Miscellaneous Menagerie Of Whimsical Wonderings

Randomness

2009-03-20T19:00:00.002-05:00

Tuesday Joshua has to have hernia surgery. He's nervous. I'm nervous for him.

Kamry lost a tooth and quickly brought it to my attention that last time the Tooth Fairy forgot.

My kids were on Spring Break this week. Why have I done more chores than them??

My yearly raise gives me tank of gas per paycheck more. Glad gas isn't $4 a gallon any more or it would have been a tank of gas a month.

I have puppyitis. I know what I want, but don't wanna pay hundreds of dollars for it.

You'd think after 3 months I'd have more to say. Not so much...

Love ya much...ME

Merry Christmas to all....

2008-12-25T22:31:00.004-05:00

Just a quick note to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas. Hope all was well with each of you. The kids seemed happy with what Santa brought them. They are getting older and I am having a bit of a hard time with the lack of magic Christmas seems to hold for them. The anticipation seems to be gone for the boys. There is no magic in it for them anymore. That saddens me. I wish that they were still little and their faces lit up the way they did when they were 2 and 3. But it is what it is. I can't make them little again and it's up to me to adjust to it.

Kamry on the other hand had a Santa related meltdown about 11:30 last night. She saw some stuff in my room and jumped to the conclusion that I was Santa. I explained that it was up to her and to trust what her heart and gut told her. She said that she would rather know there isn't a Santa than to have me lie to her. I didn't lie. I just danced around it as best I could. I covered, I bobbed, and I weaved. In the end, I talked her down off the ledge and I think she is good to go. I just basically told her that I know 5 year olds that DIDN'T believe, but that I knew 35 year olds that DID. It's up to her. This is one of her first experiences in trusting herself and her gut. What ever she comes up with is fine by me.

I spent the better part of the afternoon at Mom and Dad's. It was nice, but different. My sisters and their families weren't there. I missed them. The boys went to Joe's after we got done eating and Kamry and I went to see a movie. It was not a good choice for an eleven year old, she was bored and we left early. We intended to see Marley and Me, but all shows until 10 pm were sold out. We were gonna then see Bedtime Stories...same issue there. We ended up in Yes Man and its great for adults, but not her! Lesson learned.

I guess this wasn't that quick afterall. I have to work tomorrow. Kamry is always wanting to go with me, so tomorrow is as good a day as any. Now let's see if I can get a good nights sleep and then we'll see if I can get her up in the morning.

I hope that all had a peaceful, relaxing day.

Love to all....ME

PS....My birthday is Saturday in case anyone was wondering...... :-)

Shut up Nate!!!

2008-12-08T18:53:00.002-05:00

Here's an update for you....

I just took my last final. This semester is one for the history books. Two more classes next semester and another degree shall be mine!!

FYI...I work with Nate. I thought he was a nice guy. Now I'm not so sure. Just kidding "Uncle Nater". When we going for ice cream again???

Till I have more time....ME

Wow...didn't see this one coming...

2008-11-17T11:44:00.002-05:00

Ron called this morning. He got let go from his job this past Friday. Lack of work due to the economic crunch felt by many. This would be the down side to working for a small business. He managed the pawn shop for almost 7 years. Now, too many people pawning, not enough people buying equals not enough money to pay employees.

My downside on this is the child support I will not be receiving. Selfish, yes. But also practical on my living paycheck to paycheck self.

Any one got a job they want to give a hard working, dedicated and determined guy? I know one that is looking....

Thank goodness I have a job to come to everyday.

Me

Should I change the name of the blog to Kathy Monthly???

2008-11-15T10:22:00.002-05:00

Probably....

Well, it's been a month.

In that month, Kamry got better and I got sick. Between the 2 of us, I missed 6 days of work. That went over like a dead balloon at the workplace.

In that month, the kids got their report cards. 1 pretty good, 1 decent, and 1...well...not decent. But things are looking up and I have high hopes for the coming semester.

In that month, Hunter has turned into a big boy, and I haven't seen him. I got sick a couple of days after our last visit, which was the weekend before Halloween. 3 weeks!! Babies change a lot in three weeks. I miss the lil man.

In that month, I have decided exactly how much I hate Philosophy. Well, the class anyway. I just wanna be done with it. I don't know if I will even pass, and what's more, I don't care. That is rare for me. I pride myself on my 3.5 GPA. That may nose dive if I don't pass this. I will just have to pull it out...

Well, that's it for now. I will try to do better. I make no promises.

Peace, love, and hope...ME

This week

2008-10-17T12:26:00.002-05:00

This week I have worked one day.

This week Kamry was sick.

This week, I got a new front door, a new back door, new shower fixtures, a new shower wall, and hopefully soon, a new roof. I am very happy with the improvements and can't wait to see the final outcome will be.

Next week, I go back to work.

Next week, Kamry gets another week off. This time its for fall break.

Taking life one week at a time. Enjoying being able to bond with my child again. There are worse things. I just wish she wasn't sick during our bonding. She's getting so mature at times, and just like me, can be really immature at the drop of a hat. I guess she's more like me than I really ever thought.

We are heading to Harriman tomorrow to hang out with Carol and the kids.

Sunday we're headed to a baby shower for a good friend of mine. The baby is two months old. But they live in Mississippi while her family lives here. This is the first time they are coming here since the baby. Her mom is throwing the shower for her Knoxville family and friends. I am excited to see her. It's been two years.

So needless to say, I am not complaining. I am glad that I can take the time to do things that make me happy and allow me time to spend with my girl.

Josh is off camping with a friend of his this weekend. We will see him on Sunday.

Joseph is going to homecoming and then has a men of tomorrow meeting tomorrow.

Is it possible that my boys are too big to bond with and we are what we are? I hope not. They just have other things they would rather be doing than hangin with mom. I think I'm actually okay with that. Is that ok?

Well, Kamry wants to get on her webkinz so I am gonna go log her on.

I will post again later. Hopefully not a month from now.

Peace, love, and antibiotics....ME

Hunter William Jones

2008-09-17T10:40:00.008-05:00

Born: September 15, 2008

Time: 6:03 a.m.

Weight: 6 lbs. 12 oz.

Length: 19 1/2 inches

Parents: Carol Stratman and Jerry Jones

Sisters: Olivia and Chloe Jones

Thank God for a healthy beautiful boy!!

Peace, love, and all the things little boys are made of!

Kathy

Question/Answer

2008-09-17T10:31:00.003-05:00

1. What time do you get up in the mornings? I start yelling at the kids to get up at 6 a.m. I personally roll out at 7.

2. How many beers until you're drunk? N/A because I hate beer.

3. Do you like beer or hard liquor? In looking at my answer to question 2, I would have to go out on a limb and say hard liquor. Not in a mixed drink though. I want it down and over fast. Or mixed up in a frooty fru fru drink.

4. How do you take your coffee? I don’t. I leave it in the pot for those that partake in the coffee experience.

5. Do you eat breakfast? Not unless it’s for lunch or dinner

6. Do you prefer sleeping alone? I have no choice in the matter…for now.

7. Do you smoke cigarettes? No!

8. Have you ever burnt your hair? Well there was this time that I was lighting Tammy’s grill and we had a small incident I like to call the “You don’t have to wax your brows for the next month or two” flash fire that sizzled the hair and brows on the left side of my head.

9. Do you sleep with a pillow? Eight to be exact.

10. What were your habits as a child? I'm confused...

11. Do you want kids? Not anymore…Playing…I love them and would love to adopt someone elses when mine are all grown.

12. Are you an only child? Nope, 2 sisters…I’m my parents favorite middle daughter.

13. Do you like road trips? Most of the time.

14. Do you brush your teeth in the shower? This is a guy thing, I think. Joseph does this.

15. Do you eat leftovers? I don’t unless they are leftover from Wasabi. My kids will eat the crap out of leftovers though. Maybe that is why I don’t, they eat them all and there is none left for me…

16. Do you prefer being single, or in a relationship? I prefer being in the right relationship. When it happens, I will no longer prefer being single.

17. What do you take when you have a headache? Advil or Tylenol

18. Roughing it or luxury hotel? I like to camp, but who wouldn’t rather stay in a luxury hotel?

19. Beach or pool? This is a tough one. I'm happy with either but you don’t get a sandy crotch at the pool.

20. Ever hitchiked? No

21. Ever picked up a hitchhiker? No

22. Roses or daisies? Roses.

23. Do you consider yourself conceited? I consider myself confident in some aspects, but I’m definitely not conceited.

24. Is your hair its original color? Nope.

25. Do you wear makeup? Most days, no. I forget and then once everyone has seen you, what’s the point?

24. Do you eat ranch dip with your pizza? Love it!!

25. Do you believe in God? Yes

26. What food could you absolutely never give up? Beef

27. Who's your favorite cartoon character? Not sure, haven’t thought about it an awful lot.

28. What tv shows do you watch? Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, Extreme Home makeover, What not to wear, Who’s wedding is it anyway.

29. Do you think you're attractive? I don't think I'm unattractive. I'll do.

30. Are you allergic to anything? I get seasonal allergies, but I'm not even sure exactly what causes them anymore.

31. Do you wear socks to bed? no

32. How do you feel about breast implants? I don't really get the appeal - I mean, I think you should love what you have - but if another woman wants to get them, whatever.

33.What kind of shampoo do you use? Garnier Fructis.

An update from St. Mary's, because...

2008-09-14T21:01:00.002-05:00

...we're (Carol & Jerry) are having a baby!

Would have updated soooner, but I have been sick an it's been the furthest thing from my mind.

Anyway, when last we spoke, we were on our way to give Grandma a coronary. Well, that didn't happen, but she did get a little extra shaky in the legs. We all went in to sit and chat. She called a couple of her friends and was just so happy for us to be there. Funny woman was under the impression that us showing up was her birthday surprise. LOL! Not....

For the next two days I didn't do a whole lot but lie to my Grandma at any and every turn. I swear that she had to think that I was the most mental case ever created. It seems that when I had to run an errand or do a project Grandma was told that I "just needed some time" or that "I went to walk the mall to blow off steam". Grandma was probably scared for me to take my children home with me for fear that I might kill them. I am sure she thought that I needed a huge Prozac and a bottle of whine just to survive each day. But my mommy said that when you lie to your grandma for a good reason, the Man upstairs forgives you. I hope she's right!!

So, I am on a loaned computer and really don't feel like thinking anymore, so that's it for now. You'll get the rest when I am good and ready to give you the rest.

Peace, love, and baby boys....ME

So I promised an update, well...

2008-09-04T12:22:00.003-05:00

...I stink and that didn’t happen. Let’s just move on.

August 21st saw me, my kids, and my mom taking to the air to go to Florida for Grandma Saikley’s 80th Birthday Bash. The trip down went well, but that says nothing of the night before where Kamry and I are concerned.

When I got off work on Wednesday, I stopped to pick up a few things for our trip. While walking around Target I realized that my mouth had an oddly familiar feeling within. Back on the 4th of July weekend, I had had shingles…with the sores appearing in my mouth. This was that same feeling. The same pain, bumps, everything…just on the right side of my head instead of the left. Great, just what I needed.

