Doris, Doris, Doris!!!!

Okay - I was trying to catch up and check out everyone's blog this evening! Everything is going good and then I get to Dallas's blog! By the way, good list, Dallas! Scooby rocks!!!! LOL! :) Anyway, back to main topic! :) I go to leave a comment on his blog and, of course, I stop and read everyone elses. Well, well, well, let me tell ya! :) His previous blog was about the movie "Pirates of the Caribbean" and there was a lot of talk about Captain Jack Sparrow. By the way, good first name, I think! :) Anyway, I get to a certain someone's comment and it tells me something that I didn't know ('cause I haven't seen the movie yet)! I am not gonna repeat it in case it is true! In case you are not following any of this - I am pretty sure that our good friend, Doris, gave away the ending!!!!! :) LOL! Too funny!!!!! :)
Just teasing ya a little, Doris!!!! Love ya!

Cissa's Top Ten Resolutions

Resolutions for 2007!!!!!! :)

1) Lose weight! (This one is pretty much on everyone's list I think)! Mine also includes getting in shape, drinking more water, etc.
2) Save money! (Shouldn't be as hard as we make it)!
3) Get organized! (I have actually already started this one this week)! Go, me!!!!! :)
4) Do more w/my photography! (If I just applied a teensy weensy bit more - that would be nice. I have already done a job this month and it felt good - I actually made money).
5) Cook more! (I need some good recipes - please pass some my way)! :)
6) Not hang onto things b/c I am too scared to let go (or maybe I'm a packrat)! :) This one goes w/number 3 to get organized!
7) Write more! (Like Miranda - I enjoy writing and getting my thoughts down on paper - I mean, computer)! LOL! :)
8) Start scrapbooking! (I used to do this and had a lot of fun. Then it became hard b/c it seemed everyone else's was just so great and mine was mediocre. I also got busy with babysitting and put scrapbooking on the back burner. Plus, I am compulsive and that made it hard to start and finish even one page. Anyway, I need to just scrap my pictures and not compare mine w/anyone elses. I also need to be aware of my OCD and try to focus, but not to the point of obsession).
9) Start something new (could be anything)! Time will tell! :)
10) Simply do better or should I say "try harder." (I blogged about this in a previous blog).

Okay - I am figuring that Miranda has peed her pants by now and has to go change!!! LOL! :) I wish everyone luck with all of our terrific goals for the year 2007!!!!!!! We should have a team blogging name, huh?! Or am I just a nut?! :))
HAPPY NEW YEAR MY BLOGGER BUDDIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Merry Christmas To All!

And to all a good night!!!!! :) It is officially December 26th and Christmas is over! Although it is always nice - I am glad to see it end! This time of year just seems so hard on so many people! For many - it is a happy occasion, but for far many more - it is sad! Plus, and I am guilty of this myself, but we, as a society, indulge our little ones way too much!! Sooooo, I am here today, writing it down ('cause they say it makes a difference) - but my goal for the new year is to do better! Now, I know this must sound a tiny bit vague, but it really isn't. I want to do better in all aspects of my life! I want to be a better wife, a better mother, a better daughter, a better sister, a better friend, etc. I want to eat better and exercise better. I want better health and better weight. I want to be in a better financial situation. I want to cook better and shop better. I want to have a better relationship w/the Lord!!! Soooooo, I think you get the picture! LOL! :) I am not expecting to be perfect or anything. I just want to try harder! I want to listen more and talk less! And my main goal hasn't changed one single bit - and that is to HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!! I want to always be smiling! I am going to hang up a picture of Steve Irwin b/c he is going to be my inspiration for this New Year's goal!!!!! His wife, Terri, in an interview, said that he was always fun! He taught her how to jump in mud puddles and run and play in the rain!!!!! I think that is simply profound!!!!! And I want to always be looking for the fun in life!!!! (B/c there is so much heartache and I want to enjoy the fun parts when they are right in front of me)!!!!!
Soooooo, I am writing it down so I can always be reminded of my words today! I will not be perfect, but trying to do "better" and having "fun" while trying! :))
Here's to a New Year to all of us!!!!!! May it bring great things!!!!!!!!!!!! And remember - sometimes great things come in small packages!!!!!!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love ya!

Update On My Brother!

Just a quick update about Heath! He went to the ER last night and had to wait forever - of course! Anyway, they ran tests and checked him over and it is NOT a blood clot!!!!! Thank goodness! They don't, however, know what it IS yet, so they sent him home. He is supposed to keep an eye on it for the next couple of days and then call his dr. on Tuesday. Soooooo, he had good news and "we don't know" news! LOL! :)) So far, so good! Keep those prayers a comin'!!!! :)))))
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have lots of work to do tonight (Santa's helpers called and asked me to help w/some work)! ;)
HAVE A GOO DAY TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOVE,
CissaLynn :)

Quick Update!

Hey fellow bloggers! Just got a call from my brother that he is going to the ER tonight! He has a big lump under his arm and it is swollen and they (medical people on phone) said that it sounds like it could "possibly" be a clot! SCARY!!! Anyway, he is going to the ER to get checked out! Please continue w/prayer for him!
Let's all try and remember the good times of 2006 b/c there are so many hard things mixed in! Yet, somehow, there is a lot of good hidden in between - ya know! For starters - two babies were born and that alone is such a miracle!
To Alyssa and Gracie!!!!!!!! We love you and look forward to the New Year w/you little ones in our lives!!!!!! You two precious babes are the good that came from a hard year!!!!! God Bless You!!!!!
Merry Christmas! I love you all (my blogger friends)! You have become such an important part of my life!!!! I thank you all for loving and caring about me!

Cissa Says!

I just wanted to ask everyone to keep my brother in your prayers for awhile. He is doing better with his foot, but Wal-Mart is giving him a bit of a hard time. The story is just waaaaaay to long to tell - and I think everything will be okay in the end - he is just feeling down right now. Plus, even though his foot is better - it will never be the same. He will probably always limp. The dr. said he will only have "at best" 50% mobility of his foot! He is only working 16 hrs. a week and that is seeming to be too much on him physically. He is getting sooooo bored and feeling a bit depressed. He is my baby brother!!!! I am eleven yrs older than him (no making fun of my age)! LOL! :) I just love him and I appreciate all the prayers! I am probably making him sound worse, but he had a bad day yesterday and I was concerned. Soooooooo, I called him and I went to Chillicothe and took him to see a movie! We both wanted to see that new movie "Rocky Balboa!" Both Heath and I are Rocky fans!!!!! Again, no making fun of me, but I have the whole "Rocky" DVD set! LOL! :) Well, the whole thing started out wrong right from the beginning! We get there to the theatre and stand in line (for our pops) forever!!!! The movie starts at 7:45 and we finally get thru the line right at that time. Not looking good seatwise, huh?! Oh, so right! We didn't have to sit in the front row - just the next one back! Second row at the end! Sooooooo, we are looking up way high plus have our heads turned to one side as well! LOL!!!!!!!!!! :)) Pretty funny! Seriously, though, we did have a fun time! And we have agreed to do things like that more often (just sitting farther back next time)! :) The only truly not so good part of the evening was that the movie was not good! Neither one of us was very impressed and like I said - we are both fans! Too bad 'cause it could have been real good. We didn't think there was much of a story line at all! And there were so many things they could have turned the story into! Overall, the movie was a let-down! Especially if you are a fan! I mean - the movie is "Rocky" so that in itself is fun to watch, but we've seen it "5" times before and those "5" times had a story along with it! I did, however, enjoy watching Sylvester on the big screen and up-close and personal, too!!! :))) I had forgotten how much I like him!!!!! Has anyone seen his arms in the movie "Cliffhanger?!" Hmmmmmmmmmm, hmmmmmmmm, hmmmmmmmmmm - that is all I can say!!!!!!!!!!! :))
Cissa Says: Two thumbs down for the movie!
Cissa Says: Two thumbs up for Stallone!!!!! :)

Cissa's Big Ten!

My all-time favorite animated friends (not in any particular order): :))

1) Tom and Jerry (on everyone's list 'cause they are the best)!
2) Mufasa (from Lion King)
3) Road Runner
4) Scooby-Doo
5) Smurfs (a favorite when I was little - used to watch it w/my sister)
6) Mickey Mouse
7) Belle
8) Tarzan
9) Buzz Lightyear
10) Spirit

It is always hard coming up w/the final list b/c there are always more than enough answers to choose from! And it is always fun reading and comparing my lists w/everyone elses!!!! :))

Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO CARRIE!!!!!

I hope she finds this as funny as I did!!!!!!!

Love ya!!!!!! :)

Christmas Surprise!!!!!!!!

I just had to blog and tell everyone about my Christmas surprise!!!!! Mark and I do not usually buy each other gifts for Christmas anymore! Ever since we have had children - we just decided to stop buying for one another. We are usually okay with this arrangement, but every now and then (when I hear about a "cool" present a friend got from their husband) - every now and then - I miss it a little! I never complain, though, because I've got a real good man and he is good to me and that is what matters most! :) Well, my "real good man" just surprised me with a brand-new LAP TOP COMPUTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am still in shock!!!!!!! I was working on some pictures that I had taken of a friend's children and our main computer was taking forever!!!!!! By the end of the evening - along with me discovering some secret emails - and the gig was up!!!!!!! Mark left the room and came back w/my totally awesome Christmas present!!!!!!!!! It truly was a wonderful and unsuspected surprise! We had talked about getting one, but figured we would wait until summer. The best part of all is that this laptop is considered for me!!!!!! WooHoo!!!!!!! Now - I can blog wherever I go!!!!!! Anyway, I just had to share my joy w/all of my blogger friends!!!!!!! It is such a rare occasion when I get such an awesome treat for myself!!!!! It feels good!!!! And it is nice to blog about something happy (y'all know I don't hesitate to tell the bad)! LOL! I just wanted to share the good stuff as well!
Btw, you can call me Carrie Bradshaw now!!!!! (She is the writer from the TV series "Sex and the City"). They always show her typing on her laptop!!!! :))

Cissa's Top Ten!

