Enjoying Italy with my daughter and family!

Well, here are some pics of Italy! I am still here. I will list what they are in order, I tried to write under each picture and dang it! It just messed up the words when I entered another one. So here we go:

1. This is of the mountains right behind where my daughter and husband and molly live. they are so vivid and beautiful...looks like you could just touch them. The first days I got here, it was so cloudy, you could not see all the way up, and these are just the pre-alps, not even the big ones! When we were landing from Paris, we flew over the Alps, and they are covered in snow all year long. This is taken on our way to the base.

2. Right behind her house, you can see this cross up on a hill in the middle of mountains. Jin and Matt ride their bikes there with Molly in tow. Gorgeous!

3. Taken from the care on our way back home from the base. This is what it looks like from her house also.

4. My lil actress Molly! She is wearing my shoes and was trying to dance, had her beads on ready to go!!

5. This is Molly and friend Gabe. We were at their pastor's house for a "coffee" and all they did was flirt with each other! lol

6. Going to the little town that they live in. It only takes about 10 minutes walking. They have an open marketplace there on Mondays. All kinds of goodies to buy from the vendors.

7. The beautiful parents of my little Molly.

8. This was the day I arrived and Molly and Jin picked me up at the airport. Molly and Jin made a sign so I wouldn't miss them. As if....


Well that is it for now. I have hundreds of pics, literally, already. So I will post again soon. We may be taking a trip to Florence, the only place I want to see of all! I can't wait! Back later with some more news. Hope everyone is doing great. I am, wish I could invite you all to join us!

I'm off to Italy!

I am leaving in the morning for 3 weeks to visit my baby and her baby! My bags are all packed, all I have to do is shower and leave. The bad thing is....I hate flying. I am really a nervous passenger. And with that, comes the "nervous bodily functions" prior to my flight. LOL As much as I love to go and see them, you would think this would be something I would overcome. But, alas, NO! I dont have any reason for it. Just the strange odd feeling of not being in control of my life....nothing big. lol Well, I will post later and let everyone know what is going on, and of course, there will be pictures. Stay tuned for the next exciting excerpt of Me Lil Irish Thots from Italy!

oh my bags are packed, i'm ready to go, i'm standing here outside your door, i hate to wake you up to say goodbye. but the dawn is breakin', it's early morn, the taxi's waitin', he's blowin' his horn, already i'm so lonesome i could cry.....i'm leaving on jet plane, don't know when i'll be back again. (thats not true, 3 weeks is my return time, lol) oh babe, i hate to go...(thats not true either, i'm dying to go and see my babies!)

now i got that song stuck in me head and dont know how to get it out!! i always do this right before i fly. especially long distances. and for a long time. lol i will miss my honey, but it will be good to see my daughter and baby and her hubby too. it will be my last trip to italy, i am sure. i wont know anyone over there after they return. they come back to the states in december some time. i will go and live it up for one last time....i will post while i am there and show u all some of what italy is like. so hang tight me bloggy buds, lets meet here again in a few days? k? alrighty then....

so, i'm leaving on a jet plane....will show what i will see again...oh babe i will miss u sooooooo.....la la la la la la

BRAGGIN' ON ME SISSY!

well i just want to say i have the bestest sister around! i have 2 actually, but i am rather fond of my oldest one. the other is fine, but she is not as close to me as C is. she is my favorite. she is like a warm cup of coffee on a cold october morning. she is like a hot bath when there is a chill in the air and your bones feel it. she is like a good book on a rainy afternoon, cuddling in a chair with your favorite blanky. she is like a mom, taking care of you when you dont feel good, making you a comfy spot on the couch and cooking some good soup to make you feel all better. she is like your favorite pair of shoes, so comfy you could walk miles in. she is one you want to tell your deep dark secrets to, because you know she wont judge you or tell anyone. she is one who teaches you how to do all the really bad stuff your mom dont want you to do, but still cares enough to make sure you dont get hurt. she is one you can go out with in the middle of the night and go shopping in wal-mart with. she is the one who would give you her last dollar when she knows you need it. she is the one who would give you her car when she knows your just blew up! she would let you live with her indefinitely, or at least until you meet the love of your life, and then move out. she is one who would do all the work for your wedding and not even bat an eye at the cost. she is the one who would drive to see you 1000 miles in a broken down car, cuz she knew that you needed some company. she is one who would give you her prized pictures of the family to take home and scan, knowing that you will take forever to return them. (they r in the mail, btw) she is the one that would give you bunches of her favorite earrings, some worth alot of money, just cuz she knows you love jewelry. she is the one that would make you homemade goodies, for all her family, taking her all year long to do it. she would cut off her good arm if she knew you needed it. she would also give you a kidney if you needed that also. maybe not the same week tho.

she is my big sister, and i love her beyond the point of forever, just because she is who she is. thanks, toone for all you do for me.

