This was the view across from our hotel this morning. A beautiful morning mist resting in the valley. What a wonderful thing to see first thing in the morning; a great way to start the day before leaving for home.

Then things went downhill. Fifteen minutes after we got on the interstate, we were sitting on the side of the road, almost 200 miles away from home. The transmission died. Walking just over 2 miles north, we reached a gas station where we called for a tow truck. Upon its arrival, my husband discussed local garages with the mechanic and it was decided that a small garage just across the street from the gas station was the best place. The gentleman that owns it works on engines and transmission only and, according to the mechanic and the staff at the gas station, he is the best choice in a large area and is a very honest man and hard worker. People are willing to wait the week for the work to be done rather than travel 30 minutes away to a dealership that gets it done faster. Funnily enough, he gets his transmission parts from a parts dealer that is located just 30 minutes from where we live!

So, my BIL drove down to pick us up (he made great time!). We loaded everything into the back of his pickup truck and all three of us loaded into the front seat. Needless to say, I am home. Without a vehicle but home. Tomorrow my grandpap is lending me his Tahoe to allow me to transport my family to my 18 y/o son's last Band Banquet. Hopefully, I can get it early enough to finish up the last little bit of work I need to do on Pap's and Grandma's anniversary present. Tomorrow is their 58th wedding anniversary and I have had the pieces of their gift for a few weeks. Up until this morning, I thought I was going to have more than enough time to get everything done. Hahaha! It'll all work out. One way or another, God will help me get it done.

Overall, it has been a grand adventure. Now, paying for the grand adventure will be another journey.

New Name

For a while now, I have been reconsidering my blog title. After much consideration, I have changed it.

Dreams, Gems, and Family is now My Inspirations.

I feel this covers everything I share online.

OOT Post

I am currently on a mini-vacation with my hubby. He has a convention he has to attend for work and they encourage the spouses to tag along. We have been coming to these for 6 years and I love them. Not only do I get to explore my home state but DH and I also use this time as an extended Honeymoon. We didn't have a traditional honeymoon, as he had to work a few days after the wedding and I became an instant mom to two wonderful boys that quickly learned how to push every single INVISIBLE button I didn't know I had! Lol!

So, the trip to the convention was wonderful. Although we got a late start, we enjoyed the drive quite well. I will post pictures when I return and hopefully you will be just as awed as I am to live in such a beautiful place. It isn't any wonder why it is called, "Almost Heaven..."

A rare adventure did occur for us this evening. Around 5:30, just before DH and I were to get ready for dinner and the convention Meet-and-Greet, the filament line (fishing line...) running under the left lens of my glasses SNAPPED! I am over 4 HOURS away from my eye doctor! In the geographical CENTER of this state and my glasses just broke! I am LEGALLY BLIND without them!!! Small freak out moment, then common sense kicks in! I head to the hotel gift shop to talk with the proprietor (people are STILL better than computers in emergencies!). YES! There is a Wal-Mart Vision Center 40 minutes away - not a big deal to people who drive 45 minutes just to get to a Michael's Craft Store and a Books-A-Million! (Sorry about the big, bad store, Dana but I was desperate!!!)

DH and I get ready for dinner like we planned, I just did it blind and working with a 300+ degree flat iron, to boot. Into the van and away we go. We drove over Powell Mountain and, although it was a great big blur, it was so beautiful! The greens of spring were everywhere! And we came across the greatest village name: Muddlety! I love it! Muddlety, Muddlety, Muddlety...it's just fun to say!

We finally reach our destination and wait patiently for the repair work to be completed. Dh told me that he watched her work through the glass and she was really putting muscle into pulling that filament through my frames! Oh, I hope this lasts for a while! Afterward, I suffered the normal bouncy/shakey feeling after not wearing glasses for an extended length of time. It wore off before we got to Applebee's (loved it!). A great storm rolled in while we were eating and continued on our drive back to the hotel. Due to the rain, it took longer to get back but that was okay. The Meet-and-greet was still going on and the gentlemen thought it was cute that DH had to run me all over the mountains to get them fixed.

On high note! As we were leaving the restaurant, I received a call from my 18 y/o. Several months back a dear friend of the family (and substitute music/band teacher that taught me AND my older two sons) suffered a severe stroke that left a once-vibrant man a shadow of himself. Well, my son called me this evening to tell me he saw Mr. P today! He is walking almost perfectly! He is eating without trouble! He looks FABULOUS! He said Mr. P told him his next job is getting his speech back to normal. Oh, thank you, God, for such wonderful work! This man is a blessing to so many! So, I told my son to call Grandpap, as they were great friends and it broke Pap's heart to hear what happened to Mr. P but this will give him such joy. So, Mom, smile. He's going to be okay!

A thought...

If you have any extra prayers, I could use some right now.

Good morning, All!

