Suicide

To many people, suicide is selfish. I thought that way until recently when I learned for myself  that sometimes a person  is hurting so bad and nothing helps that it seems to be the only answer. When things look like they will never get better or the pain will never stop. It is silent, the person will be happy all of a sudden because inside he or she knows the pain will soon be over. If there is one thing to learn from this, it's people may seem good on the outside, but not one of us knows the battle being fought on the inside. The only way to help another human being is to care enough. Sometimes we may not be successful but sometimes all it takes is for someone to say just one little thing to let that person know they are special and would be missed. 

 RIP Robin, May you finally find the peace you have been looking for.

Animal Abuse

Harsher Punishments for Animal Abuse

There are many forms of animal abuse and abandonment.  Simple neglect is inadequate medical care or an animal not being groomed or even as simple as out growing a collar.  Another form of abuse is malicious neglect. Animals are starved and not given water. They are tied up and left to stand in their own waste. Animals can be victims of domestic violence as a way control the person being abused. Sometimes they are abused unintentionally. We don’t realize that our choices are a form of abuse. For example, keeping an old, sick dog that is in pain alive, or locking a dog a hot car with the windows cracked, while running into the store. There are laws in 47 of the states against animal cruelty, but these laws are not strict enough. To make a difference, there should be harsher punishment for animal cruelty and abuse.

The statistics on animal abuse outnumber the laws that punish animal abuse. There is no national reporting system and most cases are usually never reported. Animal abuse is more common in rural and urban areas. According to the ASCPA website, the highest percentage of animal abuse cases involves dogs.  There are more homeless animals in the United States than there are homeless people. There is no way to know how many dogs and cats are homeless in the United States.

Before 1986 there were only four states that had felony cruelty laws. Then in 1986 until 1996 there were thirteen states that charged a felony for animal abuse and cruelty. By 2007 the number of states to make the law a felony had jumped to 27. Today, 43 of the 50 states are first offense felony provisions. This means the person cannot be charged with a lesser crime. There are states that have harsh laws but they can still be improved to make the laws cover more offenses and have a steeper, harsher punishment. North Dakota is the only state that animal cruelty is not a felony. The punishment in North Dakota for animal cruelty is a Class A misdemeanor, $2000 fine and up to one year in jail. This is just a slap on the hand. It is not a harsh enough punishment for people who abuse animals.

Many people love animals and treat them as part of the family. Their animals are allowed to sleep in the bed, sit on the furniture and some even go to the extent of dressing their animals. These animals are well cared for and loved and are considered a life-long commitment. Then there are some who believe animals are only good work or food. When they are no longer useful or they tire of the animal, it is given away, put down or abandoned.  It is true, our Heavenly Father has given us dominion over animals, but that means to care for them and treat them with kindness even when they are no longer useful to us. “President Joseph F. Smith, who succeeded George Q. Cannon as editor of the Juvenile Instructor, expanded the emphasis on Humane Day. In February 1912 in a two-page editorial entitled “Kindness to Animals,” he wrote: “Kindness to the whole animal creation and especially to all domestic animals is not only a virtue that should be developed, but is the absolute duty of mankind. … It is an unrighteous thing to treat any creature cruelly. … It will be a blessed day when mankind shall accept and abide by the Christ-like sentiment expressed by one of the poets in the following words: ‘Take not away the life you cannot give, For all things have an equal right to live.”

Animals are scared, and they feel pain just like humans do. They are helpless victims and it can cause them to become timid, depressed and sometime aggressive. They have no voice. They are innocent creatures of our Heavenly Father and should be taken care of as a precious gift from him.

The reality of animal abuse and cruelty is there are not harsh enough laws. The people who abuse and hurt animals are not in jail long enough. They usually are free after three years. I believe we need to make the sentence for animal cruelty much longer. If the person kills the animal, then they need to be put away for a long time. We need to make it easier for people to report animal abuse. There needs to be punishment for people who do not report suspected animal abuse. The penalty for animal abuse needs to be actually serving jail time with a longer sentence. The offender should not be allowed to ever own an animal again.