A trip is in the air....lol!

THIS IS MY DESTINATION IN ITALY- TO SEE MY MOLLY MOUSE!!

Well, i've gone and done now.....going one last time (i think) to visit my daughter and grand daughter in italy. i am hoping this will knock some life into my somewhat lifeless being. we will see, time will tell. i am going for 3 weeks. so this might be a respite or a wreck of a time. right now, i see us traveling around, eating at some little off the way places she and her hubby have found, shopping at the market in the fall, spending money i dont have...lol. all in all, i think i just needed time to get away and regroup.

well enough blah talk..so i havent heard from hardly any of you...where are you all? lol i know, it isnt fun to listen to someone drone on an on about how depressed they are. im working on it. i think i have turned the corner. its just a time consuming process. i hope everyone is well, and all are having a milder fall season than we are in north carolina. we had a few cooler days...lol in the 70's. its back up to the 90's again. some fall weather...im ready for some cooler days. going out for walks, sitting outside without being eaten up by squiters, getting the warm clothes out of storage, just planning for the holidays....doesnt that seem good?

well, i hope to hear from you....take care and again, im sorry for the bluesy blah moods. i am on the upswing, i believe.

Jo

Wow! It's been awhile...hmmmm....

I didnt realize that it had been so long since i last bloggied. Erm, sorry my peeps. I have neglected you pretty bad. Well, I am still here and still in a rut. But i think i am slowly climbing out. I think...but then what do i know? I have not called my family, i neglect all my duties at home, even my lil doggie, she is so lonely for her mom. I just feel drained of all energy...maxxed out of life source. Dont know what to call it. If it had a name, i would say....just blah. Maybe this is what mid-life crisis is like? I dont know...but anyway...leave me a line or two, let me know how you all are doing...and hopefully the darn thing will be gone by then..lol. We can always hope...take care all my lil bloggy buddies. I will return again.

At Long Last, ROOMS!

Well it is almost to a close...just a few last minute touch ups and the carpet will be laid this week. Wow, was this a long process. I hope we never have to do that again. I mean it isn't bad in a normal home. But we have dad with Alzheimer's, and mom with OCD and that is not fun one bit. So...this is one more set of pics. The next time I post more, it will be with all the furniture in them. It is a family room, with 2 large bedrooms off of it, and 1 large walk-in closet for our storage along with 2 closets in our room, and one in moms room. Of course, the rest of the house will need some face lift, but NOT NOW!!

And as far as my rut....well, I'm still in the hole, but I can peek my head out the top. So, thanks for all your support my bloggy buds. And toone, thanks for dressing up me blog. She is so cute and chipper now. I love u! Jo

I dont know what to say....

well, i'm in a rut....do you ever get that way? sure you do....happens to the best of us. i just dont know where i am going, or which way is up. dont know why....things are moving along here just wonderfully. i thought maybe i needed a vacation, but no, thats not it. i thought if i got a hair cut, that would do it. nope, still rutty. i just dont feel i am accomplishing anything....like my life has lost its zest. ya know? dont think i am depressed, already had that checked out. nope....just a rut. like your tires are spinning and you go nowhere. that would be me. if you looked it up in the dictionary, my picture would be there. so my lil bloggy audience of 10, i am sorry to be so blah.....but i am a butt in a rut. so, i will go and try and figure things out, meanwhile....i leave you with one thot.......in lifes bumpy journey.....watch out for the potholes and ruts. sometimes you fall in and it takes a bit to get out. as i sit here on this lil piece of paper, my feet dangling off, i ponder what has come over me. Jo

PROGRESS, THE SWEET SMELL OF PROGRESS..

Well here ya go, not in the order of progress, but hey, they are here, and still we wait for inspections and weather, so....on with the adventure. It will be 900 sq ft of pure enjoyment, 2 large bedrooms and another family room, plus much more needed storage. YEAH!! Cant wait to see my stuff. I miss you, personal things....see you soon.

If all goes well, maybe another 3 weeks. We'll count together, in case they forget.......still enjoying my Evony game....keeps the worries away and the noise level, well, nevermind.....lol.

See you all again, be good my bloggy buds. I'm still watching you......:o)

Where have I been Lately?

Well, besides having renovations done on our house, which by the way, is coming along so very nicely, and going to endless doctor appointments, which are all so stupid and for nothing because they don't tell you anything and charge you a fortune, right? So, to take my mind off all of that, I have been playing this game online called Evony. Oh my gosh, I can't get enough of it! It is just a game, you build a fort, it has soldiers and resources and it is all in real time and you have an alliance you join and chat with them online and they help you. I am so addicted. Anyway...that is where I have been. I have met peeps from all over the world. I have friends in Australia, Alaska, Ireland, all over here in the states, Canada, but my favorites are my Irish buddies. Anyway....if you online games, this is one you need to check out, I'm on there. Well, until we meet again, my lil bloggin buds, just wantin to let you know where I had been. I will keep you updated.

