MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!

Yes, I am still up and it is now Christmas morning. I wonder if any of you have opened a gift or two early? I haven't. I am patiently waiting until morning. I hope all of you get exactly what you hoped for. I have also followed Melissa's lead, and written "The Night Before Christmas" with a little help. I do believe that mine makes even less sense than Melissa's. Either way, they are both somewhat idiotic, but funny.
St. Sandra D enjoys filling jammies after coming down the recliner. If someone has no recliner, she will come down the stove pipe, or come through the water pipe. If you have no jammies to fill, St. Sandra D will fill your underwear or dirty socks. Try to have some jammies though cause you'll get more.

http://www.rinkworks.com/crazylibs/c/c11.shtml

'Twas the Night Before Christmas"
'Twas the morning before Christmas, and all through the castle,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a kitty katt.
The jammies were hung by the recliner with care,
In hopes that St. Sandra d soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-cookies danced in their ears.
And mother in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the rocker to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Called open the shutters, and ironed up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow,
Gave the luster of mid-moment to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear?
But a merry cookie, and eight tiny tigers.
With a little old driver, so lively and joyous,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Sandra D.
More rapid than gorillas her tigers they came,
And she whistled, and cuddled, and called them by name;
"Now, Dasher! Now, Kristi! Now, Snow and Vixen!
On, Toddler! On Puppy! On, Shirt and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! To the top of the elf!
Now holler away! Holler away! Holler away all!"
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof,
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the recliner St. Sandra D came with a bound.
Her eyes -- how they followed! Her dimples, how white!
Her feet were like reindeer, her nose like a candy!
She spoke not a word but went straight to her work,
And filled all the jammies, then turned with a jerk.
And laying her mouth aside of her hand,
And giving a nod, up the recliner she rose.
She sprang to her sleigh, to her team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard her exclaim, as she drove out of sight,"
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good morning!"

Merry Christmas, and "God Bless Us, Everyone." TTFN

Melissa

I failed to discuss her when I wrote all about mom's and Robert's problems. So tonight I am going to mention her as well as various grandchildren if need be.
Melissa has to potty all the time. She gets tummy aches (most likely since she has Crohns), and spends hours upon hours upon the john. But, if she doesn't get to the bathroom soon enough with her waterworks as well, she wets her panties. So, things are not going well in either of her sewer departments. It makes me sad.
Another problem with Melissa is her heart. Her heart really and truly is a problem. She has atrial fibrillation really bad. A month on the King of Hearts Monitor showed her normal resting heart rate to be near 160 beats per minute. NOT GOOD!!! I try not to think about that problem if I can avoid it. Because I really do get sad and worried. So, I shall forget I even wrote anything about her real heart problem and focus on her secondary heart disease. It skips beats at times (when it is not beating faster than the speed of light. It usually occurs when Mike walks into the room she is in, or when she heads out to pick him up and sees him stretch his very, very long legs to get out of his truck. Now those legs of his are so long. They must stretch to at least 9 or 10 inches give or take. His torso is rather short though, so overall he is near 5 feet tall.....probably shorter than me. Thank goodness his legs are so long. He can just stretch one of them out the door of his monster truck and it actually touches the ground right then and there------if he falls that is. What can I say?
Anyway, I digressed. Melissa's heart skips a beat when she sees Mike, so because that is such a serious affliction, I honestly think he needs to wear a bag over his head when he gets home or leaves the bathroom after his long shower and "special session with john." I don't want to have to continue worrying so very, very much about Melissa's heart anymore. So, perhaps I should purchase several little brown bags for Mike to wear when he is within Melissa's vicinity. Stress is bad for me. He needs to honor his monster-in-law here and help relieve my stress. WEAR THE DARN BAG!!!!!
Now, I guess I should mention my oldest child Timothy Tiger Lily Two Step. I just saw a very recent photo of him, and I nearly had a heart attack. Nobody, but nobody should cause me such a thing. But, his hair or lack thereof was a shock to my system. That round circle of skin towards the back portion of his head was not there the last time he visited. I should have been warned. Next time I hope someone will give me a gentle talk so that I will be prepared. Because when I see him next time (maybe two years after this visit) I am certain there will be other changes. My son has gotten old. What does that mean for me? He is balding just like his baby brother. That is just sick and wrong. Can't anyone in my little family maintain an extra hair or two?
Well, I think that I am done for tonight. I may touch on the problems my poor, little grandchildren face on a daily basis. But, that will be left for another day--- if my children don't make me lose my marbles first. After all they are sick, or hurt, or losing hair by the second. Wait a minute. I lost my marbles a long time ago. I'm good! TTFN.....