It has been raining here off and on for the last few days. We will get moments of pristine skies and beautiful sunshine only to have it quickly fade into storm clouds and pouring rain. This is good, though! We are behind on our needed precipitation for the last few months. This is needed.

Well, my grandfather has been doing so well after his pacemaker surgery. He isn't allowed to drive, yet, so I get to have fun running him and Grandma around on errands they want to get done. We went to Wal-Mart, yesterday. They needed to buy groceries for the house since the last time he stocked up was before his stay in the hospital. It worked out well since I had to pickup milk ($1.99 a gallon!!! Whoohooo!! got three) and peirogies, dry cereal and all the fixin's for Ham and Broccoli Bake. I will post my recipe at the end.

While we were walking around the store we noticed a great many men who walked and held themselves in a similar fashion. After watching them for a few moments, I realized they held themselves like my husband, our boys' friend Tom, my grandfather, my cousin...hmmm...all are some form of military. Why are they--AH! MOCK RIOT at the old Penitentiary!

The Penitentiary hosts international mock riots that bring military and police personnel from all over the world.

So, Mr. Chef's last day of school is coming in a few weeks. He reminds his dad and I every weekday how many he has left. All I think about is how many days I have left until I have to leave him in Pittsburgh...

Mom is still in NY with my brother and his family. His knee is healing nicely from what I learned during a quick phone call to Mom, yesterday. She is losing so much weight and sounds so happy! Being up there has not only been good for them, since she is able to help with the boys, but it has been fabulous for Mom. I wonder if my brother knows how wonderful it is to hear her so happy and relaxed.

Aunt Martha still hasn't completely backed up her computer files and reinstalled her system programs. She told me that she and Uncle have been enjoying the lack of Internet access (thank you, Mr. Virus!) and have been spending a great bit of time just sitting in the living room with the many new kittens (yes, THERE'S MORE!). She, Mom, and myself are trying to build up our handcrafts to take to a craft show at Uncle Sonny's nursing home this fall. So, she has been working on that as well. I have become quite competent at crocheting shopping bags! I have a pattern for a beautiful delicate reticule with a satin lining and seed pearls. Hopefully, I will be able to work on it soon. It's still a bit intimidating when i read the pattern, as I have never really worked from one. It's all been by sight and feel. One day, though, I will get it done.

So, it's time for the recipe!!! This is by no means a secret family recipe. I personally feel that food is food and everyone should be able to cook a basic meal, so NO SECRETS! This is my maternal grandmother's recipe. My mom wrote it in a family cookbook and gave one to me and my two SILs. Mine has stains and creases all over! It has been well-loved! Oh, and this recipe has been doubled for my family, so you are getting those measurements. If, after you make it the first time, just divide everything in half. Although, this does reheat quite well and tastes even better the next day! I am going to try and give conversion temps and measures, too, so Miss Linda!- it should work for you, too!

Ham and Broccoli Bake

Preheat oven: 350 degrees F/180 degrees C

Baking Time: Cast Iron - 50 minutes; Glass - 40 minutes; Metal - 35 minutes. These are all estimations so watch your food!

********************

16 oz/500 g - cooked chopped or diced ham (size of ham pieces is your choice)

2 cups/500 ml - Instant Rice

1 cup/250 g - Shredded Cheese (I've used cheddar, mozzarella/provolone combo, etc.)

1 cup/250 ml (liquid measure) - Milk

26oz/Family Size can - Cream of Chicken/Cream of Mushroom

1 small to medium - Onion, puree'd

12 oz-16oz/375-500 g - Frozen, chopped Broccoli

1 cup / 250 g - Corn Flake crumbs

3-6 tbsp/60-120 ml - Butter, melted (this all depends on how many crunchies you want on top!)

1/2 cup/125ml - water

3-quart/3 liter baking dish (the one above is a 3-quart cast iron braiser), Buttered and set aside. Medium sauce pan

Large Mixing bowl

Salt and Pepper

********************

Cook Broccoli, Cream of Chicken/Mushroom soup and water in medium sauce pan until hot and slightly done. In large mixing bowl, combine ham, instant rice, cheese, milk, and onion puree. Salt and pepper to taste.

Add broccoli and soup mixture to large bowl and mix together. Put mixture in baking dish. Combine corn flake crumbs and melted butter; spoon or sprinkle over top of dish.

Cover with aluminum foil and bake. For final FIVE MINUTES (5 min), remove foil and place back in oven. When done, let rest on counter or stove top for at least 5 minutes.

Hope you like it. I have made my own changes to Grandma's recipe over the years. My husband has to be told every - single - time, NO, you cannot have the whole thing! Anyway, I hope I got the measurements right. I grew up learning to cook by just looking at it and I still eye-ball recipes, so don't be afraid to adjust this one!

Girl Beats Would-be Muggers with Marching Band Baton (Band Geeks of the world UNITE!!! Hooray!)