The blocks and foundation have been laid for renovations. Tomorrow they are coming to move the air conditioner and put up the framing. So little at a time, but its going. I may have progress pics soon. If I can get my camera to work. Off to bed with me now.

YEAH THEY ARE HERE!!!!!

they have arrived!! yes. no rain, no delays, they got permits and the workers are digging and pouring the cement foundation. so....it is happening peeps. im so excited. it should be done in like a month. whoooo hoooo, my stuff should be out of storage and i cant wait!!! well, i will keep you updated.

TO DAD'S EVERYWHERE...YOU ARE LOVED!

if you havent told him, you need to do it quickly. it is almost over!! your daddy needs to be told he is the most important "man" in your life! go quick, before its too late. i'll wait....

dad's are the ones that go out early in the morning and shovel the walks so we can have a clear walkway. they are also the ones that go get ice cream when mom was pregnant with you. or taco bell, or whatever she was craving. or he would change the flat tire when we all sat in the car when it was pouring rain. he would go and get all the boxes out of the attic or garage to set up all the Christmas decorations. he is the one that does all the yard work when it is 90* out or more. he is the one that puts his life on the line when no one else will, and goes to iraq while we wait for him to come home. he goes out in the field and plants all the corn or hay and harvests it in the fall. our dads do it all, kids.

yes, i know, some of us dont have our dads anymore. i dont. and i know some of you were raised by your moms. i was. but those of you who do, GO!!!! i just spent my 1st fathers day with my father-in-law. it was not anything spectacular on my part. but we (my husband and i) gave him a card and a shirt and pj's. he read the card and it brought him to tears. we wrote that it was the 1st time we were together for this holiday, and we were so blessed by it. he was so moved by. you just dont know how you will touch someones heart. SO GO RIGHT NOW, TELL THAT DAD OF YOURS, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. Jo

RAIN RAIN GO AWAY!!!

Well, we thought we were getting on with renovations, but when the rain comes every dad gum day, how are we to get foundations poured? How are we to expected peeps to come work in the rain? HOW AM I TO GET MY ROOMS DONE WITH THE RAIN HERE!!!! ok, i didn't mean to yell there, i just thought it being friday, and construction was starting LAST monday, well....it hasn't. because of RAIN!! every single day. today it didn't rain. but still no construction guys came. do they have to wait until the ground is dry now for them to come and start? cuz if they do....chances are, its gonna dad gum rain again for another whole month!! at this rate, it will be christmas before they get here. it was only supposed to take 3 weeks to do this. well one stupid week is gone already. anyway.....i will keep you posted in soggy, wet, drippy NC.

Another Renovation Again...but this will be NICE!!!

looks like tomorrow is the big day
for renovations to start. we are putting on an almost 900 sq ft addition on the back of the house to make room for um, US, i guess. this will be 2 extra LARGE bedrooms, one huge storage room, plus of course, all the closets to go in the rooms. we have no room now. so i guess it is for our things, mostly. they have been in storage now since march. and i guess the sad thing is, i dont really miss them. oh yeah, there are certain specific things i am looking for in the kitchen that mom in law doesn't have, you know, that gadget that you got at a pampered chef party, or your favorite knife, or some
thing like that. and OH, all my pictures, i really miss those. oh yeah, my comfy recliner....i kinda would like to ease into that baby again. and our big screen? haven't seen nor heard from it since march, he dont call or write....oh!!! MY BOOKS!! i wish i had them here too. we did get our bed out, THANK GOD! my back couldnt take any more of the other bed. i am just so afraid things might get taken, broken or worse, moldy. we already had some mice get into some stuff. ewwww, nasty. all in the garbage. apparently, someone packed some food items into some other boxes, and well, need i say more?

anyhoo, i was saying that we needed room for all that junk. but you know what? when it comes down to it, we have lived just fine without it all for all these months, except for personal pictures and family heirlooms, i really am worrying for nothing. it is just stuff. so if it is ruined, by golly, it isnt the end of the world. i have my life, my love, and my so called, somewhat health. my family is safe, and we are all loved. what more can we want? ok,
in like 3-4 weeks i will have my STUFF!!!! yes mamam!!! and if alls well that ends well, the house will hold it all!!! yup....all our stuff, and us. minus what the rats ate.....ewwww.

Ladies...It is time to be Squished!

