HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!! IT IS 2007.

A visit to Grandmom's house

Yesterday Jim and Rebecca and I picked Marissa and Daniel up and it was off to Grandmom's we went. Weren't they all surprised to see all 3 lil one's at once. The kids had a blast and so did both grandmom's and grandpop. Jim's grandmother is 97 years old and was so thrilled to meet her 2 great great grandchildren for the first time. She hugged and kissed them and smiled and watched them play. Jim's Mom fixed lunch for everyone. And of course it was Marissa and Rebecca's favorite, grilled cheese.

Then the kids all talked with grandpop's parrot, Harry. He loved the attention from the kids. Grandpop took him out of the cage so the kids could pet him. Daniel wanted to hold Harry, he is not afraid of anything, lol. Afterwards grandpop took them outside to see the bunnies. They belong to Jim's brother Bruce. The bunnies are so friendly. The tan one is Bruce and the dark grey one is Brucer. I wanted to get pictures of the peacocks, but Jim's Dad said someone stole them. There was 3 adults and 3 babies. He says there is a big wanting of peacock feathers by fisherman who use the feathers to make fishing lures. Grandpop is kind of upset about that. But I was able to sneak a pic of Jim's Mom's cat Smokey. He is 10 years old and is not a people cat. He hides from strangers but I found him hiding and took a pic. If you look closely at his face you will see his bottom teeth that stick out over his top lip like fangs, I think it is so cute.

I got the 5 generations pic I wanted. It was Jims grandmom, his mom, Jim, Rebecca and Daniel and Marissa. Five generations, wow. I always wanted to get a pic like that of Jim's family. I can't do that with my family because my parents and all my grandparents are all deceased. But it was so awesome to be able to get one of Jim's family.

It was a wonderful day. We all enjoyed the visit. We will all go back again soon, and when we do Emma and Dan will go with us. Grandpop painted up the garage and shed. Looks like a real farm at grandmom's now. Grandpop's shed is insulated, has a heater in it and airconditioning, his computer, computer work shop and his hobby which is building remote control airplanes and helicopters. Jim's Dad worked for the FAA all his life so he is really great at computers and radio controled airplanes. FAA stands for Federal Aviation Administration.

Well, I guess that's about it on our trip yesterday.  It was an awesome day. I really had a great time. Guess I will go now. This is suppose to be my day of sleeping in, but instead I am up with Rebecca and Jim is sleeping in. I knew it would happen that way, always does. Oh well, part of being a mother, right? Hope you all have a great day.

                             

It is going on 3:30 in the morning and I am awake. I woke up with my throat hurting and coughing like mad. Rebecca has given her Mommy her cold. She is doing a little better. We never took the kids to the park yesterday. It was a little too cold outside. Rebecca is getting better, but her appetite isn't that great yet. All she wants is iced water and crackers. Jim and I and Rebecca will be picking up Marissa and Daniel at 10am this morning. We are all going to Jim's grandmothers for the day. They all know we are coming, but they don't know we are bringing Marissa and Daniel. It is a surprise for them.

Christmas has come and gone. All the worrying I did and so much stressing seems like it never happened. My child had a fantastic christmas, because of her Jland godmother Angie. Ang, as soon as this child gets up in the morning, she is in front of the dollhouse, she loves it. I took a picture of it all set up with the furniture, as soon as I get Jim to load it into computer for me I will post it. When we visit Jims family today I will take lots of pictures. I am hoping both of Jims brothers Bruce and Walter are there so I can get a pic of the boys together. There will be 5 generations in that house today, and I want to get a pic of that also. Jim's Dad has peacocks running around in the yard, so I wanna try to get pics of them also, and of their pet parrot named Harry. He is so cool, his favorite foods are pizza and apples. He says quite a few words also, like hello, goodbye, cool, pizza, nite nite, and when he wants out of his cage he will call Jims dad by his nick name which is Bud. Harry is very old, but in great shape.

As for that ex husband of my daughters. She tried turning him in for his warrants, and was told unless he does something wrong they can't go get him, he'll have to be caught doing something first. Here in Philly they won't give her a restraining order unless he physically hurts someone. How screwed up is that? She has 2 little kids in that house and they won't give her an order of protection. I told her next time he shows up, call the police and say he has a gun, they'll be there real quick. He wears a long trench coat and has a sword inside it, so if he is searched they will find it. That jerk is trouble with a capital T. I never could stand him. What breaks my heart is my grand daughter. She knows who Jeff is to her and wants to know why he doesn't like her or care about her. All Emma has the heart to tell her is that he is sick and needs help, but her Daddy Dan loves her very much and she is daddy Dans lil girl. Marissa is fine with that, because Dan loves her very much and she knows it. To her Dan is Daddy, and to Dan, Marissa is daddys girl. He loves that child just as she was his own. Marissa wanted a real piano for christmas, even told santa she wanted a real one, guess what? She got a real piano with a bench and all. Dan's ex SIL gave it to him for Marissa. She was married to Dan's brother Michael. He has so many brother's. Dan's parents had 10 kids, all boys so it is hard keep up on who is who. One of Dan's brothers killed himself a few years back. He was found hanging in the shed outside. His name was Howard. Dan's other 8 brothers are Victor, Vincent, Bill, Walter, Michael, Donald, Fred, Tony. That's alot of boys, lol.

Well, I want to thank Donna/DCA721 for her lovely christmas card I received a few days ago. All total I got 41 cards from just my Jland friends, wow I was happy. Thank you sooooooooo much to everyone who sent me a card for christmas. Your all so wonderful and I feel so blessed to have you all in my life.

I had lots of food left over from christmas dinner. I gave Emma some to take home, and I also made up a big bag of things for Dans mom to take home. She was just so thrilled that I thought of her too. She had enough to last her a few days, lol. I am so glad the holidays are almost over. I think after new years I'm gonna find a cave and hibernate til spring, lol. And oh yea, NO, I am not cooking dinner on New Year's, no way, no how, momma is tired, lol. I am going to stay home and relax. Jim says if he lets me relax all day on sunday, he'll do the cooking, cleaning and watching Rebecca, then on monday it'll be his turn to relax and sleep in and I'll take care of chores and Rebecca. I think that's a good idea.

Well, it's 4:30am. I am debating on whether to go back to bed or not. I kind of like the quiet time right now. Maybe I should try to catch another couple hours sleep though, after all I will have 3 kids to deal with today, lol. I thik I will go make some coffee and write to my brother Paul for a while. He called me the other night, I was happy to hear from him. Well take care all and be careful if your out driving over the weekend. There will be alot of people celebrating the New Year and behind the wheel of their vehicles when they should'nt be.

Love you all,

Cindy

More Christmas Pics

GOOD MORNING. I TRIED TO MAKE AN ENTRY LAST NIGHT, BUT HALF WAY THROUGH IT I THINK I FELL ASLEEP. I WOKE UP AT THE COMPUTER AND THE ENTRY I WAS MAKING WAS GONE. SO I GAVE UP AND WENT TO SLEEP.

I HAD A WONDERFUL 2 DAYS HAVING MY FRIEND SARAH HERE VISITING ME. WE TALKED ALOT AND GOT CAUGHT UP WITH EACH OTHER'S LIVES. IT'S BEEN 3 YEARS SINCE I HAD LAST SEEN HER, SO SHE HAD CHANGED ALOT. ONE CHANGE BEING SHE LOST 189 POUNDS. SHE LOOKS GREAT. wE WENT SHOPPING TO THE FOOD BASICS WHERE SHE LOVED THE CHEAP PRICES, WE VISITED EMMA AND MY GRANDCHILDREN, I TOOK HER TO A HUGE DOLLAR STORE, WHERE I COULDN'T GET HER TO LEAVE, LOL. SARAH IS GONNA BE MOVING TO PENNSYLVANIA, BUT IT WILL BE TO THE PA OHIO BORDER. JIM SAYS WE CAN VISIT HER ON HIS VACATIONS, SO THAT WILL BE NICE.

