December 30, 2005
December 29, 2005
*just looks at mom*
*flexes her muscles*
*smiles quietly and waits, watches, ready to protect and serve at the blink of an eye*
*glances left... glances right.. Barney Fyfe style*
*nods, satisfied that all is quiet on the Eastern Front*
*settles back, feet up on the table and keeps her ear out for any impending trouble*
*drums nails, waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting*
Ohh I once had a chicken but it wouldn't lay an egg..
so I poured hot water up and down its leg..
Oh the little chicky pleaded and the little chicky begged...
and the little chicky laid me a hard boiled egg!
All the little boys watched as I boiled up that egg,
They didn't want hot water up and down their legs...
They knew that I would do it, so they pleaded and they begged...
And..
*coughs* (sorry, can't think of a rhyme to go with that)
*snickers, still keeping a keen ear to the wind*
oh! Oh! OH!! More afghans from Jana!
Joel got to see his tonight, but I had used my camera today and ran the battery down, so I'll have to get a pic of him bundled up in it tomorrow. He just LOVED it.. called it his 'blankey'.. *laughs* that was precious, Jana, thank you so very much, you truly are something else! I love ya!
Mikyla and Mallory didn't come back tonight. I miss them terribly but they'll probably be here tomorrow.. I can't wait to see their faces when they see these afghans.. of their very own! Aren't these the prettiest things?!
They're so pretty I just.. hate the thoughts of them getting messed up, but since they were made especially for the little ones, I promise to just hush and let them enjoy them! Thank you again, Jana! That was so nice of you to do!
December 28, 2005
Shelly's Babies!
Aren't they all just beautiful!!!?
*beams as if she had something to do with it*
I love the pics, Shelly! Keep 'em coming!
Brenda's House
We went for a visit the day after Christmas.. I won't go into why, but we didn't get to go on Christmas day.. egads what a day that was, for all of us!
Anyway..
Brenda has told me several times over the past year about how she thinks her house is haunted.. how at about 10 p.m. her dog, Kallie, starts barking towards the kitchen door, at nothing, then turns and barks towards the living room...
I promise, I wasn't thinking about that at the time, we were just talking about family members, when I saw something glide.. float out of her kitchen. It was a gray, misty/smokey like oval shaped thing. It went straight towards the stairs and towards her dining room.
I hadn't much more told Brenda that I'd just seen something move out of her kitchen, when her dog went to barking. I looked at the clock, it was like 12 min's past 9 p.m.
My stomach lunged, the dog was barking like crazy towards the living room, and I just KNEW I was gonna get to see something cool.. I did, it was Amanda.. she'd come into the house and was what Kallie had been barking at. LOL..
Anyway, I took some pics through the house where I'd seen that shape move to - I was hoping to capture something good on my camera. I got some pictures of Brenda's beautiful house, but no ghosts.. well.. I did get a couple of nice orbs.. one right at Brenda's shoulder as we started to leave. That was cool!
We had a good time, thanks Brenda and James for having us over, and for putting up with my ghostly curiousity! I love ya!
The Kids Yesterday
Doesn't she look like the spooky ghost in "The Others"?
December 27, 2005
Day After Cookies
We didn't get to bake our cookies for Christmas dinner, and Mallory found my chocolate morsels Christmas night, and wanted to do it then. I was tired though and put her off until yesterday. First thing out of bed, that's what they wanted to do.. bake the cookies.. so that's what we did!
Ham, Anyone?
Here Sarah is, yet again, using my deplorable feeding net! *laughs* Maegan likes it!
December 26, 2005
Pics of Christmas Eve at Mom's...
The following links are to see video clips of Christmas Eve.. You'll need Quick Time to be able to see them!
Video of Santa With the Kids
Santa at the Nursing Home
I was so proud of Bonnie on Christmas Eve! We got there at about 2 o'clock I guess it was...and she was off but went with us to show us who those were we'd bought for, to help them open their things, and to help Santa carry the gifts to pass out.
We all have our picks, and the man in the pic above is Bonnie's. Apparantly she is his too because he scooted himself along behind her in his wheelchair back and forth, up and down the hall, talking to her the whole time, sparkling eyes, that gentle smile - talking to her the whole time. He wanted his pic taken with Santa, so I printed it out and am going to send it to him by Bonnie today.
One of the residents we bought for passed away 2 days before Christmas. This sweetheart moved into her room, and Santa couldn't resist giving her some gifts.
Bonnie, you amazed me. Watching those people follow you, hug on you, seeing their faces brighten when you went into their rooms - watching you love on them like they were your own flesh and blood, those kisses you sprinkled liberally on their foreheads, all those things made my heart swell and I stood there trying so hard not to cry, this goofy smile on my face, I can't tell you how seeing all that made me feel. I can say it sure did make me feel good. It made my Christmas. And when Mary's husband was telling me how good you were to her, to them, and how much he hated it when you had a day off, I just couldn't help it. I know I was beaming, BEAMING! *laughs*
I love you Bonnie, give yourself a pat on the back, you're doing a wonderful thing there. You're making a good difference in the lives of others, and I can't think of a better way than that, to live. I'm so proud of you I can't be still!
