No matter what....

Wow, this has been some day!!! Exciting, discouraging and emotionally. I don't know where to begin but guess I will begin with the final day of November, what I am thankful for. I am thankful for the life God has given me. I am so happy now and realize that nothing I have today would be possible if it wasn't for the Grace of God. It's mind boggling when you finally realize this and you don't care what anyone thinks of you. I'm me and I probably will never change, I still deal with demons but with God ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE. :o)

Went today and saw the AIDS quilt here in Springfield. Wow. Amazing. I am going to try and post the pictures tonight.

If I don't get them posted tonight will tomorrow night. I am going to go to the candle light vigil at 6pm tomorrow night, remembering that these individuals are people, just like you and I. If you ever get a chance to see this piece of art, please go. It is so outstanding.

They handed out a fact sheet with quilt facts. The Quilt was established in 1987. There are over 18 million visitors that have seen The Quilt. There are 91,000 names on The Quilt and it has 5,864 blocks. Its weight is 54 tons and is 1,293,000 square feet and would take 33 days to view, if you were spending only one minute per panel. One panel is 3'x6'. A block consists of 8 panels bundled together to form a 12'x12' section. And to top it off The Quilt still recieves, on average, a new panel EVERYDAY of the year to be added. WOW.

Go to www.aidsquilt.org Wonderful website.

Well, got my lease signing done today but the big time bummer is,,,,I can't move anything until this Saturday and I have to be out of the apartment I am in now on Sunday. That isn't playing very nice in my book. Oh well, it will be fine.

The exciting thing today was when my preacher with our church contacted me this evening. I was viewing The Quilt when he called so when I got out I returned his call. There is so much exciting stuff going on within our church and he is so totally awesome. They are going to be starting a woman's group and he asked me if I wanted to be a part of it. This is something that is near and dear to my heart and I am so excited to become a part of it. It is something that we truly need to help our church grow. It will be so good and I am so excited. Pray for me and my church during this transistion.

We as individuals have a tendancy to have deceit, jealousy, depression, feel sorry for ourselves and sit on the pity pot. When I start getting to this point I stop and take the focus off of me. Look around at the world and realize that no one can change your world besides yourself. I can't change it, your children can't change it, the person that you love with all your heart can't change it, you are the only one with that power. Look towards God, He can make a bad situation into a good one and He is the one that can see you through this. There are so many passages in the bible but the one I happened to turn to that I have highlighted in my study bible is Jeremiah 29:11,13. 11)"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." 13)You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

That is the answer you are looking for. I will continue praying for you and continue praying that you find a church that will speak to your heart, just like I have. You are more than welcome to come to church with me. I am sorry you are so miserable and will continue praying for you.

Work in Progress,
In His Name,
...glenda

Love One Another

Okay, before I forget it like I have been. Thank goodness I only have one more day and hope I don't forget that day. Two things I am thankful for, since I forgot yesterdays would be drive through food establishments. Today I had only had one cup of coffee at the office and needed to go to Rolla by 1pm. As I was leaving the office I stopped at the drive through McDonalds to get a large cup to go with 3 creams. That is another thing I am thankful for, they finally figured out how to put the cream in our coffee so we don't have to juggle putting cream in the coffee when we leave the drive through. Yep, that's the two things I am thankful for today, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Got approved today for the 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment. Yeahhhh. Go tomorrow and sign the lease agreement. I should be moved in by Friday with no problems at all!!! Need to go to the grocery store but wanted to wait until I got in over there so I can put the food over there. I know, sounds crazy but makes sense to me. I can be extrememly lazy when provoked.

I went today to Rolla as I said and the young man I was talking to said I looked really familiar to him. He looked familiar to me also but we both have no idea where we have met. Sometimes when I see people that look familar I wonder to myself if maybe we both were standing in line together at a store and exchanged conversation while waiting our turn. Or if maybe we both walked into the store at the same time and he held the door for me and we made eye contact as I thanked him for this kind gesture. I always thank anyone that holds a door open for me. I am all for holding the door for a person because as I said in the paragraph above....i can be extremely lazy. Seriously, I appreciate the gesture because I believe it shows respect for another human being, and I am all for respect.

The standing in line together reminds me of a story. I was at the post office one time and the lady in front of me reminded me of someone I knew and had not seen for ages. I said a happy and excited hello to her and when she turned around it was no one I had seen before in my entire life. I apologized and told her I thought she was someone else and she extended her hand to shake mine and goes, "My name is Patty. Now we know each other and I look forward to meeting you again." I laughed as she did too and I introduced myself to her as well. Never have seen her again and probably would never know her if I did, but now I try to do the same when someone accidently thinks I am someone else. Why not???


December 1 is World AIDS day. Portions of the quilt are being displayed all over the United States and 80 panels are being shown here in Springfield. How cool, I have always wanted to view it live but never have. Not sure why, just haven't. I plan to run by and see it tomorrow afternoon.