I MADE HER NICE DINNERS WHILE SHE WAS HERE. TUESDAY WAS SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS WITH SWEET ITALIAN SAUSAGE, GARLIC BREAD AND A SALAD. AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT I MADE PORKCHOPS STUFFED WITH CORNBREAD STUFFING, PIEROGGI'S, GRAVY, CORN, SALAD. THURSDAY MORNING I FIXED HER BACON, SAUSAGE, EGGS AND TOAST, COFFEE. SARAH SAID SHE ATE MORE HERE IN THE 2 DAYS SHE WAS HERE THEN SHE DOES IN AN ENTIRE WEEK AT HOME, LOL.

SHE HAD A GREAT TIME PLAYING WITH REBECCA. THEY PLAYED CARD GAMES, WITH HER DOLL HOUSE, THEY COLORED. REBECCA WAS IN HER GLORY. SHE KEPT REBECCA BUSY WHILE I DID SOME MUCH NEEDED CLEANING UP AFTER CHRISTMAS DAY. MY HOUSE WAS TRASHED. EVERYROOM WAS A MESS. BUT ANYWAYS, HERE ARE SOME MORE PICS OF CHRISTMAS.

REBECCA AND I ARE GOING OVER EMMA'S TODAY. EMMA AND I ARE GOING TO TAKE THE KIDS TO THE PARK FOR A COUPLE HOURS. IT'S SUPPOSE TO BE IN THE 50'S, SO I DON'T THINK IT'S TOO COLD FOR THEM. THEY'LL HAVE WARM COATS ON. THEY'VE BEEN COOPED UP IN THE HOUSE, SO I THINK GETTING THEM OUTDOORS TO RUN OFF SOME ENERGY WOULD BE GREAT.

WELL REMEMBER WHEN I SAID EMMA'S EX HUSBAND WAS VISITING EMMA AND DAN AND SPENDING TIME WITH HIS DAUGHTER MARISSA? WELL MAN DID THAT BACK FIRE. THAT JERK HAS DONE NOTHING BUT CAUSE THEM PROBLEMS. HE LOST A KNIFE AND THINKS EMMA HAS IT, AND SHE DOESN'T HAVE IT. WELL, HE'S BEEN COMING TO HER HOUSE, BEATING ON HER DOORS AND WINDOWS, CALLING HER MAKING THREATS, CHIRPING HER WITH THREATS HIS FAMILY IS CHIRPING HER WITH THREATS, AND THE OTHER NIGHT AT AROUND 7PM A NEIGHBOR WITNESSED JEFF (THE EX) TAKE  A SWORD AND SMASH HER WINDSHIELD. THIS IS A 600.00 WINDSHIELD. BUT THANKS TO HER DADDY (JIM) SHE ONLY PAID 95.00 FOR IT. SHE GOT 3 DISCOUNTS, JIM'S EMPLOYEE DISCOUNT, A HALF PRICE DISCOUNT CAUSE THERE IS A TINY HALF INCH SCRATCH ON TOP OF WINDSHIELD, AND THE BOSS SAID SHE GOT AN EXTRA 25% OFF FOR THE I DIVORCED A TOTAL JERK DISCOUNT, LOL. JIM FILLED HER GAS TANK FOR HER AND THE SHOP EVEN GOT HER VEHICLE INSPECTED FOR DAN AND EMMA, SO HER STICKERS ARE GOOD TIL END OF NEXT YEAR. JIMS BOSS IS AWESOME. HE SAYS HE TAKES CARE OF HIS EMPLOYEES AND THEIR FAMILY. DANS BROTHERS ALL SHOOK JIMS HAND AND THANKED HIM FOR WHAT HE DID FOR THEIR FAVORITE SIS IN LAW AND LIL BROTHER. JIM SMILED. HE SAID, HEY THAT'S MY CHILD, I WOULD DO ANYTHING FOR HER. SO JEFF CALLS EMMA AND SAYS, SO HOW DID YOU LIKE YOUR SURPRISE? EMMA TELLS HIM HE WAS SEEN BY THE NEIGHBOR DOING IT, HE SAYS SO WHAT. EMMA THEN TELLS JEFF, THE MONEY CAME OUT OF MARISSA'S MONEY SHE GTS EACH MONTH FROM HIS SSI, AND HE MUST NOT CARE TOO MUCH ABOUT HIS ONLY DAUGHTER. AND SINCE HE DOESN'T CARE HE WILL NOW NEVER SEE THIS CHILD AGAIN. HIS ANSWER TO THAT WAS, WHO CARES, I COULD CARE LESS IF I EVER SEE HER AGAIN. GOD I HATE THAT JERK. HE HAS SO MANY WARRANTS OUT FOR HIM AND NEVER GETS CAUGHT. EMMA SAID SHE WAS TOLD UNLESS HE COMES THERE AND HURTS ONE OF THEM THE POLICE WON'T GIVE HER A RESTRAINING ORDER. WELL, FINE CAUSE WE GOT SOMETHING BETTER THEN A RESTRAINING ORDER, IT'S CALLED THE MAZZOLI BROTHERS. DAN HAS 5 BROTHERS HERE IN PHILLY WHO ARE WATCHING OVER EMMA AND DAN SO I DARE JEFF TO COME AROUND. HIS BROTHER BILL STAYS UP ALL NIGHT, LIGHTS OUT IN HOUSE SITTING BY WINDOW AND WATCHING THE CAR. AND WHEN EMMA GETS UP HE GOES TO BED. JEFF IS BACK ON DRUGS AND DRINKING AGAIN AND ISN'T TAKING HIS MEDICATION FOR HIS BI-POLAR SCITZOPHRENIC CONDITION. I WILL BE STAYING WITH EMMA AND THE KIDS ALL DAY TODAY UNTIL BILL WAKES UP OR DAN GETS HOME. MY NEW CAMERA TAKES VIDEO'S SO IF HE COMES AROUND I CAN VIDEO TAPE HIM AND SHOW IT TO POLICE.

OK I HAD BETTER GO NOW. REBECCA WANTS BREAKFAST AND I NEED COFFEE. HOPE EVERYONE HAD A GREAT CHRISTMAS. I WILL GET TO ALL YOUR JOURNALS TONIGHT, I PROMISE. I MISSED YOU GUYS THE PAST COUPLE DAYS.

LOVE TO ALL,

CINDY

 

hi everyone. i just want to let you know i am still around, but i am taking a little break. I also have a friend here for a couple days and I am spending time with her catching up. I will be back on line tomorrow and will catch up on your journals and I have lots more pics to post of christmas and my family and pics of my dinner table set up with all the food. I got alot to tell you all about. So I hope everyone is well and I will see you tomorow night.

 

PS, My friend loves POGO on line games. She is using my computer while here to play the games. So to my friends who are pogo, if you see me on in the friends list, it is not me, it is my friend Sarah. Take care all have a wonderfful evening and I will see you tomorrow. Good night.

 

CINDY

I have more pics of dinner and guests, Jim has to download for me, then i will post them. I also have a couple video's but I have to figure out how to show them. just a short entry, I am exhausted and am going to bed. good night all.

 

Cindy

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU MY FRIENDS

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

HOPE SANTA WAS GOOD TO YOU AND YOURS. HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY. GOTTA SHOWER, CLEAN AND COOK FOR ALL THE COMPANY COMING FOR DINNER.

REBECCA HAD A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS MORNING. SO FULL OF SMILES AND LAUGHS AND LOVING ALL HER GIFTS. JIM GOT ME A DIGITAL CAMERA. TOOK LOTS OF PICS. I WILL POST THEM TONIGHT.