This Is Not Christmas

For those of you who don't know it, me madre is sick with a super, nasty cold. Yesterday she felt like real crap. Colds affect the elderly much worse than they do some of the rest of us. Maybe, that's not totally correct. The one I caught in August lasted me forever and a day it seemed. It has also left some permanent damage I believe. My ribs are still affected. I am assuming they may continue to be for a long, long time.

I have been doing all that I can to avoid catching the virus mom is carrying around. So has Kris. We DO NOT WANT a Merry Christmas cold! That is just sick and wrong. Anyway, we continue to monitor mom's condition to the best of our ability. If she worsens, she will take an ambulance trip. The three of us agreed on that one. But, so far, so good. Her oxygen levels are still okay. I checked her hands a few minutes ago, unbeknownst to her.

The other thing some of you don't know is that last Sunday, Robert was involved in an accident on his way to work. He was a passenger, not the driver. He remembers very little about it because with the truck flipping over, he received a serious concussion. He did go back in yesterday because several people pushed him into returning. His symptoms are apparently normal for such an injury. He has what feels like a continual migraine, he gets severely dizzy (scared Sadie May last night), and his memory is affected. Sadie has offered to teach him how to tie shoes. He cannot remember how to do that simple task etc. He also gets very confused. So, it is affecting his job too. That scares him because he does know that eventually it could cause Walmart to let him go. That worries me too. But, he gets confused at work, he vomits there, he forgets how to rotate products etc. He has been sent home more than once so far.

Anyway, these are not good things to happen anytime, but even less so at Christmas. It makes for a less than jolly holiday. Sometimes life just"ain't fair." I will still continue to watch Christmas movies, listen to my lovely music, and be happy that we are having snow for the holiday though. I am keeping a positive outlook....as positive as I am capable of keeping. So, Merry Christmas and safe driving in the lovely snow! TTFN

Christmas

For some reason, this Christmas holiday isn't as much fun as it could be. The time has been passing to quickly, and the weather was way too warm. However, that has since changed. It got very cold almost overnight. I am somewhat acclimated now, but at first I was just freezing. I honestly didn't mind it that much though. When it's so cold, it just feels so good to go to bed at night and snuggle under warm blankets.

Anyway, it is more Christmasy here now. If only my mind would find that Christmas Spirit, all would be wonderful and exciting. Although others here don't believe me, I don't intend to buy and create Christmas gifts all through the year any longer. It's too hard on me. If the piles of gifts are going to cause me more anxiety and feelings of being overwhelmed and crowded, then it just isn't worth it. And, I do wonder if that is part of the reason for my lack of enjoyment this year.

I have said this same thing for the last couple of years too, so those who have heard it before don't believe me. It's the story of the boy who cried wolf. I cried wolf once too often. But, now it is in black and white here for all the world of bloggers to read. I do not want to collect hordes of gifts all through the year anymore. It drives me crazy. I plan to do Christmas during the season instead. If, during the year I get an urge to create, I will, but no more buying of gifts until the holiday season. I am looking forward to being able to use my closet as well as the underside of my bed for something other than Christmas gifts. Everyone may end up with a little less, but I will have nearly a year to think about what they need most or what might be special.

So, now then for all of you reading this, since I have cried wolf before, you will just have to wait and see if I follow through. But, this time at least I know I will be doing as I say rather than the opposite. Time will prove that to all of you. That's all I can say.

Luana has put family poetry on her blog as well as lots of Christmasy photos. I am going to put a couple of photos of our snow here. At least all can see that finally it's beginning to look and feel more like Christmas here. Walking on or driving on icy roads is difficult, but snow is really pretty. It adds a very necessary and beautiful ingredient to the Christmas Season. Hey school will end for a short time the end of the week. Kids need to go skiing, snowboarding, and sledding. It'll be Christmas holiday. Snow is a big part of that. Welcome Christmas. TTFN

Sadie and Sophie

Because I wanted nice photos of the girls, I tried to take them myself. I had them wear their new dresses for the photos. It was mostly a lost cause. Sophie has become very hyper, and would not stop moving. I got no really good photos. Now then that is in part due to the fact that I don't have a camera that can take pics quickly. With that I think one is bound to get an occasional good expression. It is also partly due to the fact that I am not gifted in the art of photography. But, my biggest problem was the fact that Sophie insisted on moving a lot and making faces. She just was not at all cooperative. Even when I got a decent shot of Sadie, there was Sophie making a lovely face for me. Never again will I try to do the IMPOSSIBLE! I had such grand ideas. Anyhoo, I will work on the occasional somewhat decent photo in the bunch and do the best I can with them.

