Still Laughing...

OMG, I just finished reading Apprehension on the Pioneer Woman's blog. What a scream. I was laughing and laughing. I mean I would NEVER let my kid do that first off. But PW has her own orthopedic surgeon. Still, it is a riot. I see a lot of Emily in her child. Brave as all get out... until the moment comes. She'll still do it, but not w/o a tear or two first. Read it and enjoy! Be sure to scroll down until you see her daughter.

Eternally Grateful

When I was younger, I didn't fully understand the impact that Memorial Day would have on me that it does now. I find myself reflecting on the things that I have, and realize that if it weren't for the sacrifice that military men and women have made - past and present, we would not be able to enjoy the life that we live. For that... I am eternally grateful.

Today we enjoyed seeing new visitors to the birdfeeder...

Seeing the clematis on our porch finally in bloom...

Looking at the temperature, and wondering if it is ok to put away the coats and gloves...

Seeing this beautiful critter sprawled out on our bed under the fan...

Watching this American Boy cool off with a drink...

Witnessing a water war develop between the boys and girls on the street...

And seeing the first set of babies born under the arbor...

I am forever proud to be an American.

One Reason...

One reason I am so busy these days...

I wouldn't miss her anticipation for anything in the world.

Watching that ball whizz by the batter straight into her glove...

Seeing this reaction after hitting a triple.

Off we go.... Into the Wild Blue Yonder...

It is official. My nephew Chris is IN THE NAVY! He left for Great Lakes this morning. I feel so emotional over this.

10th grade. I received a call from my mom. I was an Aunt! Christopher Michael was born in December.

I went to stay with them in Florida during the summer. Holly Bell was their street name. They lived in a very cool apartment complex. 4th of July, Christopher was so upset. He wasn't walking quite yet, and was fairly little. The fireworks were going off like crazy, and my brother Mike was getting more and more upset, because little "critter" was so unconsolable. While there, I experienced my first "tropical storm". It was wicked.

Shortly after, they came to Michigan when Mike got stationed at Selfridge Air National Guard base. Craig and Michael Jr would be born before they would return to Florida. I helped them move down. The feelings I had when I left are still so vivid. I knew in my heart, that nothing would ever be the same again. Some songs that I occasionally hear, make my heart ache, give me a lump in my throat and bring tears to my eyes, because they remind me of that time. I am willing to bet that Christopher wasn't much older than Gregory is now. Coconoke (chocolate milk) and prinkles (sprinkles) were my two favorite words that Chris would say.

We would see them here and there. In 1994, I had bought a new car, then lost my job right after due to company downsizing. My parents sent me to Florida to get away. It was the best medicine I could have had. The kids couldn't say my name right, so I then became "Aunt Ralph" and am still called that to this day. Spending days with them in the pool and watching my brother play softball at night made it a great vacation.

So much has changed, so much has changed... When Chris & Ashley were dating, the family came up for a visit. He was so much older, and so much taller. They all were. We hadn't seen them in so long, to deny that it felt strange would be wrong. It was like getting to know them for the very first time, yet I watched them every Sunday night right here in Michigan, while Mike & Jan (his former wife) went bowling. I changed their diapers, fed them bottles... I still remember the layout of their 2 bedroom apartment over at Selfridge.

Now, the man that is my first nephew, has his head shaved, and is in the Navy. His wife and child are in S.C. with Mike & Mary Ann. I am so scared for him. I am so worried about him... yet I can't tell you how much he needs this. Nothing will ever be the same.

I feel so old.

The Power of One

Before....

Wiggling it a bit...

Pitiful, and yet one would think Mommy would stop snapping photos and cuddle.

Now trying floss, then the cloth.

AFTER!

And back to flirting with the chic's at Emily's game.

Bike Trip

In honor of Jro & Gunny, not to mention $3.89 for a gallon of gas, we went to the store -on bikes! In order to watch "our show" we needed a snack to go along with it. We are always trying to find the "perfect chip dip". It is so hard to find a good one, so I made one today, and we picked up fresh chips to go along with it. Because child B is a new bike rider, we took all the little back streets as far as we could get, then went out onto the main road (sidewalks). The parking lots were very tricky for the timid little rider, but he navigated them well.