LOVE YOU ALL,

CINDY

Taking a Break

  Well, here it is Christmas Eve day. I've got all the gifts wrapped and hidden, my deviled eggs and potato salad is made, and soon I will put on the pasta sauce and meatballs and sausage to cook on low overnight for the stuffed shells tomorrow. I have my ham marinating, and ready to put into the oven in the morning. I still have to steam and season my shrimp. Last night I made 15 pounds of potato salad, half of which went down to Joe's because of his christmas party tonight. I also steamed and seasoned 2 pounds of shrimp for him, made 48 deviled eggs for him. I was cooking until 1am this morning, and Rebecca woke me up at 7am, grrrrrrrrrrrrr. She was sad, she thought today was christmas and wanted to know why santa didn't leave her any presents, awwww. I told her it ain't christmas til tomorrow. She says, Oh silly me, I forgot, lol.

I went out earlier and got a few stocking stuffer's for her stocking. One being a 14 inch wooden Nutcracker figurine. I don't know what it is with this child but she loves nutcrackers. She says they are soldiers and guard her house, lol.

Dinner tomorow is a big one. I have 20 people coming over, yikes where they all gonna sit. Oh well the floor is carpeted, lol. My menu is as follows:

Appetizers: weiner wraps, steamed shrimp, olives (green and black) pickles, crackers and wine cheese.

Dinner: Baked spiral ham, potato sald, mixed veeggies, deviled eggs, stuffed shells with sausage and meatballs, dinner rolls, salad.

Dessert: Warm cinnamon buns, cookies. Fresh fruit.

Beverages: Beer, soda, coffee, tea, hot chocolate.

Saturday morning we were up and out of here bright and early. Jim and I had the grocery shopping and christmas shopping all done by noon. We chose 1 store to do our christmas shopping at, and that was Target. I got some awesome bargains there. A complete outfit for Rebecca for under 5.00, so I got her a few of them. Got my granddaughter a couple also. I got Emma 2 cotton tops for under 6.00, for the men I shop for it was sale sale sale, lounge around flannel pants, socks, boxers, flash lights. I got Jim a portable vacuum for him to clean the van and some cologne, Preferred Stock, I love that smell on him. I found Rebecca 2 pr of longjohns for girls, and got her a pair of footsie pajamas also. She needs warm things to sleep in. All her pajammas are for summer and she is forever kicking off her covers. I spent 11 hours in the kitchen yesterday, wrapping gifts and cooking. Needless to say today I am exhausted. I am burned out completely. It took me 3 hours to clean my kitchen today. Thank goodness Jim cleaned and vacuumed the livingroom for me. I still have the bathroom to clean, but I will save that for after Rebecca has her bath and is in bed for the night. By the time I am finished cleaning it, she will be fast asleep and I can put the gifts under the tree.

I got 4more cards since friday. They are from Ellen, Nelishia, LisaJo, Mandy. Thank you ladies, I love each one of them. I want to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone of you who sent me a card, also want to thank you all for your kindness, prayers, warm thoughts and most of all for your friendship. You all mean so much to me. Your always here when I have to vent, rant, or am feeling so down, and your comments always cheer me up. I may not be blessed with wealth, but I am blessed with a loving family and a new family here in Jland. I'm not certain cause he wrapped it before I got to it to peek, but I think Jim got me a new camera. My 35mm bit the dust. Well, hope you all have a safe and happy christmas, full of family, love, good food and lots of nice gifts. But also remember the real reason for this holiday. It is to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Happy Birthday Jesus.

                

A special thank you to Debbie and Donna for their lovely tags I used in this entry.

Trying to regain my sanity, lol

Yes, you read the title right. LOL I guess I should explain right? It started out on tuesday morning. Mom, will you watch Daniel so I can take some things to new place? Sure no problem, I say. I love spending time with my grandson. 4:30 pm comes, phone rings. Mom, Dan went to go get a U-Haul truck, we want to move completely into new place tonight. Can you keep Daniel a few more hours? It won't take us long we got plenty of help. Ok sure, but remember I go to bed around midnight. Ok, I'll be there before then to pick Daniel up. Ok see you then.  10:30pm, phone rings, Mom we're having a problem. Oh whats wrong? First truck broke down, had to get another one. Ok so what is problem? Truck is all loaded and it won't start, battery died, do you have jumping cables? Ummm, no not anymore, remember I loaned them to you a while back and they were never returned, cause you left them in a car you sold. Oh shit, that's right, sorry Mom. It's ok honey, so now what? Can you not call emergency service number on rental contract? I don't know. Well call anyways, and call me back. Ok, Mom. Meantime Daniel is asleep on couch, wakes up every 20 minutes whining for DaDa, his daddy. I change diapers, make bottles, pat him on back, saying shhhhhhhhhhhh go night night honey, mommom is here. Midnight comes, no call no Emma, 1am comes still no call or Emma, 2am comes no call, no Emma and Daniel wakes up screaming, grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Nothing worked, diaper changed, warm bottle milk, patting on back, nothing. 3am Daniel still whining off and on in between cat naps, me trying to pick eyelids up off floor, while patting baby on back, drinking my diet pepsi for the caffeine to keep me awake. 4am, Jim comes in livingroom and says, you still up? I look at him and growl, he runs for safety of bedroom, doesn't come back in livingroom until 6am when he gets up for work. Daniel wide awake, cranky, whining, hand him cellphone, yeaaaaaaa he is quiet. Change his diaper, make bottle, he is finally content. Jim brings huge mug strong black coffee to me, thank you Jim. Eyelids still on floor, rolling them up and keeping up with giant toothpicks, lol. 8am, mommy I'm hungry, ok in kitchen now, no sleep, eyes rolled up like a weiner wrap appetizer, ok so they aren't rolled up but it felt like it, lol. Cereal yes? Nope, I want bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, toast, grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. No sleep cooking at stove like my kitchen is a restaurant. Maybe I'll eat too, energy right? Make enough for all 3 of us. 9;30am, ut oh out of milk, ok apple juice for kids, more mugs of strong black coffee for me. 11:30am in door walks Emma. Glad to see you remembered I have your son. Sorry Mom, waited for emergency service truck for 3 hours, we got done moving at 4:30 this morning, I didn't think you were still up. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR, girl I ain't even been to bed yet, this child of yours had me up all night!!!!!! Awwwww, Mom sorry, well get dressed, you can come to my new place and check it out and help me unpack. Ok, got dressed, becca dressed, went to Emma's. Sat on couch with large bottle of real pepsi sugar caffeine and all, drank whole bottle myself. Sugar rush, thank god, I got energy, but told no one, made like I was exhausted. Sat and watched Emma and brother in law work with unpacking and carrying. Came home, cleaned my kitchen, made dinner, gave Rebecca a bath, got her into bed. Took hot shower, felt great, made cup of hot chocolate, drank it all, read a few journal alerts, chatted with Nancy. Woke up with hubby saying honey go to bed, can't play on computer if your sleeping. Got into bed, asleep before I layed down and covered up, woke up 5:45am freezing, hubby had all the covers. Got up to pee, hubby grabs arm, make the coffee ok honey. Go in to pee, make coffee, say to hell with it and stay up. Now, today I have a ton of housework to do, make more cookies for christmas, go shopping for Joes christmas eve party, I am making the food but he gave me the money to shop for it, then saturday morning do my christmas shopping, sunday make joes food for party, start my food for christmas day, eat dinner watch football game, clean up mess, put rebecca to bed, and admit myself into nut house. Hope you all have a very merry christmas.

 

Love you all,

Cindy

I been tagged

I've been tagged!!!

"The Rules: The player of this game starts with "3 things he/ she would love to get for Christmas" and also has to list "3 things he/ she definitely does not want to get for Christmas".

Then he/she tags 5 friends and list their names. The ones who get tagged need to write on their blogs about their Christmas wishes, as well as state this rule clearly, then tag 5 more victims. And the one who tags need to leave a comment that says "you've been Christmas tagged!" in their comments and tell them to read your blog."

3 things that I would love:

1. A digital camera

2. A real vacation

3. For my family to be happy and healthy.

 

3 things that I don't want:

1. A vacuum (even though I need a new one) lol

2. Fruit cake, yuuuuuuuuuuck, lol

3. More turtles, lol. (sorry rebecca)

I was tagged by Pam, thanks girlfriend, lol. I am tagging Morgan.

