Life Interrupted but not DiSrUpTeD

I'm availaable...IF you need me....even though I KNOW you NEED me.

2011-04-21T17:37:00.000-07:00

So, I was talking to my husband today....not really a good thing on just about no sleep, coupled with the social, personal, and educational responsibilities that keep me going like a plane on auto pilot.Anyone that knows me knows I am a night owl. but I tend to take that term to the enth degree...as in hardly no sleep.
My theory is that so much can and should be done at night!!!
Banking, Christmas shopping, school...everything should be available at night...once my kids go to sleep....ALL of THEM....even "a Jenae" as she refers to herself; when people ask how many children I have...I respond five kids and she says...."and a Jenae"
The thing is... I am available to so many people throughout the day, that by the time, I'm not needed or wanted..it's pretty late....Now of course I can and do make myself available, but not with action.Meaning I am available...but I'm not interested and am not going to watch you jump on one foot while singing the latest show tune you made up, or listen to one more story that leads into another, or look and this, fix that, sign this and taste...or smell THAT!!!

That leaves me motionless...BUT I'm available....THAT makes me feel good...:)

Like when I put on my earbuds ...blast smooth jazz and leave my door open for kids to come in, looking up, smiling and nodding....unaware of their real needs...uninterested for the most part.Unfortunately...the person...usually the youngest and his sister the drama queen......gets my attention enough to where I take ACTION and remove my earbuds...and lend my full attention.

OK...so back to my first though....availability, conversation with husband....LOL....I'm focused...I'm focused!
So God commands his people to : Go, prove,seek, test. try, study, pray and a whole list of other VERBS that require action and a position of action in one state or another.
For some reason, many people have the notion that we are to be available...and they leave it right there..." I'm available Lord", " Use me lord...I'm here" are a few thing we hear all the time.
The truth is...God is waiting on YOU....to Go, teach, tell, serve, pray, DO...DO....DO!!!!
This takes us from the first position...that mirrors what I described above..... but really...how effective am I when I KNOW they not only need me to be available...but to meet a need or want.

As I type this, losing my train of thought...( 2 hrs of sleep will do that )..Contacts dry...just got finish teaching a ZUMBA class...tending too the kids, putting air in the tire,praying for my husband, finding the universal remote...and losing the codes paper, listening to Allyn tell me about..something....Allowing the Wii to be played...one more game....and getting a peek a boo like " Hi Mommy " from Radiant..Cerah asking to hang out in my room, telling her no, then feeling bad...ALL in the last hr...I want to challenge you to not only be available...but get into action...for your family, friends, community, and most importantly God.
Someone needs to hear/read this and at the least...this is my space in cyber space ...so I get to yap on as much as I like....:)
Saying you're available sounds real good...and looks good on paper...BUT what are you doing to make a difference in ONE person's life...that you KNOW has a need...or a want?

DISCLAIMER: Let's not over complicate this and super size it spiritually..(McDonalds fries on the brain....I passed them up today...I miss those things...)..This may simple mean,,helping a neighbor, calling a friend, writing a letter,, giving someone money or just listening.....it's the little things you do to show how much you care...and it's the little tings that shine the most

I've always been mindful to look for opportunities to be a blessing to someone else.NOT that it always happens...but for the most part..I am VERY mindful and take action....it is a thankless position to be in...with MAN...but I know where my reward is
So folks....Yes, I'm THAT lady in the store that butts into your conversation to answer your questions like, "where's the bathroom, or how does this look...and I've even settled marital tits in stores..(Let him get the IPAD....I got one..it works well!!!.....LOL...yes...THAT"S ME"-As the old folks use to say, I never meet a stranger....

2011-04-20T07:14:00.001-07:00

Happy Wednesday.....With Jesus, you're over the hump!!!

Wednesday are called hump day, old people are stereotyped by a hump, camels are known for their humps and unfortunately nothing too positive is associated with a hump... even a day of the week.Wednesday, "hump day" is what most Americans call this day of the week that is after Monday and Tuesday...hmm What makes Wednesday so different???
Wednesday is treated like that one piece of chocolate in the box with the pink mystery filling, or the sock that is left over from laundry; tossed from room to room on any given day, at any given moment.Wednesday is tolerated like THAT one friend that has jokes that no one understands, or Chemistry 101.....at JCC...and its labs.... Poor Wednesday.....sheesh.....people are conditioned to regret Monday's, accept Tuesdays, and struggle through Wednesday.Well, I have a different mindset about Wednesday, everyday for that matter!Wednesday is another day on this earth, to love, to live and to share Christ with my life!!!
Taking into account that we all have days or moments where we just don't feel like it, or as I say," don't feel like being bothered."These are days when my husband proclaims in a questionable tone," yall better leave your Momma alone now...LOL"( yes, he laughs in the end...hence me questioning his intent...LOL).
OK!!! Back on subject!!
Except the days that just aren't filled with emotional fireworks, Skittles, smiley faces,Jesus t-shirts and armbands, why would we set ourselves up on Tuesday to have a mindset of defeat on Wednesday?Life offers unforeseen challenges, disappointments and struggles, so why do people choose to place themselves in position that is inferior....hump?
To be in a hump, or humped over is not a posture of superiority, and to approach Wednesday with the mindset of "humping" through the day, is emotional defeat; before the day begins!!!People just kind of get through Wednesday...instead of TGIW or HAPPY WEDNESDAY, or even planning parties on Wednesday....lol....I encourage people to see the days of the week differently-
The mind is a terrible thing to waste,and is also a route to your spirit.So if we say Wednesday is hump day, instead of " (Wednesday) is the day that the Lord has made, I WILL rejoice and be glad in it"Psalms 118:24, then we are setting ourselves up for defeat.It's like someone determined to be mad, you know that person!I was that person from time to time....the grudge holder....silent treatment!Why are we giving Wednesday the silent treatment?Wednesday does not stand a chance to be a good day in many people's lives, because of the preconceived notion of " humping through the day."

I challenge you, like a good round of wrestling, to see your days on this earth differently.Rejoice in life, and the fact that you are living!Even if life is not what you want it to be, perhaps if you change your mindset about the simplest things, such as the days of the week, you might be inspired to change! With Jesus, life is not without struggle, but with him, we've already won.So if that's the case, we have no humps to get over....so why give ourselves one???
So while America is wishing people well on their "hump day" I am happy it's Wednesday!!!As I type this, I am watching classic Sesame Street with my youngest and oldest sons.Guess which one is humming along with the music?Life is not perfect, but I am full of joy and peace...and choose to love all the days of the week.....:)

Life interrupted and disrupted!!

2011-04-16T11:06:00.000-07:00

Wow...it has been a long time sense I blogged.I've had a time in life sense my last post.In short, life was interrupted to the point where it seemed to be disrupted.The Bible says to count it all joy when you fall into diverse trials and temptations.My favorite thing is knowing that ALL things work together for the good of them that love God and are called according to his purpose.I know that everything I've experienced in my life has not only made me stronger, but increased my love for my heavenly father!!What happened you may say????Well there is more to come in this blog as well as the other blogs that willbe created!

Soooooo I want to rename the blogspot...hmmmm what shall it be???I may just keep this one though

My husband and I will be creating one call He said...She said......biblically based encouragement for men and women!!Filled with practical knowledge and humor..with the mission to shed light on things often left unsaid, misunderstood or ignored in the life of people that are single, engaged and married!

Avoiding the necessary

2009-05-12T18:37:00.000-07:00

So....I have to prepare to meet my husband in a few days .Much...much earlier than anticipated.We THOUGHT he was coming in June..We had it all planned:
We were going to steal away for the night, then return home in the wee hours if the night.The kids will not have a clue that he is home.THEN in true Vannell fashion, we were going to have vannell begin to cook breakfast and sing with joy, as if he never deployed.We knew the kids would think they were dreaming, and or going crazy...
Well that plan got nixed for a different one.So now I have to pack, not knowing how long I will be gone for.Thank God my mother is here...and Glynnis make sure you check too..
The thing is, I know exactly what I want and need to pack...I just don't feel like it.
So I am just sittin here waiting till I get the phone call, then imma do the Flinstone shuffle to get the hell outta dodge to see Mr.Until then I will reinvent my list in my head...over and over again.
I am, however , excited about seeing Mr.I cannot wait to see his smile, hear his laugh, and smell his cologne...he always smells soo good.I thank God for a pretty boy on most days....getting ready for church can be hell though...lol.
SO as my journey to Walter Reed unfold, I will try and keep you that follow this blog posted.
Thankfully, he is not in critical or immediate danger.Thankfully, whatever is the problem was found before it became an even bigger problem or became fatal.
I am happy he is coming home, but as we say, wish it was not on these terms.
It's funny, because knowing what I am gonna have to face gettin him all cared for, I am thinking of ways as to how I can make a difference in the lives of soldiers that will be, and have been there for a long time....talkin about selfless(not to toot my own horn...just want to make a difference)
With that being said, I thank God for his love, because he saw pass what he was going to loose and gave us his son, so we might live.That's love, and with the same love that is shown to me and my family, I want to give back to other men and women in the military...including my husband.

Bloggin' Keeps Happenin' in My Head

2009-05-05T21:51:00.000-07:00

*sing to the tune of Raindrops are Fallin' on My Head*

I seriously think that this day and age of internet social networking is never going to come to an end.Unlike the Members Only Jacket, Swatch Watch and the Pet Rock, the various social networks are evolving daily into this beast of education, recreation, fights, fueds, love and hate....to name a few things that occur on these sites....lol.
I will admit in a hurry that I participate in a few of them...ok several.I always have, even when it was unpopular.I have always had the group of people, some I never met, some, I have a common bond of the military with...others train as hard as I do...a nd some eat the way I do....I have at least three from high school, Homeschooling, stay at home moms...ohh the list goes on...
I said all that to say that I have "literally" been bloggin this post ...in my head ....virtually...for weeks.I have been meaning to come here to update my blog...and to my distracted mind, I have been busy online with my other sites, I have neglected my blog...lol.*Insert violin music here*
Then when I hit home page, I keep seeing the last post was April....the begining there of...lol....sad.
So in a nutshell,this is what has happened as I remember...
Well we had Spring break, went on vacation to waterpark...weather has broke...it has been great..Kids got flu...church is church...Vannell is fine...sent at least 4 boxes since last post...yadda yadda......my life as I know it is the same...virtually and realisticlly.
I have already vowed not to join another social networking group...UNLESS I get rid of one that I already have...lol.
It is addictive, yet fun, and entertaining...
So as I post this I am wondering about a tweet, whether Myspace has new messeges...have I been invited to yet another mafia...is there a quiz to take...

Spring Has Sprung

2009-04-03T06:08:00.000-07:00

April Showers bring May flowers...Rain Rain go away...
and any other saying one can think of, resembles the crazy ,unpredictable and inconsistant weather we have here in Watertown/Fort Drum NY.We are not sure which saying applies to our weather.As soon as we say one...another situation happens.
So we went from lower thirties last week to sixties yesterday, to rainy fifties today.
I remember when I was younger in Miami, and when it was in the 60's we practiclly had to close school.One was definately wearing boots and a jacket......at least till 12:00pm , when the weather promised to be well above the degree that displayed earlier that am.
So it was funny and like an out of body experience, when we checked the weather Wed.Night(as you HAVE to here.,....one never knows if they are gonna get snow or hail here in NNY)anyway, we check the weather, and you would have thought we all hit the lottery!!!!
60 degrees!!!!!!!!!and possible higher!!!!!!!
Everyone that was able to plan an outfit/ day did.I mean I saw the iron, and capris and shorts...it was hilarious.
Even Radiant , the lone homeschoold one, ran and got her books, in order to do the next days work, in hopes to spend(what she so slickly requests on a weerkly basis)"Mother daughter time..... at the MALL"....lol.
So as the ironing was takin place, and acessories organized, Radiant sat there and did all her work for the next day.When she was done, she handed it in for me to grade/ check....and of she went....first two fingers of the right hand in their common place.....she ran to get her outfit together.
Where she was going...IDK?!But she was going as well.
Need less to say, it was a nice day....nice...very nice.
We went out and hit the mall,Walmart, the park and had lunch at Pondersosa.It was a nice refreshing day!

All that, and to wake up to gloomy and rainy skies today;(
There is no wonder in my mind as to why everyone is hackin and coughing all over the place.I am tryin to avoid it all, like the plague.
I have my spray hand sanitizer, my gel hand sanitizer,Lysol and bleach.I feel like MONK right now.I really don't like to be sick, nor am I fan of sick babies.
I guess nature is telling us, that we must take the weather as we get it.When summer finally comes, we don't enjoy it full because we are anticipating the winter.After this winter, I think I am going to bask in all the sun, warmth and mild weather we get!
The good news is that MrB will be home this winter!
good timez

To Whom Do I Owe This Honor

2009-03-25T18:48:00.001-07:00

It is 9:47pm, Wednesday March 25, 2009....and ALL My Children are sleep...and have been for a minute.
*angelic harp music*

ahh calgon take me away........................far

Why do you RUN to a KIT KAT when life is so BUSY it makes you SICK and all you want to do is SLEEP??

2009-03-24T17:07:00.000-07:00

So as usual when you confess to having a busy life, the laws of nature makes you live up to it!
The past weekend was a mess of Bronchitis, sniffles, upset stomach and diarrhea....and its not ova.I guess with a family this size, it takes time to float from person to person.
So My weekend started off ok...
The usual...until I felt like I was gonna throw up and fall off the Eliptical on mile five...So at first I thought, maybe I was over doing it.Impossible...when I have been working out at this pace for awhile.I felt a wave of nausea for about three days prior.
So then I continued my workout, hit the sauna...and left my safe haven....heading back home....the jungle.
So anyway, I decided to stop by and get some food, since I didn't feel like cooking.
I ate it, and in about 5 minutes FLAT...I was hovering over the toilet in pain....it was a mess.
SO needless to say, I was in bed from Sat to Monday.In the mean time, number 5 decided he wanted to retry the Bronchitis symptoms...So I was up with him AGAIN.
Now it's Monday, and I ended up having to send one of my daycare kids home ....the runs....
Well now it's Tuesday, and number 5 is still sounding like ...Don Corlioni(The God Father) and number 4 decided she wanted a "run" for her money.....She actually was quite proud of her participation in the "run".....proclaiming with excitment as I walked in the door this evening...."Mommy, i'm sick..../I had di-a-weea"...GREAT.
So I will have DON Corlioni and Princess Runny Pants at home tomorrow!!!!Good times!
On top of all that, as Global Warming and leap year would have it...my cycle is doin it's own thing...I swear I am hearing from other people...at least 3 other people that they are getting their cycles twice a month.Sooooo I GUESS that's why I HAD to stop at the shoppette and get a KIT KAT .....after coming from the gym...I HAD to have it!
If I have not mentioned it this week/ month....I miss my man...RR can not get here fast enough.Imma sleep for a day.
Glynnis you KNOW I can do it....rotflol.
SO life as I know it continues.I am working on about 2 hours sleep...I am feeling my high subside.SO my goal tonight is to sleep....nothing more or less.
Until the next time...I bid all readers of this blog whether purposfully or through thing mega giant called google.....good night!

5 Miles of FuN

2009-03-19T06:34:00.001-07:00

As the day of the Shamrock run approached I began to get excited.I was not sure what to expect.I had not done something this challenging in YEARS.Never to this magnitude.I was uncertain about the weather.I prayed the sun would shine at least.
I continued to train even when I went on vacation. It was always on my mind.I continued to eat well, and excersize.I was NOT about to get my booty handed to me as a result of letting it all hang loose while on vacation.So while I did eat and drink things I normally pass on....I did not over do it:)
So the night before the race, I encouraged my team to stretch and stretch some more.I layed my clothes out.(sign of excitement)and headed off to sleep.Surprisingly enough I awoke to one of my team members/ children taking a shower, preparing for their day.(wow...they were as excided as I was!!)
Camera in hand, eating a banana,cell phone, and ipod in tow...I headed off to get the last memeber of the team.(oh yeh..I did have water...important things first though...lol)
We got her about 8:00am(if you know me you know that was impressive for a Saturday...aaannnd it was not shoe sale related)...anticipating a long line of people checking in.The military wife in me would have it no other way.
(One thing MSG Wifey forgot to do...very important....RECON route BEFORE the race....details to come)
We checked in, and got our numbers and was set to go...only problem was that the race did not begin until 10.But as we waited and stretched, we were happy we showed up early and beat the long line that was forming.
So what did we do???What anyone with a camera and a facebook/ ,myspace account would do...PICTURESSSSS!!

me all smiles BEFORE the run.
Pam all smiles...as usual

Gemini

Allyn....silly as usual

So it was finally time to head out in the 40 something degree weather to line up for the run.We saw some people that impressed us before the run even began.I mean they were ready!They taught us novice a thing or two.The gear, the gadgets and the get ups were impressive.I mean they were set.We headed off, unsure...but READY.Confident..aand all smiles.
So while we waited.....yes....more pictures!!
Allyn trying to present his "im a serious runner look"

That's that Northern NY wussup through the mitten...

wow....wuddduuupppp????

Pam and her " G"...pose

It was cold....

And the stretch and play before the horn sounds...

As instructed the fast runners made their way to the front of the pack.Those of us that were doing a little walking and running were behind them.The stroller moms followed us.So yeh...in true organized run fashion...The horn sounded.And like a lightening bolt...they were off...only thing was that we underestimated the amount of runners, so we were actually in the pack of fast runners.In order to avoid getting trampled or cursed out...we ran....and kept running..I was like ,"what the heck???"Now.... we had anticipated running, but not off bat....I was NOT ready for that...it was hilarious....run or get ran over.As serious as those runners were...I choose to run....The air was cold, my running song was not on...I was a mess.So we jogged as far as our bodies took us...long enough for the show offs...I mean fast runners... to get well ahaead of us.
We maintained a brisk pace, and as cold as it was, we began to grow accustom to the cold.
So we walked...and walked....then we saw a mile marker...YES!!!!.The thing is that the majority of the people chose to do the 2 mile run...we were among those that chose the 5 mile.So as we saw them turning around....heading back...we had to keep on to our turn around point.As they smiled as us, and waved, because they knew their run was almost over.Even when we were on the 5 mile route it was impressive to see the fast runners already heading back.It was pure encouragment for me!We cheered them on...and kept our eyes on our goal.My main goal was to get my time and not come in last.
I chose the 5 miler because I wanted to push myself to do something I had never done before.I knew I could do it...and I wanted to prove it to the part of my brain that said "duuuude....no way".
I never workout in the cold,not much for hanging out in it for that matter, so it must have been shocking to my system to breath in the cold air, because I had a lil "snot issue" from jump....lol.On top of that...as stated before MSG Wifey did not recon the route, so I was unaware of the many hills...beastly hills that led the way.And on top of that...when we suppose to be on flat ground...it was not.I discovered Watertown roads are not completely flat.
Pam and I mainatined our pace, passing those that were ahead of us, and looking back for noone...

Allyn would stay with Gemini, them sprint ahead of us...then I think he got mad and just left us all.You know the good kind of mad....like what am I doing?Let's knock this out.That rush!!!

I don't think Pam stopped smiling the whole time..She danced,skipped, hopped and cheered....are you kiddin me???(Her husband disclosed her secret later, she worked out that morning, right before we got there....so mentally she was ahead of our game...cheater...lol) but I was mad...lol.Mad it takes all this to get in shape...lol...mad at the cold..mad at the snot...mad at the roads...BUT I was loving every step I took towards my goal.I meant business.(this picture makes me look fat..I had a front pouch full of junk.

ahh....sweet Jesus....the end...the finish line.Where is the crowd of people...cheering???I guess they say you are on your own...it's cold!The main crowd was there to cheer the finishers of the 2 miler...and probably the first of the 5 milers.In their defense it was cold...People were there , but not like you see on tv...lol.That's ok..I was my own cheerleader...and Pam of course.

Still smiling....Are you kiddin me???Did she just do 5 miles like I did...

You see Pam?? Now have a look at me.I was mad...lol...not really...but my nose began to BURN real bad...real bad..and the mucus was outta control.Good news is, I finished...and made the time I wanted.AND I did not feel broke down afterwards.But do you see my expression....I might have been sayin, as I looked at Pam...What the hell is she on????

All in all it was a wonderful time.It was hilarious to see "Pumpy Pam" react as I let out my signature, "whooohooo" as we worked it out.My whoooo is like a hoooah or my personal cadence to keep me goin....that second wind.She was like...you alright?I was like yeh...lol....don't mind me....i'll "whoooo lawd" ya in a min. if I am workin out to my max.
Afterwards, we got refreshed and had a victory lunch in the 'Cuse...I craved Olive Garden salad...something fierce.
Well there is more in store for Team BeMoShanksWins.It was a good ride...looking forward to many more. I was impressed with myself the next day, and even now...not broke down at all...it actually pushed my workout to another level.
Things I learned:
*You just can't go from working out indoors to outsdoors in the cold ....hence my nose issue...been sneezin since.
*make sure my playlist in tact...when ur workin out that hard...fumbling with an ipod touch is not good
*I layered from head to toes very well
*recon the route if possible...always good to know where you are going...its a mind game to me...once I hit the turn around point, it was easier menatlly because I knew where the finish line was
*There is a hat that I can get that has a whole for my pony tail....cute.
*use my ipod arm holder thingy....convenient.
*get another pair of running shoes...these were bought a size to big...not good to have feet sliding..
*give Pam a sedative...or two.
*Cute went away real quick.What is that when you are working your booty off....you got a snot nose, it's cold, my hands were freezing and my butt was yelling at me to kill the hills.....lol

I want to say a special hoooah to my 2 teenage team mates.Allyn who finished ahead of us...a former tubby turned athlete...and Gemini....who finished for the team.We got worried there for a minute.We didn't see her behind us.I was going to go get my truck and follow the route until I found her...because all I could imagine was her in the middle of the road(they did not block it off to traffic...was not good...they drove like maniacs)Sitting there , stubbornly refusing to go a pace further.BUT....HOWEVER....To our surprise, she finished...for the team....big ups!!!!
Again, this was something I would have never guessed I'd do about 6 months ago.EVER...especially in that weather.It probably was good that I didn't recon the route, because I probably would have defeated myself from the start.
It speaks volumes of my effort that I completed the race,and was not broke down afterwards.I had my rest day on Sunday and restarted my workout on Monday!
Thank you Glynnis for the encouragement and compliments!
Thanks to my hubby....my number one fan....the dude said I motivate and inspire him....really??!!!....I am humbled!
And to my children , who I want to live as an example for more so than anything.Maintaining maximum health to be alive and well for a very, very, very..... long time!

Until next time.....Peace Love and Excersize!!!!

BeMoShanksWins

2009-03-19T06:00:00.001-07:00

Well within the past week, I have managed to do alot of things.Some things I do on the regular, and one great thing I did was unprecidented.
I ran/ brisk walked a 5 mile run!!The Shamrock Run held here in Watertown.
I am so proud of Team BeMoShanksWins-We rocked....We finished!!!

I started this journey about a year ago.Determined to get the stubborn 50lbs off.I have been back and forth with that number since I had my last 10 pounder(yes...he was huge...no epi..no nuthin)I have never had a weight problem, just the weight from having a baby.I just never seem to let it go...lol.Well there was that time in Hawaii when I lost all of it....aaannnnd you guessed it....I got pregnant!
Anyway....as most women do,I put me on the back burner.I took care of everyone else, and everything else.Me on the back burner,well sort of.If you know me, you know no matter what size, imma be "right".Imma represent for the curvy ladies.(I can hear a song comin on)
*to the tune of Single Ladies*All my curvy ladies...all my curvey ladies....put your snacks up!!

*ok im focused *

Well after many headaches, and just plain and simply tired of being tired, I started the journey, just eating right.Staying away from the sweets, etc that are a guilty pleasure.
Anywho....as my weight loss began to steady, and it was drag inch by inch....I was encouraged, by an unlikely source (my cousin who is very much overweight/ yet will hit the gym in a heart beat)to excersize.I HATED to excersize.I was allergic.BUT I started....and kept it up.I found that the gym became an outlet for me to clear my mind of the days stresses.It became a place where I vented frustrations to myself, as the music I was listening to took me somewhere else.I found that my weight loss sky rocketed as I worked out.I went from once a week to three days to 6 days a week.its addicting now!!!From an 18 to a size 12(loose fittin)(and counting)...i'd say I ROCK!!!
My husband has promised to convert a room in the basement into a gym...I am afraid I will not like it...it's something about GOING to the gym....and getting out the house...leaving all the cares, frustrations, tears, and WHINING behind...for 2 hours...HEAVENLY!!!!(If he puts in a sauna...I may have to reconsider)
*I so can see the line of little and medium size people loitering at the door as I attempt to excersize*
They do it now, when I have to workout at home, all of a sudden the littles have pressing information they need to tell me.peering through my room door(glass)...whining about something...anything...Ilove how the older guys KNOW I have on ear buds...and comence to speak to me through the door...and I am clear on the other side of my pretty large bedroom....really???!!!
The good news is that the older children have really stepped up their game and begun to take care of their bodies.Joining me at the gym from time to time, and excersizing at home whenever they can.Snacks have been reinvented in my home, and if we HAVE to have a sweet...it is eating and that's that.Gone are the days of a cabinet full of sweets...Now it is filled with better choices.
So Team BeMoShanksWins-Myself,Allyn,Gemini, and Pam.We have created this team, and was determined to finish!WITH the anticipation of more runs on the horizon.