SPRINGFIELD, MO 11/28/2011 - 12/1/2011
Host: AIDS Project of the Ozarks
Display Site Address: Remington's Entertainment Complex
1655 West Republic Road
Number of Blocks: 80
Contact: Marlin Martin
Email: marlinmartinlcsw@yahoo.com

There are 10,000 people living in the State of Missouri with HIV today. That are just the ones that know it, there are probably more that have never been tested and is not aware of their status. Testing is free and painless, we even test out in the field and can read the results within 20 minutes. Pretty cool. Some are afraid to find out their results but it is better to be sure than not know. HIV is not the death sentence it was in the beginning. It is extremely manageable, as manageable as sugar diabeties, as long as you know, stay under doctor's care, eat right and take care of your body.

There is a listing where the quilt is shown all over the United States. It is also at KU Med Center in KCKS. The rest of the sites around can be found when you click here

30 years ago on June 5th was the first medical report about HIV. The theme this year is "Getting to Zero” by 2015 – Zero AIDS Related Deaths, Zero New Infections and Zero Discrimination. Spread the word,,,,not the infection!!!

Love one another.

Okay, click on:
Love the one your with

Just one more thing!!!

Well, today has been a good day. Took my first tutorial in Web Page Design. Understand alot more then I did but some of it I already knew. It's a 7 week course, one night a week but if i want I can take two a week. Might do that but it won't be this week. I went in to the apartment office and handed in my paper work for an upgrade on an apartment. I have a one bedroom, one bath apartment now and want a two bedroom, two bath one and was wanting to move in January. When I went in they told me that the one right next door to me is open and if I want it I can have it, except I have to move in by this Saturday so I am going to be moving in this week. Or as soon as my paperwork is approved. It should be because they are only going to run a criminal report on me and I've been a very, very good girl this year. No speeding tickets, knock on wood and nothing else. LOL. Don't think they are checking on speeding tickets, probably something a little more felony than that!!!

Anyway, I am so excited that I only have to drag my stuff one door down and not carry it downstairs, then upstairs and around the corner. Rock on. The moving Gods are on my side.

Was going to do so much stuff this week but looks like I'm not going to have time to do it. Oh well, that's all okay. HOpe I can get all moved in by Friday though because I have a Mary Kay party Saturday afternoon at the house in Harrisonville. Whew. Whirlwind life I lead!!!

We are having winter weather advisory for east of here, south of Rolla and into Arkansas. They are to be getting 1-2 inches of snow. My friend that lives in Arkansas is north of Little Rock right now and she said that it has been spitting snow on and off all day down there. All I can say is bring it on....the sooner it gets here the sooner we can get through all of this crap. :o)

Well, I have had some bad karma going on tonight too but nothing I can't deal with. One, I forgot the AA batteries for the remote on the TV and have to get up and change the channel and adjust the volume. Guess what I won't forget tomorrow on my way home, stop by and pick up batteries. Then I was sitting here, thinking. Man, this furnace isn't getting this apartment very warm and felt the vent where the air is blowing through and it is blowing cold air. Thank goodness these apartments are very well insulated and the oven has warmed it up so much that i am thinking about turning on the ceiling fan. LOL. Not really, but I am toasty warm. I will call the office tomorrow and they will get it fixed. That's what I love about rentals. No worries. It's theirs. Then the final thing is my dang cell phone. The thing is on CRACK!!! About a year ago I dropped it in water and I dried it out in a bag of rice. It's worked pretty good but corrsion still is happening. Plus my charger is terrible. Anyway, I can't charge it on my charger, only Terry's. It does on mine sometimes but not always. Anyway, my cell phone is dead and I would like to throw my cell phone as far away as I can. I don't have an upgrade until next December but I can get another phone this December with a $75 rebate or some crazy stuff like that. I would love to get a smart phone but oh well. My son told me I have a smart phone for the mentally disabled. Gotta love Josh. He's one of a kind!!!

Missing my husband and my pets the first night being away from them after being home for a week. It was nice being home with them. Oh well, absence makes the heart grow fonder as they say. I do love going home on the weekends to them. After I move into the other apartment they may come and see me more during the week. Just because of the circumstances. :o)

Well, going to sign off. Getting tired and going to bed. Talk to you guys later and maybe I can start using my web design knowledge once it is all said and done. Like I said, I do understand more now.

Dreaming the dream!!!

The end of a busy, busy week but it was a good one. Glad I can go back to work and rest for a while though!!! Man!!! I ate so much this last week that I am almost sick at my stomach today!!! Had the last of the hoop-rah today. I always have Sunday meals, as many of you know. Asked Brandon what he wanted for his birthday meal and he said Pizza. So I baked a chocolate, chocolate chip cake and order Pizza from Pizza Hut. We sang to him (Josh, Terry and I), he blew out his candles and said he's already gotten his wish. LOL. Not sure what that was!!!