I am only tagging one person cause I have no idea who else has done this, lol.

A Beautiful Day

                     It was such a beautiful day today. Rebecca and I ventured out on a walk. We walked for about an hour. Good thing I remembered my cane. Cause by the time we got home, that cane was holding me up, lol. To Rebecca it was a nature walk. Before we left the house, she drew a list of things we had to find while out walking, lol yep she did that. On the list we had to find, a red flower, a white rock, a blue mailbox, an orange leaf, yellow grass, and a happy smiling human, lol. My kid is strange, lol. We found it all, and the happy smiling human was my mail lady, cause when she seen us walking she smiled and said hello Rebecca. My child says to her Hi mail lady are you happy? Mail lady says yes I am, so Rebecca tells her, your the happy smiling human on my nature walk list, lol. I explained briefly to her what my child had done and why we were walking, she laughed and told Rebecca good job. She asks Rebecca how she knew where to find everything on her list, oh boy guess what my kid said? She looks up at mail lady with a serious face and says, Didn't you know? I know everything!!  We both cracked up laughing at her comment. My kid is just too much.

                        

We had to find a blue mailbox, cause I had so much mail to get out it wouldn't fit in my mailbox. I want to thank Amanda for sending me the site on where to mail christmas cards to our soldiers who are fighting in this war. I had 5 cards left so I picked 5 people and sent them a card, wishing them a merry christmas and thanking them for their love and dedication for our country. I just wanted to let them know I cared. I also got more cards from jland today. They were from Chrissie and Michelle. Thank you ladies very much. I also got a card from my brother Paul. In it he thanked me for making his christmas happy and for always being there for him. I swear he knows just how to melt my heart. I hold a special place in my heart for him, cause I raised him after our mother died when he was just a little baby. He called me Mommy until he was 7 years old.

                             

I had to tell my daughter a lie today. And I don't like lieing to her, because I am teaching her that lieing is bad. But she is only 5 years old and I thought the truth would frighten her. While on our walk today, 2 blocks from my house there is an outline on the sidewalk done in chalk of a person. There was also torn Police Line yellow tap hanging off a railing. A small spot was on sidewalk, I knew it was blood dried and turned brown. My daughter asked me what the outline was cause she said it looked like a human being. And as she said this she held my hand tight. I couldn't in no way tell her that is what it was, so I said it looks like some kids were drawing them selves on the sidewalks with chalk, maybe they were playing cowboys and indians or cops and robbers like boys play. She says, yep that's what them boys were doing. Whew, I got out of that one. But it made me mad. Why do they leave things like that on a sidewalk where kids walk to get to the school up the street from me in plain view so these little kids can see this? It is awful, they can't brush it off or something and remove that police line tape. Jeez, these are little kids ages 5 to 8 going to that school. I was so mad I called the 15th precinct and I complained about it. I had to lie to my child because of their stupidity or laziness in cleaning up their mess.

                            

I also got a letter from an old friend of mine today. Her name is Karen. I was so glad to hear from her. She is moving to Philadelphia next month and wants to come visit. She said all she thinks about his my homemade meatballs and sauce. That girl loved them, I made them all the time when she wouldvisit me when I lived in virginia. She has 3 grown children, all in college. Her oldest son Amin was recently shot twice here in Philadelphia, but he lived, thank goodness. He has had 2 surgeries already and may need a third if things don't go well soon. I have added him in my prayers. I can't wait to see Karen again, it's been too long since our last visit.

Well, I guess that is about it for now. I hope your all having a wonderful evening and get a good night's sleep. Only 7 days left until christmas, wow.

                  

Isn't it December?

   Good Morning. And here in Philadelphia it is a good morning. I have my livingroom window open. Yep, it's December and my window is open. They say 65 is the temperature today, wow!!!!!!!! I'm not complaining though, I love weather like this. Since it is so nice outside, I think I am going to take Rebecca outside for a little walk. I know she will love that. She loves playing outdoors.

I want to thank all of you for your wonderful comments on my grandson's birthday memorial. It's hard to believe it's been 8 years since his birth/death. I know he is happy and up in heaven with the angels, but still there is an empty feeling in my heart for him. I will never understand why God blesses us with a child, and then takes that child away before he or she even gets a chance to experience life. People tell me god does this to test us. Well, if that is so, then I failed. Cause my heart breaks that I never got the chance to see Michael smile, or hear him laugh or cry, or see him take his first steps, or call me mommom. I loved that precious baby boy so much. He was my first grandchild.

I received more christmas cards on saturday from my wonderful jland friends/family. They were from Bam, Sharon N., Sugar and Amanda. Thank you ladies, I love them. I've received 26 cards so far this christmas. I just love cards. Yesterday, while my Rebecca was taking a nap, I decided to wrap all the packages I had stored in my closet. I never wrapped, tagged and put ribbons on so many gifts in years. It took me about 2 hours to get it done. I still have 2 boxes left to wrap. I'll do those later this week. LOL Thanks Angie, lol.

Well my daughter Emma and her husband Dan have been moving boxes into their new place. They signed their lease and got the keys on saturday morning. They are so happy to be moving from where they are now. That landlady is the landlord from hell. She is an alcoholic, a bad one, locks herself out and wakes Dan up at anywhere from 1 to 4 in the morning to break into her place and let her in. She hasn't turned on the heat yet, she keeps hotwater on for 2 hours a day, thats it. She has been taking their mail and opening it, then writing on envelopes, sorry, I thought it was mine. They have taken her to court 3 times already and all 3 times she never appeared. I told them to just move, I don't want my grandchildren in that house no longer. That landlord lives in the bottom part of the house and Dan and Emma had the 2nd and 3rd floors. They'll be moved out by saturday hopefully. I told Emma to bring the kids over to me during the day so she can take boxes and small things over to her new place. I can't lift or carry anything, but I can babysit so they can get things done.

Well, Rebecca has informed me she is hungry, so I'd better get to fixing her something to eat, or I won't hear the end of it, lol. Hope your all having a wonderful day.

                    

Thank you LisaJo for sending this to me. I love this name tag.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHAEL

MICHAEL JOSEPH WICKIZER

       12-17-98

A PRECIOUS LITTLE BABY LAYING IN A TINY BED

ALL SWADDLED IN A BLANKET DARK HAIR  UPON YOUR HEAD

YOU DID NOT TAKE A BREATH NO HEART BEAT DID WE HEAR

GOD TOOK YOU BACK TO HEAVEN  FOR HIS SIDE YOU SIT NEAR

TEN TINY LITTLE FINGERS TEN TINY LITTLE TOES

A BEAUTIFUL HEAD OF HAIR AND A LITTLE BUTTON NOSE.

 

GOD TOOK YOU BACK TO HEAVEN, TO BE WITH HIS HOLY GRACE

BUT I SHALL NEVER EVER FORGET YOU OR YOUR BEAUTIFUL LITTLE FACE

IN MY ARMS I HELD YOU, THE DAY THAT YOU WERE BORN

YOUR PRECIOUS LIFE WAS TAKEN LEAVING US TO MOURN

 

YOU'VE GONE TO LIVE IN HEAVEN, OUR HEARTS DID IT ALL BREAK

OUR PRECIOUS LITTLE BOY THE LORD ABOVE CAME DOWN TO TAKE.

EIGHT YEARS IT NOW HAS BEEN AND NOT A DAY GOES BY

THAT I ASK THE LORD ABOVE, WHY HE TOOK YOU FROM OUR LIVES

 

SO ON THIS SPECIAL DAY, A WISH I WANT FOR YOU

IS TO WISH YOU A HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND KNOW WE ALL LOVE YOU.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHAEL, YOUR EIGHT YEARS OLD TODAY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHAEL, I AM MISSING YOU TODAY.

