When Do They Stop Making Parents Feel Guilty

Okay, I'll be the first to admit my boys are spoiled! And have been made to feel that the world centers around them (especially our oldest). He's the only one we've ever actually bought a car for. He and Lance will both finish at U of A at the same time. However, Nathan is focused on his education like no other...so he is all set to go to graduate school. And I'm so proud of him!! It looks like he'll have to go to UCA for graduate school so he'll be leaving home. Well, as some of you know and most of you don't...Terry and I will eventually be moving back to Mtn. Home in the future...no date is set...a lot has to be done to our home in many ways before it will be ready for us to move into and Terry has to get a transfer through with work. Now if push came to shove we could actually move into it tomorrow..but there's things we want to do before making the move. So hubby and I have talked about this at length and we both agree that our boys no matter what need our help. So keeping a roof over their head is number one on the list...until we move we'll be supporting 2 households, so in the beginning that won't change. But one son in particular is having absolute hissy fits over the idea of us going back to MH. In the long run our sons will benefit the most from his change in our lives...but seeing into the future undoubtedly is not a life lesson our sons have learned yet. Talk about feeling you're between a rock and a hard place!

Wet & Working Memorial Day Weekend

What started out to be a weekend of fun and food, turned out to be a weekend of food and work....

My two 'sweet' nephews playing video games with Nathan!

And let the eating begin! Peter and Brandy fixed: chicken breasts wrapped in bacon, hamburgers, hotdogs, brats, mussels, scallops, shrimp and steak (I hope I didn't forget anything), ALL on the grill. Plus several salads and desserts!!! Oh my gosh we were all so full

So when we went over to Terry's parents house and saw the mess that the tree-trimming was making we should have been grateful to have the opportunity to work some of the food off! Above is Brayden working hard picking up the limbs that came down at a fast pace.

And Christian was in charge of the wheelbarrow...there's grandma loading up!

Oh what would a day of food and yard work be without some beverages! Father and son enjoy the same 'beverage'! But is was a great weekend despite the rain and I do mean rain ALL 3 days! and terrential down pours coming home that afternoon!!!

More of Nathan's BIG Vacation

What would be an evening in NYC without friends! Here is Nathan (middle) with Vic and Nicki...Vic lives on Long Island and Nicki is a friend from Georia doing her internship in fasion design in NYC...Go Nicki!

Vietnam Veteran's Wall........

Oh my son is so much like his mom...gotta do a little window shopping!

WW2 Memorial....just recently opened in D.C. Oh you should see more of the pics! It's absolutely wonderful (more pics to come of it).

Another view from the apartment they stayed in...what a view! I asked if they had a telescope!!! Nathan said all they had was binoculars...DARN! Oh what a voyeur I would become if I lived there!

And the Winner Is

Taking time out from the vacation pics to give kudos to Kris Allen, Arkansas' American Idol Winner!!!! I was thrilled that my two final pics from day one made it through! I'll admit there were some weeks when I thought Kris may be the one leaving....Oh Thankgoodness he didin't. It's even okay that we attended UCA my alma mater's rival. For some things I can overlook that fault in him. Honestly it didn't matter to me which one won...because history shows that with this show placement dosen't really make a difference in the career they can have! But when they called his name as the winner I have to say I was estatic! I should apologise to my neighbors next door...hope my scream didn't scare you! But get use to it....football season is coming soon! GO HAWGS!! Good job Kris...Arkansas is proud of you!

Vacationing with my oldest son

So I thought my son Nathan was going to Albany, Georia to visit a friend that was on break from school in India...they ended up in New York! Sri's cousin flew down from NY and the 3 of them decided to take him home instead of him flying back! So at 3 p.m. Saturday afternoon they headed out to NY with a stop in D.C.! It had been several years since Nathan had been to D.C. so he got to see our nations capitol again!

I can't believe my son can take such great pics with my old digital camera! The pics of D.C. were taken at sunrise. They drove all night through, taking turns driving and sleeping! The best time to see D.C. with NO crowds!

Vic's parents have an apartment in NY and his brother is staying there while he attends college in NYC. This is the view from the living room window! Not bad uh?! What a great view of the Empire State building and the city. With binoculars you can see the Statue of Liberty!

The 'poor' boys had to have something special to drive into the city from Long Island....why not take daddy's Ferrari! Yeah, and you must have a lift in the garage for it! I believe it's still in one piece after these 3 got done with it!

And what would a vacation to Long Island be without this view from your bedroom window! This is the view Nathan woke up to each morning from his bedroom at Vic's parents house on Long Island....Billy Joel lives on the same street, I personally think it would have been neighborly to drop in to say 'hi'!

Will add more pics to the next post!