My top ten reasons why I love Christmas!!!!! :)

1) Christmas music (you only get to really listen to this special music about six weeks all year long).
2) Buying presents for my boys! :)
3) My boys (and children in general) believing in Santa Claus! :)
4) Taking kids to the mall to see Santa! :)
5) Christmas Lights! Beautiful!!!!!!! (On a Christmas tree or a house decorated)!
6) Receiving Christmas cards in the mail!
7) PICTURES!!!!! I love taking/sending my own and receiving everyone else's! :)
8) The look of candy canes and the smell of cinnamon! :)
9) Giving to others! Especially an unsuspecting family!!! :)
10) I saved the BEST FOR LAST: Knowing that this is the time of year when Baby Jesus was born and what that means for us!!!! :)

I would just like to say that I am proud of myself!!!!! I got my list done fairly quickly and I am usually last!!!!!! Go, Cissa! Go, Cissa!!!!!!! LOL! Seriously, I hope everyone enjoys my top ten and I am looking forward to reading yours!!!!!!!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BOBBY!

Believe it or not - I got to see another movie last weekend!!!!! Yippee!!!!! My mom watched my kiddies overnight last Saturday, so Mark and I got to see a real-life, go to the theatre movie!!!!!! Unfortunately, there wasn't a movie playing that I had been "waiting to see!" Those good ones are soon to come out! We did, however, agree on the new one about Bobby Kennedy! It had so many good actors in it, so we felt pretty safe that it had to, at the very least, be intertaining!!! LOL! :) Well, let me tell you!!!!! It was GOOD!!!!!! I must admit - I did not know the whole story about Bobby's death. I mean, I have heard about JFK all of my life, but not much really about Bobby! It was just a really good, very interesting movie! And, I have heard since, that the accounts of the people, in the movie, were based on real-life! Get out!!!!!!!! I did not know that, either!!!!! (I am still not positive if this is true, so if anyone knows, please let me know)! That would really make the movie that much more intertaining! :) And I must end by saying this: after seeing this movie - I now realize - that the Kennedy's were definately special!!! For the world to love them the way we have - that is priceless! And listening to Bobby's speeches throughout the movie (which were the real ones during his election) - I fell in love with him, too! What can I say?! :) He looked like an ordinary man w/an ordinary family - someone we could all identify with! I think he genuinely knew what this world needed as did his brother! It is a shame that their lives were taken. I think they offered great things to our country, but they still had more to give. It would be interesting to know how things would have gone had they not been killed! Anyway, I just have a newfound respect that I was lacking before! :)
Cissa Says: TWO THUMBS UP!!!!!! A MUST-SEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
P.S. Next on my list of must-see movies: Charlotte's Web!!!!! Can't wait!!! :)

Cissa's Big Ten Songs

Okay guys! I know I took WAAAAAAY longer than everyone else to get this list done, but, MAAAN, it was HARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I finally sat down and went through my CD collection and picked some of my all-time faves!!!!! There were way more that I could have chosen, but since the rule is only ten - I followed the rule!!!!! That in itself is an accomplishment!!! LOL! :) Anyway, here goes:

(in no particular order)
1) "My Heart Will Go On" - Celine Dion - this is the movie where I got Jack's name from! :)
2) "Landslide" - Fleetwood Mac (sang by Stevie Nicks)!
3) "Livin' On A Prayer" - BonJovi
4) "Jack and Diane" - John Cougar Mellencamp
5) "Same Old Lang Syne" - Dan Fogelberg
6) "Thriller" - Michael Jackson
7) "What Have You Done For Me Lately" - Janet Jackson
8) "Crazy" - Aerosmith
9) "Against All Odds" - Phil Collins
10) "It's Your Love" - Tim McGraw (w/Faith Hill)

Whew!!!!! I did it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I must repeat and say it again, but there were MANY, MANY more that I did not list!!!! I think we need to do a Top 10 Country and Top 10 Christian - just to be fair!!!! :)) Anyway, these ones right here are some of my faves!!!! Enjoy!!!! :))

Cissa Says!

I stayed up VERY LATE the other night and watched a movie that I "thought" was going to be good! It turned out, however, to not be so good after all! I am very sorry to say that someone's man named "Viggo" starred in it - no wonder I thought it would be good!!! :) Unfortunately, it just didn't have good writing in it! I mean, watching Viggo was the best part!!!! :) It was violent w/a lot of shooting and had a pretty vivid sex scene (not too much nudity, but explicit)! Now - I could take the violence and all - it is just that the movie didn't take us anywhere (had a good plot, but somehow never made it work). Too bad, 'cause Viggo is GOOD!!!!! Oh, I guess you are probably wondering the "name" of this not-so-hot movie!!!! LOL! It is called "A History of Violence." :)
Cissa Says:
Two Thumbs Up for Viggo!
Two Thumbs Down for the movie!

Cissa's Big Ten!

10 Favorite Places Of All time!!!!!!!!!!

Now, keep in mind that I haven't traveled to very many places, so I tried to think of places where I totally have had fun!!!!!!! Here goes:

1) DISNEY WORLD!!!!!! Definately the happiest place on earth!!!!!!!!!! :)
2) NEW MEXICO - Have been there two times (my aunt lives there and I love the weather)!
3) CALIFORNIA - San Francisco - Definately the coolest place I've been too! Plus, Mark's sister lives in Chico, California!
4) NEW YORK!!!! Also a cool place! I have only been there one time, but hope to return! I have to seek and find my man Leo (or men - John Travolta and Joaquin and Brad Pitt) or hey, even some famous women friends (Kelly Ripa and Britney Spears) or couples (Tom and Katie).
5) CINCINNATI - Newport Aquarium and Cincinnati Zoo.
6) COLUMBUS ZOO - I just LOOOOOOOVE this place!!!!!!!!!!!! I feel comfort there amongst my animal friends!!!!!!!!!! :)
7) HOCKING HILLS - Peaceful place!!!!! I have fond memories of going there w/my mom and sister for a weekend visit and then, this past August, w/Mark's family!
8) SCHILLER PARK - Peaceful place again! I grew up going there and have taken my own kids (and most any child I have ever watched) there w/me!!!!!!
9) CARDOS - Best pizza around - what more can I say! I will drive very far to get there so, thank goodness, they returned to Circleville a few yrs. ago! :)
10) KINGS ISLAND/ALUM CREEK - These two were sort of a tie! I love to go to both! Each one brings a smile to my children's faces. And they are both fun, but in different ways!

I wrote at the top that I was listing places where I have had fun! While I was writing - I started to think about Terri Irwin (Steve Irwin's wife). She did an interview w/Barbara Walters (after Steve passed away) and something she said stuck w/me! When Barbara asked her what did Steve teach her - this is what Terri said (I may not say it exactly right, but you'll know what I mean). Terri said that Steve taught her how to HAVE FUN!!!!!! Terri said that Steve had FUN every day! He played in mud puddles and would run out in the rain! :) I remember thinking how sweet that was and that I wanted to be like that! Writing my Big Ten simply reminded me of that interview. It reminded me of where I go to have FUN! But I also realized - as I typed this - that I can try and have FUN in anything and everything that I do! I can choose to have fun! I can MAKE things that aren't really fun - I can try and turn it into fun! Ya know what I mean!!!!!! :)) Anyway, just a thought of mine - and I decided to share!
Love you all!!!!!!!!

Must-See Movie!

Hey everyone! I haven't been able to blog much b/c blogger has been giving me some trouble. It sometimes works and then sometimes doesn't. LOL! It seems to be working well, for the moment, so I figured I would take advantage and say a few words! :) I was invited to a premiere viewing of the movie "The Holiday" last night. There are some real great actors in it such as: Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Kate Winslet and Jack Black. I had watched the previews and thought it looked pretty good, so when I got the invite, I happily accepted! And, for those who know me well, I "rarely" turn down any invitation that gets me out of the house for a period of time! LOL! A night away from the kids!!!!!!!!! Fantastic!!!!!!!!!! :)) Anyway, it was playing at the Grand Arena - which for me - was also a treat! I am a small town girl. I mean - I have been to the Lennox and Easton theatres and all. It was just "neat" going to a place I hardly ever go to. I guess it felt like a moment out of time! Ya know! And that was nice! To top it all off - the movie was TERRIFIC!!!!!!!!! I highly recommend it! True, it is a chick-flick, but it was just a really good movie! It leaves you with a good feeling coming out of the theatre! And, I think the majority of us could use a little of that "good feeling" right about now! :) It is predictable, but so fun to watch!!!! I guess a good word to describe this movie would be "hopeful." It is a hopeful movie and leaves you with a sense of hope! Well...........for me it did!
Cissa Says: TWO THUMBS UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A MUST-SEE (for you girls out there)! :)
Oh, and today is the last day of November! Wow! 25 days until Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Believe it or Not!!!!!

Okay - my friend, Shadia, and I get up at 4:00 in the morning for all of the after Thanksgiving sales!!! Crazy, I know! :) Anyway, I kept calling us "newbies" since this was basically our first time in like FOREVER!!!!! So, I was reading Carleta's blog last night and saw that she was going shopping for the early bird sales as well. I left her a message - being silly - of how funny it would be if we ran into each other!!!! Like that is gonna happen on the busiest shopping day of the year!!!! Yeah, right! Well, don't assume anything in "Cissa's World" 'cause guess what?!! The first store we go to is Meijer on Georgesville Rd. and who do we run into of all people?!!!! Unbelievable!!!!! There, right in front of me, going the opposite way, is.....................Carleta and her gang!!!! I'm not sure who all was with her, but I saw her and Jennifer and Steph!!!!! :)) I stopped for "a second" 'cause the friend I was with kept going! :) We were looking for the TV's which, of course, were gone by the time we got there! And, for the record, I saw one in Ms. Carleta's cart!!!! LOL! :) I just have to say.............this year I was a newbie! Next year I will be much more prepared!!!!! ROFL!!!!!!!! Seriously, it was so cool seeing everyone (if only for a quick second)! I love you guys! And I think we should all make plans for next year to go and double up and have people at different ends of the store (with lists of what to get)! Shadia and I split up and did that and had some luck at Target!
Anyway, what fun!!!!!!! Let the Christmas festivities begin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :))

Christmas Cousins!