 

 

I LOVE YOU MICHAEL,

 

MOMMOM

 

AS I PROMISED

MY TREE

SOME DECORATIONS ON TOP OF MY SEWING MACHINE CABINET. MAN IT NEEDS A POLISHING.

MORE DECORATIONS ON MY TV

EMMA GAVE ME THAT GORILLA YEARS AGO FOR CHRISTMAS. THE CLOCK WAS GIVEN TO ME YEARS AGO FROM MY SISTER LUCY FOR CHRISTMAS.

POINSETTA VINE ON MY ATLAS PICTURE

SANTA TAKING A TUBBY IN MY LIVINGROOM, THE DIRTY OLE MAN.

MY CHRISTMAS CARDS SO FAR, MINUS 4 MORE I GOT TODAY AFTER I TOOK THIS PICTURE.

MY ROCKING CHAIR

THIS IS A BEAR IN CHAIR. I MADE THESE ONE YEAR. I SOLD 175 OF THEM FOR 15.00 EACH. AND IT ONLY COST ME 4.50 TO MAKE ONE. I'M THINKING ABOUT DOING IT AGAIN FOR VALENTINES DAY AND EASTER COMING UP.

MY LIL MAN WEARING HIS NEW EAGLES COAT, AND SEE, NO CURLS, SNIFF SNIFF. I MISS THOSE CURLS.

AGAIN NO CURLS, SNIFF SNIFF SNIFF.

FOR SALE: CHEAP 2 WELL BEHAVED, ADORABLE LIL ANGELS <HIDES EVIL GRIN> CASH ONLY, NO REFUNDS, LOL.

MY KITCHEN. SEE HOW SMALL IT IS. THAT IS ALL THE COUNTER SPACE I HAVE. NOTE: WHEN I MOVE I WANT COUNTER SPACE ON EVERY WALL, LOL.

MY GRAND DAUGHTER AND HER BIOLOGICAL DAD.

ANOTHER PICTURE OF THEM TOGETHER.

AND THIS IS WHERE I LIVE.

AND NOW THE GRAND FINALY, MY MINI VAN.

ANOTHER PIC OF IT

THERE YA HAVE IT. AND IF AOL EATS THIS, I'M GOING HUNTING WITH A BASEBALL BAT, LOL

LOVE YA,

CINDY

 

JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW I GOT THE PICS I PROMISED AND THEY ARE UPLOADED IN PHOTO BUCKET. I WILL POST THEM SHORTLY. BUT FIRST I HAVE TO GET 2 LITTLE GIRLS READY FOR BED AND ALL SET AND TUCKED IN FOR THEIR SLEEP OVER. YES I AM PUNISHING MYSELF TONIGHT WITH 2 OF THEM HERE. MY GRAND DAUGHTER BEGGED ME TO SLEEP OVER TONIGHT, AND OF COURSE I GAVE IN TO HER.  SO I WILL GO NOW AND GET THEM DRESSED IN JAMMIES, TEETH BRUSHED AND ALL TUCKED IN AND I WILL RETURN.

SEE YA SOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'M NOT GOING TO ENCLOSE ANY GRAPHICS AT THIS TIME, BECAUSE I AM SAVING SOMETHING TO DO TONIGHT.  HOPEFULLY, KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED. THE PAST 2 DAYS I HAVE TAKEN 2 ROLLS OF PICS. REBECCA GOT INTO THE FIRST ONE AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT SHE DID BUT IT WAS NOT WORKING. SO I DON'T KNOW IF THE PICS CAME OUT OR NOT YET. ON THAT ROLL OF FILM WAS MY CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS, THE 3 KIDS AND MY EX SON IN LAW HOLDING HIS DAUGHTER MARISSA. YES I SEEN HIM YESTERDAY. HE WAS NOTHING BUT NICE. SAID IT WAS NICE SEEING ME AGAIN, WOW THAT WAS A SHOCKER. THEN HE TELLS ME THE THING HE MISSES ABOUT ME THE MOST, IS THE EASTER BASKETS I USE TO MAKE FOR HIM AND EMMA WHEN THEY WERE MARRIED. YES, I MADE THEM BASKETS, LOL. NOT ALL CANDY, I WOULD PUT DEODORANT, SHAVING CREAM, RAZORS, AIR FRESHENERS, CANDLES, FLAVORED COFFEE'S AND TEAS, AND JELLY BEANS, PEANUTBUTTER EGGS AND A CHOCOLATE BUNNY.

SO THE SECOND ROLL OF FILM I TOOK PICS AGAIN OF MY CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS, TREE, THE KIDS, ESPECIALLY DANIEL WITH HIS NEW HAIR CUT AND A COUPLE OF HIM WEARING HIS EAGLES JACKET. AND I TOOK PICS INSIDE AND OUT OF MY NEW VAN. I CAN'T WAIT TO BE ABLE TO SHOW IT TO YOU ALL. AND TO SHOW YOU MY DANIELS NEW HAIRCUT. AND TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, YES I GOT ALL TEARY EYED WHEN I SEEN HIS CURLS IN A PLASTIC BAG AND NOT ON HIS PRECIOUS HEAD. BUT I HAVE TO ADMIT HE IS JUST AS HANDSOME WITHOUT HIS CURLS THAN HE WAS WITH THEM.

WELL TODAY IS SPECIAL FOR ME. EMMA AND I HAVE TRADED KIDS FOR THE DAY. YEP, SHE HAS MY REBECCA AND I HAVE MARISSA AND DANIEL. MARISSA IS DRAWING RIGHT NOW, AND DANIEL IS UP ON THE COUCH PLAYING WITH A SEE AND SAY LEAPFROG PAD SENT TO REBECCA BY SOMEONE HERE IN JLAND. I AM NOT SURE IF SHE WANTS ME TO MENTION HER NAME OR NOT,SO I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD. BUT WHEN SHE READS THIS IF SHE LEAVES A COMMENT IT WAS HER, THAN YOU'LL KNOW WHO IT WAS. I DON'T WANT TO MAKE ANYONE FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE IN ANY WAY, BECAUSE OF THE WONDERFUL THINGS THEY DO AND HAVE DONE FOR MY DAUGHTER.

WELL, WE HAD A SMALL ACCIDENT THIS MORNING WITH DANIEL. MY POOR LIL MAN TRIPPED OVER A TOY AND FELL AND BIT HIS TONGUE MAKING IT BLEED. I HELD HIM CHECKED HIS MOUTH, WIPED IT OFF BUT AS HE WAS CRYING ON MY SHOULDER IT DRIBBLED ON MY SHIRT. OH WELL, PART OF BEING A GRANDMOM. AS LONG AS HE IS OK, I CAN DEAL WITH A FEW DROPS OF BLOOD ON MY SHIRT. HE SEEMS TO BE OK NOW. WELL, I'M GOING TO GO NOW. HOPE YOUR ALL HAVING A WONDERFUL DAY. HOPEFULLY I'LL HAVE THOSE PICS TONIGHT TO SHARE.

LOVE YOU ALL,

CINDY

MERRY CHRISTMAS

GOOD MORNING! ISN'T THAT TOY ABOVE JUST ADORABLE? THAT'S WHAT MY GRANDSON DANIEL IS GETTING FOR CHRISTMAS FROM HIS MOMMOM AND POPPOP. WE SEEN IT ADVERTISED A COUPLE MONTH'S AGO AND BOTH AGREE'D IT HAD DANIEL'S NAME WRITTEN ALL OVER IT. JOE WAS AT TOYS R US YESTERDAY AND SEEN IT AND CALLED ME TO TELL ME THEY HAD 1 LEFT. I ASKED HIM TO PICK IT UP AND I WOULD PAY HIM WHEN HE GOT HOME. HE DID, AND I AM SO THRILLED MY DANIEL HAS IT. WELL HE DOESN'T HAVE IT YET, HE HAS TO WAIT FOR SANTA, LOL.

