Almost over.

With Thanksgiving and Christmas behind us and a New Year almost upon us, I thought I would attempt to make an entry here. Thanksgiving was nice here. Lots of tasty foods did I make. Christmas was nice. The children got everything on their lists and then some. Made a big dinner too, of Glazed spiral ham, turkey, stuffing, baked mac and cheese, yams with toasted marshmallows, homemade coleslaw, cranberry sauce, gravy, veggies and bisquits. Pumpkin and coconut custard pies for desert. Our guests were, Dan's mother Elizabeth, One of his brother's Walter, and his brother Mike's son Joshua. It was a nice day. I received some very nice presents also. 2pr of much needed bedroom slippers, cozy throw blanket, a Betty Boop wall clock, and books. Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse. I love the series. The movie Eclipse is coming out in June, I can't wait. I already have DVD's of Twilight and New Moon.
Right now I am babysitting. Dan had to go see one of his doctor's and Emma drove him. I sent the 2 oldest downstairs to play. They were picking on Daniel. Daniel and the Baby Adrianna are here in the livingroom with me watching tv. In 3 days my first born niece  Donna will be 27yrs old. I remember when I first held her. She was so tiny, less then 6lbs, and so cute. She looked like a lil doll baby. So, I'd like to wish Donna a very happy birthday come January 1st. Then on the 7th, my first born Emma is turning 30yrs old. Talk about feeling old, whew, lol. She's not at all thrilled about it either. Which is why I am throwing her a surprise party, heehee. Yes, if I have to feel old, so does she, lol.
The above pics I took yesterday. Adrianna loves sitting next to her poppop. She will yell at the other 3 and say my poppop git, lol. The other pic is too cute. She fell asleep in her chair watching tv. She slept for over an hour, lol.
I am very pleased to announce that my brother Harry has moved back to the east coast, from San Francisco. I am planning a trip soon to go see him. He is living with our sister Helen in New Jersey until he is settled in his own place. Welcome home Harry, we've missed you.
So, how has everyone been? I hope the holidays have been good for you, and the new year brings everyone, love, peace and joy and most of all good health.
Happy New Year dear friends.

CINDY

Life since last posting

It's been a while since my last posting here in blogger. Sometimes it seems like there is not enough hours in the day to do what I want to do. Thanksgiving was great. There was 11 of us here. Dan's Mom was here for dinner along with friends of Emma and Dan's. They were a very nice couple. I enjoyed their company, very down to earth people they are. Dinner was great. We had turkey, stuffing, mashed potato's, gravy, fresh asparagus, sweet buttered corn, baked yams topped with toasted marshmallows, cranberry sauce. Didn't get to make my homemade coleslaw though. I will make it for christmas. Speaking of christmas, I am just about done with my shopping. Just have to get a few more things for Rebecca, another gift for my oldest Emma, and cologne for the hubby and I am done. Then I have to wrap it all, which is something I don't like to do. I could use gift bags, but that takes the fun out of unwrapping for the kids.
Well, the weather sure has changed. It is cold and windy here in PA. We have the heat on today. It is just Dan and I and the 4 kids here today. Jim is working and Emma is helping friends move today. Soon we will fix the kids lunch and the 2 youngest will be going down for their naps, yippeeeeeeeee, lol.  Gotta love those afternoon naps they take. Yesterday I took the 3 oldest kids out with me to run some errands. I had to go to the bank and to Wawa. I decided to take them out to lunch. I asked, ok where do we wanna have lunch at? All 3 at the same time said Wendy's, lol, so that's where we went. So, it was a cheeseburger kids meal and 2 chicken nugget kids meals, all with chocolate milk, a bacon cheeseburger and small rootbeer for me and we sat down to eat. Afterwards we went to the park for a while. That trip was cut short because my grandson decided he was going to run through 4 inch deep puddle of water and was cold afterwards with wet sneakers, socks and pant legs. So we came home, he got changed and down for a nap he went.
My sister Lucy is in San Antonio Texas for a few weeks with her boyfriend Joe and his family. I can't wait for her to get back to virginia. I miss chatting with her on im.
So, what is on my agenda today? I am going to fix the kids lunch, then go downstairs to my room and watch Twilight's New Moon. A friend of Dan's got me a DVD of it. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Keep warm, safe and be happy.
GOD BLESS.

I Salute the men and women serving in the military

---Subject: Fw: Military Pay
















This Cindy Williams is NOT the "Laverne & Shirley" Cindy Williams. She is a Assistant Director for National Security in the Congressional Budget Office...... /////////





Military Pay



This is an Airman's response to Cindy Williams' editorial piece in the Washington Times about MILITARY PAY, it should be printed in all newspapers across America .



Ms. Cindy Williams wrote a piece for the Washington Times, denouncing the pay raise(s) coming service members' way this year citing that she stated 13% wage increase was more than they deserve.



A young airman from Hill AFB responds to her article below. He ought to get a bonus for this.





"Ms Williams: I just had the pleasure of reading your column, "Our GIs earn enough" and I am a bit confused. Frankly, I'm wondering where this vaunted overpayment is going, because as far as I can tell, it disappears every month between DFAS (The Defense Finance and Accounting Service) and my bank account. Checking my latest earnings statement I see that I make $1,117.80 before taxes per month. After taxes, I take home $874.20. When I run that through the calculator, I come up with an annual salary of $13,413.60 before taxes, and $10,490.40, after.