I am attaching a couple for all eyes to get a good laugh at my attempt. I have done nothing with these to fix them, and probably won't. They aren't good. They just give you all an idea of Sophie's idea of "good" photos. Enjoy! TTFN

Thanksgiving Kids' Quiz

This is a little Thanksgiving quiz I found, and it's really quite silly. Anyway, I am putting the questions up tonight. In a couple of days I will add the answers as an edit to this one. Until then, I would like to see what ridiculous answers you might be able to come up with, so.....HAVE FUN!!!!

1. If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring?
Pilgrims
2. Which cat discovered America?
Christofurry Columbus
3. Why do turkeys always go, "gobble, gobble"?
Because, they never learned good table manners
4. What key has legs and can't open doors?
Turkey
5. Why did Johnny get such low grades after Thanksgiving?
Because everything is marked down after the holidays
6. What has feathers and webbed feet?
A turkey wearing scuba gear
7. How can you send a turkey through the post office?
Bird class mail
8. Why did the Pilgrims want to sail to America in the spring?
Because April showers bbring May flowers
9. What happened when the turkey got into a fight?
He got the stuffing knocked out of him
10. Why did the turkey cross the road?
It was the chicken's day off
11. Why was the turkey the drummer in the band?
Because he had the drumsticks
12. Knock KnockWho's there?WaddleWaddle who?
Waddle I do if you don't open the door
13. What do you call a dumb gobbler?
A jerky turkey
14. What sound does a space turkey make?
Hubble hubble hubble
15. What do you call a gobbler who thinks he knows everything?
A smirky turkey
16. Why did the man invest in feathers?
He heard the stock market was going down
17. What kind of potatoes go oui-oui-buzz-buzz?
French flies

Disco Rob and His Little Ladies

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Christmas Trees

This week, I made two trees. I think I have made 7 or 8 trees since I began creating them. They are easy to do, but time consuming. All the nails along the side of the round piece of wood, and all the fish line going up and down and around each nail is what takes time. Having the glue gun fall to the floor a few times makes me say "naughty words." However, the finished product is nice enough. I like this year's Christmas Village Tree the best. Natalie saw them and likes the Nativity tree. She didn't actually say it was her favorite. She just told me it was pretty.

Anyway, it is thanks to my friend Kristi that I started making these. She sent me some very detailed instructions that were easy to understand. In December 2006, I vowed never to make another, last year I vowed never to make another (after making one tree), and this year I didn't bother to say, "Never again." Who knows? They make nice gifts. And, I like making things even if I do curse a bit while doing so. Besides, this is the time of year to make those Christmasy kinds of things. So, TTFN

They Don't Actually Look Alike, but.....

I'm putting Ava and Sadie in this blog. Sadie still had her squishy head. It was the second day (I think) of her little life. Anyway, her head did shape up after that. However, both the girls are frowning alike. You think they're related? Duh!!!! We know they are. I was just kidding. They definitely have a similar look in the two pictures. However, in the end I bet they will look nothing alike. Sadie is still changing. One moment she looks similar to Dana, the next it's Robert, and then it's Melissa. Enough of my chatter, here are the two pictures. Actually they will be above my writing. Pbbblllllttttt! TTFN

I'm an Ingrid

(B) I have tended to be quiet and am used to being on my own. I usually don't draw much attention to myself socially, and it's generally unusual for me to assert myself all that forcefully. I don't feel comfortable taking the lead or being as competitive as others. Many would probably say that I'm something of a dreamer--a lot of my excitement goes on in my imagination. I can be quite content without feeling I have to be active all the time.
(Y) I am a person who has strong feelings about things--most people can tell when I'm unhappy about something. I can be guarded with people, but I'm more sensitive than I let on. I want to know where I stand with others and who and what I can count on--it's pretty clear to most people where they stand with me. When I'm upset about something, I want others to respond and to get as worked up as I am. I know the rules, but I don't want people telling me what to do. I want to decide for myself.