WE GOT THE MINI VAN. IT IS PARKED RIGHT OUTSIDE MY HOUSE. WOOOOHOOOOOOO HAPPY DANCING, LOL. IT IS BEAUTIFUL, I LOVE IT. IT'S RED AND GREY, WITH GREY INTERIOR. A 1993 FORD AEROSTAR MINI VAN, AND IT SEATS 8 PEOPLE. I GOT PLENTY OF ROOM NOW TO TAKE REBECCA AND MY 2 GRANDBABIES TO SEE THEIR GRANDPARENTS NOW. JIM SAYS THE SATURDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS,WE'RE TAKING THE 3 LITTLE ONES TO GRANDMOM'S FOR A VISIT. I WILL GET LOTS OF PICTURES TO SHARE WITH YOU ALL. I WANT TO GET A GENERATION PICTURE, BECAUSE THERE WILL BE 5 GENERATIONS OF FAMILY THAT DAY. WELL, IT WILL BE SPECIAL DAY BECAUSE JIM'S GRANDMOTHER WHO IS 97 YRS OLD HAS NEVER SEEN MARISSA AND DANIEL YET, ONLY IN PICTURES. SHE IS THEIR GREAT GREAT GRANDMOTHER. IT WILL MAKE JIMS GRANDMOM SO HAPPY TO SEE THE LIL ONES.

I WANT TO APPOLOGIZE TO NANCY ALSO KNOWN AS NHD106. I FORGOT TO MENTION THAT I RECEIVED HER BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS CARD. SO THANK YOU GIRLFRIEND, I LOVE IT. I HAVE RECEIVED SO MANY CARDS FROM YOU LOVELY PEOPLE HERE IN JLAND. I LOVE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM.

I MADE A FABULOUS DINNER LAST NIGHT. I MADE SO MUCH I CALLED EMMA AND TOLD HER TO COME AND GET THE LEFTOVERS. IT WAS ENOUGH TO FEED HER FAMILY TOO. I MADE RAVIOLI CAPRIX, EGGPLANT PARMIGIANA, SWEET ITALIAN SAUSAGE, GARLIC BREAD TOAST. JOE HAD DINNER WITH US. THEY ALL ENJOYED IT VERY MUCH.

I'M GOING TO MY DAUGHTER EMMA'S TODAY FOR A FEW HOURS. IT SEEMS MY PRECIOUS GRAND DAUGHTER IS IN NEED OF A SLIGHT ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT. AND WHEN SHE NEEDS THAT, IT IS ALWAYS MOMMOM THAT IS CALLED UPON TO GIVE HER ONE. HMMMM DOESN'T IT SEEM LIKE I AM BEING MADE TO BE THE BAD GUY, LOL. REALLY THOUGH, THATCHILD IS BACK SASSING HER PARENTS BIG TIME, AND JUST WILL NOT STOP MAKING LIL DANIEL CRY. SHE PUSHES HIM DOWN, TAKES TOYS FROM HIM THAT HE IS PLAYING WITH, AND REFUSES TO STOP WHEN SHE'S TOLD TOO. SO MOMMOM WILL TAKE CARE OF THAT TODAY. AND I'M GONNA HOLD, HUG AND KISS MY LIL MAN. I ALMOST FORGOT. GUESS WHAT MY DAUGHTER EMMA DID? SHE CUT OFF ALL DANIEL'S CURLS!!!!!!!! YEP SHE DID!!!!!!!!!! I WAS SO UPSET WHEN SHE TOLD ME. I LOVED THOSE BROWN CURLS. I HAVEN'T SEEN HIS HAIRCUT YET, AND I KNOW I'M GONNA JUST CRY WHEN I DO. I'LL GET PICS TODAY OF HIM ALSO.

WELL, IT IS AFTER 9AM AND EMMA WILL BE HERE AT 10 TO PICK ME UP. SO I'D BETTER GET DRESSED AND GET REBECCA DRESSED TOO. TAKE CARE EVERYONE. HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THANK YOU DONNA FOR THIS LOVELY NAME TAG.

Me time?

                              

First let me say thank you to Sugar for this lovely ornament she sent to me. I just love it. I think I am getting some me time right now. Jim and Rebecca and our daughter Emma are downstairs helping Uncle Joe decorate for Christmas.  Rebecca has been waiting for tonight for almost a week now. Uncle Joe promised she could help decorate his christmas tree. He didn't have many decorations to put out, so my Emma went home and got some of her's. That girl could open up a store with all hers, so she got some to put out in Joe's place to make it look very cheery for when his Mom and his grandson come to visit.

When their all finished decorating, I'll have dinner waiting for them. I got a big pot of sauce cooking, full of peppers and onions and sweet italian sausage, and a big salad. I am starving too. I worked up an appetite cleaning my house today. Mainly the bedroom. The girls trashed it yesterday playing. They took all my clothes out of my dresser and played dress up, lol. I had to fold them all and put them back. I changed the linens on Rebecca's bed and my bed, polished the furniture and went through Rebecca's toys again, where I found crackers, cookies, dirty socks, lol. She said Mr. Nobody makes that mess in her toy box, lol.

Well, I got another christmas card today. This one is from Gretchen. Thank you so much, it is so pretty. Yesterday I got a card from my Sis in law to be Nancy. Thanks sis!!! Nancy has a journal here also, but she spends entirely too much time in pogo land and needs to make an entry real soon, or I'm telling her momma. lol Check her out sometime. She writes about her family and the love of her life, my little brother Paul. Who I might add I played cupid and fixed them up. Her journal is called

desires

I also got a card from my very dear friend Carol. Carol and I have known each other and been friends for like 39 years now. Carol lives in Florida and raises birds, like ducks, chickens, pheasants. She sells fresh eggs too. She is a true animal lover. She see's one in need of some TLC and she is right there for it.

JLand sure is looking beautiful with all the christmas decorations in everyones journals. They really show the christmas spirit. All the love you show for your family and friends is just so heart warming. Now all we need is some christmas music, hmmmm where is our lovely Morgan and her keyboard? LOL

Well, I guess that is about it for now, but I probably will be back later. I got a couple more recipes for pecans I want to post. So, hope your all enjoy your weekend and keeping warm.

                               

Thank you Roxy for this cute name tag.

Ho Ho Ho!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                         

 

Good Morning to all. Or should I say Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Morning, lol. Man it is cold outside. I woke up this morning, checked temperature outside and it said 23 degree's. I want summer backkkkkkkkkkkkk, and yes I am whining, lol. I am not a winter person. I hate winter. The best winter I ever had was when we lived in California and woke up christmas morning and it was 85 degree's outside. We were living in the Mojave Dessert then because Jim was stationed at an Army base there.

Well, I posted 3 new recipes in my recipe journal this morning. Go there and check them out. You might find something you like.

OutOfMyKitchen

 

Well, this weekend I am going shopping for all the ingredients to bake my christmas cookies and to make my homemade donuts. When I bake christmas cookies, I mostly bake them as gifts. Cookies make great gifts. Well, at least I think they do, because when I give them out I know they'll be eatten and not thrown in a drawer and never worn, and dropped and shattered in a million pieces. Plus, they are made with love for people you love and care about. I put them in cookie tins and wrapped them with a ribbon and a bow and a little name tag too.

Well, my grand daughter Marissa is here to spend the day with me and play with Rebecca. The girls are in the bedroom playing and giggling right now. My daughter Emma is downstairs at Uncle Joe's cleaning his house. She is his house cleaner, lol. She comes over every month and spends the whole day cleaning and I mean a thorough cleaning of the house. Joe's Mom who we all call Mommom I, is coming over soon to spend a week with Joe for the holidays. If his house needs cleaning his Mom will do it and Joe doesn't like that. He wants his Mom to be able to relax and enjoy her visit. Plus, Joe will be getting to see his only grand child a boy named Wesley during the holidays. Wesley will be meeting his Poppop Joe and his Great grandmother mommom I for the first time. I will be there with my camera, so I can take pictures andshare them with you all. And you know of course I'll be holding that baby boy. That is going to be a very special occassion for sure.  Joe is so happy about the upcoming visit. He is such a loving and caring person when it comes to children. He spoils my Rebecca and my 2 grandkids all the time. Joe told me last night that on sunday he and I are going to Sear's so I can help him shop for Marissa and Rebecca. He's buying Rebecca a new coat for christmas, something she definately needs. This child has gone through another growing spurt. So she is outgrowing her coats and clothes. I know she has grown a few inches taller. Last year at this time she was 39 inches tall. Jim measured her the other night and she measured 43 1/2 inches. So my baby is growing.