It is time for your annual boobie squeezing ladies and this is your reminder. Don't wait.....don't hesitate. Go get squished now. And if you go DIGITAL it doesn't hurt as much! I didn't know that. I went for mine and the techncian told me because the digital was so sensitive, they didn't have to squeeze the "girls" in so hard. It captured all the tissue, it was that sensitive. So, don't wait like I did. I waited 5 years. Now I have to go for another part, they found a spot on my right breast, and I have to go for an ultrasound and another mammogram next week. But this is your reminder, ladies. I am sure this will probably be nothing. So let's all do this together and be healthy. Remind your mom's, sisters, daughters, friends, grandma's everyone that should have one. It woke me up. What ever comes from this, good or bad, I know God is in control of my life. But I felt like I also needed to do my part in letting others know to do what they need to also. GET CHECKED! Also, don't forget your annual pap smears either. Get the whole nine yards done all at once. You won't be sorry. If you are diagnosed with something, you would regret not having it done sooner. Heaven forbid for any of us to have such a disease. May God bless each of you. Jo

After 27 years, you would think we would be bored with each other!

We met rollerskating in 1982 in Bellevue, NE. 3 months later we got married. Many said it was a mistake and it would never last. Well, we did have a few rocky moments, but we did survive it and made it we did!!

We have two wonderful children who would die to know that I still call them kids. They are grown now and have married and their own kids. I am proudly the "Nonna" of 3. The oldest is Jordan, 3, she is Jonathan's and Jessica's. Then there is Molly, 1, she belongs to Jennifer and Matt. And the baby is Samuel, 8 months now, he is Jonathan's.

Our marriage started out rocky, and I don't profess it was an easy road. I owe it all to God and my husband because if it was not for them, this marriage would of failed a long time ago. Many times I was ready to give up. I married the most patient and loving man. He has put up with so much. I have many moods, and boy I am not afraid to use them!! Like I had control over it! lol Anyway, each time I was ready to give up, God changed my mind. I have such a loving husband and thank God he hasn't not given up on me. I did walk out on my family one time, and started driving from our house in CA to my sister's in NE. Well, on about halfway, I was beginning to get in the desert. I got out of my car. Started walking in the sand, no special direction, just started thinking about my life, my kids, my husband. At this time, I believe God spoke to me and told me to go back home. Not an audible voice like he did to Abraham, just a very strong impression on my mind that I should not have left. When I got back to the car, I called home crying, and my loving husband understood that I needed to get away. He told me to go on to my sisters and just have fun and come home when I was rested. I did go, but only stayed about 5 days. I couldn't wait to get home to my wonderful family!

Anyhoo....this man has made my life complete. I have known many guys, and none have even measured a fraction to the integrity of my baby. I know I am carrying on like a gushing new bride. What is my point, you ask? I do have one. I have read some blogs and in them see how many wives and husbands, and partners too, don't appreciate each other. Some others rave on about their spouses too. That inspired me too. (Granny! Thanks, love ya!) I don't have all the pics that went along like she did, but i did include two romantic ones.

Tomorrow will be 27 years. We plan to go to a Japanese Steak house. Tepanyaki is one of our favorite places. So, my bloggy buddies, please tell your spouses how much you love them no matter how long you have been married. It is never to late to start. You never know my friends, you just never know.

So, that is how it all started. And just a little tidbit of our journey. And where we are. Hope and pray you are doing well. God bless you all.

A Good Time For All!

a good time we all had at the family reunion. the only regret...it was too short. i think we would all agree. just as we got all the cob webs and wrinkles ironed out, our time was up. it really was too short. and dennis was only there for 4 short days. i had 7 generous ones. poor denden. and him not feeling as sparky as he used to. well, we got him a "testicle festival" t-shirt, i hope that made him feel better. "fresh from a velvety sac" it says. nope, i'm not trying them. i know some like them, not this girl.
anyhoo, we also had a 70's themed disco party on saturday. he couldn't attend that either, he left that morning. bummer. but we had a big "to do" the night before with marinated steak, corn-on-the-cob, grilled garlic toast on the barbie, baked beanies, potato salada, and of course, don't let us forget all the beer! then it wouldn't be complete without the dairy queen blizzard oreo ice ~ cream cake!!! let us not forget the bottle of champagne to fete the twin's 50th. we toasted them, (not with the garlic ones :0 ) but the the champagne in little tiny plastic cups. it was so cute. even the younguns participated. it was soooo special. then we ate up their cake. when everyone departed we had an actual BAPTISM of sorts. well, kind of. sort of. well...not really. ok....we just threw someone in the darn pool!! she really needed to be in there, ok? she was just asking for it. she is chris' daughter, emily. she was bugging everyone all night. just being a pest. you know the type. so, unbeknownst to me, really, i didn't know....someone....i won't mention diane's name, asked her if she could "try on her shoes" for a second. so she lets her. then one of her cousins asks her if she can "come in the garage" for a minute to talk. walk back from the garage, right by the pool, they play like they are going to throw her in. i say STOP!! this is not nice, and go over to try and rescue her, feeling her pockets for cell phones, wallets, anything of value, without her knowing, the boys, standing by.....lol....waiting....remember....i don't know anything. all i am doing is pretending to help her. then i turn around to walk away, all i heard was a big SLASH!!! it happened so fast, i didn't have time to get my camera or anything. by the time i got it, she was out of the pool and chasing the cousins. dang, i'm always a day late and a dollar short!!

