Saddam is Dead

I don't know if I should be as content and relieved as I am with the thought of a human being purposely being hanged. I was actually relieved that his sentence was carried thru when we got the news Special Report at 10:18 last night. I was worried about the violence and catastrophes that could happen if it were a long drawn out process. But I am old enough to remember the news reports and pictures of people laying dead in the street where they fell while trying to run from the gas that he ordered for the villages. The pictures of babies laying dead in thier beds and children just dropping where they were playing. Maybe after 3 or 4 years of warning by the UN - they didn't find any wmd's - but he USED wmd's - so you can't tell me he didn't HAVE them.

I trust that the Lord had done as was meant to be done. To the very end Saddam showed no remorse, no humility, and actually requested to be executed by firing squad as "would be the honorable way for a soldier to be executed". I'm glad he hanged. I hope this shows that NO man is above the law of humanity and mankind. Only for the rest of the rising "Hitler" style leader to follow the same path. The one to the gallows.

So here you have my "thoughts for today".

Change over

Well, I've spent my evening updating to the new version of IE and switching over (I hope) to the new version of Blogger. If this didn't work - I'll just start a new one. It's not like I really had anything important to say.

We had a pretty good Christmas. The kids did. Keith and I were both a bit melancholy - thank the Lord that we had so many activities on Sunday at church. It kinda kept our minds off of the fact that we were again famliless.

The kids were fun to watch. We visited ggm today and Pelik has has a real hard week. She even commented on his lack of social skills. Lori stopped by and helped her out. From what I hear - it was rather a free-for-all. Pelik is having a real problem with the "bully - type" stage and I'm not liking it a bit. He took off over the parking lot on Keith - so he just put on the backpack and then had to carry a screeching kid across the lot to the building - it was something for the parenting class to watch. Quite a sight lol!!!

Baby is trying real hard to walk - he is standing alone while he claps his hands, reaches for things and his favorite - going in circles around his new activity table. I couldn't find another toy like I sent to Tetee - so he got a different one - and he loves it too!!

Pelik keeps asking when we are going back to Kiah's house on 4 planes. I keep telling him he has to ask Papa - I'm ready anytime - Keith just rolls his eyes at me. Last time we went we hadn;t been having so many behavior issues. I can't imagine traveling across country with him at this point/ . .

I'll have nightmares tonight!!! That's all the real news in my life - and I never hear from anyone else, nor do they update thier sites hint hint!!

Christmas Day

Merry Christmas to all. As I wait for the pasta for the tuna cassarold to cook - thought I would add a little humor for ya'll to read.

We spent two nights - until after midnight - putting together, wrapping, and sorting through all the crap that the kids got. I have 2 full bags of items that will not be appropriate or fit for another year - possibly 2. I don't understand why - someone asks for a size and you tell them "if it's small" a 3 will work - open the package and it is a size 5. Now, tell me this, how many children go from a 3 to a 5 in 6 weeks? That's how long it has been since I put down the ages and sizes of these guys.

Here is where Boo got her picture in the paper for the Legion Children's Party. She was just soooo cute!!! And the next pic was of Pelik and I doing the hokey pokey. I was roasting!! And it looks that way too. Boy - you just can't dress cool enough around here. And the a/c there was on. Santa and Mrs Claus arrived on the fire engine - siren's and all!! The kids were soooo excited. And Pelik made it almost all the way thru the party before we had to "backpak" him. So we did really will.

Casserole is done. Kids need to be fed. Broken pieces of toys to be picked up and put away!! Stuff that we thought would be ok but we were wrong on need to be picked up and out so they can be "stored".

So we've had a nice calm Christmas Day, tem about 85, several little rainstorms, and some sun. But hot and humid - isn't that what Florida is????

Merry Christmas everyone.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Tetee!! I'm so glad you LOVED your blanket. I tried to call and sing for you - but it didn't happen - don't know why. But I want you to know I LOVE YOU!!! My youngest grandbaby is now a toddler!! Next year a Pre-schooler. It makes you sound so old!!!

Next Rant!!! They closed the Curves that they transferred me to when they closed the Curves closest to me. Now it would take me longer to get there than the workout!! So now I have to get motivated to do it myself. Doesn't this ship look just wonderful!! I have about 80 pounds to lose before February and we go on our cruise. It will be a test run for the BIG ONE. Actually, I got so seasick when we went fishing, we wanted to know that I can handle it before we try planning my Dream Cruise~~~

Hope everyone is as ready for Christmas as I am - like as in - NOT. I've got nothing put together, can't think of anything Keith needs or wants - other than a larger print Bible - and haven't been shopping enough to even find one of those!!

My therapy is almost done and I will be returning to the Dr. soon so we will maybe get an idea of when I will be able to do a whole Blog entry without "resting".

Pray for my friend Liz as she has just undergone serious surgery and I can't get my head around in time to call her. This time difference thing keeps me either to early or to late> > > >

Thanks for reading another of my rambles. Merry Christmas all - and especially to my family whom I miss terribly.

Christmas 06

Here is our Annual "Update". I'd love to hear from each of you on what's been happening with you!! Love to all - The Beatty's

---

December, 2006

To All Our Friends and Family,

We hope this finds you all happy and healthy and ready to celebrate this Birthday of Christ Jesus. As always, I’ve written a little book to go with my cards. So here goes. . .

We were in SD for Easter and I knew there were an Easter Egg Hunt, Action Presentations and all kinds of other activities scheduled – So I took my pic early. Aren’t they growing?? I was sooo happy to be able to spend so much time out there this summer. It was almost like being at home!

We left home again in June for the West Coast. We managed a Short trip to The Oregon Coast and packed in so many activities. Over to Coos Bay for Clint’s Birthday. Sorry to say, we missed his “Official Retirement Party”!! We went on to Powers for White Cedar Days, to Canyonville for July 4^th with Sharen and my Dad, and to Portland for the Duncan Family Reunion!! Here is the majority of the Duncan Family. We saw members of the family that I haven’t seen in several years and Keith got to meet a large part of my extended family. It was great and we all had a wonderful time. I’m so glad that we were invited. On the way back to Canyonville we stopped and looked at several of the new triple wide mobiles. We played with the idea of finding a place to “summer” in Oregon – but so far things haven’t worked out in that direction. Here is a picture that was taken at S’te’s house right after Rod returned from his sea duty. S’te doctored up the background and she really did a wonderful job with it. We also managed a trip for two to Rosarito Beach while we were doing our “summer travels”. We looked at some condos down there too. Didn’t find anything to fall in love with!

We headed back to Florida in August after several visits with the kids and we picked up our newest houseguests. They are a sibling group and we have much in common. Felix has the same birthday as Keith, Mary is a Valentines girl, Boo’s birthday is our Anniversary, and last but not least is Baby Bastion who is a total delight. He never stops smiling. He is up and walking around tables but won’t need them for long. They are a joy to have – knots and all – they keep us hopping and life stays busy with them around. We have been so blessed. We have our families and each other. We are blessed to be able to share a little.

And here they are in their Halloween Finery. The Village had a party and then we trick or treated until the mosquitoes sent us running for cover. Then we just handed out the treats for the hardiest. Keith went up to see April in August and didn’t bring back any pictures but says he had a great visit and that Elizabeth and Brennan are growing up just “way to fast”. And his “Little April” is doing really well and is as beautiful as ever. We were hoping to see them again but with their busy lives, it just didn’t work out.

The Color Guard put on a great presentation for Veteran’s Day. It was really hot so we really didn’t spend much time outside at all but went inside and celebrated our Country’s Servicemen in the air conditioned comfort. Wimpy – huh!!

Right after Veteran’s Day I finally had my carpal tunnel surgery done. It looks really good and is healing really well – or so they say. I started this a week ago – so I’m not really believing them. It probably gets better all the time – just not quick enough for me~~

With the fall came some cooler weather but with so many small kids – I found it really hard to get out – so Keith bought me a “buggy. It has a seat on the back for the kids – complete with seat belts – and a special seat for Baby. We just love it. Since it uses no gas – we just cruise all over. It is really neat to look at Christmas lights in!!

As I was putting up lights I looked over at this plant that I gave up on and stuck in the ground. I’ve been trying for 20 years to get one of those little pink flowers!! Isn’t it amazing??