So I head home to load up three wound up, excited, we packed a week ago kids. Kamry, instead of running around like a wild woman busting with excitement, was laid out on the couch crying and clutching her stomach. This continued on through the evening. While me and the boys were trying to get the house mostly cleaned up, dishes washed, so on and so forth, she laid on the couch. We left to head to mom and dad’s as we were staying with them because they live closer to the airport and we had to be up at the butt crack of not even dawn to get to the airport. I walked in, asked mom what time the walk-in clinic closed and headed back out the door. The walk-in place was closed, but I was determined that I would not be miserable on my trip, and I wasn’t taking a sick kid. We needed drugs!!! I headed to Parkwest ER. We walked in, explained our ills, filled out a couple forms, you know the drill. We got in our room. Were both given gowns. Check this out; they give us both the same size gown. Kamry’s has her for lunch and mine; well let’s just say I kept my pants on. The two of us…it was a site.

The doctor was not convinced that it was possible for me to have shingles in my mouth in the first place, and that it “doesn’t EVER happen!!” for me to get them again, on the opposite side. Well, have you met me?? Have you met any one in my family?? We are walking talking exceptions.

Kamry got the full workup. Urine sample…didn’t need her mommy to help. IN her words, “I’m big now. I don’t need you to help me anymore. Really!”. Sniff, sniff. IV stick…looks at what is going on but only says, “I really don’t want to do this. I really don’t want to do this.” Chest/Tummy X-ray…no mom needed there either. WHAAAT? She was very dehydrated, had all kinds of proteins and ketones in her urine, her blood sugar was bottomed out because she hadn’t eaten or drank because her tummy hurt, her tummy hurt because it was full of gas (no not that kind of gas), and her tummy was full of gas because it was being put off by the raging urinary tract infection she had going on. So three hours, a bag of fluids, a huge ass syringe of antibiotics, and a dinner plate from the hospital cafeteria later, we were on our way…to the pharmacy to get scripts filled. Then to mom and dad’s were I got to sleep from 2 am til 4 am.

We got up, headed to the airport, and started our next adventure. The flights and all went perfectly fine. When we arrived at baggage claim in Palm Beach International Airport, it was 93…in the building. Can you say welcome to the sunshine state? The air conditioning in the airport had decided to greet us by going on the fritz. It was bad enough to cause the sirens and lights in the claim area to be going off. Oh, and let’s not forget the recording that played over and over and over and over, “An emergency has been reported in this area. Please stand by for further instructions”. (Side note: further instructions were NEVER provided). We played ignorant, got our bags, and proceeded to the car rental desk. Mom scored us an upgrade to a Infinity G35 (MSRP Base: 35750). We make our way to the Hertz shuttle and arrive safely at our “Fly Rental Ride”. The boys loaded the bags, mom and Kamry search for any scratches, dents, etc., I get in to get the car started so it will be nice and cool. This sucker has push button ignition…ya don’t need a key…just have the fob near by. Unfortunately for me, I didn’t fully read the instructions or pay attention to the pictures, and Joseph had to tell me that I had to step on the brake for it to start. Smart-ass! Who asked him anyway???

Off to run some last minutes errands for the party, stop by Aunt Marti’s for hugs, hellos, and party good’s stashing and we were off to give Grandma a coronary.

If you look close you can see Grandma with her hands over her mouth, Kamry is in front of Mom with 2 Happy Birthday balloons (there were 3 but the kid at Winn Dixie failed knot tying 101 and the third got away from it's ribbon), and Joshua has his head cocked to the side as he is in the process of telling Grandma, "Grandma, I got up for school this morning, got on the bus, and ended up in Florida. Can you help me?" It was GREAT!!

I am going to finish this up later. I have some stuff to do before I head home tonight (I am at work afterall).

Peace, love, and adventures...ME

Working on an update...here's some pics to tide you over

2008-08-07T10:34:00.003-05:00

I am typing an update now...these are pics from Joseph's 16th birthday party. ENJOY!!

Update.....

2008-04-25T15:41:00.001-05:00

I say it over and over again, but I have to get better at this updating thing. I want to be like Anne who updates regularly. It’s not always earth shattering news, but hey, it’s up to date and interesting. Mine, well, it stinks. I always blame school, work, and kids for the lack of time to update, but I spend plenty on time on the net, so I should make it a point to stay current.

Let’s give you the skinny on the household……

Me…
Finishing this semester of Biology 2, Spanish, and Sociology. I thought that Biology was going to be my horror class…nope. I might come close to pulling an A, but I am pretty confident in a B. I got an A in lab, so that helps. Spanish is a nightmare. I have a tutor. That about says it all. My major this time around is in Sociology with and emphasis on Criminal Justice. So why do I have a C in that class?? I don’t think this bodes very well for my future in this area. But maybe if I hadn’t assumed it would be a breeze and paid more attention to it my grade would be higher.

I am taking my first ever summer course. US History 2. I was hunting around on the school web site and discovered that I had almost 1000 dollars in summer financial aid to utilize. So what the hey…I love US History and am actually excited about it.

Once I finish the summer class, I have 4 more classes till I am done at Roane State. So 5 classes altogether till degree #2. May 2009, pencil it in. This time it’s a Saturday morning ceremony. I probably won’t walk. I don’t know. For some reason this one doesn’t hold the same special “twinkle” as the last one. I wonder if it is because it went so quick. I was able to carry forward many credits therefore shortening my time to completion.

Joseph…
Joseph is ready for school to be out. Go figure. He is running track and loving it. He is doing fairly well in it. He improves his times each go round. That’s what is supposed to happen, isn’t it? He has decided to play football again this next season. Stanton is one of the track coaches and apparently talked to Joseph about playing. So he gets done with track practice, he heads over to football. The boys that are running track and playing football aren’t allowed to hit at football. It makes for a long day for him and I hardly see him. But on the flipside, he’s staying out of trouble for the most part. He’s still 15 and still has that attitude that goes with it. But it can be worse. It has been worse.

Joshua…
He returns this evening from a week in DC with Aunt Carol and the rest of the 8th grade at Oakdale. I love that this small, rural school does this for these kids. My other 2 actually don’t get the opportunity to go to DC on a school sponsored trip unless they have been on safety patrol. Big school, lots of money, or more than Oakdale at least, and the small school manages the trip. Josh made 3 A’s and 1 B on his last report card. We should read back a year and remember how crappy his grades were and what an awful spot we were in. Day and night and what seems like 2 different kids. Thanks Aunt Carol for everything. What a difference you made in our boys life. Next on the agenda….HIGH SCHOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kamry…
Kamry participated in her schools Math-A-Thon for St. Jude Hospital. She loves math and it comes very easy to her. She had a booklet with around 250 problems that she needed to work. I sent an email around work letting them know that she was a participant and asking for donations. One of the girls I work with decided that she would double her initial pledge if Kamry worked every problem in the book. Well, the idea caught on and of the 20+ people that sponsored her from my office, more that half followed Michelle’s lead. When all was said and done and all problems were worked (in 3 days) her grand total was $416. She was the second highest money raiser in her school. I was really hoping for her to be highest, but I went into it with the assumption that someone’s doctor daddy would drop a 500 dollar check and knock us out of the running. I don’t know if that is actually what happened, but the little girl that raised the most did raise just over 500 dollars. Kamry is going to start middle school next year. YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, that is it for now. I have updated from work and it’s almost time to go home.

Till next time...ME

Easter in words...

2008-03-23T11:43:00.002-05:00

We are sitting in Mom and Dad's living room. I am updating (on my laptop), Anne is surfing (on her laptop), Mom is emailing pictures (on her laptop). Do you see a trend? The other adults in the house are attempting to single-handly create our very own earthquake. There is some major snoring going on. Kamry said that her Grandpa is trying to make it very clear that he is asleep.

We were up early (apparently to personally witness the Resurrection :-}) and came home to hunt eggs and then eat breakfast. The eldest of the grandkids (Joseph) begged off hunting this year. Is he really getting to old for all this?? Well, at least we have back up on the way in the form of the newest grandchild that will be arriving in September. Go to www.everypathhasapuddle.blogspot.com for more info.

So below are just a few pics of the kids and grandparents on Easter Morning. Hope it was good for all.

And for the record, yes things are better, happier, and brighter.

Love to all,
Me

Easter 2008

2008-03-23T11:28:00.002-05:00

:-(

2008-03-17T17:28:00.002-05:00

Today was a sucky kind of day. I am stressed and want a magic wand...or a genie in a bottle...or a bottle of crown...something to make it all go away...if you know the location of any of the previous, lemme know.

Happier times will come. Things can ALWAYS be worse.

Me

I love my bed

2008-02-23T18:43:00.002-05:00

And it's a good thing. I have been in it since getting home Thursday night from the doctor. I took Arissa to the doctor for Anne. And since she thought Arissa might have a bladder infection or a UTI, she thought that she needed a girl in case she had to leave a urine sample. I had started feeling ill Thursday morning. I seriously thought I had a migraine, but aside from the headache itself and the queasy stomach, nothing else made it feel like one. As the day wore on, i got more nauseous, more achy, running a fever, sore throat, so on and so forth. I decided to call Mom and have her meet me and the girls (Kamry came along since I hadn't really seen her all week) just in case. It was a good thing too. I had them check me out since I was already there. I had lost a little more that 2 pounds in 2 days, running a slight fever, increased blood pressure. My diagnosis, double ear infection and sinus infection. Doctor's care payment 87.56. Arissa had sore throat, headache, achy back and leg, and by time we got there, a fever of 103.4. Arissa's Doctor's care payment, 20 bucks. Arissa's diagnosis...the flu. My pharmacy tab, 36.81. Arissa's pharmacy tab, 35.00. Number of times i had to get back in the drive thru line cause they were taking forever to get a bottle of tamiflu off the shelf and put the magic pharmacy water in it, 3.

Arissa is doing better I think. That is what I read on Anne's blog. I am glad they are both doing better. Poor girls. Sickness and surgery are no way to spend bonding time, but bonding is bonding I suppose.

I am off to find some soup or something. I will chat with you all later.

Much love,

I might get to work a full week...

2008-02-04T09:28:00.000-05:00

Well, I am updating from home. When we did Anne's birthday lunch yesterday, Kamry was quite puny. She said she didn't feel well. She mostly sounded congested, so I didn't worry too much about it. I got up this morning to get her up and dressed and as I was getting in the shower, she came in crying. I asked what was wrong and as she was sniffling and sucking snot, she said she felt AWFUL. I asked if she was going to school and my child who hates to miss quite emphatically said NO. Off went the shower. She went back to bed. And I called work.

I missed a day last week with her tooth extraction. However, I worked from home and more than likely put in a fuller day than I would have had I physically been in the office. Which I was for an hour and a half getting everything I needed to work from the comfort of my bed and in my jammies. I have contacted those that might miss me today and let them know that I would be available via email and cell.

So I will get through the week and try again next week to work in the office all week.

Til later...ME

Not quite a month...but the year in review...I can cheat too

2008-01-21T09:25:00.000-05:00

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?
Let one of my children go live somewhere else, but for great reasons with even greater results.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't recall making a resolution last year......

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not that I am aware of (which if I'm not aware of it then how close to me could they really be?)

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully, no

5. What countries did you visit?

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
Patience

7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
January 20, 2007. I beat Anne to meeting her out-of-pocket for the year. Gotta love a midnight appendectomy.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Surviving!

9. What was your biggest failure?
Patience

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I will not complain. Go to www.peasinourpod.blogspot.com if you have questions as to why.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
My laptop

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Carol

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Various people throughout the year

14. Where did most of your money go?
Adderall

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Adderall and weight loss

16. What song will always remind you of 2007?
Umm...

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? same
b) thinner or fatter? thinner
c) richer or poorer? Same, I stay poor

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Exercising

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Eating

20. How did you spend Christmas?
With my family

21. Did you fall in love in 2007?
Alas, not this year

22. What was your favorite TV program?
Anything on Discovery Health or TLC

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Nope, hated him last year too

24. What was the best book you read?
The Dixie Cash Series

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Lime wire - music downloading site

26. What did you want and get?
My laptop

27. What did you want and not get?
Abundant wealth, commitment, patience

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Cars

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
36, the fam went ice skating.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Mo' money.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
Limited, not the store, the amount of clothes I have

32. What kept you sane?
You are assuming I am sane.....

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
None that I can think of....

