another week over...

hey all...another week over, not many left in 2008...seems unreal. to briefly run over the week, it has been a good one i guess, we had our last of 9 classes for foster parenting saturday morning. i am sad its over, i will really miss interacting with people. i will also miss the ride and the discussions it prompted kyle and i to have. we talk a lot anyway, but it was tons more. now we just have to have one more home visit and wait for the license to come. then the kids, and even more to talk about... we have what is called an educational advocacy class this saturday. we have to take it sometime, so we chose to take it since it is the same instructors same place.

i went to ralphs today to take him his Christmas present. he is such a kid-like guy. asking me and asking me what i had for him. then when i take it to him because i feel like i am torturing him, he chooses to wait til the 24th so he has something to look forward to. i took him some coffee again and he just thinks that is the greatest. love to see him smile.

it has been such a good day. i am just overflowing with love. after a great morning at church, we spent the afternoon with my stepdaughter and since we havent seen her in awhile it was really nice to talk with her also. then we rode around and look at Christmas lights. i love to do that.

this is gonna be a busy week. kyle has to try and squeeze into parkland this week. since they are now only taking same day appt's-which really makes me angry-it is gonna be hard for him. how in the world do they expect people who work to got in there in the same day they call? kyle, like most people, has to schedule time off. gggrrrrr, that is just irritating to me. so much for the love huh? lol...

my nieces and nephews have Christmas programs 4 out of 5 nights this week. well have to see how many we can make it too. on the 28th i am keeping all 6 of my nieces and nephews for the night. i may regret it, but i want them all to know i love them and spend some special time with them before we get kids...one of them is having a really hard time with it. it's right after Christmas, so they will have plenty to do.

what's everyone doing for new years? we really dont have a clue yet. prob not much. renting movies and pizza maybe. just don't know. any resolutions going on in the minds. not me, just sets u up to feel bad if u dont do it.

oh and how can i forget this, my computer crashed--or so i thought. i had to restore it. lost everything!!!!!!!! lots of music and pics!!!!!! oh well, at least i have the computer. a little faster without all that junk on here also. i had to spend quite awhile updating it and installing messengers and stuff, but wayyyyy worth it.

well, guess i should go for now. gonna watch a movie and chill...hope you all have a great week and everyone is over their sickness...til next time...ttyl

me again...

well, it is 5 til 7 in the morning and i have been cleaning since 5!!! trying to recover from the weekend of classes and cookies. i have to go to ralph's today also and recover his house from the weekend. you are probably wondering why i am cleaning so early in the morning....SO AM I!!!!!! i can't sleep. my mind is running a million miles per hour. about life, family, getting kids, on and on.... one thought sure leads to a million more. for some reason today i am feeling weight on my shoulders to get everything done right now!!! look, if i am doing dishes at 5:30am, anyone who knows me knows that there are issues, right momma b???? lol....

the weekend was good tho. kyle helped me bake and bake and bake, but the time in the kitchen together was really nice. time to talk and talk about everything. so that was friday, then we had class and delivered cookies saturday. i can't say how much i enjoy the love and hugs i get from everyone. their eyes light up and it makes me heart swell. we always talk about not doing it again, but when that day is over we know better. think we had 75 plates to deliver this year. it was awesome. the kids weren't fighting because we got smart and split the girls from the boys. however we were missing one important person that day. kayla-my stepdaughter. we really wanted her to be there with us, but it didn't work out. hopefully next year.

saturday night i went with some friends to dinner to celebrate their mom's birthday who has passed more than a year ago. it is the neatest thing ever. shows true amazing love for their mom and friend. it is just amazing the love you feel when with them.

sunday brought church and lunch withe aunt and uncle like we always do. that is so neat also. my family never does anything or ever did a special sunday dinner. it is really nice. then we cam home and watched some movies and did nothing!!! felt good yesterday, but then i couldn't sleep knowing all the stuff i had to do. hence the writing like crazy. did i mention that i ate tooooo many cookies yesterday?? man...you would think after cooking them i wouldn't eat them, but...not the case. i'll start my diet tomorrow...lol. right along with the exercise plan i try to encourage my hubby to start with me. tomorrow....