We’ve enjoyed the fellowship of Faith Baptist Church here in Vero and became members during the Spring. It has been a great experience for both of us to renew our Faith. We’ve been to many functions and are slowly finding our niche. We’ve also attended several of the services in Spring Valley and we enjoy both styles of worship. And believe me – there are differences J Rod gave his first sermon that we only got to see on DVD because they changed the date – we were there for the original date ~~ He did such a great job!! It is wonderful that their faith has grown to such heights.

Now that I’ve written our whole Christmas Book – I have to get them mailed off – maybe someone will get it before Christmas actually arrives. I am also going to post it on my Blog – so everyone won’t get a “hard copy. So for this year – Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Love to all,

The Beattys

Sorry that the pictures didn't upload the right way. If I can get back to it - I will try again to upload them again. Merry Christmas.

Party, Party, Party

We've partied all week!! And we have another one tomorrow. Sure wish people would spread this out thru the year some!!! It was 10 pm before we put the kids to bed tonight!!! Pelik didn't even complain - he was soooo tired!!
Here is the reason you don't want to get in front of a bunch of Hungry Baptists at the Christmas Dinner!! We had a great turnout - the line was clear around the room. I decided I'd just take pictures and wait for awhile. I figured that the food would be there just the same whether I took pics or stood in line. Of course, Grammy and Zoey were there to hold babies. They even brought friends to help out LOL It makes it sooo nice. Baby actually took a really short nap - and my White Elephant was~~~~ guess which I picked and which Keith did!!
Anyhow, we all had lots and lots of fun and I don't feel quite so lonesome. It is so hard being so far from anyone that we could even remotely call family. Now with Tom gone - we have less than ever before. I'm slowly finding a way - but ever so slowly. Lives are set with families and friends - and believe it or not - we do lead quite a different lifestyle than most couple our age. LOL
Just wanted to touch bases - off to get ready for the Legion Party for tomorrow afternoon.

Laptop

As would go with the rest of my luck. My laptop with all of my email addresses, Christmas Card List, PHONE numbers, and calendar - went to the shop to be cleaned. Turn around time 1.5 days. Results: it had an internal problem and they sent it to the "shop". I MAY have it back by the first of the year. So, if you aren't on speed-dial and if you haven't sent me an email in the last day or so - I don't have your phone number, address, and you definately won't be getting a Christmas Card from me. Or you could call me, email me, send me your address . . . Any of the prior would be terribly helpful. LOL

Oh well, HO HO HO. Merry Christmas to All!!

My Prayer

This Collage of Angie was created by
'Just Taken Pics"

S'te, my heart and prayers are with you as you face this very, very difficult day. I wish I could be there for you. It seems as I am always so far away, especially when I would like to be able to comfort you. I thank the Lord for your relationship with Him. I also am grateful to Rod for being the kind and loving husband that he is for I know he is always there for you also. I also pray that the power that be realize that your home is the place for Ellie to heal from the trauma that she has been through.





Dear Lord,


Thank you for the Blessings that You have heaped on us and thank you for Always being there to hold us up. Please Lord, take this young child under your special wings to care for her in Heaven as she was not cared for here on Earth. Thank you Lord for holding on to my own Baby Daughter as she goes thru the continued trials that the people here on Earth are purpetrating. I know that you will give her the stregnth and the will that she needs to carry on in doing Your Work. Amen

My Bromiliad???

Here it is!!! My testament to may truly great gardening skills!! I've been trying to get one of these to bloom for about 20 years now. S'te was buying them for me for holidays and they were dying almost as fast as the stores could keep them in stock!! So, last spring when Rod was deployed and we went to irritate the Grandkids for so long - I stuck it outside under the Loquat Tree. I figured that the sprinklers wouldn't get it to much but it wouldn't die from lack of water either. So - anyhow, it was a single little plant and it now has 4 "babies" AND A BLOOM. That brown thing in the middle is a Loquat leaf - I guess I could've cleaned up my background a little - but I am soooooo excited!!

For S'te: I've been telling you that I got a "new" toy. Well - after the surgery and the heat and the next surgery and the stroller pushing hand is still sensitive (big time) and now Bastion is getting so big - I seldom got out of the house that we weren't all closed in the van. So Keith bought this for me!!! Isn't it adorable!!! Bastion loves his special seat and just grins and laughs the whole time. He really hates for it to stop. The other kids love it too. Keith and a neighbor designed and built the little seat for them. I don't know that it would hold ME but I'm not going to attempt it anyway. So I strap the kids in and we can stop and chat with whoever happens to be outside. It's a "snap" to load and unload them, it has headlights that work, and according to one of the other "gals" around her - we are quite the talk of the Village. We go over to the Compound every day and "change the moobies", stop at the playground. It is soooo much fun. And it doesn't use any gas at all. We've had to charge it once in the 3 weeks we've had it . .

Nativity

It's been a full week. Not that anything unusual happened - or even anything different - with my hand being so sore - it just takes longer for me to do the same things. Keith was gone the first part of the week for 3 days. He left Monday afternoon and went up to St. Augustine for business but he was back Wednesday afternoon. The kids and I had fun while he was gone. We went shopping every day!!! They are now able to go into a store and keep thier voices down and their hands to themselves!! Horray.

We spent the majority of our "shopping time" looking for an outside Nativity Scene. Why have we let the stores completely forget that "Jesus is the Reason for the Season?" I looked online, in stores, in thrift shops, in newspapers - I looked and asked all over the place where I could get one. No one knew. Oh, they had those big plastic ones that fall over every night at Walmart - but that was it!!!! I finally left the kids home with Keith and went looking some more. It was getting dark and I knew I needed to get home to start dinner and I drove by a tent where they were selling Christmas Trees. And there was tons of yard art out there!! So I stopped - asked if any of it was for sale - and PRAISE THE LORD - yes. And they had the Nativity Scene that I wanted. Next year when we have the power situation straightened out - you will be able to see it better. But this is the results of about 2 weeks of research. And it all fit in the van to get it home!! The next question will be storage - but hey - the Lord provided the scene -He'll help me figure out what to do with it!! So - anyway I've got the Nativity Scene (part of it this one will have to be added to a bit at a time!!) that I've wanted for over 30 years. Thank you!!

We even had an evening out for dinner - and an evening Christmas Party!! We watched the Space Shuttle Discovery launch last night. It is so amazing that we could see it as plainly as we did. There was very little cloud cover - so we saw it for a lot longer than I thought we would. It was kind of like watching the circling planes from S'te's porch - only closer and plainer. AMAZING!!! I can't think of another word for it. I wish I had taken pictures - but of course - the camera was on the table - and - I was outside!!

If all goes as planned - Keith is taking me on a Belated 50th Birthday Cruise. In fact we are taking this Cruise only as a test cruise:) LOL because I would still like to see my whole immediate family (mine and Keiths) all together where they can at least meet each other face to face - at least once. So I still have my family reunion cruise dream going - so we are going to get Respite and do a short "test". It's given me a goal - 80#'s in 2 months ????? But I am going to try!!

Tomorrow is the Memorial Services for Angie and she will be heavily on my heart and mind. Although she is in a much better place - the way she went bodes ill for humanity. Pray for her and for S'te as she is feeling the horror firsthand. Pray that the Lord gives her the stregnth to get thru the next few weeks and please pray for the outcome with little Ellie to be a positive outcome.

So here is my update and some of what is going on. Nou I've updated, someone else can too.

Lost a Post??

My hands are really doing great ;( I hate Keith's puter. I didn't hear what they are doing with mine and if I don't get it back soon I'm.going.to.crack!! I sure hope it is fixable. I NEED my calendar if nothing else. :It didn't even dawn on me that I hav eno idea where I am supposed to be for the next month!! They have to at least send me the calendar. . . .

I'm having a real tough time typing so it really sucks when I lose a post that I got all the way thru. Anyone seen it!! It must be traveling along thru cyberspace looking for it's proper link so it can find it's way home (sniff sniff)

Fixing breakfast for Sunday School in the morning. I'm trying Chris's Crockpot Oatmeal and if it works - I'll try it on the grandkids if I ever get to see them again.

Had 2 visits this week so the kids are really having a time getting back into the "groove". I told Pelik not to shove and Mom said "he's doing fine" and GGM said thanks for taking such good care of them. And the CW has a problem with GGM? ? ? I don't understand.