Granny said she is very proud of you too, and for me to let you know right here on this page! :)
December 25, 2005
Christmas Eve at Mom's
Oh it was so nice.. so so nice! Thanks for all the fantastic presents, and the food and the company, I had a really good time!
I have a ton of good pictures, but I won't have time to post them until tonight.. still, I wanted to let you know that I think this was the best Christmas ever!!
Thanks for everything, Mom! I love you!
Norad Santa Tracking
*laughs*
You have GOT to check this out. Too dang cool!
December 24, 2005
It's Christmas Eve!
I fell awake early, but that's ok, I need the extra time today. There's so much to do! I'm almost finished cleaning house, gonna go finish up today. My dinner tomorrow is at 1 so Bonnie can be here. She has to go to work at 3. But she's off today.
We have presents to deliver to the residents at the nursing home. Mom, Lisa, Brenda, Sarah & Roy Michael, and Bonnie you're wonderful! Thanks for all you've done to help give those people a good Christmas!
Mom's Christmas eve Chili dinner is at 7, and I've been looking forward to that for 364 days now! Only 15 and a half hours to goooooo!
Merry Christmas everyone!!!!
Wow!
My gas bill is usually around 130 bucks this time of year. Got it yesterday - THREE HUNDRED TWENTY EIGHT! I feel sorry for folks this year. We have a fireplace and have kept that baby burning during this cold spell.. so we didn't use much gas. What are people going to do who depend solely on gas or electric for heat? The bill that comes at the end of January is always the highest - if that's so, that one is going to cost us close to 600 dollars. Please remember to check in on the old people, whose social security checks don't even come to 600 a month, make sure they're not freezing to death out there..
December 23, 2005
Conversation with Joel..
Mammy: Joel, who is Santa?
Joel: God.
Mammy: Who is God?
Joel: Dippy.
*laughs*
He's something else!
Pics with the new Camera...
I love this thing! Now.. *coughs* I just have to learn how to use it!
December 22, 2005
Ugggh....
I'd comment, but to do so would probably just frig with my kharma.
*holds it in, practically choking on it*
uggghh...
December 20, 2005
Jillian Hart
is the author of a book Lisa gave me a while back, "Bluebonnet Bride". I've not read it, I'm not big on romance novels, but it's been on the book shelf since Lisa gave it to me. Last night, Mikyla asked me if she could get a book down to read. I told her no.. I said, Mikyla, those are books for grown ups, there are no pictures in them. Go get one of your story books out of the toy basket. She said, Mammy, I'm almost grown up now. I don't want a book with pictures, I want one like you read. So.. of course she ended up getting herself one of my books. Now, her being a kindergartener, I knew she'd not be able to read the book, but talk about surprised, I was sitting there pretending to be interested in the Sponge Bob Square Pants cartoon that Mallory was insisting I watch with her.. and Mikyla had sat down beside me, I assumed, pretending to be reading her book.
Suddenly she squealed with delight and pointed, excited and happy, "Mammy, look! Here's one of my read-a-day words!" She'd found the word 'that' in the book on one of the pages and recognized, and read it, and it thrilled her to do so. I was tickled too, I can't believe she can do that. It seems impossible! I told her to look, that I bet she'd find more words she knew, and she did.. then she closed the book and began to examine the cover.
"Mammy.. this is "J", "i", "l", "l", "i", "a", "n"..." too she spelled out the author's last name.. "H", "a", "r", "t".
Letter by letter, I had her sound out the 2 names. She did it too, and just beamed..
I think I need to put my books away. I think it wouldn't take much and this child would actually be reading them!
5 Days Left Until Christmas or...
4 More shopping Days until Christmas!
While I know it's going to take me 17 more days just to get my house tidy and ready for Christmas dinner, I'm excited about it. Dinner, not the cleaning.
I was just over at Lisa's having Thanksgiving dinner just yesterday, or so it seems and now Christmas is breathing down my neck. Is it just me or is time flying like this for everyone?
Part of me wants to invite my grandfather to Christmas dinner.. but another part of me thinks he'd be mean to one of my grandkids and that would just ruin the day. What to do, what to do? I'd sure enjoy his company if he could just be the man I knew back in 1980.
Lisa got mom's old Table and chairs, and we were over there the other night having some of her delicious pork roast and I looked around and thought about all the people who had sat at that table over the years, for Christmas dinners, summer lunches, so many memories attached to one piece of furniture. I looked over to Mamaw's spot and I could almost see her sitting there sipping an after dinner coffee. Next to her was Papaw, only he was smiling like he used to do, looking for someone to pick at. Those were the days.
For a second, I wished I had that table. I wished it was in my kitchen and I could put a velvet rope and pole around Mamaw's chair - you know, like they have in museums or in banks where they only want one customer to pass at a time.. to just protect Mamaw's place there. But I'm happy it's at Lisa's. It matches her house. And I couldn't possibly love it anymore than she does.
