Fall Preview ...

OMG. It is that time of year again. The time of year when you need to take a day off work to prepare for the new Fall lineup of TV shows. It isn't as easy as one might think. You first have to figure out what all of the new shows are. You then have to get on the Internet and read what the show is about and watch the sneak preview. OK, so then you have to make notes about when they start and what channel they are on not to mention the day and time the will regularly be on. After all of this you still have to get the DVR involved. You can only tape two shows at one time so you then prioritize the shows that you have chosen. It is a painful process. Luckily there is nothing on Monday or Friday that I want to watch, that will give me a chance to catch up on everything I have set to tape. Gary is not so excited. He dislikes about 90% of my shows so he usually excuses himself to the bedroom to watch Fox News. The secret to a good marriage ... DVR and two TVs.

OK, so I finally did it ....

Did you see the target ad this last Sunday? How could I not buy a new purse? They had five or six different purses that I liked and they were only $20.00. Gary and I went running around on Sunday afternoon just to get out of the house and somehow or another we ended up at Target with two purses and a wallet in the cart. I don’t know how it happened, it just did. I have carried both purses around the house now for two days and have finally decided which to keep. I am also taking the wallet back because all of my “stuff” not money but stuff will not fit into it. I just couldn't take it anymore. It was either go buy a $20 purse or pay $65 for a massage to deal with all of the stress of no new purse. I think I got the best deal at Target.

Grandma or Mom?

After somewhat of a stressful week, I sat down today to watch some mindless TV. As I am flipping through the channels, I come across the Maury Show. Is my husband the father of my daughter's baby? OK, now first I thought, do people really watch this crap? Then I found that it was the end of the show and I had sat and watched the entire show. So, the answer to that questions is YES. Where do those people come from. So you are a single mom and you begin to date and then marry. On your first wedding anniversary you find out that your daughter is pregnant ... and it might be your husband's baby. Are you kidding me? I am saying they need to go straight from the Maury Show to Dr Phil. After watching this show for an hour all I can think of is .... does that baby call you Granny or Stepmom? Next time I want mindless TV I am watching Sponge Bob.

It is one of those days ...

When someone lives with you for several months, no matter hard you try not to, you get attached. It has been two weeks today that my granddaughter, Jamie (4) left for a visit to Elden and Columbia and has never returned. I miss her. I miss her waking me up in the mornings, singing "you are my sunshine". I miss her calling me "granny" with hands on her hips. I miss her sitting on my lap while I tried to work. Today Amanda has moved into her dorm at the University of Arkansas for her freshman year in college. I miss her also. I will miss the sushi, the soccer games and hearing her call me "Doof". In my best possible attempt to cheer myself up today, I have the music playing really really loud. I started out listening to Randy Travis, Big Smith and Andy Griffith Gospel CDs. I have just been walking around the house singing as loud as I could possibly sing. The dogs are scared. They have run into the bedroom to hide under the bed. Ok, well Roxy just has her head under the bed because she can't fit any other part of her body under there. I have changed the music to Big Smith. Burn down the house, 12 inch 3 speed oscillating fan and Trash are my fav Big Smith songs. Daisy has stuck her head out from under the bed and is now howling as I sing ... I'm gonna burn down the house and leave by the light of the fire ... I am not sure if it is my singing that is making her howl or if she thinks I am going to leave her in the house while it is burning. The music helps ... but when it stops, there is still the void of no Jamie or Amanda. Oh, and to make things just a bit worse ... there is still no new fall purse.

PURSE ....

You ever get something in your mind and you can't get it out. Your mind wanders away from it for a bit but it always goes right back to that one thing. Well, I need a new purse. I have spent all day convincing myself that I should not jump in the car and go look for the perfect Fall purse. I mean if I started, it could take all day. Target, TJMax, JCPenney, Dillard's, Macy's, Gordman's ... and the list goes on. So I have made it through the entire day without going and getting one yet here I sit at 10:15pm still thinking about it. I have been on QVC and the home shopping network websites. Still, no new purse. I went to the closet and got one out from last year. It is perfectly fine but who am I kidding ... there will be a new purse and if I was a betting woman I would say I will NOT be able to make it through day two without at least starting the search. Wish me luck.