So the semi couch potatoe turns athelete.....health nut...as fit as I was in highschool.I have managed to inspire many,most of all the person that inspired me to loose weight.When I saw her Sunday, I told her of my run...she nearly cried with joy...and "bowed" with admiration as she has yet to knock out a mile without becoming ovewhelmed.
I did something I thought I could never do, and ENJOYED it....for the most part.(details in next post)
I encourage anyone reading this post that has a dream to do something POSITIVE .Go for it...the worst that could happen is that you don't try!!!

Stir Crazy

2009-03-12T09:07:00.000-07:00

Woow...it has been a minute since my last post.My blog has been on my mind, and I probably have been bloggin in my mind...rotflol.
Not much has happened since my last post.
I did enjoy a week and a few days vacation in MIAMI.
I had a BLAST!!!
I acted like a married lady withour children:0
The weather was awesome......compared to here, I thought I was in Make Believe Land.I forgot it got that warm in the world.Sad part about it, I was excited for the family when I called hime and the said it was a "warm" 44 degrees...I know yall loss ur minds last week!
If it was strapless,a halter,sleeveless,flipped or flopped I wore it.I was determined to take in the warmth, and I did.
Well I am back to reality....my reality.
Came home and chores were done....not....rotflol.
So yeh, I am back to my life as I know it...not as I wished it last week.Warm weather, no limitations, and care free.(attached to the cell phone of course...have to keep in touch with Mr.B)
So I went from paradise and returned to mi vida loca!!!
Well i'm off to coax a certain someone to sleep(fat chance...lol.)
..she is laying down...so that's a start
peace

2009-02-19T12:22:00.000-08:00

Ok...so life happens....and then I blog a week later.
My life went from Ground Hog day to the Ringling Brother's Circus it is know to be!
So on Friday, I got a call (while on my way home from Syracuse) that my little guy was very sick.So after playing phone tag and meet - up.I took him in , and he has Bronchitis....FUN!
Then I went to a Valentine's event on that Saturday, was not entertained...but was in good company.
I then became ill...with what seemed like the flu.Not yet recovered...but feelin better.I was in my bed all weekend...ringer off....thank God my mom was here to help bring in the rear...along with the older children.
So then came Monday..........WINTER BREAK!!!!!!
So right now I have all the kids home and we are doin us......whatever that is.
I am ready for a getaway...and am planning one as we speak.

In the mean time....As the World Turns , My Life is not that of one in 90210, I would love to be in Miami Nights, or Lost in Hawaii 50.
Some Give Me a Break and some expect me to be Entertainment Tonight....but regardless I am continuing to have the Best Week Ever!

The same things change more so they also remain different.

2009-02-10T20:53:00.000-08:00

The More things change...the more they stay the same.I decided to google routine, and post the first image.This is what came up...lol.Very cute dipiction.

The more things change in my day to day life, the more they remain the same.....lol. It is like that with children.....with 6 children....and a family.And those of you with pets....*bows*.....there is a special place in the looney bin for pet owners.....lol.(you thought I was going to say heaven ....)....j/k....it is a special thing.The children's problems, needs and antics changes the course of MY day by the minute, but nothing is new...lol.

Who did what...who said what...who smells, who use to smell....who thinks it's cool to smell....farts, burps, bruises, whine, slip, sip, wink,slap, and a hit.....lol.

All possibly in THAT order.....Thank you Uncle Sam for the honor to referee the madness of it all sucessfully I might add....during a year long deployment.

When the deployment first started, I knew things would get challenging, stressful, blissful, peaceful and annoying all in the course of a year.And it has....on schedule....

Well my "Donut of Misery"tracker has us at about 36% completed....that's a plus.So with just a little under half of the time gone, I find us in routine.The saying at the bottom of the "donut"says..."Are we there yet?"

And that's how I feel....Are we there YEEEEEET....lol.

Is it summer,R&R is surely on its way.....right...????

I thank God for his presence in my life.Keeping us safe and sound while the man of this household is far away.I thank God for keeping him safe.

I am inclined to think that as much as God is a God that changes, but definately remains the same(one of my favorite things to say)....So is life ....The more things change....the more they stay the same.So perhaps routine is a way for us to get things right.....or in order.To learn what we need to learn in the MOMENT.To stop and smell the roses.Also, I find that routine also encourages us to step outside the box and create a new experience....for entertainment, for education, for any area in your life that needs to change....yet remain the same.Just the same with Christ.If you have God in your life, you know that there are times when the relationship feels routine.And as the scripture says, as the deer pants for water...my soul longs after thee.This is a great scripture to explain the thirst for change that it takes to seek God in a new, personal, and individualistic manner.As a result....change....yet things remain the same!

So as much as I feel like I am in an episode of Ground Hog Day....I KNOW that it is all good...for my good!I don't need drama, crisis, or some severe event to feel significant in life.I am ok with Ground Hog Day verses Nightmare on Elm Street.

Hibernation 101

2009-02-06T08:41:00.000-08:00

Anyone that knows me knows I am a person that does not mind rest, or getting sleep.Quarterly, during deployments especially, I take weekend or weekly sabaticles away....far....alone.( I think I mentioned that before...lol)Anyway, thanx to the truck being fixed, it can be done, but will not happen this weekend, as I planned.Instead, I am going to make the best of the weekend in this order.

WARNING!!!:The following is subject to schedule change at my disgression

*Truck will be done soon*doing the happy dance*More so for the fact that my babies will get to go to school Monday!From one early childhood professional to another...My hats off to you MrsDonna
*Kids got to talk to their friends and teachers
*It's Friday-IT IS FRIDAY.I am so at the point where I have to do my quarterly get away.Its coming, delayed by the truck, but its all good.If you know my house and where my bedroom is,uh you know I am straight.
*Workout- yeh, I need to sit in the sauna ....doggone over worked neck muscle
*get my dang nail fixed.....just got fills 2 days ago.....
*Starbucks(see two up)...rotflol Tall caramel frap-(line cup with caramel please)whipped cream,and caramel on whipped cream!
*Buffalo Wings-(see two up...not that bad though...I get a salad instead of fries, and I make two meals out of it......so there*sticks tongue out*)they know me there....Is that as bad as being number 8 in the nation for Diner Dash?
*Good book-that's optional...The last book I read was a major disappointment, because it had such potential...then he added Sci Fi....WHY????
*Brief Maam-Laterally transfer all information pertaining to the forward ops of the household.(I am sure there is a mutiny planned as I write)
*LOCKED room door(if not, i'll get the constant influx of company.)I should mention curtains closed....as it is a favorite thing for ANY and all my kids to stand at my french doors...one may have a huge smile, the other just stands there,and says..."whaaaaaaaat" as only she know how, another is there leaning on the doors,about to break them....but she "doesn't know it.....her body just does it", then there is the one standing there with her fingers in her mouth, making the suckin noise, and if she is hungry she is going to hum every Gospel song she knows ...really hungry its gonna be the Jonas Brothers......Now the last two just bust in the room.
*Silenced phone....with the exception for one person...
*DVR review weekly recordings-need to watch 24 and HELL'S KITCHEN
*Absolutely no think zone-about ANYTHING......LOL.

I am not sure if we are suppose to get snow, but I am going to hunker down as if we were....lol.
Nothings wrong,I am actually doing well, but if you know me, you know me....nuff said.
Glynnis, I need to watch that video...I MAY send a reply...rotflol

This is a weekend of hibernation
p.s(Carrie if you are still on....they are now in the basement playing and laughing as if they are the best of friends.uh oh...."me dun wanna do dis one".....(reading a book together)Vannell coomplied, and turned the page......now we are counting....ahhh good timezzzz

Shoe Fury

2009-02-06T07:47:00.000-08:00

Ok...So when the journalist threw the shoe....well shoes at Bush, I had a laugh.Then was concerned for his safety or lack there of that allowed the man to get off and throw not one, but two shoes.

Then the shoe revolt started here in the states.On the eve of his handover of the White House to his predecessor, protesters turned the Pennsylvania Ave dwelling into what looked like an assortment of shoes that had fallen off a Salvation Army donation truck.One protester said,"“We wanted to shoo and boo Bush on his last day in office,” (Ann Wilcox)

Ok, so I have a very fond and positive relationship with shoes,and it has never occurred me to use them as a form of protest.

I have on occasion used flip flop as a fly swatter.A good slipper makes for a great discipline aid.And heck a good ole wooden wedge makes a GREAT hammer!I do not recommend shoveling snow in heels , or trying to mow the lawn in sandals.If the shoe fits......use it!

But as a sign of protest?!I looked up the origin,and even as I am searching for pics, I came across so many incidents that involve throwing things as a means of protect and rage....especially shoes.

A local protest sparked this blog

ITHACA - A protester dressed in his 1950s-era military uniform threw his shoes at Mayor Carolyn Peterson and brought Common Council's Wednesday night meeting to an almost hour-long standstill, insisting that he wanted to be arrested in protest over the Council's position against the "immoral wars" in Iraq and Afghanistan

ok....so is the new form of protest here in America?Yall know when something hits our shores, it spreads like hips on a ...ok...never mind...you know what I'm saying though.

I will admit, it made me chuckle.But when you think of the intent behind the shoes being thrown, its like wow.....all I could think of is hate or disgust

Your USED shoe has walked on and been in many dirty, nasty, places.Touched many germy things....and biblically speaking sandals had a major symbolism in their daily interactions.From removing them to enter a home, or to have one's feet washed.To trading them as a sign of a contract or agreement.

So to toss one out a fit of rage or anger at someone,cannot be good.I can only imagine the incidents in America as the idea spreads.

Bored...you say????

2009-02-05T18:41:00.000-08:00

Ok...I am learning never to say you're bored while dealing or going through a deployment.

I need to stick to browsing bored.com before I speak another word of boredom....

ok in the last 72 hours:

*My truck sound like it has the flu and a stomache virus while wearing a red hat flashing ABS.

*My car's ABS light is back on as well....and the engine light is back on after being serviced last week

*I had to do the climb on the hood method of reconfiguring the garage door ....again

*I got a 24 stomach head virus situation

*Someone hacked into my email account and deleted EVERY THING

*I'm in the whole...can't sleep at night rotation

and a whole other nit picky things that normally I would lol @ and keep going.But when your man is a hundred and 50 thousand(insert teenage drama there) million miles away.....in a combat zone....everything, and nothing ticks you off....even him.

The good news is that yes the truck situation is a pain, but I got it off to the dealer, and it should be fixed by next week.BUT I tell you what, come hell or high water, my two darling angels will be in school next week.While I am sure Sarah is enjoying having her buddies home.Cause they have managed to destroy my basement in a manner of minutes, all while managing not to fight.But how can they when they are forming a coallition against me...I'll call it the Cailou revolt....if I don't play Cailou at least twice a day for an hour straight....the Elmo doll will get it!

Then there is the attack of the Smilee...............they smilee face gummie worms.

I decided tonight on the way from that I will not complain.I told the kids that at least:

*Maam was here to follow me to the dealer as I dropped the truck off

*I am feeling better

* I am happy I can fix the things that break, or find a way to

*I am back in my account / emails not there...but i'm in

*I can't complain:

We are blessed,alive,full of joy,and healthy............................So on the days that I am bored, I may choose to say I am activity challenged....bored i'm not.

Specifically Spectacles

2009-02-04T21:33:00.000-08:00

Ok...so Vannell Jr got his specs today.

He is such an old man....and now the specs add the final touch.

He was excited to put them on, and it was hilarious when he did, it was almost as if the world opened up....became clear.Like in that one movie(it will come to me...as I type....hopefully)....the one movie where the people went in the tv and lived a black and white life, til they decided to enjoy life, then color slowly started coming.

He got the glasses, put them on, and smiled a huge smile.Then he ran from person to person naming stuff....pointing and naming...lol....seriously....it was like Benny Hinn was in the room.

"Mommy has on glasses"...pointing at me....."Maam has on glasses"...pointing at maam....."Gemini ...oh Gemini has on glasses.".....then he just went around the room, naming stuff, people etc....hilarious!

Then it was on and off with the glasses.I bought him the handsome Superman carrying case.When (I suspect) he gets a headache from his eyes adjusting.He takes the glasses off, and says,"I'm donna safe my dalasses for tomorrow.

Its the cutest thing...

Here are some pics of the old man lookin older....

he's not into smiling much....when he does, it melts your heart.I know I am bias, but he has a beautiful smile!

Ohh....I never remembered the title to the movie....rotflmbooooooootyO

Coughs,Snot,Headaches ohhh My.....

2009-02-02T19:09:00.000-08:00

So ....that's what my Monday was about.It is so hard to get a 3yo to spit the gunk out...lol.
Let alone take the nasty stuff.

My head ached ALL day.
Worked out
Had a crappy nutrition day....way too much junk.....stress?

I have the 8th highest Flo on the Go international score....should I be proud?...lol.

I need a vacation

I am bored=======chop my hair off....I am withstanding the temptation....braids work with the gym

Super Bowl Sundae

2009-02-01T22:04:00.000-08:00

that's what I could use right now....lol.
Caramel with whipped cram.I love it...don't need it tho....and will not eat it.
But I tell you what, people say terrible 2's..oh I forgot about the terrible 3's.

yes....Jr. is at it again.
Before church....FIRST thing this am....
at least he was not yellin...
but he storms in my room....mommy...why we not doin to stool?.....huh.....well its Sunday we are going to church.Tan I tall my Daddy...um....nope....he is at work Man Man.....
Can I eat ....can I have a yogurt, Allyn not donna gedup....
Yes he is man man....go shake him....I don't want a baby shower(what we call the shower using the attachment)...I want my man's(dress shirt).....then the finally....well no the waited for church to begin for that.......I wanna nap, im sleepy...where is my Bible....
Then we had the If you don't stop fallin out imma BEAT your butt in ths truck battle in the garage...ok...that was defused...with the aid of parental assistance ...and a good ole fashion pop...

Theeeeeeeeeeeeeen we get to church.Front pew, back pew, with Glynnis,with Cerah.Facing the front, got all the Bibles.on my knees looking back...Hi mommy...Turn around.....no...oh really.....aaaaaaaaand he's off....im sleepy, I want Allyn(who is about to dance)....and yes....IIIIIIIwaaaaant mmmmyy dadddddy.
At this point...go...go to Iraq...find him....become one with him.
I had to do the crazy Medea move...swooped him up...of course he was not comin with out a fight...o a fall out at least(did I mention church had started , and we were at the annoucement part at this point(yes...it was silence)
So yeh,I helped him out a bit...lol.I had to chuckle after I popped him...I told him to dry it up...lol.What I meant to say, and did say was...I mean...stop yellin....Do you really think you need to yell while you cry?
So that was Sunday.....
No ordinary day in my life...I am going to get that book started one of these days.I am told we need to pitch the idea to TLC....Keeping up With the Berrien's....?....lol....
gn

Sunshine Saturday....scared to enjoy it....

2009-02-01T21:57:00.001-08:00

ok, imma just post this one as if it is Sat.

So yeh, I woke up early this am.I am committed to go to a women's meeting...well an extention of our regular meeting.We met to work out...ok....So I do not like to get up early on Saturdays......it has to be something really good to get me up....and especially out of bed.
So yeh after convincing myself I needed to be there.Iwent....we worked out.Which was good because I didn't feel like it later.
wait...I am suppose to be writing as if its Saturday.Fat chance....its late....like 1 in the am...I cannot sleep, and my brain is not going to compute that at this hour...lol.

ok...so after the meeting....I got the truck washed....and um...headed home.
What did we do?I don't remember....lol.
I know it was not much of anything.I played online, checked email, im's etc....that was my Sat....give or take a few details...

2009-02-01T21:47:00.001-08:00

1. What do you listen to in the car? Talk Radio/xm/Barney or Doodle Bops during the hours I am the Tot Taxi

2. Do you have an Ipod? If so, what's the last thing you loaded on it? Yes..Touch...love it.. workout music...some sort of podcast

3.Do you have a Facebook page? Am I your friend? Yes....trying not to become addicted....

4. What's the best book you read last year? hmmmm...Gosh I don't remember...probably some sapppy romance novel.I am a hopeless romantic.I read a Leadership book on thelife of Paul that was good as well.

5. What's the best movie you watched last year? oh wow....At the top of my head...IDK...Why Did I get married.....Happy Feet...(ill get withcha)

.6. Do you buy music online? lol...no....well what do you mean by BUY?

7. What is one brand you are loyal to? Dove , Secret,Lysol,....idk(who thought of this poll?

8. Did you watch Lost last week? If so, what did you think? No...

9. What do you hope to accomplish in 2009? getting to my goal weight...getting through 2009, whole, healthy and better...much better!

10. M&Ms or Skittles? Skittles for sure.

Time Flies When

2009-02-01T21:29:00.000-08:00

You're(fill in something smart and witty here)

Where did the weekend go?It seems like yesterday it was Friday.We Were destined for a storm, it came, and kept coming.they actually predicted lake effect snow(you would be so proud of me Jill...from Hawaii to NY...I got the lingo!)but it was more like blizzard conditions.
So what did the force of Aunt Flo do for me ? ......like Red Bull ...........it gave me wings.Wings to tread through the white outs, squalls and zero visibility....to um..... go to Starbucks .
YES STARBUCK.
ok...see what...had happened was this.It was a dark and stormy night....lol.
No, my week was topped off so affectionately by Mother Nature...lum she decided to hand me a rag, she decided to go with the flow...ok you get me?
So yeh, I knew something was up, cuz I did not seem to be able to shake the chocolate, junk food,carb cravings.Then Friday evening, I got the taste for tall Carmel frap (I will not...lol) with extra Carmel(line the cup please) whipped cream and Carmel on top.Oh Lord......that makes the deployment a little bit easier.
My Starbucks treat makes things just wonderful.So....I had the taste.I was determined.I put on my jacket, got in the truck , and headed in town.Well...lol...I only got about 1/4 of a mile before the zero visability kicked in.And a little common sense.What the heck are you doing...I thought.So I turned around.and headed back to my house, which I almost passed, did slide through(because our city is running low, if not out at this point , of salt).So get back in the house determined to go.I looked in the front window, looked in the back.Ohhed and awwed at the flakes, the speed, and the lack of visibility.All along, winter coat on, determined that I am going to have Starbucks....lol.
Ok....second attempt...Now all I could think about is when I first got here and was scared to death to drive in rain let alone snow...lake effect snow...on a country road with farmland covered with snow that blows and enhances the zero visibility.
Needless to say, I got there.sometimes driving through blizzard conditions, others through clear skies.That always amazes me how lake effect snow is so concentrated that you can be in clear weather one moment and the snow from hell in another.I have called home in the past and told them I am going through snow...expect it in a min....lol
So Friday was made all better by the Starbuck Angel.
Did nothing and was sooooo ok with that.

Sunday

2009-01-26T07:07:00.000-08:00

ok...so the first....Cancelling church because of the snow.We got a foot over night, and was threatening more....and we got it.
ok...so no church...the teen people were a little upset, because they couldn't wear their outfits they were going to dance in....That's right. not that they were upset they couldn't dance.
So After a have a 5 min church service in my head....I decided to chill.
The two littles got time to play in the snow(no thanx to me....)
After talking with Vannell...if you want to call it that.
Actually, Allyn and I were glued to the Animal Planet.So much Vannell was like I didnt know Animal Planet was sooo interesting.
It was.....the show followed a bear being raised by humans then let loose in control part of the sanctuary.It was interesting.
Then I took the evening to catch up on my DVR...
Other than the nightly banging , running, fussing, hissing, laughing and back to fussing of the kids upstairs.....eh....my day was normal....
As normal you get around here.

2009-01-24T20:24:00.000-08:00

So I figured out today that I AM an emti0nal eater...While I have not fallen off the wagon completely, I have eaten enough carbs and sugar this weekend....Buuut I still excersize.lol.
While I refuse to refuse myself, I will say that this weekend I have gone above and beyond a treat.I am thinkin it is either stress......which as much as I know the saying..."to blessed to be stressed"...this human being has been stressed.......or the monthly friend is coming. Why do "we" think we can't experience and ounce of emotion.Emotions God gave us.Or have a reaction to situations that are contrary to the mantra stated above...."tooo blessesd to be stressed"...Well I say..."I am still blessed, but this week I was stressed!"
Either way...I am back on track......tomorrow.

Took kiddos...well 2 sixths of them....(the joys of having a few older children...you don't have to take them all with you) out to mall today.Packed as ever.Why?Everyone has 70 and 60 percent off.....
Nothing new.nothing intersting.

Don't get me started on Borders.We passed a couple of eyes that had Eddie Haskell and Debbie gaspin.....really what's with the displays ....Gemini said some of the books need to be behind a curtain or something...judgin by the cover alone.....
Where is the standard.....?I always tell them I remember the Daisy Duke was explicit for tx....and Don't forget Married with Children....
Off to watch a movie or two....and some snacks....good timez..........

I researched and am seeing that deployments have this wonderful effect on 3yos around the country.I am wondering if its terrible 3's or if its the trauma....I know it is trauma,....but the terrible 3's have kicked in.I forgot....lol....shoot ....I was thinkin terrible 2's but most people know its the terrible 3's that getcha.
Well good night my friends those that know me personally and those lurkin in cyber space.

Jill , it is as if I am reading my own words when I am on your blog.......your nuts,.....we are nuts....how many days a week to you hear....."How do you do it?"

Well night night all...

T.G.I.F.I.A.C.U

2009-01-23T16:47:00.000-08:00

Thank God It's Friday...I Am Caught Up.

So my day started early as usual.I was excited to see the reaction of the kids especially Vannell(See two posts down).Don't read this if you have not read that one.

Ok....soo I woke them up as I usually do.But THIS time I reminded Vannell about his mail that he had coming.I let them know it was on the couch.Vannell popped up eagerly, like he usually does.This could be a trap I thought, cause he is always ready to wake up...and get his get into stuff on...but to my delight, he woke up, and yes asked hs usual..."is Daddy done with Iraq"I reminded him ,"no.....but he sent your package and its on the couch"Well that sprung Shantelle up, and they went to the couch to see their packages.At first glance they looked at the contents as a teen looks when they open that package of pajamas on Christmas.ahhh haaa...yehh.....blanket....but then the examined the blanket, and the rest of the contents.This brought on ohhs and ahh...JACKPOT....it worked.And then the DVD...AND a card...a letter.It worked.We had a great morning prepping for school.I did have the issue of which socks he wanted to wear, but it was nowhere near the blow ups of old.I dropped them off.Blankets and Soldier bears in tow.We watched the DVD on the way to school.They skipped in the class....I think its gonna be a great day.

So I got home, and realized that I needed to tend to some business that I had put off, forgotten or just did not have the emotional mustard to tend to.(emotional mustard????)
Anyway...I made a list, checked it twice.And went down,

Vannell had an eye appt today, and as suspected he needs glasses.Armed with his bear, he received the exam and the examiner with ease.Ahhhh this is going well.Then it started."I;m hungry".Well I told him, he doesn't eat lunch for at least another hour.Hold on...we will get you back to school....annnd he's off.....he went from I am hungry, to trying to fall out in the store, to I am hungry...to I want to go home and sleep in my bed.By then I was like...uh huh....yeh you going home, but um.,...imma pop you, feed you, then put you to bed...in that order.I had had enough.Now I am sensitive to the plight of a 3yo in distress.And judging by the kid's prescription he is probably frustrated because he can't see well.But heck.....you are gonna get it together.The fits, the whining ...I do not tolerate it...period.So after letting him know what his afternoon was going to be like...it switched to I want to go to school.This time he knew to calm his and my nerves...the whining....ahh...it gets old...so he did.Now we can talk.....I am taking you back to school.I will be back at regular time.You will not fall out when I drop you off....and if you are successful.....(enter parental bribing here....I don't do it often if at all....he caught in a weak moment)...I will bring smilees to school.
Well smilees are my "littles" addiction of choice.I have to have them in stock.Mostly I use them as Scooby snacks, and adda boy treats.(walmart brand fruit snacks)
Well he skipped in his class...and had a wonderful afternoon.
I will not go into how this evening has been.I will just say that as I am typing, I have been interrupted....the theme here,...several times.....for several reasons...and the culprit remains the same.He has a hold of himself right now.I just had him sitting his behind down until he was ready to talk...and not cry, or yell.Ignoring him the whole time, he settled himself, and figured heck...this does not work for her....and he collected himself as required...and now he is watching Cailou ...without event.
Why does Eddie Haskell bother me....he is soo funny.He just walked in to update me on dance practice at church..Uh huh...yep...ok....close the door I say.Well I am still typing the sentence, and he closes my door with him INSIDE my room.Talkin bout....ummmm yeahhh....................boy if you don't get out of here...lol...
Anyway this was a short week.A long week by deployment standards.I have dealt with more whiny children than I'd like to.I had to climb on my truck to reach the garage door opener thingy to reset, and reattach it...someone thinks its funny to pull the plug.appointments, dinner, laundry, snow...shoveling snow...and the most frustrating...I am stuck on level 14 in Diner Dash-Flo on vacation....on a cruise and she looses her luggage...now she has to work her way to more clothes......lol.
In the words of someone....Thank God It's Friday...................

I Wish Him Well

2009-01-23T15:58:00.000-08:00

The Inauguration was unforgettable to say the least.I cried at some parts,laughed at others, cheered with pride, and was bored to death with some.The lack of support from some and the record breaking support of others. The hope of some matched the distrust of others.The uncomfortable salutes and the tireless waving.The parades, the crowds, more smiles, and waves.Saying So long, farewell, Auf wiedersehen, good bye...to Bush, and saying Ahhhllloooohaaaa, Hello, greetings to Obama.