Yesterday, I was going through the China mom just gave me, and that same sweet nostalgia hit me again. Everyone in the family has eaten from those plates at one meal or another. I don't need a velvet rope for them, I just washed them (tho they didn't need washed, but washing them made them feel like mine) and I put them into the china cabinet. As much as I love my Currier and Ives, these have so much more meaning behind them. The Currier and Ives have gone into the bottom of the cabinet and these mom just gave me are behind the glass. Thanks mom, I will treasure these forever! I can't believe you gave me the glass candles too, I LOVE those candles!!
I wonder...
...what photos of the girls wearing the Maid of Honor dresses I bought for Bonnie's wededing would look like? By the Christmas Tree. Surrounded by presents. I think I'll try it when my camera gets here.
Mom bought all 3 girls the prettiest dresses to wear for Christmas.. the tops of all of them are black, but the skirt parts are different on all 3 dresses. They're gonna look terrific in them, with their matching black patent leather shoes!
I...am...getting...camera withdrawal. Maybe it'll get here today. Tho it says it will arrive on the 22 on the tracking page. I...don't...know...if...I...can...make...it...2...more...days..
*laughs at her spoiled ol' self!*
MoooOooooOOom!
I wish you'd get online, it's past 6 already! Where are youuuuuuuu?!
Tentatively Knocks on Wood...
No one is sick at the moment. I have a slight cough, the remnants of a cold, but otherwise, no one is sick right now! Please, PLEASE let us all stay this way for a while!!
Mom's Kitchen Table
Is drop dead gorgeous! I can't wait to get my camera so I can show ya! BEEYOOTIFUL!! Way to go, Mom!!!
It's In Transit!
My Mavica finally passed away.. so I'm getting a new digital camera. It's my Christmas present! The photos here on my site for the past month were taken with my uncle's camera, which he was so kind to lend to me - but I took it back to him a couple of nights ago after ordering this one. I'm hoping they use it and send me pics of the family so I can post them here too once in a while. Hint, Hint, Shelly - take some Christmas pics for me!!
Maegan is an Absolute Joy..
That baby doesn't cry at all unless she's uncomfortable. Feed her, change her, keep her clothes dry.. and she's the happiest camper on earth. Smiling all the time.. She's almost 5 months old and she's starting to notice everything! Her hands, her feet, her eyes take in everything, so seriously.. I'm positive she's surveying everything, planning, getting ready for the day she has absolute control over her muscles and bones. I've said it several times but I'll say it again - I'm certain that the youngin is just biding her time.
She had a ball with a helium balloon yesterday. We gave her the ribbon that the balloon was tied to so that she could move the balloon around herself, and that kept her entertained for a good 30 minutes. I never heard such delighted giggles by a baby that small in all my life, nor such sounds of pained denial when the ribbon slipped from her hand, which continued until we gave the balloon back to her!
I'm almost sure.. *shivers* ...that she's going to be just like Mikyla... to the 7th power!
I snuckered Sarah! Or..did I?
I kept the girls 2 nights in a row! All 3 of 'em! *laughs* And we had big fun! I didn't really snucker her - the first night was mine legally, she brought them to me, but last night I didn't know she wanted them home to put up their tree, so I didn't take them home.
She didn't call me, and she didn't come get them before Roy went to work so naturally, ohhh naturally I seized the day..um night! By the time I got on the computer last night to find out she wanted them home, they were in bed almost asleep. LOL.. Sorry Sarah, I'm not sure if I'm the snuckerer or the snuckeree!
In any case, they're ready and all fired up to come home this morning to get their tree up and ready for Santa, whom, Mikyla is concerned, isn't going to come to her house Christmas Eve, because, she further informed me last night, she and Mallory have been fighting an awful lot this past year...
The Patriot Act...
When the Prez slid this pretty little package to us a few years ago, I remember blinking and talking to Bonnie about it. Wow, this means, if the govt. wants to, they can come into our homes any time, without a warrant and have a look around. They can listen to our phone conversations and there's nothing we can do about it.. I remember telling her I didn't like the Patriot Act, and further I didn't like it's name, which sounded like nothing more than trickery to me.
Bonnie too thought it was bunk, but when we voiced concerns with others about it, most were similar in response...'I have nothing to hide.', 'I'd rather lose a few freedoms now rather than lose more lives in terrorist attacks.' 'Oh they'll use it responsibly, no worries!' My favorite response was from Mom, 'The democrats aren't going to let this get out of hand...' That did ease my mind because I knew she was right.
It was like we were talking to people with boulders for minds - downright immoveable. Quickly enough, though I think irresponsibly, we stopped trying to talk about this bill to others and began replying in kind when it was mentioned, "We'd rather lose some freedoms now as more lives later..."
"Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely"
You just don't give one man that much authority, and you don't just let him 'take' it either.
How could anyone think that this act could be placed into law, and not be used - much less not be used corruptly, eventually? And what has me even more baffled, is why are folks so upset about it now as opposed to when it first passed?