GOD Winks You've Gotta Read These

I've got a name for you SQuire Rushnell..he writes the God Winks books...If you've never read his books or heard of him, get on Google NOW! I saw him on Good Morning America and was so impressed by him (infact, he use to be the producer at GMA). I got on Amazon and ordered 3 of his books and just finished the last one yesturday...so here are the 3 that I reead and my God Wink jounal. It is so amazing! While I was reading the books my own God Winks's would come to mind...It's like WOW! god really does know I'm here!!! He dosen't preach or anything like that and it's not a 'self-improvement' book..These books will not be passed on for others to read, these are staying on my book shelf! I swear, each of you are in my God Wink journal...and including this blog!

P.S. I didn't mis-spell his first name, he really does spell it with a capital S and Q.

Hot, Hot, Hot

My sunshine really shouldn't be smiling but being that we haven't seen it very much lately I figured when it would come out it should be smiling. It is HOT out there! I headed out early to get stuff done...lots of stuff to do. EVERYWHERE I went they were having air conditioning issues! Even down to the Post Office! Is it a conspiracy of the ac repairmen? They should all be doing a booming business right now! Yes, I was complaining just last week because it was cold and rainy...now I'm complaining because it's HOT! But it's not dry..our yard is still wet and more storms coming tomorrow. Figures it's a weekend, but don't blame me, hubby has to work and we didn't have any plans this weekend. I knew I'd forget something while I was out...and of course remembered when I got home that I wanted to go by Sherwin Williams to pick up some paint samples for the bathroom...darn! I'll save it for tomorrow...maybe they'll have air conditioning.

Today he forks over his hard earned $

Yes, today is the day that my youngest son hands over a fist full of $ to Uncle Same and the State of Arkansas! He has to tag his newly purchased car! He's ran it down to the final day, so proud I've made him a procrastinator just like his good ol' mom! Of course right now he's still sitting around in his t-shirt and lounge pants talking to friends on the computer...he's in no hurry to rid of himself of this pesty $ just sitting there doing nothing! And yes, he's actually speaking to him which gets really annoying.

We do have a second quest...since it's me and Chris who have been sick, we are hoping to pass on our illness to the employees of the state revenue office! We finally decided our plans for world domination were a little more than we can handle with illness running through our veins...so we'll start with state domination and bring them to their knees with this junk we've got!

So wish us luck on both of these endeavors! And stay away from us..we wouldn't want you to become victims of our illness...just yet.

Oh How My Garden Grows

Yes, Look closely and you'll see the little green leaves starting to show!!! YEAH!!! The top picture is one of the flower pots and the bottom are herbs!!! YEAH, They're really growing!!!

Okay, I survived Mother's Day! We went over to Mtn. Home to celebrate with a cookout at Terry's parents home. So there was Terry's sisters; Tracey and her husband Mike, Paula and Lisa. Our niece, Brandy and her husband Peter and their two boys Brayden and Christian, me and Terry and Lance and my mom! Oh and of course Terry's mom and dad! Chris couldn't come because for one thing he's been sick with whatever and off for two nights and had to work that night and of course Nathan is vacationing in Georgia. Can you believe that it didn't rain until everyone was leaving...we took my mom home and on the way it started raining! Then it rained on us ALL THE WAY HOME! But I made it through the day sucking on the Chloraseptic throat stuff...this stuff is wonderful! It just melts in your mouth and your sore throat is gone!! Just don't eat or drink for a long time after putting it in your mouth!

So after two weekends out of town, I have got to stay home the entire weekend coming up! Saturday is Farmer's Market day, so that means fresh veggies and who knows what I'll come home with. Terry has to work Saturday so no painting will get done...unless I decide what color I want the main bathroom..we could do that Saturday evening or on Sunday!!! Oh heck, I haven't even got the paint samples yet for that room...oh well. It'll probably rain anyway.

The Crud has Creeped and Caught Us

So I've dodged it for months but I think it finally caught up with me. Not only me but Chris too. Sore throat, aching bod, sinus drainage which I'm sure is causing the sore throat, semi runny nose...just plain horrible! Swine Flu?..I feel like a swine (whatever a swine might feel like). Chris missed a couple of days of work because of it week before last and he couldn't go in last night. I can't wait to see the water and gas bill next month..it's all because between the two of us we've run up quite a bill! It just feels so good to stand in the steam!!! and then when you get out about 30 min. later you feel like crap again and you start all over again. So I hit the cough drops last night...sucked on one and broke out in bumps, great time for an allergic reaction to these things! I've gone for so many years without having one..now here we go again. So I sent hubby to the dollar store for some cheap candy of any flavor except anything with mint! There goes the chocolate mint ice cream..no more for me unless I want to visit the friendly, expensive emergency room...all for them to tell me 'Hey your allergic to something in mint products' DUH!!! Ya Think???

I had my flu shot again this year..so I don't think it's the flu on my part. I think it's allergies or such. Probably 1/2 allergies and 1/2 old fashioned cold. I'm sure being out in the cold freezing rain with soaked socks and shoes and clothing drenching wet for 4 hours didn't help...then going out that night and not getting home till 11:00 and to bed until after 1 a.m. and up again at 5:30 a.m. didn't help ward this crud off.