A reporter from the Coos Bay newspaper has contacted me about doing a story about Jeremy's disappearance - 20 years later. I've been to depressed over all the other stuff that has been going on to contact him. I did the real wimpy thing and forwarded it to S'te. As if she doesn't have enough to deal with. . . what a champ I am :( I hope to get my wits gathered enough to contact him first part of the week. I feel really bad about putting this off as I KNOW how important it is to keep any publicity possible going - and I didn't grab the ball. I have GOT.TO.GET.WITH.IT before I regret everything I haven't done more than I already do. My endless circles. Can't do enough and enough can't be done. Lord help me with the courage and stregnth that I need to do this again.

Started pt on Wed so fingers are feeling stiffer than ever - but they promise they will get better!!! Typing is my therapy. I can sit and make all the motions with nothing to show for it - or I can type. Slow and agonizing but therapy. Now if I only had my own puter - I would be doing really well.

I'm feeling somewhat better than I was. I have gotten thru most of the gloom and am back to seeing some sunshine - I have the Lord and lots of praying people to thank for it. It's getting better all the time. Thank you all. Therapy time must be over, I have currents running from my fingers to my ears!!!

just an update. . .

My laptop is in the shop. 'Cause it's broke. The Geek Squad Agent came to our house and he couldn't fix it - so I took it down to the shop and stood in line for 30 minutes to sign it in for them to send it off into cyberspace for the nex tfew weeks. I am on
Keith's puter right now - and it isn't fiendly for me ! It has keys in the wierdest places and is missing a key that I use all the time - so no one will hear much at all from me for the next while. Pray that it comes back soon - "writing " sems to be my catharsis. I purge all my blues, ill thoughts, want's, and needs into one of the several blogs that I ahve going. Since i have no one to talk to - I write - so It is going to be hard not having my syste.

Also for all of you out there - all of my phone numbers and calendar are on it - so - it will be terribly hard for me to call or e-mail anyone until the blasted thing comes back. Its as bad as losing an address book - oh.wait. - that is what I did . . . .

Not only that, but my hand seriously hurts - so it takes forever to get a legible post out of me. Like this 1/2 hour for this little bit!!

Keep in touch!!

Thanksgiving

A friend just sent this link to me, and woke me up out of my self induced misery, and I think it is a shame that I didn't think to find even one soldier to say Happy Thanksgiving to. I am ashamed but maybe this will make up for a little of my own thoughtlessness.

I was depressed because my family is all on the other end of the USA - but they are all safe, in good health, and just rarin' to go. Let us be thankful for what we have instead of dwelling on what we have not (like I've been doing).

Post Op Visit

Well, I've gotten thru the worst part of it. I'm now able to use my fingers - not my thumb yet - but most of my fingers work - for a bit anyway. Still can't open a baby food jar - no matter what I do to it - but I have help for that! LOL

Went to the Doctor and got my stitches out - and a script for antibiotics. There is a bit of red, puffy skin all the way into my palm. After typing a bit - it's still quite sore. . . .

Well we managed to get ourselves together along with our shoeboxes and Papa's favorite green bean casserole and got to Church - even early enough for coffee!!! Pat me on the back!! It helped that I only got about 2 or 3 hours of sleep - if my brain turns off / my arm (or hand) turns on, and getting it turned back off is sometimes very hard to do!!! SO we had a really great Thanksgiving potluck at Church. See, there I am over in the corner!! (and if you look hard, so is Pelik) Really made it nice 'cause we won't do anything special. I mean, c'mon, who would do all of that for 2?? The kids won't eat any of it - and if it's here - I won't quit eating until it's gone. So, we are days ahead of you - we're done with the big Turkey Day!!

Mary (shhhh, don't jinx) is officially potty trained. She hasn't even wet a night diaper for almost a week. She is doing sooooo well. And she did it herself. I.gave.up.on.her . Now for the 2 littlest!! I suppose we will have diapers for awhile after all.

Sharen is full speed ahead on her wedding which is scheduled to happen this Wednesday. She is comfortably unpacking in Klamath Falls and deciding what needs to stay and where and how she can show "her" new collections. Just thinking and picturing it in my mind makes me smile. I know her so well - I can even picture the experessions on her face. I'm so glad that she is happy. And my best wishes, lots of hope, and many prayers for her to stay that way. Life should be bursting with new things every day. Keeps things fresh. . . So if I don't post again before Wednesday, Congratulations and Keep that Grin on Your Face. (See, I already know it's there)

Shoeboxes

Today we "did" our ShoeBoxes to take to the church tomorrow. Pelik insisted that he was a good boy so he should get the stuff instead of having to put it in the box. Mary and Boo just mooned over the stuff and Mary threw herself on the floor when we put the lid on it. I don't think they think much of the idea of "giving". They had another visit yesterday and now the fight is on - Pelik has his Mom and she is his Mom only. He actually came to slapping Mary right across the face for insisting "my Mom" when that isn't what he wants to hear. He just seems to have one issue right after the other. Never satisfied. And he has to worry the issue to death. I brought him in, sat him down and explained that Mommy has 4 kids. He has to share his Mommy with the others. I am Amah to all of them, Papa is Papa to all of them, and Mommy is Mommy to all of them. He sat there and looked over my shoulder the whole time - and went into the room telling himself that she "is MY mommy" just loud enough to make sure I could hear him. He managed to get "grounded" to his room to play - for "not playing nice" - and after his "nap" went right back to the MY MOMMY crap. How long before he goes on to something else???

I felt good packing the shoeboxes. I put a little of most everything on the list in them. I couldn't find any boxes here so we stopped at Payless Shoes last night (our date night) and they donated 3 to our cause. I'm hoping that whatever child receives them - are happy with them. Not a lot can go into them - high hopes, some love, someone acknowledgeing your existance, and a few things to play with. They are done and ready for delivery.

Mary is officially Potty Trained. She even threw such a fit that Papa had to pull over and take her in to potty on the way home from thier visit!! Yea Mary. She even stays dry thru her naps and is dry most mornings. I praise the Lord. I had given up but He stayed with her and she "saw the light" as well as she now hates to be crumbly or wet - even if it is her own sandwich or water soiling her clothes. She's funny!!

Keith has been getting the B12 injections that his Doctor recommended. He did the 3 days in a row (Thankfully we have a neighbor who is a retired nurse - she gave him the shots) and now only needs to do monthly for followup. We will see if there is enough good from these that he won't have to take meds that seem to have potential side-effects 2 pages long. Hopefully, the b12 will do it.

I go to have my stitches out on Monday. My appointment is 8:05, Keith scheduled his meeting at 9 am, and the van is sheduled for the shop at 8:30. Now, I can take the kids to my appointment, I could take the van in - but I have no way to get 4 kids in carseats home if the van stays. So my thought was to wait until after his meeting and he could take the van down - but then it dawned on me - same dilema - If I pick him up - we still need to fit 4 carseats in the vehicle. We only have one that they will all fit in. Oh what a time to need a friend. My only friend here - she's a showbird - they arrived the end of October but are headed back up North on Monday to return after the 1st. So, even tho we know the van is an all-day job - they have to fix some recalled hoses - we have no way to get whoever takes it back home. And the dealership won't guarantee a "return" trip - but I'd almost bet that if I went down there with all 4 and a picnic basket - they'd find a way to get us out of there!!! What a thought!!

Heard from Baby Sister and Baby Daughter - they both updated and I am in 7th heaven - hopefully they will do so more often.

I am fixing LaDaria's "green bean casserole" for the church potluck tomorrow. Papa really likes it. I guess I'll take the crock pot and an extension cord. I've heard that you can heat it in there instead of baking it. I shall try it and see? ?? ?

This was taken a few days (6) after the surgery. I was so totally unaware that I would bruise like this!! Of course, I don't bruise any more than I get really sick - so it was really a shocker for me.
I used a better, clearer, more graphic photo to try to elicit symapthy from my friends and family. It worked to a small part. I got an update from my StepMom that brought me up on what's going on at her work (nothing about her life tho') - It was months coming. And my Sister made a point of callling a couple of times - after I called and left a big depressed sob on her voice mail!! And then she had to call my daughter to get her to call me - but it WORKED. I got to talk to more family in those 3 days than I have since we got back to Florida. And Lord!!! I miss them.
I do a little more with my hand each day - I thought it was bad when I had the shoulder surgery and was laid up then - but my fingers worked. Now - even this - in desperation - is taking me over an hour to put together. I'm a totally one finger left handed typist right now . I felt something go "pop" when I opened the baby food jar - but other than really, really tight - it isn't bad. My feet work just fine, I can walk to anywhere I need to go - I just can't do anything when I get there!!!