In any case, thank goodness, someone out there's paying attention!
December 17, 2005
Ugh! 2 Preachy posts...
...in a row.. how ...naggy! So I thought I'd lighten up and leave something sweet.
Doesn't these pics just make your teeth ache?
*laughs*
I do so love Christmas! I do so love Santa! I do so love Christmas shopping and Christmas dinner, and Family get togethers and the kids singing and presents under the tree, and presents for me.. and presents for me, and presents for me, and presents for meeeeeeeeeee...
Santa made a few rounds tonight to check his Christmas list... Everyone seemed to enjoy him but for Acey, who just seemed flat unsure. Anyway, enjoy the pics, and be safe.. g'nite world!
Veterans
From the war of life. These folks are sick, old, tired, infirm - they're the elderly at the nursing homes throughout the United States. These old souls sit there daily, still living their lives, still pushing on. It's amazing. They're amazing.
I just read something about how this time of year brings out suicidal tendancies in a lot of folks, and perhaps it does. That's food for thought alright. Thinking about this evening, these old people who are still right there, most with families, but a large amount who have absolutely no one but the caretakers at the home... they did it. They made it. They didn't give up and take the easy way out. They're still not taking the easy way out. These tough old folks deserve medals!
Yes, it's a stressful, hard time.. the Holiday season. It's difficult for all of us. Whether we're happy or depressed, there are aspects that can bring all of us down if we dwell on them.
I always tried to empathize with people who were so lost that they thought the only way out was for them to die.. I thought, wow, they just must have felt they had no one, and no reason to go on. I wish those who are thinking those thoughts could have been with me this evening.
I wish they could have seen the light in the eyes of those elderly people when they saw "Santa" tonight. I wish they could have seen how many of those elderly people are totally alone, having outlived everyone they were ever close to in this world. I wish they could know that just a hug, a phone call, a visit once a week from them, to some of these forgotten-by-society people, would make all the difference in the world.. both to themselves, and those who live their lives in these nursing homes.
I wonder if they realize how much they have to offer, how much they're needed and how would it change their lives, and the gloom of the Holidays for them - if they'd only look at others, and forget their own problems and needs and addictions for a time.
These old people smiled and waved and nodded to Santa, some with missing fingers, one with missing legs, some could barely move their hands from their beds, but managed a weak wave for the white bearded man, bearing sugar-free Starlight mints, and Candy Canes - the man who hadn't forgotten them.
When we first went in, I didn't know what to expect. I know old folks can be pretty dang mean when they want to. I figured they'd throw fruit at Santa, run him off, duck back into their safe places in their minds, ignoring this holiday do-gooder.. but wow, I couldn't believe the reception Santa got from every one of them. EVERY ONE OF THEM.
One woman tried so so so very hard to wake up. She shook her head and her eyelids fluttered, and she just kept whispering, "I can't wake up, I can't wake up!" But she knew something special was happening. She tried. Santa left her some candy on her bedside table. She whispered "Merry Christmas, Santa." to him as he moved from her bedside.
To those out there who have given up, who are sitting there, alone, whiskey in one hand, a pistol in the other - the only thing on their minds, getting out of this life.. before you do it... get up, go.. go out to the nursing homes, or the hospitals, please, do this one thing before you do your last thing. Go and see some of these people who have so much need, SO much need, yet still carry on. There's so much you can do to make a good difference in this world, instead of leaving such a bleak memorial to your lives.
For one day, just give yourself to them. What difference could it possibly matter to you, since you've given up on yourselves anyway. One day. Get out there and see what a difference your life makes in the lives of others who truly and really need you. Get one hug from someone who hasn't been hugged in so long they've forgotten how damned good it feels. One genuine smile from someone who is just tickled to death that you stopped by to visit for a moment. I think you would most probably change your mind, put away the whiskey and lay down those guns.
December 14, 2005
When You're A Mother..
You have to be so careful. Even at your very best, you never know how your kids are going to turn out. What seems like a small, insignificant thing can grow to huge proportions later in life.. you'll have a little memory clip of that moment, and you'll wonder.. oh my God, when that happened, did it hurt my child?
You'll wave off something that's troubling and say oh they're too little to remember.. but when you're older, you come to realize, sweet Jesus, they did remember.. and then you think, wow, I'm so ashamed.
It seems like when you're a young parent, you know everything.. but when you get older and look back, you can see every mistake. Every single one. My advice to young mothers.. try your best, your very best not to make them. Because it's not just your kids who pay.. believe me, it's you. And you pay in spades. Little eyes are watching you when you don't even realize they are. No one's perfect. I've heard that said. But when you're a mother... you're expected to be as close to perfect as possible.
Little people feel embarrassment, disappointment, shame, all the same ugly feelings big people feel, the only difference is that they turn it into "me". To them, they're the reasons for all the ugly feelings. What kind of mom would want to do that to her children? Not many, not intentionally, anyway. Try to remember that they're little sponges. ABC's aren't the only things they absorb.
