Month: July 2008

  • Thursday Thirteen #30

    Some of you just recently subscribed to my blog site - just this week, in fact.  I hope you don't find my future bloggings a disappointment.  I'm not usually as "deep" as I have been these past few days. 

    I usually write about my daily routine and include pictures of everything from my children and pets to my dirty kitchen and closets!!!  And, I usually post a Thursday Thirteen list of whatever inspires me. 

    So, read on - and YOU be the judge! 

    Thirteen Things
    I'd Like to Do
    BEFORE I DIE

    First of all - it was extremely hard to come up with thirteen things.  I truly am very content with my life and where I've been.  All of the things listed below would be "nice" to do; but, they aren't something I'm hungering after, nor will I feel cheated if they never happen . . . except for maybe those things involving my immediate family.

    1.  Travel through the Deep South and learn more of its history.  I'm in love with Civil War history!  Also love that period in time, clothing, furniture, lifestyles . . .

    2. See my five daughters married and each with an established and happily growing family.

    3.  Go to a "U Pick It" farm.  I know that sounds odd and many may wonder why I just don't go.  I know of NO such farms in the Oklahoma City area.  Picking blueberries, apples, peaches . . . it all sounds like such a wonderful pay off for a few hours of hard work!

    4.  I would like to fly (JUST ONCE) in first class.  If I flew TWICE, that would be okay, too!

    5.  I'd like to take a train through southern Canada with a *good* tour guide.

    6.  I'd like each of my five daughters to cook a full meal and invite Jesse and me to their individual  houses for dinner.  I'd like to offer to bring some type of dish and have my daughter say, "No, Mom, really, I've got it covered."  And, after dinner, say, "Mom don't bother to help me clean up.  I"ll get it later.  Just enjoy being a guest for a change!"  Sounds like heaven, doesn't it????!!!!

    7.  It would be nice to have lots of moments alone with Jesse and me.  That may happen sooner than I realize and I might not feel so strongly about this.  So, I reserve my right to change my mind!

    8.  I'd like to wear pretty nightgowns.  Not ones that are practical and inexpensive so when cooking breakfast I don't ruin something nice.  (I'd also like to go OUT for breakfast - but that's something we just never seem to do)

    9.  I'd like to find a "Rogaine-type" product that really works!  Rogaine DOES work, but not as well as I had hoped.

    10.  I'd like the day to come when knee surgery is perfected to the point it no longer is as painful as it is now and the recovery time is very short.  Then, and then only, I'd have my injured, crickety knees fixed.

    11.  I look forward to the day I can entertain all of my children and their families in our (large) home for special holidays or a family reunion.  Everyone together at the same time sounds marvelously delightful!

    12.  I'd like to have more grandchildren to cuddle and nurture.

    13.  I'd like to live close enough to a forest with pine trees - within driving distance - so I could enjoy walking on the fallen needles and smelling the refreshing scent of pine.  That's something I really miss about living in California.

    EDIT:  Jesse read this and questioned why I might change my mind about being alone with him (#7).  LOL  What I meant was . . . (JESSE!!!!!)  . . . that I might miss the fact at every meal someone spills a glass and there are always children around with questions or crawling on top of us.  This wasn't meant to sound like a slight to my dear husband.

    Have I redeemed myself?????!!!!!!!!!!  LOL

    Get the Thursday Thirteen
    code here!

    The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a
    little bit better every Thursday.  Visiting fellow Thirteeners is
    encouraged!  If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in
    others' comments.  It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links
    accepted!

  • Where Are We Going?

    I guess having
    less chaos in my life has made me more contemplative of life in
    general.  Rissy is doing well - almost all ear pain gone.  We DID get
    the girls' pool set up yesterday (now, we can be called "good"
    parents!!!) and today they were in their swim wear by 7:30am!

    I suppose you can slow down my life's pace, but you can't totally slow me
    down.  My brain and spirit still run 24/7, whether I want them to, or not!  For some
    reason, I started looking at the shoes all over my house yesterday and
    wondered a few things.  Not, "WHY don't my children put things away?"
    but, rather, "Where have those shoes been and where will our feet take
    us?"

    Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps?  JOB 31:4

    Annamarie's sandals have had some miles put on them this summer.  She's
    been all over town, to parks, grocery shopping, the mall last week-end (not to church - not in
    sandals!).  Look at Luci's worn out slip-on tennis shoes.  They've
    been through lots of tough places like sand boxes, weeds with stickers,
    climbed ladders to slides, etc.


    Luci has worn her pair of church shoes down to scuffed-toed nothings!  And Rissy had to buy a new pair of play shoes because she outgrew the ones we bought in May.  Bright, shiny pink trim - NOT my choice, but all they had in her NEW size!