4 Bikes: $500
New Basket: $13
Bag O' chips: $1.99

Taking a new adventure with the family... and saving on gas...........PRICELESS.

Mothers and Daughters...

A cold Sunday in March, Fountain View Lanes.

Mom: "Guess who's coming here!" (meaning Chaplins Comedy Club)
Me: "Bowling?"
Mom: "No next door!"
Me: "Who?"
Mom: "JASON!"
Me: "Our cousin Jason?"
Mom: "NO! JASON FROM GENERAL HOSPITAL!"
Me: "Ok... so what"
Mom: "I thought maybe you would want to go"
Me: "You're kidding".
Mom: "You don't want to go?"
Me: "Not really. I don't even know who Jason is."

My mom is nuts. We all are convinced that she mentally lives in Port Charles with Jason and all the other people on that show. She talks about them as if we know them personally and the show is real life. Anyone that knows her, knows that you don't call her M-F between 3 and 4 pm. That is because she is in a TV coma with her show, that she will watch AGAIN on Soap Network that same night. If you happen to call, you get the occasional "Uh huh. Uh huh" as if she is really listening. That's when you can totally drop a bomb shell on her like...

"I'm pregnant"
"Dad's having an affair"
"We won the lottery"
"The house is on fire"

and you will still get the standard, "Uh huh". Drives us all BONKERS!

And then I saw this....

While I say "Kudos to you, Jason and the other guy for making a living on TV-yet I have no idea who you are. Even if you were sitting at my prompt care, and I were driving a needle into your booty" I actually am so happy for my mom. The look on her face is priceless. While GH isn't important to me, it is to her. For her to have this chance of a lifetime, means so much to me.... her crazy child that is beyond bent out of shape that this coming Sunday is already the season finale of Brothers and Sisters.... You know what they say... The Apple doesn't fall far from the tree...btw I bet her hands are on their butts.

Classes are open...

I would like to start with this. As you can see, I have "unlocked" it. Unfortunately some jackasses at an un-named persons place of employment started fishing through my blog, looking for ammunition to use against the un-named person. While that person thought it was humorous, I found it offensive. I do not believe that my words that I write, should be used against my family. I try to keep it clean. I try not to flip out in cyberspace as much as I do in person, but it is MINE. It is for me... and you... and well Us. I get to show you how strange I am, and you get to confirm that you are just as crazy as I am with your comments. But I'm sick of it being locked up. So I unlocked it.

So to you, Dear Jackasses, I say this. Leave it alone, or I will not hesitate to close it down again. Only a lucky few have been given the "privilege", they know who they are, they will ALWAYS have access. They know this is not directed at them, but at you. So if you want to be butt heads and play the game, you better bring your notebook boys... Cause I'm gonna take you to school. I'll lock it down in a NY second, then start airing YOUR dirty laundry, and believe me... I will.

Can you hear me now? Good.

Candid Camera

Den is in NY. He is there to see the Tigers play the Yankees at Yankee Stadium before it is torn down later this year. While there, he called me from 42nd & Broadway. Right in Time Square. On a whim, I decided to see if there were any webcams in that area. So I Googled it. And I found it! So I told him to walk to 46th & Broadway, and look for TGI Fridays. And he did.


And I found him... And the webcam let me snap a photo of him... and his partner. He is in the blue, wearing the Tigers windbreaker, white cap on backwards. I LOVE the internet.

Ellen with her Hawaii Chair

A new chair for your office!

Pierce

We met Pierce and his family when he was one. They lived across the street with his Grandma. Shortly after, they moved to Jacksonville, FL where his dad found work in construction. We missed them so much. Then last summer, a UHaul truck came down the street, and by looking at the Florida plates, we KNEW they were back. It's been awesome ever since.

It is so convenient that Pierce is home all day. Now he's 3, but to me, he's an older 3 than most 3 year olds. He is very smart, and very nice. And when he does something that you have to correct him, he immediately apologizes and doesn't do it again... unless he forgets.

Greg and Pierce had been attached at the hip until a few weeks ago when he moved to Grand Blanc. It is so quiet without him here, and somewhat lonely. The good thing is that when they are out looking for homes, they frequently stay with Grandma, like this past weekend. As always, Greg & Pierce pick up right where they left off. They are good buddies.