You are an Ingrid -- "I am unique"
Ingrids have sensitive feelings and are warm and perceptive.
How to Get Along with Me
* Give me plenty of compliments. They mean a lot to me.
* Be a supportive friend or partner. Help me to learn to love and value myself.
* Respect me for my special gifts of intuition and vision.
* Though I don't always want to be cheered up when I'm feeling melancholy, I sometimes like to have someone lighten me up a little.
* Don't tell me I'm too sensitive or that I'm overreacting!
What I Like About Being an Ingrid
* my ability to find meaning in life and to experience feeling at a deep level
* my ability to establish warm connections with people
* admiring what is noble, truthful, and beautiful in life
* my creativity, intuition, and sense of humor
* being unique and being seen as unique by others
* having aesthetic sensibilities
* being able to easily pick up the feelings of people around me
What's Hard About Being an Ingrid
* experiencing dark moods of emptiness and despair
* feelings of self-hatred and shame; believing I don't deserve to be loved
* feeling guilty when I disappoint people
* feeling hurt or attacked when someone misundertands me
* expecting too much from myself and life
* fearing being abandoned
* obsessing over resentments
* longing for what I don't have
Ingrids as Children Often
* have active imaginations: play creatively alone or organize playmates in original games
* are very sensitive
* feel that they don't fit in
* believe they are missing something that other people have
* attach themselves to idealized teachers, heroes, artists, etc.
* become antiauthoritarian or rebellious when criticized or not understood
* feel lonely or abandoned (perhaps as a result of a death or their parents' divorce)
Ingrids as Parents
* help their children become who they really are
* support their children's creativity and originality
* are good at helping their children get in touch with their feelings
* are sometimes overly critical or overly protective
* are usually very good with children if not too self-absorbed

Sandy FrankenDoodle's Laboratory

I was working late one night when my grandkids came along.

I got an idea when I saw their little smiles.

So, I preserved their bodies in the freezer in the lab,

But I pickled their heads and tried to save those smiles.

Then Josh came around and pulled his own head off,

He made an awful mess that I had to clean up,

But funny thing is, he could put it right back on

As if he never took his head off at all.

He won't tell me his secret or give me any hints,

But I'll figure it out if I have enough time.

So watch out folks when you come into my lab,

You just may find you'll be sitting in my jars.

This little ditty I wrote does not rhyme or make much sense. but, that's what happens when I write off the top of my head.....I just figured it out. WATCH OUT!!!!!! TTFN

Three movies I would like to be in:

Luana, You copied someones post, and now I am copying yours. But, let's see.........

1. While You Were Sleeping

I love that whole family, love their home, and love the way everything looked at their home

during Christmas. I would take Sandra Bullock's role.

2. Mama Mia

It was very pretty there. I love the music, and want to dance around with everyone. I would

like to feel all that joy they expressed and made their audiences feel too. But even more, I

want to be friends with those 3 women, especially Rosie. She's feisty!

3. A Christmas Carol

I want to go back through time as well as to the future, but I don't want the same experiences as

Scrooge. I just want to enjoy going back to the past. The angels can come and show me the

good parts of all my past so that I can reminisce. I will go back to the Christmas season when

Susan, Kris, and I shopped downtown on a dark, snowy evening. I might not be able to take

part, but I would enjoy seeing it, and seeing what we looked like etc. Then I could see the

present etc. It would be great fun. TTFN

America's Got Talent

I don't plan to watch this show next year. I don't intend on having the person I think has done the best job lose out. Eli Mattson lost by less than 1/2 of 1%. However, he did not lose out to either of the two I thought he might lose out to.

Queen Emily came in fifth place, Donald Braswell was fourth, Nuttin But Stringz was third. The winner was Neal Boyd who sings opera. I thought he was really good, but I honestly don't believe he is Las Vegas material. How many people go to Vegas to watch an Opera Star?

I really want to get hold of some Eli Mattson music. I loved listening to his voice as well as his incredible piano playing. Maybe he will be offered a record deal. Maybe he won't. Another guy I thought would get a deal, didn't. So, if Eli doesn't either, then I will have only what I recorded via my camera (pointing at the computer)...not so great.

I'm sorry, if I had big money, I would not pay to see Neal perform. I appreciate opera, but it just isn't my choice for entertainment. I would pay to see Nuttin But Stringz. but, I would pay even more to see Eli in person.

Luana, you quit watching American Idol after things happened you thought were messed up. It's the same for me. I won't, and I really mean it, watch America's Got Talent again. This year I actually voted. That is very unusual for me. But, I truly am in love with Eli's music. And, I don't plan to watch any other superior act lose out again. I feel sorry for that young man. He deserved to win. I hope he is offered a contract somewhere and soon. TTFN

I have added a photo of the one who should have won----ELI MATTSON

Memory Monday

We had so many cats when we were growing that I have forgotten a lot of their names. Sheba and Tither had a lot of the kittens we kept. I remember Rastus, Banjo, Gray Baby, Whitey Pants, and Tiger Lily (I think). I believe there were some with Fourth of July names too, but I can't remember the actual names. Then there was Snoopie, the most beautiful gray kitty ever. It seems though that the best ones disappeared or died.

Gray Baby was the one who loved water. The bathroom door wouldn't latch completely for a while. I remember her jumping into the tub once when I was in the bath. So, we started entertaining her with a dishpan full of water so that she would leave the bathers alone. Whitey pants liked watching T.V. Rastus I think is the one who liked jumping from the roof to daddy's shoulder. We had some really special kitties.