Sometimes as a young mother, you get caught up in other things. Your life, your needs and desires, and sometimes it's easy to forget what your child needs. It's so easy to justify the things you do by saying, they won't know, they won't remember, they'll understand some day, it's just this once, we always have tomorrow.. maybe you think someone else is there to pull up the slack. Maybe you think this emotional or physical absense is okay because someone else is there. Just this once, it'll be okay.. oh just this one time.. I'm here to tell you, it's not okay. It's not okay at all.
The person you think is picking up the slack is wonderful. Thank God for them. But your children need you. Not a sub. Not a fraction of you, not you for a day.. but you. There will never be a day that your little ones don't need you.
When you're older. you see and can count the times you weren't there.. or you were only partially there. Lord, let me promise you, your kids will move on, but there are moments you're going to live over and over again.. and regret, over and over again. Your children will remember, but you will dwell on them.
You can't give them material things? In this day and age, why not? They don't need the best money can by, not by a long shot, but they do need things. You can't give them Christmas? Why not? Christmas has been coming for 364 days since the last one. Your husband died? You can't find work... You're a mother. Perform a miracle. Even a small one will do, but for heaven's sakes, you'd better at least put forth your best effort. Three little letters. TRY.
Excuses won't cut it. "My man has beaten me down so far I can't get up. I don't want to try. I don't want to get up. I can't do it. I can't make it, I.. I.. I."
Life has dealt me a bad hand, I don't have the money, I don't have the drive, I don't have the desire... I'm too depressed.. Enough with the "I's" already. You've had your turn, things haven't worked out. Now it's their turn. It's not "I" anymore, it's "them". You made them... now you have to do your best to take care of them. In all aspects. Emotionally, and physically.
My dad says.. "Never do something you have to look over a coffin and regret." That's very wise. Treat everyone decently. You never know. Yes, Gramma Edna on Hubby's dad's side, Yes, cousin Jimbo on Mother in law's mother's side. Everyone. But while you're treating those people decently, don't forget to stop and look at your own children. Have you treated them decently? Have you let them know you love them, or have you been behaving in a way that puts dread into their hearts?
I don't care how young you are, or how old you are. If you're a mother, you've signed on to the most important job you'll ever have. There are no days off. If you've spread those legs, and you've had a child, you and you alone have to see to it that those children you made are taken care of.
What about dad? Yes, dad's important. You're salt and he's the pepper. Dads will be there. Most of them. Dads try. Dads love. Dads are a different breed. Some fathers can love and raise a child that will be healthier and more whole than some raised by wonderfully loving mothers. But dads aren't moms. Remember that when there's a split up, dad's usually go their own way. The children are for the most part left with "mom". So if you make one. Prepare to take care of it. Don't sit there flopping your mouth about how daddy just doesn't do enough. Don't expect it, and you won't have to cry and go on about how you just can't cope alone. You knew that possibility existed when you laid down and had the baby.
And women don't think for a New York minute that you can just toss your child anything and it'll be ok. It's not okay. Just barely doesn't cut it. Anything will do in a pinch, won't cut it. Any old coat won't cut it. Any old meal won't cut it. In everything you do, do the BEST that you can do, anything less just won't cut it. It's insulting. Insulting to the kids, and insulting to yourself. Just you won't realize that until you're older.
Men, before you grab a woman and make a baby with her, remember.. You'd better be damned good and sure she's worth her salt, that she has a good backbone, a hefty dose of common sense, she knows how to laugh, that she's not afraid of hard work, and that she's tenacious. You don't want one who's going to give up at halftime. If she's self serving and egotistical, toss her back. Get one who is going to be a good mother to your kids. You will never know hell, until you have a child by a mother who isn't any count.
If you're a mother, and you read this and scratch your head wondering where on earth this came from... let me just say that the little ones aren't the only ones who are watching. If you're feeling guilty and this post irks you as accusatory, or it gives you an itch to smack me, maybe you better sit back and re-evaluate yourself and your priorities. Because mothers who read this who have tried to be good mothers are sitting there nodding and smilling, rooting for me for having the guts to voice this - "yes, you go, girl! you tell them! You tell them! Those of you that this pisses off.. you have something to think about. You must be slacking in some way.
Everyone sees. Just most don't comment. I'm too opinionated for my own bitchy good. I watch the news. I read the paper. I see you on the streets and in the stores. We all do. Yes. Get paranoid. Your children are watching you. Everyone is watching you. Now shit or get off the pot.
Those little ones aren't going to be little forever. They're not going to 'need' you forever. They're not going to be pushed aside by you for all those other more important things, forever. They're not going to smile and pretend to understand forever. They grow up faster than you think.
They're the ones who are going to choose your nursing home when you're old.
December 13, 2005
Tookie Williams Is Dead
First of all, to his family, and all those people who were protesting the execution, I'm sorry your "Tookie" did what he did that lead to his death.
I feel bad for the pain, that he brought to you when he callously committed his murders, one of which, he laughed after, then described how his victim gurgled as he died. He wasn't a very nice person to cause you all so much grief. Shame on him!
