God bless Evil Knivel

God bless Evil Knivel........he will always be among the grainy images in the back of my mind. The ones of watching my brothers play baseball in the back yard, the big Red Machine, ice cold coke and hero worship for good ol' Evil Knivel.

a beagle named linus

I have completely lost my mind. As if there isn't enough to get done in a days time, there is now a beagle puppy living in my home, and his name is linus. I reason with my self, taking on a puppy can't complicate things that much, can it? Every little boy should grow up along a beagle, shouldn't they? There is a puppy poop scooping fairy, isn't there? Sigh. Linus almost moved out this morning. But through swift negotiations, I talked him into staying. Will keep informed.

**I should have update this sooner, but Linus couldn't stay with us. He wanted to humpy humpy Tommy every chance he got. Now, I can put up with alot of stuff. Humpy humpying the crawling baby, nope. Sorry Charlie Brown.

taking up coffee

Does it mean that you're an adult when you start to drink coffee in the mornings? I'm not sure, but it might. I am drinking not one cup, but two. It has to have the good creamer and sugary stuff, so I might not be all grown up. Down with black coffee!!!!
Andy surprised my yesterday. I asked him to put a roll of paper towels on the counter, so I could put them on the holder when I caught a moment. I watched him take the empty roll off, replace it with the full roll, and then throw the empty roll away. "All done, mommy." I was soooo proud. I know, baby Jesus story, but I can't help it. It seems I exude them as of late.

Been awhile

I gave blood again the other day. I can't believe that it has been 10 weeks. I have meant to get on here and just log some thoughts. Crazy how time gets away from one.
Andy starts his second year of preschool tomorrow. I can hardly process this.
There is so much to catch up on, that I simply do not know where to start. So, excuse me if this is a little messy. I feel that I must unload.
Wayne was here for the 4th of July. It was wonderful to have him home on one of my favorite holidays. ( who am I kidding, I love all holidays.) But it was such a relief to see him, and have Mom at ease. Then he was off again. Afghanistan - country in SC Asia, east of Iran: 251,773 sq. mi.;pop. 15,551,000. While that is Webster's definition, mine is far different.
Paula, Mom and Mel went to see Mama this past weekend. Seems some of her tenants think that rent is another word for freeload. Only one of several is paying rent. What?? How can people act like this? Mama was down in spirit. Stoooopid people. But stoooopid me, for not going and seeing her more. Thank heavens for Eva, chewing gum and kicking butt.
Tommy just got his 6th tooth in. Not even a year old yet and almost a mouth full of chompers. Saturday night was so rough. I couldn't figure out through my sleepiness what was wrong with him, just whining and not sleeping. We woke Sunday morning, and it hit me when I feed him breakfast. Poor little guy tried to tell me, I just didn't get it.
It doesn't seem that it has almost been a year since Tommy came and Myrna left. I only had a couple of gray hairs before those two events, now I have more than I care to admit. And may I take time to thank Oil Olay. Thanks. I try other products, but always seem to migrate back.
My garden was very successful. Especially for the little work that it took. Oh, trust me, when I was weeding and picking, I wasn't like, little bit a work. I was like I AM GOING TO DIE OUT HERE IN THE ABOMINABLE HEAT. But as we can see, die I did not. The green beans and corn were so yummy, and the cucumbers were great. Mike had me cook zucchini till I thought I was going to hurt him. He loves it.
I had a comment on my give blood post. It was in Spanish. I suppose I should have it translated. I hope they had something good to say.

Give Blood

Yesterday I went, the first time in a long time, to give blood. I was good to go. As I was sitting there, I realized that all those around me were just normal folks, going about their day. Just slowing a bit, in order to help perserve a life. I felt apart of something. It doesn't always feel that way. GO GIVE BLOOD if you are capable. It may be one of your loved ones that need it some day. 80)

Getting a drink

It is finally raining here. It seems as if it has been forever since the last good rain. If you sit quietly on my front porch, you can hear my yard drinking it in.
Yesterday, the boys and I went to Nathan's fifth birthday party. It was such a bittersweet moment when we sung Happy Birthday.
I go to give blood tomorrow. This is like the fourth appt that I have had to make. One would think that my schedule wouldn't change around so much, but it does. I think I need to spend some girl time getting a pedicure afterwards. Then to Lane Bryant, I have a gift card that is burning a hole in my pocket. Mike can use the time to be with the boys.
I have two packages ready to mail to Wayne. Should have mailed them a week ago. Time is just getting away. Soon he will be in on leave. Can't wait. The girls will be here Wednesday, and that is wonderful.
I keep having horrible dreams. I have prayed over them, tried to banish them, and worked myself ragged in hopes of dreamless sleep. But, alas, every night, the dreams are still there. Sometimes different, sometimes the same. I hate them.