Several years ago, I had another special kitty. Sir Thomas Kit Carson Jr. loved me. He used to climb up and snuggle into my face and neck. That ended when Miss Kitty Katt (aka: Psycho Cat---also aka: Bad Kitty) joined the household. From then on he detested me. Sir T. or Mr. T as I ended up calling him would hiss and spit and yowl at me if I entered a room he was in. He would yowl and hiss at me if I spoke or sang too. Never again did he snuggle with me. We had word fights. His were more of the FFFsssstt!! Hissssss! Ptooey! Rowr! kind. If you know cat talk, you know those are "Bad Swears." Mine were crabby words. "Stupid cat, shut up, quit hissing at me. Shut up, it's not my fault it's snowing etc."

Along with his bad attitude (which is funny to think back on), he started to spray his territory. Not only did he spray, he sprayed the same places over and over again. Anything close to his tush was fair game---furniture, doors, walls, the oven, the refrigerator, Christmas presents, books on the book shelves. Nothing was safe. He ended up moving to a farm where he lived in a heated barn, could spray to his little heart's content, and got fresh goats milk on a daily basis. His new family loved him according to the Vet's Assistant . They are her neighbors. Personally, by the time he moved away, I had already grieved for the cat who had loved me, and he and I barely tolerated one another.

Now Miss Psycho Kitty is my baby. She loves me a lot. She even snuggles with me the way Mr. T once did. I find her to be a very sweet kitty, and she hardly ever goes psycho on me. It's other people who get it. Someone can pet her very nicely, she may even purr, but then she might get tired of the petting session. Instead of moving away, she smacks and tries to bite. Isn't that nice? She's such a good little cat with her Mountain Lion looks, and her lovely overbite. Does she scare you? She shouldn't. She is a real sweetheart. Cats are the bomb. TTFN

Finals

I want his music. I am in love with his music. Someone else can have him, but I want his music....just the music. I voted for him 30 times---2 different phones and the computer. He better win!!!!!

Eli's Performance Last Night

He is really good!

Viruses

I am sure that I must have had Bronchitis sometime in the past, but I honestly don't remember it. Erin caught this "stinkin" virus nearly five weeks ago, and she is still dealing with it. However, unlike me she did not see a doctor. I did.
I've been "sickly" for two and a half weeks now. The pneumonia is gone, but the bronchitis cough is still going too strong for my taste. I'm tired of the pain in my ribs. I either broke one or tore the cartilage. Now the other side hurts too, so I clutch and cough. It hurts to breathe. Coughing----someone else can take it. I'm a wuss. I "do'n like it." I'm living on Ibuprofen and ice packs. Thank goodness I have those. However, I have decided once and for all that I will never again get bronchitis. If I do, I will protest. I will drown myself in the dirty toilet. Along with rib pain, I'm still tired a lot of the time etc. Yuck, ick, and more yuck!
So, for anyone who hangs around here, don't get smart with me when I clean doorknobs, phones, computer keys, etc. etc. every time I turn around if you are the least bit snotty nosed or whatever. I will do anything and everything I can to prevent illness from striking me or anyone else who lives here. So, tease all you want. Call me OCD. Call me George or whatever. I DO NOT DO SICK WELL AT ALL!!!! So, I shall avoid it at all costs. End of story. TTFN

Who Knows?

I have a couple of pics of Sophie with Robert. In the one (without her pigtails), she reminds me of someone else. but, I do not know who that could be. However, in the one of her with her little "piggytails" our mother sees someone. I just see Sophie Lou. The one thing I do know is that she is a cute little stinker.

Sophie started Pre-School today and was so excited. She is attending Grace Lutheran. Her mom said she woke very early and asked if she could put her school clothes on NOW.

Now then, I do think that the older Sophie gets, the more she looks like Robert instead of Dana's dad. But, I also see the Facer features in her too. Go figure. I will just enjoy watching the changes. I do like to figure out features, but I don't care. She's Sophie, her own little person.

She had her physical before school started and her doctor told her she needs to eat more. She weighs 35 pounds and has for months. She's in the 40th percentile in height and the 10th in weight. She is tiny. Sadie on the other hand is in the 90th percentile in height. She wasn't weighed. She's tall and big boned like her Auntie Lissa though. Only she is taller than Melissa was at that age. She's wearing a bra too because "Im a big girl Grandma Sandy." It's scary knowing a 7 year old (almost 8) is already developing. That's just sick and wrong. I am putting the two photos of Sophie Lou up, and if anyone would like to check them out and see if you notice a similarity to somebody else, tell me. I am more interested in the one where her hair is down though. So, that's it for Mad Monday. Melissa please take pics of Loni and Nicky for her second day and his first at their new schools. TTFN

Margarita Day

I think I will take this opportunity to blame Melissa and Mike for my new bad habit. I'm not saying that they are to blame-----but I just want to blame them.