Cupcakes are the way to go.

I have been spending more time on facebook since the girls are gone. I have a lot of time on my hands. I have been reading profiles of those in my past. Some are very specific and some not. I just read my profile and I feel so boring. Married for 7 years, worked at the same place for 10 years. No pictures of my kids, cause I don't have any. No pics of my step kids cause they don't like me. I have decided to make some stuff up ... I think I am going to go with cupcakes. I am married to Gary who works for the us Marshall's (cause i love the show "in plain sight"). He travels alot which is why I am able to spend so much time making cupcakes. I opened "jenny's cakes" 5 years ago and was voted best place to get sweets by the 417 magazine for the third year in a row. We are members of the Corgi rescue team taking in pups and dogs alike who have been abused or are from puppy mills. We just returned from a two week vacation in Hawaii, photos to follow. I have just graduated from culinary school and spend all of my spare time cooking gourmet meals for the homeless. Or maybe I have been married to Gary for seven years, we have kids that don't like us, jobs that are boring and I can't cook. I think cupcakes are the way to go.

Where does the time go?

It has been awhile since I wrote. I hate that I can not tell you what I have done for the last couple of weeks. I didn't have a lot of down time. My DVR is 73% full so I haven't been watching much TV. My on-line farm has all 4 day crops so I haven't been on the computer much. I don't seem to get anything done. I haven't done anything fun. You work and then two weeks are gone. I guess what they say is true ... the older you get the faster time goes by. OMG ... I have nothing. Nothing to talk about. Goodnight.

You will be missed Grandma Pearl

My husband's Grandma died this week. It is sad. She was 93 and was always very nice to me when I moved to Columbia. No judgements. Just accepted me into her family. It is funny what you find out about family when they die and you read their Obit in the paper. Why doesn't anyone tell you about your family why they are alive. When people die, it makes you think that you need to Live every day to the fullest. It reminds you that you have family that you need to stop taking advantage of and go see. You always hear people say things like "you will be missed" but in reality, if you never went to see them while they were alive, the person that died had probably already started missing you. People get upset with themselves because they let so much time go by, they stopped sharing their lives with people, they stopped visiting with people. OK, maybe a text now and then ... but that is not real communication. People have so much to give these days (and i don't mean money or objects) and we just don't take the time to find out what it is. What are we so busying doing? When I get back from Columbia, I am going to visit my Grandma. I MISS MY DAD. Don't wait too late to get in touch with, go see ... or just call and talk to that person, the one you assume will always be there. Make amends. Say your sorry. Get back in their lives .... before you are saying about the next person "you will be missed" or "I should have visited more." Thank you for accepting me into your family Grandma Pearl.

to push or not to push

How do you decide what to let your kids (or grandkids) do? Or should you push them to do things. Gymnastics, dance, soccer, volleyball, swim ... and on and on and on. You want them to be well rounded but not so busy with activities that they have no time for friends, family and relaxation. I am a huge soccer freak. I want Jamie to play soccer. She did a summer mini kicker class but sometimes she seemed to like it and other times not. should you make them try everything or how do you choose? i love to watch soccer, tennis and basketball, is that what I send her to? she loves music, do i let her play the piano or wait until they offer it in school? I do not want her to be one of those kids who does a couple of things but only does them half way. I want her to be a happy healthy kid who enjoys herself whatever she does.

Gotta love camp

I saw the most amazing thing today. I went to Camp Barnabas to pick up Hayden. I saw teenagers excited about spending time with other teens or younger kids that had Cancer or misc illnesses. They didn't care what they were wearing or if they had the right look. It was just enough that they got to spend a week with them and help them have one of the best weeks of their lives. Canoeing, camping, swimming, fishing, dancing and many more activities. Each camper had a counselor. They sang songs, celebrated God and had a great time.

Nothing really to say ...

You ever wake up one day and realize that you are just sad. Tired of being sick and not able to take care of your mate when they are not feeling well. Tired of spending so much energy on those who should be taking care of themselves. Do you ever feel like the life has just been completely drained from your body. That old saying "live for today" isn't as easy as it sounds.