Keith is doing all he can to keep up with the kids. He has fixed breakfast and dinner every day for a week now - he has let me start fixing the lunches (pbj's) the last 2 days so he can get his work done. He's had Dr. appointments both days and he has to be able to go out and about some. Dr. Husamy (who had done both my shoulder and wrist surgeries) saw his ankle today. He referred him on up to Orlando to a surgeon that Dr. Husamy has confidence in. He wouldn't do anything with it himself - but says that something can be done - so that is good news. The tests for Parkinson's have come back inconclusive - so they are trying him on a couple of different things - but I don't like the "possible" side effects on the list - so I'd much rather have a little of the "shakes" than ANY of those side-effects.

I've taken all day to type this and as I close - Papa is trying to get three kids who do not take direction hardly at all (anyone notice my "NEW" vocabulary) to eat a dinner that does NOT consist of nuggets and fries. Of course, we've been trying to do this for months now and with our "dinners" this last week - we've had quite a setback.

So thank all of you who have kept me entertained with the jokes, mpgs, jpgs, and I have really enjoyed the personal correspondence I've received from friends and family. Sorry I can't answer them all in person - there wouldn't be enough hours in a week for the way I'm typing now. Keep 'em coming. I'm loving it!!! Even if I did have to shame them into it:)

Election Day

I'm sitting here all lonesome after checking my "blogline" AGAIN with no updates!! Is everyone but me to busy to even say hi? Whhhhhaaaassss uppppppp?

This will probably be my last entry for a few days as tomorrow is the BIG DAY!! I will have the carpal tunnel release done tomorrow afternoon. From what I understand - it will be a few days before my right hand is useable again - and I don't want to wear my left one out!!

I voted. Papa voted. I hope all of you voted.. It is our duty as well as one of the many rights that we have that so many have died for.

I got my laundry done (mostly), I have vaccummed and dusted, Did the floors, Planted my hibiscus, sowed the grass seed that I bought a couple of weeks ago. Put clean sheets on the beds, and bought several types of frozen dinners for the kids. I think I've got it done. I am so monkish about so many things. . . . I've scrubbed the oven, cleaned the washer, washed and rinsed the dryer lint trap. Organized the pantry. Washed and put away all the halloween costumes and decorations. I hope I got enough done so that Papa doesn't have a melt-down. He did great when I had the shoulder surgery - but then I could still use my hand. This time my hand will even be out of commission for awhile. I'll be so glad to have it done and over with. I am praying that it works. Get this done and then work on the rest.

Of course, I'm hoping the Dr will give me some good drugs too!!! I've averaged 3 hours of sleep a night for the last 2 or 3 weeks. I've actually lost count of how long it has been since I've slept for a whole night. I think it was in Rosarito - so it's been awhile. Maybe now. Of course, it isn't always my hands that wake me up. Sometimes it's my feet, or legs, or the horrible every-other-hour sweats. I'm just a mess. But - it'll work out sooner or later.

Pray for me - I'd do it for you!!! And pray for Papa - he will have to put up with me as well as all 4!!

Retirement - A Satire

See if you can seperate out the truth from the frustration. I am expounding on the excesses of time. Remember that I am rather Monkish about many things and Keith is very "laid back" - in so many ways!! I have no friends or close family to "vent" with - so if you want to continue - do so at your own discretion. Hopefully, tomorrow will look all different. But here is today~~

Retirement is so fun!! I know that many envy me! Being off work and with husband being home most of the time is what people spend thier working lives dreaming about! Envy is rampant!!

1. When we (he) bought the new van, he got a maintenance contract to go with it. The van is to be serviced every 3,000 miles or every 3 months. It is already paid for, up front, tidily in the contract (complete with interest) that finances the van. I've been mentioning the need for service since May (or maybe June). Today it made it's trip to the Dealership. It only has 2900 or so miles on it - so it must be ok. Poor Baby, he's so tied up with being RETIRED that he just hasn't had time to take it in. Besides that, he has to be home to help me with the kids.

2. A very sweet resident of the Village passed away recently and we (I) wanted to attend his "Celebration of Life" that was to be held over the weekend. Friday I asked if we could stop at Wally's on the way home from our Visit (since we would be driving directly in front of it) so I could get cards. I wanted one for this occasion as well as a "get well" for a child that will soon be having a minor surgery. AND we needed to get (WIC) milk. (I have to back up here a few days, I went to enroll one of our babies into HeadStart. The bus will not come directly to the Village but to an apartment complex about 3 miles from us. I got the address of the complex - but there are no openings at the school yet. They will call when they have one.) I also have a conversation with myself where I ask if we could get a "specialty" HOME MADE pie from one of the little restaurants nearby, they cost about $1 more than the canned pies at the grocer's "bakery" (they just seem to taste "watery" to me)- or I could just bake something to take. So, anyway I asked to stop at Wally's. We did the visit at the Park, got the kids loaded back into the van, and headed home. I asked why we turned right at an intersection instead of left - I was told that Papa wants to know where the apartment complex is - in case they call soon. So we went down the back roads to home - never got close to Wally's. I had some real trouble sleeping. It just kept going thru my head that I was being totally ignored. Kinda set off - like you do to a 2 year old. So, Saturday morning dawns bright and windy and TIRED and cranky. Mr. Retired heads off to the store absolute first thing, while I fix the kids' breakfast. I'm so spoiled - I never have to leave the house. If Curves would come here . . . . . . So, I finish the breakfast, start laundry, make beds, change clothing, do diapers, and I baked a batch of Turtle Brownies, betc. thinking about Wednesday when I will have my carpal tunnel surgery done - and all that I need to do before I can't do any more (for awhile anyway). Mr. Retired comes home and puts his purchases away. I know this because of the evidence (grocery bags) left on the counters in the kitchen. I see the store bought pie on the stove. I lose it. I cannot believe that NOTHING that I conversed about (evidently all was to myself) ever permeated into anything but the wall. I get over this - evidence of being totally ignored - and Mr. Retired says "the card is over on your computer" - (my computer is a whole other story). SO I find a card that has a Kitty on the front and says "Happy Cat says" - SO I open it to see what Happy Cat says and it says "It will all work out in the end". THIS IS MY SYMPATHY CARD!!!. I'm sick. I'm totally sick to my stomach. I cannot go anywhere. I call the babysitter and tell her I'm sick. I cannot do it. I am at the end of my rope. I turn on a movie. I clean the caca up from the "accident" that happened while she was standing at my elbow telling me that she doesn't need to "potty". I cover my head with the afgan when they want to go 'side, cause I know we have to close the door, 'cause Baby pulls himself up and leans against the screen (and I have visions of it just "popping" off of the tracks and him just going headfirst down the concrete steps) and they (none of them) won't stay 'side with the door closed. They will sit on the top step and scream with snotty noses pressed against the glass until the neighbors come over and ask if there is a problem (ask me how I know that). And if they can't go 'side, they sit on the inside of the door and scream the other way. This weekend I cannot win.

So now I have a huge pecan pie (that isn't even very good) and a worthless card. Our FPA President calls to remind me of a meeting that I need to bring a dessert to - - take a guess at what they are getting!! and it's Sunday. We get all ready, bathed, dressed, and into the car. Pelik is bored before we ever even get to the Church. Boo has taken her shoes and socks off already and Mary is 1/2 out of her carseat. Today has great promise. Already, it's just yesterday in drag.

Nothing New

Since there is absolutely nothing new going on here and I feel the need to "share" something (anything) with someone (anyone), I'm going to give you the links to a couple of sites that S'te has let me in on.

