewels fell off the tiara.....hahaha!!! till tomorrow...

Have I mentioned I have a new hobby?

OK, its not a full blown hobby yet....I have a friend, who shared her new interest to me and it caught me off guard...you all know I scrapbook and love it...well, i've started collecting (gasp, please don't tell Jim I have started hiding my stash,hahaha) stamps (I secretly collect many different things....I need a 12 step program with help to stop)...you know the rubber ones...once again, it's someone else's fault---again, it's Connie's...sorry , Con, got to tell it like it is...I know she didn't actually twist my arm to get into this, but she ought to know (we both have these creative veins that overflow in our bodies) that what we like, the other likes...I don't know if it can really be said that we enable each other, but it happened...I know..I know...I repent, about the hiding of stuff, that is..sorry, Jim, I sort of mean it, I think....well, anyway, back to the stamping..I have played around and come up with the most darling birth announcements...Why would a 47 y/o need a birth announcement? Haven't you been keeping up with my blog? Come on, Jayden is here....hahaha...
Ok, I go through these different stages every few years or so and dabble in a little of this and a little of that, this is just next on the list (psst....I am taking up jewelry making in Aug,--and so what if I don't wear any? Who cares, it'll probably end up under your Christmas tree, just smile and say thank you!! like your mom taught you to do?)..Once again, back to all my creative interests...I have a really great family who will smile (sometimes forceable, but supportive, come on , you know who you are, M-I-N-E-R-V-A), and they will all accept my little gifts with gratitude.. why do I bring all this up...well, when you figure that out, please let me know..haha..KIDDING.....I am off tomorrow and I am making a couple dozen birth announcements to send to our friends and family to announce Jayden's arrival....I don't know if you can tell or not.......SANDI LOVES BEING AN AUNT.....so, when I get them done i'll scan so you all can see how cute they turned out...I have never done anything like this but it is way too fun and you all know I love to have fun....................................

Oops, quick update..Jayden is going home tomorrow.....Kathleen and JP have the most darling little room all put together in their new house...I can't wait to go visit when they get there...and yes, I get to go right over...I'm the aunt, thats why????????

WELCOME TO OUR WORLD, JAYDEN...

Weighing in at 6 lbs., 3 oz, Jayden James De La Rosa joined our family in person tonight at 7:40 p.m. We have literally been waiting on him since May. He was 4 weeks early, but we just knew he'd be here by the end of May, then we thought anytime in June, and were surprised he didn't show up last night...Thanks Kat, I hardly slept,haha!!!......But, he came, and we are all in love with this little man. My niece, Kathleen gave us more drama in the past 8 months than we had seen in quite sometime, but true to form, she did it all in style and on her terms,haha...Sorry, Kat, just had to throw that in there and share it with 10,000 of my closest friends..lol....Mom Kathleen and Dad JP are doing great, though Kathleen looked really tired when we left...I sure hope she gets some good rest tonight....I asked her if she slept any last night and she grinned and said they gave her something to sleep...I'm glad she got some good rest, because the next 18 years plus are going to be full...Now I really believe that we do get back a little of what we gave ( God has a terrific sense of humor you know), so I am especially going to be watching this household with some interest. Not that our little Kathleen was a problem child but does the term drama queen give you any hints on whats to come? hahaha...Minerva, for your sake, I hope she gets just an ounce of it. Not too much , but enough to make us smile and reminisce just a little bit..haha...now, back to Jayden. He was going to meet his little cousin Deven tonight after we all left. Now, in my mind, I have big plans for these boys..I see them growing up and going to grandma and granpa's to swim every weekend, I see them starting Kindergarten together and I really see Jayden looking out for Deven. Why not the other way around you ask? Jayden's dad is a boxer and I don't think anyone is going to mess with him, is that reason enough?..hahaha....I also see, Kathleen and Kristyne heading to elementary school to have those "special" conferences with the teachers several times a year( you know, the ones we all get to experience, where we go in smiling and really just want to hide in shame, that kind). I am prepared even at this moment to stick up for my grand-nephews---they didn't do it....I see baseball games, soccer, birthday parties. I can already see their faces when they learn to ride their bikes and then again when Grandpa, true to form, just like with Kathleen, pulls out that little dirt bike and teaches them ride. I can see them running in the fields chasing each other, dirty faces, and looks of ut oh on those faces. I see two boys, destined to be together, to be more than cousins, more than friends---best buds.....Our world became brighter when Deven was born but the rainbow has certainly been added today with Jayden. The legacy continues and this is what love is all about.......

ITS A GAIN!!!!!!

Well, its a sad day for me to have to report my failur today...Oh my gosh!! I gained 5 lbs over the weekend. I actually weighed in on Monday and had only gained 2 lbs..Well, I got brave and stepped on the scale again today and there was the extra 3 lbs gained...Well, I know, its embarrassing but it is my only gain since i started this weight loss process in March. And to my defense, it is my nieces fault, really. I hate pointing fingers but in this case I think its appropriate. She is due any moment now (with my grand-nephew, Jayden) and her shower was on Saturday....What does this have to do with my weight gain you ask? Well follow along and if you don't want to click the screen off and stay out of my site. Ok, back to Kat (that's my nieces' name aka Kathleen), she is the picky....stay with me here...I was in charge of ordering the cake for her shower...Kathleen wanted a "normal" cake (her words, I mean, what is normal?). Well, she defined that, like a cake we can make home but decoratedreally pretty like a bakery...ok, I had it..I knew just the person...stay with me here.....the cake was ordered, and was it beautiful and here's the problem. It was abnormally too delicious....I did save all my points for that day and of course those extra 35 bonus points but apparently I bonused myself the dessert table way too much..hahaha.....I mean 5 lbs? Thats like a big bag of flour...oh my goodness.....But if you had been there and seen the cake, i mean it just drew you in.....and then when you got in, you couldn't get out...it was great....no, i didn't stop the day of the shower...I went back to visit the next day....and no i didn't go for the cake...I do care about my nieces hahaha, i went to be with them....but there it was, reeling me in again..i ate 2 more pieces...and i admit, they were not small pieces.....How could something so beautiful be so destructive.....so now you know why its Kat's fault..if only we had gotten one of those yucky bakery cakes, I'd be in the minus today and not the plus....I am back on my program and hopefully it'll be gone by the weekend....i can only hope right?....anyway, Kat, I forgive you and please, can we not have a normal cake at the next shower??Thanks.....