BOLERO-RAVEL

Long.... but I feel SO MUCH BETTER!!

It is what it is...

My favorite saying.... but not right now. I am so freaking stressed out that I can barely stand my own skin.

It started yesterday... actually a few days before that.

I was talking with my friend "D" and heard they were having some issues with getting another car. We are coming out of a lease in June and are having the same issues. With that came a light bulb moment. What if we BOTH approach a salesman together and see if it works in our favor. So she had been doing a lot of leg work with Blue Water Chrysler up in Port Huron.

The salesman said he could meet our needs, and wanted me to bring our current vehicle up for them to appraise it as they may buy it outright from GMAC. So I gave her a bath, and made the 45 mile journey north. After test driving the new vehichle, and picking out the one we wanted, he lays it on me that the price is actually $100 MORE than the original quote, AND if we wanted to get to the price we requested, we had to put down $2,500.

90 miles - round trip - EXPENSIVE GAS - the need for a babysitter.... FOR NOTHING.

It is what it is. I was leaving it at that. Getting upset about it isn't going to do a thing for me. It's over, it's done with.

Then the day just got progressively better and better as my dear daughter came home from school bawling to the point of hyperventilating because of B***S**** with friends.

I couldn't wait to go to bed. I just couldn't wait to get the day over with.

Fast Forward to Today.....

I went with Greg on a field trip. I rode with another mom who is constantly jamming on the brakes to the point that I would give my beloved Starbucks card, for a large dose of Excederine or mass quantity of Motrin. I just couldn't wait to get the h*** out of the place, out of her car, and more so, OUT OF THE SCHOOL once we returned.

So on the way home, Greg and I are talking about the HUGE tree we bought on Earth Day. It was coming today and was being planted in the front yard, where they took out our HUGE Ash tree a few years ago. We pull down our street in anticipation... only to find the tree, LAYING in the front yard. Stakes, Dirt and materials tossed around it.

Apparently there is a HUGE tree root from the ash tree, running right through the center of where the tree is to go.

IT NO LONGER IS WHAT IT IS. Stick a fork in me.... I'm done. I haven't shed one tear, yet everything in my body is telling me to let'er rip. It wouldn't be so bad if it were like 60 out, but it isn't. It's almost 80 and the rootball is cooking in the sun. I did put the sprinkler on it and soaked it pretty good.

UPDATE... since writing this, I have had 3 phone calls, made a call, had another call... which was from my DH the hero. A tree guy is going to call me, and is coming to grind out the stump - cheap cheap! TODAY! THEN... the other tree guy is coming back tonight to give it another whirl with planting.

WHEW.... things are FINALLY looking up!

CATS!

Photos for your personal enjoyment...


Cat hair removed with the Furminator!

Sun roasted Chuckie

B.F.F's

Bathing Beauties

Cat Nap x2

Silence is GOLDEN

Yesterday I had one of those, "Can't get moving" kind of days, and I mentally beat myself up for it. It was gorgeous out and I should have been very busy doing my "chores". Yet I sat on the sidewalk drawing Earth Day pictures with Emily. Then I helped Greg ride his bike. Then we went to Subway for dinner, which is taboo (as we're trying to cut back on eating out).

But today...

Today I woke up, and had my bed made and room cleaned before frick and frack left for school. I fed them breakfast, got Greg dressed, made sure they didn't go out the door with a face covered in muffin crumbs or tooth paste. After they left, I got a TON of stuff accomplished. PLUS... I showered, and did my hair...(which is a job now that I'm letting it grow out - and using a flat iron every day).

But the biggest thing I am noticing is how tranquil it is with the TV off, no music on, and literally nothing but the birds outside, and the cars out on the main road - which I think sounds like ocean waves if you close your eyes... that is until a fire truck comes barreling by.

Tranquil. Birds. Silence. It's a GREAT day.

Wow! Is it Tuesday already?

I am so excited. I haven't posted because I've been "workin it" to the max! I had this HUGE party on Saturday that had 17 people, which I got 3 more bookings, and is close to hitting the legendary "$1,000" mark! No I don't get the $1000, I make a "percentage of it" which is very nice, BUT... I get my picture in the Gourmet Gab that Tastefully Simple sends out monthly! I am literally jumping up and down!!!