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

35. Who did you miss?

36. Who was the best new person you met?
Carman

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
People are who they are. You can’t change them. Don’t even try.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

Merry Christmas to all...

2007-12-24T22:49:00.000-05:00

...and if I could get the kids to sleep, it would be a really good night. But alas I sit on my bed awaiting the signs that they are snoring or something so that I can get this show on the road and go to sleep!!! I could probably pass some time playing diner dash on the computer, but I think Kamry might want to play it first. Brat... :-)~

We have returned from the parentals loaded down with some really neat loot. We have digital cameras, movies, books, some bling, and oh yeah...a mini trampoline. Yep, yep, yep...this is me wondering how long it will take one of us, any of the four of us, to end up in the ER. Say your prayers.

I was so determined not to be the last to church that this year I managed to get there first. A true Christmas miracle. That never happens. Of course mass wouldn't have been complete with out the dragging droans of the snare drum and the wailing of the lady with the really high pitched operatic voice. But I digress...I even managed to get in the boys room and clean out the closet and under the bed. Links and his brother have 2 bags of clothes and 1 bag of shoes coming their way.

Well, I am going to watch Days of our Lives until the little angels drift off to dream land....and then I might join them.

Love to all...Merry Christmas...ME

Happy Birthday Joshua!! Basketball pics

2007-12-09T10:15:00.000-05:00

If you are interested in changing your background, go to http://www.pyzam.com/. They only have about 12 Christmas layouts, but they are cute. I had to change the font color on mine. It came through as white. And how are you supposed to see that on a white background??? Whoever designed the template wasn't thinking.

Now for the pictures..

Rainy Sundays and sick daughters...the fun never ends...

Nothing says Christmas like stress...

2007-12-08T17:03:00.000-05:00

So, we all know that December is a historicaly financially stressful month for me. With 3 kids to do Christmas for along with 2 birthdays...enough said. Of course, I never know that this season of spending is coming until its here, so why, on the face of the earth, would I ever dream of planning ahead. Well, things are tight and a little rough, but things seem to be working out and the kids will be more than pleased with their haul come Christmas morning.

I managed to score the entire week of Christmas off. None of the admin staff has gotten an entire week before so I am history in the making. However, this will not come around again for 3 more years. We are rotating and one of us will get the entire week each year. Not a bad deal if I must say so myself. Speaking of work, December brings in deliveries from far and wide of gift baskets, Hershey's tower of chocolate, so on and so forth. Needless to say, by the end of the holidays, the office has eaten enough free food to feed 3 third world countries. I am not complaining. :-).

My last Government and Politics class was this past Tuesday. We had a test and it was a wee bit harder than the last one. So I think my A (B?) might be in jeopardy of becoming a B (C?). But I am glad to not have to spend 3 hours every tuesday night at school. I have an english paper due tomorrow and that will be it for English 2. At this point, I just want to be done with that class. It was hard enough getting through English 1...I should have an A in psychology. My grade on the class website shows as a B, but he is missing extra credit things I turned in, so don't think I am beyond bringing that to his attention. Next semester brings Sociology, Spanish, and Biology2 with a lab. I hate next semester and it hasn't even started yet.

We just put up our Christmas tree and lights today. I had planned on doing it last weekend, but it just didnt' pan out that way. I am not completely done with it yet. I have a few more things to put on it and then I will post pictures.

Tomorrow is Joshua's birthday. He will be 14!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a difference a year makes. He is doing so well. I knew he had it in him to be successful...now he really knows it too. I love you Josh! I am very proud of you and your continued progress.

Silver bells and ting (the curly q sticks with glitter we put on our trees...bet you didn't know it had a real name)...Me

I have learned I can update while at work...this is BAD!

2007-11-16T15:33:00.000-05:00

Before we go any further about the moral and ethical ramifications for updating at work, let me tie up a loose end and bring your attention to something.

First the loose end....I made a 97 on my Gov't and Politics test. I ROCK!! Okay, so the truth is, I BS very well. Thank goodness I can spit back what she has talked about and use it for good instead of evil. Dad said I should have celebrated by posting an update. I chose, instead, to celebrate by getting a migraine and buying myself a Wednesday in bed. Children, take note...listen to your parents.

On to the attention....please direct your eyes to the very bottom of my page and take part in my poll. I beg you to do this...have you read Anne's comment from the last update?? Can we afford to let her head swell any further??? We must band together!

Now, the whole updating at work thingy...get over it. No one is here. All that I can do for today is done. I am bored. I had started reading my book on which I must take a quiz before tomorrow night, that made me sleepy. So I am updating. Be happy.

Kamry had a field trip today. Another one of those leave before the sun wakes up return after the sun goes to sleep type trips. They went to Chattanooga to the Discovery Museum, the IMAX, and the Aquarium. They left at 6:40 this morning and will return at about 6:30 tonight. You will all be glad to know that I did not have to chase down a bus or a room mom or a chaperone. Thank you, thank you very much!!

Kamry has a tender heart as we all know. But I learned last night that heart is very generous as well. I already knew it, but her actions solidified it for me. She was making her lunch last night in preparation for our early departure this morning. She was asking this question and that and just kind of off the cuff says, "Quincy never brings a lunch on these trips. He says he forgets. I don't think his mommy has enough money to buy him extra stuff. I am going to pack him a sandwich and some of my other stuff too. Is that okay?" You bet your sweet bippy it is. We may not have a bunch of extra stuff, but we always seem to have plenty of food. So sure, go ahead. She said that normally all the kids in the class just pitch in what they don't want or don't mind to share and he has plenty to eat. She thought it would be nice for a change for him to have his own bag to eat out of. I love my girl!!

Well I guess I have wasted about as much time as I can doing this and should at least pretend to be busy. Only 1 hour and 11 minutes till time to leave. I will try to update this weekend and post pictures from Joshua's basketball game last night. They are at home on my camera.

Love to all....ME

Isn't a sad statement....

2007-11-07T00:01:00.000-05:00

...that I just rolled over and began snuggling....with my Government and Politics book???

...that I actually used nearly all of the allotted time to take my test for the above mentioned class (3 hours)

...that for some incomprehensible reason I started cramming for the test about 3:00 this afternoon

...that I used all but 2 pages in the 15 page testing booklet (basically a bunch of notebook paper stapled together with a fancy shmancy cover) to take the test

...that I was the next to the last person to leave the classroom when I finished the test

...that despite all of the effort (I'm reaching here...) that my grade will reflect my superhuman ability to cram at the last possible minute and barely pass

...that I am content with a C in one of my classes because they are just "so hard", but I ream my kids out for bringing home the same grade, because they are smarter than a "C"

...that I am already doing the happy dance because I only have one month of school left this semester

...that registration for next semester starts on the 8th and I am completely stoked about finding the 3 easiest classes I can to balance out this hellacious semester.

Well, it's after 12 and I should have turned back into a pumpkin by now, but instead I will just spend tomorrow being a grouch ass cause I didn't get enough sleep.

Love to all...ME

Rainy days and Mondays

2007-11-05T21:33:00.000-05:00

I think there was a song to that effect wasn't there?

Today was exceptionally busy...again. I ran upstairs a minimum of 14 times. Okay so not literally ran, but rode the elevator. Anyway, I digress. I made a gajillion phone calls. Firmed up a shirt order for our Ohio plant. I chased down missing reports. I finally left work at nearly 6. More nights than not that is getting to be the case. Five o'clock used to be the golden hour. I only had to stay that long. Now, I am lucky to leave anywhere near it. It's not that I can't get everything done in 8 or 9 hours, it just seems that there have been more and more things that don't come to a head until the 5 o'clock hour closes in. Like I told Ron when I was chatting with him on the drive home, I would rather be busy and employed than unemployed and sitting on my butt gaining all my weight back. It's all in your perspective.

As I type, Kamry is reading me a book. I couldn't tell you what it is about other than basketball. I am doing this, doing homework, or watching TV as she reads. Her class has to read aloud 100 minutes each week. Then I sign off on a log sheet. Nowhere in the instructions does it say that I have to pay attention completely. It's not like there is going to be a quiz later. Man, I hope there isn't going to be a quiz later.

I have a Gov't and Politics test tomorrow night. I need to study. I need to go over the material from last week to make sure I know what was discussed. Instead, I sit here typing. What did I say a couple of posts ago about procrastination? Will I ever learn?

Well, I am off to turn of the reader. She is beginning to get on my nerves. :-). Then on to history....

Love to all....ME

PS I changed my subheadline....like it? One of the ladies at work said that today and I thought it was great!!!

Dryers and grades

2007-11-04T22:39:00.000-05:00

When I awoke yesterday morning, I did what I usually do. Went potty and then started laundry. Upon getting the clothes out of the washer and placing them in the dryer, I noticed the dryer was pushed back towards the wall about 2 inches. That is not a good thing. My vent hose is, to say the least, not secured very well to the external venting. The assembly that goes from the outside to the inside and that the hose slides over is old, falling apart, and filthy. As is usual when the dryer gets moved even the slightest bit, the hose slipped off the wall piece and my laundry room was about to be a lovely sauna like temperature. I decided to go to Home Depot and got all the necessities needed for a complete overhaul. I bought all pieces needed and with some help from Joshua (fetching tools and screws) got everything switched out. I feel so good about myself when I am able to do these kinds of tasks for myself and don't have to have Daddy do it for me. It all works great and hopefully won't be falling apart anytime soon.

I got Joshua's report card just a week or so ago. He is on block scheduling so he only has 4 classes a semester. One of which is Gym/Computers/Spanish/Weight lifting (there fore not a class earning a grade). He got 3 B's. A 92, 92, and 91. Wow, is this the same kid that brought me straight F's for more than a school year? You bet it is!!!!! I knew he had it in him, and now, I am pretty sure he believes it himself. The boy is rocking and rolling right along.

Well, I am sleepy. Sleeping way late and doing a bunch of nothing all day makes me very sleepy apparently. I am hoping this week is no where near as stressful as last week. We'll see!

Love to all...ME

I have realized...

2007-11-03T16:20:00.000-05:00

.....That I don't have to get on here and give a complete diatribe of everything that happens in our lives in order to constitute an update.

.....that boys at age 15 are predestined to be brainless wonders who only realize the error of their ways once they have been busted.

.....that my babies are no longer babies and aren't always going to do, say, be, act the way their mommy wants them to.

.....that just because you CAN put off taking a test, writing a paper, completing an assignment until the last day, doesn't mean you should. Pressure to complete them in time is hardly worth the strife.

.....that some people are ungrateful and rude no matter what you do, say, or offer.

.....that those people have little value to add to my life and are therefore more than likely not worth any extra effort I would expend on them.

.....my bed is my favorite place to be.

.....that I wake up every Saturday morning with a headache.

.....that now that cheerleading is over that I can indeed sleep until noon, like I have done the past 2 weekends

.....that if I do updates more often then maybe they will get back to be being more fun, as well as more frequent.