I don't, however, feel bad that those people that he murdered have had their justice. I don't feel bad that this man died. I feel bad that he was stupid and mean enough to make the choices that lead to his demise. But don't get me wrong, I don't feel bad for him.. I feel bad for his victims, that he was stupid and mean enough to do what he did to lead to his death.
What seems to be forgotten here, isn't the families he destroyed, every day those people are remembered by those who knew and loved them - what's forgotten by the protesters seems to be the fact that this man committed a crime which lead to his own death.
If he wanted to kill someone.. why didn't he do it in one of those states that don't have the death penalty? They could have kept him alive, comfy and cozy for another 20, maybe 30 years. He didn't.. so he chose the end he got by doing what he did where he did it.
Tookie Williams wasn't murdered today. The fool killed himself. It just took him over 26 years to die.
December 12, 2005
Shelly!
It was SO nice to see you tonight, I loved that! I hope we can do it again soon!
An Orb at Nick's Party...
It was on his ear, and in another shot over by the china cabinet, and in another back behind him but above him in the kitchen. I think ever who it was wanted to watch him open his birthday presents.. Cool, huh!
The Statue
Mallory ran outside before the rest of us did, after Nick's birthday party today...and once out there, she grabbed a red bow and stuck under her chin...and stood there stock still, wanting us to "see" a christmas decoration..a statue, instead of her.. She stood there for a good 10 minutes before finally laughing and letting me know it was "her" so I could stop searching for her. She didn't move a muscle!
December 11, 2005
Shopping Tonight..
We went to Middlesboro to Walmart, the plan was to get our Christmas Ham and Turkey, and Nick's birthday gifts.
Mikyla and Mallory were with us, and Mik told us that she wasn't feeling good.. we found out just how bad she felt over in housewares, when she threw up all over the place. Bleah!
We didn't get most of what we went for, but we did get Mallory a nightgown and a pair of pajamas with feet, a nightgown for Mikyla, candy for them, some christmas dishes for me, and a grate for the fireplace.
Ah well.. that just means we have to go back again tomorrow!
*laughs* For Shelly...
From this sick puppy.
The dead pool is this bet thing.. you register for it on rotten.com - and then you go through a list of famous people there, and you pick 10 of them, and then you sit and wait to see how many on your list die within a year.
*coughs*
I had 4 winners (?!) of my 10, the pope and prince ranier, but sarah told me to delete them and add 2 more since they were dead, so i did, and the blasted site took my 2 points away, so now I just have 2.
If you want to play click here:
Since they took my two, I got 2 more winers (?!) - Peter Jennings and Eddie Albert!
Good luck!
Tomorrow...
We're going to Lisa's to celebrate Nick's birthday, He's gonna be 12. I can't believe that he's getting so OLD!
Happy Birthday Nick-Nick!
Mikyla & Mamaw.. again.
A few nights ago, Mikyla said she had a dream about mamaw. She said that we went to her house, and that it was a great big place, like a bank... that it had white lines out front, she described columns.. and white on the peak. The doors she said were big, but not all the way to the roof. We knocked, and she said mamaw threw open the doors, and cheerfully called for us to "Come on in!!"
She asked me to take her to mamaw's place at Grays, but it was getting dark so I didn't. She asked again today, so we took her.
No one was home, so I couldn't ask Wayne if she could go in, though she begged me to. Dogs greeted the car snarling and growling so you couldn't have paid me enough to get out anyway.
It was sad up there. The windows are broken out, the porch steps are crumbling, all sorts of junk in the yard, no christmas lights. Just sad. It didn't look like any of the neighbors are competing with decorations up that way either. Nope, mamaw's not there anymore...
She's in a great big mansion with marble pillars and a big double door, just waiting for us to visit again, someday.
Ever feel like...
...you are the culmination of every bad choice, every wrong turn, every single sin of your family line all the way back from when joseph begat ever who it was?
Well I don't feel like that. But if you do.. I hope tomorrow's better for you!
December 08, 2005
Ugh...
Wouldn't this make for a shitty day?
First of all, having it out with your mother over some shoes, and then over a blanket, and then over some more shoes...?
And then seeing a fight between your sister and her man? Watching them break up then being asked to help pack his stuff to send him on his merry way...?
And then going to a ball game to find that your youngin didn't have the costume to wear with the other dance kittens?
And then on the way home to back your car into a STATE TROOPER'S car at a railroad crossing when you thought you had your car in drive and it was actually in reverse? ... a Kentucky State trooper at that.
(I will not laugh. I will not laugh. I will NOT laugh)
And then to find that you left your drivers license at home, in your little plastic pouch along with your registration and proof of insurance?
And then to find that your kids who were legally buckled in the car had unbuckled to see what those blinking lights were behind you, so that the STATE trooper saw them looking and thought they weren't buckled at all, even though the car seat and booster seat was right there in the back seat?
And then to try to pull the car over as he asked but to feel a thump and to know in your gut that your tire is flat, so you try telling him but he won't let you open your car door to look? And then to have him look for you and sure as hell, it's flat as a flitter?