What an emotionally charged day.

Ahh the photos....awesome...

The music...?!

The poetry?!

The swearing in.....and again....

Let's just say that it is a day we all will not forget.

The thing that is crazy is that so many people wish this administration to fail.I have heard the soundbites.I listen to left and right wing talk radio, and it is unmistakeably apparent many people want this administration to fail.

Why?The thing is as much as I got tired of Bush...president Bush....my husband's former commander and chief...I would never say I hope he fails.I may have thought something may fail , will fail, but the support was there.More so for America.

So if Obama's policies fail in what he intends them to do, and the country goes further into a depression...I am sorry...I think its a depression.....THE COUNTRY FAILS.

No man is an island here.

While I support the 5th amendment and am happy that people share how they feel publicly, because you know where they are coming from.I even support their right to say they hope he fails...but its sad.I wish they consider another stance on the matter.Fall in love with the man....not even asking for that.

I heard one guy said...give him a chance ...for what...then he went on to say that America didn't give Bush a chance....HA...laughable in my opinion

Any who...I will speak for me, myself and I.While I am proud of the historical nature and the many firsts of this election.I am interested in seeing what changes are going to take place in America.I am elated that he is Black...I am very impressed with his poise. I am truly impressed with the experience he is surrounding himself with.Do I agree with everything he says...nope.Do I agree with all his policies....nope.But I believe in giving him a chance...more than a change.Most of all I am willing to do my part in helping him move this country forward.So that being said,those that wish he fail....I pray for you.I cannot wish bad on him...doing that I wish bad for myself as an American....in my opinion.So many people homeless jobless, and desperate for change...I pray he brings it....not just him...but the law makers, the local government....America

It reminds me of a scripture....Touch not my anointed, and do my prophet no harm.

I am not interjecting Obama here at the prophet, or the anointed in a spiritual sense.But when you do a comparison...I look at it like this...Obama was appointed by the majority of America...and to think ill or harm him...your hurting yourself....IMHO

jus sayin

Operation _UPS_Unshipped Postal Service

2009-01-23T15:05:00.000-08:00

I am sooo two days behind...this is yesterday's blog.

Ok...so I think I posted about Vannell's adjustment, and lack there of to his Dad being gone.Yesturday was the tip of the ice burg for me.....emotionally.
Let's see, it started off with his usual tantrum, fit, yelling and channelling of a 6 month old baby.
It usually begins when I wake him up, the FIRST thing out his mouth is where is my Daddy, or Is Daddy coming with us, and Is Daddy done in Iraq.Well that HAS to be one of the hardest things to deal with as a parent.Trying to hold it all in, I usually quietly explain, "no Vannell, Daddy isn't done working in Iraq."
I am sure in his little 3 year old mind....he is thinking, "hey, they said he is going to be gone for a long time...ok....its been a long time>"Ohh it just breaks my heart to no end...I feel helpless.
Usually after I say this the whine fest begins from I want my Daddy, to I don't want to go to school, to I want to go to school,BUT I want to eat at home......on and on.All this to the top of his lungs, tears flowing...and just as emotionally unstable as a person on a diet at a buffet.
So during this fit, I tapped into my profession....redirecting.... I got the brainy, not emotionally healthy for me, idea to have him leave a message on his Dad's yahoo.Ohhh why do I love punishment?....."Dadddy...arre you dun in Iwaq?...I misiiiissss you....calll me pleeeeaaassssssseee" he said in that raspy deep voice of his.Well you could have had me for a nickel.I did one of those silent ugly cries.The kind you hold in, because you don't want to alarm the chilren.While I was unsuccessfully holding the tears back, I was bawling.This is the hard part....it sucks.I never had to deal with this before in past separations.The children were either too young to be affected, or old enough to understand.
So after the call, and a fight over gloves, and line leaders(someone has to lead the line from the interior garage door to the truck on the other side of the door)
I am convinced at this point, anything that will cause an argument, a fit, or emotionally charged cry feels good to him....its a release...But what is more frustrating is the aggression.I am really trying to be understanding...but the aggression is getting old.
Well once I go to his class...I asked his teacher is she noticed anything different.As we have for at least 3 weeks.One said no...she is new.But the lead teacher said she did.Well, what she said to me next led to ANOTHER moment of tears for me.It is soo heartbreaking to know your child is basically traumatized and there is nothing you can do but help them cope.I was convinced I was going to get a call about his aggression, but I never did.So I asked, and she said he has regressed...which I see at home.He is the baby....his speech, and mannerisms.She says she speaks of his Daddy being a soldier all the time.It is always on his mind.And he doesn't play with his friends much.He will try and play and stop mid stride, and go and sit by himself.Well....that did it....I bawled....she was so understanding.She hugged me, and I told her I was off to find books to help him cope.
Armed with titles...I went to Borders..the only bookstore in Watertown has NO books for young children dealing with separation through military, and the trauma.I spent 2 hrs there.Nothing.I looked, the sales associateS looked...nothing.So now I am REALLY emo...I mean really.
Long story short, I got an idea.I decided that maybe it would be nice if Daddy "sent" him a box.I didn't have time for Vannell to actually send a box...I was/ am desperate.So I did what most Mommies do, I planned and executed .....operation UPS_Unmailed Postal Service.
See that is when you want to give your child the illusion that they have received mail.All for a greater cause.You will not see this company in the yellow pages.I own it.....lol.So what I did was went to the PX and bout soldier bears, a couple of toys, cards,movies, candy and a special nap time blanket with stuffed animals attached.
Earlier when they had spoken to their Dad, I typed as he spoke, tell them u sent them a box...will explain later..Ahhh .....parents are sooo sneaky.....its all good.I know i'll go a thousand miles for my kids to do and feel better.(I will be the first to say that my 35 year old mind cannot fully comprehend my husband being gone for 365days, so I cannot imagine a 3yo mind*tear*)
Obediently*wink*Vannell took his cue.Told me what to put in the cards, and the plan was in order.
We went to bed peacefully last night.Not much of a fight.After readin the Snuggle Puppy book and The Kissing Hand...they went to bed thinking about the package that was in the mailbox JUST FOR THEM.

I was able to get a little respite yesturday.There was a FRG meeting going on and I attended.I am not much for FRG, but the kids and I went.It was nice to have the older four tag along...and leave the younger to with Maam.So that being said, we were able to go to our meeting and shop for the UPS.After such an emotionally charged day, weeks for that matter, I welcomed the break...even if it was a meeting.(how desperate is THAT...lol.

Not much else going on....planning to just chill this weekend.I am feeling like I am getting close to needing my quarterly sabbatical to a far off place...just me myself and I.It sucks cuz my man ain't here, I love when he would sneak up, and I would let him in ...for a minute...or so....and send him on his marry little way.So this time, I guess it'll be just me myself....uninterrupted....ahhh the hours of sleep, rest.....non thinking....(I know that is not a word)
More snow predicted...so.....yeah....lol.

You know, as much as I am proud of my country, and especially proud of my husband.It's times like these that makes you question...is it worth it?What can be done?Do they have to go so often?So long?What about soldier X who has never been?
Then I think about the sacrifices we have made, that Vannell makes.I think abo0ut how he proudly serves, never complaing....well I will say...never doubting the mission...or for a lack of a better word...obediently serving.
I take this attitude as I support my husband....I serve him, my country and children.I will do this by being a support to him, keeping the home fires burning and the house in order.I think about how fast time has gone by so far.I think about the past seperations and how they look like mountains in the begining...and begin to demish as time goes by.I thinkl about how technology has advanced from the first speration to now.I think about it all....and I know...that God has never lead me where he couldn't support me.He always lets me know
"This too Shall Pass"

Presidential Bull

2009-01-20T17:18:00.000-08:00

ok...so now that I have your attenti0on...lol.Where do I begin?
Do I talk about the pride of Americas right now, or the Red Bull experiment of WHS?To blog about the swimmer, or the daily protest for wanting Daddy home!
Well since I know most people are blogging about the President Obama Inauguration, I will start my blog as a rebel.....I will begin on my daily musings as a mother and wife.

So my day started early as usual.Last night,I decided that I was going to try and work out in the am.I know that there are many benefits to doing this.And on days I choose , I will go to te gym.Ahhh the gym, my new junk food.I love it.It's MY place.Me and my Ipod Touch...hand in hand....working out, the sauna, the peace and quiet...sort of.So yeah I worked out, loved it, and am gonna try it daily if not every other day.
So then it's time to get the littles up.Well as I am working out Vannell shoots down stairs.He didn't wake up until later.And when the did, he decided to have the war of the hats and mittens.Are you serious.Well first it started out as the War of the boots.Oh no...you will NOT wear snow boots all day....they are not meant to be worn as a means of fashion...I am sorry....for those that do...ok....but no....thanx.So after forcing socks on a screaming 3 year old.Screaming about which shoes he wanted to wear.Of course I could find the match....that would be too easy.On the way upstairs he went from...i don't want to wear those shoes, to I don't want to go to school...to...you guessed it...old faithfu;;....I...waaannnnt my Daaaaady.....over and over again.....ok.HEre we go....War on.....After the request for my white spoon...lol...I went into battle.Well then we had the battle of the gloves and hats.Kickin and screaming, he protested, until I popped him.Well he got it together...and we are off..well needless to say , by the time I got the DVD going in the car, and got to the edge of the driveway, he was calm.AFTER, he asked,"Is my Daddy coming?'...Ohh that just breaks my heart.As smart as he is, I understand he does not understand.He misses Dad so much.Later on today, I found a great book for tots about deployment...which remind me to go google it, while I remember....BRB...ok I was majorly unsuccessful.I found the book, but not in an online store.It was published in 2007...so IDK...I am gonna keep looking later.I found some other good books I am going to order though.

ok...so that was vannell.And needless to say Shantelle tried to follow suit with the hissy fits about her gloves and hat.She is a big girl though,it didnt last long.

ok...now to the Bull.Red Bull that is.
So Debbie Downer had been coming home, or came home asking me to go to Walmart for a case and a half of Red Bull for a project.What?First of all, the stuff is expensive.What do you need Red Bull for I asked.A project she says.So in my mind I am like....ok....I have no permission slip...sooooo this must be some explosion experiment, because I know this teacher is not requesting Red Bull for her to consume.So I told her I was not buying no Red Bull and that teacher is crazy.
In a nut shell....the teacher allowed the kids to come up with a lab.The lab was to see the effects of Red Bull on heart rates of boys vs girls.And they are to consume...wait...they were not going to consume the drinks...they were going to find 2 Other students to drink it.
HOWSTUPIDCANANDIRRESPONSIBLECANYOUBE????
SOmetimes I think some of these new school teachers are off the rocker.One fry short of a Happy Meal....really.Why and how did this make since to her.Well, needless to say, the principle,school nurse and the teacher got an email from me....It was from the Legend...lol.
As I was typing all I could here is ..uh ohhh she is at it...again.
Well considering I am actually tired, I guess i will hang my hat for now.I will post my Obama stuff tomorrow
Until then...........If anyone can help me look for this book:
Over There-by Dorinda Silver Williams....about deployment

2009-01-19T10:39:00.000-08:00

Failure to Launch=Failure to get out of bed...well only for the essential things.Like food,potty break and making sure Shantelle and Vannell aren't driving people crazy.
I am armed with my laptop, a diet Pepsi, a can of fruit, water, and a can opener.I am set for at least five hours.....lol
So I woke up to my dang alarm on my Ipod-I usually remember to turn alarms off, on days I do not have to get up early.Well, after finding it, and shutting it off, I covered my head and went back to sleep.Or tried to...
Only in the back round was the t.v...turned on via the turn on feature the tv.Forgot to disable that as well.Shoot....lol.So anyway, News 10 now was announcing that today was the most depressing day of the year....???
Where do they get these stats from.Who thought of it, and who had the nerve to classify it as a day?Wow....the third Monday of January, it the most depressing day of the year...lol.
Well , I am sure it means something to someone in this world.Someone will get out of work as a result of it.Some child will be allowed to lounge all day and eat raisins or something.It's important for someone....lol.
Well I guess I could think of a few reasons to be depressed, but nawww i'll pass.As much as I would like to have an excuse or reason to sleep in, I don't need one.
The things I do daily, and the people I keep in line are enough.From making sure Eddie Haskell is on his best behavior...for real.Head Start,taxi driver,counselor, chef, lawyer,parole officer, judge...the roles are endless.Then in the end, I have to remain wifey to the man over seas.That takes much time and creativity.Oh and not to mention the daycare children Although I have downsized, I still have a hand full.Those two have the personalities of 8 children....four each...lol.
So when I get a three day, I take advantage to do what I want for me.I believe in taking care of me, if I don't .....who will.
So I will not lie and say I have been eating right....nope.I still worked out though.But I think I have eatin everything from sugary cereal to pb &j.....had a taste for it, and heck, i will not deprive myself.Just got to work harder in the gym....its all good.Tomorrow starts another day of eating healthy , but for now, I am gonna put a dent in it....lol.
It just so happen that it is still cold out....shockinmg.and it just so happen that I STILL don't like to go out in the cold, and I choose to stay in bed all day.I need to clean, have a little laundry, and I am sure Shantelle still has that lotion in her hair.(Thanks to her and her brother.....)
I took something out for dinner...that's a start.But for now, I am on here, playing Diner Dash, and talking with Vannell.Who is preparing for an inspection,so he is not much conversation right now.
So yeah, I have a condition right now called Failure to Launch.....(yes you can find that only in Melisster's Dictionary).
Wow...Mouse and her buddy must be giving them hell upstairs...lol.All I hear is Allyn calling their names....lol.I have never seen children under 4 not afraid to stand up literally to a teenager...teenagers.They have so much mouth its not funny.Then when she is done telling them off she says(quote from me)"See what you guys are teaching us?"....Now if you are that smart to know that...you are smart enough to know you are mouthin off.
Now I hear them outside my room, in the basement , attempting to hold the tv hostage.It usually works...lol.Singing the OnDemand tunes for Kid's on demand channell.That can only mean one thing.Cailou....yep....aaaaand the theme song is starting now.
Well at least they are quiet.Bad nes for anyone that was watching tv down here, I guess they'll go to their room or in the kitchen.
*that's what they do, the demand Kid's onDemand channell, and you sit there and watch episode after episode.You have to sit there because once the episode has ended, you have to restart a new one*
Well.....I don't intend to much else today.I would love to run to the Mecca, or head out to Watertown.But nawww, I'll pass for tomorrow.School again...Shantelle and Vannell are delighted to hear that.Radiant has swimming and gym.So yeah, I am sure tomorrow I will launch into the deep.Where no man is bold enough to go.Into my life........

The Legend of Melissa B

2009-01-18T09:12:00.001-08:00

SO my mom sub's at the highschool where my children attend.
Sha came home one day, and was lol the comments, respect and admiration I get from the teachers and staff at the school.
I am Legend...lol.
Well for a little backround...
Let's just say that Eddie Haskell and Fabio got in trouble(see past post if you are lost)...and after warning him of the consequences_"If I cannot trust you, then I will go to school and stay in all your classes.
Well Eddie thought I was playing.He pulled one last stunt.It was a while ago, but it caught up with him.Not only that missing assignents here, and there.Not dressing out here and there.OK...you are playing with me.
You think I am toooo busy that I can't check up on you?
You think I am sooo emo about this deployment that I am clueless....
HA...!
So after the winter break, I politely, packed my Ipod Touch, a good vook, my cell phone, and went to school.
Heck, I don't send you to school to act up.
Well problem number one is that I blend in with the students.So much so, I almost got in trouble for my cell phone and ipod touch at lunch.
Anyway.....I went to all his classes.Period after period.(I don't care how in shape you are...that was taxing....)
I sat in on all of them.Teachers never asked a thing.Some had me up front, others in the back.Some handed me notes, dittos, and even the books that they were reading.
Kids wondered, but dared not ask....lol
As we changed classes, I told him....don't you leave me in this hallway...I know you tryin to lose me...rotflol.He smiled.
That kid has thick skin...I taught him that.Never let em' see you sweat, and don't sweat the small stuff.If it;s hard, live thre it.And that's what he did.
I went to lunch, PE everything.HE had to address his PE call in front of me.I was proud, he did it as a young man.faced his wrong,and took it.He later said he was not embarassed by me, but ....he prefers I stay at home....lol
I don't think he will be getting in trouble any time soon?!
So anyway, my mom goes on to tell me that the teachers wished there were other parents like me.All this said by those that have met and dealt with me, or just "heard" about me.This is not the first unorthadox thing I have done at the school in response to Eddie's coming of age ...lol.You should ask him about the time he missed...well skipped football practice.....by the time I got done with him...the coach was bowing to me...lol. One teacher said I should write a book...Effective Parenting....lol
We may not be the best parents, or the most effective.However, we vowed before God that we will do all that we can to train and raise them up in the way they should go....by ANY means necessary.We make no excuses , nor accept guilt for their foolishness..
I am a Legend at Watertown High School!

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

2009-01-18T09:07:00.000-08:00

Vannell,
They say absence makes the heart grow fonder.The more you do, the more you write, the more you call...the more I fall deeper and deeper in love.From the calls, the im's, the poems...oh the poems....the distance has no effect.
The way you do the things you do...has me speechless.(Which is very hard to believe I know....lol)
Baby I love you!
Until you come home for RR.........

2009-01-18T08:55:00.001-08:00

Ok...I am beyond slacking at this point....lol.

Sad...but true.I have not posted here since before Christmas.

Maybe I need to make this my homepage....done.

Perhaps I will see it, and log on and blog more often.I actually enjoy it, but out of site is out of mind for me.

I was inspired after going to Jill's blog and yes Jill, people DO NOT care how full YOUR plate is, and what you have going on......

Soooooo what hasn't been going on....

Let's see Vannell is Still deployed(shocking....)

Well this week/end has been pretty chill for me.

Considering it has been what I have dubbed"butt crack cold" here in the North country.

Artic fronts, snow and more snow.

Well if you know me, you know what I did.Wen to Wally World, got whatever I didn't have.Went to my favorite Wing Spot, got me some ribs.Headed to Starbucks...got my tall carmel Frap wit extra carmel.(I know I don't need any of it, but hey...I work out enough...and I am not gonna starve myself.)

So anyway,after I left the Mecca(as Carrie calls it) I headed home, and have been here ever since.

It's Sunday, and I am staying home.Chillin' out.Waiting on Vannell to come online.Then we'll probably chat till he falls asleep, and I sacre him by sending a "buzz" haaaaaaa I love to do that.

Well so much has happened and gone on with the little people.

Merry Christmas....

2008-12-29T20:46:00.000-08:00

Had a Jolly Christmas, as jolly as it can be without Mr.Claus home.We decided to go with a very economical, and responsible Christmas(as usual) but especially this year.Because we have so many children....so many why did I say it like THAT.Because we have more than one to buy for, I am accustomed to buying things early.My favorite is Wally World when they have the discount toy isle.There is where I get started.I buy here and there.So the bulk of the toys that were gonna be bought were already bought.The funny thing is buying them while the children are present.This usually involves the aid of the older children.Grabbing the item, paying for the item, and dashing to the truck.

So what were we gonna do this year for Christmas?Our children have or has had every electronic known to man.If they don;t have it, they don't need it.So I got the brainy idea to do room makeovers this year.It was time.Some people needed beds, they all could use matching comforters, painted walls and the like.We could not see ourselves spending like nuts knowing that some people are homeless and hungry , more so than ever this year.

So operation room make over without them knowing began.The hardest part was getting them to CLEAN THEIR ROOMS.Fred Sanford junior, was the worst.I have never seen a pack rat as young as he.The object was to get them to clan, declutter, so all I had to do was decorate and paint.Simple plan.Well sure enough, the girls was done.It was a bit hairy at times having Gemini depart from her 16 years of hall passes, emo journals, and God knows what else.She thanked me later, stating she would have never decluttered without my help.I mean the child had ONE glove...where was the match?Empty or darn near empty lotion, soap, you name it...

Then there was Allyn.The guy that sat around looking like he was doing the same, only to find out, he stuffed everything in his closet OR made up an excuse as to why he needed the EMPTY fish tank in his room.Or the stereo that does not work, yet he wants to take it apart.

OHHH come on people, don't you know what I am trying to do here..for you...lol

Well after shopping, sorting, wrapping etc...Christmas eve got the best of them.They all turned 2 all of a sudden.You know the old adage, if you go to sleep early, Christmas will come.

So you have Gemini freakin out caus she can;t sleep in her bed.Calling the larger of the two couches in the basement.Allyn stokied cause he doesn't have to sleep in his room, and have it be discovered , until its too late that he has not cleaned it.Cerah so excited, sh can't sleep, yet she wants to.Peanut was out first, and the babies....I don't know how they go them to sleep.Although the boy was up pretty late.He ended up holding them hostage with Cailou.

The makeovers were welcomed and best of all, when asked for a list of things they wanted,, Cerah wanted a room make over, and Gemini concurred on her list.Along with a lap top, ANOTHER coach purse, Christian Dior glasses, a laptop, clothes, purses,jewelry, ipod touch, Rant phone, .....the list was massive......yet remains so small and insignificant in her brain...

The makeover is complete(walls need to be finished)Whose idea was it to paint circles on half the wall anyway?I willpost pictures as soon as we are done.

Daddy, we missed you , and as you know the day was NOT the same without you here.Tinkering with training wheels, and eating play food, and loading music, and playing with drum sets, and radios, and turn tables, sitting next to me on the coach chillin as we enjoy them playing with their toys, making the holiday calls, and enjoying the holiday meals.The kids enjoyed everything, especially the makeovers.We love you and miss you, and see another holiday's passing as one day closer to you being home...."See" you New Years!

New Years

Innauguration

Valentines

Winter Break

Spring????*fingers crossed*

My Birthday...heaaaaaay

Mother's Day...You KNOW what I want and where I go to get it...yep there...

End of School Year...."Schoolz out for Summer!"

Fourth of July

RR....sheesh...Finally...

First Day of School

Our Anniversary

And you should be home riiiight about now....lol.

As The Donut Change

2008-12-29T20:25:00.000-08:00

So I broke down and got the donut!Not the kind one can consume in about two bites.But the one that it takes at least 12 months to get through...in the case of deployment.You see , me and the donut(most people for that matter) have a love hate relationship with the donut.He tells you like it is at the onset of deployment.Usually it is not welcoming.As time goes by, he raises your level of expectancy, and excitement to the point where you begin to adore him.Ahhhh the donut!

The most memorable thing about him, is his uncouth and sometime blunt way of telling you,"you have a long, long, way to go".....This is what you don't want to see.Soo, what you usually do is check it monthly, and if you belong to a message board, or forum for other donut haters...you post your donut status as of the last day of the month.Those rounding the tail end of deployment are usually first to post, in all caps, and neon colors.And not to mention, the cute saying at the bottom......"Leaving on a jet plane"....Arrrh....I ...musn't hate on the person posting their joys of and ending deployment.THEN you have the people that post,"I HATE the donut...Ughhhh when will it change..."Yeah...it is torture, and yet another thing to help us get through a year, or six month, and even fifteen months of separation from loved ones.

What is the donut?

The donut is an excel program created by military members that helped them track their deployment over seas.Along with tracking the time you left, and the "tentative " date to return, the excel program also calculates and gives a pie chart as well as the percentage of time past as well time to go.All this while having whitty sayings at every stage.

Well I happen to be at " Still have a long, long, long time"

Really?Thanks, didn't know that.Rest assured the saying get funnier, and promising as time goes by.As stated before, the one most people like to read it "leaving on a jet plane", and something to the effect of boots on ground.

So while I am hating on the donut right now, I will be cherishing it in a few months.Waiting for the 50% milestone, the saying to change , then RR(I need to get another one for RR specifically)

So tune in to the next time to As The Donut Change...

As my World Turns With All My Children

2008-12-17T20:27:00.000-08:00

So as one can imagine...I am a pretty busy woman.(exhibit A...i wrote this awhile ago,,,why isn't it posted?)One question still remains unanswered concerning our children is, Who is the quiet on?Ok really every family has a quiet one.You know that one where when you are making introductions you might say, "and this is (insert name).....she's our quiet one."....well in our household....we got jipped.We had our sights on Radiant, because when she was a baby she NEVER cried and when she did it was soooo soft, you had to lower the volume on everything and listen intently to see if it were her.So I knew , I hit the jackpot with that one.Her older brother was not even in the running.That boy began talking at an early age and has not stopped since.He may PRETEND to be the quiet one....but I have Eddie Haskell's number...Don't let him fool ya.Then along came Cerah, she always cried...lol.She was the first girl, and when her Daddy came home from Korea, he made up for the year he missed of her life.And so that was that.I have been asking this question for a long time.Then we have Shantelle....now I really knew she was the quiet one....ROTFLOL......ok, when we brought her home she was a whoppin 6 lbs.I remember having to pad her car seat.She hardly cried, and was always serious...until she saw one of her siblings or her Daddy.But she was not a loud baby.So I had my hopes on her being the quiet one in the household of dramatics...actors and actresses...So yeah...that was until she decided to talk....We thought Shantelle has a speech delay, and when we got her evaluated the lady may as well had said, " you idiots, aint nothing wrong with this girl, she is the baby of the family and yall are saying and doing everything for her, so why else does she need to talk...she can point like she is doing!"But she was sooo nice about it.She observed her, and heard her talk and watched how she interacted with the family, and she said, you know I think she is ok speech wise, maybe you all should wait another year.Maybe you should encourage her to talk and ask for things before one of you get it....well that ended THAT....she has been talking, mothering, and fussing ever since.
Sooo no quiet one....
So the 9 year old has taken up the smart mouth's ....lol.She is the actress of the bunch, and I think she channels one of the characters she sees on Disney, and in turn has to get in trouble for the smart mouth stuff she says.She had a good fit the other night...lol.Because she could not take a ride.Well , ok...I understand disappointment, but when I got home, my mother was standing guard over her, and told her to apologize etc....well come to find out Radiant must have thought she was auditioning for the best actress role in a melodrama....maybe it would be called,"Suicidal Rage"...My mother said for minutes this chick rolled on the floor, yelled, screamed all kinds of crazy stuff, and rolled some more, she went there with the I hate yous and all.So much to the point she scared the little...and you know NOTHING scares them...well most things.Needless to say, I didn't have much to do but accept her apology for something I was not aware of happening, but its good for her nerves anyway....And then after ALL that, she settled down and .....you guessed started humming and sucking her fingers...what the world?!