Love to all....Me

I know, don't toot your own horn

2007-10-07T23:52:00.000-05:00

I shouldn't have bragged on myself for being good about updating. I promptly fell apart. My apologies. It has been a month or 2. I have been left scathing comments. Harrassed by all family members over the age of 15. And guilted into typing at this late hour. I can't handle the pressure, so this is me caving.

First, can I ask you where the last 2 months have gone? Yeah, can I have them back? I need more time. More time for everything. Sleep, school, work, kids, family. All of it!!

I get asked how school is going. For the kids, fairly well. Josh is pulling mostly B's. He may have a C, but I am not sure. He has started basketball practice. His first game is October 22. Stay tuned for further details. Joseph has decided that In School Suspension (ISS) is not all it's cracked up to be. After 2 or 3 trips so far, he has decided to steer clear. His grades are average from what I understand. Stay tuned for further details. Kamry is floundering some. Her grades are good enough, they could be better. If she would slow down and take some more time with her work, her grades would be greatly improved. But we are trying. Stay tuned for further details.

I am taking Psychology, which I thought would be difficult as an online class, and I have an A.

I am also taking US Government and Politics. I go to school every Tuesday night for 3 hours. I thought I would hate this class. Somehow, give me a notebook, a text book, and tell me to take notes, and I am happy as a lark. I can tell you from experience that school desks at this age, no matter how "Designed for Adults" they are, suck after the first hour of a 3 hour class. My butt and back hurt for 2 days after the first class. Funny story about our first test last Tuesday. We get in there, she hands out the testing booklets, and then the actual test. We begin settling in and looking over the test. Suddenly, the thing that only happens on TV or in dreams, happened. The stinking fire alarm goes off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I left the test behind, grabbed my notes, and of course my phone, and hauled buggy to the parking lot. Once I stopped walking and began going back over my notes, there was a circle of classmates surrounding me. We all went over what we could remember seeing on the test and crammed for the next 5 minutes or so. As we were walking back to the class room, I only had one thought. I don't know what, who or how...but thank you God!! I needed that extra time. I get my test back this coming Tuesday. Stay tuned for further details.

Now, my third class is English 1020. It is a lot of reading and writing about what you read. I hate it. It's time consuming. I hate it. It's kicking my ass. I want it to be December just so this class will be over. Did I mention I hate it????

So that is what our life is about in a nut shell right now. Not much, but way too much. There are not enough hours in the day. But are there for anyone?

I will leave you with some pictures so you can remember who we are.

Josh munching at a picnic about a month ago.

Kamry on the way in to see High School Musical on Ice.

Joseph thinking "I do all my own stunts!"

Till next time.

Peace, love, and stupid school desks....Whim

I am trying to get better

2007-08-18T20:04:00.000-05:00

I am trying to do better at updating. I feel sometimes like I don't have much to say that would be of interest. But who really cares, right? So let's get down to buisness.

The last couple of weeks have been, at the least, stressful and quite hell like. It seemed that it couldn't be just one or two things that went wrong. I seemed to have the opposite of the "Midas touch". Everything I tried to do, or touched, or thought about doing...the bottom fell out.

I have come to refer to these 2 weeks as my very own personal 24-hour crap buffet. The problem with this is that everytime I got full and tried to push away from the table, my plate kept getting filled back up. I had no choice but to suck it up and continue trying to clean my plate. Carol told me just to get out the toilet paper, clean off the plate, and start again tomorrow. I tried that each and every day. The dang pile just kept getting bigger, stinkier, and much more frustrating.

You know that you have been a crab ass way to long when not only does your sister make you a CD of songs pertaining to subjects such as "If You're Going Through Hell", but your co-workers walk by your desk cautiously as they ask if today was a better day...scared to hear the answer if it wasn't, I'm sure.

Wednesday things started to not necessarily get any better, but at least much more tolerable. Delauna and I were giggly over the most insignificant things. I laughed at lunch more than I have in a month. That evening, our office gathered at Calhoun's on the river to celebrate one of our co-workers who is retiring. It was a very relaxed enjoyable evening. We laughed more and decided that we really are the "Kool Kids" in the office. Everyone wanted to sit with us, talk with us, or just generally be near us... :-)

The boys at our table were so immature!!! Just look at what Josh did. This is the only picture taken of me the whole evening....

Ok, so it's not that it's such a great picture of me...I was trying to rid myself of extra chins as I was sitting next to a 6' female stick. But look at the sheer joy on his face for getting one over on me. Or so he thought. All I am going to say is that payback is a bitch, for him anyway. We will see what happens the joy later. I wonder why they tell us all the time we fight like married people. I can't imagine.... :-). He is one of my very best guy friends and he along with the others made my crappy weeks melt away. I am very blessed to work with a group of people that I not only work well with, but can count as friends. Jeff, Josh, Delauna, and myself are a force to be reckoned with when we get going.

Delauna may not have had her husband, Jack, there with her, but I think she managed to enjoy herself anyway. See...

So today, we cheered. It was another way too hot, I can't wait for October, is there an ice bin I can crawl in kind of day. I started the day as "coach", spent the middle part as "worker" (concession stand helper), and ended the afternoon attempting to just be a mommy to my little cheerleader. I was finally able to take some pictures of her.

So in closing, let me share with you a golden tidbit of knowledge. When wearing flip flops to the football field, apply sunscreen to the tops of your feet or you run the chance of this happening...

So, I am going to take Jasmine home. She stayed after cheer to watch High School Musical 2 and have dinner. I had two little girls each with a large ear of corn that they refused to let get the better of them. Again...see....

See you on the flip side.

Peace, love, and shutting down the crap buffet......Stupid Looking Feet Whim

2 days in a row

2007-08-06T21:23:00.000-05:00

Did you miss me? It's only been 24 hours. Not 24 days or weeks or years. Miracles do happen.

Tonight was a momentous evening for my household, as well as Carol's. She arrived here at around 6:30 to pick up Joshua and his belongings. I cooked dinner (pork chops, peas, corn, rice, and applesauce). She made dessert (individual sponge/angel food cakes inbetween two layers of fat free cool whip..200 calories..perfect). They loaded up Sophie and by 8:00 were on the road to Harriman. Why you might ask?

Joshua, as I have mentioned before, has been held back in the 7th grade. The school he attended previously pretty much has him labeled as a troublemaker and it does not seem they are at all willing to change that label no matter how hard the kid works to prove them wrong. These two pieces of the puzzle do not match. They are a recipe for disaster. I have been told by numerous people who I trust with out question that there was no way he was going to able to go back to that school and be successful. But what was I supposed to do? I can't afford the private schools around here, and with his history, the chance they would accept a "behavior problem" was hovering some where between slim and none.

This is when Carol mentioned that she was contemplating the possibilities of Josh coming to stay with her during the week and going to school where she teaches. As much as my children belong with me and are my responsibility, the thought of him having a completely clean slate, a fresh start, and the chance to be as successful as I know he can be was the glimmer of hope I needed. It took a lot of soul searching for both Carol and me. We presented the choice to him as a united front and left the final decision in his hands. Neither of us wanted him to answer right away. He needed to think about it seriously. After a couple of days, he said that he wanted to go and was willing to try as hard as he could to be the super star he knows he can be.

Fast forward...do you know that you can be your own lawyer? I was able to download temporary guardianship papers/forms to give Carol the rights/permissions she needed to make the decisions that would need to be made for him on a daily basis, legally. It only cost $8.95. Not bad. A whole lot cheaper than law school.

So as the summer went on I was given forms to fill out, tasks to complete, calls to make, and copies to copy. All so that when Carol went last week to register him, she was completely prepared. It seems that some of the staff at her school were a bit stunned that she was registering a real life, talking, walking, breathing child. Inside, I would say she was probably a bit stunned herself. This is a huge undertaking for her. She is becoming instaparent to a teenage boy. I got a whole lot more time to prepare for him to be this age and I still don't get it. I know that she will be a great parent to him. I don't know what I would do if she didn't give him this opportunity. I am grateful and humbled.

So they are probably sawing logs right now. The bags have been unpacked. Clothes hung neatly in the closet. Toiletries placed in their spot. They have crawled into their respective beds in preparation for tomorrow. Carol will prepare her classroom for her students to arrive on Wednesday. Joshua will wander around the grounds of the school trying to get his bearings and kind of know where he is going when the bell rings.

I love them both more than they could ever imagine. I am at peace with this decision. I truly feel it is what is best.

I too must get some sleep. 4 hours of sleep per night is not enough. Good night and sweet dreams.

Hi, My Name is Kathy....

2007-08-05T17:36:00.000-05:00

...and I seem to not know how to update my blog with out being harassed!!!

I guess I should fill you in on my life lately. Well, the biggest piece of information I need to share is this....I have a new ride! Way more cool than the money sucking, constantly breaking down, my mechanic saw it more than I did Stratus. I am the proud owner (well, I will be in 5 years...I make my first payment this Thursday) of a 2002 Toyota RAV4. Or as my dad calls it, a Rava. It looks way newer than it's year of birth would lead you to beleive it is (kind of like me). As is typical Kathy style, even the purchase of the vehicle had to be a debacle.

I originally decided on July 13 (shoulda known something wasn't gonna go right) to purchase a Mazda Tribute, YOB: 2001. All was well...for about 12 hours...then, Saturday morning the engine light came on!!! WHHAAAT?? I promptly called the dealership and was told to bring it to the service department at 1 when they got back from lunch. I was there at 12:45 and waited patiently. I was cool for about the first hour and a half when the people that had come in after me were already leaving. Starting to get nervous here. Another hour passed and they finally cam to talk to me. When they send the service manager and a bunch of paperwork....worry! Well, they found a small leak in a seal that was allowing tiny drops of oil to come into contact with the spark plugs. They gave me a rental to drive till they could get it fixed. {a little back ino here...I paid about 5500 for my stratus...was paying 11000 for the Mazda} They put my rear in a 2007 pimped out Camry (MSRP: 23000). Hello!! Do I have to take it back? So anyway, that was all on Saturday. I got a call from the service manager on Monday afternoon. (2 managers from 2 different departments in 3 days...not good). When any person starts off a conversation with, "Well, I have some interesting news for you...." it causes a lump to form and then promptly commence to flipping. His next statement of, "We won't be able to sell you that car, we are sending to auction." Apparently, the engine headed south and would need to be replaced. First off, thank goodness for the lemon law, and second, thank goodness i went to a reputable dealership that was willing to stand behind the fact that even though I bought it as is, no warranty, real or implied, I deserved to have things made right.

I have always said that everything happens for a reason. The Mazda was not the ride I was meant to have. I was meant to have my Rav4. I absoultely love this vehicle. It gets great gas mileage, has all the features I need and some that I don't, has enough room for my ever increasing in height children, and came with 2 different warranties...real ones...from Toyota. I am pleased as punch and am loving driving it more and more every day.

The fly ride needs a name. I have never had a vehicle worth naming. This one is definitely nameable. Here a some pics so that you have something to go with when helping to name her. And if you know anyone that is in the market for a 2000 Dodge Stratus that won't go over 27 miles per hour...I might know someone.

Do you know the meaning of being grounded?