Okay guys! Here is the Archer version of a cousin Christmas!!!!! :)) It was impossible, on this particular day, to get all three kids to look at the camera (at the same time)! LOL! It just wasn't going to happen! I am just tickled that we got some! It looks like the baby could easily be mine, huh?! :) For those of you who may not know: Jack and Jake are my boys and Gracie is their cousin! She still feels like "mine" all the same! Anyway, we wanted to tell everyone "HAPPY THANKSGIVING"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hope everyone had a great day!

2 DAYS LEFT!!!!!

THE BIG COUNTDOWN IS ALMOST AT AN END!!!

WHAT DO YOU CALL A BEAUTIFUL GIRL IN THE MICHIGAN FOOTBALL STANDS?

A VISITOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL!!! :)
(One of my dad's favorite jokes)!

2 MORE BIG SLEEPS TILL WE BEAT MICHIGAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GO BUCKS!

GO BUCKS!

MICHIGAN SUCKS!

3 DAYS TILL WE BEAT MICHIGAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OSU - WE LOVE YOU!!!!!

M - MORONS!
I - IGNORANTS!
C - CRAP TALKERS!
H - HALLUCINATERS (if they think they can beat OSU)!
I - IDIOTS!
G - GIANT LOSERS!
A - ANYTHING, BUT GOOD!!!!!!
N - NOT GONNA BE WINNERS!!!!!!!!


GO BUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4 DAYS TILL WE BEAT MICHIGAN!!!!!!!!!!

GOOOO BUCKS!!!

Q: How many University of Michigan fans does it take to screw in a light bulb?

A: One, but he gets 3 credits. :)))))))))))))))

5 Days Till We Beat Michigan!!!!!!!!

More Christmas Pics!!!!

I know - I know - more Christmas pics!!!!!!!!! I just wanted to show a couple of different ones. We were practicing a new pose for the top one! Didn't quite turn out as expected, but still cute (in my opinion - and you know my opinion is worth quite a lot)! :)) The second pic is one I already blogged, but we wanted to show it in black and white w/a touch of color!!! Pretty cool, huh?! I think maybe "I" need to go to Photographer's Anonymous, too!!!!! :)

GOOOOO BUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WE DON'T GIVE A DAMN FOR THE WHOLE STATE OF MICHIGAN!
THE WHOLE STATE OF MICHIGAN!
THE WHOLE STATE OF MICHIGAN!
WE DON'T GIVE A DAMN FOR THE WHOLE STATE OF MICHIGAN!
WE'RE FROM O-HI-O!!!!!

WE'RE FROM O-HI-O! -------------"O" "H"
WE'RE FROM O-HI-O! -------------"I" "O"

WE DON'T GIVE A DAMN FOR THE WHOLE STATE OF MICHIGAN!
WE'RE FROM O-HI-O!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


GOOOOOOOOOOOOO BUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
6 DAYS TILL WE BEAT MICHIGAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Christmas Pics!!!! :)

Okay - I just figured it was my turn to post some pics of my boys!!! :) I was sooooo glad to see that Amy got her Christmas pics done early (like me)! :) It's never too soon to start!!!! It helps us moms feel a little ahead of the game!!! And, also, let's us show off our beautiful offspring!!!!! The sad thing for my kids, though, is that I will probably end up taking waaaaaay more!!! :)
Cissa Says: try and slow down a bit and enjoy this time of year! Remember the true meaning of why we celebrate! And reflect on the past, enjoy the present and look forward to the future!!!

Just another day in the life of Cissa!

I just had to blog about my day b/c in retrospect it is pretty funny! :) First off, the morning went real well. I got Jackson up and ready and on the school bus and Jacob slept in till 9:00. Good so far!! When Jacob gets up, we watch some TV and he does some computer and I do some dishes and we, basically, take it easy. Then, we get a phone call from Jack's school! Jack has a stomachache and he needs me to come and get him. No problem, except for those of you who know, Jacob pretty much stays in his underwear ALL DAY (until it is time to go somewhere)! So.........I have to make him (and bribe him w/candy) to get dressed! He doesn't want to, but, eventually, gives in knowing that he will get candy out of it! :) Anyway, we are getting in the car when I suddenly realize that I haven't renewed my drivers license (and it needed to be done by my birthday which was yesterday)!!!!! Why I just think of this right here and now is beyond me! :) My mind starts playing games with me! I start thinking that I will have to re-take my driving test (written and driving parts)!!!! The thought is just too overwhelming to bear!!! So..........I decide to pick up Jackson and then go renew my license (there is a place to renew right by Jack's school so it makes perfect sense). And for the record, Jack only had a little "ache" by the time I got there and no temperature. I didn't think he was that bad! So.........Jacob and I go to the school and pick Jack up. Jack says that his stomachache comes and goes. He feels okay at this point, but wants to come home b/c when it does hurt - it hurts! I tell him we have to make one stop and he is cool with that. Okay, so we go in to the BMV and everything goes pretty quickly. I guess going to the BMV during the day is a good idea b/c they aren't as busy as usual. So........I pay and fill out the forms and take the eye test and get my picture taken. While we are waiting - Jack's stomach starts to hurt and he goes downhill fast! Luckily there just happens to be a nurse there and she looks him over and says it doesn't look like anything like his appendix - THANK GOODNESS! But, all of a sudden, he says he needs to go #2!!!!! Shouldn't be a problem, right?! Don't forget - this is me we are talking about!!!! I ask if they (BMV) have a bathroom and, of course, they do not!!!!! Well, not a PUBLIC one, that is!!!!! So.......I tell the girl I have to leave and find a bathroom and that I will be back to pick up my license (I am, at this point, just waiting for it to be finished). The girl says that is okay and I take the boys and run out! We go to Family Dollar a few doors down (Jack is crying in pain) and they tell me - NO PUBLIC BATHROOM!!! By this time - I am getting upset! I have a kid here who is crying, in pain, and has to go #2! Finally, I find a laundry mat and they have a bathroom and let me use it! THANK GOODNESS!!!!! So, we go in and Jack goes and feels a little better! But.........does it stop here? Of course, NOT!!!!!! Jack goes to flush the toilet and TA-DA.......it doesn't flush!!!!! Something is wrong with the toilet!!!!! I look for someone to tell, but no one is at the front desk! So........we just leave!!!! I felt soooooooo bad, but I was crazy at this point! So..........we go back to the BMV and pick up my license. But, in the meantime, Jack's stomach has started hurting AGAIN!!!!!!!! So..........I get my license and I take the boys out to the car. Jack is crying hard by now and saying that it hurts really bad. I am parked in the 2nd row so we have to walk between the 1st row of cars. As we are walking through - guess what happens?! I am holding Jacob's hand and he - BAM - bashes his head into a side mirror of a car!!!!!!!!!! Now I have two boys crying their eyes out and I don't know what to do! I pick Jake up and kiss his boo-boo, but I know that his head simply hurts! I feel like crying myself b/c both of my kids are in pain and I feel soooooo helpless. But, magically, we get in the car and everyone seems a little better. We get home and Jacob is fine and Jack uses the bathroom again and then he is fine, too. So..........all ends well, but the memory still lingers for me!!!!!!!! Whew!!!!!!!!! What a day!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope everyone else's was better!!!!!! :) And, btw, we went to Home Town Buffet yesterday - so I think that is what upset Jack's stomach! He has been fine since getting it out of his system!!! LOL! :)
P.S. And THANK YOU for all of the birthday wishes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love ya!!!! :)

Saturday Night Live!

LIVE! From Grove City! IT'S SATURDAY NIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (pretend music playing)!!!!! :) Okay, so I wanted to give everyone an update on my last couple of days! First off, my dad's follow-up appt. went VERY WELL! The eye dr. said he was doing terrific! The appt. went fast - we were in and out within an hour and the dr. said his eye was even better than expected! Great news!!! My dad said the worst part of the whole thing was him being hungry! LOL! I guess he wasn't allowed to eat anything past midnight the night before and his surgery had been scheduled for 12:30 the next day! Sucks, I know. And then, he didn't even have the surgery till about 3:00 instead! He said that was the worst part since you couldn't eat all day (or the night before really) and b/c of that he got a bad headache. So..........I thought that was reassuring for people to know. The worst part of cataract surgery was being hungry and having a headache!!!!! Anyway, we are all just happy that everything went well. He looks good and feels good - so that is great!
Okay, second on the Saturday Night Live Report: we didn't get Gracie on Friday!!!!! :( I guess Cortney called Heath and said that both the girls were sick! And Gracie has pink eye!!!! Poor babies!!!! (Gracie has an older sister, Emma, for those who might not know. Emma is two and a sweetie)! We were pretty disappointed, but know that it couldn't be helped. There is a chance we could get her tomorrow! Please pray about this also!!!! We are all missing her so very much! And Heath is missing her the most of all! He has hardly gotten to see her her whole life! Can you imagine?! Anyway, I appreciate all of the prayers!!!!! Thank You!
And last, but not least, I just saw another movie and had to blog about it! :) It just so happened to come on HBO (I NEVER see anything good on HBO and, suddenly, good movies come out of nowhere)! Go figure! :) Well, the one I watched tonight was called "Prime." It starred Uma Thurman and Meryll Streep. I remember wanting to see it when it was at the theater, but didn't get a chance too! My opinion is that it definately was not as good as "In Her Shoes," but it wasn't bad, either. It was just okay. It had interesting parts, but nothing really stood out. Meryll Streep is good in ANYTHING! She can make any movie good! She just has that way. And Uma Thurman was good in it, too. I guess, for me, the movie didn't go anywhere. It was just okay. It wouldn't be my first choice, but not my last, either. Just somewhere in the middle!
Cissa Says: One Thumb Up! :)

Please Pray!