Excuse me now while I take more Tylenol and snuggle with my blanket....because tomorrow we're travelling over to Mtn. Home for Mothers Day...a picnic with family..oh boy! Bah Humbug...

Why Do The Good Neighbors Leave

This is so depressing, trucks pulled up to my next door neighbors house this morning and all day they've been taking stuff off. : ( They have been such great neighbors for over a year! I've watched their kids grow and the new baby flourish and spoiled their dogs! Majestic (a blue pit bull) has become like my own pup! and Kody is a pretty cool girl too. Now, I really don't care for pits at all..I'd never own one myself. But having them next door, I can spoil them and get those big kisses and then if they attack, the fault is all on their owners!!!

I noticed after the baby was born several months ago that she didn't go back to work and it suddenly appeared that he wasn't going into work. I thought perhaps he was working from home. Well, I found out today that they were both layed off at their jobs at Superior! Oh my gosh..I couldn't believe it. He worked in management and she worked on second shift and they've completely shut down the entire 2nd shift. This is a family with 4 children all under 6 years of age and her mother lives with them. So they could no longer afford the rent and are moving to a cheaper home. Their rent was only around $625 so I don't know where they could rent a home large enough for all of them at less rent especially in this area. That's one reason when we were thinking of looking for another place we decided to stay where we are. We've noticed the rent in our subdivision going up recently. So we signed a new lease and are staying put.

I had my reality check that I need to be more grateful that my husband is employed and it appears that his job is secure...but that can change tomorrow. We take so much for granted and get so comfortable with what we have today, we don't think about it all being gone at the blink of an eye.

Goodbye neighbors...I will miss your family and my good friends Majestic and Kody.

YOU Know Who You Are

YOU know who YOU are...YOU call right at the high point of one of my favorite programs is on. Now I don't have many...I'm not a t.v. aholic, the t.v. is on because it's noise! It dosen't mean that I'm actually watching it. And since the wonderful invention of DVR's I am not against pushing that little yellow button with the word 'PAUSE' on it. However, there are 3 particular shows that DO NOT get paused! I don't care if I can reverse the program and catch up..I don't care if I'm recording it along with watching it...I WILL NOT ANSWER THE PHONE!!!


I'm not so fanatical over these programs that I'll buy the dvd's of episodes or watching re-runs. I only need to see it one time...but I will NOT be interrupted! So if you've lost a limb and are calling me to meet you at the hospital, I'm sorry for you loss and if you'd have called at a different time, I would have been more than happy to drive you to the hospital!

Baby has his first car

My 'baby' boy has finally bought his first car:

DON'T call it 'baby blue' when talking to Chris about it's color! It's a silver/blue! I'm so proud of him for saving and hopefully making a wise decision on this car. He didn't invite his dad a long to car shop but he did take his older brother with him and Nathan drove it to the automotive place to have it put on the machine and checked out. So that makes me feel better...I think. So each of them has purchased a car, although Lance purchased and sold his and is now driving MY car! How did that happen?!

I think when they purchase their own vehicle it hits me hard because it's like when they learn to walk. When they learn to walk they no longer need to rely on mama's hands to help them get to where they want to be...they just take off! When they purchase their own car I can no longer take the keys away, they no longer have to ask permission to use the car, etc... Yes, they've taken some of my control away....and YES, I am a control freak!

So I am taking control of them in other ways....I am not paid to be their maid...so if it items don't belong in a certain place and I or hubby didn't put them there...I will give a warning and at the same time a time of 'trashing' and if the items aren't claimed or moved by that designated time...they will be put in a trash bag and taken to the trash can! If they decide they want it, they will dig it out of the trash! This includes clothing, games, cd's...everything! And I WILL NO LONGER be purchasing clothing to replace what they caused to be thrown away! IF I have to continue to be a 'maid' then they will pay me a wage! Yep, this mom's fed up! Independance comes with a cost!

Tacos and Friends

Sorry no pictures today. What can go better together than great cheese dip, tacos and good friends? The answer is Nothing! 4 of us got together today and spent over 2 1/2 hours at Glasgows enjoying great food but even more wonderful was the friendship! To think that only 4 months ago none of us knew eachother...and because of one person posting on a web site we've come to a group of 9 (I think that was the last count). Some of us haven't met yet but that's okay, we will soon. We've got NWA covered from Siloam Springs, Fayetteville, Rogers and Bentonville...and all different ages 40's, 30's and 20's!! And the talents and life adventures that each of these wonderful women bring is amazing!

Okay, enough for now...gotta get some sleep...I was officially trained to administer micro chips into pets today...and we have a micro chip clinic tomorrow. I bought dog bones for the poor babes that I have to stick that big needle in. I'm hoping after I cause them pain the treat will get me back in their good graces! Will post pictures soon...Pray for my victims!