I swear Man man and Mouse think they are teenagers.They want to stay up with them, eat with them, speak like them, etc.I must admit, to be so young , they can hold their own.For the most part.

23 to Life.....................

2008-12-17T19:35:00.000-08:00

Ahhhh I bet you think I am talking about a sentence someone got for a crime committed....nope....lol.I am talking about I am 23 lbs away from my first weight loss goal! I am giving time to me...to get these final 23 lbs off...and I am living now, and will continue to have life and have it more abundantly. There is NOTHING like setting a goal and achieving it.When I started this journey, I was 205 lbs....I was still reppin the big girls, lookin cute and maintainin' my sexy, but um....I was not healthy...I felt it.fatigue, shortness of breath, and fueling my body with empty carbs and sugar....and just as sedentary as I wanted to be....lol. When I started this journey, it was a dare...I always get to a certain point and quit.Whether it is a dress size( I surpassed it), or a poundage on the scale(surpassed it)...but this time, I told myself I HAD to do it...and finish it...for me....for my health.I take care of sooo many people, and am there for many more...and I need to be a better , healthier person for me, and others will reap the benefit for it as well. I remember preparing for a message on day, and I was struck by a thought, I am encouraging others to get over their fears, and inhabitions, and overcome through discipline lifestyles and things that besets them from achieving what they want in life.And as clear as day I heard," but you don't do it yourself...."I thought, how am I gonna say that, and I don't want to tackle this FAT demon....oh what a demon....lol.For you, it may be lieing, or stealing, or procrastination, but for me, it was the snackin on junk, sugar is my friend, fried foods oh my,I ain't exercising let alone liking it so leave me alone...FAT DEMON!So I challenged myself to set a goal(the same one I have had for years...and meet it....regardless...) So now I am months later, a smaller portion eating, sensible snacker, exercising daily...and loving it....HEALTH NUT...lol. It has become a part of who I am now.When I don't workout, I miss it.When I miss a day, I actually make it up, and or work harder the next workout....lol...What in the world...Its all good though. I have not concentrated on the scale...because I can become obsessed.I have not obsessed on dress sizes, because I know that size is up to to the interpretation of the designer....So I focus on how healthy I feel.The energy I have, and the power to endure. Right now I am mad at the treadmill because I have upped my workout, and my legs are aching again...it a good ache though...you know?Its telling me....I'm are working and making a difference... So I encourage ANYONE reading this blog....don't give up on any goal.Start small...challenge yourself, and keep on keepin on. So yeah I have sentenced myself to 23 to Life....Life as I knew it before has changed.23lbs to a met goal.23 lbs to even more confidence in knowing I can do what I set my mind to.23lbs farther away from horrible diseases...23lbs lighter in order to LIVE*LAUGH*LOVE.

Let It Snow...Let It Snow....Let It Snow....

2008-12-17T19:03:00.000-08:00

Sooooo it seems that the snow will not end.The Farmer's Almanac has predicted that this was gonna be a snowy winter.Winter has not even gotten here yet, and it has been ALOT of snow!It all started about a week ....well no the week of Halloween...and has not stopped since.
I had family coming in for Thanksgiving,with great anticipation of snow, they were excited to come and visit Northern New York.They are from Miami, the place where snow is not an issue.People in Miami buy boots, for fashion.I remember growing up and having boots on with jeans and a shirt, in the middle of 80 degree weather.The winters there are VERY mild, and usually, a day where it gets down to 50, calls for long johns and a coat.Not a thick coat though, we don't have them down there.
That reminds me of when we first arrived here, and I was preparing my children for the "harsh" winter months.I very proudly went out and bought the light, fashion boots that I was accustomed to in Miami, and one pair of fleece gloves.I was set.They had a coat...( I knew to get a thick one) and their fashion boots...and A PAIR...of fleece gloves.Well my neighbors and friends that had been in snow, and experience specifically the snow here in NNY...laughed at me for weeks, days, and we still laugh about it.First of all, the fashion boots do no good for their feet in sub zero weather.I was so proud though.But naww we had to save them for the milder winder days.Then it was the issue of the gloves ....one pair per child...including the infants...My friend had to school on the fact that gloves go to the same place socks go to....and never return.And as a result of that it is always wise to have a few pairs of hats and gloves for the children.
How quickly I learned that one has to be more than prepared in this winter.I am usually armed with a shovel, brush, and de-icer for my vehicle, and I have several cubbies and closets full of hats, coats and mittens.Mainly for the younger children.
Something has to be said about the teen-agers and their need to be fashionable over warm.It is very common to see these kids walking around here with no gloves and sometimes no hat.All for fashion...HA....I don't think so!
.........................So yeah ...back to my family.....they actually prayed for snow and a white Thanksgiving...they got it....alot..even up to the day they left.SNOW!...Now my issue with this is....it has not stopped snowing since.I made a call to my people, and told them...look...you really can stop praying for snow now....we got it...we have ALOT of it here, and it looks as if it will not end.AND it is not officially winter yet????
Two hour delay today, and a winter warning tonight, and another one til Saturday night.This has been the pattern.We may have had one day off, but it remain steady..whether light or lake effect, it has been coming down.
Well somewhere in the cycle of life some farmer, animal, someone somewhere is happy, because the snow is helping them and their way of life.So...as the Bible talks about seasons and times, I am reminded that this is a season in the four season rotation.We live in a climate that has all four seasons...which I love....and as things are dying, and hibernating,and hunkering down..one day , they snow will melt, the sun will shine BRIGHTLY, and we will hear the birds begin to chirp,and the signs of Spring will appear.So as much as I would love to join in the complaining brigade..I choose to enjoy the snow.I have learned to enjoy the silence of the falling snow on a cold winter's night(it is a very eerie sound to hear...when you look out your door, and see snow for days, but hear no sound),I pause for the little bunnies, and what nots that I see in the back yard, and I am still amazed at the sight of the Northern Lights that sometimes are displayed here....awesome!
So just as sure as my name is Melissa, and as the Earth remains, the seasons will come and go, some longer than others, some milder than others, but in the end it will accomplish what it was suppose to.When you complain about it, it seems longer and harsher, when you embrace it and ride it out, Life doesn't seem so bad!

Thank God it's Friday!

2008-12-12T10:56:00.000-08:00

This week has been an emotionally draining week.Not in a bad way, or emotionally Debbie Downer way, just a week where I REALLY had to think, and reason, and .......do things...lol.One day this week, I didn't get to sleep til about three, only to have to wake up at five.For no apparent reason, just surfing the net, playing games, then watching tv.I am the type that once I pass the 1:00 hr. I can stay up all night.Yeah, so it's FRIDAY!!! I get to sleep in tomorrow...if I choose.I know I am gonna go work out, but not sure what else after that.Same thing for tonight.

VanTelle had a bout of the poops and sore throats this week, so they did not go to school twice this week.They are home today.It is amazing how quickly they and you as well can adjust to a new schedule.
Those two are still as comical as ever...and busy as ever.The newest thing with Vannell is upon bedtime, naptime, or anything related to sleep....he is hungry.He could have just eaten something....don't matter.He wants a snack, a bar, a cookie...and my favorite...milk....but not the white one, the red one...(Kool Aid).So lastnight, I layed them down, and told them good night etc....and he was off..the whining, and crying, and screaming.....lol.So I had an idea...ok...are you hungry, go get carrots...NOOOOOOOO!...lol.i was like well get some cheese, or salad....Nooooo! was his response....lol.Well that didn't take long to difuse..But then he took on a new form of expressing displeasure....yelling to the top of his lungs.Great!Iyts Thursday, and I am tired, sore from working out, and just somply annoyed....and now he wants to start.Did I mention all this took place while in MY bed....again.So needless to say, he was kicked out and put in his room, in a matter of seconds.

Wow...right now they are taking delight and joy in smellng eachother's under arms as well as Radiant's.....lol."I smell goooood!".....I washed up all by myself" says Shantelle.Now the voice of reason, for once...Radiant just said," ok guys we dont have to annouce it.

So yeah this week we had sore throats,diarhea, and a teething baby....yaaaaaay!

Did I mention the snow???????
Oh yeah....so my family came in for Thanksgiving and they REALLY wanted it to snow.Well it did, and they go to play in the snow...and it snowed the next day, and the next, and even the next.All the way until the day they left(the Monday after Thanksgiving)Well a week later, I had to call them and have to retract their request to God for snow.It has not stopped snowing since they left.We get a break ...minor, but a small break here or there....but for the most part daily, even if its a dusting, we got it.so that makes for sloshy treks to school and back.Shoveling,and just plain ole...ugh....why?I really am wondering who it was that thought it was funny and or acceptable to assign us to Fort Drum after Hawaii....not funny.I must admit though, I am past the complaining part and have adapted to the snow, the cold, and the deployments.It is what it is, complaining does nothing but make all of the above drag on, and appear worse than they really are.

So yeah...its Friday, and I intend to enjoy the rest of my day, as I have the begining of my day!
Looking forward to my workout, and coming back home and chillin out.It's gonna be one of them nights....diet pepsi,a good movie or book, warm pj's and a sensible snack.....Nothing more, and nothing less.

2008-12-04T17:37:00.000-08:00

Soooo, you may be wondering what kept me from updating my blog.I started off posting daily with stories, updates and things that were useless, but funny.Well all I can say s life.While I intended on posting daily,and having a funny daily, I knew in the back of my head that it was not gonna happen.So now that reality has kicked in I will start where I last left off.

One thing I do want to say in recognition of the laughter post is is that we need it, and need to do it often.Laughter makes things better, and ok.I loved the quotes about laughter, and life.What would life be without laughter....?????I do it often, sometimes at others, I crack myself up the most though!

Well my household is coo coo as ever.The babies have rested their argument for bringing their book bags home daily.Now it's a slight shrug of the shoulders, and ,"no...I want to leave my book bag here." Well isn't it funny how when you don't make a big deal out of something, the matter doesn't matter anymore.Don't get tooo happy, because now the argument is about snow boots, mittens and whether a sweater matches an outfit....what the world?(you are 3 years old....one soon to be 4)Daily I have a discussion with Man Man about why he cannot wear those snow boots (that double as astronaut in training boots) with his regular outfits.I cannot allow this dude to be decked out to the nines and then down to the feet, THE MOON WALKER BOOTS....awww come on.....You know how the story ends .....he ends up wearing them to school, and not changing into his regular shoes...lol
Well today, I got him to wear his shoes and carry his MOON WALKER BOOTS.We will see what tomorrow holds...as it is promising buckets of snow!
*****Shantelle is still the mother of the bunch....lol .The funniest thing happened the other day, well funny to me.And if you knew Ms.Thang you would lol as well.As you may know she is known for fussin and correcting all the other children in our family, and those that are not a part of the Berrien immediate family.Well during one of her funny moments of telling others how much they don't "run things"/......her little body let out the loudest , air bubble, poot, fart as we call it.It was hilarious because first of all, she does not do that out loud(little lady) , and she was sooo busy getting on them, she was interrupted with the very thing that caused her little self embarrassment.She paused....and looked up, through those bangs(that needed to be cut) ....and tried to hold it in....but with the laughter of others int he room ...she burst out in the most heartiest laugh.It was sooo funny....cute ....and funny.
*****Gemini, is Gemini , not a thing has changed with her.She comes home, eats , sleeps, maybe calls her sisters, eats, does a little homework, naps and snacks, then sleeps...lol.That pretty much sums her day up.UNLESS she has a moment to expound her vast knowledge ooooooof ...anything...lol.She makes it a point to point out a fact about anything we may be discussing as a family....lol.The latest thing was when Cerah was rehearsing the classification...methods ...as I called them...Well Ms.Gemini, HAD to not only give the definition of a method, but submit unto us that, genius, order, etc, etc...was something other than the methods of classification.......whatever...lol
*****Cerah is excited about being 12....a pre-teen.She continues to be smitten by this lil cool kid...who shall remain nameless...lol.Well she turned 12 a couple of days before Thanksgiving.I remember giving birth the day before Thanksgiving, during a Texas ice storm, while my husband was deployed to Korea....yeah I have some stories for ya...She is growing up to be such the little lady.We still have to work on some grace.I think when she grows into that body of hers she will be fine...heck she is fine now...she's mine...
She is stoked about trying out for the chorus, and she has a concert soon.She actually made chorus, and auditioned for a solo.The kid has guts...more than I ever had at her age.She is the one that tries everything, and does not care if she fails.....tries again.She is the one that teaches herself to ride a bike, swim, read, and write in cursive....a real go getter!
*****Radiant.....all I have to say is where id Disney casting...in NY...really...she needs a show, a stage, lights , camera, action...really...I am serious...lol
*****Allyn, Eddie Haskell is making his parents proud right now, he is making excellent grades and is behaving in school.Well he has always behaved, but ya know....there is always something...
He is looking forward to something...ohh Christmas....which I am not discussing right now.I need to get that tree up....maybe tomorrow!

Vannell is doing well in Iraq.We have the Internet and web cam, and phone calls, so I will not. we shall not complain....My update pictures are motivating him to loose weight.He has actually.he looks good. He had the chunky persuasion going on for a while...lol

I have been hittin the gym hard....harder than ever!I added strength training, and walking longer at a swifter pace.I average 2.5 miles...in 40 min...I don't know or care if that is "good or not, but it good for someone who was not and did not like to workout.I am loving the energy, the weight loss, and the way I am able to clear my head on that treadmill.I can get on there tired, mad, aggravated etc...but after a good workout, a warm shower....its all good....I love it.It is helping get though the stress , strain, whatevers and what-nots of daily life, and deployment.Emotionally sound....i didn't say sane...lol....just sound...lol.....no I am ok...sometimes it does get hard...when things coming at you all at once, but i know that GOD IS IN CONTROL...and like one of my favorite songs says...His eye is on the sparrow...so i know he is watching over me.If God takes care of the birds,fish, I know he will do the same for us!
So this is a mini recap until tomorrow.I have to update on Thanksgiving, my family coming in, the VLadies...etc...so there if definitely more to come!

Remember:With everything going on in the world today.Breeding fear, hate, uncertainty, we have to find a solid ground to stand on.Solid principles, solid moral convictions, and a solid base for family.People are loosing their minds it seems.Doing things out of fear, and hate and straight up impulse.I thank God for my faith.I always say it...and will continue.It is faith to believe in a God we cannot see, It is faith...I got it...I believe....I see the evidence.But what I will say and continue to say is that , i'd rather believe in God, and his love than anything else.Where is the LOVE today?Where is the PEACE today.I pray daily for peace and that I see God's love daily.It is not easy always.I was QUICKLY humbled today as I had been thinking about having to pay this, and give here, and buy that.....and was quickly reminded how blessed i am.Blessed to have a husband that was alive.Money to be able to pay bills.Cabinets of food, transportation, healthy children etc.Leaving the kids school today, I noticed that a father , whom I thought had deployed to Iraq with Vannell was back.After speaking about the deployment, and he dropped a bomb like....bam...(we were speaking to the teachers about Man Man's attachment issues at home, and how he was ok, at school...etc...) well the Dad went on to say, "well at least your husband is not home for the reason I am home....he went on to say noone should be home for that reason....Well since he had a band aide on his forehead, I assumed he was injured and concurred, he was like...i was not injured...I'll never forget getting that knock on the door...so I assumed the worst, a IEd, a blast whatever...well something just as bad happened...his home on post burned down....nothing left.....wow...I was humbled immediately.All I could do is ask him what I could do to help.forgetting about what I need, and want, I had to ask him...is there anything I could do for him....his reply..I am thankful that I have my family....we can't complain..we will take whatever.....And I have the nerve to be in a tizzy about Christmas, and a Winter Ball and the fact that my husband is alive and well.....but in Iraq......NADDA....

ohh Shoot Maam..I always forget about Maam.She would probably say right now...that's ok...just put the old lady in the corner and forget about her...lol.Well I do...sometimes.Maam is busy with work etc.Nothing new and or indifferent.With the characters I have here, it is soo easy to forget about her....they offer the comedy relief

Untile we "meet" again!

Laughter

2008-11-21T09:14:00.000-08:00

At the height of laughter, the universe is flung into a kaleidoscope of new possibilities. ~Jean Houston
Laughter gives us distance. It allows us to step back from an event, deal with it and then move on. ~Bob Newhart

Even if there is nothing to laugh about, laugh on credit. ~Author Unknown

Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward. ~Kurt Vonnegut

I've always thought that a big laugh is a really loud noise from the soul saying, "Ain't that the truth." ~Quincy Jones

With the fearful strain that is on me night and day, if I did not laugh I should die. ~Abraham Lincoln

Whoever said "laughter is the best medicine" never had gonorrhea. ~Kat Likkel and John Hoberg, My Name Is Earl, "Robbed a Stoner Blind," original airdate 16 November 2006
even days without laughter makes one weak. ~Mort Walker

A laugh is a smile that bursts. ~Mary H. Waldrip

Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face. ~Victor Hugo

[L]aughter on one's lips is a sign that the person down deep has a pretty good grasp of life. ~Hugh Sidey

Laughter is the sensation of feeling good all over and showing it principally in one place. ~Josh Billings

One Step at a Time!

2008-11-20T09:04:00.000-08:00

Step by Step
One Day at a Time
Moment by Moment
Bit by Bit

All sayings that we say from time to time indicating the need to slow down and deal with what you can accordingly, and not worry or deliberate about the future.One step at a time.Usually when I say that about things I have to do or someone else responsibility, it is said because of the overwhelming response to a task at hand.Well ....this week has been a week from somewhere other than my brain...lol.I have dealt the truck(again), inspections, inspectors, parents, just STUFF, different things that in an isolated incident would be fine to handle.But as some of know, when it rains, everything around it gets wet...So I began to think ahead to ward off the effects of some of the STUFF.Well ...that does not work...you end up loosing sleep, getting sick,and becoming ineffective.So, by Tuesday, I called it quits, and a night..EARLY.I recall "speaking" to two people, but I don't recall our conversation.(sorry Glynnis...lol)I remember nothing...lol.My girl just hung in there as I uh huh'd or just said something silly, or random.I do remember breaking down and having VanTelle in the room with me.They were doing their rendition of circle time....FUN!!!
So yeah, by the time yesterday hit, I needed OUT...lol.So I went to the gym and to WALMART.That place is a safe haven for stressed out moms.Well I wasn't really stressed. just done.Like a Thanksgiving turkey.....done....spent....over it all....work, bills, daycare, people.....
So as I was walking through Walmart, I began to hear the song and sing it, One Step at a Time, by Jordan Sparks.And I began to think about life, and how we should and need to take things one step at a time.Me being the Queen of Contingency, I tend to go into worry wart mode about somethings.Or tend to want to fix, think ahead or plan for....ahhh let's see...next April....lol
ok...not that far ahead, well depends....you get my point though.
I realized that I have to take this deployment, life, work, everything, one step at a time, moment by moment.That does not mean I cannot plan ahead etc, but as far as fixing, dealing....deal moment by moment.It took me till last night to figure out that I am carrying quite a load.The children, the home, my job, church, deployment...yadda yadda....I didn't REALLY know that.Keeping it all together and tight can be stressful...if I am not taking it bit by bit...moment by moment ! So I am gonna continue to slow down and take it one step at a time.Do what I can and can what I can't!I sometimes think so much about the next step, moment, decision, that I am loosing it.One thing I do know is that God has everything in his hands, and I need not worry ....about anything.
The Power of the Webcam.....
Soooo Vannell was the first to get the discipline via web cam.Yesterday, he decided he wanted cookies for snack, instead of the snack being served.Well in true Vannell fashion, when he does not get what he wants, he began to yell..." I waaaanaannnt my daaaadddddyy!!.."....yeah...so....that gets old real quick.Don't get me wrong, I know he misses his dad, but I also know he knows that that may get him what he wants.So yeah, Vannell was on the yahoo, and heard him and was like...let me speak to him.He did the ole Daddy 1,2,3...and Vannell shut right up.......*insert hallelujah music here*...he shut right up....and did his infamous sniff, as if to say, i'll be quiet now....but wait till tomorrow....after school...by the cubbies.
Radiant is taking to mimicking everything I do.ahhhh annoying at best.Between that and her random questions, I am sooo ready to adopt another 9 year old to keep her busy.It's so weird, you'd be watching tv, and she will just come up and say,...mommy...um......I just want you to know that I am taking a showere.Ooooook......hmmmm!Or.....something like I am eating five cookies...or ....you get it....?!Random and my favorite was during and inspection she asked something really crazy about gym or something.Do you see that I am busy???....lol.So had I a discovery, a JOB...I pay her to put away clothes.hey, I get stuff done and she gets money.Most of all it gets her busy with something.
Bless her heart, she is being home schooled now and that means spending more time with me.Which means more time studying me, and while I thing imitation is a high form of flattery, it can be annoying.ROTFLOL....she has learned to suck her teeth (as to clean them) as I do at times when I have a piece of meat in them.This may be tmi , but I have a cavity,and at times meat gets stuck and I have to clean it, well if I don't feel like getting up, I have learned how to kid of flush is out with my tongue.Which causes a little sound...well she has mastered the sound.Nothing in her teeth, but she has it down pack.And you know when your kids know they are getting on your nerves on purpose, and they have THAT look,well she does it when she is cleaning out her teeth...lol...funny....NOT.
Well i look forward to tomorrow.I don't know what my plans are this weekend.I guess we are suppose to get snow...fingers crossed.I love weekend snow...
Well the house is quiet now, besides my napping music.All are sleep....yaaay so I am going to catch up on some work before its time to get ShanVan, or is it VanTelle???

2008-11-17T18:35:00.000-08:00

Sooo with a day like today, who needs bad days???I am not one to label my days as as horrible, of awful, crazy or just plain doozey, but today was all in one.It felt like a snowball effect of things .It went from being 5:45am to 6:00pm in a matter of moments.
ToDaY
If today was a dish it would be Gumbo
If today was a song, it would be the Macarana
If today was a book, it would be Ripley's Believe it or Not
If today was a car it would be a race car
If today was a piece of clothing it would be be a girdle
If today was a sport it would be track and field...ALL events....
If today was a magazine it would be MAD
If today was an emotion it would be exhaustion
If today was a pace it would be SSSSSSssssssssssssspeed
If today was a bag it would be a backpack...no a fanny pack
If today were a piece of jewelry it would be a toe ring
If today was a television show it would be Survivor
Today was a scripture...it read,
Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Tonight is a chapter ....it reads

Psalm 23

1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

ToDaY

Today was one of those days you laugh at once it winds down, and you are able to collect your thoughts.If It was gonna try and break , it did today.If there was any day for a rat race, today was mine.
Trying to register a car, in Clark Hall with Kids in tow...in the frosty cold...oopps...we forgot to tell you you needed more points of id.......GREAT.Back home I go...OFF POST....hop back in line, ready to pay...oh that price we quoted.....uh add more money.and of COURSE, I can't find my bank card.....Then of course that is not enough....its not over......back at the truck, the dog on hatch wont close...the latch wont connect to the latch catcher...(is that the name of parts ...don't check the Chevy manual...I own the manual that has those parts in them..)after fixin that once I get home.....hmmm lets see....its almost time to get VanTelle....always fun to do, when Sarah doesn't get her nap out, and I don't have a moment of quiet time before we go get them.If you have a three year old,,,double that...and you are definitely feeling me!To add to my wonderful day, I had to calm a very panicked Baby Sarah with a sucker, because the thought of her gloves being off, and her baby being left in the truck....was not cool.If she could talk she'd probably say, I don't care what you are goin through woman, keep my gloves on when I want them on, take them off upon request, and for heavens sake...let me bring my baby with me!
Children picked up......, the truck decided to stall...twice....GREAT....(insert sarcasm)off to my favorite dealership....of course they want to keep.it ...give her a rental...GREAT...I want my truck fixed, and for yall leave me alone.... we get to the rental car store ....no license or military id...major card.....if you help me find it, I can use it(forgot to tell that part..I cant find my cards to either banks...In a calm panic, I begin to inventory my purse.Which has everything in it diapers, Ipod, cotton, bows, (lemme look)....papers from the dmv, papers from the kid's school,receipts from like 9 years ago, broken sunglasses,my camera, enough crumbs to make a bread puddin, hmmm lets see(lookin)a pacifier, pens ,scissors, and expired mil Id...coin, medicine,empty Mentos gum bottle, a spray bottle top.......so yeah .....ALL this in my purse , and I am looking through it looking for my two ids.....and no...i didn't have a corner in the rental place...I was at the front counter.All the while saying...I know I had...where could it be.Going through my day, thinking about where I had visited and used my id., didn't help, because it(my day) was soo frantic, that i could not figure out where I could have left them.(I used them in every stop I made today)...called around...nope....not here or there....so we hop back in the rental ....back to the dealer...i check the truck, and nope nothing.....so I go back, check through my junky purse.......again....nope not there.Well I just quieted my spirit, and said, where is it...where could it be....and it came to me....you changed jacket to a hoodie...it in the jacket....and u guessed it...it was in my jacket.So not only is my day madness, but now I have to include Maam in it....she , bless her heart brought my ids to me.
Yall know that I am totally paraphrasing the day.(puts on my virtual udder costume)Vannell had a fit...because he decided today was a good day to miss his dad.And yell I want my Daddy in the middle of the parking lot of his school.Him and Shantelle capitalized on my distracted mind....where did the grapes go??????Allyn is still running his pretend family...stressin these poor kids out.Gemini needed help with homework...whats wrong with kids these days...having a hard time ....with symbolism and deeper meanings to things/ life.Perhaps its because everything they see, want need is right there in their face, no need to look deeper, or think harder.Radiant...though all this was more worried that her lips were well lubricated with lip gloss.Big Sarah, didn't care, and still don't .She find the humor in it all!She did manage to be a little blessing today and do a chore that I did not ask her to do.My Shantelle was a little extra clingy, hugs here and there...she must have known I needed huggies.....Don't get it twisted though, she still running the house...or at least thinking she does.

