Long time no blog!

Wow, I didnt realize that it's been so long since my last blog post. Where did the time go? Lots has happened since my last post -- I graduated college with a B.S. in Information Technology with honors; got divorced; quit my job only to be asked to return two years later; became a grandmother two more times - both girls; had my oldest daughter & her 9 yr old daughter move in with me so that I could help with my daughter's medical needs; and have had three surgeries - none major; and lost my daddy. 😥
Life hasn't been easy, but having the Lord on my side definitely helps. He has given me strength I didn't know I had. I've been able to perform treatments on my daughter that I know could not have been done on my own. I have always been queezy about so much as taking a bandage off of my girls. With my daughter's medical issues, I've had to step up to the plate and overcome this weakness. Only with the Lord's help was I able to do the things I had to do. I would do it over again... although I pray I never have to.

I hope to return to daily postings, although I can't make promises. Life does happen & tends to take precedence. In the meantime, I with you the best and God's blessings.

Biffy

It's been awhile...

I apologize for not posting recently. I've been bedridden with a terrible case of bronchitis. This on top of having multi-level spinal fusion surgery just 6 weeks ago made for a very bad couple of weeks.


I'm better now and will begin posting again beginning Monday, March 15. Lord willing, I wont have any further delays and will be able to post every day as originally planned.

I hope you are enjoying the items I have posted thus far. The best are yet to come!

God bless,

Biffy

Today is Levi Strauss' birthday. Do you wear jeans a lot or do you have a hard time finding that perfect pair of jeans.

I...LOVE...JEANS!!!  They can be dressy with the right shirt or blouse, they can be casual with a t-shirt, or they can be bummy with holes in the knees.

My personal favorite type are the stretch jeans. They move with me, I dont feel so bound up. When I squat down the knees stretch, alleviating the need to "pull them up" before hand, like you see men do. No particular brand, just stretch jeans!

Now, my favorite personal pair of jeans? Easy...that would be my NY Jeans stretch denim complete with holes in both knees and in the right thigh. They are just now getting broken in good! I had back surgery five weeks ago and came down with a virus the week after surgery. Fever, aches, nausea, coughing, sneezing. Needless to say, I didn't eat anything for almost two weeks. Lost 10 lbs that way! Now, this torn up, comfortable pair of jeans are my only pair of pants that fit me! I have had to wear them to church (no, I actually fit right in! I LOVE MY CHURCH!!), to my doctor's appointment, to Wal-Mart, everywhere.

Since my weight loss, and that of my youngest daughter, we are planning a shopping trip soon. We both need new jeans. You know what type I'll be looking for!


Photo of NY Jeans from FashionBeans.com Just add holes on both knees and the right thigh and you have my pair! WEEEEEEEE

Today is Carnival Day. Do you love or hate to go to carnivals?

I love carnivals! All the lights, and sounds, and smiling faces. What's not to love about them?

When my girls were younger we went to the county carnival every year. I never rode the rides, but so loved watching my girls enjoy them. They liked playing the games, although we wouldn't let them play too many...with three girls that could cost quite a pretty penny!

Oh, don't get me started on the food!! Funnel cakes, fried Snickers, cotton candy, candy apples, turkey legs...my, but the list goes on and on. I believe we all left carnival each year with a tummy ache, but oh it was so worth it!

Today is Currency Day. It was introduced to the US in 1862 by President Lincoln. Do you carry much cash around with you or do you prefer to use a credit or debit card?

Hmmmm, interesting question, don't you think?

Personally, I prefer to have atleast $10 cash on hand at all times. You never know when you'll want to stop by that little Chinese restaurant only to find out they do not accept CC/DC any more!

That actually happend to my husband and myself today. He left me in the restaurant while he went hunting for an ATM to get the cash to pay for our lunch. Somewhat humiliating, but the restaurant staff was very understanding and even pointed out where several ATMs were located. The food was very much worth the extra time and effort of my husband's part. Needless to say...he was seriously wanting some General Tsao's Chicken!  lol

On the other hand, using the CC/DC is a much quicker transaction. You don't have to wait on the cashier to make sure what denomination bill you handed him/her, then decide what your change should be, count it out, and hand it to you. Trust me...that can seem to take forever! Don't they know you can enter the amount handed to you and the register will show the amount due back? Sheesh!

In the end, I suppose there are good arguments for both sides. However, I will continue to keep a $10 bill stashed somewhere in my purse. You never know when I might get a hankering for sesame chicken!