Girl Beats Would-Be Muggers With Baton

AP

posted: 1 HOUR 27 MINUTES AGO

comments: 15

filed under: Crime News, National News

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QUARTZ HILL, Calif. (April 30) - Don't mess with the marching band. That's what California authorities are saying after a 17-year-old girl used her marching band baton to beat back two would-be muggers.

Los Angeles County sheriff's Deputy Michael Rust says the Quartz Hill girl was walking to school April 24 when two men approached her from behind, tried to grab her coat and demanded money.

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Instead, one got a punch in the nose and the other a kick to the groin. Rust says the girl then beat both of them with her band baton before she ran away.

The men had not been caught. But Rust says there's a clear message to take from the encounter:

"The moral to this story is don't mess with the marching band girls, or you just might get what you deserve. Final score: marching band 2, thugs 0."

Sunshine and Bananas!

My DH brought these home the other day (mind you, this isn't ALL of them!). FOUR grocery bags FULL of the wonderful browning bananas!!! I giggled like a little school girl! Why? Well, because of THESE:

I love making banana nut muffins! I have used my grandmother's recipe for years and it is always perfect! My SIL, Dana, told me a few things she adds to her banana nut muffins and I hope to get her recipe from her soon so I can test it out! She adds Cardamom and soaks raisins in a warm pan of dark rum or cider as an optional ingredient! Oh, I am so excited to try it! I will have to call her and ask for the recipe. Especially after the reaction from DH and Mr. Chef when I told them!

Anyway, here's a funny. My kids get home from school around 4PM. My DH was home early yesterday...about 4PM. I had fresh warm muffins on my kitchen table...about 4PM! Lol! Can you see where this is going? My husband rounded the corner of the house just before the kids. He raced up the stairs, looked back and said, "She's got warm banana muffins on the table!", then ran into the kitchen! My 18 y/o, Mr. Chef, jumped up the stairs, turned around and playfully (and gently) backed his brothers DOWN the stairs, shut the storm door and LOCKED IT! Lol! He then ran into the kitchen! My husband had a muffin in his hand by that time and waltzed to the front door to let the younger boys in, who proceeded to dump their stuff in their room and race to the kitchen table! Within 15 minutes they ate 8 muffins!!! These are gourmet size/Texas size muffins! Lol! I think they like my muffins...although this is a tame reaction compared to previous "Muffin Day" occurances!

And to end the post...Grandpap had successful pacemaker surgery on Tuesday! He is on antibiotics to ward off possible infection since the first pacemaker had to come out because of that. After visiting with him this morning, and thinking I was going to get to bring him home early and surprise Grandma with him walking in the door, alas, he has to stay until at least this evening because the doctors opted to give him three doses of liquid antibiotic at the hospital so he can be monitored just to be safe. I am thrilled everything is going well! It brightened my overcast day...so here is a bit of my sunshine for you!

A Day Late but...

Matt!

My photographs...

I was asked in a comment on my "Textures" post about my camera. Nicola (side note: you all have to go look at that adorable boy of hers!), honestly, I am just a newbie/hobbyist! I have a point and shoot that just happens to do macro!

I have a Canon S3 IS. I have had it for two years and love it. I would love to update it but it works just fine and I don't really need to spend the money on a new camera for me just yet.

My 10 y/o, however, is hoping to earn a new camera with his grades (he has to keep straight A's or A/B honor roll for me to think about it...first C and it waits for next year...) so that is what I am shopping for right now since he only has one more report card to go and he will have earned it! He's got a good eye and with him wanting to study paleontology (and a new budding interest in archeology) it goes hand-in-hand.

As for my equipment, I have three tripods of different sizes, a monopod, a white poster board that I cover in silver tone/gold tone emergency blankets (camping section!) depending on what light I need, and a desktop photo studio...

So, that's what I have. Not the wish list I have in my head but more than enough to somewhat sate my budding hobby.

Paint.NET

They don't look like much but I have been playing with my editing program (it's FREE, people!) in the hopes of learning how to create web banners for the top of my blogs. I am still figuring it out, though. They look NOTHING like Aunt Martha's but I will get there.

Greetings!

Happy Easter! Our Easter got off to a slow start this year. Things ran late Saturday so the boys didn't get to color eggs before bed. I boiled them up and they were ready for this morning, though. After getting the food started for lunch, I got the coloring kits ready. We had the traditional single-color eggs but, since we also gave the kids rubber gloves for one hand to keep colored fingers to a minimum, I started playing around with the colors. This is what I came up with. Just dip a finger and paint it on the egg, wipe off with a paper towel and go again! The youngest even made one!

My 10 y/o still loves his camera! Hopefully, you can see "HI" that he wrote on his egg with a wax crayon after coloring it blue but before he dipped it in the red to create purple!