And then this state trooper shakes his finger in your face and starts yelling at you that you can't do that, and he yells asking if you're listening.. loudly enough for passersby to hear?
And then he does a search on your social security number to see if you really do have a valid license, and instead of saying yes i found it, says.. you need to send these children home with your mother-in-law, ma'am, as if he's found something serious enough to send you to the electric chair?
And then to have everyone leave you alone with said Kentucky State Trooper.
And then to watch your dad and grampa drive by and leave you there with him?
And it's all the while pouring this very cold rain. (Did I mention, in this what if, that it's very dark outside, and people are driving by, staring like you're one of the 10 most wanted on the pictures in the post office...?)
And then he makes you sit there 45 minutes while his boss comes from Harlan to write up the report because that's protocol for when someone hits a state trooper?
And then when it's over, your mom tells you to give her the boots. *laughs*
Yeah, that'd make for a very shitty day in my book. Look at the bright side, youngin.. tomorrow will definately have to be better!
December 06, 2005
Gingerbread House
Sarah brought this neat kit to the house this evening and she and the kids put it together, how cool is this?! They had a really good time making it, but an even better time eating it afterwards!
You did a good job, youngins!
Mallory Enjoying Gingerbread House
Maegan Enjoying Gingerbread House
December 04, 2005
Roar!
Daily Extended Forecast for December 04, 2005
Provided by Astrology.com
Leo
The cosmic flow of energy's been a wee bit off lately, which has had you feel like, while you're doing your leonine best, the universe just isn't cooperating. Well, get ready to roar, because now things begin to go much more in the direction you've been hoping for. Get ready to be proactive -- at work, in love, even with little projects -- because you can get great results. Oh, and let the good times roll!
I've decided to stop smoking. I just taped the carton of cigarettes that I bought yesterday to the refrigerator, with a note on it, reading: "Who's going to tell me to go to bed?" I want to be alive for a long time. I want to have a lot of nights left to 'tell her to go to bed.' Wish me luck.
Roar! Roaring reminds me of you, Seth. The best roarer in the world. I miss ya, tiger.
I knew that nap I took earlier would mess up sleep for me tonight. But then it's a good night for just listening to the thunder rolling overhead. It's not raining now, but it has been.
I need to go shopping. Okay, I don't need to, but I want to. If it wasn't so late, or if Bonnie was awake and in a shopping mood, I think I'd even tackle that scary dawn-of-the-dead-feeling Walmart Super Center, yes even now, at 4:00 A.M. when shopping there is about the spookiest time of night.
I need some wrapping paper. I need to get Nick a birthday card too. I guess that's not enough to justify calling Bonnie at this hour to ask if she'd like to go shopping with me.. is it? *laughs*
Speaking of shopping, I had a good time yesterday. My mother has the wackiest sense of humor and no matter what mood I'm in, when we go shopping she gets me to laugh. For lunch, we stopped in at this fast food Mexican restaurant. We ate inside and when we were finished, we looked around for trash bins to put our wrappers. There were no trash bins. Odd that, I thought.. and glancing around at other tables, I saw that protocol was just to leave our mess on the table. I shot mom a look, and she read my mind, and said, "That's so they can check out what you ate, and know what was wasted..."
"Okay, so what are they gonna do, check it out to see what they can reuse?"
When she busted out laughing, I did too.. But I wasn't kidding. They used to have trash bins in there!
We went into this new little dollar for everything store, I'd not been in there before. It was interesting, but I'm quite sure that someone had just previously puked over in the toy aisle. Near the back. My sensitive nose could smell soured wine and regurgitated salmon patties. I was more interested in getting out of there, than finding a bargain. Back in the car I informed mom not only that someone had vomited, (hey, I'm getting better at this... 3 different words for cookie tossing in one paragraph!) but too told her the contents, she just cracked up. She busts up over the strangest things!
Mallory made me laugh tonight. That kid, she's wild. I said before, I think her name means "exhausting" in Hebrew. She's a good candidate for those mind numbing pills some parents give kids that they just don't have the energy to keep up with.. she's constantly going, never stopping, always talking, she's like.. someone who's overdosed on caffeine. Sort of that electrical energy that makes you step back and take a breath for them, because they're just going so fast you know they have forgotten to breathe. Someone who knows her said of her.. (this is unkind but I've never heard a more apt description of anyone) "She's like a rat on acid."
She was bouncing all over the den, one second beside me the next over by the fireplace.
Me: Mallory, get away from there, you could be burned.
Mallory: Alright, Mammy.
2 seconds later she's all the way to the other side of the den.
Me: Mallory, get your hands off my porcelean dolls, you know better! I don't play with your toys, leave mine alone! You'll break them!
Mallory: Alright, Mammy.
2 seconds later she's back at the fireplace.
Me: Mallory I've told you 100 times to get away from there, you could get burned!
Mallory: Alright, Mammy
2 seconds later she's hanging mid air, one hand holding the fridge door in the kitchen, her body out sideways, a beautiful gymnast's stance, but it's my fridge door handle after all..