I work in the Air Force Network Control Center where I am part of the team responsible for a 5,000 host computer network. I am involved with infrastructure segments, specifically with Cisco Systems equipment. A quick check under jobs for Network Technicians in the Washington , D.C. area reveals a position in my career field, requiring three years experience with my job. Amazingly, this job does NOT pay $13,413.60 a year. No, this job is being offered at $70,000 to $80,000 per annum........... I'm sure you can draw the obvious conclusions.



Given the tenor of your column, I would assume that you NEVER had the pleasure of serving your country in her armed forces. Before you take it upon yourself to once more castigate congressional and DOD leadership for attempting to get the families in the military's lowest pay brackets off of WIC and food stamps, I suggest that you join a group of deploying soldiers headed for AFGHANISTAN ; I leave the choice of service branch up to you. Whatever choice you make, though, opt for the SIX month rotation: it will guarantee you the longest possible time away from your family and friends, thus giving you full "deployment experience."



As your group prepares to board the plane, make sure to note the spouses and children who are saying good-bye to their loved ones. Also take care to note that several families are still unsure of how they'll be able to make ends meet while the primary breadwinner is gone - obviously they've been squandering the "vast" piles of cash the government has been giving them.



Try to deploy over a major holiday; Christmas and Thanksgiving are perennial favorites. And when you're actually over there, sitting in a foxhole, shivering against the cold desert night; and the flight sergeant tells you that there aren't enough people on shift to relieve you for chow, remember this: trade whatever MRE (meal-ready- to-eat) you manage to get for the tuna noodle casserole or cheese tortellini, and add Tabasco to everything.. This gives some flavor.



Talk to your loved ones as often as you are permitted; it won't nearly be long enough or often enough, but take what you can get and be thankful for it. You may have picked up on the fact that I disagree with most of the points you present in your opened piece.



But, tomorrow from KABUL , I will defend to the death your right to say it.



You see, I am an American fighting man, a guarantor of your First Amendment rights and every other right you cherish. On a daily basis, my brother and sister soldiers worldwide ensure that you and people like you can thumb your collective nose at us, all on a salary that is nothing short of pitiful and under conditions that would make most people cringe. We hemorrhage our best and brightest into the private sector because we can't offer the stability and pay of civilian companies.



And you, Ms. Williams, have the gall to say that we make more than we deserve? You can kiss my royal red a**!!!



A1C Michael Bragg Hill AFB AFNCC



IF YOU AGREE, PLEASE PASS THIS ALONG TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT OF THE AMERICAN FIGHTING MEN AND WOMEN. THANK



YOU.

GOD BLESS THEM ALL AND THEIR FAMILIES.

AND MORE WEDDING PICS

THE RINGS

DONNA AND HER BROTHER STEVE

DONNA'S SISTER SHARON AND NIECE JACKIE

STEVE AND JACKIE

FIRST DANCE

HAPPY COUPLE

MORE WEDDING PICS

BRIDE AND GROOMS PARENTS

BRIDE WITH HER MOM AND DAD

COUSINS

THE BRIDE

DANNY AND DONNA TURNER

wedding pics

Mr. & Mrs. Danny Ray Turner

The Turner family

The wedding cake

sharing the cake

THIS IS JUST A COUPLE OF PHOTO'S. i HAVE ALOT MORE TO SHARE, AND WILL DO SO IN SMALL ENTRIES.

An Entry? WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know, I know it's been a while hasn't it? I have been a very busy person lately. With getting the girls up and ready for school, breakfast made, lunches packed, hair done, then home schooling Daniel a couple hours, then being sick as a dog with chest and sinus infection, I have just been too tired to make an entry. I should right now be finishing up the flower arrangement making and finishing the veil for the bride. Yep, there's going to be a wedding. My niece Donna and her fiance Danny are getting married this saturday. Jim, Rebecca and I along with Emma, Marissa and Adrianna are going to Virginia on saturday to attend the wedding. My daughter Emma is the maid of honor. Dannys sister Laura is a bridesmaid, his grandfather is his best man, and Anthony and Skylar (Donna and Dannys son and daughter) are the flower girl and ring bearer. We've had 2 weeks to put together this wedding. So much rushing around and shopping has been done. I am so excited for Donna and Danny. They have been together for 10 years now. We are leaving here at 6:am saturday morning and should arrive in virginia at around 10:am. Then it will be decorating the hall for the reception, cooking the food and transporting it to the hall, doing hair and make-up, getting dressed. Donna is going to get dressed at the church. My sister Lucy and I will be making hot roast beef and gravy, meatballs and sauce, baked ziti, pasta salad, and some finger foods. Enough for about 50 people. They will have 2 ministers there, actually 3 if I count myself. I will be leading everyone in a prayer of blessing before the other 2 ministers perform the ceremony. I am so honored that Donna asked me to say the prayer. A professional photographer will be taking wedding pics, but I will be taking my camera also. So I can share the pictures with all of you. Well, I'll say no more about the wedding. You all gotta wait til I get home on sunday to hear more about it, hahaha. Well, I haven't been on Facebook either. I'm just not comfortable there. Here either, but I don't wanna lose touch with any of you. So I will keep this blog and make entries when I can. I hope all of you are doing well. And your families and pets also. Get your flu shots and use hand sanitizer several times a day. This swine flu thing is just so crazy. We keep hand sanitizer here in the house, plus the girl's teachers asked everyone to bring some in also, to avoid some germs in class. By the way so far our lil second graders are doing awesome in school. They love school, and they love their teachers. They've made new friends. Bringing home papers they have done with excellent grades on them. I'm so proud of them. Well, I think I will go now. Time for a shower and my jammies. Take care, keep well. See you again real soon.