Now, one of the photos I promised I would post (a day late, I know). Mr. Rebel (becoming Mr. Photog) was messing with his camera and realized it had a "negative" setting that allowed him to do this! He and his little brother played for well over an hour with this! Despite my migraine, I loved listening to the giggles and being shown the "cool" video!

And for my nephews in New York! I love you! I waited and waited and waited for you to come see the Christmas tree but then Daddy had his accident and, well, he can't go much anywhere right now! So, here it is! Your cousin took this photo before I took the tree down (lucky him because it came down the next day!).

(A bit of history for everyone else, I put this tree up the day before Christmas with my DH sick on the couch...I took it down the day before EASTER! LOL! No lights...the angel isn't even plugged in...and my favorite garland - wood beads!)

I let my kids play...

...with my mini photo studio kit, today. My 10 y/o had gotten out his camera because his brother wanted to take pictures of their cars. They had lined them up on the kitchen table and, despite my migraine, I just couldn't let them continue like that! Those pictures would have been sadly lacking in what they wanted. So, I grabbed my kit, set it up on the table, plugged in and set up the lights, played with a little tub of eraser caps to show them how to set up their stuff, then walked away!

This is what I did. I will post their's tomorrow. They had a blast! It kept them busy on their first day of spring break for well over an hour! They even did a little video of the cars crashing into each other! Sound effects and everything!

A late Christmas gift...

I made this for my MIL (a truly beautiful woman...). I had hoped to give it to her for Christmas but time, kids, and the flu bug were against me. Well, it's DONE!!! YAY, ME!!!

Today is also my niece's 7th birthday and we are gathering for her party this evening. I will be taking this with me to give to my MIL as a belated gift. I know she will be thrilled! How do I know? Well, she watched my kids Friday since I had to travel to Buffalo, NY, where my brother was after he had a horrible accident on his bicycle (yes, I said bicycle). He had surgery to basically rebuild his right knee (a plate and two pins, if I am remembering correctly). So, my MIL was wonderful in coming over to be at my home when the kids got off of school and to stay with them while DH was at a meeting that night. While there, she poked around to see if she could find her blanket to see how much was done! Hahaha! She didn't look under the pile of clean laundry in my bedroom! LOL!

When laying flat, and measuring only the fabric not the ties, it is 2-3/4 yards long and 1-almost 1/4 yard wide. This was made to fit the length of her queen-sized bed on her side. It also runs from the front edge of my entertainment stand to the far edge of my couch! That is 3/4 the length of my living room! I tiptoed around the blanket just to get out of the room!

The Gs

Yesterday, Grandma had eye surgery. The surgeon said that the cataract so bad that he likened its density to that of a diamond. Today, well, she's in pain and on her way back to the doctor to get another checkup. We'll see how it goes.

The other 'G'...it's report card day here. For the younger two, at least. They messed around at the beginning of the grading period despite my constant prodding and reminding them that they can't play with their grades. Hopefully, the turn around that happened mid-grading period will help. So, pray for them. And me. The weather has been wonky and I got hit with a migraine (they've been getting even worse and morphing into something I hardly recognize anymore...but that's a whole other post). I can't take my meds until this evening because Mr. Chef has to go to work and DH can't guarantee what time he will be getting home...so, no meds for me until then.

The start of it all...

Today, I took my 10 y/o to our local museum. They recently added an Archeology Complex to it and have begun hosting a number of activities that will further involve the community in the museum and the history of our area.

Today, they had groups of kids come in and learn a bit about what archeologists do. They held a mini-lab, where the kids documented "artifacts" found in the field, researched other similar objects to figure out what their artifact might have been used for and then give a sketch of that piece.

Following that, they were taken in groups to create casts of an artifact for them to take home. Then, while it dried, they finished touring the displays in the museum and could even go outside to climb to the top of a piece of history left from the Adena Indians. I remember climbing it as a child...however, I don't remember it being that TALL! Lol!

After his taste of Archeology, he is having a difficult time choosing between it or Paleontology! I told him to continue his love of Paleontology but to just explore more of the Archeology stuff. Maybe he could work on them both. (I am so NOT paying for both college tuition bills! LOL!)

Just a little something...

Isn't she beautiful? Hopefully, my continuing work on restoring this photo will produce a clearer picture soon. As for who this is . . . she is one of the most beautiful people I know, inside and out.

This is my Grandma.

A good day...

He turned 18 today.

There is so much to this young man. Intelligence, a quiet confidence, a gentlemanly air. His love for all things computer is an odd pairing to his passion about becoming a pastry chef.

I remember the quiet little boy so shy he could hardly look at me. Today, he is still quiet in situations he is unfamiliar with, content to just watch and learn, but with his friends he is outgoing and boisterous.

So this is my good day...sad in a way...but good.

Me again

So, I have taken time off. Haven't taken many photos, haven't uploaded anything off my camera that I have taken photos of, and am not sure when I will take my next photo. Oh! Wait! I do know! This coming Saturday...but you will have to wait until then to see why.