2007-06-23T12:51:00.000-05:00

Apparently Joseph does not. He has been grounded for a week or so for making some very poor decisions, amongst other things. My definition of being grounded and his definition are quite obviously polar opposites. To me, being grounded means no phone, no phone, and no freedom. To Joseph it means that as soon as your mom isn't looking you take off out the door. It also means that while your mom is at Cheer Camp that you go jump on the neighbor’s trampoline....’cause she'll never know, right? Yeah, that is until you try to pull a Jett Lee/Spiderman move as you are getting off the trampoline. What happened next taught him why you listen to your momma when she tells you something. See when Jett Lee busts a move, he usually doesn't end it by busting his elbow open. Yep, the phone call no parent wants to receive. Joseph was jumping and fell and busted his elbow. I came home to find my child covered in blood. From the time it took him to fall and me to get home, he managed to bleed all over his shirt, his shorts, his arm, hand, leg, and shoes. The wound itself wasn't bleeding when I got here, but it had been. As I tried to control the lurching in my stomach, I made him get in the truck and off to Methodist we went. (I am driving Daddy's truck ‘cause my car is in the shop). We placed a call to Aunt Carol as Joseph said he wanted her. A lot of good that did. She did well until they really started cleaning his wound, at which point her freckles disappeared and so did any pinkness she had in her face. I told her if she was checking out on us, this was the place to do it...plenty of medical professionals. We had a great ER tech that was a real hoot and took good care of all of us. She attended to the wounded and ill...all three of them. Joseph with his cut, Carol with her pass outedness, and Joshua with a seeping blister on his heel. Me....I get the bill. Dang, I think next time I will at least stub my toe. So anyway, 4 stitches and the removal of a chuck of loose skin later, we left. I must say I won the bet. I said 4 stitches, Josh said 5, Carol said 8, Joseph said just numb it first. He gets his stitches out in 12 days, so I take him back on June 34th. ha ha!

I am going to post some pictures of his wound. If you have a weak stomach, use caution when viewing.

To each their own

2007-06-11T20:29:00.000-05:00

Well, a lot has happened since I last posted. 98% of which I don't want to get into. That 98% has taught me a life lesson. I guess I should say that I have known it all along, but this experience has driven it home. This lesson is that no one can create happiness in my life but me. I should never give other people the power to make me happy or sad. I have been pretty down for the last couple of weeks and have struggled greatly to get out of my funk.

The enlightenment came this evening as I talked with Carol. This probably sounds completely whacked out, but as much as I didn't always like the Carol she was before she made her journey through her own hell, I feel that in some warped way, it was good in that it has allowed her to have a perspective on things the rest of us don't have. I love that she is able to provide truly nonjudgemental assessment of situations. I owe her hugely, majorly, in the biggest way. It's not that she had some magic wand that waved over me as she chanted ancient healing verses. It was more the out look she shared. The experiences she shared. And the love and understanding she showed.

I entitled this to each their own for one reason. It is up to each of us to be our own person. It is up to each of us to make our own happiness. It is up to each of us to make the decision daily to live our own life for us, not for those around us. This is not to say that others don't matter or that we shouldn't be considerate of others. What it does mean is at the end of the day, we answer to ourselves. Be confident in your decisions, be secure in who you are. Do not let others bring you down. If they manage to bring you down, don't let them keep you there. Life is short, and if you decide for it to be, life can be oh so sweet.

This is what makes my happiness, my sweetness, my joy. In as much as they drive me completely insane, they are my reason for wanting to experience complete happiness. The loves of my life.....

Peace, love, and sheer happiness....Kathy

Camping pics

2007-05-30T05:35:00.000-05:00

Josh and Isaiah hope to provide dinner for the group.

A lot of time was spent fishing. I even cast a line or two.
I actually caught 2 itty bitty fish. Proof of that to come later.

Davonice, Josh, and Isaiah hang out waiting to head to the lake.

Isaiah assists with cooking lunch.

Dinner....yum!!!!

Swimming (most everyone is in this pic)

Akeyrah, Arissa, Isaiah, Jadon,

Joseph, Zaresa, Josh

Davonice, Shay

Daniel, Josh, & Isaiah head to the lake

General informational update...

2007-05-24T19:24:00.000-05:00

The school year is coming to a close. Joshua is potentially nearing the end of his treatment journey, the end of a wretched school year, and hopefully moving into the next phase where the roads are paved in roses and daisies. We are heading out for our first camping trip of the season. My daughter is going to meet Mickey and Minnie in person on Saturday. Joseph is in anticipation of his birthday. He will turn 15 (are you kidding me????) and will be able to get his learners permit. HOLY CRAP!!!

Do you remember getting your permit? Your license? Your first car? Do you remember thinking there is no way I am driving with my parents, in their old fogey car? Joseph seems to be living in this world where his mother apparently craps money. We will be driving and I will hear, "Hey Mom, will you buy me that one?" as he points to a 2007 Escalade. I say "Sure Son, because I am only driving this 2000 Stratus to divert thieves from stealing my car." What the heck ever!!! The boy, who has neither job nor adequate funds, will be driving my car (the aforementioned 2000 model), or taking his bicycle.

We have talked about it. He doesn't get it. People who make what I make do not buy their children cars for their birthday. I will buy him his license, and I guess for a while, his insurance (until that first paycheck comes in), otherwise, I will still be the only one that can go get milk on Sunday morning so the kiddies can have cereal. That is my greatest joy of this whole next year.

When he is ready to get his actual license, his first "alone" trip will be to Kroger. Milk and eggs baby! Milk and eggs. No you may not stop by McDonalds! No you may not take Jadon with you.

So, Mickey and Minnie. I think the bigger draw there for my child is the princesses. What little girl doesn't want to meet, hug, and talk to Cinderella, Aerial, Jasmine, so on and so forth? Question, do they have Princess Fiona walking around down there? That would be so stinking cool. I would want to see her before anyone else.

Well, I have flshlights to check, supplies to prepare, and shopping to do for the weekend. Isaiah and Arissa will be going camping with us for their first time. From what I hear, they are super excited! Isaiah is stoked on not bathing for 4 days. Oh my goodness, can you say stank butt? It's ok, honey, there is a bath house, very near by. Complete with showers that even have hot water. We don't poop in buckets. We don't forage for nuts and berrys. We eat better out there than we do at home. I will only go to the bathroom in the bathroom. No leaves for this tush. I am anxious to see if they enjoy it as much as my kids do. I think they will.

I will check in upon our return and get some weekend pics put up here.

Peace, love, and s'mores....Cool Aunt Camping Whim

DDDDDAAAADDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-05-13T21:44:00.000-05:00

In my last post I made specific mention of my mom and sisters in regards to the reading of this blog. I was not aware at the time that my dad read this as well. He was quick to bring this to my attention and I promised him a "shout out". Well here it is.

I think my sisters and I are very lucky to have the dad that God gave us. He loves us all so deeply. He is my moms best friend. He shows us what a real man looks like, should act like, and how we should be treated by how he treats our mom. My parents relationship has set the bar for what my relationships should be.

Dad is stinkin' hilarious. He makes everyone around him laugh. A lot of times, its the gross things that he does that he is the most proud of. He has taught the boys the art of the perfect fart, how to maintain a burp worthy of a "10", and what it means to put your ass in it. He teaches the girls that broccoli puts hair on your chest, that even in softball you have to dig, dig, dig, and that when he comes to watch them cheer, he really does watch them cheer!!!!

Here is a picture of my daddy:

Dad, I love you! You are awesome.

Love, peace, and trust....Queen of the Mice

Can you say ALUMNI???

2007-05-05T20:58:00.000-05:00

Well, I don't have pictures to prove it....yet. But in case you didn't already know, I am a RSCC Alumni. I was notified of this tid bit of information, given a pin stating such, and a hearty handshake affirming the welcome mere moments after being handed the "baton" of graduation.

As a college graduate, I feel it is my duty to impart to you the "significance" of the red baton. I would like to say that it is the school's way of saying that it is our time to run this leg of the race. That, as a group, we were to be the race leaders and pace setters for tomorrow.

HA!!!! Yea right!

The red "baton" they gave us had absolutely no signficance at all. It was merely a tool to give us a letter stating that we graduated. That our diplomas would be mailed. And that the first alumi giving campaign would be starting soon.

Ok, so a little about the ceremony.

I walked in at 7 and out at 8 something. I had told the family that they were more than welcome to leave after I had gotten my red stick of graduation. Being that I was number 7 out of over 260 (and #5 didn't show up, so I ended up being #6), that was a long time to sweat for a bunch of people they didn't know. Can I tell you what I saw as I rounded the corner to go back to my seat? Butts! Nothing but Butts! My family was out! I was glad they left as it was hotter than heck and they needed to cool off. The only thing they missed was the other 260+ names and us walking out. Okay, so there was a little hooting and hollering. A lot of clapping. And a time for the class of 2007 to thank the people that supported them. Ok, so Carol and Joseph were still there, so that covered that. We left the gym, were handed a payday candy bar, (our first payday after graduation..ha ha), and I hit the stairs looking for my boy and his aunt. It was dinner time!!!

Today I had the best party! I had a number of family and friends come to help celebrate with me. In typical Stratman style, there was good food and lots of laughs. I think that everyone had a good time, and if they didn't get enough to eat, they have no one to blame but themselves. There was so much food that we actually were able to provide Andrya with the food for her international fair. Her country is Germany. Her food, left over bratwurst and kraut. The kids may not eat it, but it screams Germany.

I just want to say to anyone that was there, or wanted to be but couldn't, and might be reading this (sisters and mother aside cause I think they check daily to see if I updated, so I know they are reading) that I love you all and truly appreciate your support of my endeavor. Each person played some role in helping me achieve my dream. I never really thought this day would get here. It just always seemed so far down the road. Just a faint light in the distance that really didn't shine very bright until about 6:59 last night.

I was not in a position to take pictures, being the center of attention and all, so I hope that the pictures that were taken can be uploaded soon.

I am going to sleep now. The high from the last 24 is starting to wear off. Of course that could be the effects of Sara Bakers monster cupcakes wearing off too. It's hard to tell sometimes.

Again, I love you all. Thank you for everything!!

Peace love and graduation caps....Graduate Whim

The Saga Continues

2007-05-03T20:58:00.000-05:00

So when last we spoke, I was going into great detail about the ups, downs, and topsy-turvy of this fun little thing called life.

So Tuesday morning came and off we go to Peninsula hospital for the evaluation. I was so scared I couldn't see straight. I don't know if I was more afraid of potentially leaving him there, or bringing him home. We talked to the assessment chick for nearly an hour. It was decided as he was not psychotic, suicidal, or homicidal that there was no need for inpatient hospitalization. It was an intensive outpatient program that was determined was our best option.

It was late in the day and we just had to wait for the phone call to discuss the when's, where's, and how long's. I heard nothing on Tuesday so I called them first thing on Wednesday. I left a hasty message as I was anxious to get this ball rolling. By lunch, Robin had called and we decided that he would start the next morning, Thursday. She offered the option of waiting until Monday, I didn't feel we had that much time to waste.

They offered 3 time slots that he could attend. 9-12, 12-3, or 4-7. I actually opted for the 9-12 slot. I know, I know...what about school? Well, my child was already going to repeat the 7th grade, so any thing he would miss at this point wasn't going to have a profound affect on his academic career for this school year.

He rode in with me to work, where he would hang out for about 45 minutes until I left at a little before 9 to run him over there. I then went back to work and worked until just before 12. I went and picked him up and took him to Oak Ridge to school. My lunch hour was now his lunch hour. The best part was that I didn't miss any extra work.

My office relocated to Parkside Drive this past weekend. Monday morning the transportation service began picking him up from the new office and taking him in. They are also now taking him back to school in Oak Ridge. The only day that I have to drive him is Wednesday. I think this is mostly due to the fact that he doesn't go to school on Wednesday. They get out at 12:45 and we get to the Ridge about 12:40. So he goes straight to the Boys Club.