The first one is Freecycle. It has helped me tremendously. Things, things, things. They say that if you were deprived of THINGS as children, you become a packrat. I DON'T THINK SO. I think it is heredity. My Mom was a packrat and I can't make myself throw away anything that still has use. I can't or won't use it again - but "someday I will find someone that can". Well, now I can. I actually have gotten rid of quite a bit (not as much as S'te). DSS receivers that don't go with my cable, a desktop that I reformatted the HD to (but I gave them the windows 98 disks to redo it!), car seats, bikes. I can't think of it all but I know I've emptied closets out. Anyhow, I think this is a great idea and I get the local one e-mailed daily. Like it says - matches leftovers with the hungry!! But I still can't part with the sheets MY great-grandmother crocheted and embroidered on, the newspapers MY mother saved from when Kennedy was killed (complete and wrapped in plastic), doilys that MY grandmother and mother crocheted. No one else would have the connection - I can't put them out - the kids would ruin them -
That's why I just go ahead and give the stuff I make away - why add it to the pile???? S'te asked me once who was going to have to deal with all this stuff when I die - I was totally truthful and said she would. She will get to take the cedar chests full of "stuff" and put it in her house - to open occasionally, look at it and sigh, ahhhhh, close it, and think about it. What else would you do???

The other one is Craig's List. This one came to my attention when I wanted to rent the Condo but tired of paying just under 100 bucks for a 3 day ad. You can find almost ANYTHING out via this site. It has wonders that I've not researched yet. I still go lurking thru just to see what is what and where its at. . . It has US and other countrys and has jobs, personnals, roommates, news, it has just everything. Look it over - you will be absolutely amazed. It is better than a mls listing and much cheaper than the newspaper. And it is all right there!!! You don't have to go thru page after page after page of "stuff" you don't want (ads) to find the ads that you do want.

Now that I've shared my "tidbit" of the ~~~ I might feel a little more connected. NO ONE IS UPDATING AND I'M LONESOME!! Please, someone out there ~~ reach out!

Gotta go start breakfast - same ol' same ol'.

Halloween

And We're Off to the Races!! So, here we are on our way to the Party. Look like a troop or not??
Yup, GGMa brought the kids each a costume or two for Halloween. Doesn't he look cute??? He is a Dalmation (in case you don't really see his ears or tail!) He just had a grand time. We went on down to the Clubhouse here at the Village where the Community Church did a Party for the kids. They went all out too. Hot Dogs, soda, pop corn, and lots and lots of games that this Kidlets could play to "earn" candy and treats.
Pelic got both a Star Wars character and a Spiderman costume but ~ true to form ~ I didn't look at the actual sizes early enough to realize that, one was to big and the other too small. So he wound up with his Birthday cape and his Spiderman Jammies. He did great tho'. He got right with the Trick or Treat theme. After the Party we Trick or Treated our way home so that we could see all the other urchins in thier finery. The BUGS were all invited this evening also - so it was a quicker than planned retreat to the screen room!! Tho the kids were all pretty well covered - I wasn't!! These pests were big enough they hurt WHILE they were biting. I don't usually feel the actual bites - but I sure did this time!!
Here is my little Devil and my
little Bumble Bee. Mary didn't really want her pic taken - she didn't want to stand still that long - and the two's (ya know - what can I say?) Boo gets a
bit upset when I want her pic. She wants to stand behind me and see herself in the camera - she doesn't want it pointed at her - but she loves seeing herself on the computer!! I'll just have to work more with her so that maybe someday she'll be as much of a star as Tetee.

The kids had a great time. The heat stayed with us - it was still over 80 at dark - the rain held of until 7:30 - so we (I) can count our Blessings. All had a good time and it was quickly and totally officially done when the rains came!! Kidlets were in bed by 8:30 and the doorbell didn't ring! AND this year I don't have lots of leftover candy to eat - I got those little plastic sunglasses at the party store and the little ones just loved them!! The teens weren't to thrilled :( but . . . I gave them candy (we really didn't have much).
I did tho', get a call from my little Sis and she had some news that has my jaw dropped clear to the floor!!! I need to wait and see how the Lord works this one out before I actually try to put it into words.

Intro-spection

What do you do when a dear friend lets you know that she is very, very ill? I started thinking of the last time we "got together". It was way to long ago. The last time we spoke on the phone and the last emails that were not forwards. I missed the signs and signals that she wasn't feeling well - I haven't been as good a friend that I would have liked to have been. In fact, I haven't been a friend at all. I've been so caught up on the every day work of raising (temp of course) the 4 little ones that the Lord has entrusted into our care that I haven't talked or written to her in months. But this friend made it a point to get to Vegas when Keith and I married. Gave me a beautiful gift and card. Has been available any time that I did want or need to talk. And she - didn't feel that I was that available. And that hurts. Oh, it's not her fault. I tend to stay busy. And I tend to "sound" busier than I really am. Well, here is to Liz. May the Lord see fit to cure her illness and be kind about it. Add her to your prayers for me. She can certainly use them.

And to Liz, I am here. And I'm not to busy. And I don't care about the time difference. And I want very much to be here for you. I am sorry that I can't be there for you - to much distance seperates us. You are in my thoughts, heart, and prayers. Get well soon - I'm pulling for you.

Cooling Off

The weather man has announced cold fronts twice this week. I haven't felt a "cold front" yet but it does seem to have cooled a bit. Many of the winter residents are returning from thier summer homes up North. I drove thru the Village yesterday and was happy to see the pressure washers and weedeaters out. It looks so deserted and dirty around here during the "off season". The Village really looks pretty good when it looks "habitated" :)

I actually got 3 workouts done at Curves - I think I've discovered that to try and get there when they come back after lunch (at 3) isn't a good time for me to get motivated. Morning seems to be better as far as the energy I have to put into it.

I've stayed up late the last 4 nights - watching the Series. The Cards finally made it. Keith teases me all the time about them being "my team" - which they are - after the Padres. And the Padres do so great and then just . . . quit. That's the only word I can think of. So the official game of the summer is over. Another year!! It was only a little more than year ago that we were just arriving home after waiting "Wilma" out in Georgia!! None of those terrible predicted storms really arrived this year. We have been blessed.

Halloween is coming close. GGMa brought costumes for the kids. So now they have choices. Sometimes choice is good. Sometimes it drives me NUTS!! Baby is pushing a box around so he can walk as I type this. He is so funny!!! The box outslides him and he backs up to look at again. Like he is examining the issue - before he makes another run at it!! He is getting around so quickly now. There are no back-ups around here - 'cause he is probably right behind your feet. It's a go-ahead show!!

Felix spent most of yesterday in "time-out". He just couldn'd seem to wrap his brain around the fact that he isn't an adult in this household. He just hasn't earned the title yet :-( I prayed that we would have a better day today. Maybe it was the excitement of playing with Miss Lori twice, seeing GGMa, going to the park so many times - he just had a hard time containing himself at home for an afternoon. Papa even put him in time-out after he kept interrupting his (Papa's)conversation with a neighbor and then got nasty about it. I was shocked!! PAPA? ? ? So here is hoping that today is a much better day for him

The kids are all up and wanting "morning attentions" so it's time for me to sign off. Hope to hear from all of you today!! Yuck - I smell something unpleasant ~~~

Just another Monday

We've had a pretty good weekend. If you want to count days 1 and 2 of potty training pretty good of anything!!

Fleix went to the Lab another few times and HORRAY!! his platelet count is back over 100,000!! No known reason - I guess that is why they call it Idiomatic!! He has to return for a followup in a couple of weeks but the danger point is over!! Praise the Lord. I know it must've been all the prayers that flew to heaven from all over the country!! Other than TRYING to keep him a bit more calm (Dr said: no running, jumping, riding bikes, slides, monkey bars, contact sports, etc.) and keeping him indoors where we can watch his sisters (to keep them from hitting, kicking, jumping on him, etc) we didn't do anything different. oh, but I did start giving them multivitamins!! Anyhow - he is looking much better!!

Today we find out what the ct scan shows about Mary's neck. She still isn't complaining of any pain or favoring that side of her mouth - so we shall see ? ? ? ?

Baby B is pulling himself up on furniture, legs, chairs, toys - anything he can find - and is walking around them!! He is getting pretty good at getting fries, prietzels, baby snacks and anything else we hand him - to his mouth - BUT HE ABSOLUTELY WILL NOT hold his bottle!!! Hints anyone?? Not that I mind - I enjoy sitting and rocking him - and yes, holding his bottle for him while he goes to sleep. He is such a good baby!!

Boo has decided that she is done with being picked on - she is exerting her "rights" (hehe). If she wants juice - she SCREAMS until she gets . . (actually gets put to bed). I cannot completely imaging what she will be like during the "terrible two's" as she mostly seems to be pretty much there now!!! Her and Mary are learning to talk. We are understanding more and more of their words. Some are pretty funny!!