    I wear slippers around the house more than I should.  We have thread-bare carpeting on a cement foundation and I have begun to have problems with my feet in recent years.  But my scuffing around in my slippers is "heard" by all and even Chirper recognizes my walk.  The fact I am no longer vain and concerned about looking like a million dollars, decked out with full face of make up, wearing designer clothes and designer *SHOES* is a testimony to the work God has done within me.

    If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit; Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity.  JOB 31:5-6

    Jesse's shoes are kept in an orderly line on one of his closet shelves.  I have a hanging shoe bag where mine are kept on a closet rod.

    I think of my husband who had been a waiter all of his life.  Even lied at age 14 (saying he was 16) to start working in a restaurant with his mother to help support their family.  His mind set, when we met, was that waiting tables would be what he'd do for the rest of his life.   Then he had an "on the job injury" and could no longer be on his feet.  We prayed and he ended up doing sales work in a pawn shop.  That was a springboard to his OWNING his own pawn shop for a year.  Now he has his own lawn mowing business and is praying about where God will take him next to support his family.  Looking at his work shoes, you can tell he's worked hard for his family.
    Have we given much thought to where we'll go next?

    O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.  JER 10:23

    When Rissy was first born, she was 5 lbs 4oz, was on oxygen for a week due to a birth mother who was addicted to meth.  So was Rissy - a pitiful "meth baby"!!!!!  She was given to me when she was a couple of weeks old and I was told, "IF she lives, she'll be a VEGETABLE!!!!!"  She was one of the hardest babies because of the damage done by her birth mother's drug use.  She was hard to feed.  She was 11 pounds for what seemed like an eternity.  She didn't sleep well.  She screamed at the slightest sound that startled her.  She screamed when we laid her down and she screamed when she woke up from sleeping.  Her skinny, bony legs were twisted.  But, God had a different plan for her. Now she walks, she talks, and she EATS vegetables - she is NOT one!  I look at her ever growing feet, the same ones she had when handed to me as a baby, and I remember the constant prayer Jesse and I held on her behalf.

    Despite what "man" said, GOD said something else about this child.  She was healed.
    Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.  Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.  PS 119:133-134

    Even our pets have feet.  Was it God's plan for us to end up with the animals and their feet that walked into our lives and household?

    Sampson came into Jesse's life 16 years ago.  We give him the best care an old dog could ever receive.


    Stormy was picked "by us" from the farm where we boarded our pony.  Did WE pick her, or did God pick her for us?  I remember her as a kitten running to me every time we showed up to tend to our horse.  Her little feet climbed up my body until she was sitting on my left shoulder purring in my left ear and nuzzling me.  God knew what we needed and she's been a wonderful cat in a house with many children.  Her middle name, "Azariah" means: Whom God protects.

    Then there is the last addition to our family -  Chirper.  Chirper "Elzabad" (God's gift).  We prayed a long time and searched for the right middle name.  That was before we knew he would test positive for feline leukemia and be rendered a "death sentence" of a short, unhealthy life.  We had prayed so long for the right cat to replace the one who died.  How could God make such a mistake?  How could *I* make a mistake after praying for weeks to God?????  How could God allow those little feet to walk into our lives and for us to become attached to him so quickly????  WHY? 

    Did God know we would be the perfect family to pray for healing and give him the best care and a happy life - more than he would have received from the home he was living in?

    In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.  I THES 5:18.

    Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. EPH 5:20

    We ARE thankful, now that the initial shock of his diagnosis has worn off.  AND . . . We will not stop praying that his body builds an immunity to the leukemia virus.  It's a medical possibility.  Until he is dead, we will ask God to heal him AND give us wisdom about the best possible care.

    SO . . .

    Where are your feet taking you?  Have you asked God where HE wants you to go?

    For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:  1PETER 2:21

    Have you already made a list of where you will go today and what YOU have planned for your future?  Have you planned your career, planned your next house, planned in what city you'll move, planned what vacation you will take?????

    Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.  PS 85:13

    Or, will you pray that God leads you?  You may be surprised how God's ordered plan for your life differs from your own.  Who knows where you'll end up.  In Denmark? (wink! Mae)

    A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.   PR 16:9

    Praying God touches each of you with His plan and you are made aware of his presence and direction.

  • Serious Tuesday

    Quickly:  Rissy has a slight middle ear infection.  Her appointment was at 1pm on Monday.  The doc. said there were little flecks of foreign matter (almost like pepper) she could see in her ear (I'm wondering about the mud puddle they played in???).  She prescribed ear drop antibiotics and Rissy woke up this morning remarkably better.  Jesse is staying home today and I think the girls will actually get their pool set up, except Rissy has to keep her head above water.  After yesterday's doctor's appointment, we went to (guess where???!!!) Wal-Mart to fill the prescription; AND, I grabbed a ton of fabric softener and bleach, as well as 4 tubs of sherbet and ice cream.  I mean . . . what are you going to do in Wal-Mart for 30 minutes while a prescription is filled???? LOL

    Jesse just said he was taking the girls to the movies this afternoon.  The water will have to warm up in the pool and he wants me to have a day of "quiet" - yay!  You rock, Jesse!