This program is a 6-8 week program. So far we have exactly 3 weeks under our belt. He has definitely been more vocal with his feelings. Trust me, we have GREAT communication (insert sarcasm here). To be honest, his new found vocality of feelings usually comes in the form of yelling at me. I don't know which I hate worse. Him closing down and not letting any one know what is bothering him. Or him letting me know on any certain terms exactly what bothers him...at great volumes.

We are doing much better. We definitely are not all the way back. But we have started down the road to learning how to live as a family again. We are all learning how strong we are and how weak we are at the same time. Josh still bucks up and gets hateful and ugly. Just the other night, he got mad, mostly because he got busted lying, and reacted in what I would deem an inappropriate way. The difference this time...we were both able to come back and just move past it. We both have to learn when we are reacting negatively and consciously choose to stop. If one of us can do that, the outcome has been a peaceful resolution.

I am learning to pick my battles and be grateful that for the most part he is healthy. I am learning new ways to react to his new behaviors. It is just as much work for me as for him on certain days. I long for the day when my life, although it will never be perfect, has some resemblance to peaceful at the very least.

Enough about that situation.

I have changed the picture of us from the Christmas photo to an Easter pic. I have updated the puppy pic.

Stay tuned for an update really soon. I hope to have Graduation Pictures posted this weekend.

Much love and peace....Me

I'm Back....Now Hush!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-04-21T17:43:00.000-05:00

Ummmm....three weeks, yea, I know. I have heard about it from everyone that reads my site...all 3 of them. So here I go.

My family has struggled in recent weeks. I was of the mind set of, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." Yes, Momma, I was listening. Carol informed me today that you would, and wanted to, read no matter what the tone.

In my house things have been pretty ugly. We have gotten to one of the lowest points that I feel any family can get. One of us wasn't here the way he should have been. Joshua started a downward spiral in aggressive and defiant behavior around the time of my last post. He managed yet another "mini-vacation", only this time...he got to be home Thursday till Tuesday (or should have been Tuesday) due to the Easter weekend.

Friday (ironically...Good Friday) was the day that the bottom NEARLY fell out. I woke early, went to the parentals to get my brakes half done, left there, went to exchange a pair of shoes, and headed to the house. As I was putzing leisurely (doing my usual 70 mph) down Pellissippi Speedway (Parkway) my celly rings. Joseph is on the other end wondering where I am and when I would be home. Apparently, my fair skinned freckled one was an antagonizing, irritating, tormenting tornado. After the two previous weeks, I was at the end of my rope...literally. I called my mother hysterical and pretty much told her that if someone didn't do something, it was going to be an ugly scene. I just couldn't wrap my head around how my child, the one that had been raised in the fashion as his siblings, could be such an awful kid. Momma told me she would call Daddy and see what he thought, but that one of them would come get him.

I calmed down somewhat and called Carol. I asked her to just talk to me till Daddy, or Momma, got there. Instead, she dropped everything and ran up here. I am forever grateful for that. I had a house full of kids, one of which was pretty well out of control. I was at a near nervous breakdown state. She came in, gave me a job, herded the kids to bedrooms to clean them, and was the voice of reason when I had none. Oh yeah, my job...look in the phone book and find SOMEONE to call to see about getting some sort of help. I don't think I ever called anyone, but I do know that I sat for quite a while with the phone book open on my lap and the phone in my hand.

By the time Daddy got here, the kids rooms were sparkling and he was quite pleased. He gathered Josh, his luggage, his meds (make SURE he has his meds, said dad), loaded it all in the truck and off they went.

It ripped my heart out to have to send him somewhere, but I really had no other option. I fear that, had he stayed, things would have gotten even more out of control and I don't know what the outcome might have been.

As much as I love my kids and would do anything for them, the last thing I wanted to do that entire weekend was talk to him. That sounds really awful. I would like to say that not having him here was horrid, and on one hand it was but on the other hand, the stress of wondering what was going to happen next was drastically minimized. I think that I really needed the time and space to calm down, think, and just let someone else deal with him for a while.

Have I ever told you just how awesome my parents are? They didn't have to come get him and keep him the entire weekend. But they didn't hesitate (that I am aware of) to come to our rescue. My parents love us, we all know that. It is just amazing to me how they can be so selfless. They could have easily said to me that I had to deal with it, I had no other choice. But they didn't. To tell them thank you would never be enough. They are just two of the most loving, genuine, not to mention cute people I know. I thank God that he chose them for my parents. I guess He knew He needed to give me to these two since He knew the could handle all this drama.

I brought Josh home with us on Sunday afternoon, and I was extremely hesitant. Apparently, my hesitation and apprehension weren't that far off. Josh was to stay home for his last day of suspension. With his other jaunts, I have woken him up early each morning and put him to work before I ever left. This particular morning, I figured the longer he slept, the less time he would have to reek havoc on my house. I gave him no chores. If I had no expectations of what should be completed when I got home, then I wouldn't be disappointed and upset.

What is it they say about the best laid plans???

That day, I heard nothing from him. I didn't call. (Insert appropriate ignorance is bliss cliche' here). Then the clock struck 4. This is the point at which the bottom DID fall out. Joseph had called Alison and pretty much told her to come get him and Kamry. Josh was completely out of control and they were not staying at home with him another minute. Talk about feeling helpless as a parent. Your kids world is pretty much in the process of being completely turned upside down and you aren't there.

I have always known what an awesome friend I have in Miss Alison, but my mercy, does she have to keep rubbing it in my face...ha ha. She did not hesitate to come to help of my children when I couldn't get here fast enough.

She allowed me enough time to make a very vital phone call. I contacted the admissions/assessment folks at Peninsula. After hearing my story, not to mention my distress, fear, and frustration the lovely man on the other end of the phone set us an appointment at the main hospital at 11 the next morning (Tuesday). Praise Jesus is all I can say.

Upon reaching my house, I see two of the most beautiful sights...Sara and Alison. I don't know at what point Sara Baker came in to the picture, only because that whole evening is pretty much a fog. What I do know is these two ladies stepped up, stepped in, took control of a completely out of control situation. I am still unclear as to what all took place between the kids in my absence, and anymore, it doesn't matter. Alison put Joseph and Kamry in her van, got them clothes and took them to her house. Sara called Todd and he came to get Josh.

In the midst of Josh completely losing it, he vandalized (only word that seems to fit this situation) the house. It looked like a tornado had gone through and Alison said that it was way worse when she got there, but she had the other two help her clean it up a little bit. In my lack of control state, the one thing I knew I could control at that very moment, was the state of my house. I started cleaning. I began scraping hardened glue off the wall from where Josh had a "Picaso" moment and made some really interesting designs with hot glue. I actually even took the floor vent registers off and vacuumed them out. WWWHHHAAAATTT???

Ali brought food back on when she came back over. Although I was not even remotely hungry, she made me eat and I have to admit that it did help. They both stayed with me for a couple of hours after the kids were gone. In that time, we talked about the whole situation and tried to come up with some sort of game plan that would offer everyone the safest situation. Sara said that she would take Josh and he could stay there as long as was necessary. Alison had already advised me to call Peninsula, and emphasized how important that appointment would be in getting to the other end of this dark, curvy, scary road.

A word, or more, about those Baker's. They completely rock. Not only did Sara drop what she was doing, which includes taking care of her own family, to come take care of mine. They opened their house, their hearts, and their family and brought my child in to give him shelter during our storm. Again, the last thing I wanted to do was not have my child here, but there was no further down to go at this point. Friday now seemed to be a breeze in comparison.

Well, this is getting way long, and you have probably had 17 cups of coffee/diet coke/insert appropriate stimulant here just to get this far. I appreciate you staying awake this long. I will stop for now and finish from our appointment to the present in my next blog entry.

I have my left hand on my key board (typing with 2 fingers here people) my right hand is raised. I, state your name, hereby promise to not wait 3 weeks to post ever again. I, state your name again, also promise that even if I don't have anything nice to say, I will still stop by and post something, anything, just to let you know we are all breathing.

Peace, love, and hope....Appreciative Whim

Life in the Ridge

2007-03-31T20:43:00.000-05:00

Preface: If you see my oldest child and his lips are swollen, laugh all you want. The doorknob just tried to suck them off with the vaccum cleaner attachment. I am so NOT kidding.

Has it been a whole week? Well by golly, I guess it has. My bad!!!

Monday, Joshua spent the school day at St. Mary's. I left work early to meet with him and Sr. Anne Catherine. All in all it went pretty well. He really liked it and is excited about the potential of attending for the next two years.

Tuesday, I was up till midnight doing homework. The assignment took me 4 hours. I was so tired and so frustrated, I kept messing things up or skipping things, and had to start again.

Wednesday, Kamry had church. I dropped her off and went to the pet supply store. Kashmir got a new ball that makes noise and she enjoys throwing it up in the air. As soon as it leaves her mouth, she runs to where she thinks it should land and pounces. I went back to get Kamry from church and went to Ali's to drop off around 10 bags of clothes that I could no longer wear. Her dad has been in the hospital for the last week and they thought he would be coming home on Thursday so they were trying to get furniture moved around to accomodate him. I assisted them in moving the television to a spot that would make for easy watching. Can I tell you that stinkin TV weighed about 47 thousand pounds. Goodness. Hank won't make it home till about Monday. Keep him in your thoughts. Thanks.

Thursday, I had class. My computer presentations class met for the second time. Little did I know that we would have to give an impromtu presentation. Luckily, she had predetermined the subject matter. We were split up into groups of 3. I knew one of the girls I was with. The other I didn't know. I now know enough about her to make the following determinations: cute and smart don't go together for her, she sucks at giving presentations, she wrings her hands when she is nervous, if she were bald she would have nothing to play with while talking, and she is probably not going to make the greatest grade in this course. Now, I know what you are thinking..."That Kathy sure is hateful". Well, maybe you are right. But after 3 hours of hair twirling, sugary giggling, and way to much whining, you would say the same things. Praise God that our final presentation is individual and I don't have to count on her for part of my grade.

Friday, work was slow. Very slow. So slow, that it gave me ample time to complete my music appreciation concert report. I am curious as to what that grade will be. I don't know if I gave her what she wanted, but I know I hit the word count. It had to be at least 2000 words. I came in at 2140. I had a final to take for the computer presentation class and it had to be done by midnight. I got it done as one of my classmates was pulling in the driveway. She was having computer issues and needed to use mine. There was 6 tutorial exams that had to be done before you could take the final. Careena hadn't started hers. We had 4 hours to get 7 tests taken. She got done about 1045. It wouldn't have taken that long, but we talked way too much.

What did we do today? we met Ali and the kids at Sagebrush (or stagebrush as Sara called it) for lunch. After that, Josh went with them and the rest of us did yard work.

Joseph mowed

Kamry blew the leaves

And when Joseph was over it.....

....she mowed for the first time.

My yard looks great. My kids are worn out. And we are going to bed.

Peace, love, and vaccum hoses...Supervisor Whim (notice there is not a picture of me working)

Another interesting day...

2007-03-24T17:10:00.000-05:00

I guess I shoulda said, Another interesting 24 hours.

About 24 hours ago I was driving home from work. It was suddenly as if some force had come and sucked every bit of energy out of my body. Shortly there after I arrived home, plopped down on the couch and proceeded to sit there for the next few hours, gradually feeling more and more sick to my stomach. Ali had come over while Brandee was at soccer practice around the corner and I don't think I moved the entire time. Well, by about 11 I was face first in the toilet and can now tell you that lettuce eaten at noon is still in your guts 11 hours later. I think I freaked the boys out. Joseph wouldn't even look at me when I asked him for a wet wash cloth. I laid down and attempted to sleep the gross feeling away only to wake up an hour later with it coming back to visit via the south end. This happened every hour on the hour until about 3 am.