man can anyone believe that it is the 8th of december already??? what is going on? time just goes so fast. pretty soon it will be 2009!!! duh, yeah i know you know that, but i remember being in school and 2000 seemed ancient. now, 2009!!!!!!!!!

kyle's mom has to have another roto rooter surgery on her leg the beginning of january. and stints to open the veins up. her leg hurts her all the time and her feet are numb. not good. hopefully this will help....

this is our last week of homework for our foster classes. we have to meet a panel of people this time. and we will be done. well, not true we signed up for another class on the 20th to get it done and out of the way. it is with the same instructors, same place, most of the same people, and familiarity is everything to me. so we could possible have kids by february!!! we are ready for the challenge and are excited to help. we still have some things to get, but not much.

well, should get back to my house before i get lazy and stop working...hope you all had a great weekend, wish you the best of weeks, and take care.....

Well, suppose we all have survived the holiday. Some better than others. The night before Thanksgiving, I was running crazy cleaning and preparing food, listening to music, talking tons with the hubby. Decided to check my myspace page and to my amazement, i find out that my whole family, which i had invited here originally, were getting together without me. While saddened by this, it was a little expected. Thanksgiving was a really good day. We ate, visited, played games, ate, ate, oh and did i mention ate some food. Me and the boyz crashed as soon as everyone left. Chili was not so happy with 17 people in the house. He only wanted him momma. Zeus on the other hand was loving it!! So many ears to lick-i know he's crazy-so many kids to play with. Even at one point the kids were throwing him in the air with a blanket. A good day with family.

Friday I went shopping with my mom-n-law and one of my nieces miss dis(nickname). We left later in the morning and it wasn't as crazy as i ever thought of. That was my first time going. Of course it was torture because I had no money to shop with. But it was nice to get out and watch people and eat lunch out.

Saturday we had the 7th of 10 classes. It's going pretty quick. It was also my birthday. A ripe old age of 36 now. Oh, well, with age comes wisdom, right? A lot of people called and emailed me to tell me happy birthday. It was nice to hear from everyone. I was disappointed because I wanted to get a few of our close friends together-not even for the b-day thing, just because it's been too long, and it didn't work out for anyone. Time just keeps ticking away. Maybe it will work out soon....

Sunday we stayed home from church. It is the first day since the beginning of October that we have not had to get up and leave in the morning. It was awesome!!!!!!! I forgot what it felt like to be home all day. Which is kind of a good thing because with all the eating i did today, I would be a lot heavier...lol.

My kitchen decor has a new addition to it. Some friends of mine made me a painting. It is sooooo neat. A hidden message in it and all. Everyone loved it on Thanksgiving. Fits perfectly!!! THANKS AGAIN!!!!!

I have to make a billion cookies this week for the cookie day we do every year. I have a list of all I am doing, and hope they all turn out good. At least my kitchen is three times the size now, makes it easier. We have been doing it for almost 20 years now. Last year we did almost 100 plates. Little plates sor single, regular plate for family. I enjoy watching the few of my most favorite older people just smile and glow when we hand it to them. Love the hugs I get that day.

We watched a movie today called the ultimate gift. It was really, really good. definitely an eye opener for some i am sure. If you get time watch it!!

Well off to change the laundry around yet again and do some reading before sleep time. Hope you all have a great week! Take Care.......................

thanksgiving prayer

This is exactly what I wanted to say!!!

"MY THANKSGIVING PRAYER TO YOU"

My Thanksgiving prayer
to you from me;
Is for love strong and true
that you hold within thee.

A heart that beats steady
and holds love within;
For your brothers and sisters
and all creatures by Him.

A soul that is worthy
of all of His love;
That is given to you
from the Heavens above.

Food on your table
that you thank the Lord for;
Friends to surround you
forever and more.

A house filled with love
and the light how it shines;
Showing all of its beauty
till the end of time.

Kindness towards others
for all of your days;
To be returned I pray
in many a way.

A good job to keep you
and pay all your bills;
That you spend it all wisely
and not on the frills.

A family around you
that is loving and true;
That you all stand together
for there are so few.

Children to bless you
if that is God's will;
To cherish and nourish
so your life is fulfilled.

Dreams of pure beauty
as you lay there and sleep;
Through the peaceful night
when darkness is deep.

An angel to guide you
through morning and night;
To protect you and love you
till the end of your plight.