They took me out to Senor Iguanas for a belated birthday or Mother's Day lunch on a Saturday. That is when I learned that Saturday is Margarita Day there. I have now seen "Senor" two more times. I eat the food as well. It's tasty. However, for the small cost of $3.00 I get a large Margarita. Yummy! They make theirs stronger than any other place that I have gone. Because I love the taste of a good Margarita, I've had two of them each time I've visited. Man oh man do I get buzzed.

Today, for some reason, not only did I get buzzed, I got super tired. After sitting in the kitchen with everyone, I had little choice but to lie down for about an hour. All my energy was zapped, and my eyes were very, very heavy. I'm definitely a lightweight when it comes to alcoholic beverages. That suits me just fine. I feel fortunate knowing that alcohol is not a problem for me. I don't like the feeling I got today, and have wondered if maybe next time I should have just one. When I make the occasional drink at home, it is not as strong as those I get at Senor's. However, theirs taste much better. I just get to enjoy them without the hassle of blending and then cleaning the mess afterwards. But, I was sooooo tired. So, yes, next time I just might make one drink last through my entire meal.

I Have A Dream!!!

Don't you wish you knew what I might be dreaming? Well, that happens to be nunya......Anyway, I just thought I would sign it for a moment or two. I took a few pics of Chris and his family the other day. I am putting up a couple of those pics. I am thinking I wish I could photograph people etc. the way Rachel does, but I don't have the talent for that. Still, I am glad I can play with the ones I do take, and sometimes make them look a little nicer----sometimes I make them look worse. Shelayne said the same thing I was starting to say to her kids----don't smile. Sometimes I really just want them to look at me without those phony smiles.

Taylor has a set of the most beautiful eyes ever, and that baby, Nathan is so cute and so big now. Braden is handsome, and Dylan is cute. Honestly, there is just something about that Dylan that is so appealing. He's always been appealing to me. With his glasses, he looks so sweet. Chris has nice kids. Anyhoo, here they are for all the world to see. Enjoy! TTFN

Monday Again?

This past weekend Kris and I spent some time at Melissa's in Utah. She was kind enough to drive us all over the place. We had a good time, and I got a little camera happy when we went up into the mountains to see all the million dollar+ homes. The sun was setting, and it was really pretty up there. I am glad I thought to take my camera even though I thought we were only going out to dinner.

We also did a bit of shopping while there. I can't say which shop Kris liked best. But I like doing crafts. I enjoyed Hobby Lobby (or Holly Hobby as Kris usually mistakenly calls it). I got things I needed for some Christmas crafts I have in mind. I also got some goo 90% off items. Most everything I found was on sale, so I did quite well.

If you know me, you know I hate travelling, and I do a bit of panicking. However, I only had one major freak out. I practiced my breathing with my eyes closed. "Breathe in to the count of four and out to the count of six. Breathe, breathe, breathe. I could have had several other lovely spaz attacks if it were not for my efforts to breathe in such a calming way. Whew! I do know that I will not be making that trip very often. Breathing or not, it is still a scary ride.

Included with this little ditty here are a few pictures I took while out and about in Salt Lake. I would include the one of Kris and I with Dicks or I mean at Dicks Market. But, it's not one of the best. It was taken with my phone. I'll send it to you Smell by email when I have completed my corrections. Have a great week. TTFN

Candy Bar Game

This is Melissa's game, and I copied her exact words. Here is what she said.....Everyone who is playing. Lets do it like this. I love to make, insert a name of someone with your first candy bar choice. this will be their new name then an action and a treat of some kindExampleI love to make Betty butterfinger play with bananas .

Here is my response:

1. Hershey Bars

2. Snickers

3. Zero

4. Peppernint Patty

I would love to see Halle Hershey make a Homerun (whatever that candy may be)
Now keep this going.........TTFN

Just So You Can See

Sadie
Cortnie
Last two are Lexi

Cortnie looks best as the redhead paper doll, and Lexi looks like Lexi......TTFN

Sadie and Sophie spent the day here with Robert on Tuesday. His water had been turned off due to the Pineridge Apartments need to fix the swimming pool. Having no water presents a bit of a dilemma.

While here, I got several photos of the girls. Sophie was really into it and posed (mostly silly poses) for several. But, Sadie was not very cooperative. I could not get a single really good one of her. Not only that, she was only interested in being silly when I took some shots of the girls with Robert. I guess she is a Read in that sense.