The twins, Dennis and Denise, now 50

Having fun at the Casino with my brother Chris and I blogging into the night Dinner at the Japanese Restaurant

How I wish this week could of lasted....

As my sister stated in her blog, this week has gone by way too fast. A lot of memories have been shared. Tears have been shed. Laughs, until we cried. We have eaten until we almost popped! Told many stories and old jokes! It was a week of emotions. Through all of this, we had quite a bit of drama...if you have been following my sissies "C" blog, you may know of her relationship with her daughter and our middle sister. Well, throw all that in the mix, with us, me and my brother coming up, and LET THE DRAMA BEGIN!! It wasn't much, but it was enough to make my oldest sister Chris, you all know her as "C" go into a tail spin with worry. She wanted this week perfect! She worried the whole time that something would happen almost to the point of sickness. Poor thing. But she has always been that way. Always the mom to all of us, looking out for each of us and making sure we were taken care of. I tried so hard to make peace between the two sisters, and the mom and daughter. And even Dennis tried. Between both of us, I think we did good. We patched it up, at least for the week. I don't know if it will go beyond that, that will be up to them. We have decided that life is way too short to waste it on bickering over small petty little crap. We all came together there and it is much to rare an occasion for us to argue and gripe over NOTHING major. STUPID STUFF!! So let this be a lesson to all you bloggy buddies, take a point from us. There is nothing worth arguing over, NOTHING that is so important that should keep you away from family. Now....put down that coffee, or put aside your computer, and make that call. You know the one, make up with that family member you have not spoken with for the last 10 years. The one that you don't even know WHY you are not on speaking terms with. Life is too short. Be the mature one. If something happened to you or your loved one, God forbid it, one of you would never be able to forgive the other. So please, don't wait. Do it now. While you have the time. Life is precious. Time is flying by, and love, well, tell them you love them. It is not said enough. And this time, say it like you mean it. I love you, Toone. Je t'aime.

FAMILY REUNION 2009

What a wonderful time we are having with our family together! I would never of thought that we would of all have had a chance to be together again. The last time we were together was in 2001. Way too long for a family reunion, especially if one of the siblings is thought to have a terminal disease. Thankfully, that was not the case. Well, we have not gotten ALL the results yet, but for now, we are all together and we are making memories. Pictures will be following. I have yet another party to prepare for. So...off to the store we go...two more days! I don't want to think about it!

PC's, Packing, and Partying!

voila!! my wonderful husband has restored life back into the ole girl!! well he reformatted her. poor thing. we had to do complete by-pass (i had to go through and save everything near and dear, put it on his laptop) then he just completely took everything off and it was just like it came when it was new again. i think. now i have to go and "JO"-ize everything all over again. but it is better than buying a new one. again, i think. well i wanted a new one. i am ready for a MAC. but he wants one too. and until we can both get one, i dont think i am getting one. i am lucky to have this one. it is me lil baby come back to life. bless her little cd rom. so, now the chore of getting her the way she was...but all in due time. meanwhile...i am off to pack...i have a trip coming up, ya know! me and me lil delly jo (my laptop, so lovingly named) are off to NE in a couple of days to see my brother and sissies. a BIG party is a plannin'. it is a surprise, so don't tell. my middle brother and sister, they are twins, are turning 50, don't know i am coming. it will be the 1st time in over 10 years we have all been together. SO...i am so excited...of course "C" my oldest sister and i will be posting pics of the gang, and the extravaganza's, i am sure there will be more than one while we are together. my brother, he is the one we were worried about with the cancer, was cleared of intestinal cancer, but still may have lung cancer. we won't know for another week or so. darn doctors just make you wait. enough to drive you to drink when you are already sick!!

it's dead, morte, no life left to her, buh bye, capoote....

Can we have a prayer and funeral for a computer? She was a good ole girl...she was only 18 months old, just a baby really. She was faithful. Followed me everywhere, did everything I asked, most of the time. Then she got it. It came out of nowhere, I swear I didn't know! The poor thing didn't know she was even infected with it. I guess that is the best way to go. My husband, bless his heart, stayed up the last 3 nights with her, trying to diagnose what was her problem. Some kind of weird virus going around he said. She just gave up, she died early today. So as they do with these things, we just go on. We just have to. She would want it that way. Good ole DELLY JO, she was a trooper.