The smallest Angel

Since I have been out of the hospital I have had to use an inhaler. The simplest things take my breath away. Walking to the mailbox. Harvesting the garden. Taking a shower. Everyone was in the front room watching TV so I decided to started my daily ritual. In the bedroom and bathroom I begin. Wash my face. Brush my teeth. Take medications. Then shower. I am all soaped up and ready for the rinse cycle when it hit me. No more air ... having trouble catching my breath. I turn around ready to yell for someone one to bring me my inhaler when the shower door opens. I stand there water pouring over me, grasping for air ... she giggles and says "Granny whatcha doin'?" Once again, she saves me from myself.

Here comes the Bride

Who knew that you could get on the Internet and 15 minutes and $30 later you can be an ordained minister. Well I found out this week that there is an ordained minister living in my home. Tuesday we had a wedding ceremony in our front room. I know, when you think of a weddings you think church or park, candles, flowers and decorations. The wedding at my house was like everything else in my life ... very different. We start with the bride and groom who i have met twice and as far as I can tell they had only met five times before the ceremony. The bride's thirteen year old son, who lived with us for several months. The groom's eight year old grandson. The bride's sister who is the Internet minister. The bride's nieces, one of whom is my granddaughter, me and three dogs. The bride and groom stand facing each other in the front room with the boys standing up for their parents. A beautiful background of our breakfast dishes on the dining room table, luckily I received a few vases of flowers when I was in the hospital that were sitting on the table, so we did have flowers . The minister standing in front of them with her spiral notebook, the dogs running up and down the hall barking and playing and me and the girls sitting on the couch. And the ceremony begins. Do you take him ... do you take her ... they are staring into each others eyes, the girls are looking at the bride and groom with odd looks on their faces, probably wondering why every young girl gets all worked up about getting married if you are just going to do it in the front room and when can we turn Mickey Mouse Club house back on the TV. The boys were having a hard time standing still and not laughing but the love birds were in their own little world. They repeat their vows and Shirley announces "I would like to introduce you to Mr and Mrs .... Kurt and Rachel ....." She looks at me and shrugs her shoulders and says "I don't know his last name." I chuckle to myself and wonder, is this really my life and where is the cake? After I thought about the happenings of the day, I decided that if we had it to do again, I would make a couple of changes. I would have let the bride hold my hospital flowers and instead of the dining room they could stand in front of our cucumber archway in the garden, they could have cut the zucchini bread that my mom made and feed that to each other and we could have all washed it down with a mug of best choice diet root beer. The ceremony ended, the TV came back on and it was like it was just another day.

The ride of a lifetime

Wednesday was the first day of camp for Hayden. He got a full scholarship to go to Camp Barnabas for a week. We had one car in the shop and two people who couldn't drive. My sister offered to drive us down to camp. She drives a 2009 Honda Pilot. White. Not a speck of dirt inside or out of the car. We load up. Me and Jill in the front, Hayden and Jamie in the back. Jamie decided to ride along just for the fun of it. We head out and before we even get off of our street, Hayden opens up the door and throws up. He didn't get anything on the car. We back up to the house and stock up on double lined walmart bags just in case. And we are off again. We make it about 15 minutes from camp it all started .... Hayden has his head completely inside the walmart bags throwing up. I have to roll down my window so I don't vomit and I tell Jamie to just look out the window. Jill doesn't say anything but I am sure she is completely freaking out because they aren't really germ people and someone is throwing up in their car. So we continue on down the road .... me with my head out the window, Jamie saying "why do i have to look out the window?" Jill saying, "you owe me big" .... what is the smell, why do i have to look out the window, are we there yet, you owe me big, what is that smell, can i stop looking out the window, what is that smell ... finally we arrived at camp , we cleaned Hayden up with wet wipes, and sent him off to have a good time. we got the car cleaned up, Jamie feel asleep on the way home and Jill and i just chuckled on the drive home. Jill dropped us off at home and from the mouth of the 4 year old, "thanks for letting me go, it was fun." Oh to be 4 again ...