My alarm went off at 8 as Maddi and Kashmir had their vet appointment at 9:30. Joseph got up and went with me. Good thing he did. Those two puppies are a handful. Maddi managed to chuck in her Mommy's car just as they pulled into the parking lot. What didn't get in the seat hit the parking lot. Better luck next time with the timing. Our girls wrestled in the waiting area until they were called back. Joseph picked up Kashmir and we hoped Maddi would follow him down the hall. No such luck. In typical fashion, Miss Maddi not only bowed up at the door, she sprawled out and laid down. It was really funny. Especially when Carol didn't notice right away and she dragged her part of the way down the hall.

The tech took Maddi to be weighed. The verdict...15.4 pounds of pure feisty. She is almost 3 months old, so all in all not too bad. When they gave her the dewormer stuff, they squirted it in her mouth and she handled it like a champ. She sat like a proper little lady (just like her momma would have) and daintily lapped up the yummy yellow liquid. She got her shot and hardly said a word. What a little trooper!!

Then it was Kashmir's turn. Her weight 3 weeks ago, 9.7 pounds. Today's weight, 15.6. So nearly 6 pounds. At this rate she's gonna be a stinkin horse in 3 more months. She too is just like her momma, who can't eat a meal with out getting something on her. When they went to give her the stuff, she got it all over her face. I couldn't see her from where I was sitting, but Carol said she looked like she had been playing in yellow paint. Then came the shot. The little drama queen yelped like a big wuss. Kashmir's bonus prize was a doggie biscuit. Puker Maddi didn't get one as there were chunks of her breakfast nestled deeply between the seat and the console of her momma's car.

Upon checking out and paying our bills, I noticed that my car keys weren't in my purse. Dammit, you have got to be kidding me!!!!!! Two Saturdays in a row??? How is that possible??? I'll tell you how. I am not dumb and like to lock them up for shits and giggles. Both times I was completely distracted. Really! It's true. This not an excuse.

Last weekend Steven was gracious enough to allow me to use their AAA service. He saved my bacon (and some cheddar) last weekend. This weekend, Tammy was home and so Carol ran me up there to get my spare key. So Carol and Tammy saved my bacon (and more cheddar) this weekend.

I think I am going to put my keys on a leash, tie them to my wrist, or quit locking the car.

Carol wanted to go to Kohl's for some spring/summer wear. She left to take Maddi home and we met at the Kohl's in Farragut. We searched the clearance racks and found her some really cute capris and a couple of pairs of pants. She found some cute tops, some of which weren't on the clearance rack. She was searching high and low for a cute/pretty/girly something which she could wear for Easter as well as the other important upcoming events. She found the perfect dress, well almost perfect. She needed a size bigger, they didn't have it that store. But they had it at west town. It is really pretty and she absolutely loves it. I love it on her, but more than that, I loved the look in her eyes when I walked back in the dressing room. Her eyes were literally dancing. It wouldn't have mattered what it looked like, she was thrilled. Actually, at first I didn't notice what she had on. I noticed the look on her face.

I had a really good time hanging with her and best part of the day I will take away is a very simple line I will leave you with....Dang guurrll, you look like a hamburger on a hot dog bun!!!! No offense intended!!!

Love peace and pale pink fi-fops....Shopping Whim

P.S. Alison went to court yesterday. Everything is staying the same for now. The judge set a date for the final hearing on May 30. This is the last date that will be set and whatever decision he comes to then will be final. Say lots of prayers and have lots of good thoughts. I don't even want to think about what will happen if the judge doesn't use his brain on this one.

Love ya much!!!

Well crap, I guess things can only get better????

2007-03-22T21:22:00.000-05:00

If you read my last post, then you know that last week was not the best week in the history of the world. You would think that this week would have to be an improvement, or would you???

My lovely babies are on Spring Break this week. I knew it was going to a long week when Monday started with the first of 47 (being sarcastic here) phone calls. What could be so important? Apparently the fact that one child had the audacity to breathe another child's air, or be in the same room, or any number of such offenses was grounds for an immediate call complete with whining. All calls ended the same way. Is anyone bleeding? throwing up? dying? No??? Then I have work to do. Buh-bye.

I learned this week that unless you tell your 14-year-old to tell his 9-year-old sister to get dressed and brush her hair, that you will come home to find her still in her pajamas, hair as big as Diana Ross, and without any shoes on. Did I mention she was outside this way? Yeah, uh huh, she was. This is a true story. No names have been changed to protect the innocent. They are hardly innocent. I wonder sometimes what planet my kids came from. They can be as dumb as a box of rocks sometimes.

I learned this week that the squeaky wheel gets the oil, and that sometimes, the wheel gets promoted and put on a classy car that can really get it where it wants to go. With this lesson came the realization that the old car takes things personally and can get quite bitchy. But, in "squeaky wheel world", the old cars issues are not the squeaky wheels problem. The squeaky wheel has to consider all the possibilities the classy car has to offer. Now the wheel doesn't want to go and do something stupid like throwing off lug nuts that it might need later, but the wheel does have to look out for itself. Now, the wheel has not gotten moved to the classy car yet and there is no time frame along with no guarantees. The offer of the classy car is unofficial at this point and has merely been talked about by the classy car. However, the classy car is very highly thought of and so the chances of it actually going through are quite high. I guess we will have to see how the tread wears and what kind of gas mileage we get.

All will be happy to know that Hootie Bootie (Arissa) was released from Children's late morning on Tuesday. Praise the Lord!! I know that Anne was glad to get home and if nothing else, sleep in a real bed, her bed. We are very thankful that our girl is feeling better and got to come home. As much fun as it can be to have complete control over a bed that moves 62 directions, there is no place like home and your own bed, even if it only has one direction -- flat!

My psycho puppy has a vet appointment on Saturday. Carol and Maddi will be joining us for Maddi's first round of baby shots. This should be fun as the only thing these two puppies like to do when they are together is wrestle and chew. I wonder if Maddi will bow up in the door way like her sister. Kashmir sat her butt down literally in the doorway and refused to walk any further. She had never been to the vet before. How did she know what was waiting for her on the other side of the door??? My mom insists they have a sense about it. I am pretty sure she's right.

Kamry is spending the rest of the week and weekend with her dad. I didn't even have to ask if she wanted to go. She couldn't get packed quick enough. I think she needed to get away from her big brothers and go be the big sister for a little while. I guess it is much easier to boss then to be bossed. Can't say that I blame her.

I am very grateful that tomorrow is Friday. This week has been very trying.

I feel like the only thing I do is get on here and whine about my kids and my awful life. My life isn't awful and neither are my kids (most of the time). Without my babies, my life would be boring and I wouldn't have anything to write about. Life is good. It is what you make of it. I choose to make mischief and drama. Just playing. Every one that I know can always use a little more peace, a lot more time, and a little extra cash in the bank wouldn't hurt either.

The Chain Gang at the Aquarium

Please keep my friend, Alison, in your thoughts and prayers. She goes back to court tomorrow about the kids. Nothing is guaranteed and anything can happen. Pray that the judge uses the logical and compassionate parts of his brain and gives the kids what they need most. The love and stability of Alison. She is a shining example of nurture over nature. Biology does not make a parent, DNA does not bind a family. A true parent loves their kids enough to do what is right and realize its about the kids, not the adult.

I need to go to bed. I have phone calls to receive, oil to be applied, and prayers to say tomorrow.
Thanks for tuning in again.

Peace, love, and classy cars.....Squeaky Whim

Oh My Mercy

2007-03-18T16:54:00.000-05:00

Ever had one of those weeks? You know the one I am talking about. The one that starts way too early on Monday and then seems to take forever to get to Friday. The one that doesn't have enough hours in it at the same time it seems to have too many. The one where anything that could happen, does. Well, not me. This week zoomed by. Everything got done that needed to. The house got cleaned. The laundry got done. I cooked dinner every night. Every one did their homework, got a bath, and were in bed by 8.

Yeah, right.

That is so far from the truth, it's on a different planet. As I am typing this, Kamry is folding clothes. The first load out of the 8 (minimum) loads that need to be done. Joseph is cleaning the front bathroom. Joshua is cleaning the back bathroom. The floor hasn't been touched with a vacuum. And yes, they are busy doing all this stuff and I am on the computer. This is the greatest reason to have kids. Give them a scrub brush and a toxic chemical and sit back and watch. Life is good. But seriously, my kids are very thorough when it comes to this sort of thing. That is, when I can get them motivated to do it. Usually, it takes 5 or 6 times of asking, ending up in me yelling at them before they oblige.

This week consisted of my middle child gaining himself a "mini-vacation" (or so he thought) via a 2 day suspension from school. The offense...being a butt head. Doesn't sound like a reason for a suspension to you? Consider this, my child had spent as many days in ISS as he has in the classroom. He has ran completely out of options as far as discipline. I don't blame the school at all. Now, I do not like his geography teacher. He doesn't like me. He doesn't like my child. At least we are on the same page and there is no miscommunication there. The rest of the teachers have cut him as much slack as they can. He hasn't been sent to office as many times as he should have been. This time, he went to class unprepared (habitual offense). Was sent to his locker to retrieve necessary items. Decided not to go back to class. Next period, instead of going to class, he went to the gym. HELLO!!!! What is that all about? He has it in his head he can do what ever he wants when ever he wants. I would have sent his butt home too.

He completely thought that when I got him up Wednesday morning to take the dog out, that when he was done, he was going back to bed. Hardly!!!! I had made him out a list of chores to do that day. He started out at 6:30 am washing clothes (apparently we make more laundry than we wash). By time I got home, windows were windexed, dishes were washed, floors were mopped. Thursday, I got picky. My pickiness saw the kid wiping down baseboards and cabinets with Murphy's Oil Soap. I love that smell.

Sounds like my house shouldn't be so bad today, huh? Well, his list barely touched what needed to be done. The little angels are on Spring Break this week. Sounds like prime time to get even more cleaning out of them.

Friday night, one of my best friends, Delauna and I went to the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. We saw the POPS series featuring the Motown group, The Contours. We had so much fun. We sang along, danced in our seats, and just laughed a bunch. Personally, I do not remember the Contours, but I do remember some of the songs they performed. They did some by the Miracles, the Temptations, so on and so forth. One thing I did learn about them...they were the ones that sang, "Now that I can Dance" and "I had the time of my life" from the movie Dirty Dancing.

After we left there, we went to the Downtown Grill and Brewery. They had a three piece band playing what I would call Hillbilly Rock. But it was pretty good music. We sat there till about 12 talking and laughing. We knocked on girls that shouldn't have been wearing that dress. Oggled the boys with nice butts. And briefly felt sorry for the poor long haired guy sitting at the corner of the bar...all alone...the whole 2 hours we were there...the only person talking to him was the bartender.

I have been ripping and running all weekend. Joseph had a meeting. We went to Isaiah's basketball game. Kamry and I went to get her an Easter dress and to Target (where I locked my keys in the car). 6 hours later. We got home. Alison and her kids came over and Ali colored my roots (praise God). I tried watching basketball and fell asleep about 930.

Arissa got admitted to Children's last night due to complications post surgery. She got her tonsils out Friday and seems to have had a bad reaction to the anesthesia in conjunction with the pain meds. She puked everything she had in her all day Saturday, and then some. She was so dry that even after 4 bags of fluid, I think she had peed only 2 or 3 times. I took Isaiah up there to see her this afternoon.