For now, have a random photo to hold you over til then.

Some of you know that my mom collects cows. Those of you who are family know that it is leading towards the need for therapy. . . I think I figured a way around it, though. Take a picture of each cow, frame it, and hang it up for her. THEN SELL THE HERD!

Yeah, right! Like I would live long enough to get them out of her room! Anyway, let me introduce you to a few of her cows that I actually LIKE!

This is Clover. I just love her face (and the fact that she is SMALL!).

This is a burlap-covered cow that Mom received a few years ago from a dear family friend. Don't know if this cow had a name but I love the textures and the organic feel of her.

I plan on taking more photos of Mom's cows in the near future. Some for fun, others for documentation purposes because she has several antiques. Oh! And she has the best salt-and-pepper shakers! I grew up with those things on the table at dinner! Just wait until I can post those.

New 'developments'

Since I don't have a bunch of time this evening to re-post some photos, I thought I would just send you all over to my 'still in diapers' photo-blog. Just go into my profile. I am too lazy right now to do a hyperlink. My mom gifted me with a tabletop photos studio kit but with ulterior motives! She was having me take photos of her Red Hatter accessories so they could be used for a Christmas gift idea she and Aunt Martha have been working on. I had already agreed to work on the photos, the studio kit was just a wonderful surprise that made my life so much easier! Go over and have a look! The blue glass jar was photographed within 10 minutes of me getting the kit out of the box!

The kit is definitely going to be used for many things! I see pigs and cows and frogs and Santas and roosters in its future!

Just a little Wiggle...

GUESS WHAT I CAN DO!!!!!

I can knit!! I am thirty years old and I can finally knit!!

Mom has been with me today and she has been knitting. Years ago, like when I was TEN, she tried to teach me how to knit. It didn't work so well. I am left handed with ambidextrous tendencies and the two sides of my brain were unable to work together in harmony so I could basically tie pretty knots in yarn. She struggled, she pleaded, she cried, I cried. She called her grandmother - we lived in Louisiana, she was in Clarksburg, WV. Nothing worked. We quit worrying about it.

Today, however, SUCCESS! I can knit! Literally, just knit. Do NOT ask me to pearl. That is something that may have to wait a few more years. I am just happy I can KNIT! YAY, ME!

(Mom has created a group at her churches that will work to knit or crochet shawls or lap robes for the Prayer Shawl Ministry. An instructional book with patterns and group formation ideas can be found in the Wal-Mart yarn aisle. If your Wal-Mart has done the unthinkable and removed their craft section, just follow the link to their website.)

Tunnel Vision

My Aunt Martha posted photos of her trip to Pittsburgh in October. Well, this past Saturday, DH and I took Mr. Chef to the city for scholarship testing and a tour of PCI Le Cordon Bleu (Pittsburgh Culinary Institute). The trip was worth it. The information we received was fantastic! Did you know that the PCI Le Cordon Bleu is the oldest Le Cordon Bleu in the nation? Yeah, makes that Parent Plus Loan a bit easier to swallow...

So, anyway. Getting into the city meant going through the Tunnel. Before we were even out of WV, I was disappointed with myself for forgetting my camera. Then, on a light bulb moment, I happened to glance down between the front seats of the van and there was my camera case! I had left it in the van overnight (please note, this is not good for your camera on a regular basis, I just had a stupid moment and forgot to pick it up!). So, here is what I have!

Off wandering...

Yep. That has been me. Off wandering in my own little world.

Between Election Depression (yes, I wanted McCain to win but the depression came from just the sudden END of it all...similar to what brides go through after their wedding...), kids and their activities, catching what few minutes we have with the oldest when he is able to come up from college, and planning a wedding...I like my wandering.

The oldest turned 20 the day before elections. My younger brother celebrated his birthday the day AFTER elections. My 9 y/o turns 10 TOMORROW! And our HS Senior spent a few hours at Wal-Mart on Wednesday waiting for the midnight release of WoW's Wrath of the Lich King.

He got the special edition pack (his money, people! He worked for it, he can spend it!) In true WoW form, he and his brother (who called him from college to coordinate this on both ends) both took poster boards to recruit for their guild on the Skullcrusher server, with it written as though in the Trade Chat. (If you want further guild info, just comment...I'll talk to them about it.) Luckily, DH and I aren't anywhere near needing Lich King, yet. When we break lvl 50, we'll talk about it. Oh, in case you haven't noticed, I live with a bunch of computer geeks that infected me! It's all DH's fault! He's the one that was the COBOL programmer in the Marine Corps! Lol!

So, tomorrow HS Senior (Mr. Chef), his dad and myself are going to Pittsburgh for him to test for scholarships at PCI (Pittsburgh Culinary Institute Le Cordon Bleu). Since we won't be home most of the day, my Mom is going to watch the two little ones and hopefully be able to go snag my MIL for lunch so they can have a little celebration with Mr. Rebel. We will then have his party on Sunday. He is okay with all this because he is super excited about his brother going to culinary school!