So...until I get my self back together...it may be a few days...I have hubby's but it won't be the same. I will be back and "restored" in a few days. Thanks for putting up with my antics. Jo

THANK YOU BLOGGY BUDS!

Thank you bloggy buddies for all your concerns and prayers. My brother got good reports on his colonoscopy. NO CANCER!! He still has to hear back on his lung tests, but I feel this is a good sign. He feels good, he is out mowing his yard, and he is going up to see my two sisters in NE. And unbeknownst to the two birthday kids, he and my middle sis, they are turning 50 on the 29th, I am flying out to surprise them. Only my older sister Chris knows. You all know her as "C". She is the glue that keeps us all together when the pieces seems to come apart. When things like this happen, she is like the mom that we all never had. She seems to talk on here like she never had that relationship with "our" mom. She may not have, but she was always like a mom to all of us and was the best one any could ever have. we love her like she is our best friend. we can tell her anything like a friend and she is there no matter what. whenever one of us needed anything, she and dave (the A-hole she speaks of now, but then had a decent heart) never said no and took us in or gave us money, or whatever it was we needed. all 3 of us siblings all lived with her at one time or another in our life. some for short times and some for extended times. i don't know that i have ever said thank you. but i don't think that would EVER be enough. So...when we have a chance to get together like this....all 4 of us, I try to make every effort to make it there, come hell or high water. And believe me...it has been raining something fierce over here....lol! The water is high, but I am still on my way. With our brother going through this scare, and we still don't know how it will turn out, the last time all 4 of us got together was over 10 years ago. So...this is going to happen. WE WILL HAVE FUN.... and pics will be posted! So stay tuned.....my bloggy buds....for there will be a great party happening in NEBRASKA next week!

Life is too short, get a long little doggy....

We found out that our brother may have intestinal cancer. "C" and I are praying that some glitch on the test or someone maybe misread or something...I don't know. I feel angry....I feel hurt...he is a young man, married happily, could never have children, although they wanted them desperately. He is only 49. He is a twin to our other sister. He is such a good person, always wanting to good for other people....I know there is a reason, I am a Christian and I understand that God works in mysterious ways. We just don't see it in His time line. But in my human eyes, I want to understand so I can comfort him and his wife. I want to tell them it will be okay. Well, in my own mind, I know that is for me mostly, not so much for them. God will take care of them. Please keep us in your prayers the next few days while the testing is being done and we find out all the specifics. Thanks. God Bless You...

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, MOMMY

the kids are all home, dad has fixed lunch, he even did the dishes! imagine that! now it is time for mom to take her much deserved nap. kids leave her alone. but will that happen? NEVER!! they love you too much to let that happen. one needs their shoes, one needs a uniform washed for a game they didnt tell you about, another one wants 4 dozen cookies for the class party on monday, and yet another NEEDS "mom" time. so....what day is today? oh, i forgot, its MOTHER'S day, yeah, that is why you are getting all the attention!! YEAH RIGHT, GIVE ME A REAL BREAK, WOULD YA? AND THROW ME A BONE?

I CAN'T SLEEP, AND THIS ONE DROPS LIKE A ROCK ANYWHERE, ANYTIME!

faces only EVERYONE can love!!

This is my grand daughter Molly, the number 2, in the yellow sweater. This is taken in Venice, Italy. The caption read that she was eating a carrot, but of course I had to make it say she was puckered up to give me kisses. I miss her terribly. They were here for 6 weeks and just left last week. The other two, Jordan and Samuel, are siblings and belong to my son, (Molly belongs to my daughter) and they live 9 hours away. I won't see them for a long time either. I guess what I want to say to everyone is please don't take your family for granted. I have read on numerous blogs about arguments and things between family members, (me included! I'm guilty now and then!) about how we don't get along, they did this, we haven't talked for this many years, and most of the time, nobody remembers over what! I look at these little faces and I think of how time is flying by and how I can not spend just a few days out of year with them. And here other people have their families right there and they throw it all away on petty little things. It makes me angry people! Yes I am living with my in-laws, but it is not the same as blood relatives. Sisters, children, grandbabies...life is too precious and too short to waste it on trivial nonsense when people can just GET ALONG!! Be the big person and make the first move and reconcile with that one person that you have had words with or have not spoken to in years. You will feel a lot better after it is all done. I promise. Jo

She's Gonna Blow at Any Minute!!!

Enjoying the weather and beauty of nature...