The knife was not so nice.

I checked in on Tuesday, July 7 and was beginning to wonder if I would ever check out. The surgery went well, it was after the surgery when everything fell apart. Blood pressure went way down, blood sugar went way up which neither matters when you stop breathing. I just got home on Sunday Night. A two day stay turned in to a ICU all liquid diet six day stay. It is good to be home. When you have all day to just lay around and think about things, you realize that the two statements, "keep it simple" and "it is the little things that matter" really are true. I had a hard time sleeping without my husband there. I missed getting awakened in the mornings by Roxy rubbing her cold noise on my arm. "Good morning Granny". Rudy and Daisy chewing on my toes while I am peeing. It is funny the things you miss. I am glad to be home.

Going under the knife.

Mean, hateful and bitchy ... that is me. But today i have woken up as someone else. Today I am being admitted into the hospital for surgery. I have to go in one day early because of my blood sugar levels. I am scared. Almost embarrassed to admit it but yes scared. The last time I had surgery was on my right shoulder. Torn rotator cuff. It was an outpatient surgery, however, the 40 year old diabetic who has trouble with anesthesia was inpatient for three days post surgery. I have been very emotional lately and have had my feelings hurt alot over the last few days. Is this what happens to you once you get old. You become a big ball of .... cry baby! And that is what I am today ... a big cry baby. My mom is taking me to the hospital and Gary is going to be there to sit with me but people die during routine surgery. I need someone to come over here and slap me up the side of the head. What is wrong with me? And in she walks ... carrying my puppy, Rudy, sleep still in her eyes, she trips over Roxy, drops Rudy and crashes to the floor. Crying like a baby. We sit on the couch together for a muted episode of Handy Manny as she smiles again and sings "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine ... " to her Granny. I am still scared but not nearly as much.

Where are the school supplies?

I have enrolled Jamie in Pre-K with the Springfield Public Schools. She is excited about going back to school and I am excited about buying school supplies. I spent a week getting everything ready. Social Security Card, Birth Certificate, Shot records and forms filled out. Today was the big day. We go to finalize her spot and get all of the information and get the school supply list. She will be going to Westport Elementary from 8:30 to 2:30 Monday thru Friday. She needs a couple of shots, we got the calendar and other paperwork including the supply list ... OMG are you kidding me? Four things on the list? No pencils or crayons, no ruler or note books, no glue sticks? Backpack, hand sanitizer, Kleenex and rest mat .... what are they going to be doing all day? laying down resting, blowing their noses and then sanitizing their hands? what is the backpack for, to carry home all the dirty Kleenex? How is she going to learn anything but more importantly ... who am I going to take school supply shopping?

Happy Birthday to Me!

Yes, this is my birthday month. What I mean by birthday month is .... where are my gifts? It is the 3rd and I have yet to receive any gifts, cards or anything. What is that about? Early in our marriage, Gary spoiled me by giving me gifts, taking me to dinner and surprising me with small gifts all month. Now that we are further down the road in our marriage and we have more people living in our house and we do more stuff all year round, the birthday month has dwindled away a bit. Today though i have had lunch at the Pizza House and dinner at The Roost for a yummy mushroom swiss burger and the back rub is about to begin so I am accepting that as my first birthday month gifts. I will keep you up to date on my birthday month progress ... and if you need a list or my address ... just let me know. Happy Birthday to you Happy Birthday to you Happy Birthday day to Honey, Granny, Jennifer ... Happy Birthday to ME!

The meanest Granny of all?

It is 10pm and I am sitting on the couch watching a movie that I have seen 10 plus times, wondering why kids think it is ok to just do what they want when they want. I have three granddaughters staying with me. The third one arrived on Thursday evening. We have been to Burger King for lunch and playing, then to Republic for the park and Fireworks. We swam all day Saturday. Today, movies and playing, harvesting cucumbers from the garden, swimming in the little pool and out to eat. Girls were sent to bed around 9pm with a snack and drink. The TV is on and instructions were given. No talking or playing. Lay down and watch TV. It is an hour later and they have been out of bed several times. I need this or I need that and Mommy and Papa just send them back to bed. It is now 10:15pm and there will be no Fireworks tomorrow. If I was a betting girl (which I am) I would bet that there will also be no Hannah Montana Movie tomorrow either. Mean ol' Granny can only take so much before she steps in. Could be a long and boring week if things continue .....