There are a few birthdays next week that I will be making phone calls for (youngest nephew and Aunt Martha). Following that, it is Thanksgiving. We are hosting again this year. My mom, grandparents, and Aunt Martha/Uncle Joe will be coming. As well as, my MIL, two BIL's and their girls. Hopefully, our oldest can make it up from school but he won't know until he gets his work schedule. I love having the family together! Even if it is somewhat incomplete, having just a few of us gives us the chance to remember and be thankful for all we have been blessed with.

So, if you have managed to stick with me through my wanderings, fabulous job! Sometimes, even I get lost in here! Lol! Have a great weekend!

They're kidding, right?

This is unbelievable! Doctors at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle have discovered a possible link between migraines and a woman's LOWERED risk of BREAST CANCER!

Basically, me feeling like my brain is going to bleed out of my ears means that my boobs stay healthier...

Kind of funny that my husband heard this on the radio today and chose to call me about it...when I was recovering from a two-pill-required migraine... Next time, I will do my best to remember to smile while the scraping, piercing, scalping pain is causing me to lose feeling in my face and neck because, hey!, my rack is doing JUST FINE!

(Please note the dripping sarcasm...)

Happy Birthday!!!

When my grandmother was very young her mother had a little boy who was born with Cerebral Palsy. The doctors were very honest with Great-Grandma and told her that he wasn't strong enough to live very long, probably not more than three years. Tomorrow he turns 76. Yeah, they kind of got that wrong.

Anyway, we had a small party for him at the Care Center he is living in. This morning I called my mom bright and early (she wished I hadn't...really, it was VERY bright and early!) and suggested a blanket for him since he gets chilled easily. She and Grandma loved the idea, so here it is. He is a life-long fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers which made the choice of design very easy. This blanket is only little over 1 yard (that's all the black they had) and with me rushing through it, I made it in just under 4 hours. He loved it! Grandma, Pap, and Mom were thrilled with the results and I had so much fun making it.

Do you see that little girl? That gorgeous little baby? She is cute, isn't she? She is the most beautiful little girl I have ever seen. Only, she's not so little anymore...today, she is 12.

Twelve years ago my older brother's wife blessed our family with an angel. Today, she loves to play soccer, is a dedicated Girl Scout, and can sew better her Aunt Jenny! (although, that is not too hard for anyone to sew better than me...)

Her younger brothers both celebrated birthdays earlier this month but, boys being boys, they tend to run from me when I have my camera so I don't have any decent shots of them...YET! I will get you....one day....hahaha! They both love soccer, too. Both are also dedicated Scouts. I am so proud of them.

Mamma Mia! What a MOVIE!!!

Mom called me the other day. "Jenny, want to go out with me on Thursday?" After some conversation and confirmation I discovered that "going out with me" meant going out with the Red Hatters! LOL! She has been trying to get me out with them for over 2 years now!

So the next day we head up to the shopping plaza where we are to meet the rest of the group. Mom's in red, I'm in pink (not OLD enough to wear red with them...fuddy duddies...lol). We do a little shopping before the rest of the ladies get there. Mom finds some adorable gifts for a few of her friends for Christmas and I find fantastic place card holders! They are miniature Christmas balls that are flat on the bottom with a jump ring for the loop to hold the card. Adorable!

Once the ladies arrive we head over to the chosen restaurant for lunch. Fabulous food and wonderful fellowship! These ladies are just amazing! Crazy but amazing! Following that, we all head to the theater.

We are the first ones of the day. Most of the group went to see The Women. Mom and I went to see Mamma Mia! Oh, my word! It is such a fabulous movie!!! We were the only two in that theater. We could laugh as loud as we wanted - we did! We could dance in our seats - we did! We could talk back to the movie - we did! We could sing along with the songs without worry - WE DID!!! Oh, I had so much fun!

Mom and I haven't had such a great day in a long time! We laughed, we cried, we giggled (she mostly at me because I drank to much and had to go running to the bathroom before I laughed myself into a wardrobe problem!).

When we got home we immediately brought up the movie's website just to hear the bits of soundtrack, to which my two youngest start moving to after they got home. Little Pirate loved it most of all. He was dancing in place, snapping his fingers, wiggling his hips...Hahahah!

Mom called me later to tell me she went right down to the store and bought the CD soundtrack! Oh, I can't wait to get mine!

Honestly, this was such a great movie! Sure the story line is about a girl trying to figure out which of her mother's three beaus is her father but there is no sex, no violence, just laughing, dancing, singing. It reminds me of all the old Doris Day, Frank Sinatra-type musicals. Oh, what a day!

A Wordle...

Well, the other day Dana introduced us to Black Boxes. Now, I am going to introduce you to something I found because of the Black Boxes...a Wordle.