Soooo here I am....its 11...and as much as I want to go to bed, I want and need to work out.I am proud because I did not consume a pint of Rum Raisin, or devour some chips.More significantly, I didn't go to the mall or Walmart. I dealt with what I could and nixed the rest.I had an engagement tonight, but I folded...enough was enough.....lol
So I got my music going now, I am getting motivated, and I am hitting the treadmill!
I look forward to tomorrow...a new beginning!

Happy Thump Day!

2008-11-13T16:52:00.000-08:00

Well, since Wednesday is usually "Hump Day", and today feels like a hump day, but its not Wednesday, I am gonna name this Thursday Thump Day!This has been a long week, but relatively short.I guess the oxymoron is a good description of the week as I see it as a result of the holiday.SO that being said, I am as tired today as I am on a usual Wednesday.My mind just hasn't comprehended that we just have one more day in this work week.....I bet it 'll get it tomorrow.....lol

Sooo today began unusually early for me. I had awaken to a knock at my door.Now I had already responded to my alarm, I was in the the whole :set the alarm early, and snooze for as long as possible state.....Then I heard the knock, a persistent knock, as if I was slack/ in my responsibility to my daycare parents....promptness.I KNEW I had at least 10 minutes left.....hey...that's a lot to a Ante Meridian challenged person.If I could, as stated before, I would sleep til at least 2....2 would be like my early morning.I could sleep all day...easily....So yeah, I get to the door, and surprise I got an early, unplanned drop off.Normally, not quite as early.So yeah.....Thank God bad hair days are out, not sure about the dragon..... I asked her what are you doing here?I got a reply , something about traffic, and needed to some early.OK...sooooo why didn't you call first?Or last night.I am starting to think some people think of Daycare Providers as children think of their teachers.LIVES at school, ready to teach, all about teaching, this perfect wonder woman disguised as a conservative, yet animated librarian type.Why don't some people think about other people when they are making decisions that will effect more than themselves?.SELFISH...and they don't think beyond their wants, needs or desires.
Now I am NOT saying she is a bad person, or even that I was mad.A little annoyed, but not mad.In my many years of daycare, I have learned that common since ain't always so common.So while I would have called last night , and made sure that it was ok with my provider to drop of my child 30 min early....thinking of her.I mean does she think I stay awake 24 hours a day....waiting on an opportunity to receive a child for daycare.I REALLY don't think the worst of this individual, and hope that it was an over site.
There is nothing worse than providing a service for someone, and they not appreciate who you are as a person, not the provider of the service.
...Now I will admit, I am not always the best when getting a service....well mainly when I get bad service.....while dining....yes.....I am the type that likes good service, and when I get less than, I get annoyed.Basically wondering why people would go into service related jobs and be nasty to customers...a non people person.Other than that I appreciate good service, and the tip and my attitude reflects it.One thing I will not let go un-noticed is bad service,the server, and the manager will know about it.On the other hand I will let managers as well as servers when i received good service.(yes I am that person)....but hey, at least I am not rude about it....it usually starts with me asking the server etc...if they need a lunch break....lol
Regardless, I manage to get my point across, without being rude.
So anyway, at pick up, I asked her what was up with the early arrival?(I told yall it takes all day for things from am to download)She explained, and I explained and we were and are good. I have stipulations in place for things like this, and she will be reminded of them.
It's quite frosty out today, and getting ShanVan dressed is always an event.Things went smooth, until the hat and gloves episode.I don't even remember specifically what happened .All I remember is emotional melt downs over unisex gloves that were "just for girls"....again, I try and ward off these things by having PLENTY of gloves, scarfs etc for them to choose from.That doesn't matter, of course....if they want to have a fit...they will...if they want to be stubborn, they will....really not caring about the consequences.
I didnt post about the incident yesterday when I was picking ShanVan up from school.And how Van was really being stubborn, and all of a sudden, didn't want to leave school.So he stood there.......ok...well we are leaving.....fully dressed in his winter attire....he fell out and was in the start position for snow angel making....quiet...looking straight up as if her were getting instructions from tSpirit of Tantrums.....I was like...oh no he didn't.In is defence, the school picked NAPTIME to do a fire drill.Great for regulations, not so great for the kids, teachers, and parents.So I knew he was tired, but he didn't have to lay there in the MIDDLE of the floor.Did I mention he was in front of the...you guessed it...cubbies.(read past posts)So you guessed it, I, with my two infant in tow, Sarah and Shan headed to the truck.Thankfully,his teachers were there to convince him to follow suit.He did, and ShanVan was cranky the rest of the night....
Then you have Shan cornering some unsuspecting lady, and telling her that her daughter's backpack was "duuurty"...Now that lady did not ask her that, and I didn't tell her to sat that.That was not part of circle time, music time or Sunday School.Where do children get it from.....They call what they see....The lady never saw it coming.Santelle said it to her as the lady was politely saying an extended goodbye to her.Well she didn't hear Shantelle, because they had said something simultaneously....so the lady said..."yes sweety, what did you say?....Shantelle said, :I said, that's a durrrty backpack..I could have melted like the wimpy trash bags against HEFTY.Are you kiddin me?????It was funny......yes Glynnis, it pd to be the one that speaks clearly...
Even funnier was Debbie Downer and Eddie Haskell at the gym.I go to the gym for respite, its my time to think.And whether I work out on my treadmill, or at the gym, I use it as my time.....uninterrupted, solitude.So when Debbie and Eddie asked to go to the gym..I was like..yeah.Yall deserve to get out of jail...I mean respite as well.Well when I go, I go to work out.I think those two were under cover equipment inspectors.Debbie more so than Allyn...but he had his fair share at equipment hopping.So i'd look up and he'd be on the elliptical, then the bikes, the treadmill, then weights, then they were talking about the gym,....I mean all over the place...lol
Allyn jogged a little, Debbie a little something...not much...don't push it.
As tired as I am , I cannot imagine working out tonight.I can afford (not deserve)a break today, but do I want / need one?I'll more than likely workout, and attend to the things I have to do around here.......yeah...imma go ahead and knock this out....

***Grasshoppa, I just saw the comment you left!It ALMOST made me cry...I was close...but naaaww.Thank you for your kind words girlfriend!***

Well I am off to see who is using the floor and a means to keeping time to the song ...in their head, then imma go hit it....
Happy Thump Day

Ohhh I forgot to say something deep and profound...yeah in regards to considering others before we do things, make decision, and say things;Consider others.Life is more than what you can get and do for yourself.Decisions effect you and those around you.Consider that Pvt behind the desk, that new employee, that little old lady who lives in the yellow house, who has soo many children....you get my point...Do we need to consider thinking about others when we make decisions?
“The habit of being uniformly considerate toward others will bring increased happiness to you” Grenville Kleiser

America..Fred Sanford Got Deployed.....

2008-11-12T20:10:00.000-08:00

And his junk yard was overtaken by Declutters R US!
It is with VERY tired eyes, and fingers that I write this post. I want to tell you about a soldier that shall remain anonymous, Army's Finest....let's call him Fred....Sanford if you nasty....so yeaaaah , Fred is in the Army, has been for like 15 years.In the 15 years that I have known him, he has been known to "collect " stuff".For what?I don't know.Why do most pack rats collect stuff???....In hopes that we will be prepared for a nuclear fall out, and a blizzard, and just in case six people show up the house at the same time needing a step stool.That has to be the reason why Fred has 6 step stools.Fred is very eclectic in his collection.He LOVES brief cases, and bags.I hear his wife does to.(But that's different)She also has a collection of shoes....(that's essential...)He collects coffee makers, filters, furniture.....what ever you name it, he'll fix it, need it, and has to have it...and like 5 others like it.I must have counted like 7 to 10 electronic cords...you know the kind with green, yellow and red.Really????how many tv's and vcrs does Fred need to hook up...that already isn't hooked up already?Fred....*shakes head* Fred ...I know your wife and you know clutter makes her a little wound*sigh* ....I
am not sure if he is gonna be mentally prepared for the declutter project that took place when he left.The thing is, I hear his wife does this EVERYTIME he leaves.She knows its prime time to get rid of stuff... that he has not seen or used ...and if he didn't take it to war...then ....he doesn't need it.Or at least the other 9 replicas of it.
So I hear Fred took it very well when his wife showed him the pictures of the garage.that must mean he is use to it....he has to be.....lol.So this time I understand his wife promises not to throw away clothes, or his Mr Rogers shoes he LOVES to cut grass in.She will not make concession for the many camel backs, or the collection of "stuff"....I am too tired to even name it...lol
So yeah, if we hear a report on Newzjunky, or news 10 NOW, of a irrational soldier named SGT SANFORD, then you know why.....he may be unstable.Call the president, Secretary of Defence, and even Al Sharpton if you have to....he may be very hard to maintain!In the mean time yall look out ,and be prepared for a neighborly visit, or a friendly request from like 6 people asking for step stools, 3 of them may score and get a hammer each.9 others may show up needing a drill.......and even more important is the mad rush of like 6 people asking to use jumper cables.....hey Fred is prepared for it.
Hey ...I ain't mad at Fred.... he's Prepared!

Your Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste

2008-11-11T22:23:00.000-08:00

Our Minds.....where is it?Really???Can we touch it, can we locate it on an anatomy test?Perhaps you can, but I have not been able to.It makes for a new way to look at the phrase,"I gave her a piece of my mind!What does the mind do, and why did God give us each a mind?A different mind.Our minds are all so different.From the contents,(he's an air head, hard head) the packaging of(he's a fry short of a Happy Meal), to the way that it down loads and processes information.(He's a human calculator,shes a little slow)We have soo many ways to try to comprehend the complexity of our minds.I believe we haven't touched the surface.My minds is like a fast forwarding film.I can literally hear one word or phrase,"hot dogs"....and it will flash , in a matter of seconds from hot dogs, to a visual of one with mustard , to when I craved them when I was preg with Allyn, to morning sickness when I was pregnant with Allyn, to my grandmother's sickness, to when we use to shop with her, to......you get my point.By the time 3 minutes are up, I will more than likely be thinking of something totally unrelated to the hot dogs....lol.This is why for ME...long prayers are not good......I have to fight to stay focused.Sometimes when I am praying but especially when others pray.I guess I am a thoughtful person...always thinking of something.Some people mistake, my quietness, as snobbishness, or and attitude, actually I am observing,processing and thinking about random stuff.(I guess that's where Cerah gets it from!)Always in thought and because I am always in thought I am always listening .That quiet, still tap in my being gives me an answer to a dilemma, lets me know what Debbie Downer or Fabio is up to, helps me find my cell phone, and quite often giving insight to the questions I have about me, life, and human nature in general.See......... a poopy diaper regulator caaaan be a little deep?Never underestimate the power of the poopy diaper regulator!"Power to the PDR!"
What I find most amazing is how our minds are easily made up, good , bad or indifferent.I know for me, if I don't like it, want it, or not interested, unless I "change my mind", I will not budge.Convictions.....a made up mind on the positions of moral and personal issues, formed through personal relationship with Christ.(Melisters Dictionary...again don't try Borders I own the only copy:)The Bible says,"Let this mind be in you that was also in Christ Jesus."....where does it say that?....you find it......lol......What is the mind of Christ?Am open mind, a determined mind, and made up mind , an adaptable mind!The ability for our mind to adapt and change , I think, is one of the most underestimated gifts of our bodies that God gave us.Some stress about a mole on a cheek, or the lack of the perfect nose, DD's or no letters at all.But when was the last time you had a talk with a friend and was like,"Man, I want my mind like yours...made up, adaptable..." or "Man, your mind looks so good on most days...I am having a bad mind day." Ever heard someone say,"Is your mind real?" or" boy your mind is purky !"...I know I am around kids most of the time, but I have never heard that before.Not in the context of what I am saying......
So my mind's made up...about a lot of things, and I cannot and will not go back!"whatchu talkin bout Willis????
Well the CONSISTENT, gym going, treadmill using(instead of using it as a clothes hanger), Pilate's doing, calorie cutting ,WATER DRINKING....person you see now, was not always here.I never had a weight problem and developed a serious one after my last baby.Mr. weighed a whoppin 10 lbs.( 1 ounce shy...heck with a quick labor, no meds(too late), and about 5 pushes, I think I earned the right to say he was 10 lbs.He was huge...oh my goodness...ok stay focused....*bows in the moon light position*ok I am not suie if that is really a yoga position...but it sounds good.Where was I...reading back...oh ok...Yeah so, I weighed a whoppin 200 lbs after i had him.Thus the start of a lax cycle of weight loss/ never really gained.A flimsy routine os on the treadmill a day, and to the gym for 10 min here, and walkin at a snails pace there.There was a time, that I would HATE to workout.And water forget about it....but something happened .....I got tired of feeling sick, tired of feeling drained, not fitting my clothes(yes that too...).Now you know Imma rep da big girls...or let me say I USE to....ok stay focused....made up mid.So yeah.I told myself this was something I had to do.For health reasons first and foremost.Secondly I wanted to feel good about myself and feel good about life...the clothes rewards comes along for the ride.So i was able to tell my mind...we are gonna do this and FINISH and MAINTAIN...its a lifestyle.No more excuses.I sometimes have to talk to myself into excerzing daily....its funny...because like I said before, I do answer myself!So after a long day, I am tired, I want a shower and bed...thus begins the conversation:"Man I miss my workout...I know!!!...I actually crave working out....I cant believe it...well if I don't go I will regret it......yeah you don't want to do that....I knooow....well I wonder if i lay here( in bed)and do sit ups, will that count.....you need to get up...where are your shoes....ok my shoes are over there..oh gosh I need to make sure my music is on point, because I need t get through this...ok i am dressed, looking good...haaaay,
ok imma get on here, and I am walking slow....(and it goes on from unmotivated, to a high intensity workout and before you know it I am done! Happy and done!The amazing thing is that I am able to talk myself into doing what I don't like, or want to.. but is good for me.Tell me our minds aren't awesome!
What a powerful thing it would be if we would do that with HALF the things in life, our relationships, finances, or profession...etc.I think that the world would probably be a better place.Everyone would be about doing better regardless of how they feel about it.Who says doing better and maturing is suppose to "feel good, taste good, or look good"When the going gets tough, the tough get going,.....not running away, but get going joggin that mind to remain focus on the mission at hand!
Think of the things we would get accomplished, on time....lol
Think of the many people we would inspire to do the right thing ....Think about how much further in life you or I would be.If only we would have made our minds be changed and do that very thing we are running from doing...We tell ourselves many things to get by.for example...Like 3 years after Peanut was born, I was still carrying a little "baby fat" and not the jeans...I would say,I don't look bad...i just had a baby....lol..... three years later ...are you kidding me??? But we tell ourselves stuuf to make the decisions we make seem ok.Hey I can have this piece of cake, and ice cream....I deserve it.
On a lighter note I have to constantly tell this mind of mine that today ....(yesterday by the time this posts) was / is not Saturday.My mind is having a time comprehending the whole...holiday in the middle of two work days thing.I mean it is like the calendar is playing monkey in the middle with the holidays.

So anyway, I think that my, our mind is one of the most underestimated parts of our body.We tend to focus on the part of the body that is tangible, or that you can "see " functioning.What have you told yourself that you couldn't do?Would never do?Where do you allow your mind to go?What have you adapted your mind to compromise with?What situation or relationship have you allowed your mind to be made up about that is contrary to what you know is right?
Think on these things.....

Lake Effect Snow and Poopy Diapers...

2008-11-10T21:23:00.000-08:00

Make for a wonderful Monday.
Last night, the weather report was the highlight of the news.Lake effect snow warning posted for our region.For those of you that don't know, that's like the mother load of snow.Its like the 75% going out of business sale of all sales.Its responsible for snow days,black outs ,limited visibility, power outages, and a butt load of snow.I really look forward to the possibility of a snow day, or an essential personnel only on the road days.A two hour day isn't that bad either.If I am lucky I get to sleep in an hour later.So this time, we were let down miserably.We got some hail, and we may have gotten a small band of lake effect that lasted for 5 min if that.Other than that , we got no real snow.I know I am asking for it now...sort of like a little kid asking for medicine.Because when it finally comes, its gonna come, be nasty and not stop.
The winters here are like that.As the season approaches it teases you.We get cold summers, compared.I remember being happy it got in the 70's this summer.We got a couple of really hot days, but that's it.So isn't it like the North Country to wait til October to snow.Right before Halloween.poor kids....butterflies in winter coats.Ever seen a devil wear a winter coat?....lol.Now we are in November, and I don't know what to expect.We got really nice days last week.I always use to pick on the winter/ the coast is clear flip flop wearers. You don't know who those people are?...........Those are people, usually in the North Country, that break out the summer clothes at the sight of the sun, and Lord help them if the temps reach 60 degrees.Its time to go to the beach.Well I became one of them last week.It was sooo nice.I had on Capri's, and flip flops....in WALMART.I became a winter/ the coast is clear for a min flip flop wearer.You know you live in an unpredictable climate when in the summer you don't pack away the winter clothes and in the winter you don't pack away the summer clothes.Its like leaving the ham and cheese out, as you eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Communication
As I am doing my duties as the resident poopy diaper regulator.I am also mastering(involuntarily) the art of deciphering the underdeveloped human language.That is the spoken words according to those under 4 years of age.If you had ANY interaction with Shan, then you know she communicates well, quite well.So much so, she has even ventured and mastered the words and tone of a little old lady that lives in a shoe...who has soo many children she doesn't know what to do.She is the littlest person in the house armed with an extensive vocabulary, and an attitude!
Then there's "Baby Sarah". Encouraging the big girl stage, I also call her Lizzy or Pepperment Patty.She looks just like her...lol.Sarah , has gone from communicating with one words, to using two to three word sentences.Now I didn't say it was clear.And Lord help us all is she is having her an emotional break down, nothing is clear.For the most part, if you listen reeaaaaaaal hard, you can get what she is saying.Sometimes you get one word, sometime you get a full sentence.Depends on how she feels at that moment.She is still at the stage where her emotions get the best of her, so that maybe all you get from her...emotion.heeeey...she's 2 ...work with her here! Sarah also mimics.What a "fun " stage....NOT.When they get to this stage, nothing is theirs, everything is repeated.She doesn't have the cognitive development to say, hey, there's no need to repeat everything mommy says.yeah even THAT word.
Ahhhh which leads us to Alyssa.The tiniest 1 year old I know.She may be tiny, but she is also armed with and attitude and a readiness to "protect" herself.Now Alyssa says nothing legible, but says alot.Not just says it, but says it FULL of emotion.I mean her little head rolls, hands going, and she is rolling"words" off her tongue so fast that she has spit coming flying out her mouth.When she is fussing, she looks like an old lady who took her teeth out , fussing at the kids on her lawn.It is so hilarious.We don't take her serious, and sometimes, if you "provoke " her by asking her questions like,"and what happened" or " what's up" ....that gets her going, I think mainly because she communicating as she knows how, as ineffective as it is.The fact that we are responding, encourages her to "talk more".The funny thing is, as she grows older, and develops her language, she may become an effective communicator if she couples it with the enthusiasm.
Vannell's communication is maturing, but at the drop of a dime he definitely knows how to become the very broken English speaking little person.He at times, doesn't add a c, and replaces it with a t.Or adds d's where t's go.that kind of thing.The thing is when you have alot of that, it makes for an interesting conversation.....huh Rick?Then again,I have heard him switch to big boy mode.I am not sure, but I don't think he does it on purpose, I think it is when he is not thinking about it, and just talks.It may still have missed placed letters, but its not jumbled and hesitant.The funniest thing is how he communicates when he does not want to be bothered.Those of you that know me, know that I am a person of many words, but when I don't feel like talking, I don't.Its like a chore to me to have to talk if I don't want to.Its aggrivating....lol.I am like, oh gosh.....go ask someone else.Don't you know pronouncing any words right now will exert too much energy.Well Vannell has taken that trait from his mom.So when he does not feel like talking, he whispers. Like really,really,really low.Its hilarious, because clearly what he is saying is,"leave me alone, I really don't feel like talking."So it goes like this, "hey Vannell, what's going on?Where are you going?"...his reply , while he is still walking past you, "sweee sweee swee..he, heeeto da heyrje."And you're like...what?I know this lil dude did not just keep walking, or sometime he will stand there , clearly aggravated, like uh....ok...here is your answer!(it takes everything in me not to laugh at that moment...sometimes I do)So Vannell is our mass communicator.Communicating many ways, but it only works for him.
So how do you communicate?Are you clear in your intent, your tone,and does your body language compliment your communication, or contridict it?Are you the Shantelle kind of communicator?Taking conversation, by storm.Commanding a response from life.Or are you like Sarah, full of emotions, using very limited words clearly, but they are often filtered by emotions.Parroting what others say, as if you you have not developed or understand the importance of your thoughts , opinions, and convictions.Do people see emotions, and can't get to the message.....its to be expected from her at 2, but not at fortynineteenthirty years of age! Are you like Vannell, communicating in various ways, based on your needs?If a moment of maturity is needed, you find the words,but yet still not clear.Or do you allow yourself to go into "helpless" mode?Because its what you know.It kind of just rolls off your tongue before you know it, and when someone slows you down, you may just get clear!Lastly, are you like Alyssa, saying so much, and no one understands you.Rambling on, and provoking others.Picking.....seeing yourself as the smallest in the bunch...emotionally, physically, or spiritually, so in turn, you attack.Attack to keep people away, or to call them near.
These are four illustrations of some problems we may face as we navigate through life,and try to communicate to others though our body language, our tone, vocabulary,and emotional state.I encourage you to become an effective communicator.Not through words, but through deeds, body language and emotional health.Nothing is more draining than to speak to someone that does not understand you.It is frustrating no matter if the barrier is from their lack of understanding, their emotional state,or the fact that they speak another language.(you ever try to explain something complicated to a child, and get the why factor?Fun right?.......not!
The Bible says we should come to God like a child and have child like faith.A child sees no limits.That's why they are free.That's why kids say the darnest things...no inhibitions.We know as adults that is irresponsible, so developing this child like faith and spirit, is achieved through balance.Balance is the beauty of maturing.Maturing is the beauty of accepting who you are.Accepting who you are is the beauty of communication......Communication is the beauty of getting to know God and YOURSELF!

Did I Miss Something?

2008-11-09T16:26:00.000-08:00

Well it is Sunday November 9, 2008.Well I thought November was the month we celebrated Thanksgiving, along with Cerah's birthday.Well unless I was out of it , I don't remember celebrating either.On the ninth day of November, I have seen a ton of Christmas celebrations.Christmas news paper circulars, and sales.It really is toooo much.I have began my Christmas shopping, and still have a bit to do.But even with that being said, This is ridiculous.I barely have my Thanksgiving meal planned, and am not sure if I will have guests over.So whhhhy am I being pressured about Christmas?Well we know the state of the economy, and department stores are feeling it...hard.So that being said, they are getting ahead of themselves on purpose.Do they actually think that the people that are experiences hardships on any level , are gonna hear the music, read the papers, commercials and be inspired to spend.Spend money that they need, that can be used in another area in their lives.The closer we get to December, I pray that those experiencing hardships and difficulties,will not fold under the pressure of the media, family, friends, and the government to spend money recklessly.