And last but most important
your love for God will shine through;
To the Heavens above
for He's waiting for you.

Amen and God bless!
~Author~

Judy N. Marquart
© November 2002

start of another week...

good morning all...hope you had had a great weekend!!!! it was nice being with the fam and laughing it up(along with freezing ur rearend off watching the lighted parade) saturday. the parade was good, but it keeps getting shorter and shorter. i am sure with the expense of everything else, who is thinking of adding more.

ready for thanksgiving? i suurrreee ammmm!!!!!!!! laying out my turkey today and getting my bread drying for the dressing. and i guess i am a little more thanksful this year for everything.

gotta do some cleaning then go work at Ralph's from 1-3. gonna make supper and take him some and set up one of my 3 foot trees at his house and decorate it and watch Christmas Vacation with him. he loves the movie and he loves Christmas. he doesnt have any family that really does anything for the holidays so....i cant wait to see the bog kid smile on his face....

well, gonna get busy...hope you all have a safe and blessed week...enjoy your family....

look out lots to say....

hey, well, it's been a while again...i am sooo busy lately...i just posted some pics on my myspace (http://www.myspace.com/tina32799) of the festival of trees that my mom-n-law and i went to yesterday. it was sooo nice, and it helped the baby fold in bloomington that my niece went to school at for years. the trees were very pretty, we sang Christmas songs loudly all the way home. definitely in the spirit. for the first time ever, i am not worried about gifts. if i can get them fine, and if not, oh well. gifts are not the reason. i will be happy to be with my family and be glad we are all together. i don't feel the holiday pressure at all. i am loving the lights, taking to strangers, smiling to everyone, and trying to make a difference. of course some of u r thinking "well u dont have kids", but really, honestly, i think i would feel the same way. if i did have kids i would prob feel more that way. i would influence them to give to people before wanting for themselves. i am trying to do that with my nieces and it's not working so well. they mad their huge Christmas list and i suggested that they buy for children in need and they looked at me like i was crazy!! which maybe i am, but i just see soooo many things that people need and i am wanting to make a difference, HUGELY!!!!

which leads me to my next thing. i am in the process of building a website that lists the smaller places and the smaller needs of communities. the perfect website to give is justgive.org---it is just what i wanted to do on a larger level. i want to encourage people to give all year round, like 5-10$ a month all year. we all waste more than that. people don't just need at the holidays, it is just more focused on. i really feel the need to get this done. i want it to be as big as it can be. like to list the churches, food pantries, and such in small towns all over illinois(to start with) that need stuff to help people. i am broke, but you know, no matter how broke, i have wayyyyy more than a lot of people. emotionally, financially, family, love, etc... i just want to do something that makes a difference...man, there is so much i want to say, but i don't want to bore you...

now on to other stuff...wooohooo the lighted holiday parade is tomorrow!!! i agree with snot head. the lights, the love, the excitement...even the cold is part of it...

my mom-n-laws long time friend had a heart attack after having a heart cath and stints put in. i really hope she is ok and all goes well, for her, her hubby, and her family. wishing them the best.

well, guess i should get busy. no time just sit type all my feelings out, that would take days and days....wishing you all the best and a wonderful day!!

hi....

hey all...a lot going on around here...the sadness is awful, the ?'s, the not understanding. the visitation is tomorrow night which we will be going too. they are awful. with most of us, it puts us back at the loss of a loved one.

then after that my sister is bringing my niece heaven over to stay the weekend with us. i am excited, maybe even more so since the latest happenings. you just never know what can happen. i want them (and everyone that i love) that i love them and value them in my life. this is the first time in along time taht she will be without cass, her little sister. we have to have a sitter for sat morning because that will be the 5th of the 9 classes for our foster parenting classes. how exciting...i can't wait to help the life of a child(ren). to show love and have them feel safe without being hurt, hungry, or sad. and yes, i know a lot goes along with it, but we are focusing on the good parts.

went with my mom-n-law last night to the red cross to become volunteers. kyle is also. anyhting we can do to help the fellow man. we are gonna provide disaster relief. 1st starting here and then maybe nationwide depending on the above conversation. of course there are classes to take at every level.