    ---------------------------------------------

    Now for the serious part . . .

    There are several bloggy friends who are going through some hard times.  There are others I know of who are not bloggers, but going through periods of depression or loneliness. 

    What I want to write about today is about slowing down our lives enough to NOTICE and DO something for those people who have needs.  They may not need anything tangible, but they may just need to know someone cares and that they are not completely alone.

    Most of my subscribers are Christians, so I am directing this message to YOU.  We are to care for the brethren.  We are to care for each member . . .  be it a "fingernail or an arm" . . . because each is important within the body of Christ.

    I think all of us (especially those of us with children) become embroiled in our own little worlds and routines and forget to look around.  Or, maybe we DO look around and think we don't have time to encourage someone.

    Maybe we shy away from someone "needy" or "in pain" because we don't know WHAT to do.  Or, we don't know WHAT to say.  Rather than embarrass ourself, or be made to feel inadequate - WE DO NOTHING.

    Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!  This is so very WRONG and not Biblical!

    I can tell you from the times in my life that I've been at the lowest points, I've needed two basic things:  1) someone to talk to - not give me solutions, but listen to me vent, and 2)  people to call me and say they were thinking of me and just wanted to call to say hello.

    Wow!  How simple is listening or calling to say hello?????  I mean, REALLY????

    Sending a card to say you are praying for someone or they have been on your mind is a huge surprise and so uplifting to someone who is down in the dumps . . . is that hard for us to do????  We even have the option of email messages these days.  How many of us take the time?

    People need to know they are missed.  People need to know someone thinks they are special.  People need to know that if they died, they wouldn't lie there for a week before a neighbor noticed no activity at their house or the grass grew so tall the sheriff's office showed up. 

    How many people wake up every day and wonder why or what purpose their life serves?  How many people believe if they DID call a friend to vent, the friend probably wouldn't understand or want to hear their story?  If we don't tell them we care, how will they know?  If we don't ask questions, how will they feel free to speak to us from their heart?  How can we minister to those who feel isolated and misunderstood???

    How many people have suffered a loss (baby, job, grandparent, spouse, teen leaving for college, moving to a new state with no friends or relatives nearby . . . ) and appear to be handling things really well????  Lots of people don't want to be a burden to others.  They put on a "happy face" and a "false front" so as not to bore people with their problems.  They figure no one really cares, or they would ask how they are doing.  That doesn't lessen their pain.  In fact, it makes them more isolated.

    I would like to encourage all of you TODAY to think of someone (the more people, the better) that would be uplifted by some attention from a person who cares.  A visit.  A phone call.  Taking a baked good or dinner to a family.  Mail a card or note.  An email.

    Do SOME-thing . . .

    ANY-thing

    to show you cared enough to stop, within your busy life, to extend friendship and love to someone in need.

    I have a wonderful friend (you know who you are) who sends handwritten notes.  She dates them.  I have saved every single one of her notes in a memory box (as well as notes from others).  She makes my upside down world turn around when I receive a personal note from her in the mail.  Sometimes it's sincerely sweet and sometimes her comments are funny and make me laugh.  It doesn't matter.  She cared about me.  Seeing my name on a piece of mail that isn't a bill or advertisement makes my soul smile.

    Look someone directly in the eye and smile and ask, "How have you been?  I've thought about you a lot these past few days?"  THEN LISTEN!!!!

    Pray that God will speak their name to you and then ACT.  If you pray and God speaks a person's name to you in prayer - DON'T ignore Him.  We are instruments that God uses to edify, exhort, and encourage others.  Without us, God CAN do it alone . . . but why should He when He has us to touch another's life with kindness?????

    I feel very strongly about one other thing.  TELL PEOPLE YOU CARE.  Tell them today.  Tell everyone who means something to you, as you remember each one, something they've done to enhance your life.  Tell them before it's too late.  You don't want to EVER receive news of a person's death and have to live with the guilt of what you SHOULD HAVE said, or SHOULD HAVE done.  Especially if it had been on your heart to do something in particular and you brushed it aside saying, "I'll do that soon."  Sometimes "soon" never arrives and then it's too late.

    Hug your spouse, children, grandparents.  Tell them they are so special to you . . . and, tell them why.  Tell someone at church you barely know that you have no idea what they might be going through (maybe it's been nothing) but tell them that you said a special prayer for them.  Tell those special friends how they have touched your life.  BUT . . .

    Be honest. 

    Be real.