This is a Wordle. Click on it and it will take you to the site where you can create your own. All you have to do is type words. They can be random or have special meaning. They can describe you or someone you love. Then you can customize your Wordle however you like. If you decide to save your Wordle on that site, the world can view your Wordle. You can then take the html code and paste it on your blog where you can share it with your friends. Enjoy.

Another year...

Seven years ago our lives changed. All of us changed. You, me, the neighbor across the street, the stranger across town. Seven years ago women in this country went into shock and, through the horror and heartbreak, brought forth joy. Seven years ago, I was one of those women. Seven years ago today, my youngest son was born

Little Pirate. 10 lbs 3 oz, 20-1/2 inches long, 15" head and chest. No, ladies, it was not a C-section. He was hiding. He was a surprise.

Seven years ago, we all suffered the horror and heartbreak. Many of us more personally than others. Thousands of pregnant women all over the nation went into shock-induced labor. I was one of them. Thankfully my labor was not far enough along for the hospital to keep me. Two days later, however, that was another story. I had just curled up with my almost-3-year-old little boy (Mr. Rebel) to watch a movie before he went to bed. He laid his head on my belly like he always did. He fidgeted a little more than normal, shifted his head, poked my belly...looking at me with his father's faery blue eyes, he said "Mommy, your tummy is hard! I can't get comfy!" Lol! I swear he did!

I figured it would start, I had been extremely uncomfortable all evening and the hardness of my belly was constant. We finished the movie, got him ready for bed and all tucked in. Then Daddy decided that Mommy needed sleep. That was fun...

So to speed everything up, I arrived at the hospital around midnight, could not progress in my labor, and spent the night holding my MIL's hand because her skin was cool and hubby's was not. Mom was in the waiting room with the boys curled up in blankets asleep on the floor. Hubby went to work with little-to-no sleep. My cousin visited me during her lunch break from the CCU/ICU floor to make sure I ate (they figured out quick who I was related to and then tattled on me for not eating!). They all felt so happy with themselves when half my food was gone before exhaustion claimed me.

Fastforward again, transition hit hard and heavy. Language got bad. Memory loss occured. Family thought I was hilarious. Photos of my mom and aunt are all I have to know the work they put in to help my body relax enough to rest. They rubbed my feet and calves for hours.

Then, after a neat discovery of why I wasn't progressing and a fabulous nurse that conned me into letting her try something - "Oh, honey, don't worry, you won't even notice" - yeah, right! (Honestly, she had to do what she did and if I ever had another baby she would be the nurse I would want in charge of my birthing room!)

9:00 PM. There he is. Not even seconds old and already irritating my doctor! Lol! Of course, not breathing for over 1 minute would have that effect on many people. "Breathe baby, breathe baby...for mommy..." Then the most gawd-awful scream, the indignation very apparent! Lol!

He was impressive. The nurses were shocked. DH was in awe. My response to my husband after hearing the stats of our newest joy? I am woman...hear me roar! To which I promptly pass out from exhaustion.

So, seven years ago, despite the tragedy and loss, new life came forth to make us smile and be thankful. So, Happy Birthday, Little Pirate. Happy Birthday to all the seven-year-olds.

Inspiration and an idea...

When my brother and his family came down to visit this past Spring, they brought all the presents they had been saving from Christmas. My gift from them was this no-sew blanket my SIL Dana made. I just loved it! I still do. It reminds me of the Mardi Gras celebrations my brothers and I grew up with in Louisiana. These are the exact colors put on the King Cakes!

So, I decided to give it a try.

This one is for my niece, Paige. I plan on making one for each of the kids on my DH's side for Christmas. If I can, I will make one for each adult. If not, I am DEFINITELY making one for my MIL. She loves these things! Anyway, each of the four girls (ages 1-1/2, 6, 16, 18) will get the tie-dye pattern with their favorite shade on the reverse. Obviously, Paige's color is purple. Pink, orange, and green are next.

Dana, thanks for the inspiration! I still love my blanket! DH says I remind him of Linus from Charlie Brown...LOL!

Senior Photos

I did a Senior Photo Shoot a week or so ago. This young lady has been part of our lives since our two oldest were in junior high school. She is just an absolute doll! Rebel and Pirate are her "Monkeys" and have been from the first day they met her (they crawled all over her, hence the knickname!).

Anyway, she and Mr. Chef are seniors this year and, both being in band, they have to have a Senior Bio and photo available to put in the Senior Night football program for when they introduce the seniors on the FB team, Cheer Squad and Band. She was complaining about the cost of Senior Photos and the she didn't want them to look like everyone else's. I mentioned that I took Mr. Gamer's photos because we 1) didn't have the money to spend on a photographer what would charge us an arm, a leg, AND our wallet; 2) we didn't have the time to wait. She talked with her mom and her mom suggested asking me to take her photos. So, I did. For free! I have this problem right now about having people pay me to take photos. I just can't do it. I figure if I do it for free I get experience, they get pictures, and I don't have to feel like I am being mean to a customer by telling them what to do...I am so much better at plantlife!