CINDY

RIP Patrick

PATRICK SWAYZE

8/18/52 - 9/14/09

It is with great sadness I make this entry about a wonderful actor, who has lost is 20 month battle with advanced pancreatic cancer. Diagnosed in January 2008, Patrick lost his battle, and passed away peacefully at his California home with his family by his side. My prayers go out to his wife Lisa and his family. I have been a fan of Patrick Swayze for many year's. I would never pass up an oppertunity to watch a movie with Patrick in it. A few of my favorites are ROAD HOUSE, DIRTY DANCING and GHOST. Patrick was not only an awesome actor, but he could dance also. He put his heart and soul into his career and family life. He will not only be missed by his family, friends, but he will also be missed by thousands of fans and by myself.

Patrick as you depart this earth and enter the gates of heaven, please know that those left behind here on earth will hold you in our thoughts and hearts forever. Rest in Peace Patrick.

Happy 8th Birthday Rebecca

Yep, my baby girl is 8 years old. Yesterday she had a party. A Taco party is what she wanted, so that's what she got. Homemade taco's with all the fixings, mini franks wrapped in bisquits and baked, chips, pretzels, soda, and at the end a piece of Carvel Icecream cake. Along with all the gifts, she wanted underwear, lol. So as you can see the big pile of clothes, underwear I bought her. Along with all the other things. She got cards with money totaling 65.00. Right now she is out with her big sister Emma. Emma is buying her birthday gifts today. Well, this is a short entry but I do have more pics to make another entry with.

Love....................................Cindy

Rebecca and ponies

These pictures are from the trip Rebecca and I took to Virginia. We had an awesome time. We stayed 9 days and I wish we could of stayed longer. I enjoyed spending time with my sister Lucy and seeing all her kids and grandkids. I have pictures of her grandkids to show you, but I have to download them. I'll be making quite a few entries with pictures. I am so behind in postings and visiting your journals, please forgive me. Anyways can you tell how much Rebecca loves ponies? These ponies are ones from the Chincoteaque pony run they do every year. The ponies are put up for auction. The ones left are put here for display, and some are taken back across the bay to await next years pony run and auction. Years ago when I lived in virginia I went to a pony run with my sister Lucy. It was awesome. We got there at 4am, sat in the lawn chairs we brought with us and were right up in front. It was a beautiful sight to see the pony running towards us and cowboys on horses guiding the ponies into the corrals. But there was a downside to being up close. It was the smell, lol. The ponies were covered in mud and bay water and oh my did they stink. But I enjoyed the experience of seeing it all. I would love to take Rebecca one day. I think she would love it. Well thats enough for this entry. I'm gonna go fix some lunch, then download all the pictures I have on my camera, and make another entry or two.

LOVE YA..................................CINDY

Ant and the Grasshopper

This one is a little different...
Two Different Versions! ................. Two Different Morals!
OLD VERSION:
The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter.
The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.
Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed.
The grasshopper has no food or shelter, so he dies out in the cold.
MORAL OF THE STORY: Be responsible for yourself!
MODERN VERSION: The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter.
The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.
Come winter, the shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while others are cold and starving. CBS, NBC , PBS, CNN, and ABC show up to provide pictures of the shivering grasshopper next to a video of the ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food. America is stunned by the sharp contrast.
How can this be, that in a country of such wealth, this poor grasshopper is allowed to suffer so?
Kermit the Frog appears on Oprah with the grasshopper and everybody cries when they sing, 'It's Not Easy Being Green.'
Acorn stages a demonstration in front of the ant 's house where the news stations film the group singing, 'We shall overcome.' Rev. Jeremiah Wright then has the group kneel down to pray to God for the grasshopper's sake.
Nancy Pelosi & Harry Reid exclaim in an interview with Larry King that the ant has gotten rich off the back of the grasshopper, and both call for an immediate tax hike on the ant to make him pay his fair share.
Finally, the EEOC drafts the Economic Equity & Anti-Grasshopper Act retroactive to the beginning of the summer.
The ant is fined for failing to hire a proportionate number of green bugs and, having nothing left to pay his retroactive taxes, his home is confiscated by the Government Green Czar.
The story ends as we see the grasshopper finishing up the last bits of the ants food while the government house he is in, which just happens to be the ant's old house, crumbles around him because he doesn't maintain it.
The ant has disappeared in the snow.
The grasshopper is found dead in a drug related incident and the house, now abandoned, is taken over by a gang of spiders who terrorize the once peaceful neighborhood.
MORAL OF THE STORY: Be careful how you vote in 2010.

STILL HERE

I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW I AM STILL AROUND. HAVEN'T HAD MUCH TIME LATELY FOR ANYTHING. TRYING TO GET THINGS READY FOR REBECCA FOR SCHOOL. SHE GOES INTO SECOND GRADE ON SEPT 8TH. I'LL BE BY AGAIN SOON TO POST A LONGER ENTRY. AND WILL TRY TO GET BACK TO READING YOURS SOON. WE HAD SOME MAJOR COMPUTER PROBLEMS AND I LOST ALL YOUR LINKS IN MY FAVORITES. IF YOU CAN WOULD YOU EMAIL ME YOUR LINKS PLEASE, SPREAD THE WORD AROUND FOR ME OK. HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND ALL.