    Tell the cashier at Wal-Mart (funny how Wal-Mart always ends up in my posts, huh?!!!) that you always enjoy coming through their line because they work so hard, or because they are always so friendly, or WHATEVER. 

    FIND GOOD IN PEOPLE AND, THEN, TELL THEM WHAT YOU FOUND.

    Don't be shy.  One day, sooner than you think, it might be too late.

    Care about others.  Care, care, care about them. 

    God will bless you abundantly.

  • Quiet Monday (I think . . . )

    I typed that
    title and then realized what a roller coaster my life has been lately,
    and I thought I'd better add the parenthesis!!!! 

    Rissy's ear drops (for pain) haven't been very effective and, as soon as
    the doctor's office opens up (9 or 9:30),  I have to call to get an
    appointment for her to be seen today.  I showered and washed my hair at 6:30 this morning, so it would be sure to be dry, in case they wanted us in early this morning.

    I have lots of laundry waiting for me.  I'm finishing up Jesse's "whites" and
    then have my own hamper and Annamarie's.   Sheets need to be done sometime
    this week, too - but not today.

    We had an "interesting" dinner last night.  We'd eaten Mexican food
    after church (not the best - a new restaurant) and we weren't hungry for
    a large meal.  I jokingly mentioned, but then the idea sounded better
    and better, oatmeal and fresh fruit.  We ended up eating the old
    fashioned oatmeal you cook (not the instant packages) with brown sugar
    and butter and a selection of cantaloupe, banana, blueberries, and
    strawberries.  It hit the spot.  I would NEVER have dreamed oatmeal
    could be served as a dinner item.  I always think of breakfast for
    dinner as sausage, eggs, and pancakes.  With grocery prices sky high, oatmeal was very filling and something I'll remember in the future to add to a dinner menu idea.

    We had a lazy week-end.  The reunion was nice on Saturday. 

    After the Mexican food lunch (yesterday) we headed to the mall to the
    sheriff's office (I know! In a mall???) to have our fingerprints taken
    for the foster care program. 

    We walked through the mall a bit and let the children go into the
    Disney Store.  I'm not a big supporter of Disney or their products and
    especially not a supporter of Barbie dolls; but, they had Barbie dolls
    dressed as Disney characters priced at 2/$20.  Each child picked out a
    doll and one for JanaLyn.  Annamarie - Mulan; Luci - Belle (Beauty and
    the Beast); Rissy - Pocahontas; and JanaLyn will get Cinderella.  We
    talked about it when we got home and said it is so rare for our
    children to be given a toy for "no reason" and we didn't feel guilty
    about the $40 spent that could have gone into our gas tank.

    I have a few pictures to share - leftover from the week-end and how relaxed we were for a change!

    I found Jesse, Luci, and Annamarie in our bed fast asleep.  Jesse is on the white pillow, Luci's head is next to his on the striped pillow, and Annamarie is on my pillow - up against the wall!  All sharing one quilt!

    This is the same day Rissy and I went shopping for produce.  She and I were NOT in the mood to sleep and Rissy was bored to tears - watching something dumb on TV that really wasn't of any interest to her.   After seeing her, I took pity on her bored state of mind and we decided to should slip away.  The others never missed us!

    Last night, Jesse (the man who used to hate cats) looked high and low for Chirper.  Couldn't find the little guy anywhere.  He went to bed and later got up to look for him again.  Can you say, "Awwwwwww!"  He found him in one of Stormy's secret hiding places - behind the drapes on the formal living room's window sill.  I'm sure Stormy will be thrilled (NOT) when she finds Chirper has taken over one of HER spots!

    Speaking of animals . . . we finally got a bark out of Sampson.  Yesterday morning Chirper kept "play jumping" on the dog's hind quarters.  He'd jumped on and jumped off.  He'd run at the dog and cut him off when the dog walked through a room.  This is an O-L-D and VERY patient dog.  At one point he'd had his fill of the playful Chirper jumpin at him and he turned around and barked (LOUD) at him.  Chirper blinked, sat down, and just stared a Sampson - not moving a muscle.  We did too!  It's been such a long time since he's barked.  Jesse-boy died February 15th and I think this was the third time Sampson has barked since then.  I don't think Chirper knew the dog COULD bark!

    Well, I'm off to eat a bagel and read some emails.  Then, I'll call the doctor's office.  The girls are eating breakfast now and, hopefully, we can get Rissy in to see the doctor sometime this morning.

  • High School Reunion

    Yesterday was a fun day.  It was Jesse's 25th high school reunion at a nearby park.  We did not attend the formal dinner later that even.  Outrageously expensive and we don't go to things like that (lots of drinking, etc.).  I met some nice people and one darling little girl.  My own girls enjoyed themselves and I was surprised there weren't more children their age.  I guess I forget . . . even though Jesse is much younger than me, these people have children in their late teens and older.  Yowza!  That's a reality waker upper!  Although hotdogs and burgers were served, we didn't eat, just guzzled down bottled water from a picnic table in the shade.  There was a nice breeze and the temps were bearable.