Happy Father's Day?

My dad died 5 years ago in February. Some people tell you that it will get easier, but does it? Does it make you an less sad this Father’s Day then it did the year he died? NO. Do you stop thinking about him when you go see your mom because she moved out of the house that they raised you in? NO. I often think, if he was just here for one more day, what could I have done with him or told him. Today is the day that we celebrate our Dad’s … make time today to call him or go see him. Spend some time with him and tell him that you love him. Enjoy your Dad today.

I am finally a farmer

I have been on facebook for a few months now. I think it is an odd website. I can’t imagine that anyone is at all interested in what I am thinking or feeling at the very minute that I sign on to the computer. I really have no words of wisdom to give. Does anyone care that my life is most like the Beauty and the Beast, that I am a green, that I have watched Pretty Woman way too many times that I made a 100% on the how much do you know about Pretty Woman quiz or that I should be living in San Francisco. I have messed around on there some and have played a couple of games. Bejeweled does nothing but make me mad because I suck at it, but now Farm Town is right up my alley. I have purchased a farm. I have a small farm house, lots of animals, a huge garden and pay someone to harvest my crops. I plant anything from grapes, onions, sunflowers to cabbage and rice. I am sure that my farm neighbors get tired of me tending to their farm when they are away and sending gifts of turkeys, trees or flowers, but still I do it. It is the silliest game I have ever played, yet at the end of the day, it is weirdly comforting to just sit and farm.

Walking with Weights

They say that if you want to build some muscle you should wear weights on your ankles and wrists while you walk. Well the new additions to our family (black corgi pups Rudy and Daisy) have decided that I need to build some muscle in my legs. They lay waiting in the hall for me to leave my office and once I step into the hall, they pounce like cats. One on each foot. They have my shoe strings in their teeth holding on for dear life as I walk my way to the kitchen to refill my water glass. They are just little things but when you have them attached to your feet it is hard to make it down the hall. Stepping over kids, toys and trying not to stop on the weights ... and with my balance issues … it is a funny sight for those passing by and glancing in the window.

Lunch from the Garden

This is our second year for a garden. Last year we planted too much stuff in a small area. This year we have done things a bit different. We are definitely not weeders so we planted a bigger garden so that we could till around everything. We have green beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, radishes, lettuce, peppers of all kinds, zucchini, yellow squash, egg plant, watermelon and cantaloupe. The bunnies have been enjoying our beans and some type of bug has eaten up our eggplant, but all in all it is coming along nicely. It is very exciting to make your lunch from the garden. A nice big salad with lettuce, radishes, onions and banana peppers, I added a bit of ham for some protein but mostly today for lunch I am living off the land. Happy growing.

I am back ...

It has been a while since I have written on here. With everything going on right now it is hard to get on the computer in the evenings and have a clear thought, but I have decided that it is important for everyone to take a few minutes and relax and think about the happenings of each day. Whether they have made you happy, sad, mad or just completely exhausted as I most usually am. So, I hope you all make it back to read about my boring and uneventful life.

The Best Gift Ever

I received some great things for Mother's Day this year. I got a Hummingbird Feeder, a pair of Ruby earrings and a new set of mats for the Blazer.

Other gifts received ... after nine years ... flowers, a card and a text. It is the first celebration of mother's day for two step kids and the second celebration for the other. It is always an interesting day on Mother's day for me. Am I getting better at being the step mom? kissing their butt more now than before? Does it have something to Shirley, Hayden and Jamie living with us? Who knows ...

The best gift was given a day early. We went to Silver Dollar City yesterday and a beautiful little girl with big blue eyes whispered in my ear "Granny, I love you". And that makes everything else seem so unimportant.

Happy Mother's Day to everyone!

things to ponder ....

where do the seeds for seedless watermelons come from?



at the bank ... does the first line that says "commercial line only" mean that if you have a commercial account that is the only line you can go through or does that mean that no one but commercial account holders can use that line?