My weekend was quiet, JUST as I like it.I am about to start a petition to enforce a 4 day work week,.I am ALL over it.I think my weekends are going by way too fast.On Friday, I did my usual.I stayed up pretty late.Bored, I redid my hair...lol.Yeah you guessed it.Friday night I managed to talk to Vannell, do my hair, catch up on my MYSPACE contacts, email some people, and a host of other random things I rarely get to do.Like I said before, I seem to channel my pre mother days, back in Miami, hangin out on a Friday.Regardless of what went on during the week, hangin was top priority come Friday ,say about 5:00, or whenever you got done with the responsible grown folk business.I have never been a clubber, for personal reasons, but hanging out was a must.In Miami, this was easy to do.....sunny days and cool nights!Well since my hangin buddy is in Iraq(everyone say awwwwwwww), I find that most Fridays are spent doing random, unimportant things around the house, catching up on my DVR,doing my hair( I think its cool how the daycare kids always recognize me no matter how long, short, blond or black my hair is!), or on the computer.Whoooow somebody get this party animal to rehab...I am out of control....lol
Weeeelll Since I finally fell asleep around 4:00am I just KNEW that I would sleep in.I knew I had a little running around to do, but I thought I could sleep in at least until 11:00.NOT!!!...As a result of a routine weekly wake up time,and a strict workout regime, my body has now grown accustomed to waking up.I think I woke up about 8:30am.Waaay to early for me.I don't care how much aerobic intake I get, or how routine my wake-up time is, I will NOT like it!I refuse.
So I did my running around, and later that night chilled with the kids:
We even managed to "kidnap" Kiara and Gemini.It was hilarious!I had to run to the ,mall.OK I didnt HAVE to, but I had this cute dress, (12) ty..ty*bows*(although my weight loss is purely for health, I am lovin the dress size!)So yeah I NEEDED some boots to go with it.Ok....ok...I didn't need it, no more than Bush needs a vacation.But I wanted it....I will tell you, rain , sleet, hail, snow, day, or night, I being the fashion bug that I am, I will make a drive by fashion purchase in a heart beat.One is never too tired to shop!So yeah on the way I thought about gettin my girls and having them come with us.I had just gotten off the phone with them, and they knew I was going, but I told them know I will not take them.So at this point they were unawares...lol.Being the pranksters that we are, Allyn and I created a scheme to call the house, and demand that they be ready in two minutes.Armed with a horrible accent, and humor, Allyn called and demanded that the twins get ready in two minutes.Well the first attempt was a bust, because it was the wrong number.Here we are for about 45 seconds clowning with some poor stannger...lol.Then Allyn says, (no accent")"Isn't their number *******?" "Yes" I said back," but you have to dial 1 first....(my cell is long distance)"
Now......sigh....... Kiara answered the phone.Lord help us....between tryin to figure out what she did wrong, and deciphering through the instructions, the poor girl was loss.The instructions were clear, (insert horrible accent)"You havvva be rrrrrready in tree minu, an haffa come wit bubllle gum and pink bowette...K.....you haff your orda????"Simple right?Riding through Watertown, to their house we were having to explain to Kiara, these instructions over and over.Finally we had to hand the information to the head delinquent....lol.She managed to get the message to the girls.And in true teenage fashion(where malls are concerned) they managed to get fully dressed,have the the pink bowette, and the gum, and be to the truck by the time we pulled up.Woooow why don't they respond that fast when we say stuff like ok....get ready for church, school,or get ready to go to Aunt Martha's house, I know she smells, but.Ok...there is not Aunt Martha, but you get my point.(My kids actually like church and getting ready for it....)
Last night was cute.We did a drive by purchase.My boots are"bangin"And by the time we got back the roast was done.(Heeey...I forgot to get my ransom)I forgot to mention that I kidnapped them knowing their dinner wasn't done, and I knew we would be gone, in time enough for it to get done.Good Timez!!!!
If you have children, or are around children, when was the last time you made something fun , or did something fun with them.When was the last time you made something that usually dreadful(ever waited on food, and was hungry?) into something fun.I have these kinds of moments with my kids all the time.I pray they will never forget the silly moments.Moments where mom briefly let her hair down, and became a kid again....for a moment.Balance .I am not interested in being a teenager, or a kid.I love who and what I am becoming at 35...however, I know that to reach them and sometimes teach them , it doesn't hurt to do what interests them....their way.No animals were harmed, laws broken, and we had plenty of laughs.Well there was that time I got caught speeding over by .....ok just kidding.We ate the gum, and I kept my borette.... we laughed at the horrible accents, and laughed even harder at Kiara,.....who really was tryin to figure out what she did to get arrested.....lol.
Routine is good, and to be expected in well balanced home, Random acts of silliness is even better...it helps you forget about the pressures of routines, and appreciate each other!

(Thanks to those of you that read the blog, many follow and read daily...I appreciate it!)

T.G.I.F as The Young and the Restlestless Chilli's are Red as Lobsters...

2008-11-07T09:12:00.001-08:00

Thank God it's Friday as The Young and the Restless Chilli's are Red as Lobsters because they don't seem to Survive in the land of Blogs As The World Turns........

Yeah, I am going to be the subject of a a household revolt if I do not blog SOMETHING about the rest of my children.In my defense ShanVan are always doing something funny and entertaining.So Cerah says, "So, what?We have to do something stupid to get a blog?!"lol...Lord, what have I started??

All In The Family
Our household is comical to say the least.I always say we'd make a good tv show.I think we'd be a mix of the Cosby Show,Touched by an Angel, Rosanne,Survivor, and The Muppet Show wrapped into one.Maintaining all this, and with Christ in the center of it all, makes for a variety of experiences.
Opportunity Knocks
Opportunity Knocks is a show we watch from time to time, where families are put on the spot to answer random questions about other family members;in order to get prizes.We all say if we were on there, Allyn and I would win the most prizes for the family.I know I would,because I pretty much have the family pegged especially the children

So first there is Allyn.The 16 year old mixture of TD Jakes, Fabio, Eddie Haskell,Jim Carrey,Emeril Lagosee, and Denise the Menice.Allyn has been known as Deacon Allyn since he was two.Armed with an old spirit, and convictions(which have been tested lately)he can be dangerous.The thing about Allyn is that he is probably the most adult actin non-adult in this family.It is nothing to hear Allyn tell a girl to,"close your legs!" or "Go to bed!" Are you serious??Do you see me( the parent) right here..hmmmmmm so what is Allyn up to lately......What's the deal for most kids his age...boys his age at least.His grades, have been less than acceptable.Well at the threat of never doing anything extra curricular in his life,and possibly loosing his life(just kidding) his grades went from wavin Flags to Bouncin agile Cats even some Aces .To put it plainly Fabio, was over taken by TD Jakes,while Emeril was cooking, and Denise didn't finish the homework,because Jim Carrey was busy with his antics, yet Eddie wasn't worried because he thought he could compliment the teacher out of the Flags!When that didn't work,JIm Carrey starred in Liar Liar, while TD Jakes put Fabio in his place,in the mean time Emeril stepped in and busted out Denise,while Eddie Haskell is still here picking up the pieces.
Then There is Ms.Cerah(11).Yes...Ms.Only Cerah gets a miss.Well Mousey gets one also, but Cerah gets one first.Cerah is the girl who is not in control of anything.From the way she walk.The units she shoots(that slang for facial expressions) to they way her arm involuntarily flies up and "oooops" hits one of her siblings.When called on it, she either has no idea what you are talking about, or manages to fix her face in such a way that only Cerah can do.We call it The Many Faces of Cerah.Cerah is also our thinker, so she can be guilty of over thinking EVERYTHING.When she is done thinking, she may come back from la la land,and one NEVER knows what she may ask.The last thing I remember her asking was how did they get Moe(Doodle Bops) soo small that he fits on a butterfly.Also, she ended the statement by sayin, "I wonder how they made him...Moe fly."All the while Eddie Haskell interjected, trying to explain the blue screen ect.In true Cerah fashion, she didn't listen and really fought against everything he said.Regardless of how right he was.Now Cerah also is good at making HERSELF think that you think that you are crazy.So it would not be beyond her to go, "Well I asked that in the first place.,...remember I said, its neat how they used the blue screen to get Moe on the butterfly and flying."Riiiiiiiight!That's Cerah!
Radiant (9)is bound to make money on Broadway.I can see it now.Drama....Acting.Someone forgot to tell her she was not the baby in the family anymore.We remind her daily, and well quite frankly she doesn't care.Armed with
her two fingers, and her ears, she can be seen some part of the day (especially while waiting on dinner)lounging and humming with her fingers in her mouth.The louder the hum, the more dramatic the explosion can be.She is sitting next to me, humming now.Very low, so there is little to no potential for an outburst.Radiant is the one the one that interjects in every one's discipline or punishment .You could say something like,"Whoever, left their towel on the floor needs to pick it up."Annnnnnd she's off, like a buck leaving the stalls, you can hear Radiant start her rendition of the damsel in distress."I didn't do it.It's not my towel, I don't know what you're talkin about.What towel?Where?I didn't do it!" Rambling all this to the top of her lungs.Tone full of PaNiC, she does not allow you to get a word in edge wise.You almost want to smack her back to reality.Dramatic!
Lastly, there is Gemini,a mixture the Debbie Downer, Emo girl,Harriet Tubman, and the smart professor from the Incredibles, all in one.She is our God daughter that lives with us.Ahhh Gemini......Also known as Germany.That's my pet name for her.No specific meaning...it is what it is.Gemini, is a person of many words...spoken with a soft monotone voice.No emotions , unless Chris Brown, a cell phone,civil rights, or money is involved....lol and food.Especially the boxed processed kind.She has like a southern drawl without the accent.What is she up to lately that I can disclose on a blog.In her own words,"sooo yeeeaaaaaahhhh!"Gemini is another drama queen.So she really is always doing something.She is also a thinker.So because she all that and 16, we always have to stay 2 days ahead of her.She was away for the week, so with little interaction with her, I don't....ohhhh wait I do!Rotflol.There was the whole, "canyoubringmemoreclothes,becausethemanyclothesyou sentwasuseless(although they are normally doable),andIcan'twearanyofthat;becausetheshirtscanbeseenthroughmysweaterincident....."(Vannell says I created that monster..I say whateva)
So you know enough about VanTelle...so I need not post about them.I am actually off to get them now.What will be our dilemma today.The Evil cubbies,Nudder bars ,or will the bathroom be the playground of the day.We shall see.The day is young.

Good Day

Out of OrDeR

2008-11-06T10:40:00.001-08:00

As the title of this Blog suggests,my life as I knew it has temporarily interrupted, but not disrupted.I cannot STAND when my routine is disrupted with something unwelcomed.I am a creature of habit, yet hate routine, and blah!I am pretty black and white on most things, and feel my routine should be the same way, but add the spice and flava I like .So when I (with my black and white self) have a plan, I expect it to go....as I planned!
This makes the FOURTH year long separation from Vannell,.as a result of deployment.With this comes many challenges, some welcomed, most discouraged!Today, I experienced one of those discouraging challenges.The TrUcK........It is ALWAYS the vehicles.One deployment, it was the tires,another, the brakes,you name it, someone I know has had to take their vehicle in for something, they didn't expect or prepare for.So mine happened to be this wonderful sound that was coming from the engine.You could not get rid of it no matter what you did.I tried speeding up, nothing,slowing down , nothing.It started, literally, the day after we did our budget for the month....lol.(you guessed it)So hoping it would go away, I waited a day.Well after the weekend, I decided to take it in.The service dept. told me I needed to come back, and I could get in and out if I made and appointment.So I made my appointment.I made it with the assurance I'd get in and out.....RiiiiiiigggghtThinking, it's the belt, they will tighten it, and its a wrap.Thankfully, I only had to ride around sounding like Herbie the Love Bug for three days.Any more, and I would have skate boarded everywhere.It was a loud, and annoying sound!So yeah they day came.(today)Preparing for my day as normal, I packed what needed to be packed, and I even packed my laptop.Prepared for a long wait.Regardless of what they told me.Children in tow, I went to drop of VanTelle, and discovered my ID was missing.I had to goooo aaaallll the way home to get it.That would have sent me ova the edge. Then I go to the dealer.He tool my keys right away.explaining, "he saw me drive up!"He knew my car and all.So I am thinking, "Wow...this is gonna be effortless!"At this point I realized, when I looked through my packed baby bag,"danggit!I forgot to pack diapers for Sarah!"Great, now I have to do the potty thing.(Have you ever done that; and had to reopen a diaper as if it was a pull up.)Thankfully, she didn't have spaghetti or corn for breakfast!!!!!She did well.She did not soil, he diaper,and it was all good!
Armed with a double stroller, laptop, and snacks, I headed to the waiting room.After sitting there for about an hour, a service desk associate, came to me,with what I recognized as a work order in hand, and numbers , calculations in pen on the back."Here we go", I thought."I came in here for you to tighten my belt.That's it."So basically she informed me that I needed a water pump.Now that I think about it, she never told me what the status of the noise was.She just said you needed a water pump.what eva.Well first she came and asked if I wanted to go to the mall.I was like no,I don't need to go to the mall, just get the truck fixed.Long story short,I ended up leaving with a loaner, and my truck is still there. I had to lol the possibility of me breaking down in fountain of tears.But I didn't , this time.I thought to myself,"What's going on, that you didn't loose it this time?"Because, it is NO GUARANTEE that I won't cry "over" something in the near future.I even text someone, and told her what was goin on, and that this would have sent me over before.As I was thinking about it, I got a reply, and she texted,"Well you are growing up!"That added another thing to ponder,"Does growing up mean we can' t and won't cry or react to stress etc?"No....was what I told myself.lol.So you mean no matter how grown I think I get/ am, I will cry over stuff that gets overwhelming?....yes!!!(I do talk AND answer myself,,,,WhAt?!)So then I thought," Why didn't I cry what was different?"Well number one, I am emotionally healthier right now,very limited stress,and what kept coming back to me was that I was PREPARED!I literally thought through the first half of my day,last night.Because I knew the potential for a melt down was there. I planned accordingly.... next time I will have a diaper bag check list though.It worked out this time, but can you see me in a public rest room, huggin Sarah and crying,"I forgot your diapers,I am sorry, I forgot your diapers.Vannell should be here, to do this.Ohhh Gosh....."
I thought the process through,including the part where I was gonna get nickeled and dimed for one thing or another.What I was not prepared for was having to go all the way home because I left my ID home.So I was PREPARED, and as the day progressed, I had a solution for what was happening.Being healthier, not only physically, helps me mentally.I am allowing myself many emotional outlets, so that when something totally unrelated to my tears happens, the tears won't look for an opportunity to SHINE!Well I will tell you, I know it's coming , one day....they will rightfully shiiiine.Whether it's spilled milk, a dirty diaper, a light bulb that is blown or the last piece of chicken eaten, Imma let it flow too!!!So while I know what you meant when you said, "I am growing up!"I will tell you,stress, deployment, unplanned events that disrupt my day all make for the perfect formula for a cry fest.So I will not promise you I won't text you one day rotflol.....Girl, I cried because the commissary put the bread in the back again!!!!Well you know I am not crying because of that...it is because, One more thing decides to go HaYwIrE in my life:Interrupted but not disrupted!

(To the tune of It's My Party)"This Deployment I'll Crrrrry if I want to, Crrrrrry If I want tooooo, you would cry to if it happened to you!"

I will tell you, when it rains, it pours!The events that followed the rest of the had to have been designed to break me down.Seriously! I didn't cry about it, but poor Vannell got an ear full, poor thing.I need to go work out,and go to bed.I actually, opted for some homemade fried chicken and a diet coke.Theeeen imma work out and go to bed.
Today was an emotionally draining day.Some things I was prepared for.Others, I brought on myself.Either way...The utters are aching..lol
gn

The Young and the Blogless

2008-11-05T15:23:00.001-08:00

Well,

Today is a wonderful day in America!Everyone that I know is elated, and on cloud nine!Children discussing what happened at school.Reactions from those that doubted President Elect Obama's success, or supported McCain.Words of awe from those that marched with Martin Luther King.Or hearing memories from those that were small enough to remember the speech in Washington.What a day!!!!

Well as I was downloading my day with my mother and children, we heard a very dangerous sound .It was the sound of every one's voices over 3 talking about the elections, their days etc.My Mom began to say how she needed to finish catching up on the blog, while rotflol.It seems to be the sentiment from those that follow the blog.We began to laugh out loud thinking about the various blogs.Then she stated through a laugh, "But the problem is that , they(the 3 year olds) are always the subject of the blogs."I was like knoooow they keep us busy.And as much as I would like to blog about the others, they are the Brittany Spears of my home.They are like Anjolina and Bratt Pitt.I think we should name them Vantelle.Or ShanNelle! I mean they are always doing and saying something.Which leads to this unplanned blog.So as my mom was making this statement, she headed towards the bathroom.From which she let out a wail, of laughter."Missy, come see this, you have to see this!!!" The she said."This is why they are always the subject of blogs."Who needs tv when stuff like this happens on a daily basis, and believe me it does.

Not second later, we were just wondering where they had gone, because they were not around and were silent.Below is where they were and what they were doing.....No need for an explanation.

2008-11-05T07:42:00.001-08:00

Si Se Puede'

2008-11-05T03:07:00.000-08:00

Si Se Puede!!!Yes We Can! a declaration of change in America.Not just a slogan proclaiming one's prolific ability to change the country individually.As a Christian, I know part of this slogan is definitely expressed knowing we can only change America through the Spirit of God.Many people acknowledge that there MUST be a change in America!America has been on a long journey with these candidates , and voted, who they thought best would usher, or facilitate change!Congratulations to President Elect Barack Obama.Who won the election by a record number of votes, a land slide.The nations FIRST African American President.To Michelle, the FIRST sista to be the first non-staff worker in the white house,instead, the First Lady!It will be here who decided the colors of the decor, and not putting it up.Requesting of a maid, and not being one!When the founding fathers built the White House, I know they did not intend on a slave or a descendant of one to control it one day.It gives me chicken skin, goose bumps, or whatever you call it to think about it.I think about the Dred Scott Decision, that gave African Americans NO rights in this country!The part of our constitution that permitted slavery.I think about Martin Luther King, Harriet Tubman,Mandela,Our great Grandparents, most of them immigrants to this country.Coming in through Ellis Island, expecting change, with hope, and receiving less than humane treatment.I think of our bloodline of women, with children in fields , in fields and plantations not far from the White House!It was with great pride, and dumbfoundness, we watched the results.It was clear early on, to me, who the president was going to be.I thank God for my children's enthusiasm, not for a "Black" president, but for the process, and the fact that he is African American does not hurt.President Elect Obama is a man of integrity, humble, eloquent in speech, and has managed to unit the nation, and ignite the nation for change.From the VERY old to the VERY young!(My 8 year old daughter just woke up 6:20 AM, and said,"Mommy?!" "yes." I said."Obama is president."I said ,"I know."and she said nothing else).

I think about the men in this country, the African American men.Who has in one election night seen the standard raised.My Brother/cousin inlaw who called at 2:oo in the morning expressing his pride, and how he couldn't sleep.Many shared this sentiment.My husband, who could not get live feed, expressed the overwhelming emotions that are coming from the many people in Iraq.Some are just plain ignorant, to be expected.And most soldiers, as trained as they are to not let emotions get in the way, are crying as they walk to the phones to speak to their loved ones back in the STATES.This happening among all races, and genders Vannell says.Some of you may never know what this means for the African American community, as he ushers in hope and change, I know this will be monumental for our country as well.A movement, this time a positive one!I am so proud of our country right now!Many have gotten in trouble for saying that, but as a wife of a soldier, and an African American women, I have not always been proud.This morning, I am proud, in awe of his humbleness, and encouraged by change!America he did what you could , and the polls spoke for themselves.WOW....record breaking landslide!

The crowds...wow!I tried to describe the mood, and the crowds to my husband.I did it no justice.It was like new years eve across the nation.It was like a 911 event happened in America....only it was a good thing.All nationalities, races, genders, united, chanting, crying,screaming, some just staring into space, in support of our nation.Anticipating change.I have NEVER seen an election being covered like this one.Usually, it's covered and good night.I saw reporters trying to remain unbiased.As they fight back tears of joy!What a historical moment in history!Jessie Jackson, regardless of how he feels about President Elect Obama, overcome with emotions.Al Sharpton, to name a few.Oprah Winfrey in the crowd, overcome with pride and joy.Later I read that she said,"America did the right thing!"I don't stay up till three in the morning, after having worked all day, knowing I have to get up at 5, for anything.This was more than worth it.

(My 11 just woke up, sleepy eyed she walked over,"Mommy?Who won?.""Obama", I said as she walked away quietly.As she closed the door tot he bathroom, she said."YESssssss!")

This Morning I have nothing witty to discuss, maybe later.But now I am almost at a loss of words.Filled with emotions as I write this blog.Instead, I express a word of prayer for our President Elect and family.

Lord,

I pray for President Elect Obama, and family.As we in this country have elected him, and he takes his place in the highest office in the country, some say the world.I pray for wisdom and guidance.I pray he makes decisions with you and what's right in mind.I pray that no hurt, harm or danger will come near him, or those connected to him.I pray he will not be a victim of an assassination or anything that will hinder his goals as president.I pray that he surrounds himself with others that will help him lead this country with humility, loyalty, truthfulness, and love for ALL Americans.I pray that he continue to be a catalyst for change .I pray for his daughter's safety, and their health.I pray for Michelle, as the First Lady.Be with them all, as the pressure is there, but I think he well well able to do the job at hand.I pray this election unites our country, and that even those that didn't vote for him, will support him.So Lord, as much as we are proud, and awed, I turn to you this morning!Guide them!Keep them!and Provide for Them!

In Jesus's Name Amen

(Below is the speech Obama made last night,if you didn't see it, watch it online.It was awesome to see and hear.)

Obama:

Hello, Chicago.

If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.

It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen, by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different, that their voices could be that difference.

It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled. Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states.

We are, and always will be, the United States of America.

It's the answer that led those who've been told for so long by so many to be cynical and fearful and doubtful about what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day. Watch Obama's speech in its entirety »

It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment change has come to America.

A little bit earlier this evening, I received an extraordinarily gracious call from Sen. McCain.

Sen. McCain fought long and hard in this campaign. And he's fought even longer and harder for the country that he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine. We are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader.

I congratulate him; I congratulate Gov. Palin for all that they've achieved. And I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead.

I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart, and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on the train home to Delaware, the vice president-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.

And I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last 16 years the rock of our family, the love of my life, the nation's next first lady Michelle Obama.

Sasha and Malia I love you both more than you can imagine. And you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the new White House.

And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother's watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight. I know that my debt to them is beyond measure.

To my sister Maya, my sister Alma, all my other brothers and sisters, thank you so much for all the support that you've given me. I am grateful to them.

And to my campaign manager, David Plouffe, the unsung hero of this campaign, who built the best -- the best political campaign, I think, in the history of the United States of America.

To my chief strategist David Axelrod who's been a partner with me every step of the way.

To the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done.

But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to. It belongs to you. It belongs to you.

I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington. It began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston. It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $5 and $10 and $20 to the cause.

It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep.

It drew strength from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on doors of perfect strangers, and from the millions of Americans who volunteered and organized and proved that more than two centuries later a government of the people, by the people, and for the people has not perished from the Earth.

This is your victory.

And I know you didn't do this just to win an election. And I know you didn't do it for me.

You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime -- two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.

Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us.

There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after the children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage or pay their doctors' bills or save enough for their child's college education.

There's new energy to harness, new jobs to be created, new schools to build, and threats to meet, alliances to repair.

The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.

I promise you, we as a people will get there.

There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president. And we know the government can't solve every problem.

But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it's been done in America for 221 years -- block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.

What began 21 months ago in the depths of winter cannot end on this autumn night.

This victory alone is not the change we seek. It is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were.

It can't happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice.

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other.

Let us remember that, if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers.

In this country, we rise or fall as one nation, as one people. Let's resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long.

Let's remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House, a party founded on the values of self-reliance and individual liberty and national unity.

Those are values that we all share. And while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress.

As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, we are not enemies but friends. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.

And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president, too.

And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces, to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of the world, our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.

To those -- to those who would tear the world down: We will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security: We support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright: Tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.

That's the true genius of America: that America can change. Our union can be perfected. What we've already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.

This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight's about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing: Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.

She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons -- because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.

And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America -- the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.

At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.

When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs, a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.

When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.

She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that "We Shall Overcome." Yes we can.

A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination.

And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change.

Yes we can.

America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves -- if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?

This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment.

This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.

Thank you. God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America.

I Forgot to Vote!

2008-11-04T03:31:00.000-08:00

Juuuuuuuusssst Kidding!
Did you actually believe me?...lol.I mean really?....Who will FORGET to vote.....get tired in line,not be able to find your polling place, but forget?!Unless something major that happens in one's life today, it is highly unlikely one forgets to vote.Last night at about 12:00 I opened yet another email, encouraging me to vote.Promising the perfect weather(sent from God ofcourse) and the assumption that I was going to vote for HER candidate!Lastly, the email included, ofc ourse, an attack on the opposition, and how they are some thing or another.Whatever it is, they were "wrong".....lol.What goit me was a couple of things.First of all, I think the weather is not effected by the election.Did God say, America is viting today, and I need to make sure it does not rain?!Well I know God is concerned about many things, but the American election's weather>>>IDK!Secondly, the email, from someone, I am not thaat close to, gave a last ditch hip hip hooray for "our candidate."Assuming I was voting the way she was.What if I wasn't , is God gonna cause a rain cloud to follow me, and only those that vote opposite her candidate.More importantly, what about my right to choose to vote for who I choose?Assumption,ASSumption....hmmmmm?!The email ended, with the usual plea...Don't forget to vote.Can I, really? Is it possible??????
Ads everywhere,tv, not just political shows.Radio,telephone(cell and land line)/Lawn sign, buttons, emails, faxes, robocalls, talk shows,.....EVERYWHERE.I am waiting for the Food Network to come out with a special,Cooking with McCain, or How to Boil Water With Barak.I mean really, Survivor :Election Edition would make a good show right? What about Fear Factor, or Amazing Race.We had Joe the Plumber,What about Bob the Builder edition. Desperate Candidates, or Vote or No Vote.And for the daytime soap watchers,All my votes, or General Elections, or As McCain Turns, or The Bold and Barak.What about "The View from New Hampshire"...I have more.... I mean, as much as I am stoked for America right now.Either win will make history.The first African American President, or the first female vice- president.Both a major step in America.My kids are all excited, and I am proud to say that my 16 year old will be in tow.Him and Gemini have been following the elections, and this will be a treat for him.We plan on following the polls all night.A little pizza party!!!!!Two years later, the day is finally here!GO SENATOR BARAK OBAMA.....did I type that???????(I can do that, it's my blog)
I doubt those with intentions on voting, forget to vote.They may get tired of lines, tired of the machines, or even fall for the false information being handed out in some districts.One caller into a radio show had a flyer stating that Dems vote on the 5th and Rep on the 4th.Is this what the elections have come to????Shame.
So regardless of your political party, it would not be wise to assume that your friends and family are voting the way you are voting.Secondly, pack your umbrella, and snow boots,mittens, bathing suits, and rain boots because you never know how the weather clouds are gonna swing, depending on the votes.Sunshine for Obama?Tornadoes for McCain?...or the opposite is possible!Lastly, vote your heart, vote based on issues that are important to you!I promise to do the same!Also, regardless of party, regardless who wins(I have my choice), we are making history!If you did/do not vote.....Don't Complain!Hooooooaaaaaaah!