PLUS... not to mention... The Tigers WON last night! Wooohoooo! THAT was an exciting game! PLUS... Deadliest Catch starts tonight! Our "show" that has oddly enough turned into a strange obsession for me. I have been counting down the days. Thanks to my elusive nephew, who seems to have taken leave of his blog, he has kept me in the know with the actual "season premier" date. Thank you Chris.

The Secret ~ I mentioned this before. I read about half the book the first day. It was shortly after that I had the HUGE party. It's not all about the quid (cash), but about success. I just wanted success. I wanted a "GRAND" party for the book. I am still reading it, but am quite surprised at how things have suddenly taken a turn for the better.

With that... I wish you a BEAUTIFUL TUESDAY.

Exhausted!

Today was a HUGE day of "FIRSTS". Greg learned how to ride his 2 wheeler. He did great at it and caught on quite quickly. I told him the same thing I told Melanie... and hoped it would work for him too :o)

Today we went to Barrymores with the kids. Being that Emily and Dennis are both playing ball this year, we hit the batting cages. Then Greg went in. My eyes were big as baseballs, as I worried about him getting beamed with a ball. He did great! Then I went in...

Have you EVER been to the batting cages? It is an AWESOME place to take out your aggressions. I had a blast in the baseball cage. The softball, however, was equivalent to hitting a bowling ball that someone lobbed to you. Literally. It took everything I had to hit that stupid ball, and it was coming at me sooooooo s....l....o....w....l....y.

After that... the go carts. OMG. I used to wonder, "What's so big about NASCAR". Now I know. 1. the rush. 2. beating everyone on the track. 3. Holding that wheel so tight and only for a few laps. I can't even imagine doing that for hundreds of miles. About the time it was over, my shoulders were killing me. All the while, Emily wanted to chat about the "big storm" that was supposed to come in... that we NEVER got. As she's leisurely chatting, I am driving balls to the wall, to make sure the little punks in the other carts didn't pass us. I ended up telling her to stop talking, because I was too stressed out to carry on a conversation, lol.

We came in second place, and even passed up Dennis and Greg who started out BEHIND us! Wooohooooo! I knew those EMS driving classes would come in handy one day! And now... my bed is calling me. I am SO exhausted...

BTW, Katrina - I am now reading "The Secret". I started it tonight and almost half way through it! It's a very easy read and I'm having lots of "light bulb" moments.

Go there... make this....

PW's Pot Roast

I made it in the crock pot last night... browning everything on the stove first. OMG... We could have buried our faces in the crockpot it was so good. LICK THE BOWL CLEAN for sure! I did use the fresh Rosemary and Thyme. I just sat them right on top of everything.

BEEF! It's what's for dinner!

I Confess...

Ok, here it comes. I'm putting it all out there for all to see....

I LOVE QVC. lol (that's a real LOL too, I can't believe I'm coming clean on this secret)
When nothing else is on TV, I can count on QVC to be there. To entertain me and to get the best of my credit card. One night I flipped it on and Bobbi Brown was on, giving make up lessons, and showing her latest palette of colors. I watched the ENTIRE HOUR of it.... then went to Macys the next day, had a makeover, and promptly purchased an undisclosed amount of products. Sure I could have bought it on QVC, but 1. I didn't know what shades to purchase, and 2. I wanted to save on shipping.

I like QVC for another reason... It can bore me to sleep. At night when again, nothing is on, and I'm watching from bed, I can count on it to lull me into a deep sleep. Guaranteed.

I LOVE QVC!

The video...

The video below is awesome! Our friend Chris (Greg's godfather), picked up his son from school, and took him down to Comerica Park to see the game. Joey totally didn't know he was going. While signing up for the kids club, a park official came up and asked if Joey would like to throw out the opening pitch! Chris and Joey were both speechless! But of course they mustered out a YES!

So Joey, who is just an amazing kid, and possibly my future son in law if Emily has it her way, got to throw out the first pitch! We weren't able to see it on TV, but lucky enough, Chris figured out the video feature on his digital camera and was able to capture it.

WAY TO GO JOEY!!!! And luckly for me... and YOU for that matter I posted it here ONLY because those of you who have been "invited" are the ONLY ones that can see it! Unless of course you go looking for it on Youtube as I did. ;o)