Long Week

I mustn't go a week without logging my thoughts. I forget so easily. Just get too pressed for time.
Well, my dear Rosie O'Donnell has lost her mind. I really do like her, while I may not agree with all of the outlandish things that she seems to think these days, I do see her as a kindred sort. I fear that she may be acting out as a mouth piece for that writer of hers. She seems so angry. I don't understand how one with so much to be thankful for can be so uptight. If all those beautiful little ones, that she claims to adore, watch her tapes in twenty years, I wonder how they will feel. I am sure Rosie has an explanation. Makes me think of 'more flies with honey than vinegar'. Stop acting so whacked out Rosie O'Donnell.
Then the Mom in Texas, wow. How out of your mind would you have to be to hang your 4 children, then yourself? Paula thinks that someone did this to make it look like suicide, but it is really murder. I don't know. What I do know is that it is a miracle that the baby lived. The difference btwn this mother and Andrea Yates is, that this mother may have actually been mentally ill.
While out tending my flowers this morning, I came along a large spider, (OK, not too large, but still) and it was very aggressive towards me. I was taken back for awhile. That is when I noticed a small white egg sac under the spider. It was a mommy spider that was willing to die for her unborn. That spider was so bold as to take on something that was unfathomable to most people, animals or insects. Go mommies.
Much to my dismay, there have been ants eating my green bean plants. The little monsters have been munching on the delicate little leaves. I announced to them last night that they would die for this horrible offense. Then I put seven on my beans. I checked on them a little earlier, and there wasn't any ants around. I don't know if it is the seven or the heat of the day. I don't like to punish anything that is just trying to make a living, but not in my garden!!!! Stoopid ants.

Hancock's Dad Sues????

Josh Hancock the St Louis relief pitcher that was killed while HE WAS DRIVING DRUNK, his dad has filed a lawsuit against the restaurant, the towing company and the owner of the car that was stalled on the side roadway. WHAT THE????
We are all sorry that the guy died, but really? How about some personal responsibility? It is the grace of God that no one else was killed...., and instead of thinking of that, the father of this loser is trying to make his highly paid (get a cab) son look like a victim. PLEASE!!! Not only has Josh Hancock driving drunk, (twice the legal limit) speeding, and talking on the cell phone!! That doesn't include the marijuana that was located in the vehicle. I would wonder where junior got that amazing moral compass, but it looks like the acorn didn't fall far from the tree.

My favorite

Every day, Andy has a new favorite thing. Whether it be whatever soda I am drinking, a new cartoon, a different shirt that he hasn't seen awhile, always, 'Yeah mom, that is my favorite."
Would that be great or what? If every time we saw something new and shiny, or something old and true, whichever struck our fancy at the time, we could announce to the world that it is our favorite. I adore the color yellow, but sometimes baby blue or bright red would be nice to have for a new favorite. Just a thought.

Housecleaning and Gardens

For me, the whole thing with having a clean house is way over rated. I hate cleaning, for multiple reasons. No matter how tidy everything is when you finish, it just has to be done again. Over and over, and over..... it never ends. The only good time in the whole process is directly after you're done, when the house is all clean and shiny. But by then, you are too tired to care. You could sleep in a barn and not give a hoot.
It is different with a garden, at least so far. Only 1 week into my little forte, so we will see. At the very least, a garden gives one the hope that they will eventually be rewarded for all the efforts, along with a break. Housekeeping makes no such promises. Well, I guess you know what to expect with cleaning then. I once heard that housecleaning makes you ugly. Why risk it? At the rate I am progressing, Angelina Jolie, watch out.

Andy and Nathan

What those two do. The other day, while feeding Tommy, Andy and Nathan came in to get a drink of water, with straws, of course. It was last Tuesday, which was quite chilly. I noticed that it didn't seem to take them no time flat to drink all the water, and come back in for more. No problem, boys playing outside will be thristy. Well, about three minutes go by, and in they come again. Without really paying alot of attention, I say something like "Boys, take it easy on the water." Andy, always with a ready explantion as to why what he is doing is right, states that they spilled the other water. Directly within three more minutes, both are back for more water. This time, I look at them closely. I see that they have, indeed, spilled the water. It seems that spitting water out of the other end of a straw, at each other, passes for 'spilling' water to the boys. I tell them the whole thing about it being too cold, not to do that, yada yada. Outside they go.
Andy returns to inform me, "Mom, you made my friend Nathan sad, and you made me mad." It was all I could do not to crack up. With as much as a stern face that I could muster, I inform him "You don't talk to Mommy like that, I'm about to tan your hide." He directly comes back, with an equally stern face " No, mommy, I could die, that that would be so bad."
What do you do? I informed him that he would not die from his hiney being spanked, and to get outside before I could think it over and go ahead and spank him. Out he stomped. Michael Jr.

Wayne and Toby

Mom got a call from Wayne today. It sounded like he was on the moon, with the echo and all. He seemed so tense. Well, I guess that would be understandable. Afghanistan might as well be on the moon. Soooo much to add there, but I will not. He gets to come home in 37 days for two weeks. We will have him home for the 4th of July. That is such a blessing. The mail seems to running late there. I must get more packages off to him. I have been lacking lately.

Wayne said that he got to meet Toby Keith, up close like. Talked to him and all. Hmmm, brought good old Toby up a couple of niches. I have been torn btwn Toby and the Dixie Chicks for awhile. I like Toby's stance, and I love their music, along with understanding their position. The whole ordeal bwtn them is exactly why my precious brother is in some god forsaken country, over half a world away, protecting liberties of a people who have no idea of what liberty is. The priviledge of being an American is so taken for granted. Wayne and those like him, are an honorable breed, good and true. Thank God for them. Like Franklin D Roosevelt said, " We defend and we build a way of life, not for America alone.....but for all mankind."

Andy growing up

Last Saturday, while at the soccer field, I kissed Andy on the cheek. He instantly wipes it off, and with disdain informs me "Mom, do not kiss me at the soccer field." Heart broken. This is from my 4 yr old. I thought that moment would be at least a couple more years.