    This is a picture of just the graduate alumni.  Jesse is in the middle with the Hawaiian print shirt.

    Here are the women grads.  Lots of fun and giggles while they decided HOW they should pose.  Someone came up with the idea of everyone's leg crossed in the same direction and an hysterical protest from the gal in green on the end who said her legs no longer crossed!!!!  (she reminded me of myself!!! LOL)
     

    Here are the men alumni.  This was the only picture where at least one man wasn't showing off!!!  We had rabbit ears and muscle shots . . .  Men!  They will forever be little boys!!!

    This is a nice family.  The woman and Jesse were friends in high school.  I spoke mainly to the husband and little girl.  They came all the way from Florida.  The little girl was soooo funny.  Asked everyone point blank, "Did you know my mom?  Did you date?  Do you have any high school stories you can tell me about her.  I can't wait to get back to Florida and tell her what I found out!"  She really was very outgoing, friendly, and adorable!  Jesse is in the background.  Can't miss that Hawaiian shirt!


    This is one of Jesse's best friends, Shaun, with his daughter who recently graduated from OU.  Sweet and lovely personality (his daughter, well . . . Shaun too!).

    Jesse told me who this is with Shaun, but I can't remember.  I was just enjoying everyone's friendliness and how glad they were to see each other.

    Again,  Jesse told me afterward who this was, but I can't remember.  I think this is someone who also is a foster parent and preparing to adopt one of their foster children.  The gentleman I cut out of the picture on the right, is someone who is still in contact with Jesse, occasionally.  The guy in yellow asked if we were Amish!  LOL

    Despite the attractiveness of the park, it's no longer a "safe park" and we didn't let our girls venture far at all.  The were content to be on the big swings - so staying close wasn't a problem.
    Annamarie ~

    Rissy and Luci ~

    Finally, this is our good friend (the one who called to wake us up and encouraged us to come out to the reunion) Shaun.  He's retired from the military, has his life in order, and is just one of those faithful GOOD friends people look for.  He's wonderful to our daughters and just as nice as he can be.  In fact, he's on our "safe friend" list at home, as far as which people the girls can trust.  Can't say enough good things about him!

    I'm not sure how long we stayed.  Maybe a little more than an hour.  Maybe longer.   I dislike crowds and, despite how chatty I am online, I clam up if I'm in a group of people.  This group made me feel comfortable and I truly enjoyed watching everyone have fun.

    We left and had lunch at Chili's.  A burger.  It was near 3pm when we left the restaurant.  Rissy was still complaining about her ear pain and when Jesse, Luci, & Annamarie laid down in our room, I placed a call to the pediatrician.  She called in some drops to our pharmacy.  They are supposed to help the pain.  She said to tell the receptionist, on Monday, that the doctor wants her to be seen.

    With the rest of the family asleep, Rissy and I grabbed a minute of "alone time" and went to a close by (but not so cheap) grocery store to buy produce and look at their meat.  Let me tell you, produce has gone up in price, too!  The total bill was outrageous and when we got home I bit into an apricot that was hard and super tart, despite it's soft squeeze test at the store.  I told Rissy they should be sweet, soft deep inside, and the juice should be drippy - like a tomato!  Needless to say, the peaches and apricots are sitting in a bowl on the bar waiting to ripen!

    I need to get off of here and get ready for church.  No one else is up yet (except the cats!) and we need to leave in an hour.  Maybe the shower running will awaken the sleepy crew!


  • Goin' With the Flow

    I'm sitting here typing and eating an "Everything Bagel" with chive and onion flavored cream cheese.  I can't think of much to say. 

    No one wants to hear about how I bought next to nothing yesterday at the grocery store and the bill was still $190.00!!!  I picked up 3 blouses from the clearance rack - but $190.00?????  3 Boxes of butter, a large box of diaper wipe refills, two cantaloupes, three boxes of cat litter, two bags of dog food  . . .  I just don't know how it added up to so much.  I was sure the total would be under $100.  What do I know???!!!! LOL

    If it wasn't for my new "photographer" daughter (Rissy), I'd have nothing to post in the way of pictures, either.  But, this is what I found on my camera, this morning.  (not to mention all the pictures I deleted!)

    Annamarie loves to build with our wooden blocks.  Here is how things started out.  That's JanaLyn's ratty "blankie" next to the blocks.  Stephanie got that at JanaLyn's baby shower and it was a beautiful (but stiff) quilt.  JanaLyn insists on taking it everywhere even though it is in shreds.

    Gradually, Annamarie's creation began to take form.

    Chirper lounged in a bean bag chair, ready to help Annamarie if need be.