My dog, DaisyMae

This is my dog, DaisyMae. She was rescued from Elizabeth City's animal shelter. That makes her a true "pound puppy"!

We've had Daisy for going on 8 years now. She is definitely a special part of our family. She has to sleep with one of us every night, otherwise she'll mope and whine all night. Spoiled? Not my DaisyMae!  haha

Daisy used to run off whenever we let her out to potty. Our oldest daughter decided to try something and started giving Daisy treats every time she went outside and came back without us having to call her over and over. This worked great! Infact, it has worked great for several years now. Daisy has figured out that she gets a treat every time she goes out. It's now a game for her. She'll go outside and walk around the house, then come back in. We followed her one day. That's all she did...walk around the house. However, once she got inside she was expecting her treat! Smart dog! She also has figured out that she can wee-wee on trip and then poo the next, getting a treat each time. Who says dogs aren't smart? Not me!!

I dread the day we lose DaisyMae. Tears will be shed by all who know her. She will be replace, I can't do without a dog in the house. It will take time, I'm sure, to be ready for another dog, but no dog will ever be able to take the place of our DaisyMae!!

About Me

1. Have you ever been searched by the cops?
Nope, and I hope it never happens!

2. Do you close your eyes on a roller coaster?
What??? And miss all the fun?

3. When's the last time you've been sledding?
Oh, goodness...years!

4. Would you rather sleep with someone else, or alone?
Besides with my DH, alone. You get more stretching room that way! ;o)

5. Do you believe in ghosts?
Dont you??

6. Do you consider yourself creative?
Yeahrightokwhatever! Why do you think I scraplift so many folks? lol

7. Do you think O.J. killed his wife?
Who knows. Sure seemed to have been alot of coincidences, tho.

8. Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie? (silly, I know ... but very "now")
Jennifer Aniston. She seems alot more "down-to-earth", you know?

9. Can you honestly say you know ANYTHING about politics?
Sure do! I know that I dont want anything to do with politics!

10. Do you know how to play poker?
No, but I'm an expert at losing at poker!

11. Have you ever been awake for 48 hours straight?
Yeppers. I went to college!

12. What's your favorite commercial?
Ok, I'm gonna age myself here, but...."Where's the beef?" :oD

13. Who was your first love?
Gregg Hayes Silkman, my college sweetheart (but not my DH)

14. If you're driving in the middle of the night, and no one is around you, do you run a red light?
No way! With my luck there'd be a policeman right around the corner!!

15. Do you have a secret that no one knows but you?
Yep. Wanna know what it is?

16. Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees?
Yankees all the way!!

17. Have you ever been Ice Skating?
No, but I've tried to ice skate before. Does that count?

18. How often do you remember your dreams?
Shoot, I cant remember my own name half the time, and here you want me to remember my dreams? Sure!!

19. What's the one thing on your mind?
"Where did I put those dang car keys?!!"

20. Do you always wear your seat belt?
Always!

21. What talent do you wish you had?
Ability to play piano without music. Dang my classic training!

22. Do you like Sushi?
Only if it's cooked. hehe

23. What do you wear to bed?
Shorts & a t-shirt.

24. Do you truly hate anyone?
No, I try not to hate anyone. I do, however, extremely dislike a few folks.

25. If you could sleep with one famous person, who would it be?
Hehe...I'm not tellin!!!!

26. Do you know anyone in jail?
No, but I know someone who was arrested a few times.

27. What food do you find disgusting?
Liver and onions...YUCKY!!!!

28. Have you ever made fun of your friends behind their back?
No. I believe in "Do unto others...."

29. Have you ever been punched in the face?
Yes, by my older brother. It's ok, though. I chased him down the street with a butcher knife! hehe

30. Do you believe in angels and demons?
Dont you?

What advice would I give my younger self??

I cant honestly answer that. If I were to follow my own advice, I would not have the wonderful husband and daughters that I now have. My life would be completely different!!

Now, if I could have the same family I ended up with, I would tell myself to stay away from drugs and alcohol, stick with college, and keep my nose clean.

Favorite Family Recipe

Growing up, we had a tradition in our family...Mom always made her wonderful Red Velvet Cake for holidays, birthdays, and special occassions. This wasnt just any Red Velvet Cake...it was my Mom's cake! My brother and I especially loved September-October...his birthday is Sep 24, my folks anniversary is Oct 1, and my birthday is Oct 7. My mom had to make a cake for all three events. We would eat the cake that quickly!! It makes for a wonderful breakfast, just include a large glass of ice-cold milk...YUMMY!!!