While here, the girls both decided to make some “special drinks.” Although I pretended to take a taste (especially where Sophie’s drink was concerned), I didn’t really do so. There is no way I could have stomached it. Sadie’s was quite mild. Hers was a combination of lemonade, cranberry juice, and orange gelatin….no big deal. Sophie’s on the other hand consisted of her warm leftover, and most likely back-washed cream soda, additional cream soda, lemonade, orange juice, cranberry juice, orange gelatin, several squirts of lemon concentrate, water, milk, about ¼ cup of my triple berry smoothie, and about ¾ of a box of dry lime jello. She had previously been using her finger to get tastes of it. According to Sadie, the concoction was the color of puke and no way was she going to taste it. I probably would have gagged if I had actually tasted it. However, Sophie liked it just fine. After pouring it from bread pan to bowl to bread pan to bowl, she left the kitchen. Meantime, she asked me if I would bring her a cup of her special juice. Luckily, Robert saved the day---”Oh no, Grandma Sandy spilled it.” She had already tried several tastes of what she considered to be an excellent drink. Ick, I say. Triple ick! There is no accounting for a 4 year old’s sense of taste. I am very lucky that she didn’t watch me the way Josh used to do. He would always make sure I tried something he thought was truly good. But, that was usually some kind of candy. It was never a deadly, homemade drink. One day, perhaps I shall make a similar drink for Sophie. I’ll wait until she’s a teenager, and find out just how well she still likes her “special juice.” TTFN

I Hear You Smelly!

Thinking of things to put down on this blog can be difficult as Melissa has pointed out so well. One cannot use it as a diary and expose "very personal" thoughts and ideas. No way, Jose! So, I will just have to think of something to say on here.

I have continued to practice editing pictures. I have even made some paper dolls which will be printed up eventually and given as gifts to said children. I do have three detailed sets of instructions (each is different) on printing them, making them sturdy etc. I will figure it out. I will do so because I like giving unique gifts. It's more meaningful and more fun for me to do so.

I have printed up several different kinds of paper dolls. I had to do a kind of cartoonizing of the kids' faces and make them blend into the doll forms. I think they turned out quite well. there are even clothes to go with them. This kind of thing is very exciting for me. Once I have completed the whole project, I will be happy. Thinking of and then succeeding at a project gives me a sense of true accomplishment and a sense of "you ain't half bad." I enjoy thinking of and working on projects, but there is so much more to it than that. I can't seem to find the words to describe it. So, I will put a couple of samples of those paper dolls on here, and then when I have actually finished them, I will let you know. TTFN (P.S.---The color around the Sadie doll is of no consequence. It gets trimmed off after all)

DRAMA NEVER ENDS!!

Remember not too long ago how Matt's heart was broken? Well, it has happened again. This time though, it's my Robert. He spent some time over here this evening needing hugs, needing to have people around him, and in need of someone to listen. It is so hard to see your own children hurt and know that you can't do anything to relieve it for them. It's as if I am standing in a terrible storm and can't move. All I can do is watch it as it hurls its fury. I can feel it, hear it, and almost touch it. But, I am paralyzed. If I had the power to move, I would grab the storm and hurl it away even if it meant I had to go with it. But, I can't, I just have to remember the storm will pass and the winds will calm. Time will do that.

Those old painful memories return, but without the fury when I have to see it in my own. However, if I could relieve their pain quickly by taking a double dose of it myself, I'd do it without hesitation. I truly, truly wish that I could. But, I am powerless, and that is the most infuriating feeling. Seeing someones need, and being completely unable to do anything that will actually help. It STINKS!!!! I am so thankful that I am done with relationships. I'm a loner, I am content to have only family around and the older I get, the more reclusive I feel a need to be. I am glad about that. It's less risky, and more peaceful. It's hard enough seeing my kids and grandkids hurt. I am beginning to really think that maybe "Love ain't worth it." TTFN

OUCH!!!

This week LaeLoni hurt her finger. I wish I had taken a picture of it. She has one on her phone, but I don't think she put it on the computer here. (she sent it to her email). She tried to hit Robert when they were both acting like 5 year olds. Instead, she hit the door knob. Her middle finger was swelled up, and eventually the entire underside of it turned blue. She hurt for a couple of days. Anyway, the bruise is so light now that it wouldn't show up in a photo. LaeLoni is a real klutz and it served her right for trying to hit someone else, right? Right!