    I'm not sure what you would call this (with the horse up high and all), but she does make some beautifully elaborate structures.

    And Chirper decided it was time to get close, examine it, as well as the shredded tail from JanaLyn's blankie!

    JanaLyn thought Chirper's affection for her blankie was cute and she didn't mind one bit.  I explained he might shred it and she wouldn't be so happy then, but she ignored my warnings, more interested in a red wood block.

    The night before, Stephanie had brought some laundry to do and had left JanaLyn's sleeping bag hung over 3 chairs to dry.  I guess Rissy (today's photographer) thought he looked precious (fur and all) on the clean sleeping bag and here he is!  He looks a little startled, doesn't he?

    Rissy has been complaining for two days of ear pain.  There was no way I could get her in anywhere yesterday on such short notice.  I guess if it isn't better by Monday, I'll try to make an appointment somewhere.

    Jesse's 25th class reunion is this week-end.  His friend called at 8am this morning and we were still sleeping.  We ignored the first ring, then he called back.  It IS unusual for us to sleep that late.  He begged and Jesse acquiesced.  I guess we're going to the park this afternoon.  Yesterday was near 100 degrees and the girls and I aren't tough troopers when it comes to heat.   Plus, we only wear dresses with AT LEAST short sleeves.  It's not like others who will be there in shorts and tank tops.  Everyone has heard about Jesse's girls (thanks to his friend!!!) and they want to meet his whole family.  Nothing like some pressure to make one feel guilty and say yes!

    As far as I know (only God knows for sure) that is all that is planned for today.  I haven't even thought about dinner or pulled anything from the freezer, as I sit her munching this bagel and thinking this must be one of the most boring posts I've ever put on my blog!!!!

    Maybe I'll have an interesting day and have some fun pictures to post tomorrow or Monday!!!

    One piece of good news, we got our fingerprint cards in the mail from the foster care department.  We no longer have to go to a seedy, locked facility, detention center, but can go to a County Sheriff's Office in one of two shopping malls.  We may try to do that on Sunday.  Jesse loves the mall and maybe he'll get to look around a bit while we're there.

    Ho!  Hum!  I'm boring myself . . .

  • Week's Wrap Up on Friday

    Jesse didn't work yesterday and took the girls with him to run errands, and to give me time to get some things done around the house.  JanaLyn was supposed to be here and was late, so they left without her.  I still got Annamarie's and Luci's laundry done and some towels.  I used furniture polish on all the wood furniture throughout the house and 409'ed spots on the kitchen floor (I probably should have mopped!).

    Today I need to vacuum and clean the master bathroom.  I'll probably do a few loads of laundry, too.

    It was nice yesterday with just JanaLyn and me.  She was good as gold.  She helped put away some of my big cleaned dishes.  She and I enjoyed a lunch of leftovers from Wednesday night's dinner.  Then, we baked a cake.  She was thrilled.  She's never done that before and she truly did almost everything except measure ingredients and crack the eggs.  She used the spatula to scrape the bowl and then the electric mixer.  After the timer rang, I showed her some secrets for checking to see if a cake was done (toothpick test and if the cake is slightly pulling away from the sides of the pan).  We popped the cake back in for another 9 minutes.  Pineapple Upside Down  Cakes take longer than the recommended time.  She was thrilled when we pulled it out.  It smelled wonderful. 

    I called her back out to the kitchen after it cooled a bit and showed her how to dump the cake upside down - thus making it a  "Pineapple Upside Down" cake!!!  She squealed when she saw the result.

    She asked if she could watch cartoons.  Playing in the girls' bedrooms without the girls was as boring as it was at her own home.  She informed me that she was allowed to watch some things that I don't allow my own girls to watch . . . one show being "Sponge Bob Square Pants."  Seeing there wasn't anything else worthy of watching (IMHO), I let her.

    I heard her calling me very quietly from the den, so I went to see what she needed.  She showed me Chirper.  She and the cat had been "watching cartoons together" and she informed me it had "made him very sleepy" and, sure enough, he was out like a light.  She was adamant that I not disturb him and asked me to take pictures.

    She was infatuated with his little nose, his little tongue (partially hanging out of his mouth) and his tiny teeth.

    She watched his every breath with her face close up to his.  He woke up slightly after I took the first picture, rolled over with his feet up, and promptly went back to sleep.

    She gently coaxed him back to sleep with a little singing and an occasional "shhhhh."  She has the cutest little sprinkling of freckles across her nose and cheeks!

    Frankly, I think JanaLyn was in need of a nap, too!  She quietly watched TV, sharing a cushion with Chirper, until the girls arrived home.

    When Jesse came home with the girls, JanaLyn popped up, ready for action!  We made taco salads for dinner and Stephanie stayed to eat with us.  Rissy did most of the work and JanaLyn told her mother about the dessert she had made almost "all by myself, Momma!"