GOD BLESS CINDY XOXOXO

A Posting from me

Finally got a few pics loaded. First one is my grandson Daniel. He is 4 now. Next is my granddaughter Adrianna who is 22mos. Then its my sister Helen and her first grandchild. Isn't he adorable? Then we have the 3 older kids posing in front of the neighbors water fountain. Last but not least is Adrianna who just had her first icecream cone, lol. She was taken directly to the tub when she finished. Things are going well. The kids are enjoying summer with swimming, picnics in park and going to the movies and making crafts such as posters and paper bag puppets. Emma hangs them up on cabinets for everyone to look at. Next weekend Rebecca and I are going away on vacation. We'll be going to Virginia to visit with my sister Lucy and her kids and grandkids. Jim's not going, he has to work. We'll do something together when we get back. I'd like to go to Berlin Auction again. We will be leaving Aug 2 and coming back Aug 9. I will take loads of pics and share them with you. Tonight I was going to delete my Facebook account, but decided not too. I seen so many I love and care about on there from JLand. I really miss JLand. Well, everyone here is asleep. I should be too, but I took a long nap today. I will be going to bed soon. I wanna clean up the back yard in the morning before it gets too hot out, and clean out the pool for the kids. They have the yard a total mess. Well, I think I better go get ready for bed before Jim comes looking for me. lol Take care everone and hope your summer has been a great one so far.

CINDY XOXOXOXOX

HAPPY 4TH EVERYONE

HAPPY 4TH EVERYONE. HOPE YOUR HAVING A GREAT WEEKEND. MINE HAS BEEN A GOOD ONE THUS FAR. JIM COOKED BURGERS, HOTDOGS, CHICKEN AND CORN ON COB ON GRILL. I MADE POTATO SALAD, A SALAD, AND SLICED UP TOMATOES FOR THOSE WHO WANT THEM ON BURGERS. THERE WAS PICKLES, OLIVES, BAKED BEANS. EVERY ATE GOOD. FOR DESSERT IT WAS STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE AND ADDED SOME BLUEBERRIES IN IT, SO DESSERT WAS RED, WHITE AND BLUE, LOL. RIGHT NOW THE ONLY ONES HOME ARE ME AND THE BABY. SHE IS SLEEPING. EVERYONE ELSE WENT TO WATCH THE FIREWORKS AT PENNS LANDING. IT'LL BE THE KIDS FIRST TIME TO SEE FIRE WORKS UP CLOSE. I HOPE THEY DON'T GET SCARED FROM THE NOISE. I HAD A HAPPY SURPRISE TODAY. I FOUND 2 NICE RIPE TOMATOES ON MY PLANTS OUTSIDE. I PICKED THEM WASHED THEM OFF, SLICED THEM UP AND MAN THEY WERE GOOD, LOL. THERE'S NOTHING BETTER IN MY BOOK THEN A HOME GROWN TOMATO. JIM HAS A 3 DAY WEEKEND AND HE WAS TOLD WEDNESDAY HE GOT A RAISE. THAT IS DEFINATELY GOOD NEWS, SINCE THEY TAKE ALMOST 450.00 EVERY 2 WEEKS OUT OF HIS CHECK JUST FOR INSURANCE AND DENTAL. THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE THOSE TAXES. HE PUTS IN ALOT OF OVERTIME TO MAKE UP FOR IT ALL. HE'S BEEN DOING SOME SIDE WORK ALSO. WE'VE STARTED OUR SEARCH FOR A BIGGER PLACE. 4 TO 5 BEDROOMS WITH EITHER A FINISHED BASEMENT OR A GARAGE SO WE CAN STORE THINGS IN. WE'LL ALL LIVE THERE TIL WE BUY OUR HOUSES. I CAN'T WAIT FOR THAT DAY TO COME. WELL, I DON'T HAVE MUCH TO SAY RIGHT NOW. I AM TIRED. GOT UP EARLY AND COOKED MOST THE DAY. I'M GONNA GO AND TRY TO READ A COUPLE JOURNALS BEFORE EVERYONE GETS HOME. PLEASE HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY WEEKEND.