When I went away to college my Freshman year, Mom sent me a care package in October. In it she included two red velvet cakes...9x13 and 8x8. The larger pan was for me to share with my roommates, the smaller was for just me!! I was in "hog heaven" that day!! Who needed family around when you have Mom's red velvet cake??!!!!

I am now carrying on the same tradition with my family. It's a bear to make, and the recipe card is getting harder & harder to read (thanks to my messiness), but the cake turns out great every time!

I'll be scrapping the recipe and will try to post a snapshot of the layout here.

My version of the "ideal" party

1. As many of my friends as there is room for
2. Finger-foods, such as:sausage-cheeseballs, pig-n-blankets, chips/dip, veggies, etc
3. Lower volumed music. Loud music is too distracting. Whatever genre is most liked by everyone
4. Not too many decorations. Keep it simple
5. Held in our sunroom. Lots of windows and lots of room
6. We can talk about anything that comes up. Open topic
7. As for party games, I have no idea. I usually leave that up to the guests. Whatever they feel like playing is okay with me.

So...who's coming to my party? hehe

When I was a teenager...

the Dead Sea was just sick. :oP

Seriously,though, my teenage years weren't my favorite. I was a loner, yet hung out with other "losers" at my high school. If I wasn't in school, I was alone. I was not involved in extra-curricular activities, nor did I work until my Senior year. I did okay with my grades, but probably could have done better.

At home, it wasn't much better. I suffered from depression, thanks to my emotionally and verbally abusive father. He never laid a hand on us, but we never knew when he would take a hankering to. My brother was verbally abusive during his adolescent years, to myself and to our mother. Mom, bless her heart, tried to make up for the lack of love coming from my dad and brother. I love her so much for that!

My adolescent years were uneventful. With a dad and brother like I had, there was no room for anyone else in the family to be abusive. I just did what I was told and kept my distance.

Thankfully, both my dad and my brother have changed. Dad went through a life-threatening bought of colon cancer and completly turned his life around. I finally have a Dad!! My brother still has a bit to go on controling his anger, but is nothing like he was as a teenager. I have discovered medication for my depression, and have a wonderful husband and family that is supportive of me. That has made a world of difference in my life.

Way back when...

Someone thought it would be great for us to describe our first foray into the wonderful world of computers. Well...it's time for a history lesson!

Way back when...I think it was 1976, my Algebra I teacher in high school thought it would help us understand algebra if he put it into computer terms. He taught us a little about BASIC computer programming. The best part about our lessons was that he took us to the local community college for hands-on experience. That's when I fell in love with computers.

Four years later, when I enrolled in said community college, Dad went out and bought me the "top-of-the-line" Franklin Ace computer, complete with modem!! I was in awe. I could actually do my programming homework at home, not in the nasty, smelly computer lab! I was in hog heaven!

Several years, and a marriage and 3 kids, later...I discovered the wonderful world of being online. Granted, it wasnt the internet as you know it now. No ma'am! It was the wonderful world of bulletin boards! Yippee!! Needless to say, it was a far cry from the internet, but it was a means to contact folks in another area...though not too far away.

Today, I have 2 top-of-the-line desktops, as well as 2 top-of-the-line laptops, all the electronic gadgets that's available, and am still itching for more!

How bad have you got it? I got it pretty bad!!

What I am most thankful for...

is my family. I have been blessed with three beautiful, wonderful daughters. With the oldest has come a wonderful son-in-love. My husband is the bestest in the world!! (Yes, biased opinion here!) He always puts our family's wants and needs above his own, no matter what. He has been a wonderful provider and the best dad. We have a surrogate son (a young man who's living with us right now) who is on fire for the Lord. His sister, who also lived with us for a year or so, is our surrogate daughter. Her little girl is our adopted granddaughter.

If it weren't for my family, I would be nothing. There would be no reason to function. They are my life and I thank God for them every day!!

My earliest memory...

My earliest memory is of our foster brothers when I was young. I guess it was way back in 1968, which would make me about 7 yrs old. My parents took in a couple of brothers for a few months. One of them had a terrible lisp. I remember him being really shy. The best memory of these brothers is the birthday party we gave the youngest one. Bless his heart, with his lisp, he couldnt blow out the candles. He asked all of us kids to help, which we gladly obliged. My mom gave me some of the photos of the birthday party to scrap, which I'll do later today.

My memory is so terrible, I'm surprised I remember!!