well, as usual i could talk forever. was talking kyle's ear off while home for lunch, talked to both my sister and my sister-n-law already today, and a friend for just a few minutes. i have to go work at ralph's today. kyle was off work yesterday and we surprised him with a cup of coffee and a couple games of yahtzee. he loves that game. he is so neat to be around. no matter what you are feeling, you leave there with a big smile on your face and love in your heart.

don't know about the rest of you, but from now til new years is packed!! heaven this weekend, class and the lighted parade next weekend-which i am too help the church with the tree for the festival of trees and make chili to sell that night. that night our family always gets together for dinner and watched the parade together. the 20th my mom-n-law goes back to the dr about her arteries in her leg. the next weekend is my birthday and movie night at the church. i am having thanksgiving here for kyle's family here on the 27th and then a full thanksgiving on the 30th here with my family. then the 6th of dec is cookie day and dinner with my friend and the girls for her mom's b-day. then the 13th is the last class for foster care and the festival of lights in peoria-that i am going to for the first time ever!!! woooohoooo. and, and, and....guess you really don't care what i have going on in detail. it's just me blabbing on and on....and on..and on....no one to talk to at this minute so i am babbling.

wishing you all the love and peace your heart can feel. hug your loved ones, kiss your spouse, and tell everyone you love them. have a blessed day!!! give me a shout if ya get a chance...

today...sadness, sickness

as i sit here and think of the loss the mom's of these girls are feeling, i am sick. it feels like a punch in the stomach every time when i think of them already having Christmas presents for them. waiting for them to come in after school and throw their book bags down and get on the phone from the girlfriends they just left. 8th grade graduation, drivers license, prom, graduation, college, marriage, grandkids, i am sickened in the heart. sickened by the hugs, kisses, tears of joy and pain these moms are not gonna get to share with the people who are supposed to outlive them. a terrible tragedy that has hurt the community and people you dont even realize. i know God has a plan. and sometimes pain is a part of that, but it doenst make it any easier to deal with. the only thing is that they dont have to wait a whole year to have the first the Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, Valentines day without them. I am not a mom, but my heart aches and aches and is broken into many pieces for the loss they are feeling. and their families and friends. sometimes friends are your chosen family. and the pain of loss is just sometimes too much.....

slowing down

hey all!!! wow, where do i even start? guess would be the feelings of sadness for my friends that are feeling so much pain in the heart about their mom, and the loss that momma b was talking about. i haven't had much time lately and don't want anyone to feel like i don't care...iiiiii doooooo!!!! i have also lost my dad already and the newer, improved me wishes that i would have felt this way a long time ago and had been able to tell him. so i understand. i look back and things were not near as bad as i thought then or even a few years ago. all in what you experience i guess. anyway, i am feeling the sadness for them.

as of today, i am just a volunteer at the store again, so i will be home A LOT more!!! i am sooo happy about that. again, i haven't had much time to talk to my friends lately, so this will be nice. i am still taking care of my buddy. but that is only like 10 hours a week.

this saturday will be the 4th class of 10. almost half way!! they started out being common sense, and for the most part still is, but i am really glad they are a requirement. the different scenarios will help me step back and think, when we do have kids, of what they have been thru and feeling. i have started doing this for everyone since the classes started. it's not black and white with these kids-they have a truckload of luggage wrapped with twice as many feelings they don't know how to deal with. i know we can make a difference.

brace yourselves---i have allllll of my Christmas stuff up as of today!! inside and outside lights, tree, all of it. i know, i know, it's early, but i love the lights and why not? and when everyone else is doing it when it is 30 degrees out, our will be done. i have some friends coming tomorrow and the theme is giving, so why not have the spirit with us? also, my feelings of Christmas are much different than ever before. am making a few goodies for the get together tomorrow. choc chip pumpkin cookies, a cheese ball, pumpkin bars, and maybe some popcorn bars. not sure yet.

i am listening to the election in the background....uugghhhh....can't wait for it to be over and am really disappointed about obama. have some reservations about him. and that's all i am gonna say about that. you know the politics thing...tends to make people angry.

well, guess i will go for now since i will have more time again, wishing you all the best in all you do!!!! TTFN!!!!

classes, classes, classes

hey, whats up? just thought i would try to catch up a little bit. never have time to just sit and type. lets see, we had our baptisms last Sunday. it went very well. we had half the church filled with friends and family, that was awesome!!! even more so, the experience was. we had dinner at aunt Carla's after that and it went well also. a little scary when u mix families sometimes. a very good day it was. we now start taking classes tomorrow at church to learn more and to become members is the goal. very exciting.