CINDY

Long time coming

I know, it's been a while hasn't it. Things have just been so crazy around here. There's been a few times I almost lost it, literally. The stress level is so thick sometimes you can cut it with a knife. I actually would get up and leave and not return until it was time to go pick the girls up from school. Things seem to just get worse anymore. Like tomorrow for example. My granddaughter Marissa is leaving for Lee Massachusettes. She's going to spend a week with her biological father. All of a sudden he wants to be a part of this childs life? Dan is hurt, very hurt because Marissa won't be here for Father's Day. To him Marissa is his daughter, she has been for almost her whole 7yrs. Rebecca is so upset Marissa is going away, she let her sleep in her bed with her, and that never happens. Tomorrow this is going to be a houseful of tension and tears, I just know it. And it's going to be a very long week for sure.
Well, the girls are finished with the school year. They both passed to the second grade. Rebecca is on the honor roll again. That's my girl. All A's she got. Marissa got A's and B's. We're very proud of them. Rebecca is reading at a 3rd grade level and doing math, science, social studies at 2nd grade level. Marissa is where she should be in between 1st and 2nd grade levels.
Daniel and Adrianna are doing well. Daniel is almost potty trained thank goodness. Adrianna runs now instead of walking lol. If they put her down for a nap and she doesn't want to take one she yells......mommom. Like I'm gonna save her from taking her nap lol. And as for Daniel he is ready for preschool. He can spell and write his name. He can spell his colors. He counts to 10 in english and 6 in spanish. And he has 3 books that he can actually read word for word. He knows the names of all the shapes. His teacher is going to love him.
Dan's back pain hasn't gotten any better. H'e seeing a pain specialists now who is going to start giving him injections in his spinal cord. If they don't work, it'll be surgery again. So we're hoping and praying all goes well with the injections.
Speaking of surgery, I have made a decision. I decided not to go ahead with the gastro intestinal bypass surgery. I know it's something I need but I can't go through with it. Most of you remember me writing about my niece Sandy who I dreamed died having her baby and 12 days after giving birth she did die, then my father who i dreamed was shot and killed a week later was found floating in creek. Well, I had a dream I was at a funeral and when I walked up to the coffin, it was me laying in it. Well, with my dreams and them coming true, that scared the beejeezers out of me. I can't go through with it, that's what my gut instinct is telling me, don't do it. So, I am going to ask my doctor on my next visit if there is something else we can do besides surgery.
I went out today and bought tons of fresh veggies and fruits, tuna, turkey, water and tomorrow I am going to start a diet...........again. Since school is out now I can get excercise by walking the kids to the park. My sister Lucy said to turn music on and dance. Good idea sis, me and the girls can do that downstairs in my room during the day when the 2 lil ones are asleep.
I haven't been to anyone's blog in a while. I'm sorry about that. I will try soon though to get to each of you. I guess I will go now. I'm too tired to think, lol. I hope your all doing well and you have a wonderful summer.
GOD BLESS

LOVE, CINDY

ROAD RAGE

A man was being tailgated by a stressed out woman on a busy boulevard Suddenly, the light turned yellow, just in front of him. He did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection.The tailgating woman was furious and honked her horn, screaming in frustration, as she missed her chance to get through the intersection, dropping her cell phone and makeup..As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up.He took her to the police station where she was searched, fingerprinted, photographed, and placed in a holding cell. After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal effects.
He said, 'I'm very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the guy in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him.' I noticed the 'What Would Jesus Do' bumper sticker, the 'Choose Life' license plate holder, the 'Follow Me to Sunday-School ' bumper sticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk; naturally...I assumed you had stolen the car.'Priceless [AMEN...]

I'm still here, just worn out. Will make an entry soon. Hope all of you are doing well. I'll be by to visit your blogs soon.

Getting Better

I can see it's been a while since my last posting. I guess I had better give some kind of update huh? I was very sick for a while. I caught pnuemonia, strep throat and also thrush. Talk about a painful mouth, yikes. I wasn't able to eat anything spicey. Soups, icecream is all I could manage. I have to go back and have another chest xray to make sure the pnuemonia is gone, if not it's into the hospital I go for a while to clear out my lungs.
We have started the process in getting my Gastro Intestinal Bypass. My insurance company is covering all but 300.00 of it. I've already paid 100.00 of that. I met with who will be my surgeon, Dr. Trang. He explained the procedure to me, and said it is a risky surgery. The tiniest leak could kill me. Two weeks before the surgery I will be put on a no sugar, no fat high protein diet. After the surgery I will be on a liquid diet for 2 weeks. Then it will be creamed soups, jello, pudding and liquids for another 2 weeks. On the 5th week I can start introducing one solid a day into my system again, like scrambled egg, or mac and cheese or mashed potatoes. My hospital stay will be 2 to 3 days if all goes well. So, I have weighed in the good with having the surgery and I have weighed in the bad. Am I willing to go through with it all? Yes, I am. By getting this bypass not only will I lose alot of weight, but my diabetes could go away and so could my high blood pressure. And I'll be able to breathe better not carrying around all this extra weight. 200 pounds of extra weight. So, I met with the surgeon, now we're working on getting my tests in order, and ordering more tests. I also have to meet with a nutritionists, and a psychologist, and a physical therapist. Those are what the 300.00 is for. I am excited about all of this. To lose all this weight and be more energetic and run and play with the kids will be great. A week after the surgeon who removed the lump from my breast released me, I had to go back to see her. My breast got really red and tender and it worried me. She did an ultrasound and seen a large pocket of fluid build up. So she numbed it up and took a huge needle and sucked out the fluid. Ahhhh, it feels so much better now.
Today is a quiet restful day. I have a big pot of sauce cooking on the stove. Soon I will be adding sausage and meatballs to it, and letting it cook some more. We'll have garlic bread to go along with dinner. Is dinner ready yet? I'm starving, lol.
Well, guess that's about it for now. I have alot to share in pictures, which I have to download yet. So take care and hope all is well with everyone.

LOVE YA

YEP IT'S ME..............