    I ended up with one of my occasional headaches that seem to be present again after 35 years (????).  So, I went to bed early.  JanaLyn spent the night since Stephanie had to work today.  I woke up to the sounds of four little girls' voices!!!  Currently, they are in Annamarie's and Luci's room watching a ballet video.

    The girls watching ballet instructions.

    And, the girls watching me!

    I'm going to the Wal-Mart down the street, after Stephanie arrives here this afternoon.  I only need a few things (soap, lettuce, breakfast sausage . . . ), nothing major.  She said she wanted to go with me.  I think she only needs some odds and ends, too.

    Not much else planned unless God adds something to my blank day.  Tonight, it will be an easy dinner of pre-cooked fried chicken breast strips, flavored pasta and some sort of vegetable. 

    And . . . PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE for dessert!!!!!!!!

  • No Thursday Thirteen

    I went to bed last night and woke up this morning thinking about a topic for my Thursday Thirteen.  I have no brain power (not an ounce) in me when it comes to creativity today!  I'm sorry, that means no Thursday Thirteen this week.  Some of you have written that you enjoy my list of 13, so I hope these piggyback ride pictures of Rissy and our bird, Tango, will make you happy too!

    It seems like I'm taking a lot of pictures this week that show my girls' bottoms.  Unintentional . . . Completely!  So bear with me one more time as I post these.

    As you know, we pamper our pets.  Sometimes we lock up the cats and dog, turn off the ceiling fans and take out our cockatiel, Tango and let her fly.  She enjoys her time out of the cage, but I'm not sure she's ever been given a piggyback ride before!

    Rissy had one of her bright creative (unlike me, today!!!!) ideas to give Tango a piggyback ride.  She rode all over the house as Rissy crawled with Tango on her back.

    I think Tango rather enjoyed her new mode of transportation AND didn't freak out when the camera clicked!

    Isn't she a pretty little bird?  You can tell she's happy because her top feathers are fluffed and the feathers around her face are fluffy!

    Not a Thursday Thirteen post, but maybe a fun one, anyone.

  • Backyard Water Park & Dentist

    I did the "good mother" thing yesterday and FINALLY (now that we're halfway through summer!!!) let the girls get wet!!!  Getting wet hasn't been the issue as much as HOW.  They've used their mega large squirt guns wearing their backyard play dresses for weeks, but yesterday I handed out bathing suits (I know!  I'm incredibly late with those!!!) and a sprinkler to play in, in the backyard.  Of course, with MY children, a sprinkle wasn't enough for them and their imagination was soon at work.

    They ingeniously invented their own version of a Slip and Slide!!!

    Their plastic jungle gym has been taken apart for a while; so, they took two of the slides from it and put the sprinkler close enough to feed the slides water.

    It worked well for them and I wondered, "Who needs to pay water park prices when you have my girls around to make a custom designed backyard water park?"  Notice the mud hole the water created?  That's where there USED TO BE a pool from a previous homeowner.  We, somehow, debate every summer about putting in a "real pool" again; but, it never comes to much more than just debating the pool issue.  At any rate, their version was wet and slippery enough to propel them from the slide to the grass and they had a ball!

    The only problem with a grassy water park was the grass that stuck to them.  As if their legs weren't bad enough, you should have seen Rissy's hair!  It was a tangled mess (her bun).  How grass became so far embedded all the way to her scalp, I'll never know!!!  She washed her hair in the shower, but she still looked like "The Wizard of Oz's" Scarecrow after it dried!

    Luci had taken out her ponytail elastic before playing and wet curls exploded from her head like a can of worms!  Annamarie assigned herself the job of being in charge of the sprinkler.  She moved it around AND cut off the water's flow by crimping the hose.

    Besides crimping the hose to stop the flow, they found another way to keep the water contained to a small area.  Those of you who are older may recall the song, "Three Coins in the Fountain."  I call this picture "Three Heads in the Fountain" for obvious reasons!!!!!

    Late in the season to start playing in the water, or not, they had a ball and are really looking forward to me setting up their pool (picture me hanging my head in shame).  It will be on the patio where there is NO grass!

    Summer 2008 is finally here at our house!  (Yes, that's grass clumped around Rissy's eye and eyebrow!)

    We picked up Chirper yesterday.  He slept most of the day and ate well.  He was a little jumpy when there was a noise in another room.  He probably didn't rest well at the vet's and the trauma of surgery, and all, IS a consideration.  Stormy ran to him when he walked out of his carrier, smelled him, and then hissed.  He looked the same, but smelled differently - like the V-E-T'S place!!!!   He slept with me last night and is in much better spirits this morning.  They said he's gained another 8oz.  That means 18oz gained in the few weeks I've had him.  I'm so glad he's gaining and not losing.