Last Thursday the DCFS lady was here to inspect the house. that also went very well. we actually started our classes today. the last for 9 weeks on Saturdays. it is definitely gonna be a challenge, but it will be worth it. for those of you that know me, i am a freak about planning and such, so this scheduling classes and homework for this class, the one at church, and my health class, and 2 jobs is about to send me over the edge planning wise. revise, revise, revise!!!! at least it is a good busy, and nothing like we used to be. you know that planning thing, i already have a crib, you know 3-5 months in advance. not too early. it was just such a good deal. and i am a little excited. it won't be without hard work as we know. we just cant wait too help.

i am going to see my nieces heaven and cass tomorrow. i can't wait!! i have gotten to see my other nieces and nephews a couple times this week. so, we are gonna squeeze some time out to get some love from them.

i realized tonite, that i really am starting to care a lot for the guy i am taking care of. i am taking him lunch tomorrow-lasagna, garlic bread, and a slice of pumpkin pie. he is so nice and caring. always teasing me. the little things with him are appreciated soooooo much. little milestones that matter. he drinks (used too) cola alll day and night. i have been after him to drink water and for the last few days, he has!!! there has been soda in his fridge all week!! yes i know it's little, but he is listening and hopefully gonna help him in the long run. we play cards or Yahtzee every time i am there. he really gets so excited that even i get excited and smiley. its awesome. his back was hurting him really bad today and you could see the pain on his face, and it actually really hurt my feelings for him. gonna pray extra hard tonight.

i am also already planning my thanksgiving meal. we have anew recipe book and i am making several things out of it. i am very excited about that!!! i love to cook big meals for lots of people. it is unfortunate that i cant do it more often for our friends. life is just busy for all. i hate that saying...makes me crazy...time just goes sooo fast and i don't want it to get past anyone i love!!!

well, i guess i should be reading either my health or foster training book. the week will be up before you know it.

wishing you all the very best...have a great week and show or tell everyone you love that you do!!!! til i write again....Tina

hi all!! me again. you know the one who has had a chance to catch up with herself. had a few days off of both little jobs, the house ic clean, carpets shampooed, etc. we are awaiting the visit from the DCFS worker to inspect our house. we are trying to become foster parents!! we just really want to help. so why not start with the innocent children? we'll see, it takes quite awhile and i am not much for patience, better now than i ever have been.

we are getting ready for church this morning. we are getting Baptized!! i am actually not even very nervous like i usually would be. my mom is coming, some of our friends, my sis-n-law with her hubby and 5 kids, an aunt from bloomington, and our uncle is also getting baptized. should be a wonderful fulfilling day!

My mom has/is really unhappy/sad. that is a story tooooo long for me to even begin to type but i made her a cd of Christian songs, bought her a couple books about faith and such, and a journal. I hope they help her find herself again.

well, need to get off here and shower and pack my extra clothes. i wish you all the best of days...tina

busy, busy, busy

hey!!, man, it has been awhile since i have actually been able to sit long enough to type anything!!! not only do i work at the store uptown, but now i take care of a handicapped man for about an hour and a half 6 days a week. he is very sweet and like a child. i pretty much had to wear a hazmat suit at first(so not kidding), but now it's clean and getting organized. it is uplifting to help someone!! makes me even more grateful for everything i am and have(not material stuff).

life is wonderful...this is the weekend we are getting baptized. we are having a dinner at our aunt's after. really hoping that all my family will come and be with me. I am really hoping that my family can get back on track and be a real family. really supporting, loving, trusting, and reliable(not just going thru the motions). not to mention that since our wedding (and the breaking of my neck-2yrs ago) it is the last time our families have been together. hopefully until thanksgiving, because i am having it at my house. we'll see, i am hopeful. any suggestions would be appreciated on helping this along would be wonderful.