Yep, it's me. I am back. Feeling so much better. Swelling and redness is gone. Glue is almost off of incision. I go back to see breast surgeon tomorrow morning at 10am and hopefully she releases me. I awakened this morning at 6:30, got the girls dressed and fed and took them to school. Checked my email, read and commented on a few blogs, and at 12:30 my head was pounding and I felt dizzy so I went to my room and laid down. Jim woke me up at 7:pm for dinner. So since I took such a long nap, I thought I'd try to make an entry before I get tired again. But before I say anymore I want to tell you about the pictures above. The first one is of my youngest grandchild, Adrianna. She has grown so much, and is walking now. Her hair is so curly and getting long. The second pic is my grandson Daniel. He took me out on a date last week and he even paid for our lunch. He's eatting his cheeseburger meal with fries and chocolate milk. It was so cute, the cashier looked at me for the money, and he puts the money his daddy gave him 15.00 on the counter and says, "Lunch is on me today mommom." Everyone in line awed, he was so cute. We get our food and go sit down and Daniel says, next time mommom you can use your plastic, lmbo. I cracked up he was so funny cause he was serious. Lunch was delicious but my date out with my grandson was the best part, oh and him paying for it was good too, lol. Next is a pic of my hubby and his brothers and sisters. From left to right we have my sil Janet, then my hubby Jim, my bil Walt, bil Bruce and my sil Barbie. Barbie has a pic of them as little kids in the same order. She's gonna get us all copies made. I ordered copies of this pic as adults for everyone. Next is a pic of from left to right my hubby Jim has a lil boy, his sister Barbie and brother Bruce. They are so cute. Next is a painted portrait of my hubby Jim when he was in the navy. Handsome isn't he? The next one is the genuine navy picture they take. I like the painted one better, lol. Next is my hubby Jim and his brother Bruce. They are just so adorable. Last is my daughter Emma and my sil Dan. Their all dressed up for a union ball. I love the gown Emma wore. She got it at Sear's for 99.99 but on sale for 69.99. She is so tan from the salon. They had a wonderful time at the ball. I was glad to babysit because they needed some time out together.
Well, Jim's fathers funeral was nice. He looked very handsome laid out in his coffin. Jim and his youngest brother Walt helped carry the casket along with their bil Ed, Ed's son Travis and Jim's bil David. Since my fil was a veteran of the USMC he had a flad draped over his casket at the cemetary. Three marines were there. One was off in a distance. He played TAPS. Well as soon as he started I think everyone lost it and was crying. When he finished, the other two marines folded the flag, and then one of them presented my mil with the flag and said, On behalf of the USMC and the president we present this flag to you. Then he stood up, saluted Jims Mom and walked away. We all went to the church to their dining hall for a very delicious brunch given by the ladies of the church. Then we went to my inlaws house and talked, had coffee, and looked at old pictures. The church delivered all the leftovers to the house so we had it all for dinner. It was a sad day, but a nice day full of family tears and laughs. Well, tomorrow is a busy day for me. Doctors, then off to the school to meet with Rebecca's teacher and get her report card. Then to post office and CVS to pick up my Lexapro, afterwards I'll need a nap, lol. I guess that is about all there is to tell. Well, there's probably more but I can't think of it now, lol. Thank you all for staying with me, and for your prayers. They meant alot to me. Oh yea, there was something I forgot to tell you. Today March 24, 2009 Jim and I have been married 30 years. And if I had it to do all over again, I'd marry him again.


LOVE YA..............................CINDY

STILL HERE

JUST WANTED TO DROP A NOTE AND SAY I AM STILL HERE. I AM JUST TAKING A LITTLE BREAK. BEEN REAL TIRED LATELY AND SLOW IN HEALING FROM THE SURGERY. I WILL BE BACK IN A COUPLE DAYS WITH PICS AND AN UPDATE. I JUST NEED TO REST UP A BIT.

LOVE AND MISS YA'S

CINDY XOXOXOXOXO

I have some good news and some sad news. The good news is that the lump is not cancer. The doctor called with the results and totally took alot of weight off my shoulders. Thursday I went to see my primary doctor. He took more blood to check my sugar level. And he discussed with me about whether or not I would consider having a Gastro Intestinal Bypass. Now that is something I really have wanted to have done for quite a while. So he gave me the name of someone in Elkins Park, Pa. I called them gave my insurance info and they will send me a bunch of forms to fill out, send back to them and then they'll set me up with an appointment for a consultation. Please keep your fingers crossed the insurance approves it for me. Ok now some bad news. It is official. I am a diabetic. I am now on a pill I take at dinner time for the diabetes. But my doctor said I get the surgery to lose weight and the diabetes could go away.
Now I have sad news. At 3:30am this morning my father in law Walter M. Sawn passed away. Jim's mom is ok, she has family at the house with her. Jims talked with her on the phone. The funeral is going to be private, a gravesite viewing and burrial. Jim and I and Dan and Emma will attend the funeral. Dan's brother Walt and his Mom will be here to watch the kids. We're leaving the girls home from school on tuesday, so they don't have to worry about going to get the kids. Jim wants to talk so I am going to go now. Keep us in your prayers ok.

Yes, that is a pic of my boob where I had the surgery. The ugliest part is way at the bottom which is the swelling and bruising. That's about 2 inches of the incision you can see, it goes lower but it hurts too much to touch it to move it so you can see the rest. I haven't heard from the doctor yet on any test results. Believe me my nerves are on edge waiting. I tried to drive yesterday. I won't be trying that again for a while longer. Pulling the car door closed, hurt.
Well, Jims Dad is home. He was driven by ambulance home. He has a nurse that comes for the next couple days and after that he is on his own. The nurse told Jims mom the doctor said he has 2 to 3 days and it will be over. His dad's kidneys are shutting down and he has a portable pump that pushes medicine into his heart. It can only be used for 2 days supposedly, after that there's no more medicine and just time before he goes into his final sleep. Jim is on eggshells just waiting for the phone call. He went to see his dad yesterday and stayed there most of the day. He then left and went to the hospital to visit his grandmom. She fell a few days ago, and when Jims mom seen her legs she immediately called 911. Her legs were blistard covered and had red lines all over them. She is in intensive care where they can keep a close watch on her due to her age which is 99 years old. Jims mom said she will be 100 on October 22. She was born in 1909.
Well, we got lots of snow last night into today. It totaled about 6 inches. The wind is blowing and it is freezing outside. Last I checked it was 19 degree's outside. It's suppose to go down to 12 degrees tonight. Schools were closed today, but they should be open tomorrow.
I'm sitting here sweating my butt off with major hot flashes. All part of the meno pause or my pain meds. I could sit in an airconditioned room right now. lol As soon as I find out the results of my surgery I will come back here and post the results. Please keep a prayer going up for my FIL, jims Grandmom and myself. I hope everyone is doing well and is warm and safe.