Me: Mallory, if that handle breaks, I'm gonna be upset, get off of there, you could be hurt!
Mallory: Alright, Mammy
I excuse myself and go to the bathroom, and while I'm in there, I hear Stan, frantic, his voice concerned, I see him leaning forward in my mind's eye, ready to jump and intervene if necessary. I don't know what's happening, but I know who's involved. I count him saying STOP, QUIT, STOP, GET DOWN, STOP, STOP, STOP, QUIT, Will you STOP, GET DOWN, QUIT! I said STOP, STOP, STOP, 37 times before I get back into the den. I take my seat and wait.
2 seconds later Mallory's bent over, scratching her behind on my christmas tree. This time I look for a few seconds, because my eyes know what they're seeing, but my mind won't accept it. She looks like one of those dogs you see in someone's yard scratching its behind on tree bark. My tree and ornaments were rocking back and forth, and she just kept scratching, scratching and finally my eyes caught up with my mind and I stopped her before the tree could topple over backwards.
Me: Mallory, what on earth possessed you, stop that!
Mallory: Alright, Mammy!
2 seconds later she's walking across the hearth, foot over foot, a balancing beam in her mind, way too close to the fireplace for my comfort.
Me: Mallory, I've told you for the last time to get away from that fireplace. I'm gonna give you a spanking, the likes of which you've never seen, if you don't get down from there right now and I mean it!
Mallory: (getting down and coming to stand in front of me.. still bouncing, swaying, swinging her arms and shoulders) A spanking I never seed?
Me: (nodding seriously staring into her eyes with what I hope is my most intimidating gaze) Yes.. like you've never seen before.
Mallory: You mean like with my pants pulled down?
Me: (nodding, still making eye contact) Yes.. something like that.
Mallory: (waving it off) Oh I've seed that before!
Off she bounced all interest lost in what she thought was going to be a new experience, and there I sat trying not to laugh and failing miserably.
Poor Sarah!
Well, it's 4:30 and I need to try to sleep, even if it's just a couple of hours. G'night world!
meow!
December 03, 2005
Mom, you're not off the hook...
If I weren't exhausted, I'd go ahead right now and leave a nice long telling post about our shopping trip.. but my eyeballs won't cooperate, so brace yourself.. because after a good night's sleep, I'm tellin' more than the national enquirer!!
*laughs*
g'nite world!
Congratulations, Nick!
He was voted Snowball King! He brought the plaque to show me after the dance and I was just thrilled for him.. YOU GO NICK!!!! You're too cool!!
Thanks for the candy bars and the Chapstick! I love ya!
Jana!! This Afghan! WOW!
That you made it for me (even while vacationing), wow I don't know how to express how tickled I am! I put it in the den when Mom and I got home from Christmas shopping. It went all the way across the back of my couch, and then Joel came running in from the kitchen. When I left this morning, he wasn't here, Bonnie left him to run up to the store, and within 20 minutes, I had all 6 grandkids here.. and my own 2 girls.
The den was full!
I had bought a box of those little 100 teeny candy canes and naturally the babies found them and they had to have some... and I broke into a cold sweat. I looked from the slickery wet canes, to the beautiful afghan that I will treasure until God takes my last breath from me, and then back to the candy and back to my afghan and I ran! I ran so fast, but as fast as I ran, it felt like slow motion in the movies, I was shouting "Nooooooooo!" (that sounded like slow motion too!)
You'd have been proud, I dived over the children, did a fast round turn, side stepping the footstool, put my hands over Sarah's head pushed hard and up I went, doing this perfect leap frog thing, jumping over the back of the sofa and I rescued my precious Afghan before it could be deflowered by a wayward, red, sugary, slick candy-cane coated itty bitty hand! I clutched it to me and stepped back, surveying the den, planning which path would take us (me and my afghan) safely through the den, into the kitchen and to the sanctuary of my off-limits-to-kids-except-for-picture-taking-only living room!
I sat and trembled (literally, I'm not exagerating) checking every inch, just to be sure, just I knew it was safe, but I had to be sure, and it was.. both sides, just perfectly beautiful. I put it on the white sofa and had to show it to everyone! Some had to see it twice, (Mom and Lisa, both of whom were beside themselves with happy jealousy for me too might I add!) they all had to *wince* touch it, to feel how soft.. (the big folks, not the wee ones)
Please please don't say, "Oh use it, that's what I made it for!" Because I don't want to! I don't want to use it where it can be accidentally stained.. I know it will wash, but I do so want to keep it pretty, and I'm going to use it the way we use things like fine china, chocolate, or ice cream, or other special occasion things.. like when we're able to take those precious moments to relax and savor without sharing..only sharing with someone on very special occasions, so that it becomes special to the others as well.
Thank you so much, I'll treasure it forever!!
Look! Look, everyone, how pretty this is!!!
Just a few pics of one of the wee ones enjoying one of the candy canes that caused such panic in my heart and the sprint of the century! *laughs*