Lori has been by to see them and will begin coming over to visit weekly. And Papa has promised to dig out the RV and take us to the Keys for a few days. We have to see when this may come about!!!

Halloween isn't too far away - we've gotten some decorations out and costumes for the girls. Felix is just to tall to fit into any except for the Princess one -- and I'm not ready to dress him that way - so, I guess I'll just have to go shopping (sniff) - unless of course Papa does it for me!! (which is a very real possibility).

I'm dreading my pre-op for my wrist - which is on Halloween - then the surgery is the following week. Not that there is much to it (or so I've been told) but I guess I will be without a hand for a few days - so Papa will have the "duty" even more so 'cause I won't even be able to change a diaper - definately need two hands for that!!!!

I just keep looking and looking for others' to update Blogs. They are like my newspapers. I have the family section, friend section, special interest, comics. . . But to go days without a paper ! ! ! ! ! Come on - even if you just take a topic out of thin air and roll it out - write something for me . . . . please!!!!!

Funny funnies

With the recent events at the top of my mind and deep in my heart - I try to look at the good times. During our trip -

Felix laying on the floor introducing himself to the cat - and waiting for a response. I know that child will talk to anyone or anything - I caught him kissing himself goodnight in the mirror tonight on his way to bed :) [Remind you of anyone?]

Mary, Boo, and Tete - picture them with their "high heels" on, their purses over thier arms, babies in drag, fighting over who gets to push the shopping cart. Two start pushing each other and the third takes off with it :)

Baby B - just barely crawling and 10 days later pulling himself up to standing on the couch, table, steps (and making it up one step), with his big baby smile, drool hanging off of his chin :)

Papa laying back in the recliner with baby(s) asleep on his belly or sitting at his feet enjoying whatever cookie or cracker is popular at the moment :)

S'te feeding a bottle while web-surfing (how that worked is amazing!!) :)

Rod getting home from his cruise and singing His praises at Church :)

A photo session on the kitchen table while lunch is cooking :) With actual professional photos to show for it!!!

The kids all sharing so well ~ rooms, toys, time and attention.

The zoo, the spraypark, Rosarito Beach. . . .

Doors banging, kids "conversing", babies cooing, toddlers chattering, utter and complete chaos. Oh, how I miss it!!!!!

We've had a rough day with promises of rougher ones to come. Thank you for all of your prayers.

Back home Again!!

We had a really busy Monday. A long-time co-worker of Keiths passed away from cancer and we took the kids and attended the "Celebration of Life" at Admiral Baker's. It was a really moving tribute to him. Lots of raised eyebrows but we stuck it out :) anyway. On the way back to S'te's we stopped by so I could say so long to my friends. Again, I didn't get to spend any amount of time with them. Days go so fast and once the sun starts setting - I do toooooo.

A Pic from the "top of the clouds over the Dallas/Ft Worth Airport
Our return trip was really well coordinated. Our flight out of SAN was delayed an hour because of bad weather in DFW but once we got into the air - everything ran like clockwork. I don't think we'd hardly got off the ground and all 4 kids went to sleep (it was past their naptimes!!) and they slept almost the whole first flight. We merely got off of one plane - took the "SKYCAR" (which Pelik loved) to the next terminal - walked up to the gate - got on the plane and whoosh - we were on our middle leg home. Got our luggage (it was ALL there) and walked out the door and the shuttle to the parking lot was right there. Now I know how those celebreties feel with everything running soooo smoothly hehe.

Arrived home with all kids sleeping again and managed to get them into their beds without waking them - and crashed!!! Slept in until almost 8 and was up before them!!

I think we are all jet lagged today tho'. Boo is having a terrible time. She has booo'd all day and Mary just runs from one thing to another to get reprimanded for. She just doesn't know what to do with herself. Pelik is just taking it easy. He's got his Spiderman stuff from his birthday and he's in 7th heaven!!

Got Channel 2 slideshow edited and back on the community channel and stuck a movie in the vcr for Channel 9. Tomorrow I may bring the bags in from the screen room and unpack. I think I'm a little "lagged" tooooo.

Enjoyed my visit with the grandkids and big kids. They are progressing continually in the quest for the "Money Pit" and doing wonderful things with their Church. They certainly stay busy!!! I got tired just watching them!!! Glad to be home but can't wait to be able to see them again. . .

Happy Birthday to Papa and Pelik!!

Happy Birthday to my Love. I have enjoyed spending the last several with you and hope to spend many, many more with you.

We attended Good Seasons Church with the kids (we usually do while we are here) and there was a wonderful message thru Pastor Vines as well as a baptism and a baby dedication!! Rod sang with the the Men's Choir and we were well entertained!! It was a great morning. I think I now understand the difference between saved and sanctification a little better. Pastor Vines is such a dynamic personality - he always provides us with much food for thought. Rod was originally supposed to give the message at the 8 am service but that got rescheduled to next week so we will miss it. S'te promises to send us a cd so we will get to listen to it.

S'te took lots of picures today. She was on to a regular photo shoot after Church. Her and Rod orchastrated the shoot and I fixed lunch. We then had cake and ice cream for Papa and Pelik's birthdays. We got a Spiderman cape in Rosarito Beach for him so he has his SUPERHERO and souvaneer all together. He absolutely loved it!!! We also got Mak a Batman cape because he has been so great with sharing his room, toys,and Mom's attention!! I will post photos on Flickr as soon as I get them from S'te.

Keith is going to a former co-workers services tomorrow. He is sad to be losing those he worked and played with. We will then be getting ready for the trek home. We leave on Tuesday - time to leave this wonderful weather and head back for Florida!!!! At least the hurricane season is almost over - knock on wood!! Again I didn't get the chance to visit as much as I would've liked. The night in the ER completely boshed that whole idea - but I will return and one of these days I will learn my way around and go visiting - you can bet on that!!!

Our 1st War Casualty

The first casualty for our family happened on Tuesday. S'te's cousin (my ex's brother's son), Dean Bright, was killed in action on Tuesday morning in Iraq. I feel the grief as well - even tho' he isn't "actually" a relation of mine any longer. Having family in the military - loss is always right around the corner - and I feel very blessed that this is the closest that it has come to me. I worry for the day that it may come closer.

I often thank the Men and Women in Uniform often for the Blessings that they are fighting for. I am definately Proud to be an American and the sight of our Flag and our Military always brings tears. It is a cold, cruel world that makes it so men and women have to die fighting for freedom. And we are so blessed to have the freedoms. A lot of laws but freedoms none the less.

As a parent that that has faced the loss of a child - my heart truly goes out to Bob and Norma on the terrible loss of Dean as well as to the rest of the family that is surely grieving. Click here to read more of Dean's story .

To all of the Bright family (both past and present) my heartfelt condolences are offered. We must all pray that this war will be over and that lend our hand, compassion and empathy to other families that have faced and will face their losses.

Papa Smurf

We had the blessing of our trip!!! We went to Rosarito Beach for 2 nights, all alone!!!! We stopped in TJ for our usual dental visit - Dr. Ruth as a real card. She is such a sweet person. I can't imagine someone as nice as she is deciding to make digging in other people's mouth's her career. But it takes all kinds!! And I for one am so very, very grateful. We got to reminiscing about how many of people she is now seeing from our circle of friends. Many of our friends are now bringing others to see her also!! She was laughing as she said about 1/2 of her practice is from the States. Keith was having work done after Iwas finished so I went to have some lunch while he was in the chair. I met up with some ladies that were here from Kentucky - for an oral surgeons convention. They couldn't believe that people actually went south for dental work - and how much cheaper it is - and that we actually found a quality craftswoman such as Dr. Ruth!!!!

Anyhow, we rode a big, fancy bus down to the Beach. Just the 2 of us and the driver!! What a difference from going down on Friday or Saturday! We had a great time! Our first activity was the hot tub. I laid there until I cracked and popped and felt really good. I opened my eyes and looked at Keith. His beard was the prettiest color of aqua!!! I got to laughing so hard that I 'bout cried. My own big smurf!!! Turns out that the Hotel had some different tyupe of clorine and that is what did it. It shampoo'd right out and he was as good as new!! But I had to get a pic first.

We did some shopping, lots of eating, some walking and generally had a great time.