Love to all.....................Cindy xoxoxoxo

SURGERY

Sorry I haven't been back sooner, but I've been really depressed about the breast surgery. I had the surgery yesterday. What should of been a 1 inch incision ended up being a 4 inch incision. My left breast is so sore, swollen and very bruised and alot of pain when the percoset wear's off. I have to wear a sports bra and to get that on is a major project. I had to have my daughter Emma helped me put it on today because Jims at work and I couldn't ask him. Boy did it hurt putting this thing on. During surgery they gave me something that made me very calm then they numbed the area they were going to cut. During the surgery I had to tell them to stop at least 8 times because I felt the pain of what they were doing. They kept having to give me pain medicine. I don't remember saying this, but the nurses said during surgery I asked how my hair was, and if it still looked nice, because my daughter had french braided it for me that morning. They also said I asked for a blanket because my Dad was part bear and I had his DNA and my legs might be hairy and I wanted them covered up, lol. All in all everything went well. My surgeons were great, the nurses were so polite and gentle and very helpful. I was glad to come home though. I was starving, because I hadn't eatten since the night before. I wanted a fish sandwich. So Jim went to the new McDonalds they built near us and bought me 2 Filet O Fish sandwiches (no cheese). I ate both of them, they were so good. Then I went downstairs and slept until 10pm. I came upstairs and everyone was sleeping up here, (Emma, Dan, Daniel and Adrianna). I had a glass of pepsi and took a pain pill and went back to bed until 5am this morning. I'm thinking about going downstairs to lay down for a while. Emma and the 2 younger kids are napping. Dan took Marissa out for a daddy/daughter outting, and Jim and Rebecca will soon be leaving to go out on their daddy/daughter trip. So, it will be quiet here. Jim will be going to Leesburg, NJ tomorrow. He's going to see his Dad. He was released from hospital today and driven by ambulance home. The doctor's said there is no more they can do for him, his time is almost up. He wanted to go home to be with his family. Jim's Mom isn't doing well in trying to accept the end is almost here. Jim's going to spend the whole day there tomorrow. I told him he has to go. Not getting a chance to say goodbye to a loved one can really mess with your mind and leave such an empty void. Well, I go see my family practioner on monday, then next friday I go and see the surgeon who did the breast surgery so she can check the incision. I am praying it isn't cancer, and holding onto my love and faith for God. I want to thank Nelishia for the beautiful card she sent me, and I want to thank Sugar for the wonderful card she emailed me. I guess I will go now. I am feeling alot of pain right now and need to take a pain pill and go lay down a while. Take care and I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Love to all...........................CINDY

The 50's

This is one of the best 50's video's I've seen. You will enjoy this. But only if you were in our generation or very close. . . . And if you were not in this generation -- listen and eat your hearts out... It was one of the best of times...
http://oldfortyfives.com/TakeMeBackToTheFifties.htm

AMEN

A United States Marine was attending some college courses between assignments. He had completed a mission in Iraq and Afghanistan. One of the courses had a professor who was an avowed atheist and a member of the ACLU. One day the professor shocked the class when he came in he looked to the ceiling and flatly stated, 'God, if you are real, then I want you to knock me off this platform. I'll give you exactly 15 minutes.' The lecture room fell silent. You could hear a pin drop. Ten minutes went by and the professor proclaimed, 'Here I am God. I'm still waiting' It got down to the last couple of minutes when the Marine got out of his chair, went up to the professor, and cold-cocked him, knocking him off the platform. The professor was out cold.
The Marine went back to his seat and sat there, silently. The other students were shocked, stunned, and sat there looking on in silence. The professor eventually came to, noticeably shaken, looked at the Marine and asked, 'What the heck is the matter with you? Why did you do that?' The Marine calmly replied, 'God was too busy today protecting American soldiers who are protecting your right to say stupid stuff and act like an idiot. So, He sent me.' And all God's people said -- AMEN!

My Diet

1 WEEK MEALS
MONDAY BREAKFAST 1 CUP SPECIAL K CEREAL, 1/2 CUP 2% MILK, COFFEE
MONDAY LUNCH 1 CUP SHREDDED LETTUCE, 1/2 CUP DICED TOMATOES 1 DICED EGG
1TBL LITE RANCH DRESSING, 1/2 CUP SUGAR FREE APPLESAUCE
MONDAY DINNER 1 SLICED CUCUMBER 2TBL LITE RANCH DRESSING, TUNA MADE WITH LITE HELLMANNS MAYO ON WHOLE GRAIN OR WHEAT TOAST
SNACK 1 ORANGE OR 1 CUP GRAPES

MARCH IN PLACE 10 MINUTES, TWICE A DAY.