Is it too early to ask for your Christmas List?

I am a planner. Gary started laughing at me this weekend because I got my pencil, a notepad and my calendar out and started making notes. I am going to St Louis once and Boonville twice this month. A Kansas City weekend is planned for a visit with Dave Ramsey in May. A weekend to the Lake of the Ozarks, a trip to Columbia in September for the Roots n Blues n BBQ fest, a football trip to Denver to see the Broncos play the Chiefs and six weeks of vacation to fit into 2009. Silver Dollar City passes will need to be used. Jamie wants to go to KC or St Louis to the Zoo and other activities. Three Holiday's that fall on weekends and then there are "the Holidays". We will be staying home for Thanksgiving but will travel to Columbia for Christmas, probably around the 12th of December. With this much stuff to do and a hubby who doesn't think past tomorrow, someone needs to own a calendar. And with all of that traveling there will be shopping ... so if there is some time you need to schedule in or something you have on your Christmas list ... you had better get it written down on "The Calendar" because the days are filling up quick.

I pay money for this?

You hear people all of the time saying “I am addicted to working out” “I feel great after my workout” These people are BIG FAT LIARS! I just got back from working out, my legs and arms feel like jello and I could throw up. I am guessing that the reason Krista thinks I can do so many squats is because I look very similar to the exercise ball and she thinks I can just bounce up and down. And those things called planks … yes these may be easy for her but … HELLO … I am holding up a lot more pounds than she is so of course they are easier for her. I am just saying … a good workout does nothing for me except make me hungry for a BIG MAC.

Out of the mouth of babes ...

It is a wonderful day when you hear "Granny, grandma and mommy said if it wasn't for you PaPa would still be living with us in Columbia" "grandma also said you are fatter than when you first took him away." i noticed this week that Elissa lies alot, but could a 6 year old really make that up?

Who is your person?

You ever have one of those days where you didn't know what was wrong but you were weepy and you got a call from that person that for a split second made you forget what made you weepy? You ever had that day that something was so funny that you just had to tell that one person? You ever have that one day when you were so happy about something but in order for it to feel real, you had to tell that one person. I believe that having that person is very important in making it through life sane. I think your person can change in different stages of life. Thank you person for being there for me.

No face on my book please ....

I have spent a lot of time on the Internet this weekend. Working. Shopping. The Saturday morning shopping show has signed up on Facebook. A few weeks ago I signed up also in order to get a bargain. I had no idea what Facebook was and I still don’t really understand the purpose of it. I know that some have pics, you have friends, you write about what you are doing now and what you are feeling. It is like facebook as taken the place of …. A friend. I have obtained several friends since I have been on there. I have made some mad because I didn't want my picture on their page. I sign on and read what my friends say they are doing or feeling and find that I really have nothing to say. I just don't get it ... do people really want a play by play of my day? If all of these people were so interested in how I was feeling, why have I not heard from them before? I am not happy that today is Monday ... but are there many that are? I am tired most of the time. I enjoyed playing outside this last with Jamie. If there is anything else you want to know about me ... just give me a call and we will talk.

Empty ...

I have nothing at all to say. I have been promising a blog for days now and each time I sit down, I have nothing. There is so much going on in my life right now that it seems impossible that I have nothing to say. I have three new house guests. Shirley, Hayden and Jamie. I am having trouble with my hands so I am working a bit less. I have so many TV shows taping that I barely have enough hours in a day to watch them all. Amanda is graduating this year and will be attending the University of Arkansas. I went to a person trainer this week and she almost killed me with a big rubber ball. I have no idea what or how to cook for a family of five. My dad died 5 years ago tomorrow. It will be a sad day.