Got back over the Border in record time. Caught the bus in Rosarito at 11:45 and were in the States at 2:15. Met a woman from Pennsylvania and she is starting the processes for that state to foster/adopt. It was a very interesting conversation and made the time go very quickly.

We got home just in time for the Elmores to head for Home Group so we delightfully had TeeTe to entertain as well as our regular crew!!

September's end

It's Monday - it was a long, long weekend for me. I'm sure it seemed even longer for S'te!!

Sat here (in my favorite recliner) on Friday and updated this. Did meals, snacks, diapers, you know - normal regular stuff. By time to start dinner, I was hurting. I felt like someone was taking a fork, sticking it in my chest and twisting. It did a come and go trick for an hour or so and in between times I would break out in a new sweat. S'te had home group and so I just had Tete and our kids to fix for. I reheated left-overs, fed kids, got them to bed - meanwhile these stupid pains didn't get any better - no worse either - and I figured I'd managed to aquire a bad case of heartburn. S'te and kids got home and everyone went to bed. The pains had kind of settled down and I was thinking of going to bed too - Papa was already in bed - and they started back up again!!

I looked up heart attack on the web and I had all but one of the symptoms. So I took an aspirin and waited a while. They didn't get any better and I was really getting kind of scared!!! About midnight I woke Keith up and made him take me to the ER. I really had a hard pain about the time we pulled into the parking lot. We got registered Keith went to park the car. They took me into triage and they took me right back to a cubbie. The nurse came in to hook me up to the "stuff" and I realized that I hadn't had another pain!! From really bad to nothing. But my chest still hurt from the stress of the pains that I did have.

They brought Papa in - he just laid down on the floor and went to sleep so after a bit the nurse told him they would be holding me for awhile so he decided to come home to get some rest - after all, someone has to be able to watch the kids - and S'te is already watching them so we can do Rosatito next week - REALLY didn't want to take advantage!!!

The Dr. came in and said that my BP was really high (for me anyhow) so they were going to admit me for observation. My BP stayed high for several hours even after that!! They gave me 2 nitro tabs and it settled down. . . Keith called at 8 am and that is what I told him. So I laid on the gurney in ER and watched tv for 12 hours before they did a stress test. It was fine. My second set of bloodwork was fine. Dr decided to get an ultrasound of my gall bladder - it was fine. I'm in great health!!!

Some guy came in about 3:30 and put a bracelet on me and said they had a room to put me in. I sent him to my nurse because I thought I was leaving "soon". In hospital talk - I guess I did. We left at 5 pm.

Breakdown was:
17 hours and who knows how much money to decide that I had heartburn. Got a prescription for probotics. The warning label says it may cause heartburn, headache, and general fatigue. Suppose they will help?

Meanwhile I missed friend Gamma Debbies birthday party!! I did call and ask Yanet to give her my heartiest happy birthday wishes - but I'd a much rather been there. S'te wound up babysitting for me to sit at ER instead of the Birthday Party - - A definate waste!!

It has taken me 2 days to recover from my lack of sleep but I'm FINE, I'm GREAT. I haven't had an episode since the parking lot. What a waste!!

Went to church, Wally's, and did a normal day yesterday. So I'm no worse for the wear, just a little smarter. No more ER heartburn for me.

I can just stay home and suffer. :):~):-) a whole bunch cheaper. . . .

So thanks for all who called to check up on me. . but got a baby crying . . . gotta go check. . . and I'm fine. . .

My Baby Baby

Hamm on a slide
uploaded by Amah.

Is she cute or what? S'te's taken so many pictures of her that she has become a total mode. Everytime she sees a camera flash she says "cheese" real big. I get such a kick out of her.

She was so tickled to be playing on the slide ALL BY HERSELF. No "friends" to share with. She has handled the onslaught of 4 extra kids really well. Some things she would just rather not have to share - but she has done it anyway - so far! ! ! She is just tooo cute!!

The Rest of the Long, Long Story

I'm so worn out - I haven't had the slightest urge to complete the SAGA of our trip out here but now - here it goes:

S'te and Jaleel picked us and our 4 children up at the airport. We had none of our 5 ~yea, count 'em -5~ suitcases OR our carseat. Our luggage didn't make the connection with us! We called Rod and he brought Makkiah and Taniyah to Keith's favorite restaurant and we had a very, very late breakfast!!! The kids ate like they had never had food put before them in thier lives!!

We then trekked to thier home and S'te went thru her bins of kids' clothes and picked out what we needed for bed and church. Then we ALL just CRASHED!! By 10 pm it was lights out!! Of course, I was out in my favorite chair~~ so I heard the delivery people when they banged on the door at 11:11. It's so strange to know that - but with the digital clocks - I don't have to say - "a little after 11". I know for a fact what time it was.

I hauled the 5 suitcases and the carseat into the living room and went to bed. About 4 I'd layed there about as long as I could so I decided to unpack. At least I was doing something constructive - and the suitcases did take a large chunk out of the room. I unzipped a bag - boys clothes, I put them away. Another bag, my clothes, ditto. Another bag, stuff for S'te that I brought back to her. Another bag, Papa's stuff. Where's my girls' clothes? Unzipped the last bag and ~ boys' clothes with a few girls' things mixed in. WHAT DID I DO???? The closest I can figure is that either I left the girls' stuff on the table ~I really know better than that, I put the flower arrangement back on it before we left ~ or I put the clothes in their dressers that I meant to put in thier suitcase and put the clothes in the suitcase that I meant to put in the dresser!!! TOLD YOU I WAS TIRED!!!

Anyhow, we are Blessed in that S'te has clothes for every size in both genders~~ AND my girls wear the same size that TeeTe does. So they are sharing!!

We've been here about a week. LaDaria babysat for us last evening so I got the opportunity to go see some of my "pals" down at C1 and we had a good time catching upon everyones lives since I last saw them. It was a nice break and I really, really enjoyed seeing my good friends. Saturday is Little Deb's big 5.0. and they are doing a limo trip for her. What good friends!! I wish I'd been here for mine :~) I'm hoping that I might catch up with them sometime during the trip and enjoy some of it with them. Happy B'day, Deb......

The kids are having a blast. Kiah is teaching Pelik to play the v-smile, the girls are learning to share - all 3 of them - most of the disagreements are over the plastic purple shoes. We have enough "babies, rattled, carriers, slides, cars, trikes, etc, but we only have 1 pair of purple plastic shoes! ! ! ! We actually have access to a single pink plastic shoe so this morning the girls' compromised. They each had a single shoe. Everyone was happy. All could clomp down the hall to their heart's content. So that issue got solved!! Not quite how I'd a solved it - but it works for them hehe!!

And Baby B is crawling!! Not the marine scoot, not the up and flop, really crawling on all 4's. He will get much quicker but he's got it goin' on!!

Brother-in-Law Kenny is still very ill from his perforated colon. Still in intensive care but reports from Mom Beatty say he is slowly improving. He and Delores are blessed to have a very strong relationship with our Lord - and I'm sure He is seeing them thru this trying time. My prayers are with them constantly and Keith gets updates daily and more if he gets the urge and the reports are sounding better.

So we are on track. Next week the kids have short school days and S'te has conferences before thier next break. Rod left on manouvers yesterday but will return before we leave. We have plans to go to Rosarito Beach for a day. Still lots to look forward to. And it has been really nice being here!!

We will have to leave before I know it - but will post again when there is something to post.

God Bless You All

Spring Valley

WE.ARE.HERE.! Boy oh boy, what a journey. We've been so blessed with just being able to hop on a plane and it goes right where it was projected - pass go, collect $200. No problem!!! Of course, the majority of that travel was 2 of us. And we are old enough to know what is happening!! But I have to hand it to the kids - they were real troopers. The excitement over being on "a arepane" palled but they still were complimented much for thier pointy heads were better behaved than the one in the front of the plane WITH ALL THE PEOPLE who cried, screamed, or whined the entire 2nd flight!!
I am a habitual organizer. I do not do written lists. My lists are in my head. One of the reasons my lists are in my head is that my Dear, Dear Papa reads lists that I do write and then reminds me that this "isn't on the list" or "you didn't put this in and it's on the list". Once it's written, there is no room for compromise - but if I keep it in my head - then I can moderate and edit it as I go along~But of course, we all know that I'm needing a complete memory transplant as well as the hip, shoulder, and hand. So this "list in my head" can get rather interesting~~

So, that said, let's start at the beginning of the SAGA.