Love Letter to the St. Louis Cardinals

Dear St. Louis Cardinals,

I just need to tell you how much I love you! I love watching your team members play baseball with the St. Louis Arch and skyline behind them. I love to watch as they run out on to the field, in their crisp white uniforms and red hats, it just makes my heart flutter.

The cheer of the crowd reminds me I am home, even watching from my own living room. I miss the old Bush Stadium.  I miss the smell of popcorn and hotdogs and the cool breeze flowing off the Mississippi River.

St. Louis is a baseball town through and through. There is always game day excitement. There is no baseball day excitement here in Salt Lake City, Utah. There is no anticipation of wearing the famous St. Louis Cardinal shirt for the game.

 I miss seeing your catcher, Yadier Molina in person. He is the greatest catcher of all time.  I have to follow him on Facebook to keep up with his accomplishments.

You will always be my beloved baseball team, even though I live so far away. No other baseball team will take your spot in my heart. I promise to always show my Cardinal spirit for you when you are in the playoffs and advanced to the World Series. I will never show support for another team in the World Series when you don’t make it.

I promise that when I come home to St. Louis to visit, if there is a home game I will be there, showing my love and support for you, my favorite team.

 Just remember my dear St. Louis Cardinals; I will always love you no matter what. I look forward to many World Series to come! St. Louis will always be my hometown and St. Louis Cardinals; you will always me my team!

Forever your love and fan,

Spring

When You Love Someone

This is my final essay I had to write for my English class this semester.

When You Love Someone

            There is a song by Bryan Adams called “When You Love Someone” Its starts out with these words; When you love someone you'll do anything, You'll do all the crazy things that you can't explain, You'll shoot the moon, put out the sun, When you love someone.  I loved someone once. Actually it was two some ones.  One summer, I fell in love with two little boys, brothers. They were 10 and 12 at the time. They were in the summer program camp I was supervising.

You'll deny the truth, believe a lie. There'll be times that you'll believe that you could really fly. But your lonely nights have just begun. When you love someone. They had been in the foster care system for about two years. Their parents’ rights had been severed and they were wards of the state. I had met them another time and knew a little about their history. They were both drug babies, born to a mother who had a mental disability herself. She had an older son and then my two little boys.  She taught them to steal at a very young age.  She never put clothes on the boys and they were found wondering the streets. This was not enough for them to be taken away from her. She didn’t love them enough.

She allowed a boyfriend to hurt them. He beat the 10 year old so badly, that he had sustained brain damage and began having seizures. The boys were not allowed to use the bathroom, or to eat. It took 78 phone calls to the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) before they were removed from the home.  Unfortunately by this time, the damage had been done. They suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and so many other things. The oldest could not handle any kind of change with out having a major freak out. The youngest did not know how to think for himself. He always asked where his brother was, or his foster mom was.  He would get upset very easily. Again, no one loved them enough

When you love someone you'll feel it deep inside. And nothing else could ever change your mind. When you want someone, when you need someone, when you love someone. They were placed in a home with a mom, a dad, two brothers and a sister. Their rooms were in the finished basement.  They had no sheets, pillows or blankets. The floor was tile because it was easier to clean up when they had accidents or purposely urinated on the floor. They both wore pull-ups to bed. The youngest wore his PJ’s backwards so he wouldn’t get up in the middle of the night and pee everywhere. He also will never be able to live on his own.  It is still undecided if the oldest will need some kind of assistance when he grows up.

They had support staff that worked with them. After my summer program was over, I started to work with them together on Sundays.  I would pick them up from their foster home and we would go and do some kind of activity. Because there was no money for the three-hour shift, I usually paid for us to have doughnuts or tacos.  They would choose what we were having.  We then would go sit in my driveway, cover the windows of the car up and watch movies on Netflix until it was time for them to go home.  They were not allowed to come in my house because the state or the service provider I worked for did not approve it. I started falling in love with them during the summer.