My computer space...

is a mess!! We have a small office space in our house that is used for the computer room. We have a medium sized desk that is grossly overstuffed with various things, ranging from papers to electronics to peripherals. I also have a small desk that is supposed to be for paper scrapping, but it's holding more photos and computer equipment. My husband has a small card table in the room that he uses for paying bills. I also have a bookcase in the room that my dad built when I was in elementary school. We wont say how long ago that's been!

There is one small window with a green-striped french curtain. The walls are a wonderful shade of blue (no, they dont exactly match, but still look nice together) and the carpet is tan colored. The walls are covered with various certificates and awards that my husband and I have been awarded through the years.

Since I now have a laptop, my "computer room" is wherever I'm sitting. Presently, it's the livingroom couch.

What was I thinking....

when I woke this morning? My first thought was..."Man, it's too early to get up!". Then, I thought, "Brad's surgery is today!" (DH had a fatty mass removed from his chest. My third thought this morning was, "We leave for Charlotte this afternoon!! It's time, it's time!!!!" WEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

Ok, this will be my last post until next week. I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Goodbyes

I dont like goodbyes. Never have...never will. Being a military wife, I've had to experience way too many of them. When it does come time, I'm usually a combination crier/hugger/"see ya later" type of person. I know that I probably will never see the person again, but "goodbye" seems so permanent. I'm a hugger by nature, so that's what I do. As for the crying, I didnt used to. I had been all "tough as nails" and all. Then, I went through a life changing experience that has altered my emotional life all together. I'm much more caring, tender, and cry-ish now. Heck, I even cry over tv commercials! I think it's partly from being a Mom and partly from my experience.

Anyway, I just hope I dont have to do any goodbyes anytime soon. They hurt too much!!

My first pet...

or atleast, the first one I can remember, was a beagle named Smokey. Smokey was the most loving pet I believe I've ever had. He always wanted to sit on the couch with us and lay his head on our leg. When it was time for bed, I remember him lying at the foot of either mine or my brother's bed. As Smokey got older, he began snapping at folks. On day, when my mom had him outside with her while she was working in the flower garden, a gentleman walked up and said, "Is this your dog? He just bit me." That was all it took. Smokey went on a ride the next day, but never came back. My mom said she wasnt having a dog around that bit people. It just wasnt safe.

I think we lasted about 2 months before we went to the SPCA and adopted Penny. She was a cutiepie! Penny was a chihuahua/poodle mix and was so tiny! When I became pregnant, She used to lay on top of my belly. When the baby would kick, she would jump up, look down at my belly, the up at me. It was so funny!!

My favorite vacation...

...has to be last year's trip to Texas. My husband, youngest daughter, and myself were headed for Mt Pleasant, TX to meet our new brother-in-love and new nephew. Along the way, we visited my parents in AL.

After a few days there, we headed for Memphis where we met up with a friend we hadnt seen in over 15 years! He took us on a tour, including the Peabody Motel and the ducks! Our second day in Memphis we took the tour at Graceland. Definitely a stop for anyone planning a visit to Memphis.

From Mempis we headed to Texas. We spent a whole week there, getting to know our newest family memebers. My sis-in-love & her family live in a cabin, that is absolutely gorgeous! It was so comforting. We were treated to a tour of the area, as well as a trip to their local dirttrack.

After our time in Memphis, we headed to my in-loves in Baker, LA...just outside of Baton Rouge. We spent another week there seeing family and friends. I love going to Baker. My husband's family are so sweet...they're always feeding you! Good 'ol southern hospitality!

From LA, we headed back to my parents for a day or two, then to Pidgeon Forge where we met some friends and had a wonderful time at Dollywood. We stayed another day or two to get rested up, then headed for home.

All-in-all, we spent 3 weeks on the road. Yes, we were exhausted once we got home, but our minds were full of memories. I was able to scrap a mini-album of our trip and have two pages per destination.

I'll blog atcha later!

Childsplay

Hmmmm, what aspect of childsplay do I remember most? I suppose it has to be sharing. Being a female, I naturally had tons of Barbie things...clothes, accessories, cars, buildings, etc. Of course, so did my friends. My mom even devised a way to differentiate my things from my friends. Whenever my friends and I would get together we would always share. Swapping was common amongst Barbie fans, also.

My friends and I also shared our hopes and dreams. That was my favorite thing. Unfortunately, I've lost contace with most of my childhood friends, but it would be fun to see how many of us accomplished those hopes and dreams.