so, back to breaking my neck. i was stupidly intoxicated and thought it would be a great idea to dive from the ladder about a foot above the pool into 4 ft of water. did not call 911-another stupid thing. i don't remember anything but the pain. and ooohhh the pain. indescribable. i am so blessed and thankful that i am ok. i have no long term issues from it. no surgeries or anything. only had to wear the collar for 4 months!! definitely a miracle. i didn't live like i was appreciative, but now i am!!!

well, the big boy is on his way home for lunch, so i am gonna go for now. can't wait to give him a hug!! hope you all have a blessed wonderful day!!! talk to you soon.

off to work...

well, good morning all!!! hope you are having a blessed day. the weather is awesome, i love the chilly mornings, makes me feel alive. when i am usually lazy int he mornings this weather makes me move. i have already showered, walked the boyz with fur twice what i normally do, and made several phone calls. i am off to work at noon. i actually am putting in 23 hours this week. not much to some, but that is the most if more than 5 years for me. i drag my feet going, but once i am there, i really enjoy it. a lot of little old ladies come and and chat-makes their day and mine. as for the big boy, he really made my day, i got up this morning to find a note that said"good morning hope your day is blessed i love you"!!!! man, i smiled so big and i feel so loved. you know, it really is the simple things. we have really been through a positive change in the last 6-7 weeks. we started going to church, got saved,are getting baptized in a couple weeks, and joining the church. it has been the most peaceful, relaxing, wonderful feeling ever. our church is so relaxed and the pastor is down to earth, it just feels right. anyway, not to go on and on, but just rying to express the good feelings. ohh and by the way, i seen a mistake i made in the last blog, i said "foreproof" and i meant fireproof". that's what i get for being in a hurry and not proofreading. well off to do a little more around the house before i go, wishing you alll the best, Tina

man was it hot!!!!

well, it is 10;30 and we are finally getting to rest, uugghhh. just took the kids with fur for a walk, they had so much energy built up we were basically jogging, to make up to them for us being gone a lot today. it was soooo hot at the apple and pork fest!!! i can't even describe the feeling except for now i know what a chicken feels like above a fire. i love to watch people, and ohhh the people. that was the busiest i have ever seen it. my crazy niece stood in line for well over and hour for kettle corn!!!!!! no way, not ever, would i wait that long in line. the food and drink lines were just as long, so we ate at hardees. wow have their burgers changed and they bring your food to you!! who knew, not me. we stopped going there years ago when the food was DISGUSTING. suppose they'll pay me for the free advertisement, amybe some free burgers? lol, anyway, didn't buy anything except a beaded necklace with a cross on it. had several compliments on it all day. we came home long enuff to sneak in a short nap (or heat exhaustion whichever it was). then off to the movie "foreproof". it was really good, not dry eye in the place, even the boys were crying. a really good show for married or single people alike. it is amazing how right on the feeling of peace and love you actually feel. so, off to the couch for a few before hitting the hay...good night

good morning! well a good start into the weekend. made some homemade apple butter before the football game here last night(which i really don't get into, but my niece was dancing and a cousin was playing, so what do you do?), then after made a huge pot of homemade veg-beef soup. yummy yummy!!! the soup is for after church tomorrow. we are on our way to the apple and pork festival in clinton in a few minutes. the hubby, mom-n-law, and one of my nieces. can't wait for the fall feeling, so many pumpkins and scarecrows, i love it-wooohooo!!! tonight we are going tot he movie fireproof with our church, i am also very excited about that. it is gonna be really good. i will let you know what i think tomorrow or monday. so, you know that with all this running, the laundry and the dishes are piling up, uugghhh. oh well, quality time first!! i hope you all have a wonderful day and enjoy the awesome weather!!! smile, hakuna-matata(no worries for those who haven't seen lion king), and have a blessed day...talk to you all later......

happy tuesday!!

good morning all--hope u r having a wonderful day. just sitting here listening to Ellen. today is the beginning of my temp job. it is 4 days one week and 5 the next, lasting about 8 weeks. my boyz are gonna be so mad at me. i feel a lot of acting out coming on. can't wait!!! the weekend went really well. i did get everything done and had a good time with the family on Saturday. the hay rack ride lasted about an hour this time and kyle actually got to ride with me instead of driving. the day with friends was a bust on Sunday...we had a few that didn't cancel, but i told them just to enjoy the day and not worry about coming. it was actually nice to relax.

