Beautiful Friendship.



When I was 13 years old I met Michelle. She was 9 months pregnant with her first child, wearing a swimming suit and running a fireworks stand. I instantly fell in love with her. She is one of the most beautiful persons I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. We have been through some difficult times in our lives but one thing has remained constant. Our friendship.

So, my dear friend, I hope you had a wonderful birthday. I want you to know when I grow up, I want to be just like you!!

Countdown to the holidays.

Wow. What a week. Sunday morning Nancy arrived. (Woo Hoo!) Monday afternoon Rick arrived. (More Woo Hoo's!) Tuesday we stayed home most of the day but went to Walmart that evening. Wednesday we went to Wichita and hit all the major scrapbooking stores. Thursday I went to spend the evening with friends as we celebrated my dear friend Michelle's 50th birthday. Came home at 3 am. Got up, saw Rick off. Grabbed a cat nap then went to pick up a few items for Christmas, get some groceries then came home and scrapped. Throughout the week I have made several trips up to the hospital to see my dad who finally came home and is recovering really well. IF HE WOULD ONLY be good and try to take it easy!!

Whew. I'm tired.

*Things couldn't get any better!!*

A few of my favorite things.........







This morning I woke up to see it was snowing and I couldn't help but think of that song in "The Sound of Music" and the lyric: "Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes" I agree.......that is truly one of my favorite things.

I am going to see my dad again this evening. He has made VAST improvements and they have moved him from intensive care to the main ward. That should prove interesting. I can't help but crack up because he is a man who has lived with the strictest of schedules for years......you know how old folks are, and now his days and nights are messed up and at 1 am he is asking for a cup of coffee. Those poor nurses!!

The Best News is that Nancy will be here this evening and I will pick her up at the bus station. She doesn't know how excited I am for her to be here with us during the holidays.

Sidenote: I just want to point out to folks who don't know the history between my father and I, I am not bitter. If I was, I would never have let him be a part of my or the lives of my children. I have made my peace and forgiven him for YEARS of abuse. I would not be where I am in my life if I hadn't. As I said in my previous post, he was a horrible father to me but has made up for it by being a WONDERFUL Grandfather. I don't think by making that statement I am exhibiting bitterness. I think by saying it I have acknowledged that it is possible to overcome things that are painful and move on.

It seems like only yesterday......



.....that we all posed in my sister's kitchen to take this picture. My dad suffered a massive heart attack on Saturday and underwent a quadruple by-pass. He is slowly improving but as of now he is disoriented.

Hard to believe I would have any affection at all for him but over time I think I have made my peace with him and hope he is around to help me raise my children......Did I just say that? Wow! He and I must be finally growing up.

An Ideal Day




Some of you who know me have heard me talk about my parents and how they drive me NUTS, so you can understand how my skin begins to crawl when the call me to announce they are coming to my house to spend the day. (I moved over an hour away from them so these things didn't happen all the time!)

So, they showed up bearing gifts for my children. They had purchased a new mattress for Talia and brought various things for the other kids. Of course my kids were so excited to see them. I will admit: My parents were the WORST parents, but they have been EXCEPTIONAL grandparents. I can forgive them some of their shortcomings because of the way the treat my children.

We all sat down for our noon meal and it struck me how I probably should snap a pic of this occasion because I'm sure the day is coming when they won't be around. The only person missing from this picture is our oldest daughter Jessica. She is away at school.

Sidenote: My Mother was on her best behavior. I didn't have to hear about my weight, or how she doesn't like my hair, or how she was sure she would do something different with my home decor and various nerve wracking things she usually spouts off......She was also good at Thanksgiving. Hmmm.... makes me wonder when the crap will hit the fan!!

The Soft Glow of Electric Sex Gleaming on our TREE!!!





Now folks, one of my family's ALL-TIME Favorite movies is "A Christmas Story" I don't know how many times we have watched it and from time to time we quote lines from it. So today I was at Walmart and I saw this ornament and knew it was a MUST for our tree. What is so cool about it? It LIGHTS UP!! Not to mention it is soooo
FRAGEELEE!!

My kids really got a kick out of it!