As i sit and enjoy nature and all the wonderful weather that we have been having, it makes you think of the one who made it all. What a great God we serve and all that he has made! For people that don't believe in a Creator all they have to do is look out side and see for themselves the wonders of the earth. What started this was a few days ago when I planted my garden and saw all the worms and buggies that make everything work. I remembered when my kids were little, (really young) and they were grossed out at worms and bugs and dirt. I took that opportunity to tell them about the life cycle of how things grow, we eat it, then it goes to waste, and gets back into the ground and so on. How one species lives off the other, etc. It was so special. I remembered all that just being outside and planting in the garden! But it doesnt have to stop there! It can go so much further. You can teach a whole plethora of ideas and things to your kids from nature. All you have to do is DO IT! Anyway, off my soapbox for the day.

This was just going to be me, being melancholy and remembering all the wonderfull beauty there is all around me. Sorry for getting off on a limb. And what a wonderfully, cute and flowery limb it is. Oops, there I go again! Well, I will go now. I think I have said enough here. You all go out and enjoy the weather where ever you may be. If it is snowy, enjoy it, or rainy (which it did that later this afternoon, yeah! love it!) enjoy that, or if it is just plain, jane old dreary foggy, and cold, one of my favorites too, enjoy that especially! Have a wonderfull day no matter what, and remember, there is beauty and wonderment all around us, no matter what the weather is doing. So enjoy it with the one's you love now. For we know not what tomorrow may bring. Jo

Oh death, why must you sting?

today marked the passing of a dear beloved friend who was such a kind and dear lady, i feel a void knowing she is gone. she was elderly and had a very filling life. a wonderful mother, grandmother and great grandmother she was. anyone who knew her instantly liked her. she was one her drew people in, made them feel at home, never knew a stranger. i only knew her 5 years, but felt like i had known her a lifetime. she was like a mom or grandma to many. just before i left kentucky, she became ill enough to have to move in with her daughter, who happened to be my supervisor. she lived in the dorms where i worked at the school. i saw her everyday. another lady from our school wrote a tribute to her that just brought tears streaming down my face. it was so touching. heart-warming...she will be greatly missed. she lived her love for the Lord everyday. her faith stood strong in all those years. the integrity of this lady, it speaks volumes. if you looked up the word in the dictionary, i am sure her name would be there! our loss today is Heaven's gain. i will miss you, Miss Betty, but save my place, i will see you again.

Why is it so hard to say GOOD-BYE?

This is my daughter Jennifer, and her baby, Molly who is 1 now. The came from Italy to help us move from KY to NC.

My two girls left today after
being here for 6 weeks. i really miss them now. the house is quiet, no one to put to bed, no diapers to change, no one to follow around the house, ho hum....on one hand, yes it is quiet and peaceful. but i like the "busyness" of having a family around. call me strange. i like that meals have to be made. food has to be bought, things have to be cleaned. yup....i am a mom and now a gramma. that is what we do. i got so used to having them around. now there is an emptyness. a void. my husband and mother-in-law came home from eating supper out (thats because we didn't have to come right home and get a little person to bed) and when we all came in, it was soooo quiet.

so now we have to find our niche. we moved here when she and the baby were here. now we have to "find our own way" sort of. i have to find my groove. so, for now my bloggy buds, i am off to bed, i am worn from emotional energy spent today. if you have any suggestions for me, i am all mouth, ears, eyes and noses!! lol g'night......zzzzzzzz

Gardening, it's good for the soul, BAD for the sunburn!

today i planted my garden. all my 10 herbies, and my tomatoes, 3 kinds, cukies, squashes, jalapenos, and watermelons. got them all nice and comfy in the ground, fertilized and watered. labeled. put all my junk away. so proud that it is finally done. done. and done. i walked in the house. the daughter and husband had been grocery shopping and started cooking lunch. they looked at me and looked at each other, and asked me if i had felt OK. i said i was hot, thirsty, and i hurt my back, but other than that i was fine. i just wanted to sit and revel in my accomplishment of the day. as i walked past the mirror, i saw what they were talking about. my face was soooo red, it looked almost purple.i was totally flabergasted. 1st because i had been going to the tanning beds for the last 2 weeks with the daughter so she could be tan for a trip she is going on. 2nd because i was only out there for maybe 90 minutes. then of course, i get the lecture. did you not put sunblock on? i walked through the house, on into bathroom and took my nice long soak. i was in a good mood, and dadgummit, i was determined i was not letting the husband or daughter ruin my good accomplishment today!! but boy did i ever look bad when i saw myself in the mirror. egads.......i could slap myself if it wouldn't hurt so bad. why didn't i put the stupid sunscreen on before i went out? i use it before the tanning beds and everytime i go out for any length of time. well....this is my bits of advice: after my nice soak, and re-hydrating, re-freshing, and re-moisturizing myself, i went in and ate of the bounty the daughter and husband had to offer. and NEVER, EVER go out without your sunblock on. you will grow old and wrinkly. well, everyone grows old, but you dont have to be wrinkly. your skin can be nice and supple and young looking if you take care of it. so that is my two cents worth for today. Jo