I don't think anyone knows this, but my dad had cataract surgery on his eye this afternoon (Thursday). Everything went well. I am taking him in the morning for a follow-up and I wanted to ask everyone to keep him in your prayers! Thanks so much!! It is a pretty routine procedure, but still, it's surgery and that is scary! He did real well, though, and I am happy that it is over! And my brother's foot is doing good, too! He will probably be able to start physical therapy in the next couple of weeks. They say that the PT will be hard and painful, but he is just happy to be moving forward. He has just felt so trapped all these weeks. So.......things are going better for him now. Things look hopeful! :) And the best part of all.................we get to see my niece, Gracie, tomorrow!!!!!! Heath is bringing her to my mom's house around 2:30!!! We are so excited! I wonder if knowing that we get to see our girl might have helped my dad with his surgery?! Ya know what I mean?! It is something good to look forward to when the bad part is over! I don't know. It was just a thought. I think it would have helped me so, maybe, it helped him! :)
My boys get to see Gracie this time (last time she wasn't there long enough). This time they get to come and see their cousin! That makes me happy, too! So..........be looking for blog pics of Jack and Jake with Gracie ('cause you know I'm gonna take a ton)! LOL! :)
Cissa Says: Have a good weekend!

America's Next Top Model ?!

Okay guys! :) There really is a story behind this funny picture! :) I told Miranda I would blog it for everyone to see! Mark took this pic of me back in September at my brother's big wrestling event (remember the snake pics?). Mark had to keep adjusting the lighting before we could take any "real" pictures. He needed a "subject" to stand in b/c it really helps get the lighting to the right balance. I, of course, being the big "ham I am" willingly took the job! LOL! :) At first I would just stand there - I mean - there were other people around - I had to act sophisticated! I would stand there and smile like a normal person! But, I, eventually, got tired of that and this is what came out of it!!! LOL! I started doing all sorts of goofy poses! And before you ask, Mark erased all the others, but he saved this one! Anyway, I just thought you all might get a kick out of it!
Cissa Says: ENJOY!!!!!!!!!! :)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

The last day of October!!!!!! And, boy, did it go fast! Tonight was trick-or-treating here in Grove City and it rained the entire day! Me, being me, of course, kept saying that maybe it would be cancelled (and rescheduled, of course). My mom was laughing at me and saying that she has never heard of trick-or-treat being cancelled. LOL!! And she was right, I must say! Trick-or treat started at 6:00 and my kids and I were ready to roll at 5:55 - rain or shine! :) We had our big golf umbrellas and were ready to go! My mom and dad came with the boys and I (btw). So..........we go to about five houses and I suddenly realize that we are the ONLY ones out trick-or-treating!!!!! LOL! :) I look at my dad and say, "we are the only ones out going trick-or-treating!" My dad looks at me and says, "that's 'cause we're STUUUUUUPID!" And we both start laughing our heads off!!! For the record, after that, there were TONS of people! I think there were more trick-or-treaters this year than last! And it was a cold, dark, wet, rainy night! Oh well. I mean, come on, it's free candy!!!! You gotta go!!! LOL! :) Oh, yeah, and I have to mention this! There is one street in my neighborhood called Carlotta (yes, it always makes me think of Carleta)! :) Anyway, that street got smashed with trick-or-treaters!!!! They were everywhere!!! It was unbelievable!!! Well, Jack and I walk up to one house and there are ALL of these people standing there. There were a lot of people standing all around and there was a line for the candy! Crazy! Anyway, it looked soooo funny that I thought maybe something was going on - you know, something cool. In case some of you don't know - several homes in my neighborhood really sets some scary and cool decorations up. So, I figured that must be what is going on at this very packed home! So.........I ask a lady what is going on and she said nothing. It was totally, for real, the candy line!!!!! That is how busy that street got!!! There was actually a line clear to the sidewalk at this house!!! Insane!!! :) We had a fun time and the weather turned out to be real nice! Perfect Halloween weather!!!! It reminded me of when I was a kid going trick-or-treating - so it was a good night!!!
I hope everyone had a great month of October!!!!! In the morning it will be the 1st of November! A month of giving thanks and thinking of others and....................MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will be expecting lots of calls, cards, well wishes, and, of course, money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL! :)
More later!
Cissa Says: Good Night!

Cissa Says!

Okay - I just stayed up late and watched a movie on HBO. It was called "In Her Shoes" and starred Cameron Diaz and Toni Collette. Anyway, it was another great movie! When it was out at the theaters - I had no interest in seeing it. I didn't think it looked that good and I am a becoming a little pickier when it comes to movies. I mean, they cost so much, for one thing, and I don't get to go that often. So..........this one was not on my list at the time! It just so happend that tonight every channel had reruns. Go figure?! Anyway, I was gonna watch an old Law & Order rerun (but I watch these all the time and kinda needed a break). So, what does a gal do?! Channel surf, that is what! :) I have a lot of channels and the movie ones are in the higher numbers so I usually check those last. They more often than not have something dumb on at the time I want to watch. Anyway, I am getting off track here. I finally get to the movie channels and voila! The movie "In Her Shoes" has just started! Lucky me! It must be my lucky day! :) First, all of my favorite shows are reruns. Second, nothing good (or worth seeing)is on the cable channels and third, a good movie is on HBO!!!! I am being sarcastic, of course! :) Well, let me just tell you - God works in small ways!!!! This one is a VERY GOOD MOVIE!!!! I highly recommend it!!!! It made me laugh - it made me cry - and it left me with a good feeling at the end!!!! So.........if you are ever at the video store looking for something to rent - check this out! You won't be disappointed!!
Cissa Says: Two Thumbs Up! :)

Cissa Says!

Did anyone watch "Desperate Housewives" last night? I thought it was HILARIOUS! One part in particular was the Lynette part where she kicked in the door and said "Ding Dong!" LOL! :) I laughed and laughed! It just cracked me up!
I also wanted to recommend two movies to see! Both of the magician movies (The Prestige and The Illusionist) are good movies! I recommend seeing both of them b/c they are very different from one another. And, personally, having already seen them, I would see "The Prestige" first. Both of these movies will keep you guessing until the end! Anyway, two thumbs up from me! :)

GRACIE!!!!!!!! :)

Here is our little angel girl Gracie!!!!! We finally (after several weeks) got to see her! She looks just like Heath and is a total doll-baby!!!! I know I previously stated that I can't stand "braggers" about their children! LOL! But I get to bend my own rules seeing that we haven't gotten to see her for so long! :) All I can say is that being an aunt is terrific!!!! She is my girl and we love her very much!!!! Thank you, Lord, for working in our lives! Thank you for teaching us patience. Thank you for letting us learn how to have faith in you! It wasn't easy, but it sure was worth the wait!!!! Btw, the first picture is of Heath and Stacey with Gracie! Stacey is such a sweetie and has stayed by Heath's side through everything! We love her, too! Okay, I will stop for now, but don't be surprised if I post more pictures! I can't help myself! Our girl is back and we are thrilled!
Love ya Gracie Girl!!!!!! :)

Ballet

Well, I don't know about any of you, but it has been YEARS since I went to see a ballet show! A good friend of mine works for the BalletMet and sometimes gets free tickets. Pretty cool, huh?! She has been working there for almost a year now as an executive assistant. It's a pretty good job 'cause she doesn't have to leave until 8:00 in the morning and is home by 2:00 in the afternoon. I hope to be so lucky someday when my kids are both in school!!! :) Anyway, my friend invited me to see the show "Dracula" put on by the BalletMet. We went to see the show today and it was AWESOME!!!!!! I guess I had forgotten how good the ballet or even theatre plays can be!!! I shouldn't be surprised that I liked it! It reminded me of the art shows that I have been to. I came away with that same feeling. It is just simply so creative and words cannot express it. Maybe that is why they call it "performing arts!" :)) Anyway, it got me to thinking about Carleta's blog (about kids). I started wondering how many children go without ever seeing such a play! Kinda sad, huh?! How would a child ever know if they were interested in the perfoming arts if they have never been exposed?! I must admit - my children have never been to one. I can say, though, that they will definately be going to one now! :) I guess what I'm trying to say is this: kids should be exposed to many, many different things. Education and sports is only a small part of it. There are so many other things that get a back burner like music, art, dance, etc. It would be nice for kids to get the whole experience in life. I don't know how to do this myself, with my own kids, but I am going to strive to find a way. I suppose being aware of it is a big part of it. But, maybe not being so rigid is also a part. And, maybe being open-minded is a part as well. Anyway, after reading Carleta's blog I got to thinking. I want to help my children find wings to fly. Every parent does. My point being: how can our children find their wings to fly if they can't see all of their choices?! I don't know. I feel that I was led to this show for a purpose. It was a good show, but it wasn't ONLY a show for me. I came out of it with a much deeper feeling than that. It is a feeling that I want my children to know about. I want them to see beyond this small horizon of Grove City and Columbus. I want them to see and appreciate the world and ALL that is out there for them. After the show (and even during I guess) I wished I was a child again. I wished I had been given the opportunities that I am talking about. Maybe I would have liked being a dancer. I will never know. My time has passed, but my children's time has not. I am going to give them the chance that so many of us miss out on! Sitting here as I ramble on - I am thinking - I DID go to some performances as a child. Maybe another part of teaching my kids will be TALKING to them. Not only expose them to such performances, but also talk to them about it. Oh well! I am not sure exactly what I am trying to say. I just know that I want my kids exposed to different things in life. I want them to get to see and do things that I never did. I want them to have a fun childhood. I guess I want what every parent wants - the world at my children's fingertips!!!!! :) Most of all - I want them to be happy!!! I don't want them to look back one day and say, "I didn't know I could be that?" I, as their mother, feel responsible! I have been given such an important job and some days I don't feel honorable enough to do it. But I'm sure gonna try! God uses days such as today as reminders on how to do my best. And he uses blogs as reminders, too! :)
Thanks for listening to my ramblings!!!!! I have so many thoughts going through my mind and they are all jumbled. I hope anyone reading this could follow (enough that I don't sound like a crazy gal)! :)
Love ya!

Unexpected Guest!