ROTFLOL....Allyn is as bad as I am...He just said Maury Povich should announce the election results,"In the case of Obama and the country....Obama you ARE the president!"What in the World!!!!
I have my druthers on how this is gonna go, I am excited about the conversations and excitement this election has produced.Again get out an VOTE!

"Nudder Bar or Banana?"

2008-11-03T14:28:00.000-08:00

"You want a nudder bar or banana?"What is it about the human language and the relationship of (some parents ) and their three year old's that causes us from time to time to pronounce words as they would
ok, because I understand supply and demand , I have another blog for ya*wink*

"You want a nudder bar or banana?"So this is the first thing I said after getting Shantelle and Vannell home from School.Lemme back up some....It was 1:00 and Baby Sarah FiNaLly dozed to sleep land.Alyssa was sleep , and the other daycare children decieded to take a mental health day.So the house being quiet, I decided to chill out, (for once) and catch up on some shows I have stored my DVR.Weeeell as you might have guessed, I dozed off as well.I awoke to the sound of the phone ringing.I don't know how I did it, but I sprung up in one of those half sleep, half dazed dashes out the door.(well don't be silly, I had Maam here today...of course i'd never leave the kids alone!)Ever have to be somewhere and think you are late, because you were sleep.Well I made a mad dash down the highway, thinking oh my , they are gonna call the mp's...rotflol(they go to school OFF post!{shut up Glynnis})So anyway I get there, EARLIER than usual.So that being said, I had to wake them, and get them in the car half sleep.I actually managed to get them dressed, and out the class WITHOUT their backpacks.I mean that is a feat! Ty, ty...I will tell you how I did it later.Those backpacks , I think, possess some super human power that allows them to terrorize the house in the evening.They go from fully sleep during nap time,awaken, and demanding they take their book bags home.ok, I know some of you love my visuals so here ya go.....On a normal day, picking up Shantelle and Vannel from school is like a three legged race. Usually I unload the babies,and place them in a double stroller.Usually leaving Sarah to walk.Other days, I bring both babies in their carriers, one in each arm.Again, Sarah walks.Baby Sarah...wanderingin their class , in hopes that I will leave her(or at least stay for discovery time).Then there is the two babies i have in their car seats.Carrying them in their car seats attracts stares and admiration for my organization.Or I get the whole,"ohhh you got your hands full*smile*"You wanna take one of the porkers put my arm?I'd decline of course, because I use this time to get some weightlifting in.Well with all of that, getting their jackets should not be they are worried about , right????NOT!!!Out the class we go, and to the left are the cubbies.Those things should be moved, danggit.They are evil!!!!!Yeah I know they hold jackets and clothes and act as a personalized mailbox for parents....but they are EVIL.They dub as an energizer!Because, Idon't know how they can go from a little sluggish to wide awake, and ready for a showdown when I declare(with two car seats in my arms, and Baby Sarah looking on like"mi mi you're gonna loose") "let's leave the book bags here.There's nothing in them but a change of clothes."As I say this other parents pass us, completing their challenge without a fight.Well mine are gonna fight."Nooooooo" they protest,"i want to taked my booback home!" ok so, it is bad enough to deal with a child having a fit.It is worse to have to defuse a fit, when your hands are full and you can't grab them and leave.So I try the infamous walk off.Yeah right.If you know Shantelle and Vannell, then you know that that doesn't matter to them.They stand their ground in front of the evil, power giving cubbies.They have to be evil, or on assignment from Barney...something!How else can they be sound asleep, then sluggish and immediately get their war stance on!Armed with an audience and opportunity, the battle begins.Do I HAVE to tell you how it ends most days????How about we talk about my victory...I got them out the school WITHOUT their backpacks in tow!!!!!!Well what I did, is what I do on most days, I acessed the evil cubby and got their coats(check) then I went in the class, surprise i'm early(check)then I dress them(check) then I wlk them out the class VERY fast, so fast they cannot think.I did notice Vannell look back like he is missing something.But I kept walking.....bam!Mission accomplish!Today!
Which leads to the snack choices,"you want nudder bar or banana?" Don't act like you don't know what a nudder bar is...lol! What is it....guess?leave your answers below(no cheating Gemini)
After school snack time. A prerequisite to the basement overhaul.What is that?Well it's when Shantelle and vannell manage(because of the evil, power giving cubbies) to destroy the basement area with toys(with Baby Sarah in tow) in a matter of seconds.I am hoping that if I give them a choice of snacks, it will not cause an emotional melt down.I am thinking that 3 year olds look for an opportunity to have emo moments.My two know how to have them over yes....a snack.Well the boy child decided he didn't want a nudder bar(even though he asked for one this morning ).And Shantelle, was downstairs(I tried to trick her into going back to sleep, since naptime is just an hour)I tell you in a matter of seconds she was upstairs helping Vannell with his protest for fruit.Of course she wanted fruit as well!!!So despite my attempts to yet again control my 3 year olds, it didn't work.They got the fruit cups AND a doughnut.Vannell( of course) snuck another one.When Allyn got home from school, he discovered the missing doughnut,And the nibbled doughnut.So let me correct that Mr. ate 2 doughnuts and nibbled off a third.When I asked him why, he said, "betuse!"Betuse....are you kidding me!Like he had right to the donughnuts......!"Betuss"....pssshhh.
So yeah thus began the normal spiral of events that take place in our home on most evenings.In a matter of minutes, they woke up all the sleeping babies, and the basement looked like a toy chest threw up!So what I hoped to avoid, happened again.How do I mean.Well, i figured if I get them home, give them a choice of snack.One that I think they like, at least for the day.This will give a since of control, and a conflict will be avoided.Thus, the rest of the evening, they will just chill ya know?Maybe come downstairs,play, with one toy at a time!CLEAN up, etc.Well it was reaffirmed today,that no matter how nice I try to keep my tone, or how many choices I give them, 3 year old have a mind of their own.Regardless of how we think our night will go, when you have children, a house full, it will be eventful.Sort of like Mr.Gump said,"Life with Children are like a box of chocolate, you never know what you're gonna get."

The ReAl Happy HalloThanksMass

2008-11-03T13:44:00.000-08:00

Ok,
So my first attempt at blogging this title, was interrupted(hence the title of my blog page...lol)by the innocent antics of my three year old's.Well, after reading the last post, I decided that it will be ok to use first names of the younger two.Although, most of the time, I will probably use their terms of endearment.

Well it was the day AFTER Halloween, and I was in Walmart.The local Walmart happens to be a shopping mecca for the locals.We really don't have much of a choice, as it relates to retail stores near the base.But the truth of the matter, our Walmart is also an entertainment mecca as well.Well I for one, will get a Walmart moment,at 1:00 AM....yes AM.It has been nothing for me, with Gemini and Allyn in tow, to go to Walmart and uh...shop.Or at least pretend to do so.It was more like Melissa and misfits, dodging people, and wondering why some people decided to express themselves fashionably as they did!Walmart, the place for everything, if you need it, it's there!We have seen some CrAzY thing that time of night, from drunks to plumber's booty...lol.(the kind you really don't want to see)
So, it was the day after Halloween, and I decided to redo Allyn's room.So I needed to get some things from Walmart(of course).Already annoyed by the crowds I met in Watertown earlier that morning.It was a mad house.It was like the day Willy Wonka decided to have the contest for the Golden Ticket.I mean it was packed.I was like where is everyone going?Yes, when I have things to do, places to go, money to spend, I want ALL roads clear, and annoying people home!So as I was heading back home, it hit me, it's the first of the month.Ahhhh/ now I get it.That's why the long lines, and the traffic on the roads.Most military, as well as civilians got paid.I usually try to do my business on non pay weeks in hopes to avoid a crowd.So that being said, I decided to head home.
So you ask, How did you end up as Wlamart then???...lol!Weeeelllll it's like this,I decided to get some wings from the Wild Wing place, and I didn't the kids anything.I usually don't make it a habit to eat takeout, and not get the kids something as well.So everyone said the wanted McDonald's so McDonald's it was.Well a trip to McDonald's is one thing, but one with everyone in the car, was another.So I decided, (with another motive in mind)let me drop them off, and I can get the rest of the stuff for Allyn's room.So I dropped the gang off, well most of them off and off we went to Walmart, I mean McDonald's.I convinced myself that I will run in and run out.SO much so, I decided to park in the back, closest to an entrance.
As we walked through the door I emmediately noticed the looong line in the automotive section.Ignored it, I didn't need an oil change.Walking with a purpose to the paints, because I knew I wanted to paint, but also new it was a fat chance I would get it done by this weekend.SO I kept walking, then I noticed Alll thi Christmas stuff, fully stocked and ready to go.The Day after Halloween.The kicker was.....the music.It was lulling as well and inviting.As I walked down isle after isle of Christmas stuff, I was almost brain washed to begin to think about what I wanted to buy.Oh my gosh I saw stuff for Radiant, and Shantelle.Ohh that would be nice for this one and that one.OMG...I do not want to think about shopping for Christmas, I was just thinking earlier about Thanksgiving.Now I am being brainwashed by Walmart to think about Christmas.While this was happening, I was amazed by the crowd in there as well.So much so I called a friend and was like, " i know yall on yall's way, but it is packed!" she was like, "You got to be kiddin me."I was not!By this time she was in the store, and we were playing the WEBOTHAREINTHESTORETALKINGONTHECELLPHONEHOPINGTOFINDEACHOTHERTHING!I even gave out my distinct"whooodiewhoooo!"
She laughed, as I told her I was outta here, I felt like I was getting brainwashed.The thing is, as I approached the other side of the store, something amazing happend.No Christmas music, no trees, bulbs, or lights.All I heard was a tune from the latest teeny bopper,an the remnants of Halloween.The Isles were also stocked with more than a fair share of Thanksgiving stuff.
Being the multitasker that I am...even this was to much for me.I felt like I was being milked by Walmart.Walmart had a share of the Utters(read past blog)I like to enjoy my holidays as they come.I don't like having a holiday, and while I am enjoying it, have to think about the next one.I had to get out of there, it was too much.Earlier I was thinking about whether I was gonna be able to find collards or will I have to settle for something else.Thinking about Thanksgiving...we have time for Christmas , don't we??????
So this led to the title of the blog.Happy HalloThanksMas.We may as well name it one holiday.They do not let the first one come without mentioning the next one.
Enjoy life's experiences as they come.Even the ones that are not worth celebrating, or experiences where celebrating is not in order.Preparing for the future is a wonderful thing that should be done , as you maintain balance in your daily life as you know it . To be so future minded that you are not a sucess, or enjoying right now would be a shame.You'll miss something!

Happy ThanksHalloMass!!!

2008-11-01T13:48:00.000-07:00

Wow, where do I begin???
Just as predicted, I didn't sleep in as much as I would have liked. 8;00 is quite early for me on a SAT.
ok...commercial break...seriously, I have" thing one" and "thing two" playing on my bed.My bed has decorative pillows on it.They have managed to turn my area of peace so that the ideas can flow , into a makeshift butterfly garden, and now they have EVERY pillow in my room,and collecting blankets , so they can amuse themselves as they stack them as high as they can and lay on them.Uh ohh there is hope.V is yawning,(got to comfy on a pillow)S just did a double round off, off my bed.
Oh my...... now...they are discussing who is in the front and back." I am in the back" ," im in the fron!"..."no" "no...im in the back and you're in the front".This debate can go on forever.
Why are they comfortable in MY bed, having a conversation that I am NOT privy to.Are you kidding me?I forgot to add that after S did the back flip, double round off , off my bed, she got a blanket and covered her brother and herself, and thus began their conversation.

Whooooa....: the conversatation is winding down.Why are they getting comfy, yawning and all....
Ohh boy, now i am getting the updates on school , and our new friends, and a focus on how to pronounce their names.ok, all this while I have not said a word.Typing away, as this is unfolding.
" Anna"..uh huh, Donna...uh huh....and Matty, uh huh....wow and this one and that one ...followed by V saying...uh huh(he is the teacher, and I guess S is the student)
Ok...they are quiet! They are seriously laid up here on all my pillows , side by side, one quietly drifting (V), and S does not go easily, she is counting.....and recounting.
But the question is, who told them that my bed is theirs?Did Vannell give them instructions to keep me extra entertained, before he left?I can hear it now, "Make sure yall keep Mommy company all night long , go through your whole day, sing songs, and most of all please speak to your school mates like they are present!"(a group of named kids are getting reprimanded as we speak, by BOTH of them!)
"Mommy...Mommy..."...breaking my silence...Yes..."is we got stool tomorrow?"...no....lol.

I'll spare you, but just know that as I continue to type, we have gone from school, play mates, counting to yawning and back at school again!Teachers, nap time, story time,pick up time(announcing who's parents are at the door),omg this is funny , cute and a teenie bit annoying...ok...not annoying, but I had intentions on writing about something else....lol. This is classic though!
They are still talking, "mommy, guess who doesn't go to chuch?"...who....Matty.....omg now I have been included in the conversation!...Can you say 20 questions??...Can they go back to stacking pillows?Back to waving pillows on either side of V making him look like a butterfly(that was ingenious)
I wonder if I should leave and let them , have privacy.
WOW, S just turned over and said, , "let's go to sleep!'...she then turned over adjusted the covers.V whispered something, and he turned over....and now silence....back to back they lay....
silence.S does not go without a fight!She has now entered into imagination land, "dit dckit dit dit " is all I hear......she can talk, why is she saying that?' .omg, now they are singing,the left and right song.....wow!!!S is singing the ABC song in her cute voice, V in the back round, " say x!" he demands...with that deep voice! what the heck.....lol.This is hilarious.i did not ask them to come in my room and entertain me, and get comfortable, and command rest.
Well i see where this is going, so I may as well continue my thoughts.Just so you know, they have now propped up, with the phone base and declared it a game boy.And V is mad because she won't share...."wait she says....i am winning","my turn V says" and they are sharing.......
The phone base game boy.....lol
Wow.....imagine, having no cares, just time, space, and opportunity.Isn't that what God promises us?See what you want and go after it!Time Space and opportunity.The thing is, we have to make sure we don't step on toes, or evade people's spaces in the process.Like that of a mind set of a toddler.My guys really didn't care(rightfully so) what I was doing, and whose room it is.It is a young , immature and rather carefree mind that capitalizes on time, space, and opportunity irresponsibly. To the point where they are(obliviously )evading privacy, time, space and territorial boundaries.As much as I love them I would have loved to complete this blog , the way I planned.I intended.Couldn't do it! I was lol(well in my head...have not said a word yet) at was going on.They didn't ask , just came in and started gathering pillows, and making room on the bed.....lol
Well just in case you are wondering,they are still talking, singing, and discussing who is gonna play with the "gameboy"(it's a phone base!!!)
so when the Bible says, "Seek, and ye shall find, knock and the door will be open.."it is not implied to take the world by storm irresponsibly
(we are rehearsing shapes now...well THEY are....I have not said a word....v just announced that the "game Boy is sleep)!
Sorry where was I......yeah, so we have responsibilities, as we take the world by storm.As we seek to LIVE!When we you knocking and seeking, please be kind and rewind, please put the toilet seat down,single when turning, stop for the yellow bus,speak a little lower on your cellphone in public, and Most of all DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU......
Unfortunately , the behavior(they just collected more pillows) exhibited tonight is excusable for toddlers, 3 year olds....it's cute.It is not cute and a sad thing, when one behaves like a 3 year old , but are of the age of maturity!
So as they are still stacking pillows, and invading my space with blankets and game boys,I ask one thing..."Who is gonna clean this mess???
Who cleans your mess in life when you irresponsibly capitalize on Time,Space and Opportunity!While they were doing this I got blankets to the head, key pad tapped(they are SOUND asleep now, )Do you know anyone like that,?Are you like that?With an "It's Whatever" attitude, living irresponsibly, yet aware of a better way to navigate through life.Unlike my babies, an informed individual is able to rehearse behavior wise, what they cognitively developed. The "It's Whatever" attitude weighs you down and you get tired, and those that love you, and sit back waiting for you to get tired, pick up the pieces you let fall, misplaced, misused, and discarded.
When its time to play, Play Hard!When it's time to LIVE, Live Responsibly!

*** ok...this is soo not what I was gonna write about..I will do it tomorrow..maybe!
(Notice the title...I guess i'll have something for tomorrow!!

Have a Good Sabbath...or day of rest

Lies are Like Flies:They Multiply Over Crap, and Are Hard To Get Rid Of!

2008-10-31T18:27:00.000-07:00

Ok, I never being one to lie, and not having a reputation of one that of a liar, it is hard for me to understand the nature of a liar.I remember as a child my mom saying, " the truth is all you have, your word is your bond"And definitely,"Don't lie to me, I can help you, but you have to always tell the truth." I will not say that in my life/ childhood I always practiced this, but I am sure my Mom can vouch that I have generally been an honest person.Sometime brutally honest.I am working on that to this day.....it's called LOVE>God's LOVE.I am the type where I will say it, and if that's what I feel, then hey, at least I said it.Be true to you...is my motto!Well, when you couple that with God's love you think about how others may be effected by it.So that does not mean I put on airs, lie, or masquerade who and what I am about.It just means SOMETIMES , you may get a softer side of the truth, but definitely the truth.
Is it ever ok...to lie? What about manipulation?I guess?! A rule of thumb is that if it is gonna hurt or be hurtful to others, you might not wanna do it.Some call it Karma, fate,The Law of reciprocity, or just plain ole',"what goes around comes around "or "you reap what you sow ." I have lived long enough to know that this is true!

One of our funniest memories of a lie told by one of our kids was when we had our wedding cake topper in the freezer.Waiting for our yr anniversary, to be consumed.Not sure who discovered the freezer open and cake dug into like Survivor contestants on a food challenge had at it .(have you seen those people, I have seen them lick each other's fingers , just for a taste) The cake was purple and white, so you know purple was splattered EVERYWHERE.Well our resident Dennis the Menace(2 at the time) , was somewhere, not far, being our 2 bedroom apt in Kileen , Tx.was very modest,to say the least.He had nowhere to run or hide .So we asked A...the only child at this time...who ate the cake."I don knooo"He proclaimed.Now we sitting there trying to hold in every bit of a rotflol. As A has purple icing sprawled from one end of his body to another.We ask again"Who ate this cake?"This time thinking on his feet, he proclaimed instantly, "my uncle." With that reply, we couldn't hold it in. Crackin up!Poor thing , he thought he had us fooled.He thought he was convincing.He did not know that his lie was contradicted with the presence of purple icing.
Your uncle?Are you serious?He was!Now, my brother and his wife did lived a couple of doors down.( A lie will have you just spittin out erroneous information and usually will lead to the blame game)

So...today, I was talking to someone about a trial they sat in on.Where an individual did some stupid UN necessary things.This individual, occupation wise , held a fairly high rank in the military, so this meant his actions were VERY inappropriate, inconsiderate of others, and a total masquerade and lie.The thing is, as we were discussing the case, all could think of was , why?Why would he do such a stupid thing to himself and others.Basically to put t plainly, he lived in other people's accomplishments, and was awarded and celebrated for it,......for years.So how did he sleep at night knowing that he did this and hurt others directly or indirectly is a mystery.I mean, where is a sense of conscience these day?Is it really do what feels good, as long as you want, stepping on ANYONE along the way?It's sad that human nature is and has come to this.You see it everywhere
Lies Are like Flies :They Multiply Over Crap and Are Hard to Get Rid Of !
Lies....where one is..... there are many more to follow. When u see flies, you need to look for the poop or waste, before it "hits the fan", or gets outta hand .Because once it hits the fan,a whole lot of people are affected!Lies attract other lies.One lie usually can't stand alone!Lies think they have it all together, like a chain link fence,acting as one.It's more like the domino effect.similar , but different and unattached. The thing is dominoes fall down when pushed...down...down till the end! People that lie constantly, won't stop lying until THEY believe YOU believe them! Dominoes pushed till the very structure becomes nothing. Are the lies worth it?Do people that lie , lie so much that they believe THEIR truth, and it is established?If you spot a lie..any lie, you know many more will follow, and dysfunction, (dubbed poop)is surely in the mix!
Whatever it is in people's head to cause them to lie,manipulate things or people , or not be true to themselves is poop.Plain and simple...POOP!Nothing clean! Waste! Useless, no good for the Spirit , Soul and Body!When you love who you are, and know that security is in God, lies(flies) and its buddies(other flies) will have no poop to squat on. When one's motives and intentions are clean, and clear from a constant life of dysfunction,manipulation, deception and pride, lies or flies go searching for someone else's poop. Flies or lies don't have to travel long or look hard for mess to feed off of, all a fly has to do is use its sense of smell.A lie Preys on dysfunction, smells it far away.
DySfUnCtIoN according to Melisster's Dictionary (Don't go looking for it at Borders, I own the only copy!): operating contrary to what it's intended purpose is , extremely distorted.functioning out of selfishness.
Just had a thought: Is it possible that one can have poopie lives or poopie tendencies, and no flies be present?Yes, but you have to be motivated to cleanse ASAP!ll
Being the resident diaper/ potty expert I know:That a poopy diaper does not emit much of an odor unless A.There is sickness (virus) B.. it has been sitting D. air hit it .or E. Too much poop for the diaper...that's when u get "up the backers"!
Now being a preacher, I can preach this backwards and forwards.The Gospel according to poop!Dawn your Jesus goggles with me...go deeper! I will give you the sermonette version:In all these situations, unless improperly disposed of, the flies are not around swarming on little Johnny's hiney!(why lil Johnny?, he gets used for everything)
***Free nugget***Good things about bathrooms are that they are private(unless you are a mother), has water for cleansing, items for wiping and drying, and flushing for disposal!And if your anything like me, your bath is a haven for peace and relaxation as well .It dubs as an Executive Library as well.(ty Glynnis). One can watch tv, get clean, and read...all in the same place!This reminds me of my relationship with God I did not say church/ religion. The Bible says that we are washed whiter than snow, through the BLOOD of Jesus.(Rev.7:14 Message Bible)So, it takes blood to cleanse....oxymoron ,I know! It takes the blood, Jesus' blood. which represents sweat,no pain no gain attitude,and intentional laying down of one's selfish motives,the ultimate sacrifice, to be cleansed.Expounding on the bathroom analogy: It takes being in a private place (self examination), willing to be cleansed( a desire to be better..prosper), whether through flushing stuff out ( a voluntary cleanse...you know , the easy stuff!Just sit down!), washing it away (getting in deeper and allowing the Word of God to penetrate and change YOU...takes more effort on YOUR part), or wiping it off(surrounding oneself with friends and loved ones that will encourage you to do the right thing, and their encouragement will result in a natural rubbing off of waste...what fellowship does light have with darkness? We know iron does sharpen iron!).We CAN be rid of poopie living! Nothing is sadder than someone that needs cleansing, gets to the place to be cleansed, and doesn't let Calgon take them away!.It reminds me of a saying...."__________thinks they crap don't stink!"
News Flash:All poop stinks, and we all have a little poop in our lives.It is no good.....the quicker you get rid yourself of it, the shorter the time the smell linger.Try not to let the crap in your life linger...SELF Evaluate!
(I read a REALLY good poem recently about a unhappy life being like that of a glass filled with dirty water..it would fit perfectly here )

Well, I do thank God it's Friday for many reasons.The obvious, I get to sleep in tomorrow.Well not exactly, got a lot of running around to do, with kids in tow it I will make for and adventure!Friday's are weird for me, because I can be dog tired during the week, or part of it, but on Friday, I am able to stay up late.(hence the long post) Maybe it is because I know I don't have to get as up early the next day.Although my alarm clocks that have a human feel to them, and full of energy will wake, at the crack of dawn.Knocking at my door , wondering, "awe doin to stool?"or "Can we have some beckfess?" " Are you kidding me?"..."go back to bed"..."I tell you what...go ask Maam".Which starts the subconsciously attempt to linger in sleep land as long as possible.
Rerouting the Toddlers(name is patented)It is a challenging, strategic, yet funny(once everyone wakes up and finds out who got them the snack, or "breckfass", or whatever the request is. game where you send them (V and S) on a mission to another family member to get what they ask for, or play with them, or whatever.While you remain doing whatevr it is, sleep, typing, talking on phone ......that requires your full attention. This works best when you are the only busy person ,sending them on a " go tell..." mission.The funny thing is my babies are too smart, which leads to then hovering with their nagging whine until you fold, and give them your attention.So who is getting rerouted here?
Today was a good day for me. I got a lot of things accomplished, until i got the old Yahoo yodel, notifying me that a certain soldier was on and requesting my im'ing skills be put to test . I kept on forgetting it was Halloween.I did have my younger two home today....well they are more like middle .Their classes were having parties, and parades in celebration of this national holiday.Well,my children have never dressed up in Halloween costumes, or tricked or treated.(Now the way some of them TRY to walk out the house at times might resemble a participant in a costume party)We usually go out to eat,(this year we brought in) or we've done things at church, Hallelujah Night.For many years this was never been an issue, because they were home schooled .So when I got the notice that there was gonna be a parade and party, I thought , "what do they do with the kids that do not participate in Halloween , for various reasons?"So I sent a note into the school, and asked the teacher that very same question, and her reply was , "well we send them to the office for 40 min, while we have Mardi Gras(ok she didn't say that part) but, she sends them to office, and then R will be let back in class for food portion." I don't think so! O.K. I have no problem with people choosing to dress up ,and celebrating the day, the party, or the parade, not even sure what an alternative to her going to the office would be, but I will not, and would not subject my child to that.So I made the executive decision to keep her home! She didn't mind as long as she had her fingers, a snack , and some school work!(she is trying to convince me to home school her again.)
So that leads us to discuss child number 2, C.Well same scenario, parade(Mardi Gras :), food etc.Same note sent.The reply I got from her school,intermediate level, is that she will go to the _____class.i forgot the class name, but basically the indoor suspension class.Wha???ok...so your sending a good kid, who just chooses not to participate in the activities, for personal reasons ( which at her age, it's more like her parent's reasoning, and convictions),to a class where harden criminals are...rotflol.ok not harden criminals, but definitely delinquents, at least once.I don't think so!C stayed home.Now C is the child that LOVES candy,sugar(we have our very own ELF) so as stated above,she is not feeling the personal conviction right now...lol.Not protesting loudly, or disrespectfully,just wishing she were there to have at the bountiful supply of candy.This coming from a child that has sugar stored in her cells for emergencies.So I dared not tell her that her little siblings got a drive by candy drop on their way out the pre- school door.An adoring "friend" insisted on giving thing one and thing two, I mean V and S a share of his goody bags.Quite smitten with S, his mom said that he insisted on giving her one, well the way my two roll is, if you give to one, the other is gonna look out for his/ her "cut buddy".S is a stickler for that. Ok, It was almost like an Air Assault infiltration, as the Mom secretly passed us the goody bag.Discreetly, because , she whispered"You know we are not suppose to have Halloween stuff here!" It took all of me not to lol as she said this almost bent down to the 3yo's level trying to stop him from making the drop too soon.Stopping his little hands from taking the little party bag filled with Halloween favors and candy.Backpack danglin open, kid clearly in distress, I want to give this to my friend S! Mom whispering..."keep walkin K", his mom whispered..."we are almost at the door"..ok..so we're out the door.K was tired..I guess so...Air Assault is hard, clinging onto his goody bags, while dangling onto the straps on his book bag as if they were repel ropes.Helicopter mom making sure he gets in and out undetected.So...he SAT on the main step, blocking anyone that thought they were getting in or leaving.
Ok, so Like...what?Are they gonna suspend lil K for handing candy out AFTER school, on his way out the MAIN door:not the classroom door ...lol. Pre school delinquent....what a rebel! Well operation complete, candy devoured,S was satisfied.It was all good till S almost choked on the vampire teeth, either that or she almost was a candidate for a good Halloween " What not to Include in a 3 yr old's goody bag.Choke Hazards ofHalloween " story on News 10 Now .I can read the headlines...Little Tot with Vampire Teeth Lodged in her Mouth:Parent's Don't Celebrate Halloween! So as it relates to Halloween festivities, and it was an eventful day! Next year, when I go to get V and S from school, I will be sure to wear camo and put on my face paint!...cause hey.....you never know.I/ we may be a an insider to Halloweengate!
Have a Wonderful Weekend!