Seeds, Seeds Seeds

Henry Fields. Burpee. Totally Tomatoes. Johnny's Selected Seeds. Park Seed Co. I am so excited about my garden this year. I have spent several days looking at these books. Page by page by page. I have bent over so many pages that now I have to go back through them to figure out what I really want to get. Who knew there were so many choices. When you go to the grocery there is pretty much only one choice for each vegetable. Which is the best of the yellow squash ... straightneck or crookneck? Do you want long straight cucumbers or short bumpy ones? Tomatoes ... there are so many different kinds. How do you decide? They say, "it depends on what you are going to do with them" well I am going to eat them. So far we are planning cucumbers, zucchini, yellow squash, tomatoes, peppers and green beans. I will let you know how it works out ... I am ordering my seeds this week. See you at the Farmer's Market!

Love .. 15 .. 30 .. 40

The biggest day of the year for Sports? Well for most it would be the Super Bowl, but for me, there are four big days ... Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open. I love to watch tennis. I don't understand why they keep score like they do. What is "love" about being at zero? I am watching the Australian Open now. The William's Sisters. I have been up to 1am almost every night for a week. Roddick vs Federer. Which sister will be in the final? Will they make it to the finals in the doubles? What is so exciting about a little yellow ball bouncing from one side of the court to the other. I can't really answer that but once I sit down to start watching I just can't stop. I am excited when the Grand Slams come on but they also make me sad. When I moved to Columbia, the one person that was nice to me and encouraged me to stay and give it some time was Gary's mom, Jackie. She died before we got married. We shared the love of tennis and I miss her but when the Slams come around it is more obvious that she isn't here but it also reminds me of the time I did get to spend with her. She was a great lady. Game. Set. Match.

Coffee and cold eggrolls

Can you change your life by changing your name? Do you ever get so wrapped up in the stress of your own life that when you sit down to watch something on TV you just want want to live that life. I have eaten cold egg rolls and drank coffee all day in hopes that I become Lorelai. She is quirky and very few understand her humor. Do the shows we watch explain our personalities? I love reality shows, The Bachelor, Jon and Kate plus 8, American Idol and I cant believe I am saying it ... Big Brother, but also have seen every episode of Matlock, Murder she wrote and Monk. I use to want to live in Cabot Cove Maine but now it is Stars Hollow. I want the simple life of walking to he market and eating at the diner. Everyone knowing who I am and all up in my business. Do people really live that way? Well I am starting by reading the book, Simplify your life. And I am planting a garden. You must watch at least one episode of The Gilmore Girls. Talk to you soon .... Lorelai

Where has Roxy gone?

Working at home is a great thing .. most of the time. People think you don’t have a real job and that you have all of the time in the world to do whatever .. even the dog wont give you a break. I spend most days with a puppy at my feet. She either needs to go outside to potty or play, wants something to eat, drink or take a nap with her mommy. Sometimes she just needs attention and sometimes she just wants to go outside on the front porch, stretch and watch the wind blow. I get so frustrated sometimes and feel like I am running a doggie daycare instead working for an insurance company. Roxy is at the spa today getting a bath and a manicure. Mommy sure could use a nap partner today … I sure do miss my doggie daycare.

What is she thinking?

Here I am again in the bathroom. We have two bathrooms in our house. One off of our bedroom and one in the hallway. I use the one in the hallway most of the time because it is closest to my office. Every time I go into the bathroom off the hall, no matter where she is or what she is doing, Roxy comes in and sits in front of me, looking up at me like a lost puppy, so I pet her. If I use the other bathroom, she does not follow me. What do you think she is thinking when I go into that bathroom? And why does she think something different when I use the other bathroom? Does she think the front bathroom is the "petting room"? Woo Hoo it is petting time again!! Or, oh great there she goes again into the petting room so I guess I had better get in there. Why does she always want together time when I am taking a nap? Boy she has a short attention span. Why can't she just pet me while she is watching TV? If we only knew what our pets were thinking ...