Now then, I am a different story. I think I must have felt left out in the pain department. I wanted to keep LaeLoni company, but I waited too long to do so. If ever you have wondered why Sadie May is so uncoordinated, you need only look as far as her dad, Robert. If you wonder about him, look at his mother. Oh, wait now that's me. Me a klutz? No way! Just because I walk into walls, have two left feet, trip over shadows, and cannot chew gum as I walk does not mean I am an uncoordinated klutz. I just have occasional accidents.

Last night, while retrieving a diet A&W root beer from the refrigerator, I knocked over a big bottle of cranberry juice. Unfortunately, I caught said juice bottle. Unfortunately you ask? Yes, because I had a little accident. The refrigerator jumped out and hit me very hard on the end of the finger. I didn't know it was alive and had the ability to smack anyone. It smarted, I stuck my finger in my mouth, calmly explained to Loni that I decided to join her in her quest to harm her finger, and hurt mine too. She didn't get the drift though because she is uneducated and doesn't understand "finger in the mouth speech."

I can't use my finger because it's (nearly 24 hours later) numb yet painful, and the nail is damaged etc. That doggone fridge hit it really, really hard. I could have cursed, but I did not. I whined instead, and then I iced it. It felt much better.

Loni damaged Middle Man, and I damaged Pointer. Last week, I damaged Thumbkin by stabbing him with a trimming scrapbook razor. Now then who would like to go next? We still need someone to damage Ring Man and Pinkie. Do I have any offers? I DO NOT intend to take those on myself. I'm done. So, on that note, I shall say a fond TTFN!

More Silliness

SANDY WANTS
To be your loyal fan (Only if you are Tyne Daly or James Spader)
Babies (I've had enough, thanks)
To Fly (Yes, I have always wished I could fly)
To Extend the restraining order (this is for all the bees out there----STAY AWAY FROM ME!)
A "nip/tuck" boob job (nah, I'm good)
To Make it Happen

SANDY HAS
The Beetis (if you say so)
More to Want--(want in one hand and spit in the other)
Possibly the best opening moment (you betcha)
Spyware (Darn straight, and I see you)
Left a heartbroken Quiznos (I'm sorry, but I had to leave you Quiznos. I'm in love with Wingers)
A free "Speerit" World (is this a foreign spirit world?)
Got a "Round Tuit's" Dreambook (and you should see what that Round Tuit put in its book---woohoo!)

SANDY MADE
A "Bee Sting" drink (Yummy, I think)
A beautiful page for someone (What can I say, I have talent)
Someone wear a Christmas hat (and he/she looked really strange)
Someone join Facebook (Yeah, I wanted him/her to deal with that crap)

SANDY DID NOT
Make $400 million on a Vietnam Water Deal (I got nary a cent)
Cause hauntings (No way Jose)

SANDY IS GOING
Broke by degree (Duh!)
on 70 (give or take a year or three)
Above and Beyond for family (Right)
The distance (inch by inch)

SANDY HAS GONE
Bowling
Shopping (fun, fun, fun)
Home (and on that note I shall end this silliness and say a big TTFN)

I Need

1. A Lovely Home ( Yes, I do with 2 bathrooms, a craft room, lots of storage etc.)
2. A man's man (Yes, he could fix everything that needs fixing)
3. A job (What??? I have no skills)
4. A drink (I am a little thirsty)
5. A girlfriend (I would love it if Kristi would move here)
6. To Learn about HIV/AIDS (I really don't need to worry about that)
7. Love (Kitty come and snuggle, now!!!!)
8. This (so I guess I get to choose---to be independently wealthy)
and last, but not least
9. To be killed REAL SOON (Who is going to accept the job?)
I wrote that last one exactly the way it was written

Clean Up, Clean Up Everybody Everywhere.....

This weekend, I decided to make the storage shelves a bit brighter and neater. It's not like they will stay that way. Somehow, we are unorganized and things get messy all over again. However, for now those shelves look mighty fine.

I bought a quart of paint and made a pass at painting the sides of each shelf. The wood did not take it too well. Still, it is better than nothing. It did not have to be a beautiful sight for my eyes---just better. After the paint dried, I lined most of the shelves with contact paper. It's just too bad the room stinks----cat litter and stuff you know. It's becoming that time of year where it smells now and again despite the fact that I clean it out every day, and change littler too. ICK!!!

Now, I need to work on the other sides of the room too and make them look passable. By the time I get them done (not today) I am half certain it will be time to work on the storage shelf side all over again. I am notorious for procrastinating. I inherited the gene. At least I will use that excuse for my lazy ways.

I am putting the proof of my hard (breathing heavily from exertion) work on here while I still can. I worked my little tushie off. Unfortunately I still have my gigantic one attached. Why, oh why is it always the little one that gets worked off? Taint fair. Anyhoo, I am guessing that I have no more to say. So, TTFN!