TUESDAY BREAKFAST 1 CUP SPECIAL K, 1/2 CUP 2% MILK, 1 SMALL GLASS JUICE
TUESDAY LUNCH. 1 CUP TOMATO SOUP OR VEGETABLE SOUP, 6 UNSALTED SALTINE CRACKERS, 1 CUP GRAPES
TUESDAY DINNER SMALL BONELESS SKINLESS GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, 1 CUP STEAMED BROCOLLI, SMALL SALAD
SNACK SMALL BOX RAISENS

WEDNESDAY BREAKFAST 1 CUP KASHI CEREAL, 1/2 CUP 2% MILK, 1/4 CUP BLUEBERRIES
WEDNESDAY LUNCH 1 CUP CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP, SMALL SALAD
WEDNESDAY DINNER 5 FISHSTICKS, 1 CUP GREENBEANS, SMALL SLICED TOMATO, 1/2 CUP BROWN RICE
SNACK APPLE

THURSDAY BREAKFAST 2 SLICES LOW SODIUM SUGAR FREE BACON, 1 EGG SCRAMBLED, SMALL GLASS ORANGE JUICE
THURSDAY LUNCH TUNA SALAD MADE WITH LITE HELLMANNS MAYO, LETTUCE LEAF AND SLICED TOMATOES ON WHEAT TOAST. 1/2 BANANA
THURSDAY DINNER 3 SLICES DELI TURKEY, 1 SLICE SWISS CHEESE ON WHEAT BREAD WITH LITE MAYO. 1 CUP VEGGIE SOUP
SNACK SMALL CUP SUGAR FREE JELLO OR PUDDING

FRIDAY BREAKFAST 1 CUP SPECIAL K, 1/2 CUP 2% MILK, 1/2 BANANA
FRIDAY LUNCH CHICKEN SALAD SANDWICH ON WHEAT, 1/2 CUP APPLESAUCE
FRIDAY DINNER 1 CUP SPECIAL K, 1/2 CUP 2% MILK, 1 CUP GRAPES
SNACK SMALL BOX RAISONS

SATURDAY BREAKFAST 1 CUP KASHI, 1/2 CUP 2% MILK
SATURDAY LUNCH 1/2 TUNA SALAD SANDWICH, 1 CUP TOMATO SOUP
SATURDAY DINNER 5 FISHSTICKS, 1 CUP CUCUMBER SLICES WITH LITE RANCH DRESSING, 1 CUP SPINACH
SNACK SMALL GLASS JUICE

SUNDAY BREAKFAST 1/2 BAGEL WITH LOW FAT BUTTER, 1 CUP GRAPES
SUNDAY LUNCH SMALL SALAD, CUP OF SOUP
SUNDAY DINNER 2 CUPS SHREDDED LETTUCE, 6 CHERRIE TOMATOS, 1/2 CUP CUCUMBER SLICES, 1 DICED EGG, 1/4 CUP SHREDDED SHARP CHEESE, 1/4 CUP DICED DELI TURKEY, LITE DRESSING OF YOUR CHOICE
SNACK ORANGE

THIS IS THE DIET I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING AND IT IS WORKING GREAT FOR ME. I ALSO DRINK 8 TO 10 BOTTLES OF WATER A DAY. MY COFFEE IS MADE WITH NO CREAM AND NO SUGAR, IT'S HOW I HAVE ALWAYS HAD IT. IF YOU WANNA TRY IT, GOOD LUCK. I KNOW YOU'LL LOSE THE WEIGHT. I FOLLOW THIS EVERY WEEK.

Pictures and more.............

First off let me say I am sorry if anyone receives a card from me that says postage due. I gave my daughter 12 cards to mail for me and the money to buy stamps for them. She walks into post office puts cards in out of town box and then goes to counter and purchases stamps. When I asked her if she mailed cards she said yes. I asked were they stamped, she says, yea mom you put stamps on them. I do not remember stamping them if I did. Only 1 has been returned and I personally put a stamp on it and mailed it. If you receive a card and it says postage due, please let me know and I will send you the postage amount or a stamp, whichever you prefer. In the mean time I will send out another card and this time I will put a stamp on it personally. Kids, grrrrrrrr.

Above you will see pictures of the snow we had, then a few days later there's no snow and it's warm enough for the kids to go outside and ride their scooters. Then there's one of me since I lost the 25 pounds. I look horrible in the face. Dark circles and baggy eyes, yuck. Excuse the nightgown I am wearing, lol. But it's cotton and very comfy and when I don't feel well I like wearing it. I also have the same one in red. So does my daughter Emma. I bought her the same ones for christmas. Of course hers is a couple sizes smaller.

Ok, some of you have asked what is going on with me, so here's what has happened so far. They cannot do a needle biopsy. After 2 more mammograms and 2 more ultrasounds it has been determined that it is 2 lympnodes that are enlarged and outter layer of them doesn't look well and they are seriously full of blood. The specialist said a needle puncture could cause alot of bleeding and cause clotting, which is dangerous. So he recommends surgery to remove the 2 lympnodes. Tomorrow I go see the breast specialist again and discuss the surgery and when I want to have it done. I want it done right away, to get it over with. I want to know if it is cancer or not. So, tomorrow is going to be a very stressful day for me. I'll be sure to let you all know what is decided. I'd better go now. My baby granddaughter is trying to climb up on my lap saying, Up mommom up. So mommom has to hold her, lol. Take care and I will try to get to your blogs today.

LOVE..........................CINDY