So, I checked with Ms. 4-H (yeah, she's a country girl!) about posting her photos and she said SURE!

Visit and Volunteering

Friday marked the fourth day of school for the three boys still at home. It also marked the third morning without our oldest. We all seem to be doing well. DH called Mr. Gamer to let him know that Mr. Pirate was really missing him. Amazingly, he had called him as he was pulling into the drive to come home and we were just walking back from the bus stop! So Mr. Pirate got to talk to his brother and be reassured that he wasn't that far away, it's okay to miss him but he would be home every so often to visit and check on him so he best do his homework! Haha! Mr. Rebel was thrilled to hear his brother's voice. As usual, they talked 'video games', being so much alike.

As I left the house at 3:45 pm that Friday afternoon, a blue car pulls up. Mr. Gamer!! Lol! He had come back to get a few more things that hadn't fit in the car the first trip and to pick up his girlfriend to visit with her. He walked up to the bus stop with me to surprise the youngest two, who have missed him tremendously. Oh, their smiles! It was a beautiful thing. Mr. Pirate looked confused at first, unsure if he was really seeing his brother. Then the joy, pure and radiant, came bubbling to the surface! Running, arms open, he was enveloped in a hug only a brother can give. Mr. Gamer smiled, hugging both Rebel and Pirate, growing up in front of me, learning instantly that his brothers' love is something that is given unconditionally and will always be there; always be a joyful thing.

So, volunteering... sounds like a great thing, and it is. Just keep in mind that the volunteering I speak of requires a recovery period. For the last 7 years, the high school band members have volunteered to answer phones during the MDA Telethon at our local TV station. A few years ago, the coordinator had several groups from a different high school back out at the LAST MINUTE. I am talking, she needs volunteers and needs them NOW! So, being a band parent herself, she starts calling all her band kids. I was the first parent that actually answered the phone. For the next 20 minutes we worked out what could be done, who we needed, and "Fran, you're going to need chaperones for this if it works!".

So, DH and I tossed our hat in the ring. What ring? The thing has been called the MDA Overnighter for the last 3 years! Yep, an average of 25-30 high school band kids sleep in a TV station overnight to answer phones at scheduled times during the wee, WEE, hours of the morning. They arrive around 10:30-11:00pm, stuff envelopes, get their sleeping bags set up and work on-air segments and answer phones.

DH and I have chaperoned this shindig every year. This year, we fully embraced our position as chaperones. I was the Girls Warden and DH was the Prison Guard for the guys. The kids sleep in different rooms, on opposite ends of the floor we stay on. They bring games, books, cards, etc., anything to keep themselves entertained until we get passed the first few segements and then they have a few hours downtime to rest. This year we had a rather interesting game of Twister! And I have the photos to prove it! Those will be going on the slideshow at the Spring Band Banquet! heheheh!

Hope everyone had a great Labor Day Weekend!

Closing of a book, opening of an adventure...

I cannot guarantee I will not cry while typing this. *sigh*

A book has been closed. A new adventure has begun. Our oldest moved out yesterday. Brimming with excitement and joy, he and his friend of over 10 years packed their cars with his life-filled boxes, said 'Good-bye, I love you' to his dad, me, and his little brothers, and drove away.

My house is quiet, my mind is still, my heart is aching. There is no one to shoo off to work, make sure he remembered his wallet, remind him not to leave his iPod in his pants for me to wash, or nag about calling his mother to check in with her. My husband is unusually somber and I have no way of helping him.

Mr. Rebel is sad but knows his brother is only just over an hour away and will be back regularly. Mr. Pirate, the youngest, has had his heart broken. He cried yesterday before, during and after his brother left. This morning, his second day of school, he stood at the now-empty desk in the living room and cried. Mr. Chef's computer use to sit there and is now in the bedroom where Mr. Gamer's computer was. He just cried. Tears rolling down his face and this lost look in his eyes. It will be hardest on him.

I miss him. I missed him the moment he walked out the door. I don't think he knows how hard it is to let him go. I met him when he was 8 years old and just fell in love with him and his brother. They have been my life for over 11 years. He pushed my buttons, drew me pictures, made me laugh, made me cry. He made me a Mom. I remember when he thought my idea about starting band was kind of cool. I remember when he opened my younger brother's trombone case. It was almost as big as he was! Hmm. The look in his eyes upon seeing that gleaming brass... My brother became a hero that day. This outgoing child finally found his outlet, his avenue to shine.

*sigh* So, it begins again in a new book. A new place, a new city, a new beginning. He is reaching for his life with both hands but, thankfully, remembers to bring his family with him even if only through a phone call to let me know he made it safely.