When you love someone, you'll sacrifice. Giving everything you got and you won't think twice. You'd risk it all no matter what may come, when you love someone. One warm day in October, I had to take them to an appointment at DCFS. They were finally being put up for adoption. My heart began aching and hurting at the thought of someone else taking them. As we waited for their turn to have their picture taken for the Adoption Exchange, I decided to find out what I had to do to adopt them. It was not something I was jumping in to. My mom and I talked about it over time. She started getting to know them and fell head over heels in love. My dad did too. The boys called my parents Grammy and Pawpaw. In January, we decided to pursue the adoption. I made an appointment with the social worker. I had not told their foster mom what I was trying to do. I was worried she may want to adopt them.  I was perfectly willing to give up the chance to adopt the boys, if she wanted them.  We met with their team of caseworkers, as well as my bosses. I told the team, I wanted to adopt them because I loved them and wanted them to belong to someone. I felt very confident at the meeting until I walked out of the room.  We were waiting in the waiting room, when a couple walked up to the window. I didn’t pay to much attention until they said they were there for a meeting about some brothers that were up for adoption. That caught my attention. As I listen, the receptionist asked for the brothers’ names. They didn’t know it. They said they had been talking to “Erin”.  Erin was my boss and supervised the coordinator over the boys. I almost passed out. How could someone want to adopt a child and not know his name?  I texted my boss and supervisor, I said, “I need to know what my chances are to adopt the boys.  I don’t want to get my hopes up if there is no chance.” They both reassured me that it was a normal process. My supervisor told me that the team had loved me and I had won them over when I said I loved the boys and wanted them to belong to someone. I loved them enough.

The adoption process began to move forward. I continued to work with the boys after I had been promoted to a program coordinator. The foster mom found out I was planning to adopt them and could not have been happier.  She started involving me in their planning meetings, and IEP’s. Sundays became the day they spent with my family and me.  They would stay until after dinner.  We then tried several over nighters and then moved to a weeklong stay. I had purchased bunk beds for them, made the necessary improvements need to pass the home study. I bought a car that would accommodate two growing boys. They knew I wanted to be their mom and they were excited about it.  I loved them more than enough.

Suddenly things began to come apart. The home study that I thought had gone so well had raised questions.  The Social worker quit communicating with me. My former boss and supervisor also quit communicating.  I went to pick the boys up for our usual Sunday time together and When I got there, the foster mom wanted to know why I was there.  She had been told that I could not take them anymore. Nobody had said a word to me. The new staff person showed up. My younger boy wanted to go with him, but my oldest wanted to stay with me. The foster mom let me take him and later brought my youngest over to me. Days passed, I had no answers from anyone, nor would they tell the foster mother anything. Finally in June, after I found the boys had been placed back on the Adoption Exchange, I sent the social worker an email, telling her I was pulling out of the adoption. I was tired of the lack of communication and lack of explanations. I still loved them enough.

 But I didn’t see my boys again. My heart began to crumble. I began questioning why Heavenly Father would give me the okay and then yank it away from me. I was angry, hurt, sad, and I felt betrayed.  I sunk in to a deep depression. I began to hide from the world. I quit trusting people and I held the state just as responsible as the parents for the abuse those two sweet innocent little boys suffered. They had suffered and more hurt in their short little lifetimes, than I will ever have in my entire life. I still hear about them from my former co-workers.  I still have a huge hole in my heart and soul. I miss them terribly. I have caused them more damage and hurt. I have never had any closure. When I could no longer shake the darkness that had begun to consume me, I knew I needed help. I talked to my Bishop and he scheduled me an appointment at LDS Family Services. I met with a great counselor who helped me through a very tough and sad time in my life. I will forever be grateful to her. She helped save me. And I still love them.

The boys have now been separated and live with new families.  The youngest it flourishing and is up for adoption again. He is completely off all his medication.  The oldest boy is not faring so well. He has been deemed unadoptable. This makes me so angry and hurt. I don’t understand how one person can deem another person unlovable and undeserving of a family. He lives with a family that wanted to adopt him, but he doesn’t want them to.  But I still and always will love them both.

"When You Love Someone"

When you love someone you'll do anything

You'll do all the crazy things that you can't explain

You'll shoot the moon, put out the sun

When you love someone

You'll deny the truth, believe a lie

There'll be times that you'll believe that you could really fly

But your lonely nights have just begun

When you love someone

When you love someone you'll feel it deep inside

And nothing else could ever change your mind

When you want someone, when you need someone

When you love someone...