I cleaned house, did laundry, and packed almost all day Friday. I decided that I didn't need to take extra changes of clothes and a million extra diapers as carry-ons as I haven't used all of that since I started taking kids on these trips. I did decide to replace those articles with things like: granola bars, fruit roll-ups, an extra can of formula, special kiki's (blankies), etc. You know, the stuff we USE. I got most of that stuff together first, so I know what we were dealing with space wise. I had already decided that 5 suitcases were the limit. I could've packed 8 since we had 4 ticketed but I am a thrifty sort :~< ha ha!!

So after I arranged all of the carryons, but meds in baggies, collected the right crayons and color books, found the nipple and covers for a couple of bottles, found a matching baby spoon, got the baby food for a day picked out and made sure my camera and phone were charged and the chargers packed, went thru my purse to make sure I surrendered all my lotions, creams , lip gloss, nail clippers, lighters and or anyhting else that could possibly be on the banned list and slow us down, I settled down to fold and organize clothes. Papa packs his own ~ actually does not usually unpack the clean clothes from trip to trip. I talked it over with Papa and we (he) said I always pack way to much so 3 short outfits, 3 long pants sets, and a church outfit for each child would suffice. So, I folded and folded some more, put my choices of items to pack on the dining table and put the rest of the clothes in closets, drawers, etc. I finally dropped into bed about 11 pm dreading the idea of getting up at the 4 am alarm that Papa set. (Oh, by the way, Papa put away items from the shed, reorganizing it so he could get everything from the screen room shoved into it, put the new tags on the vehicles, checked the mail, etc. so he wasn't exactly inert).

Got up with the alarm, jumped into the shower, and went to wake kids. THEY WERE SO EXCITED ~ GOIN' ON THE AREPANE~~ was the chant we heard for the entire time I was dressing and feeding them!! It was funny - cute - that they were that excited about going. UNTIL Papa went out to the care and didn't take them!!!! Ooooh nooooo. What a bunch of whining and crying!!!! Like we'd really build them up like that and then leave them home by themselves!!!!

Got to the airport in record time, checked our bags, Papa went to park the car, got back and met up with us, the security lines were REALLY, REALLY short and when they saw us coming, they opened the side so I didn't have to navigate the double stroller thru thier maze. Really nice. Gonna be a nice trip. Got to security and took off my shoes, 3 pr kids shoes, put the cameras and laptops on the belt, diaper bag, carry on, purse, got Papa to go thru to herd (direct) kids on the other side of the detector, which left me with baby and stroller. I got baby under 1 arm and folded the stroller with the other hand. BUT I COULDN'T LIFT IT ONTO THE BELT. Papa could see my problem but he couldn't come back thru and help (he tried tho'). Finally the passenger behind me lifted it onto the belt (I guess he figured if he didn't help he would be there all day). Baby and I went thru detector, grabbed bins with misc crap in them and started putting shoes on kids with 1 hand - stroller got wedged in the xray machine (I did tell them it was big) so it was a bit before I got to put baby down. Stroller showed up, I unhooked it and put Baby in, Boo in, and put my shoes on. Packed up the cameras and helped Papa with the rest of the shoes and laptops so we could get out of the way. In all - about 5 minutes from the time we took our shoes off. I thought it went pretty smooth. The guy 3 people behind was nasty and loud about his thoughts tho'. Doesn't think people with "that many kids" need to be riding on planes. It holds others up to much". To which I THOUGHT "ok, next time I'll let you stay home and babysit" and "I bought 4 tickets, that means I get 4 times as much time as you do" and "why are mean people like you allowed to breathe?". He got some really nasty looks from some other people too!!! Actually, most people offered thier assistance or let us go ahead or butt in line. It was heartwarming to see how many people really don't have the NASTYS attitude.

We got reassigned seats that were perfect. All in a row and right close to the bathroom. The plane took off right on time and that's kinda where things fell apart. At this point I hadn't eaten and had chugged a nasty cup of coffee to fast (we can't take them from the terminal to the plane anymore) so I was fast getting heartburn and a headache. The Attendant came thru with juice and coffee and "biscittis" to which I added a granola bar from my stash. I gave the kids granola bars to go with their juices also. Then we got some water to mix the baby formula with and I fixed Baby his cereal. He ate, the kids ate, I ate (I think Papa did to, but I really wasn't watching) Mary carpeted herself and her seat with crumbs and I got my crumbs up under my teeth. Papa took the meds out of the ziplock so I could put my teeth in it. The liquid medicine then leaked all over the carryon instead of just into the baggie. Had to toss the fruit snacks as they had amox all over them. Felix had to "pee" about 50 times and Baby decided it was nap time. The tv screen finally came on and the kids nodded off. It was really actually an ok flight - until we got to DFW (Dallas-Fort Worth Airport). DFW was closed because of weather. We circled. The weather didn't move. We circled. It didn't move. Finally the pilot says - We are running out of fuel so we are going to drop in over at Houston and fill up and then come back in get in line again. Sooooo, we drop (literally, the weather wasn't real wonderful there either) in to Houstin and it took about an hour to refuel, get back on the runway and get back into the air. Then we landed again at DFW. 3 hours late. We just knew we missed our flight - we only had a 1 hour layover to start with. BUT: the announcement told us to go to the first gate we found with our destination city on it. We found one and headed for it. We passed McD's and Felix said "Look, there's dinner". I told him we'd eat as soon as we figured out where we needed to be. Of couse, Papa was about a 1/2 mile ahead of me and the kids. I lost sight of him once - only to have him reappear waaaay down the concourse waving his arms hollering hurry hurry hurry. Well, I got the little 2 yr old legs going and we hurried - as fast as we could - they were actually holding a plane for us - and it was 1/2 empty!!! The people behind us were wanting on it too - but they closed the door so fast behind us that I didn't even get a chance to call S'te to tell her we made it to the last leg before they announced that cell phones had to be turned off!!! But we MADE it!! A couple that had been on the earlier flight was seated back near us and complimented us on how well the kids behaved - as they moved to other seats :(. The attendants were really nice on that flight too. I'm sweating even now, reliving the run from plane to plane. Felix asked if we were going on another plane? and I answered that we ARE ON a different plane. The change was so quick that he didn't even notice it!! We bought one of the AA snack packs and divvied it amoung the kids and had more granola and juice. Then the baby had his food, another bottle and kids went to sleep for a bit.

AND NOW WE ARE HERE. Our luggage and car seat didn't land with us so they gave us a "loaner" (kinda makes you wonder just how often this happens!) and we loaded up into S'te's van. Her and Jaleel were there to pick us up before Papa finished the delivery paperwork.

We called Rod and they met us at Carnitas Uropan to eat. We were hungry, hungry, hungry!!! Jaleel helped the pretty waitress clear the table when we were finished. He is so helpful!!

Our luggage showed up at 11:00 that night - - -

Water Park - Here we are!!

The Fountains

The cold front went thru last night. They predicted record LOW temps - Predicte4d to get down to 68!! Yahoooo!!! I didn't believe them and made plans anyway. We went ot he water park. Up until now it has been to hot to go anywhere after 9 am - so it was nice to be able to leave the house. We (I) was still sweating buckets by the time the kids were all buckled and the gear was all loaded!! The Fountains is a free inter-active park down by the river. It is really neat. Keith and I had both heard of it - but didn't have a clue where until we went for dinner one night at the Capt Hiram's Lobster Shanty - and it was right to it. What better place to spend a morning that you don't want to spend at home?

Mary was to have a scan today - so she couldn't have anything to eat or drink after 9 this morning - so no one got anything to eat or drink after 9. That was another reason not to hang at the house - they think they need to eat more often when they are just "hanging out" at home!! It was a wasted effort. We got there and they had to reschedule the test for tomorrow anyway. It never fails!!!

Tomorrow will be a really busy day since we are going to be packing bags for our trip and packing the house to leave it for a few days. This time of year - we have to leave everything as tho' we are evacuating for a hurricane - in case one comes along before we get back :(

The kids are excited. Felix has been zooming around the house with his arms stretched out wide for a couple of days now. He is sooo excited about getting to ply in da plane.

I'm excited too. I love going to see my baby and her family!!!! And of course, my friends. I don't get to see any of them nearly often enough. I'm really getting excited about the trip!!