    He's back!  And that's all that matters!

    Today, we have no plans except to tackle the mess in the kitchen.  I'm not even going to attempt to repack the freezer today!!!   Then, there's that dental appointment this afternoon for the three girls.  Maybe the kitchen will be clean enough for me to prepare a decent meal tonight.  Last night, Jesse brought a box of fried chicken home and we used the last of the macaroni salad with an additional side of corn.  The refrigerator looks bare compared to it's usual overly stocked state!!!  Maybe Rissy will wipe the shelves down for me before leftovers assault the emptiness!

  • Mystery Pictures

    Monday didn't prove to be any less exciting than the past few days! 

    We DID take Chirper to the vet and they treated him like royalty.  I'm glad to know our veterinarian's employees care so much about my pets.  But, I think they have a tender spot in their hearts for Chirper.  Lots of cooing and sweet words directed at him while his carrier was sitting on top of their desk!  We'll get to pick him up later this morning.  Stormy looked EVERYWHERE for Chirper last night.  She saw him leaving in the animal carrier in the morning.  Last night, she climbed up on the bed and looked under a quilt and then under my sheets.  This morning, she's been meowing (unusual for her) at Jesse and me a lot.  It was as if she was saying, "He wasn't THAT bad!!!  I didn't mean for you to get rid of him!"   

    After the vet drop, we went to Wal-Mart (I know!  I know!) to buy birthday gifts for JanaLyn (oldest granddaughter) who turns 5yo on the 26th.  I've already bought the gifts to her from "Granny & PoPo," but the girls needed something to give her.  They had so much fun.  I'm glad they can get excited about buying for someone else without having to ask me if THEY could have something for themselves!  While at Wal-Mart, I replaced some of the lost items from my freezer's meltdown over the week-end:  some fish sticks, a pie, pizzas, and garlic toast.

    We met Jesse and his helper for Chinese food and it was nice to visit with "Daddy" for a change.  The food wasn't really very good, for some reason.  We eat there frequently, but yesterday just didn't "do it" for me.

    I came home and checked my checking account online.  It's something I do routinely throughout the week.  There was a $9.85 charge on there from my debit card that I didn't create!  The charge listed a city in California, near where I grew up, as the only identification of WHO charged something on my account and an "800" number to reach them.  I called and got a recording telling me it was a line that doesn't answer calls, and I was told to leave a message.  After hours of retracing my steps and WHO could have charged that amount, I canceled my debit card at 7pm.  I'll get a new one within 7-10 days.  Still haven't heard back from that phone number.  I pay bills online and sometimes order things online, but the bank said I hadn't used my debit card since more than a week ago when I paid a local utility company.  They also said I was fully insured at their bank against fraud and they will try to recover that $9.85 and reimburse me.

    Then . . . another headache to handle - that I don't want to talk about.  But, it required more calls and more frustration.  I told my friend Lori K.  that I think I'll need TODAY to recover from YESTERDAY and the freezer transfer may have to wait a while longer!  The girls have that afternoon dental appointment tomorrow.  I made a little clear spot on the bar and was able to make hamburgers for dinner last night!

    This morning I sat down to flip through my camera to see if there were any interesting pictures to share.  The "mystery photographer" has struck again!  I gave Rissy the camera to take a "quick" picture of Chirper and found she had taken about a dozen (or more) photos.  It's interesting to look at the pictures and wonder WHY??? she chose the subjects she chose!  I understand Chirper and Stormy . . . but some of them ????

    Stormy

    Chirper

    This is a snow globe she picked out for her and her sisters to give me a couple of years ago.  She knows I love it and maybe that made it worthy of being photographed!  I keep it in the den on the table close to where I sit.

    At first glance, I couldn't figure out who's wedding or where she had been to take this.  Upon closer inspection, I figured out it was the cover to their "Little House" DVD set!

    I understand this next one.  These were the 3 pies I baked on Saturday as I salvaged things from the freezer..  Since I haven't had breakfast, it makes me hungry to even look at them!  I gave the largest pie to the pastor.

    I can even (kinda) figure out why she took this next one.  They love the story/play "Annie" and have the CD of music AND the DVD movie.  This was an ad on an old newspaper about the play coming to our town.

    But, I can't explain this next one, for the life of me!  Maybe just because "it was there"????!!!! LOL

    Anyhoo, no plans for today.  I need to sign for my debit card cancellation at the bank and then pick up Chirper, a couple of blocks south of the bank.  I think I'm in an "upheaval" pattern right now in my life and will just let the day unfold without any expectations or plans.   I suppose taking something out of the freezer for dinner would be a good idea, but . . . hey! . . .  whatever! 

    Who knows?  I may not end up cooking ANY dinner.  With me, these days, you just never know!!!! LOL