When you love someone you'll sacrifice

Giving everything you go and you won't think twice

You'd risk it all no matter what may come

When you love someone.

Bryan Adams

School has begun!

I am half way through my first semester of school. I am going to BYU Idaho. I love it! There is lots of homework but I am managing. The hours of homework is supposed to be 9-12 hours. There is no way I get homework done in that amount of time. I am doing home work 7 days a week for hours. I also picked up another class that I am not receiving credit for, but I am proving to myself that I will be able to add another class next term.  I am going to school for Family and Marriage Studies, then I will get my Masters in Social Work so I can be a Clinical Counselor and Social Worker.

BYU Idaho is a LDS based school which uses then Gospel Principals as a foundation. It is different, and I always said I would NEVER EVER go to BYU! Never say never!  But I like having the Gospel in my life everyday.

I am still working at Desert Industries. Sometimes I am so ready to find another job, but then I remember I am still doing the Lord's work. I also keep being reminded why I am there. Its hard though. But I can do anything for a little while.

I am grateful for the blessings I receive as I work there. I am grateful for the people I have met working there. I have learned so much and have been helped through a lot of things.

I am thankful for all these opportunities to better my life.

My 21 "Need" Things

I need:

1. Journals--I love journals because I like having them and there are some really cool ones. They help make me feel complete.
2. Color Pens-- Ones that write vibrant colors and nice!  It helps writing in the journals.
3. Pillow Cases-- Next to my sweet little animals I love pillowcases that are crisp and clean and smell good. Ones with polka dots or bright solid colors are even better.
4. Big Reuseable Cup with Straws--  Big Reuseable cups that have straws are great for work and easy to identify as mine. 
5. Zombies-- They are the love of my life! I love anything zombie!!!  They are the best! One Sunday left until The Walking Dead is back.
6. My Fur Babies-- I can not live with out my fur babies! I wish I had a way to rescue all animals and keep them safe!
7. Perfume-- I love to smell good and perfume is the best besides clean clothes washed in downy and bleach.
8. Hobo bags-- So I can carry my school books with me to work since all I do is home work, I can sling them over my head and shoulder and go.
9. Minke-- I love minke!!  I loved softy things even as a baby. I think I love them even more now.
10. Barnes and Noble-- I love B&N!!!  I love books!!! Electronic and paper. Reading takes you away to different worlds.
11. Babies-- I absolutely love babies. There is not like kissing a chubby baby cheek and having him press his face into you for more. I can't wait to have my own.
12. My Heavenly Father--  I am nothing with out him.  He is leading me where I need to go, helping accomplish goals I never thought I could do and teaching me in so many ways.
13. Blank Cards-- I love to have sweet and inspirational cards that I can send to my friends just because.
14. My electronics--- All Apple mind you...once you go Mac, you never go back!
15. Socks!--I love to wear no show socks that don't match! Particularly no show black socks with colorful toes and heals!
16. Chocolate-- Sometimes there are days that only chocolate will fix!
17. Crafts-- I love to do my wood creations crafts! I can sit and do them all day long and be very relaxed.
18. Cricut Machine-- I love cutting vinyl and creating quotes and signs for friends and family.
19. Sasquatch Angry Beef Sticks-- I just love them....hands down!
20. Lava Hot Springs-- What a way to relax on a cold winter day in hot natural spring water! Its the best!
21. I forgot the best thing ever!  DRAGONFLIES! I love everything dragonfly. I need dragonflies!!!

A Wild Side

Many of you know that I have a mini wild side. I like to do crazy thing once in a while. And since I have been riding the crazy train lately, I did a really crazy thing....

I got a new tattoo.  My cousin-in-law did it for me and it is awesome! It hurt like a thousand cats were scratching me at the same time. I gritted my teeth, would grab Greyson and hug him tight and he would say "Spring, you're squeezing me!" So I would let go. He then asked me, "Does it tickle?" His mommy answered that it felt like kitties licking with their tongue. I said more like kitties claws.