My Grandaughter teasing Morgan, my dachshund

How to Make a Doxie Sandwich in 3 Easy Steps

A New Horizon

I think I am going to tackle a new challenge. Yup. Even more than the ones I am facing. So me bloggy buddies, out of no where, but always in the back of my warped little mind, I have always wanted to write a book. No particular kind, just a book. This one happens to be a children's book. No specifics yet, but it is something near and dear to my heart. I have no clue where to start, but then that would make it easy now, wouldn't it? And would it still be called a challenge? So I will keep you posted. As for settling in, we are still unpacking many boxes. The problem is, we don't have places to put the darn stuff! So my wonderful husband is building and renovating as he loves to do. Mom and Dad-in-law are about the same. He won't be coming home from the nursing home. He will stay there permanently. Slowly but surely we will get it all done. And my little writing adventure....we will see how that turns out. My daughter wants to draw my pictures for me. She is pretty good. We will see. Have a good weekend my bloggy buddies. Enjoy the great spring weather where ever you are!!

Tears of the Saints by Leeland

Happy as a Hog

Well, for right now, all is good. I am doing fine. No complaints. The house we moved in, my in-laws, will be undergoing construction for the next several months. We, my husband and I, will be taking care of his mom. His dad is in the nursing home. He may or may not be able to come home. But in that event, we have to be prepared. So...we have to make the addition for them to be handicap accessible. And also make some updated additions. All is going along good. So for now, life is sweet, and I am like this picture, happy as a clam. lol or hog.

Why Do I Feel Like This

Like you are working so hard at something and everything is against you? Like you pull and pull and never get anywhere? Well, my friend, join me in this little hullabaloo i call "my family."

it is like this. some days you love them, some days you want to bury them. yes? i think so, too. some family members who shall remain nameless...they may know who they are if they read this. well, there are days that are just dandy and fine...and then the next it is like all hell has broken loose and we have a whole different person. do you have anyone like that? i thought so. see? i knew our family wasn't the only one. whew....i'm so glad we are normal, anyway, let me tell you if this doesn't stop, someone is going to be missing some essential body parts that are pertinent to some bodily functions. i can tell you that much for certain, right now. so hang it up now, lose the attitude buddy, and honey...don't come crying to me if you find out you got some of your favorite clothes missing, either i don't have it, OR i can't remember where i put it after i washed it! lol (revenge....i love it!)

HERE, MADE IT, BUT NOT WITHOUT SOM E COLORFUL MOMENTS

Ok, so the day before we left, our truck shows 4 dummy lights! Like we needed to have this added to the never-ending list of tasks already to finish as we are loading the moving truck! so off i go to the ford dealership. they want to keep the truck overnight. i told them they couldn't because we were leaving the next morning. they promised me they would have it finished by 10 am. but...i needed the vehicle to put all the stuff in that we would use for traveling. i guess i would make due, somehow. more on that bit later. then the car that i borrowed to follow me out there in, well, once we dropped the truck off, we went to walmart, and it starts smoking in the parking lot. so we pull over and raise the hood. there's a busted radiator hose. so we are stuck an hour away from home with someone else's car, and much packing yet to do. i call my knight in shining armour and tell him. he calls someone to come get us. i feel really guilty leaving the "borrowed and broken" car there, so i call the owner. she laughs. but, i dont want to leave her stranded, so when our ride gets there, we drive the busted car across the road to advance auto. they tell us, it is against their policy, but they could "fix it on the side." so our ride leaves, poor guy, came out for nothing! anyway...we made it home after 5 hours, tired, hungry, and a bit peeved. and when i got there, i STILL had to finish the packing that needed doing.

the next day, we didnt have our truck, remember. the things we wanted to pack in our truck for the trip...stuff for the hotel, etc. got packed in the moving truck until we got to the dealer. once we got to the dealer, we decided, hey...we can just leave it in the moving truck, this will make for a lighter load in the explorer, right? or so i thought. i had the baby and the dog with me in explorer. my daughter and my husband were in the moving truck. they, bless their anal little hearts, decided to get up at 4am to get a head start, unbeknownst to me, and left ahead WITH ALL THE STUFF I NEEDED!! so they get to the storage unit in NC at the other end, about 6 hours before i get there, and because my stuff was last in, it is FIRST in the storage unit!! now i have 2 pairs of shoes to my name! both crocs! bright orange and red! the rest in storage until they get them back out! and one bra! don't know what or where they went, i had more, now they are gone. i had like 6, and think i left a trail of them along the way...so if you find some along I-40, they're mine!

anyway, we got here safely, other than those few minor hiccups. thank you all for your kind words and prayers. i really do appreciate you all. we are now concentrating on getting a place or renovating/adding on to my in-laws home. and also getting my husband a job. please keep us in your continued prayers. more updates to follow! Jo