Well, I got some good news. Finally things are getting a whole lot better. Jim checked the website and unemployment has released his money. The checks were issued on the 6th, so he should get them today or tomorrow. Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaa, I can get that mini van. I am so happy. We have been without a vehicle now for month's. I can pay Joe off, buy the mini van, get it legal, pay off Jim's on line loan and have some left to give to Emma and Dan to help with their moving expenses.

Well, I had better go now. I am still in my pajamma's, lol. So, I need to get dressed and get working on cleaning my house. I hope everyone has a wonderful day, and if your on the east coast, bundle up when you go outside, cause it is cold out there. Take care.

                          

I would like to thank Donna of Ds Designs and Debbie of A Derasta Creation for the lovely tags in this entry.

A beautiful poem to share

                           

A big thank you to Donna for this beautiful graphic. A friend of mine emailed me this poem tonight, and I thought it was so beautiful and had to share it with you all.

A Different Christmas Poem
>>The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
>>I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
>>My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
>>My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
>>Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
>>Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
>>The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
>>Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
>>My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
>>Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
>>In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
>>So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
>>
>>The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
>>But I opened my eyes when it
>>tickled my ear.
>>Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
>>sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
>>My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
>>And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
>>Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
>>A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
>>
>>A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
>>Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
>>Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
>>Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
>>"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
>>"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
>>Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
>>You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
>>
>>For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
>>Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
>>To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
>>Then he sighed
>>and he said "Its really all right,
>>I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night." "It's my duty to stand at
>>the front of the line,
>>That separates you from the darkest of times.
>>No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
>>I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
>>My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,"
>>Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
>>My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
>>And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
>>I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
>>But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
>>
>>Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
>>The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
>>I can live through the cold and the being alone,
>>Away from my family, my house and my home.
>>I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
>>I can sleep in a foxhole with
>>little to eat.
>>I can carry the weight of killing another,
>>Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
>>Who stand at the front against any and all,
>>To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
>>
>>"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
>>Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
>>"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
>>"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
>>It seems all too little for all that you've done,
>>For being away from your wife and your son."
>>Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
>>"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
>>To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
>>To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
>>For when we come home, either standing or dead,
>>To know you remember
>>we fought and we bled.
>>Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
>>That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

                       

And a big thank you to Roxy for this awesome name tag.

OutOfMyKitchen

 

                             

I just took me a couple tylenol for a backache, and I thought I would write an entry while waiting for them to kick in. There's a few people who have emailed me asking for the link to my recipe journal. I have added the link to this entry, at least I hope I did it right. If I didn't let me know and I will work on fixing it. I've still got alot to learn about journaling, but I am learning a little at a time. I am so pleased that your enjoying the recipes I post. I hope I can continue to make you want even more. LOL I have chosen the next 2 to be, Sweet Pear Dumplings and Eggnog Pound Cake. Both would go great for desserts over the holidays.

I managed to get my bathroom, kitchen and livingroom cleaned. But by the time I was finished I was so much in pain, I could not stand at stove and cook. So, I asked Jim and Joe about Pizza and Hotwings for supper. They were like 2 little boys, yeahhhhhhh hotwings, lol. So that's what we had. It felt good to just sit and relax and not have to cook. Tomorrow I will make my chicken. I think I will have my daughter Emma bring my grand daughter Marissa over for the day. If the girls are good maybe I will let them have a sleepover.

I can't remember who it was, but someone here in Jland suggested I take my medication at night before bed. Well, I started doing that, and guess what? By the time the side effects kicked in, I was sound asleep and slept right through them. So to the person who suggested this, thank you so very much. It is so much better not having those horrible dizzy spells and nauscia feelings.

Well, it is going on midnight now, and my body is screaming out for my bed. So, I guess I will go now. Sweet dreams everyone.

                             

                                       CINDY

GOOD AFTERNOON

                                

I HOPE EVERYONE IS HAVING AN AWESOME DAY TODAY SO FAR. MY DAY HAS BEEN OK SO FAR. I GOT UP AT 9:45 THIS MORNING. HAD MY DIET PEPSI, TOOK A COUPLE TYLENOL, CAUSE OUT OF NO WHERE I WAS HIT WITH A MIGRAIN. TYLENOL WORKED, MIGRAIN IS GONE. I HAD A LIGHT BREAKFAST. JUST 2 PIECES OF TOAST WITH MY OLIVIO BUTTER AND STRAWBERRY PRESERVES. I'M GOOD TO GO UNTIL DINNER NOW.

YESTERDAY FELT SO GREAT, DOING ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. BUT TODAY I AM SUFFERING. MY CHILD, SWEET AND INNOCENT REBECCA, YEA RIGHT I MEAN HURRICANE REBECCA HAS LITERALLY TRASHED MY HOUSE. SO NOW I HAVE DOUBLE THE WORK TO DO. OH WELL, PART OF BEING A MOM RIGHT? MY AGENDA TODAY IS CLEAN 3 OF MY 4 ROOMS IN THIS APARTMENT. WHICH WILL BE LIVINGROOM, KITCHEN AND BATHROOM. THE BEDROOM CAN WAIT BECAUSE WHEN REBECCA IS FINISHED EATTING HER LUNCH, SHE WILL BE GOING DOWN FOR A NAP, NO MATTER IF SHE WANTS ONE OR NOT. IF I WERE TO LET HER STAY UP, SHE WOULD TRASH A ROOM I ALREADY CLEANED, SO NAP SHE GOES, LOL. I HAVE ALOT OF PROBLEMS WITH BACK AND LEG PAIN. SOMETIMES IT IS SO BAD I WILL ACTUALLY FALL TO THE FLOOR IF THERE ISN'T A CHAIR NEXT TO ME TO SIT. WHEN I DO DISHES NOW, I KEEP A CHAIR NEXT TO ME TO SIT WHEN THE PAIN IS SO BAD I CAN'T STAND NO LONGER. I NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE I GOT CANCER AND HAD ALL THESE SURGERIES AND CHEMO TREATMENTS. IT REALLY TOOK A TOLL ON MY BODY. I AM 45 YEARS OLD AND 99% OF THE TIME I FEEL 95 YEARS OLD. I KNOW MOST OF MY PROBLEM CAN BE BLAMED ON BEING SO OVER WEIGHT, BUT IF I COULD WORK OUT OR JOG I WOULD. BUT RIGHT NOW I CAN'T, NOT WITH THE LUNG ISSUE HANGING OVER ME. WALKING IS VERY HARD ON ME. I CAN'T BREATHE HALF THE TIME. ALL I CAN DO NOW, IS TRY TO EAT HEALTHY AND WATCH THE FAT INTAKE OF WHAT I EAT. THERE IS TIMES WHEN I EVEN FORGET TO EAT. WHICH IS NOT GOOD, I KNOW. TAKING THIS MEDICATION FOR MY HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE TAKES AWAY MY APPETITE, SO IF I'M NOT HUNGRY I FORGET ABOUT EATTING.

         

DINNER TONIGHT IS GONNA BE A TREAT. GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST BASTED WITH A BUTTERY LEMON AND PARSLEY SAUCE, RICE PILAF AND A BIG GREEN SALAD. SOUNDS GOOD TO ME. JIM WANTED SPAGHETTI AND HOT SAUSAGE, BUT I AM NOT IN THE MOOD TO MAKE SAUCE TODAY, NOT WITH ALL MY HOUSEWORK I HAVE TO DO.