My mom was mad, but that was to be expected, even though I am as close to 40 as I am going to get with out actually turning 40.

Now this gorgeous tattoo is ITCHING like crazy!  I can't wait to get home from work and take my shoes and socks off. It's 37* out and I am wearing flip flops, of course that is no different from any other time.

Zombingo!

I went to the mail box the other day and there was a package addressed to me. I pulled it out and it was making this horrible growl squawking sound.  I quickly ran inside with it so I would not draw attention of my neighbors.  It was wrapped really well. I looked at the box as it wiggled and  growled, almost afraid to open it.  You only live once, right?  Then you become a zombie...

So I open it....


And this is what emerged, hissing and growling at me....

Thank you Chris!!  He will fit in just fine with the band of misfit zombies here and have a very good home!!!

20 Years...

Recently my class that I graduated with celebrated our 20 year class reunion. I am not really sure where the time has gone, nor do I think my fellow classmates know where it has gone.  I talk to several of my classmates and have for years and see them every few years.  So I wasn't too sad that I missed the class reunion.  I know the committee worked hard on the reunion for almost 2 years.  So I thank them.

As some of my classmates may remember, I was close to several of the teachers in the English department. One in particular was a second mom for me. When my own mama was busy taking care of my sick brother, she was there. She gave me advice when I needed it to survive high school drama, and I must admit I did get a little special treatment from all the English teachers. My senior year, she told me she was not going to let me graduate if I could not spell supposed right.  So Ms. Emily Buckhannon,
S-U-P-P-O-S-E-D!  I graduated!

I called her the other night because it was her birthday and I had been thinking about her, a lot. I just needed to make sure she was okay.  She is.  It was good to catch up. I feel bad that I have hardly had contact with her over the years, after all, she was so important in my life.

She told me she was taking care of another one of my English teachers Judy Laughlin, who was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. She was given 6-8 months to live... Three years ago!  She is a fighter!  Emily takes her to all her appointments and takes notes so everyone knows what is going on.  One day when they went to a Chemo appointment, they had a substitute nurse.  The nurse asked Judy if Emily was her daughter.  Judy was appalled!  She said "no!  She is my friend!! Not my daughter!"

Judy never had any children. So Emily technically could be.

Emily is a Saint.  To be there for someone who has no one else. To be there and see Judy at her worst. They taught together for years!

I pray for Judy every night. I pray that she remains strong and upbeat and that she has more good days than bad.  She was told that her cancer is not curable, but treatable.  That day they received the news, was the first time I tried calling Emily because she had been on my mind and needed to see if she was okay.  Divine intervention? I believe it was.  I now have ways to contact both of these remarkable women, whom each had an influence in my life.

In October 1993, when my grandfather died, Emily and Judy and a few other English teachers all came to his funeral.  This was months after I had graduated from high school and was in my first year of college.

So these women are special and I am sorry I lost contact with them. You forget how important people are to you until the truth of their mortality hits you.

Judy is 72 years old and fighting. I am in her corner, along with Emily cheering her on!

Here's to you Judy! Keep up the fight! I know you can do it!  And there are a few other former students cheering you on too.

All In The Lord's Time

Well it seems that a year has passed since I last blogged. How the heck did that happen? It has been A hard year. The punches didn't stop at losing the boys, no they just kept coming. In November, I lost my job for the use of profanity based off of hear say. I tried hard not laugh and was actually relieved that I didn't have to work 24/7  and drive 100+ miles everyday anymore. Besides who wants to work for a company, who is quick to judge, and not find out the whole story. Since my departure, the program lost a lot of good caring people, as well as clients. I have no respect for the company or the people who run it.

I have been  "unemployed" for nine months.  I continued to sub at the deaf school as much as I could in hope of getting teacher's aide position again, but, because I didn't know enough ASL, and I am not related to one of the superintendents,  I am only good enough to sub. Well, The Lord does work in mysterious ways so, I know there are better things for me.