New Year New You ... and Me

Yes, I have been listening to Dave Ramsey again ... and today it was about Goals. He talks about the seven areas that you shouljd make goals in for the new year. Career. Financial. Spiritual. Physical. Intellectual. Family. Social. If you don't make career goals you will be at the same job doing the same thing this time next year. Talk to God daily. Physical goals can be hard ... losing weight, exercising, running a marathon. Pick something that is obtainable. I will not be running any marathons this year. Read a book. Millionaires read one non fiction book a month. Spend more time with your family and that doesn't include watching TV. Have a girl's night out. Get our of the house. Take time to talk to friends, not on the phone or with texting. There are five rules to setting Goals to make them obtainable. Be specific. Measurable. Your goals, don't do it because some else wants you too. Time limits. WRITE THEM DOWN. Goals are dreams ... don't stop at dreaming them ... make them happen. Goals lead you to activities that bring you to accomplishing your dreams. I have set my goals for Physical, Spiritual, Intellectual and Family but am still working on the others. I am going to attend Weight Watcher meetings once a week for three months. I am going to read every day from my Daily Bible. I am going to read a non fiction book before the end of February. I am starting with Multiple Blessings by Kate Gosselin ... gotta start somewhere. I am going to play and walk with Roxy everyday and I am going to take Jamie and go on an outing at least once every other week. Wish me luck!

Our Step Daughter

It is not often that you find a young girl (11) that will spend any time with boring old married people. You know when your friends have kids and you are forced to spend time with those kids. Sometimes it is OK but sometimes it doesn't really work out. They are BRATS but you can't say anything to their parents. Well, we do not have that problem with Hannah. She is a great kid and we enjoy the times we spend with her. She calls us her step parents. We enjoy watching the same stupid reality shows (at least her and I do .. not so much Gary.) We have Big Brother night when it is on and we are starting Bachelor night right now. She is growing up and I can't even imagine what her Mother feels most of the time ... it is scary when you realize that she really isn't a little girl anymore and she is on her way to being a teenager ... and I am not even going to go into the boyfriend thing. Hannah tried out for Honors Choir at school and made it! We love you Hannah and are very proud to call you our "stepdaughter".

The 4 year old will steal your heart

We had a birthday party for Gary at my Mom's house. It was a small party. Gary, Me, Mom, Jamie, Dean, Amanda and Justin. We had dinner and cake and ice cream. After the birthday festivities were over .... Jamie took control. The ages of the people at the party were forty plus, three teenagers and a 4 year old. Apparently no one told Jamie that teenagers are too concerned with their appearance and their reputation to do silly things. After cake and presents Jamie just walked up to Dean and said "come on Dean, its time to play duck duck goose" after about a minutes and a half she had not only won their hearts yet again but she had Amanda, Justin, Dean and even Nanny in the front room playing this game. All in the floor, sitting criss cross applesauce taking turns tapping the others on the head ... duck duck duck and goose. After a couple of rounds of that, the teens (15, 18 and 19) were all holding hands ... ring a round the roseys pocket full of poseys ... we all fall down. Hide N Seek. It was a good time for all. Nothing like a four year old to remind us all that it is OK to be silly sometimes and enjoy your family.

Happy Birthday Gary!

Live intentionally.

Happy Birthday to Gary (and Dad ... we miss you.)

Boy do Wii look silly

Gary and I got a Wii system for Christmas this year. It is a lot of fun. We had our granddaughters for the week after Christmas and we have had a great time. We have played several different games. Papa cheerleading with Elissa was a sight. Dodgeball. Bowling. The weather has been nice so we have had the front door open and the shades up in the front room. As I was playing some vollyball today I noticed people outside walking by. That got me to wondering ... boy, do we look silly to those passing by. Gary and I jumping around waving our arms .... I guess those passing by should just feel lucky that we don't Wii in the nude ...

It is a new Year ... what are your resolutions?

What will it be this year? Be nicer ... tried it and it only lasted a couple of days. Weight loss ... tried it. Healthier .. tried it. Better with my money. Get more involved with the community. Take Roxy on a walk every day. Read more. Shop less. Be better at keeping in touch with friends. Take more time for myself and time for Gary and I. Be a good role model for my Granddaughters. At what point in our lives do we realize that we are no good to others if we don't take care of ourselves. I think I am a good person. I have spent the last 8 years trying to be everything to everyone and somehow someone is always disappointed. This year ... 2009 ... is going to be about me. My new year's resolution is to be Selfish. I need to figure out who am i? what do I want? I need to find myself again. If there was something you wanted out of me ... you missed your chance.