So, I was talking with a friend tonight - who by the way works for BalletMet and is taking me to see Dracula this weekend!!!!!! Cool, huh?!!!!!! Anyway, we were talking about accidentally burning food and the fire alarm going off - FUNNY, I know!!!! Well, I, of couse, have a story on that one!!!! :)
Okay, it is a nice summer afternoon (last year I think). Jackson and Jacob are playing and Jack's friend, Richard, comes over. I had just put some chicken noodle soup on the stove when the doorbell rang and it was Richard. Well, I have to "all of a sudden" use the bathroom (if you know what I mean)! :) I ask Richard if he will play (entertain) Jack and Jake while I do what I need to do! LOL! So..........I am in the bathroom and I finish and I realize that I have a few minutes away from the kids. So, what does a worn-out mom do?! She takes advantage of it and starts reading a magazine - that is what!!!!! :) Well, I am sitting there (relaxing) when all of a sudden the fire alarm goes off!!!!!!! Well, being the good mom that I am, I RUN OUT OF THE BATHROOM TO SEE IF EVERYTHING IS ALL RIGHT! THERE MUST BE A FIRE!!!!! And, yes, my pants are still down at my feet!!!!!! And, yes, Richard, is still there!!!!!!! How embarrassing to say the least!!!!! As soon as I get into the kitchen I realize that 1)there is NO FIRE!!!! It is my stupid chicken noodle soup that I had forgot about and it is boiling over and steaming up the kitchen! And 2)Richard is there and my pants are at MY FEET!!!!!! So.........I yell for Richard to NOT LOOK!!!!!!! And Richard is yelling back, "I'M NOT LOOKING!" Can you imagine?!!!!!!! The only "good" thing or, maybe I should say "thankful" thing was that I wear long t-shirts so..........my shirt covered most parts that needed to be covered! So...........anyhoo...............we (Mark and I) joke and say that I'm a pervert 'cause a twelve year old boy saw me naked!!!!!!! ROFL!!!!!!!! For the record - I wasn't naked (just my butt hanging out)! ROFL!!! And no one will ever really know what Richard saw (except for him, of course)! LOL! And.........if this story isn't funny enough..........I have another "naked" story I will tell tomorrow! Until then............................good night! :)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Halloween!!!!!! I can't believe it is October already! Before we know it - it will be Christmas!!!!! Yeah!!! The weather is supposed to take a nose dive and be pretty chilly tomorrow! I have a feeling it will be winter coat time! Which makes me wonder? What kind of weather will we have for the pumpkin show?! :) The last few years seems to have been rainy, but warm, well, comfortable. We may just have a "cold" pumpkin show this year! It might be a nice change! I remember back when I was in high school (many moons ago) - when we went to the pumpkin show it would be snowy and freezing! We had to wear mufflers and mittens! That seems so long ago now. Man, how things change! Life changes and it changes fast. Some changes are good and some are not so good. But, then again, some memories of back when are good and some are not so good, either. If I only knew the things I know now! All any of us should do is live in the present! Go ahead and look back (but only for a moment) - this will help us learn from our mistakes and keep the good going. Go ahead and look forward (again, only for a moment) - this will help us be aware of things to come or things that may come and we will be prepared. For the most part, though, just stay "in the moment." That is one thing that I have learned through all of my experiences in life. Once these "moments" are gone there is no getting them back. And it is these little "moments" that make up the big parts of our lives.
My point for today: take time to live in the moments of your life!

I am goofy! :)

Okay - I keep thinking of that song "Rain, rain, go away, come again another day!" It has been raining here since like 5:00 or so. Anyway, that song got me to singing another one: "Oh, no! Suck my toe! All the way to Mexico! And while you're there, comb your hair and don't forget your underwear!" LOL! :) I know - where does this come from?! Trust me - if I knew I would have put a stop to it years ago! :) And here is one last one for the night (it is a poem my dad has been quoting for years): "Little birdy in the sky - went and doo-doo'ed in my eye - me don't care, me don't cry - me just glad the cows don't fly!" ROFL!!!!! I think my title for tonight should have been stolen from Miranda: "I've got a thinkin' problem!"
Oh well. Enjoy! :)

This week's update on Heath

Hey guys! Just wanted to give everyone an update on my brother! He got to come home from the hospital yesterday (Monday)! Yeah!!!!!!! :)) His metal plate ended up coming out b/c the infection would not go away otherwise. After taking it out - the infection is now gone! Thank goodness! So.........now it is a waiting game. He is to continue staying off that foot (which means bed rest and crutches and/or wheelchair). The goal is for his foot to heal on its own to be strong enough to function. If the infection does NOT come back, then he will have physical therapy in a few weeks. They say that will be painful as well. My mom watched my boys on Sunday and Mark and I went to the hospital to visit him. We were there for 4 1/2 hours!!!!! Heath was so sick and tired of being there - so we are all so thrilled for him to be home!!!!! As of today (Tuesday) he is doing well and not having too much pain - which is a good sign! So............thanks again for all the prayers!!!! We hope he is over the roughest patch and it will be better now!!! The poor guy deserves a break. I think I have a better understanding of people who are bed-ridden, though. It sucks and it is hard b/c your mind is still so full yet you are stuck in that dang bed!!! How frustrating!! Lesson for today: you never really know what someone is going through until you have crossed that bridge! I like this phrase that I have said before, but I think it bears repeating (I know I need to be reminded and typing it reminds me): Be kinder than necessary b/c everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. It is soooooooooo true! And I have been blessed with all of my wonderful friends!!!!! I love ya! Thanks for all the prayers!

OCTOBER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is it just me or did this month of October come quick?! Whew! Time is flying by (I remember when it felt like tomorrow would never come - let alone next week or next month)! And now I blink and it is the next year! :) I really enjoy the month of October - with it not too hot and not too cold - the leaves on the trees changing to beautiful colors - pumpkins and scarecrow decorations - haybarns and hayrides - and the best of all - dressing up for Halloween!!!!!!! I loved it as a kid and I love it still!!!!!!! I am known to dress up every year - and even when I don't - I love watching all the children in their proud costumes!!!!! It is a special time of year and I hope that everyone gets to enjoy it!
Oh, and btw, I have heard that some pretty "cool" people were born in October, too! :) I do know that the first week of November had some "awesome" ones born! :) So............HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL WHO WERE BORN IN ONE OF MY FAVORITE MONTHS - OCTOBER!!!!! LIVE - LAUGH - LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CissaLynn's Friday Update On My Brother

So........are you all sick of hearing about my brother and his foot?! Well, guess what?! There is more!!!!! I know it is INSANE!!!!! Anyway, he is having surgery on his foot AGAIN!!!!! It is scheduled for tomorrow morning (Saturday). The infection is some kind of rare infection and is not going away and the dr. thinks it is dangerous to leave the metal plate in there. So........the dr. is going to be taking it out! The dr. hoped that by cleaning the area out yesterday - that it might help the infection. It didn't work so the metal plate is now coming out. And........Heath is probably going to have to get a second opinion, too. My mom has a friend who is a nurse and she suggested OSU, but someone else mentioned Mt. Carmel. Either way - he needs another opinion.
I know you all have been praying and thinking about us!!!! I hope you know how much we truly appreciate it!!!! Heath is going through so much right now and is just hanging on! He has good days and bad - so your prayers really matter!!!! I know I sometimes question (when I am praying) if it really matters sometimes. I know I shouldn't question, but, hey, human nature. Anyway, I know from this personal experience - that IT DOES MATTER!!!!!! It matters in all sorts of ways!!!!! I just want to say thank you to everyone for caring about my brother, my family and me!!!!!! It means a lot!!!!!!
I will keep everyone updated!
Have a good weekend - and maybe I will get a chance to blog something else for you guys to read! LOL! :)
Oh, btw, GO BUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another Update On My Brother

Hey guys! Well, I was in Circleville pretty much the whole day yesterday (came home for an hour to change and then right back again). Anyway, Heath was supposed to have his foot surgery yesterday by 3:00 p.m. He ended up not having it, but we (and he) were all understanding. I guess a little old lady came in the ER screaming and moaning. She had fallen and broke her hip and/or leg. She was in lots of pain and her surgery took like 5 hours!!!! By the time the dr. was finished, he told Heath they should wait till this morning. The dr. was exhausted and needed to rest. And I myself would prefer a "fresh" doctor working on one of my family members (anyone else can have a tired dr)! :) LOL!!!! Just kidding. I think ANYONE would want a "fresh" doctor!!!! Sooooo.......Heath had his foot surgery this morning and all went well. The dr. left the metal plate in his foot for now. He is going to wait and see how things go. Heath may need a 2nd surgery again on Sunday!!!!!! Whew!!!!! That is pretty much all we know for now. It is a waiting game for the next couple of days. And to make things worse - Heath's girlfriend, Stacey, had a "boil" on her back. Some of you may be thinking "what?" My dad gets them. A boil is basically a big sore and it is very painful. You usually have to get them removed by the dr. and that hurts too! The dr. will lance it and then pack it and leave a string hanging out (I know - GROSS). Then you go home (it is done in the office fairly quickly) and after a couple days - you pull the string - ever so gently - and remove the packing. I just know my dad winces when he gets one. It hurts before, during and after. And boils can be reoccurring which means you can get one or two a year!!! So.........Heath and Stacey need a lot of prayer!!!!!!
Sorry to be so vivid! I hope I didn't gross anyone out! LOL! :)
Thanks for caring!
Love ya'll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just realized that some of you may be wondering why my brother is having surgery AGAIN!!! Well, he has been real sick and getting high fevers. It turns out he has a staph infection most likely caused by the metal plate they put in. His body is rejecting it. He may have to have surgery again on Sunday, too! The dr. is keeping him at the hospital to wait and see how everything goes. So........just wanted to let you all know. Thanks so much!!! Hope all is well with everybody else! :)

Update on Heath

Hi everyone! Just wanted to let you all know that Heath is going back into the hospital again! Some of you may know that they already put a metal piece into his foot about a week or so ago. It is a 6 in. by 1 in. piece of metal with seven screws (one in his ankle) to hold it in place! OUCH!!! He has been in tremendous pain and has been to the doctor. Last week he got a real high fever (he just thought he might be sick), but turns out his foot is infected. He went to the dr. last week when he was sick 'cause his foot started - how do I say this - oozing! YUCK!! The dr. sent him home and he was okay over the weekend, but got real sick again on Sunday (he has actually never been "well" since his foot was hurt). Anyway, the culture came back from last week and he has a staph infection and will be going back to the hospital on Wednesday. The dr. is going to re-open his foot and clean it out and go from there. I went to see Heath on Saturday evening (after Moriah's ninth birthday party - previous post). Mark and I drove to Chillicothe to see Heath and take him a present. We stayed till after midnight and didn't get home till after 1:00 in the morning! Anyway, Heath unwrapped his foot and showed it to us (per my request of course). :) OH MY GOSH!!!!! IT IS NASTY!!!!!!!!!!!! Words cannot describe what his foot looks like! His foot will never be the same! I guess he said that the dr. told him he will always have to take pain medication on and off from here on out! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?! I, myself, knew it was bad, but not that bad! It looks awful! And it was all red and oozy from the infection! I feel so bad for him! And I am also a little more scared at this point! We figured he would be on the way to recovery by now and it's like he is back at square one AGAIN! So, please keep my brother in your prayers! And Stacey, too (his girlfriend)! She is working long hours and taking care of him and she was sick over the weekend, too!
And btw, I was sick today myself!!! No one is immune!!! LOL! :)
Hope all is going well for everyone! Thanks for your prayers!
Love ya!!!