It has taken having a literal nervous breakdown, and months of therapy to remember that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me, and has a plan (in his timing of course) for me.  I am currently working at Deseret Industries (LDS Operated and Owned). It is nice to be some place where there is no judgement. I actually feel that I shouldn't be ther,  because someone much worse off than me should have my spot. But it is a place of healing, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. There are genuine people who work there, and I don't have to constantly look over my shoulder to make sure someone isn't going to stab me in the back again. Yes, I still have those fears. And there are days my stress and anxiety are through the roof. I am still suspicious and cautious, but I am learning to trust again.

Some of my friends and family don't understand, and think I should just get over it. Some haven't even bothered to find out. Some, have made accusations and dumped his/her opinions on me. But that is ok. Until you have walked in my shoes, don't assume.  They have lost all privileges to know what is going on in my life. And I am totally ok with it.

So as I continue to improve, and learn to deal with all my anxiety, stress and depression, I have a plan. I am going to finish my bachelors so I can help others. I am excited, scared, stressed and full of anxiety but I have a support system that I am beginning to trust to help me accomplish this goal.

I also know that my eternal companion is just around the corner.

Broken Hearted

It has been a struggle these last few weeks after decided not to go through with the adoption. It was one of the hardest decisions I have had to make. I miss those sweet little boys so much! Last night I dreamt of them, I was hugging the younger one, crying nd telling him to remember that no matter what, I love him with all my heart. I don't know where the older one was,but I woke up sobbing. The team for these little boys has not been very honest or professional. The caseworker does not return phone calls in a timely manner. She has left both me and the foster mom in the dark. I am really disappointed in this whole process. It's actually an oxymoron. They really don't care if children find home with good families. But as much as I am hurting, it those sweet little boys who will suffer. They have been through so much already. And it is part of the states fault too. It took 78 calls to DCFS before they removed them from the home. They are just as guilty as the birth parents are. I still pray that there is a way for this to all work out. I also pray that I cam mend my broken heart. I pray that I still have a chance to have children.

A Sweet....Ride

Even though totaling my car was not the plan I had, I know it was a blessing.  I went car shopping for a week, had several deals in place and then they didn't work out.  By the way, don't ever buy from Low Book Sales or have a loan with Prime Acceptance.  They are all owned by the same guy who is not honest in his dealings and doesn't keep his end of the bargain.  I believe his name is Ryan White...  So after he didn't keep his end of the agreement, I went to Larry H.Miller in Riverdale.  It took some work, but I got a car, and not just any car....  It is a brand new 2012 Dodge Caliber that had 3 miles on it.  It is so nice and comfy and of course smells so NEW!!!  One of the best features..is the free 1 year trial of Sirrius Radio!! Woo Hoo!!!  And I get free carwashes when my sales person is working, which by the way He is so awesome!!  SO if you are looking for a new car, go see John Kramer at Larry H. Miller Chrysler/Dodge in Riverdale!!!  Plus the GM is also my Bishop...Who knew?

Meet Sassy

She is one HOT girl!!

So as of today when I got home from work, she had 1076 miles on her....( Sniff sniff tear)

A sweet...wreck

Well I can now let the cat out of the bag, for those of you who do not already know, I am adopting 2 awesome boys ages 10 and 12. They are the best things in the world! I just love them so much and I can't wait to become a little family. They don'tknow yet, but we will tell them soon.

Yesterday I was driving home from work, this 1998 truck slammed its breaks on in front of me and I couldn't slam mine on fast enough. How I walked away from this accident is a miracle of its self. I have sore shoulder and neck and now no car...which isn't good for my job since I work 40 minutes away. But thank goodness I was smart and added gap insurancea and car rental. Right now I am driving a 2012 Mazda 6 with 6200 miles on it. It is a sweet ride.... I really want one, but I will be lucky if I get anything with a decent payment or mileage to replace my heap of junk.

Change Is A Comin...

I know it has been so long since I have posted....AGAIN!  I don't what the problem is, except I am so darn busy with my new salaried job, so that means I work 50-60 hours a week. Plus I am still getting ready for my new arrivals.

I am the new Day Program Coordinator for Rise Services in South Jordan.  It really is going to be a great job once it is cleaned up and running smoothly. I also will quit pulling my hair out once I learn how to do all this stinking paper work.  It really makes me want to drink....and drink.....and drink some more.