As The World is Bold and Beautiful with All My Children who are Young and Restless

2008-10-30T17:16:00.000-07:00

Not bad for someone who does not watch soaps..But I do hold down a couple...ok a few reality tv shows, and talk shows...well a variety of shows..I like tv..(some) I do....total escape for me.Not in a deep sense though, just relaxing ...to ME!
Life in a large family is fun, exciting, challenging, compromising , and NEVER a dull moment !With the gang I have over here, I am constantly wondering,"who is the quiet one?"I know who can be quiet,as a means of control*wink*, I know who has a Eddie Haskell kind of vibe, making people think he's quiet(yet full of Dennis the Menace),I know who is quiet, in spirit..only because she in I deep thought(soon to ask a random question or make a random statement...random to the rest of the world), and God help us all if the last anonymous lil darlings are quiet.Stop EVERYTHING...where are they and what are they into???? We'd make a funny, interesting and at time controversial tv show.keeping up with the B&**&^%, or Life with the B&^%%$, or the Flavor of B&^^%$*'s, ok...one more...Survivor...oh they have that one...ok....The Utter Truth.
I often compare me/my life in humor and humility, as well as exhaustion as that of a cow getting milked.Once my day takes off one person after another requires , demands or requests my attention...for something.On most days, it is ok...and even a blessing...ok ALL days it's a blessing.I don't know I'd do without them.The Bible speaks of a woman in her home, and the roles she plays in it.But when I am already tired and have to offer , yet another utter to some one else...I am like come oooonnnn.....lol.Does cows milk dry up?I am sure the nipples get agitated...If I had a cows costume I'd wear it most days...lol. That would be funny.Greeting Carrie at the door...."moooo....What do you need today?"as I hand her my utter.This would be required, while I am wearing the costume, in order to hear her , or anyone else's request.Does anyone every ask the cow if she wants to get milked?Fat chance ...it is there to provide a service and dog gone we need milk!
Then there's the kids ALLLLLLLL day long...lol.It never ends.And when you have an average 9 kids in the house at times during the day, I need a cow's costume with like 20 utters."Can I have a snack?", "What's for dinner?", "Did Uncle V call?", "Can I go?", "Can I come?"," Can you fax this ?", Buzzzz(that's the im), "you've got mail"...(text),...to name a few.About the 6 o'clock...I am done, spent.But guess what, like the energizer bunny,or cow, I have to keep on going...dinner, homework, baths, etc.
To their credit, we have raised them to be pretty self sufficient, so they know what to do, just don't always do it.
Well being that this is the first week since the deployment I guess I am still getting adjusted...huh?
On most days it's all good.I can keep up, especially since I have formed a bond with the treadmill...on which I am suppose to be on now. But today, I seemed to be drained.I really am not doing anything outta the ordinary from when Vannell is here,but I am tired.I need a long vacation, but I want to get paid.Hmmmmmmm think I can get cloned?Gosh the thought of two of me's....no thanks.I look forward to the holidays where I will be getting rest, and lots of it. So today my thoughts are random and coming from the heart of Beef! Random cuts....
If you were running or president, what would they find out about you? What s it about a warm shower that refreshes you? How many days till we vote...sheesh? You mean no more snow ? yep...random, as ever....... Would it matter if I skip my workout....nope don't want to do that! Isn't it strange / cool when lil tots repeat what they think you said they miss say the tense, Mouse was singing the scale today,"do, re, you, faaaaaaa"....lol cute How many calories have I burned typing? I wonder when the next snow fall will be? Do kids have have a mommy time radar?That goes off when they sense you are having some down time. If a soda was left in the woods from camping and explodes in the winter from the cold, does it make a sound?...leave a stain in the snow? If train a is leaving the station at 3:00............................
note:If you are among the wonderful milkers...don't mind me..keep milkin'...you know I love ya!Milk keeps ya body healthy and strong, and as long as my utters let out milk....keep on expressing ....just take it easy on the nipples sometimes.

Snow Daze....it's all in how you view it...whatchu gonna do wit it?

2008-10-29T17:01:00.000-07:00

O.K. So I woke up this morning, very happy to see that there was a 2hr delay.This meant that at least one daycare child would not come, and one (my Baby Sarah) would be late.I LOVE to sleep in.The rest was a toss up.I don't know how I made it in this field this long .I am not an early morning person.I do not listen well in the am as well....One can say that I don't really kick in till about 10:00am.It is so bad that I will have to ask people what they said to me once I downloaded the conversation at a decent hour....decent meaning about 1:00.I do my best work in the evening though...(get your mind out da gutta!)If my life could be ran as it is during the day, but at night , it would be great.For me...I don't think it would be beneficial for my daycare parents though...lol.
So , we get a two hour delay.Which means life goes on, just two hours later.How nice.I guess the delay is for the DPW workers.In order to ensure the roads are clean and safe.Also, it allows the powers that be to observe weather conditions , seeing what effect it may have on the commute of students, and the general public.So, you, I, we,and them...(children) wait....sleeping, lightly, but never the less sleep, waiting to see if the status will change from 2 hr delay to cancellation of school!In my home, as soon as the 2 hr delay is made, bets are started on the cancellation.Heck we place bets..as soon as summer seems to be over.(note to my Christian bro and Sis: not literal bets...:>) on when the first snow will come and various weather related predictions.
Does life give us two hour delays?Are there times where you know you have to be somewhere, or do something, but for some reason it gets put on hold.A new turn in life, a decision that needs to be made, or a quest that needs to be conquered. Is the hold to prepare the way for you?Or is it for observation, protection for you, in order to insure your safety while on the journey?In the book of Daniel, the Bible gives an account of a story when Daniel prayed to God.He did not get an answer .After a long wait, he had a visit from an angel of the Lord, which announced, "your words were heard...the first time"The angel went on to say that Daniel's prayers were heard even though he did not get an answer or a manifestation of the prayers.He went on to say that he would have had an answer, but there was a "war" or fight going on between good and evil, as it relates to Daniel's prayer.In essence a delay is not a denial!
Do we enjoy 2 hr delays...as adults ....NO!We want what we want, when we think we ought to have it!!Even as adults, we have 2 yo tendencies...lol.
Once the 2 hr delays turn into a total cancellation, the kids are elated.Why????They will, nine times out of ten, have school the next day!So why the heck are they happy.....SLEEP IN!!!!Well I know these lazy bums...I mean darling little angels over here, love the cancellations so they can sleep in.Depending on the age, the next thing is to play in the snow!So the are excited about the cancellation for rest, and recreation!!!!!!!!!WOW!I should learn from them.The Teenagers have the plan, sleep in, eat, eat again, and sleep !I tell you, when God denies me what I think I should have, I get UPSET!I get over it, but I am still human.Should we be so trusting in the system, or our Heavenly Father that when he announces, cancellations, we are excited, because we know it is for our good!
The thing is , when the cancellation is announced, usually, the weather does not look like it is that bad.The environment usually does not look hazardous to the point where the buses can't travel, and that one should stay off the roads.Ohhhh but when the reports start coming in....I prefer newzjunky....man, are you thankful, once the video, pictures and reports start coming in..Cars in embankments, power outages, and the like.So just because MY immediate area is not effected, does not mean the community as a whole is able to handle the commute and demands of a regularly scheduled day!Wow...one could it be that when we get a cancellation in life, that God KNOWS EVERYTHING and EVERYONE involved in making our way prosperous!!!
So I think we/ I need to take a note from kids.When life hands us a 2 hr delay...be at peace...sleep...knowing either destiny is yours in 2 hours our in 2 hrs you may get a cancellation!And when you get that cancellation...sleep in....and play!The reason why the cancellation was made is sure to come...if you are looking for it.Have fun in the process.......
Like Playskool...Play *Laugh*Grow
The videos above are from a date Vannell and I were on in Rochester, at the STRONG MUSEUM of PLAY. we had a blast! Playing in a television studio.We made cooking shows.It had to be one of the best dates we've ever been on!The funniest thing was to see how people looked at us...looking for our children....that were not there!We were the kids that day!
visit www.strongmuseum.org it's well worth the commute and the money!

2008-10-29T10:04:00.000-07:00

2008-10-28T19:46:00.000-07:00

Rain, Rain go away....

2008-10-28T07:49:00.001-07:00

Do we really want the rain to go away?I think not , when we think of the benefits of rain.Many people n this area depend on the rain.The problem for them seems to be that the rain has come "out of season".Here in NNY we are surrounded by many farmers, and those that make a living with livestock, cattle and the like.This crop/ harvest season as a doozey for many, if not all our local farmers.This summer yielded little rain, and the results were no crops or very poor quality result.I remember the summers past where there were fruit/ vegetable stands on every corner. farm and empty lot.This year the were very sparse, and if you were lucky enough to stumble upon one, the product was either less than satisfactory or none at all.So while were were basking in what would be fall like weather for the rest of the country , over the summer, the farmers and their families have suffered.
So it makes me wonder what do they think of all this rain we are getting now?Do they think..."sheesh....now you come."Or is a welcome sign that winter is on its way, and encourages them to make preparation for a NEW harvest.Letting all that has and will die, die, and preparing the ground for what is to come in the new season.I would think that the answer would be directly related to their attitude.
What do we do when something that we need and or want does not come when we want it to.When it decides to come, it is in abundance, and we feel like we don't need it now.how can the rain/snow season be effective for the farmers.Well here in the North country, I would imagine, that the sooner we can get the ground tilled and prepared for winter, when spring comes around...it's planting season.But if they remain discouraged because of the lack of rain, and the results it produced, then I think it will cause them to procrastinate on the job at hand.Keep on keeping on!
The book of Ecclesiastes is a more notable book in the Bible that speaks about seasons in life.To every thing there is a season and a purpose for it under the heavens.So for those of us that believe the Word of God is true, then we should be encouraged when new seasons in our lives are being manifested.I believe that God has ordained everything in my life to happen, I just have to be in the right place, and do my part.Sometimes my part is not lived up to, or even completed!The good thing about God, is that he is a God of change...yet he remains the same!Oxymoron , I know!I cannot tell you how much God seemed to have changed HIS or my plans midway, or added a twist or turn there.My relationship at times with God has been and is like a fun roller coaster!Just when I thought it was over...he said...."one more time around!" All I could do was raise my hands in submission and excitement and enjoy the ride!In the natural, I am not a roller coaster rider...at all.I do not understand the excitement about being scared, unsure etc.But in Christ, I think it is awesome, and scary when he takes us on these rides.
So, for those of us here in NNY wondering where the rain is coming from.And when the snow will fall(supposedly today)I say, enjoy the ride!Let what needs to die in your life die.Do this is preparation for a new harvest of God's peace, love, joy,and happiness!
To everything there is a season and a purpose for heaven....even the season you and I find ourselves in.

Condolences

2008-10-27T19:19:00.000-07:00

To Jenifer Hudson and Family.In the light of her success, she has to face such a horrible tragedy.The loss of her mom, brother and Nephew.My prayers go out to you!

Prayers continue to go out to the Kilgore family family.I pray for you as well!

May all the lives lost be remembered for who they were and not their deaths.

Her CrOwN and GlOrY

2008-10-27T18:56:00.000-07:00

The Bible speaks about a woman's hair being her crown and Glory.It may be my crown and glory, but I don't take my hair thaaat serious.Meaning, if it's short...no problem.If it's long and I need to cut it, no problem!I have heard this explained, and expounded upon many ways.For me, my hair is very much a part of who I am-style wise.If I am bored..I do my hair.If I wired, or need to relax..I do my hair.Hair has always been a means for me to express myself.it also has been fun to try just about everything there is out there to try.I love color, natural, curls, straight, braids, short hair, long hair and even updo's. People that know me never know what they are gonna get when they see me.I can be Oprah on Thursday, and Ellen D on Saturday.I planned on doing my hair today.My hair is long over due to be done.I have been wearing the same style for weeks,...major violation for me...lol
Also, working out daily causes major stress on my hair.I style it then sweat it out.So I had planned on doing a style can compliment me, and my exercise regime.No matter how much I sweat, this stuff won't budge.So this time I am going for the natural look.Iwill post pics when I am done.

I Am Not My Hair lyrics
(feat. Akon)

[Talking:]
Is that India.Arie? What happened to her hair? Ha ha ha ha ha
Dat dad a dat da [4x] Dad a ooh

[Verse 1]
Little girl with the press and curl
Age eight I got a Jheri curl
Thirteen I got a relaxer
I was a source of so much laughter
At fifteen when it all broke off
Eighteen and went all natural
February two thousand and two
I went and did
What I had to do
Because it was time to change my life
To become the women that I am inside
Ninety-seven dreadlock all gone
I looked in the mirror
For the first time and saw that HEY....

[Chorus]
I am not my hair
I am not this skin
I am not your expectations no no
I am not my hair
I ma not this skin
I am a soul that lives within

[Talking:]
What'd she do to her hair? I don't know it look crazy
I like it. I might do that.
Umm I wouldn't go that far. I know .. ha ha ha ha

[Verse 2]
Good hair means curls and waves
Bad hair means you look like a slave
At the turn of the century
Its time for us to redefine who we be
You can shave it off
Like a South African beauty
Or get in on lock
Like Bob Marley
You can rock it straight
Like Oprah Winfrey
If its not what's on your head
Its what's underneath and say HEY....

[Chorus]

[Bridge]
(Whoa, whoa, whoa)
Does the way I wear my hair make me a better person?
(Whoa, whoa, whoa)
Does the way I wear my hair make me a better friend? Oooh
(Whoa, whoa, whoa)
Does the way I wear my hair determine my integrity?
(Whoa, whoa, whoa)
I am expressing my creativity..
(Whoa, whoa, whoa)

[Verse 3]
Breast Cancer and Chemotherapy
Took away her crown and glory
She promised God if she was to survive
She would enjoy everyday of her life ooh
On national television
Her diamond eyes are sparkling
Bald headed like a full moon shining
Singing out to the whole wide world like HEY...

[Chorus 2x]

[Ad lib]
If I wanna shave it close
Or if I wanna rock locks
That don't take a bit away
From the soul that I got
Dat da da dat da [4x]
If I wanna where it braided
All down my back
I don't see what wrong with that
Dat da da dat da [4x]

[Talking:]
Is that India.Arie?
Ooh look she cut her hair!
I like that, its kinda PHAT
I don't know if I could do it.
But it looks sharp, it looks nice on her
She got a nice shaped head
She got an apple head
I know right?
It's perfect.

Technically Thankful

2008-10-26T21:31:00.000-07:00

You know your spouse is deployed when.....you are on our way to take a shower, and you run back to make sure All computers are on.Instant messaging settings on, volume high, and a status message that is personalized to your loved one.(not caring who reads it and what they think)Afterwards, you run and grab cell phone as well as the house phone.
It is amazing how you go from loosing your cell phone daily, not caring whether the house phones were charged, and being invisible on yahoo to sleeping with every form of telecommunication, and leaving yahoo on 24/7
I am very thankful to yahoo, micro-soft, Time Warner Cable and the likes.I have been through several deployments, and as the years go by, the advancements in technology have been remarkable.I remember in 1995 when he left for Korea, all we had was a house phone and a phone card.We learned REAL quick that collect calls from Korea is not the way to go.So we got phone cards.This allowed us to talk daily, or whenever we could get cards.We were not fortunate or rich enough back then to have a computer, and the option to im was not there.Now we are cooking with grease with a several desk tops and three lap tops...(should O mention that out loud?)lemme explain...lol...see..what had happen was.....ok dh(dear husband) and I are both computer savvy, and like our own computer space.So we both had desk tops.Well he has a lap top...or two and I have min.So now we have one for most rooms in the house....sick?!...lol. I like to think of it as placement therapy
12 years later, we have been involved(involuntarily) with the testing of computers and their peripherals.The best advancement so far has to be the web cam.This has allowed us to stay connected and see each other like nothing else.It is awesome for Dad to see his babies walk for the first time, although he is in another time zone, many miles away.Sometimes we would have Daddy leave the cam on, and it was / comforting just to watch him sleep.Christmas via web cam, kissing via web cam...hilarious. My favorite...which is bound to happen...discipline via web cam!
So I want to take the time to say thanks to Logitech, micro-soft, and the likes!Cordless phones...a God send!
So yeah...in this season, my life as I knew it has changed.Going from loosing my cell phone just about daily,using yahoo sparingly, and sleeping with nothing but my husband to.....being attached to the hip with my phones...and having yahoo on BLAST throughout the house!
What I failed to mention is that is a feeble attempt to perhaps sway the technical vibes to your loved one, you insist on being attached to the hip with these things, as well as spending most of your down time in front of the computer...knowing at any moment they are coming online.Regardless if you KNOW that they are sleeping or not....lol

Blog about Blogging

2008-10-26T21:15:00.001-07:00

I am embarking on and adventure with my husband being deployed.I had a thought to start a blog to capture this journey.With my weight loss from a size 18 to 12 ty very much...and a possible new career/ hobby...( will discuss later).I think I am well on my way.
***Disclaimer *** I CAN spell, but do not always edit...lol
Please read if you wish comment if you like.But this is mainly for me...growth can be captivated in words on paper.And it is awesome to go back a year from now and read where you've/ i've come from..I am an advocate for journaling....try it!
So first thing I learned is that feeling good and looking good will not change the fact that my husband has to leave.I think we have these moment in life where we think if I fix this or that, God will "take it away".Well being at Fort Drum..."the most deployed" post in the Army...unless you have a GOOD reason, one thing is unavaoidable....DEPLOYMENT.It is almost like saying Damn isn't it...it stings just as much.(I am not saying we are damned)This week as I was out seeing all the painted cars , tv interviews of returning soldiers, told myself don't hate...cause it will be your turn soon enough.I don't have a problem being happy for others regardless of my situation.
It doesn't get easier.After four year long separations, one would think it would...not!I maintained my hoooah face for a long time though.,then it hit me...about 12 the night he had to leave.Kids in bed, house quiet.My husband/ friend has to leave again...for WHAT?!I am not willing to debate politics, but it makes no since as to why I have to rehearse the word Iraq to my three year olds....When will it end?As I began to think about the years gone by and all the things that happen when they deploy I felt sad, happy, overwhelmed and scared all in one.I worried about him worrying about me/ us.I knew he would miss the kids.We ave 5 beautiful children and a God daughter that lives with us.They are his pride and joy.His name sake is his buddy, and his oldest son ...well...he's a teenager, and lets say dynamics change in father son relationships when they become teens...can you say goofy?....lol.OMG at times I feel like the dorm mother in a frat house...competition, wrestling, eating...farting lordy....but it's family fun.I literally had to tear him away from them, the reassuring talks, the last ditch effort to discipline...which the funniest thing is when he calls them to the computer and disciplines through the web cam....and they listen!
I thought about how we will have holidays, anniversaries and even first days of school before he returns for good.Will his grandmother be ok?Will we be ok?.....YES!
I had a good cry ...one of those UGLY ones...ya know?Then I clicked into Military Momma Mode...HOOOOAAAAH!
The devil aint gonna have me down and out.Now I will have my days when you may call and I WILL let the answering machine get it.i will have my days where a cookie will trump a salad.Not to mention my favorite...retail therapy...I have it baaaad.i am already thinking about takin a night job to support my habit...lol...bad I know?
I am so proud of him/ them and how when I saw them reporting and getting weapons, regardless of how stoic, out of it, dazed we family members looked. .With red noses, heads gazed on the floor and praying that not another lady from the Family Readiness, or ACS come over to talk.A shameless, yet ineffective attempt to ease your pain, and emotional roller coaster.They mean well...but leave me alone...lol!I mean we have true heroes, I thought as i looked around.Some first timers...alot of first timers.Being sent off with mom and dad in tow.What about the group of single soldiers in the middle sitting in their very own unofficial fraternity.I thought about their loved ones that could not come and see them off.What got me was the children.At 3 in the morning, clothed in pj...regardless of age....commanding life and conforming to what was about to happen.playing, laughing, and asking for hot chocolate.The babies...who were and are ok...the unborn babies, that do not have a clue.Yet our heroes, our men and women stood tall, ready, game face on...regardless of how they felt, thought, political party, or personal situations.They were ready.I looked into my husbands eyes...Big Teddy Bear...I saw no fear.... eyes full of emotion...worried about me.He dared not break down...and he didn't.It's part of the training...or his experience.He tells me it makes it worse.He should know... I often wondered what that plane ride was like at take off.I knew what the ride home is like.than you angels! Let's see we have been through him leaving soon after marriage, birth with him absent, birth and him leaving soon after birth(twice), me moving while he was deployed.........ahhhh we got this......With God...we got this!
I laid my head on his chest ...one last time before he returns.I( i go through that...the "last time till he comes back" game) told myself just walk away...it's the only way you are going to leave him.Don't say bye, don't hug him, just walk away. So as I laid my head in his chest...let out a mini good one...that one was cute...I was in public....he hugged me...kissed my forehead and let me go.as if he knew what I was thinking.Maybe he was thinking it in his own way.Man I thought...this is hard...my husband, friend, partner......A YEAR.....So I did just that..head down , wiping my eyes, I said bye , I love you, and walked away.....It does not get easier....As I got to the hanger entrance, I wanted to have a scene out of a movie and run back to him, and jump in his arms...I smirked through tears and thought....naaaaa...maybe when he comes home...lol.I tell you I did think at one point...if I started running through the hanger yelling and acting crazy...ya think they would send him still?I lol....knowing the Army...they will transport me to Samaritan Hospital psych ward...and he will be on the bus first....lol
So yeah I did it, it's done.....and we've only just begun!
I anticipate a wonderful year of blessing and opened doors of prosperity and peace.I anticipate getting even more intimate with my mate,and growing in God.
So if you enjoyed my first blog, let me know, and check back soon!

Support Our troops through prayers and babysitting!
Melissa