Silly String

Hey there! I am finally getting to blog again!! Yeah!!! My aunt celebrated her grand-daughter's birthday Saturday night at Donatos Pizza. My aunt, Dena, has one son named Chris. He and his ex have two girls, Moriah and Cailey. Cailey is six and Moriah just turned nine (it was Moriah's birthday we were celebrating). The girls live with their mom in Kentucky and my aunt (their grandma) takes them for a weekend about every six weeks or so. Their dad, Chris, is my cousin and lives in Florida. So.......we are all at Donatos - in the party room - which is just a little room with about six tables - and we have pizza and are ready for the cake. Well, Mark had brought the candles, but we forgot matches. So.......Mark asks the waitress if they have anything to light the candles with. The waitress comes back with a lighter - she got it from one of the delivery guys and he wanted to make sure he got it back (it was his favorite lighter). I told her thank you so very much for finding a lighter and that we appreciate it and we would definately give it back - it only took a minute to light the nine candles anyway. LOL! :) So......as I am telling her thank you - we are talking about how loud our group is - we ask her if we are driving her crazy and guess what she says?! :) She says "oh, no, not at all!" She said she was just glad that we weren't like this group that came in last year and had silly string! She said they made such a mess! Well, we start dying laughing and looking at each other and tell her - guess what? - THAT WAS US!!!!!! She was so embarrassed!!! We laughed soooooo hard! She said she was new back then- this was back in March for Cailey's sixth birthday! My aunt surprised the kids and had the adults spray silly string all over them! It was hilarious!!!! And very messy! The waitress said that she had just started when this group came and sprayed silly string everywhere! I, of course, said that we had cleaned it up real good (we certainly didn't leave it for the waiters). She was like "trust me, there was more!" CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!!!!! It was just soooooo funny! :) She was the embarrassed one when we should have been! But were we?! Oh, no! We are laughing ourselves sick and talking about how funny it was! Anyway, the story makes for a nice blog! I tell ya - everywhere I go - something new to blog! LOL!
Btw, Moriah got a new parakeet for her birthday!!!! She was so excited! It was a nice surprise! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MORIAH!!!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!!!

Some Good Advice I Read

Okay - I have had a long, hard week myself, but got an email that perked me up! :) It literally brought tears to my eyes! I was sitting at my computer reading it with giant tears coming down my face! I'm not sure, but I think I forwarded it - so, Miranda, you may already have read it, too. Basically, it just reminded me to appreciate life! Life in every way! Here were some examples it gave: 1)when you hear the alarm in the morning and if you are like most people (and groan) - say a prayer of thanks that you can hear that alarm! 2)when you see the morning light and grumble for more time - say a prayer of thanks that you can see! 3)when you don't feel like getting out of bed (b/c you are tired) - be thankful that you have the strength to rise! 4)when the mornings are crazy and you are running around trying to get yourself and/or everyone ready - be thankful that you have a family! 5)if your house doesn't look like the magazines or your neighbors (all spotless) - say a prayer of thanks for this as well! And, finally, 6)when you feel like your job is monotonous - say a prayer of thanks for that, too! Because there are many who can't hear; many who can't see; many who can't get out of bed (bedridden); many who are lonely (with no family); many who have no home; and last, many who have no job! For some reason this email was so touching! Just a reminder to be thankful for ALL that I have!!! Oh, and I saved the best for last! The very last thing it said was this, "BE KINDER THAN NECESSARY FOR EVERYONE YOU MEET IS FIGHTING SOME KIND OF BATTLE!" Wow!!!!! It truly hit home for me! God is saying that YOU CAN NEVER BE TOO KIND!!!!!! Anyway, I just wanted to pass it on b/c it was inspiring to me! I hope you guys like it, too!

Snake Man

As you all know from my previous blog - my brother was the announcer at a wrestling event this past Saturday in Circleville. Mark and I were the photographer/videographer for the event. Now, for those of you thinking.........wrestling?.............no, thank you!..............we actually had a fun time! I must say it WAS loud, but awful impressive. The routines these guys do! They really have to prepare. And I tell ya - some of it totally looked real! And as I mentioned in an earlier blog - I almost got my camera smashed into my face! These guys are flinging around the ring and I, of course, had my big head clear up inside the ring! I know, I know...........but I had to (no other choice) b/c the lighting was sooooo bad in the building............I tried to take pictures (in the beginning) from farther away and it just did not work! The only thing that worked (and still only halfway decent) was to get as close as I could! And for those of you who don't know it - wrestlers (unlike boxers) come OUT OF THE RING!!!!! I had to run a couple different times b/c I was in the way! LOL! :) Anyway, the wrestler in these pictures is Snake Man (aka Devon Michaels). His snake's name is Jezebel. As you can see - he was one of our favorites (or at least he was mine)! LOL! Look at his arms!!!!! Not too shabby!!!!! After the pic I told him that not only did I get a picture, but I got to put my arm around a handsome guy, too!!!! What more can a girl ask for?! :) My mom will have a cow, but Jackson totally loved the wrestling! FYI - for anyone interested - there is going to be another match in December (the 9th I think). It is actually pretty mild - just mostly fun mixed with loud music! It's a boy thing. Oh, and btw, the snake weighs in at about 75 lbs!!!! She was cool! Who would of thunk that I would like a snake?! Wrestling! Can't live with it - can't live without it!!!!!!! LOL! :)

Oops! I Did it Again! :)

Okay - this story happened the same day as the lawn mower incident! I swear I have new stories to blog every day and usually more than one! LOL! I must just have a nice big "I am a goof" cloud that follows me everywhere I go! But I don't mind - it just gives me more material to write! :) So, here goes: as Mark and I are leaving the Pickaway Fairgrounds we (well, more me) decide that I am thirsty. Conveniently, there is a UDF right there! Yeah, my favorite carry-out! Anyway, we both go in to pick out a nice little snack! We pick out our snack and the cashier rings up our items. I am ready to sit down and "chow down" so I grab my stuff (Mark is paying so I told him I would meet him in the car). Now a little background information (don't really know if it needs to be told, but I don't want to leave anything out). I drove to UDF from the fairgrounds, but Mark was going to drive from there on (so I could eat better)! No comments, please! LOL! :) So, as I was coming out of UDF I told Mark that I would sit on the passenger side (I guess it was then that I informed him that he would be driving). Now, remember, he is still paying as I walk out the door. So, I walk right on out the door and right up to the passenger side of my truck - well, what I THOUGHT was my truck and I reach for the handle. As I am reaching for the handle I notice that the passenger window is down (and I am thinking why would Mark leave the window down? I didn't notice him leave his window down when we got out? Why would he leave it down when I took precautions to make sure the car was locked b/c we had some of our camera equipment still in there). I wasn't mad or anything - these thoughts were just going through my mind as I reach for the handle. It all happened so very quickly! :) So, as I am reaching for the handle and thinking these thoughts - I finally look up (thank goodness)! And what do I see?! I nice young man looking back at me!!!! A young guy was in the driver's seat and I was now facing him eye to eye 'cause his window is down and I am reaching for his door handle!!!! So, I start laughing so hard and tell him that I almost got into his car!!! He was sweet and said that would have been okay! I said wouldn't you have just died if I had just opened your door and hopped on in?! He just laughed with me and said it would have been fine! I am telling you ----- it was SOOOOOOO FUNNY! And for the record - my truck was parked right beside his! I think since I was driving and then when I came out I wasn't going to the driver's side (I was going to the passenger's side this time) - anyway, I think it sorta got me disoriented! That's my story and I'm sticking to it!!! When Mark got out to the car he could tell something was up and was like - so, what did you do now?! He knows me too well!!!! LOL! I swear I don't do these things on purpose! These things just seem to happen to me everywhere I go! Oh well. My stories are always interesting to say the least. I hope you enjoy them and maybe my stories will make people smile!!!
Love ya!