It has to do with training.  I need to do it the work as I am being shown, kind of like when you are driving and someone is telling you where to turn.  She doesn't get it.  I try to understand what she tells me, and I think I do, but then when I go to work on it, I am lost.  So you can see where the drinking comes in.

I have only been there four weeks and I have already fired two people and hire four new ones.

Now what I am going to tell you can't be made up and it is indeed the truth and I have lived through it. On Monday we arrived at Mrs. Cavanaugh's chocolate factory around 10:30 am.  We weren't there five minutes before it happened.

First one of my guys wet his pants and left a trail across the floor. Then the autistic girl, threw herself on the floor and crawled under the table, she sat there a minute and the next thing I knew, she pulled her pants down and ripped her maxi pad out of her underware. And then finally the cute little old lady had to go to bathroom, which she didn't to get to in time and had poopy pants.  I went up to pay our fee and the lady said "we will just do the condensed version so don't worry about paying."

We were in the vans and on our way back to the center at 11. 

Needless to say, I think we have been banned from Mrs. Cavanaugh's

Uh Oh...

It is almost the end of January 2012 and I have blogged once so far. I really can't tell you where my month has gone. There is a big life change coming for me in a few months. I can't give anymore details or the time being, some of you know, some of you have some kind of idea, and then there are some of you who have no clue what I am talking about. There are clues on my Facebook page. I will say, I have wanted this as long as I can remember.

It is time again for the yearly reminder that I am yet again still undeniably single. Is it a choice? Might be...NOT!

I hate going to stores to see how commercialized ths holiday, like every other holiday has become. I hate seeing couples kissing and hanging on each other in public. I have to literally bite my tongue to keep from blurting to anyone in ear shot and the offending couple to "get a f-ing room!"

I mean really, there is a time and place for that, and it ain't while waiting in line for your food. So dude, get your hand off her a$&!


Another reason I hate Valentine's day is it is a reminder that I have another freaking birthday coming. Ugh!

Every year I say I want to do something way fun for my birthday, and it never seems to work the way I imagine it. Lol!

So I am looking for suggestions, ideas, or surprises lol!

Valentine's Day Swap

I decided to take January off for swapping. So now that I am ready to start again. For February, I thought we should get a little more creative. A valentine's day table runner. You can make as simple or as intricate as you want. And as always tuck ins to go along with the table runner.



Details---

So the rules for the swap are as follows,

1. Your table runner should be Valentine's day related. You can re-make an existing table runner or sew a brand new one. A min of 3 tuckins, more are fine.

2. Your package should be sent out no later than February 14th. Its best if you send it priority, the boxes are free at the post office and it isn't too expensive. Its needs to have a tracking number. Please email it to your partner and to me.

3.Please be considerate of each other and keep a line of communication open. If you receive an email from your partner, please reply back in a timely manner.

It's very important you let me know if and when you send and receive your package.mmespeially if you don't get one.

Sign up goes until the 20th of January.

2011

I have lost track of the date since being out of school. The only thing I am sure of, is Monday morning. Back to school..Blehhh!

I did realize it is time for my annual year of review via facebook statuses.  Boy some of them are hilarious!!  I wish there was a way to put them all on because it could be a book.

I spent my winter break, sleeping and puking....not how I envisioned my long awaited and much needed break, well the sleeping part I did.  I have made plans all week to catch up and meet my good friend Laura, but it has yet to happen.  I am crossing my fingers for today.

My little furry babies have been so happy that I have not left the house since Christmas Day.  In fact one is curled up in my arms right now-------->
She longs for this all day long. Her little head is resting on my arm and moves with me as I type, (which apparently is not really good, I keep having to back space to fix mistakes.)

Two of my other furries are at the groomers, getting beautiful and hairless.  I can groom, but I just hate having hair stuck in places there isn't supposed to be hair, let alone dog hair.



My hope for this new year is to make some big changes!  Especially on the love front... I know he is out there!!