I POSTED QUITE A FEW RECIPES THE PAST 24 HOURS IN MY RECIPE JOURNAL. I HOPE YOU WILL ALL FIND SOMETHING IN THEM THAT YOU LIKE. LATER TODAY I HAVE AN AWESOME RECIPE FOR MY CRABCAKES. YES IT IS MY OWN RECIPE. I LOVE EXPERIMENTING, AND THIS CRABCAKE MIXTURE CAME OUT PERFECT. WHEN I MAKE THEM, I SERVE THEM WITH STEAMED ASPARAGUS AND A NICE SALAD. NO NEED FOR ANYTHING ELSE, BECAUSE THE CRABCAKES ARE FILLING THEMSELVES. I DO BELIEVE YOU WILL LIKE THEM.

WELL, I GUESS I WILL GO NOW AND PUT MY CHILD DOWN FOR A NAP, AND GET MY HOUSEWORK DONE. THEN I WILL POST SOME MORE TASTY RECIPES FOR YOU. SO YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT DAY, STAY WARM AND JUST ENJOY THIS BEAUTIFUL SUNDAY. YES IT IS COLD OUT TODAY, BUT THE SUN IS SHINING AND I AM ENJOYING THAT. IT IS SO MUCH BETTER THEN THE DOWNPOUR EMMA AND I WERE IN THE OTHER NIGHT.

DON'T FORGET I AM SENDING OUT CHRISTMAS CARDS THROUGH JLAND. IF YOU WANT ONE EMAIL ME WITH YOUR ADDRESS AND I WILL SEND YOU ONE, AND I HOPE I GET ONE FROM YOU ALSO. I LOVE CARDS, IT IS MY FAVORITE THING ABOUT CHRISTMAS. I HAVE GOTTEN 2 ALREADY FROM JLAND FRIENDS. I WAS SO HAPPY TO RECEIVE THEM. AND DON'T WORRY GIRLS, YOURS ARE ON THE WAY. THEY HAVE BEEN MAILED.

                      

THANK YOU DEBBIE FOR THIS NAME TAG. IT IS ADORABLE.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ROXY FOR THIS ABOVE TAG. IT SURE DOES FIT THE WEATHER OUTSIDE RIGHT NOW, BRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!

WELL, IT'S SATURDAY 10:20 IN THE EVENING. MY REBECCA IS ALL SNUGGLED UP WITH HER STUFFED ANIMALS AND DUCKIE BLANKET IN HER BED, SOUND ASLEEP.  JIM IS DOWNSTAIRS WITH HIS FRIENDS WATCHING A MOVIE. SO IT'S QUIET UP HERE IN MY APARTMENT RIGHT NOW.  I TOOK A WALK DOWN TO THE DELI  AROUND 6:PM AND MAN WAS IT COLD OUTSIDE.  THE TEMPERATURE HAS DROPPED OVER 20 DEGREE'S SINCE YESTERDAY.  WE GOT ALOT OF WIND AND SOME HEAVY DOWNPOURS YESTERDAY WHEN THAT STORM CAME THROUGH. EMMA AND I WERE LOADING MY GROCERIES INTO HER CAR, WHEN SHE SAYS UT OH MOM, I FELT A RAIN DROP.  SO WE HURRIED TO LOAD UP THE GROCERIES. I WENT TO PUT SHOPPING CART BACK AND WHAM, WIND HIT ME AND THE SKY OPENED UP. EMMA RAN TO ME TO HELP ME GET CART UP OVER CURB. IN LESS THAN 15 SECONDS WE WERE BOTH DRENCHED. BY THE TIME WE GOT INTO THE CAR, WE LOOKED LIKE DROWNED RATS. WE LOOKED AT EACH OTHER AND STARTED BUSTING OUT LAUGHING, WE COULDN'T EVEN TALK WE LAUGHED SO HARD. EMMA HAD SOME NAPKINS IN GLOVE BOX, AND WE USED THEM TO DRY OUR FACES.  IT WAS RAINING SO HARD WE COULDN'T SEE OUT THE WINDOWS. I TOLD EMMA WE BEST JUST SIT THERE UNTIL IT SLOWS DOWN. I CALLED JIM AND TOLD HIM WE WERE SITTING IN THE CAR. HE SAID HE JUST LOOKED AT MAP, IT'S GOING TO BE OVER QUICK, AND TO JUST SIT THERE AND WAIT IT OUT. EMMA THEN CALLED DAN AND TOLD HIM, SO HE DIDN'T WORRY. WITHIN 5 MINUTES THE STORM WAS OVER, BUT WOW DID IT GET COLD. GOOD THING EMMA HAS SOME GOOD HEAT IN HER CAR, BECAUSE WE WERE SOAKED AND FREEZING, AND NEEDED THE HEAT.

WELL, I PUT 52 CHRISTMAS CARDS IN MAILBOX. I STILL NEED MORE CARDS, LOL. SO, IF I HAVE YOUR ADDRESS YOUR GETTING A CARD.

I DON'T LIKE THIS WEATHER MAN WHO IS TALKING RIGHT NOW. HE KEEPS SAYING THAT UGLY BAD 4 LETTER WORD, NOOOOOOO NOT THAT 4 LETTER WORD, LOL. THE ONE THAT STARTS WITH S AND ENDS WITH W, WITH THE WORD NO IN THE MIDDLE.  HE KEEPS SAYING HOW MUCH OF THAT WHITE STUFF WILL WE GET. WELL, IF HE KNOWS WHAT'S GOOD FOR HIM, HE BETTER SAY NONE. BECAUSE I AM ARMED AND I WILL CHANGE THE CHANNEL REAL QUICK.  I BET YOU THOUGHT I WAS GONNA SAY SOMETHING ELSE, HUH. LOL  NOPE NOT ME, I'M BEING A GOOD GIRL, CAUSE SANTA IS COMING IN 23 MORE DAYS, LOL.

WELL, TODAY I DID NO HOUSEWORK. NOPE NONE. DID NOT FEEL LIKE IT, I TOOK THE DAY OFF. AND IT FELT GREAT TOO. I DID COOK DINNER, BUT THERE WAS NO CLEANING. I DIDN'T EVEN DO DINNER DISHES. THERE STILL IN THE SINK, AND I AM NOT TOUCHING THEM UNTIL TOMORROW.

I POSTED A FEW RECIPES TONIGHT IN MY RECIPE JOURNAL. I GOT SO MANY MORE TO POST, BUT I HAD TO STOP. I WAS MAKING MYSELF HUNGRY, LOL. I AM SO CRAVING A CUP OF HOT TEA TONIGHT, BUT I FORGOT TO BUY TEABAGS AT THE STORE LAST NIGHT. OH WELL, NO TEA TONIGHT.

MAN IS IT QUIET HERE IN JLAND. IN THE PAST HOUR OR SO, I'VE ONLY GOTTEN 1 JOURNAL ALERT. IS JLAND ASLEEP, HMMMMM. I KNOW MY FRIEND NANCY ISN'T ASLEEP. HER BUTT IS IN POGO LAND, WHERE SHE IS BOWLING, LOL. HEEHEE GIRL, I KNOW WHERE YOU ARE. AND AFTER SHE READS THIS SHE'LL TELL ME SHHHHHHHHHH DON'T TELL ANYONE, LOL TOO LATE GIRL I JUST ADVERTISED IT.

OK, WELL I THINK I WILL GO NOW AND UPLOAD SOME MORE GRAPHICS. YOU GIRLS ARE GOOD AT MAKING TAGS. THEY ARE ALL SO PRETTY. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO YOU ALL FOR MAKING THOSE TAGS FOR US HERE IN JLAND.

WELL GUESS I WILL GO NOW. THIS DARN PINCHED NERVE I HAVE IS MAKING IT VERY UNCOMFORTABLE TO SIT RIGHT NOW. GONNA GO GET ON PJ'S AND ROBE, AND RELAX A BIT. HOPE YOUR ALL HAVING A WONDERFUL WEEKEND.