Lawn Mower

Okay - here goes my lawn mower story that just happened yesterday. First off - you must have the details - Mark and I were in Circleville for most of the day (for my brother's wrestling event). Heath is still in a wheelchair and sometimes uses crutches. My mom watched my kids all day and Jacob stayed the night with her. Jackson came down to Circleville around seven in the evening with my dad for the big wrestling event! :) Mark and I had to be there early to set photography equipment up. We were the official photographer and also Mark videotaped the matches. I photographed most every wrestler beforehand and then took TONS of photos during the match (I almost got my face slammed many times due to getting too close, but that is another story altogether)! LOL! So.........here comes lawn mower story (which doesn't really have anything to do with anything I just told ya)! ROFL!!!! I just had to let you know the kind of day Mark and I were already having! It wasn't a bad day - just very long and a lot of work! We didn't get home until after midnight! So.........Mark and I get a "little" break after setting up our equipment and before we actually start taking photos. So.........Mark decides we should stop at Lowe's to look for lawn mowers (our mower that we have had for almost nine years finally quit)! Mark hasn't had much luck finding a new one (time of year I guess). He hadn't had a chance to look at Lowe's so that is what we did on our break! What fun, huh?! So.......we come all the way back to Grove City to Lowe's and walk in. Right there not too far from the door are VOILA.........lawn mowers!!!!! And some are for sale on top of that! Yeah, I say!!!! So, we find one that was a "return" from a previous buyer and Lowe's fixed it and put it back on the floor - only they sale it for less due to it being a return. It was $168 (originally $279) - not bad. But there was one that a "kid" (he was maybe 20) - he worked there and was bringing out another used one. Now this used one was a better more expensive one so they were asking $279 for it (originally $379) - not bad again. Well, I knew Mark liked the 2nd one so I go and say to the kid: can the price come down any lower?! Now remember it is already $100 dollars off at $279! The kid says no way! I say are ya sure 'cause I would really like this one (more expensive one), but I was hoping maybe you could come down on the price. He kept grinning and saying no ever so nicely. I finally ask him what the manager would say and at first the kid said his manager would say no. But, alas, I get the "kid" to call his manager and guess what?! Manager says - he'll sell it for $210!!!!!!!! Hot Dog!!!!! I am proud to say the least at this moment!!!!! :) So, we say we'll take it! But wait, my friends, 'cause there is more!!!!! Right then another guy walks up to us and starts talking. We (well, I) think he is another customer so I ask him if this is a good lawn mower and is the price good at $210! Now I know that the original price is $379 so it is a darn good deal at $210! I am just asking this in front of the kid to "play" and "maybe" get more off! Well, this guy says yes that it is a good deal and then I realize that he works there at Lowe's! I am soooooooo not observant!!! Anyway, I ask him what he does there at Lowe's and he says he is some kind of assistant manager. So, do I let that one pass on by?! Of course not!!! I say I don't suppose you can come down any LOWER on the price can ya?! LOL!!! Well, he walks over to their computer and farts around for five minutes and I ask the "kid" what the guy is doing. The kid walks over to check and the man (a minute later) tells us $195!!!!!! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!!!!!!!!!!! They came down on the price AGAIN!!!!!!! Needless to say - I am very proud of myself!!!! This assistant manager had just told me (when I thought he was a customer) that it was a good deal and then sells it to me cheaper when I bargain!!!!! Whew!!!!! HAVE I GOT IT OR WHAT?!!!!!!!!!!!! ROFL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I guess my point of this story is: you all need to take me shopping with you 'cause I can help you pay less!!!! I must just have that special charm about me!!!! What can I say!!!!! LOL! :)

GOOOOO BUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WE ARE THE BUCKEYES!
MIGHTY, MIGHTY BUCKEYES!
EVERYWHERE WE GO!
PEOPLE ALWAYS KNOW!
WHOOOOO WE ARE!
AND WE'RE PROUD!
(SING AGAIN)! :)

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is a sand castle that Jackson and his cousins, Justin and Taylor made last summer (2005) at Alum Creek! As you can see - these boys are big Buckeye fans!!!!!! Yep, we taught 'em right!!!!!!!!!! GOOOOOO BUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, No, I Didn't! :)

Oh, yes, I did!!!! LOL! I have a real funny story to tell and the funniest part is that it happened TODAY!!!!!!! :) Okay - by now you all know that I am working at the pre-school (in Commericial Point) as a helper to the 4 and 5 year old class. Jacob and I are liking it and adjusting pretty good. What more could we ask for?! Sweet kids, great teachers and lots of learning mixed with tons of fun! Anyway, back to main topic. First off, you must know that Jackson and I overslept this morning. We woke up and it was 7:40!!!! His bus comes by 7:45! Naturally, he missed the bus!!! Soooooo - we get dressed and ready as fast as we can and at the very last minute we wake up Jacob (Jacob had had a long nap the day before and, therefore, couldn't sleep that night and was up till after midnight)! I know - INSANE!!! Needless to say, I figured Jacob would be a bear so I woke him up as late as possible. To my surprise, Jacob did very well and got ready fairly easy and quickly, too. Sooooo - we all pile into the car and we drive Jackson to his school where we check in as "tardy." Thanks to me!!! :) I am the mom - I should have gotten up!! Oh Well. It's not the end of the world or anything! LOL! So, we drop Jackson off and go on our merry way to pre-school! So far - so good! I get about halfway there when I realize that I am on "E"! And I don't mean "E" for entertainment television - I mean "E" for EMPTY!!!!! I am practically out of gas!!!!!! So what do I do? Hmmmm. This is Heather we are talking about so there are so many possibilities! :) I am thinking that I am already late due to taking Jackson to school. I don't want to be any later than I already am! I look back at my gas gauge and I notice I have a teensy bit. Now - I am familiar enough with Commercial Point to know that there is a gas station right by the school (about a block away). Sooooo - I figure I can make it to Commercial Point and since there is a gas station right there - I can get gas when I leave pres-school instead of on my way. Pretty good plan! I thought so, too! Sooooo - Jacob and I get to school and things are good! We have a fun day and I must say it went very quickly! So, the time comes to leave and we say bye to everyone and head off to our car. We get in and drive to the gas station and everything is going well. I roll down Jacob's back window so he can watch me get gas and I hop out. I open my gas nozzle and turn around and hit unleaded (yes, I always get the cheap kind). :) It takes a minute, but I suddenly realize that the gas numbers (the price) isn't lit up! Hmmm, I think to myself. Why aren't the gas numbers lit up?! I am confused! I look towards the store and I can't see anyone (it is dim inside so it was hard to tell from where I am). So, I check the gas numbers again and, sure enough, they are still not lit up. What is going on? I ask myself. I finally after a few minutes think this isn't right. I tell Jacob that I will be right back (the front door is only a few steps away) and I walk to the door. When I get to the door - yep, that's right - it is locked! Does this clue me in?! Of course not! I am thinking what could be going on?! Did they take a lunch break?! I figure it doesn't really matter b/c, either way, I'm not getting gas here. I am a tad bit annoyed just b/c I know I am on "E" and can't think of any other gas station close by. That certainly isn't MY fault that I am low on gas and waited to the last minute to get some more! It is anybody else's fault, but definately not mine! LOL! Soooooo, as I am walking away from the store I notice that the shelves look empty! I am floored! Does this mean this gas station is closed permanently?! I still don't know as I write this, but am dying to know!!!! LOL! Can my Ashville buddies clue me in b/c I am a little slow! :) I mean, come on, who drives up and gets out and opens their tank and tries to start pumping before noticing anything is wrong!!!!! I am telling you - I am totally clueless!!!! And then - my first thought is that the store workers took a lunch break or something! LOL! Anyway, I was telling my friend this story earlier and realized that I just HAD to blog it!!!!
Let me know what is up with the Commercial Point gas station?! Curious minds would like to know! And for those wondering - I made it back to Grove City at Hoover and 665 and got my gas there! :) And one last question if you don't mind: is there any closer station to Commercial Point besides Grove City or Ashville?! I couldn't think of any, but then again, I am the clueless one!!! LOL!!! :)
Oh, and this is priceless! As I am leaving Commercial Point - driving down Hoover towards Grove City - I look out my rearview mirror and notice my gas door hanging open and the cap just hanging there, too! I totally forgot to put it back and shut the door! PRICELESS!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Okay - first off - I have to say "sorry" to Miranda for posting this picture! But there are two good reasons why I did! :)
1)I was looking for a paper girl pic to post of me (no such luck finding one)! :)
2)Voila - I did find this pic instead and it was just too adorable of us NOT to post! :)
Tell Angie not to kill me, either! LOL! :) How does everyone like my cool Teays Valley jacket?! Doesn't it match my shirt perfectly?! Yeah, I must have thought so, too! I think this pic was taken around 1987 or so. I am pretty sure I was a junior! So, how old would that make you, Miranda? I am guessing maybe 7th grade. And Angie maybe just graduated! I'm not sure! Anyway, enjoy everyone, but don't get too comfortable b/c, maybe, just maybe I have more and it could be one of you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL! :)

Paper Girl (Part Two)

I left out one small thing I wanted to say! I have thought about Brian through the years and wondered how he is doing. I tend to this with people who have been a part of my life. I just don't forget - they stay with me in one way or another! I will usually say a little prayer when these people come to mind. People we knew at a certain time in our life and then they are gone. Some people come and go while others stay! Anyway, I guess I just wanted to say that if or when you think of an old friend or special person from your past - stop and say a little prayer for them! Maybe they need it. And even if they don't necessarily NEED it - prayer never hurt anyone! We all can use prayer during good times and bad! So, stop, and pray for an old friend or someone who was once a part of your life (especially when they come to your mind). You might just be saving a life - you never know. I just know that I wouldn't mind if someone from my past thought of me and stopped and said a prayer for me! How wonderful is that?! My second point for today: pray! Think of someone you haven't talked to in many years who you cared about and say a prayer for them! Maybe someone is out there doing the same for you! :)