I am planning on doing a swap every month, so if you are interested, please let me know which months you want to participate.  I have an idea of the themes, but if you have a suggestion, please feel free to send it my way. They are way fun when you have a participating partner.  Sometimes you get a dud, but that is how it works. So if you have had a dud partner in the past, please don't let that sway your decision from joining.

 My wish is for all of you to have a wonderful 2012.  Achieve all your goals and dreams, find the love you deserve, fill your home with peace and happiness. Lived  life the way you want to.


Happy New Year!! Stay Safe!!

Ahhh Finally!

I just looked at my posting for this month and it was pretty bad, actually it sucks! But It could be, that I have been concentrating on surviving until winter break started!

Finally, after much pain, anguish and tears, 12 noon hit, I shoved my kid on to the bus, yelled at Fox to move her damn truck and tore out of the parking lot, tires squealing around the corner, leaving everyone in my wake and never looking back or giving that place a second thought!

Ahhh... ten days of absolute freedom!!


I have so much I want to do that I don't even know where to begin. Sleep is on the top of the list. With working two jobs, 7 days a week, the latest I get to sleep is 8:45 am on Saturday only.

I wish I was able to go on a trip of some kind or go to the spa and get a massage. I need to rejuvenate myself so I can go back and have the energy and heart to deal with the little problem child I have in my class as well as the child I work one on one with. Not to mention anything else that will be thrown my way.

I am looking forward to spending time with my family, laughing and having a good time. I am also looking forward to giving my babies the attention they need when I work strange hours. My furry babies...

December Swap

Ok my fun creative ladies, everyone should have sent their November Swap packages out. If you have not, please let me know ASAP!

For December we will be doing a Christmas Stocking Exchange.

Make it fun and as special as you can. I always loved opening my stocking up on Christmas morning and looking at all the goodies inside.

It doesn't have to be sent out until the end of the month, after all the holidays are over.

Sign up now until the 10th and I will send details out as you sign up. Once I close the swap, I will email your partners out. Any questions, ideas or suggestions, let me know. I am always open for new creative ideas!

True Creative Story As Told By My Brother Adam

"Cover your heads people!" My six year old Toby exclaimed as we approached Walmart.

"Prepare for battle". 

This was his war cry as he wrapped the top of his head in his jacket.

"What is the problem?"  I relented as I tried to herd our four kids all under 

10 years old into the tire and lube center.

  
"It's them."  He pointed skyward.  "The pigeons.  Don't scare them. Pigeons 

poop when you scare them.  They can't help it!" 

My eight year old Aiden, was nodding in agreement. "It's true, he's right."

Delaney my two year old added "Ew poop, Ew poop" to anyone; family, 

onlookers, spectators other customers or workers. 

She was a toddler sized FEMA broadcast. 

The customers were obviously split into two groups in front of me. 

Those who have bright, out going children, who speak their minds 

and those who have the same but often hate that they have quite so many.
 

Thanks to PBS kids my sons had become savants  to the pigeon 

gastrointestinal process.

"They're mating"

"They are NOT mating" I declared while I swept my youngest and only girl, 

Delaney aka Princess aka Princess-cuts-a lot (the latter due to her prowess

with a plastic sword, often backing her older brothers in to corners 

with none to playful swipes of a hard plastic blade). 
 

Aiden was still shaking his head, as if to indicate to his brothers how little 

dad really knows about pigeons and their mating habits.  
 

In mid swoop the soda can in my hand got caught up in the momentum 

and a portion flung out on to the ground and on to my ten year old, Lucas.  
 

"What was that?"  Lucas exclaimed, True terror iced his words. 

Luke's body was frozen in fear of foreign urea.  He was checking his dampened 

shirt like a soldier searching for flesh wounds after a fire fight.  
 

"My soda spilled a little Luke" I said.
 

"Oh, thank goodness, I thought it was a pigeon peeing on me."  Apparently,

nothing fills a ten year old boy's nightmares quite like the thought of pigeon 

urine coming in contact with clothing and skin. 

You'd be forever known as the kid who got peed on by pigeons. 

That is a story that does not easily die, that's the stuff of urban legends

and local torment.
 

Delaney looked at his dampened shirt and up at her eldest brother's relieved face. 
 

She pointed and delivered. "Eww poop"