I am so ready to go back to work. I need to rest.

Not much more to say. I need to take a Music Appreciation test before it gets to late. Hopefully I will get a chance to update more this week than last.

Peace, love, and windex....Whim

Petsmart, Wal-Mart, Will you be my mommy

2007-03-10T11:29:00.000-05:00

As we have discussed before, we have a fairly new puppy in our house. She turned 2 months old on the 3rd of March. Kashmir was one out of a litter of NINE. Jessica had great luck finding homes for all but one lonely little girl. Enter Aunt Carol.

Aunt Carol apparently caught the puppy bug and commenced to questioning Aunt Anne about said canine over lunch at Ruby Tuesday's. Anne assured Carol she would persue the availability of the puppy. They parted ways and Carol waited anxiously to hear one way or the other. Anne got to me before Carol and informed me that if Carol were to call, that the puppy had already been given away. She told me to call Jessica about the puppy and arrange for pick up or delivery of her. Jessica agreed to bring her to me when I got off work.

I'm getting a new Mommy. I can hardly contain my excitement.

We left my office and the puppy and I were off to Petsmart for some essentials. We picked out chew toys, a harness, food and water bowls, and a retractable leash. After much doting by most of the staff, we were off to pick up Anne. Well, as we all know, Petsmart is way more expensive for dog food than Wal-Mart. So a trip there was in order.

No-Name and Arissa waiting outside Wal-Mart.

Anne and Isaiah went in to get the remaining needed items while Arissa and I tried in vain to get No-Name (merely a temporary title) to use the bathroom. Well after nearly 2 hours riding in cars, she couldn't be bothered. Anne and Isaiah came out with treats, shampoo, a brush, and a VERY large bag of Puppy Chow. Oh, I almost forgot, the be all end all of her purchases, a puppy t-shirt. For No-Name, not Carol.

Off to Harriman we go. We knew that Carol would be home and definitely not expecting us, so the plans were working out perfectly. Anne had brain stormed and devised the most effective way to assure it was a complete surprise. We pulled in the drive way in "stealth mode" I turned off the lights and then the car and sort of coasted in. Anne had me make a sign to put around No-Names neck. Well, since little Princess No-Name wanted no part of standing up, we had Isaiah lay down the sign and place her on top of it. He knocked on the door and stood were she could see him. As she opened the door she saw Anne and I standing there with camera's posed to catch the moment Carol saw her new companion. She looked down to see the sweetest black puppy with a note that posed the question, "Will you be my mommy?"

Well, I believe the answer was a resounding yes! Carol picked up her new baby and was blissfully happy, not to mention completely stunned.

The new Mommy and Maddi

We left the new family to get aquainted and to get some sleep. I hope Maddi slept well and didn't howl all night like her sister did her first night with us. I am a little doubtful though, considering that she slept for most of the evening leading up to her deivery.

I think the two of them will be very happy together. I think they need each other.

Peace, dog treats, and Puppy Chow....The New Aunt Whim

School, Shopping, and ADD...Welcome to my world

2007-03-08T21:51:00.000-05:00

I am technically on Spring Break this week. So in honor of said vacation, I decided that instead of hitting the beach like your average student, I would observe the break in my own special way. I have a mid-term that has been available since Feb. 20. (we take our tests at our own leisure in the testing center). The last day to take it is this Saturday, coincedentally the day after Spring Break ends. I had every intention of taking this test tonight. But like I said, I wanted to observe the break, so I called Anne, and we went shopping instead.

After a leisurely dinner at Macaroni Grill, we hit West Town.

Since the only people that will be reading this already know me, I won't go into all the boring details about surgery, recovery, Adderall, and Wellbutrin. Let's just say that this receipe has left me with a bunch of clothes that look like, well, they look like shit. My pants make me look like I took a dump in them and the crotch hangs down to my knees. Anne and Carol could have worn my shirts with me. All of this since the middle of January. My previous size in pants was a 24 bordering on a 26. I bought 2 pairs of pants tonight that are a 20. I was wearing a 26/28 or 3x in tops. My purchases tonight...1x or 18/20.

Anne and I had a blast. She renamed herself Anne Klein and I assumed her as my personal assistant in charge of making me oggleable. Hey, I created a new word. Any way, I think I tried on every style of pants that Lane Bryant makes in 3 different sizes. I put on and took off more shirts than I thought they had in the store. Every time I would take one off, she was throwing one or two more over the dressing room door. I proved beyond a shadow of doubt that things on the mannequin/hanger don't always look that good on you. Maybe I should become a mannequin then I wouldn't have to worry. But, oh my, that would be completly uncomfortable. Going pee would be way difficult. You can't bend so you totally pee down your leg. And considering that you would be made of wood, you would have a raging case of rot. But since you are wood, you could just whittle away the parts that were rotten. Man, I think I need my meds adjusted. I just so went ADD on you guys. But it's funny so I will leave it there. :-)

Back to The Adventures of Anne (Klein) and Kathy (Oggle). After we were done doting on me, it was off to Ann Taylor. We practically made two laps around the store...and then....the completely witchy woman decides to acknowledge our presence in her world...ON OUR WAY OUT. Anne snipped back at her with, "Well, it's a little late now!!!!" Anne vowed to be nicer to service people during lent. She looked at me and said, "That wasn't very lent like of me." But she was completely justified. I say that the Lord understands.

As we were walking back to our store of origin, Belk, we noticed that most of the stores were dropping their gates and closing up shop. There was the momentary thought of whether or not we would be locked in the belly of the mall. But lo and behold, the loving folks at Belk took pity on us and left their door wide stinking open. We didn't even get to squeeze through and be all stealth like.

I had a blast hanging out with Anne and I am very glad she went with me. We all know that she definitely lets her opinion be known. That comes in very handy when clothes shopping. If it doesn't look good, she'll let you know it. One of the Sales lady's at LB looked at her like she was crazy. Pretty funny that she's right.

Well, after being up until 2 ish this morning listening to Kashmir sing the "my momma locked me in the crate and I don't like it" blues, I need to try to get some sleep.

Peace, love, and plaid capris in a size 12...Head Whim

blah blah blah and yada yada yada

2007-03-06T19:06:00.000-05:00

So....things were kind of interesting today. Not anything major in my world, but interesting nonetheless.

This week brings our yearly bonus as well as our raise for the year. You will know how mine turns out by my Thursday post. I have no false illusions about my position in the company. I know where I rank. Let's put it this way, my bonus probably won't equal the 35% in taxes that some of the upper management will have to pay. But hey, really, I am not complaining. I never had a job before where I have gotten a bonus. It's gravy on the potatoes of life.

I had to stop at Target on my way home from work to pick up a prescription. My insurance covers generic drugs at 100%, so no cost there. However, I had to wander the store until the medicine was ready. You know what that means. 20 minutes and 88 dollars later, I was out the door. But let me tell you about my super cool purchase.

We got a puppy, Kashmir, about a week and a half ago. Now I find myself spending a fair amount of time in the dog aisle looking at treats, collars, and such. So on my jaunt down said aisle tonight, I came across doggy beds. They had numerous to choose from, however, the one that jumped in my cart was the Shabby Chic Round Dog Pillow. It is so stinking cute. I didn't mean it to happen this way, but her bed matches my quilt.

Anne came over after Isaiah's basketball game. We were putting together a template for her to use for ID badges at her office. Once we had it the way she wanted it, we were on to more important matters....blog formatting. We had fun trying to figure out how to do certain things and changing the colors to meet her tastes. I really like the way it turned out and I think she does too. Click on "A Pea in her own pod" to your right and check it out.

To close out tonights entry, I just want to say...you better check check check yourself.

PEACE OUT...Head Whim

Oh baby...you...you got what I need....

2007-03-05T19:23:00.000-05:00

The concert was not as bad as I thought it might be. It was very child, or in my case, mother, friendly. There were a ton of kids there. The kids around us were talking about the symphony like they were talking about spelling words. I honestly don't think I knew the words treble, viola, percussion, or conductor (unless we were talking about trains) exsisted before about the fifth or sixth grade. Kids these days, I swear.

Back to my marvelous mother. I asked her to go with me because I love her and I feel like I haven't seen her enough in the past month or so. I really needed some Mom time. I knew we would have a good time, and I was right. I think she had more fun than me though. I had the pressure of trying to listen to what I was hearing and remember enough about it to write my paper. There were a couple of times that they asked you to sing along. I was looking around noting all the kids singing "Can we build it? Yes we can, can" (no not from Bob the Builder). They were really cute. Then I look to my right and notice Mom singing along with the brightest smile on her face. It made my day. I was so worried she would be bored and that she was only going first because she loves me and I asked her, and second because she wanted to get inside that stinkin theater. As the concert was starting, I told her that if she was good that I would take her for ice cream on the way home. Well, she was more than good. So we hit the Marble Slab on the way to take her home. I had a really good time and hope that Mom can remember the parts of the concert I might forget. I really have to pass this class.

Speaking of class, did anyone notice that there are only 60 days until my graduation???? Not that I noticed or anything. May 4th will be a wonderful day for me. Graduation has always been something that was far away. It seemed so far in the future, I didn't think it would ever get here. But in less than 2 months, I will be an actual college graduate. I think that makes me an alumnus...alumni...alumnee???? Maybe we will just stick with graduate.

Not much happening today. The funny for the day came on the way back from lunch. We were listening to the radio when "Big Poppa" came on. That got us to talking about 80's rap. If you want to hear something funny, start singing Biz Markie's "Just a friend". It takes about 3 seconds for the other 3 (Chris S, Alison M., and Josh) to start singing along. It was hysterical. I love that song for the mere fact that you are SUPPOSED to sing off key. You know you are singing it now, and badly at that.

Well, I guess that is it for tonight. Please check back tomorrow for another installment of my new favorite thing to do....write about me!!!

Well...everyone else is doing it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-03-04T11:11:00.000-05:00

I have spent the last couple of months wandering aimlessly around the internet reading other peoples blogs. I figured that since all the cool people, including my rocking sisters, have blogs, by golly I needed one, too. I haven't a clue what I am doing, but there is only one way to learn.

Last night was the end of season party for the Purple Peeps Biddy Ball Team. What started out as a rocking good time at Big Ed's ended up being an even more rocking good time at Endzone Ellie's. I highly recommend this place. Way less crowded, awesome food, not to mention the owners are really nice. The price is more than reasonable. If you are not from the Ridge, next time you are here, check it out!!

Somehow, upon departure from above mentioned establishment, I ended up with extra children. All was well until subject of ice cream was mentioned. The stinkin girls, Kamry, Arissa, and Sara, wore me out until I BEGGED them to please consume the contents of the Mayfield cookies and cream container. The boys, Joseph and Isaiah, camped in front of the computer and basically chilled.

At about 5:30 AM my cell rings. Joshua was spending the night with Ali. He apparently had a horrid stomachache that required him to moan, literally, for waayyy too long. Ali, being the rockin friend she is, offered to bring him home. About 6 they showed up and, upon crossing the threshold, said ailment seemed to vanish. Conclusion: the best cure for a middle of the night belly ache is your own bed. File that away for future use.

Today holds my mother and I attending a concert at the Tennesee Theatre titled "Let's build the Tower of music". This concert is a requirement for my Music Appreciation class. As is the 2,000 word paper I have to write about it. The best part of the ordeal is that I get to spend some awesome time with my Mom. I am excited about spending time with my mom...she is excited about going to the Tennessee Theatre....I see where I rank. The warm fuzzies are overwhelming.