Paper Girl

All righty then! :) Are you guys ready for yet another embarrassing moment in the live of Heather?! LOL! I don't know about you all, but these stories NEVER get old for me! I laugh every time I think about them! I figure (or at least hope) that they make someone else laugh as well (especially if you have had a bad day)! It always helps to laugh: a frown is a smile upside down - so why not turn it over?! I know - kinda corny, but it's all I got! LOL! Okay - here goes: in this story I am about 14 years old and I have been a paper girl for over a year. I delivered on two streets that covered about 172 homes. Now.......you gotta get a mental picture of this.......I was little back then. I matured late so I was probably the size of a 10 year old. Can you picture a ten year old with a huge sack over them that held newspapers in the front and back?!!!!!! Not a pretty picture - I tell ya!!! I was certainly weighted down with all those papers, especially since I was so small! I did get GREAT tips, though, b/c my customers all thought I was only about 12 years old and doing a paper route! They seemed impressed. I, of course, HATED looking that young! I was 14 yrs. old after all! Imagine!!! Anyway, if you are picturing me all bogged down with over 100 and some newspapers not only in the front, but in the back as well - then - picture this as well - imagine how I looked in the winter in the snow? In the winter I got to wear a big winter coat PLUS the huge sack that carried papers in the front and back!!! Attractive, I know! If I had a picture I would post it - I swear! Anyway, there I am doing my route and I am about half way done. Thank God! At least half the papers were gone so I looked a little less dweeby! :) So.......I walk up to a house and lay the paper down and turn around and there is Brian Newsome WAVING AT ME!!!!!! I know you guys have no idea who Brian Newsome is so - let me explain it like this - he was basically the first boy I EVER liked!!!! I was in the ninth grade and this was probably around Nov. or Dec. when this story happened. Brian rode my bus and that is where I saw him for the first time ever!!! I just thought he was to die for good-looking!!!!! He never did like me back that way (as a girlfriend). I think he thought of me as a little sister - pretty much all the guys did - I only looked ten or twelve after all!!!! Funny now, but not then at all! Anyway, back to main story. So I have just turned around and see gorgeous Brian waving at me!!!! At me!!!!! And I must have been in shock b/c what do I do?! I turn around and look over my shoulder to see if he was waving to someone else!!!!!! That is what I do!!!!! I mean - come on - why would gorgeous Brian be waving to me?! Well, I look back and no one is there and I finally realize that he was waving to me after all! I just wanted to die!!! I don't really remember for sure, but I think I waved back and kept on doing my route. I just kept thinking - stupid, stupid, stupid! :) Oh, I must also mention two VERY important parts to this story! 1) Brian didn't live on my route - he was visiting his friend who lived on my route and 2)this is good and very funny - of all the times he had to see me - this is what I look like! Winter coat that is huge with huge knap sack over my shoulders with papers in front and back AND..............this is the best part.................I had on GIGANTIC PINK SNOW BOOTS!!!!!!! You know - the nerdy kind!!!!! I only wore them to do my paper route in! And this is the day I run into Brian Newsome!!!!! The boy I am madly in love with!!!!!!! What a big friggin' dork!!!!! LOL! :) This story has been so fun to tell b/c I think it could be in a sitcom!!!! A Jerry Seinfeld moment!!! It is everyone's biggest fear (well, for us girls at least) to run into someone we like at a time when we look bad!!! The one time we wear our pajamas to the grocery store - BAM - there is someone important who we wanted to impress!!! :) It is soooooo true!!!! For me - at least - there isn't much since the Brian incident that could top it! It was a crucial time in my life - just starting high school, liking my first boy, adjusting to teenage life, etc. - I feel as though I got my most embarrassing moments out of the way early - it has been down hill since then! LOL! Maybe this is why few things tend to REALLY embarrass me. I mean - I say that I am embarrassed and maybe I am - but not ever to the degree I have been in the early years of my life. Maybe I should thank Brian. He was a real nice guy from a good family. He was so sweet to wave to a new freshman and be nice to me! I moved the next year (Brain had a girlfriend, anyway, but I did get to sit beside him in French class). OOOOOOO LAAAAAAA LAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!! French class! :) I was still embarrassed when I walked into French class (at the beginning of tenth grade), but I told myself to walk with my head up high and sit down right by him!!!! I wasn't going to let him know I was mortified!!! Keep your cool - pretend you are confident! It worked for me! Oh, I must backtrack a little. I was even more embarrassed by the beginning of tenth grade b/c he knew I liked him by then! And the feeling wasn't mutual. Looking back - I was so young looking and probably acting, too. And, even though, he was only a year older - he simply thought of me as a little sister! But I must admit - he never said anything to me - ever (about me liking him). He just continued on as did I as friends. Which was good! I learned valuable lessons from this experience: 1)to always notice new people the way he noticed and waved to me!
2)sometimes things should NOT be discussed - just continue on like nothing ever happened (sometimes you should acknowledge - the key is knowing when and when not too).
3)People aren't always going to like you the way you like them. Don't take it personal. God has a plan for all of us!
4)Find the good that may be hidden somewhere between the bad! Good stuff is usually there - it may take time to see!
5)I have said this a lot, but: LAUGH AT YOURSELF!!!!!!! This is the only way to live and learn from each experience. If you take things too seriously - like this story - then you will really have trouble down the road with the BIG stuff! I am talking about REAL problems that will come with life! Learn to laugh at the funny things - the little things - the small stuff in the grand scheme of life!!!!! I don't want to look back some day and see how much of the fun stuff I missed out on from being too uptight or too embarrassed! I learned these lessons young and they have stayed with me and helped me throughout my life! I hope my stories help someone else as well.
My final point for today: Enjoy every part of your life!!!! Especially the embarrassing or funny parts! They happen for a reason. Don't let fear stop you from trying something you really want to do! And I will say it one hundred times - learn to laugh at yourself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! When you laugh - others laugh with you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Think about it: maybe the embarrassing moment happened for a reason in order to help somebody else! We don't always know the answers, but please, learn to laugh and be happy!!!!!!!! Life is so much better this way!!!!!!
Love you guys!!!!!

A Snickers Moment! :)

Okay - most of you already know this story (sorry to repeat). I can't think of anything else to blog and when that happens I just think of an embarrassing moment and presto! A STORY!!! :) So, here it is (in my own words): I am about 25 or 26 years old. I am given the responsibility of teaching the one and two year olds for VBS at Pickaway Church. I like kids and so I am happy to help. Plus, I am lazy, and you mostly just play with the kids this age anyway! LOL! So, we (Mark and I) have about five little ones that come regularly for all five days. We have a good time and the week is nearing end. For those of you who might not know - at the end of VBS - the parents come to see a show (put on by the kids). Each class does their "skit" to show what they have learned that past week (about Jesus)! :) At this point you may be thinking, "what skit could the one and two year olds do?" I thought the same thing, but lucky for me, my mom had the cutest answer! She had babysat little kids for years and had lots of cute ideas up her sleeve! She suggested we have the little ones hold up little snicker candy bars and sing, "I love Jesus better than Snickers and Snickers are really good!" You sing it four times and the fourth time you end with: "I love Jesus - better than Snickers!" Sounds cute and adorable for the wee ones to do!!! I thought so, too! LOL! Well, the big night arrives and it is our turn to go on stage! The lights are down low with the spotlight on us..........okay, so I'm exaggerating a tad......anyway, Mark and I lead the wee ones on stage. Mark stays on one side and I stay on the other. There are five wee ones getting ready to sing! Yeah, right!!! The wee ones just stand there as "I" start singing and, thankfully, Mark sings along with me!!! Thank goodness b/c I CANNOT sing! Plus, the church is full - full of VBS parents. And a lot of these parents don't go to church regularly. That is kinda what VBS is for. You introduce church to children and their families who don't know about it or just haven't taken the time to go. By going to VBS, the kids get to see how much fun church is! So.....Mark and I are singing (Mark following my lead, of course). I have sung about two verses (out of the four) when I look up and see my mom all disgruntled and mouthing something to me! I am thinking, "woman, can't it wait? Can't you see I am kinda busy singing right now?" I am thinking this as I am watching her and singing the third verse. And then I realize......it just hits me........I don't know how or why, but.......I am singing........."I love SNICKERS BETTER THAN JESUS 'CAUSE SNICKERS ARE REALLY GOOD!" I have sung it this way for three out of four verses!!!!! And, stupid Mark, he just sang right along with me!!!!! Duh!!!!!! Thank the Lord above that I figured out what my mom was mouthing to me!!!! At least I sang the fourth verse right!!!!! LOL!!!!! To this day I am not sure how many people caught it!!! More than not - I am sure!!!! :) I learned from this experience to laugh at myself!!!! I mean - come on - IT WAS FUNNY!!!!! It STILL is funny whenever I think of it!!! Can you imagine what some people thought?! Certainly, they knew it was a mistake?! Oh Well. I just know it was funny and sometimes you just gotta laugh!!! :) Oh, and for the record, Mark had NO IDEA we had sung it wrong AT ALL until I told him!! Doof!!!! But then again, for those of you who paid attention to the story, you could say that I was a doof, too! Not just b/c I sang it wrong (I was the lead, you know), but b/c I didn't know I was singing it wrong, either, until my mom told me! LOL! :)))))
My point for today (I usually have one): LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE!!!!!!!!!! LIFE IS TOO SHORT NOT TOO!!!!!

GO BUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GOOOOOO BUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HOOK 'EM HORNS DOOOOOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good Luck to the OSU Buckeyes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ohio State Buckeyes - #1 Team!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jacob's 1st Day of Pre-School :)

Today was Jacobs's very 1st day of pre-school and what a FUN day it was! I, of course, had to take a picture at home (for his first day in school EVER)! Can't miss that!!! :) He had a great time and so did I!!! :) The kids in his class are really sweet not to mention the teachers! :) Ms. Carleta just has a way with children! She does a fantastic job! Her skill combined with her heart make for a wonderful combination! As you can see from the second picture - Jacob and the kids had a good time playing outside today! This darn fall weather (it was colder this morning and then got real hot this afternoon)! It was nice out at recess, though - not too hot and not too cold. Hey, Carleta, I had to post this last picture just for you! I love it! It shows what a fun time the kids are having! And don't worry - I will take plenty more!!!! LOL! :) It was a very good day and Jacob did very well! I feel we are where we're supposed to be! This is good not only for Jacob, but for me, too! :)
Thanks Ms. Carleta and Ms. Jennifer for a terrific 1st day!!!!!!!!
Congratulations to Jacob on growing up - you are such a big boy! I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Update on my brother! :)

Just wanted to let everyone know that my brother is having his surgery tomorrow! Hopefully, this will be the beginning of the end with his foot! After his surgery it will just be a long healing process, but no more hospital visits!!!!! And his work may have a job for him to do (so he doesn't have to sit at home). He gets bored too easy and doesn't want to stay home! Now, me, on the other hand, I would have NO PROBLEM staying home and doing nothing!!!! LOL! Seriously, though, his job has a desk position for him and he is happy about that! Oh, Carleta, thanks for putting him on the prayer list at church (Miranda told me you guys did). I truly appreciate that! And, you know, some good things are starting to happen for him - so thank you all for praying for him!!!!!!
My point for today is: Remember that good things may come in small doses!!!!! But they do come! You might not be hit with "one" big dose - good things may come a little at a time! Keep your eyes open for the little things that come your way! :)