well, complete change of subject...my cuz dillon is at the driver's license bureau right now getting his license. not a big deal to some, but i took care of him when he was born. i can't believe how fast these kids are growing up (and how old we are getting)!!! time sure waits for nothing.

anyone else really happy that this is premier week? back to the weekly schedule of the TV. not that it is a priority, but we watch when we can. i have to record dancing with the stars because it conflicts with other shows we watch.

well, i could talk forever today. might have to get back on later this eve only after i send the pics to everyone who is waiting for them. i will get it done!!! gotta get ready to go...hope you have a blessed day!!!

hi all...well here I go again rambling. hope everyone is having a great day today. I was blessed with good company most of the day and then a pleasant surprise visit from my nieces and nephews. I have gotten all my cleaning done (amazing in itself, the ADD usually kicks in and I have started 12 things and get 2 done), walked the little boyz, and now ready to pamper myself with all the girly stuff we women have to do, you know shave, pluck, bleach, paint nails, etc...while Kyle is at the church helping lay tile. All my lists are ready for tomorrow's venture of grocery shopping-wooohooo. For those of you who don't know me, I hardly get to leave town, so grocery getting (as mundane as some people see it) is a wonderful day to me. In fact, I will up pretty much all night with anticipation of leaving, sad huh? oh well, I am easy to please. Another thing I am doing tomorrow is taking food to the mission in Bloomington. They are usually feeding 800 people this time of year and they are feeding 6,000!!! How sad to me. I called and talked to them and asked what they needed most right now. The lady said canned soup, veggies, fruit, and jelly along with lunch meat and cheese for the sack lunches they give out. So, if you are in the bloomington area and feel the need to help, PLEASE DO!! We all have it much better than we think. A few can of this and that will feed someone. I hope to help on a regular basis and hope that with the help of my friends and family, we can make a difference. I remember growing up very poor and a lot of times the donated stuff was all we ate. Anyway, I am hoping to make a difference. Well wish you all the best and hope you have a great evening!!! Tina

Giving it a try

Ok, I am very new to this, but I am giving it a try. First I would like to say that I would love your comments and feedback. I spend a lot of time alone so I hope I do not bore you with the hum drum of my life, but this will help keep my busy. Hey and before you know it, you just might think I am crazy. Which, most of my firends already know that. Today is sort of the calm before the storm. Tomorrow I have to clean house really good for the weekend. We have two huge get togethers over the weekend. Friday, my mom-n-law, sister-n-law and I are going to groceries and out for dinner. When I say groceries, I mean like a church bus full of groceries. We will end up leaving with half of walmart and aldis. Firday night, my dearest friend's mom will have been gone for a year. We are getting together for coffee and love at her grave that evening, spending some time with her friends and family. I can't begin to feel her loss of friendship, support, and unconditional love. I am hoping that she will feel the love and support from all of us to help her and her sister through, not just now, but forever. ok, now that my eyes are filled with ginormous tears..I am moving on. Saturday we have a fall family picnic at the Sibley Lake Park for my husbands side of the family, which includes a weenie roast, hay rack ride, chili, and all the good stuff fall has to offer along with the company of the family we don't get to see very much. Then on Sunday, we are having "a day with friends". We invited all our friends and their kiddies. There are a lot of kids with them all, and with any luck, one of the will take care of me when i am old and crusty. We are grilling and roasting hot dogs. Anyway, just to celebrate friends, kids, life and love. My goal is to do this often to keep everyone close forever. So that sums up the rest of my week. Did I mention that I am a habitual planner and list writer? I have more lists than Carter had liver pills...no really I do...there is the groc list split into sections for each store (frozen, produce, etc), there is the list of who is coming, what to take (food untesils, me), a list of cleaning I want to do, a list of what to do on Monday after the fact, and, and, and, lists everywhere...see I am crazy!!! Oh in that same notebook is the budget from now til december, Christmas list ideas, the girly get together I am trying to plan for next month, the cookie exchange in december, the Halloween party list of everything needed for it, list of songs that I am gonna burn to a cd, man...when I write it here it sounds a little nuts, too bad there are even more lists in it that I have not mentioned. Oh well, have to keep my brain straight, or no sleepy sleep time!! Well, that's it for now I guess. Hope you have a wonderful, blessed day!!