Anyway, since I forgot to say what I was thankful for last night I am going to hit it twice tonight. I am thankful for delivery pizza to where you never have to get out of the house. No matter how cold it is and you get hot pizza within 30 minutes. Rock on!!! Then the second thing I am thankful for today is box cake mix, box instant pudding mix and a few chocolate chips thrown in the mix makes an awesome, fast, moist cake in 35 minutes. No measuring, sifting, mixing a cake from scratch. I'm tired of cooking today, I needed a rest from cooking, anyway I could get it. :o)

Well, the boys have been here today and they both left earlier. They crack me up the way they throw wisecracks back and forth. Raising an only child I see how much I missed not having two. Except I am sure I missed on the sibling rivalry, which is something I'm glad I missed out on!!! Of course I worry about them all including Brandon's brothers Josh and Jeremy and my prayers always go to them too. I've never met Jeremy but he calls Terry lots and he is really proud of him and I can tell he's a good person too. Josh is an excellent daddy and does everything he can to make sure Madison is taken care of. I wish they could be closer to us and we could see her more but thank goodness she isn't farther away than what she is!!!

I don't have anything I am on the soapbox for right now so I am sure you guys are like, "There IS a God!!!" but I know one thing, this weather makes me think about seed catalogs that start coming in about January!!! I love planting plants and growing vegetables. There is so much potential here in our yard but it is a little tough with me living in Springfield and we get a good week or two of 100*+ temperatures but I'm going to see if I can get Terry more involved in watering. :o) As Brandon always tells me, he'll do anything for you. I like that!!! LOL. I would really, really like to do raised gardens and tier planting. In 1999 I took classes through the University of Missouri Extension Center and am a Certified Master Gardener which I really enjoyed. I get emails from them all the time and I got one the other day about the Grow Native classes on Missouri Landscaping I think I will take. I enjoy all that kind of stuff. I really, really should have went hot and heavy into Horticulture classes and graduated with a degree but I didn't. :o( Would like to get into Horticulture Therapy when I retire. May look closer into that. It would be a fun job for me, doing something I love and could maybe do part time. Maybe get a community garden started or something like that. I would love to teach the children and others how to garden and reap on their produce.

Another thing I use to think would be so cool but not sure how it could materialize, but has always wanted to have some acreage and have a working farm for teenagers that are in the court system, or troubled youth and teach them how to live off the land. Have a huge garden, cows, pigs, chickens and have a restaurant on the primises. Everything sold in the restaurant we either grew, had butchered or canned. We'd have fresh eggs, cheese, cream. Would only have to buy like flour, sugar, tea and coffee. Drinks but make pies from the fruit on the farm. Also teach quilting, crocheting, embrodery, the boys could learn how to maintain the farm equipment, and everyone would get paid wages. They would have days off, just like everyone else but they could live there too. You'd go to school or get a GED and eVERYONE would go to church every Sunday. Also, anyone that wanted to go on and go to college, I would help them and show them how this can become a reality for them in a world where in the past has been a hopeless situation. I'm not talking about a cult, by no means. Just teach them the lost arts that are sadly going by the way side and teach them that no matter what life hands to you, you can make a honest living.

I also would like to have it to be a resource for the community too. It has been a dream of mine for a long, long time. Not sure it could ever materialize but hey....it doesn't hurt to dream.

Those are two of my dreams. Another one is to own one of those old general stores with the huge glass windows in the front. I'm talking old, old ones like use to be in Quick City before it blew up in the Meth Lab explosion or the one in Ohio on A Highway outside of Lowry City. Make it a Made In USA store. Nothing sold in there unless it was made in the USA, Like an old General Store. Also have a little mom and pop type of cafe there and sell donuts and breakfast in the morning and have a lunch time menu too. Dream, dream, dream. I do alot of that. I would garden there too. Gotta love me, I do have my dreams.

Well, we are watching a really good James Taylor special on HDNet TV. Getting ready to watch my movie tonight too. Remember, I talked about it the other day???

Anyway, tomorrow I have to head back down south. Terry and the "kids" will stay until I make it back on Friday. I feel he might come down more after the first of the year. Not sure why, just think he will. As long as he doesn't have to stay down there all week he's okay. Think he misses me just gets really bored, which I don't blame him one bit.

Any way. Talk to you guys later and have a warm evening.

FACT
Haters don't
really hate you.
In fact, they hate 
themselves
because you're a
reflectionof
what they wish to be.

Well, found out I have a stalker on here. Knew I probably would but that's just the way it is. I am not going to change my style of writing and I plan to keep writing how I have. It just all boils down to what my status update is today, "The 3 C’s of life.…Choice, Chance, Change.. You must make the Choice to take the Chance if u want anything to Change." We have our entire life to pave our way, I have friends that have came and left, I have acquaintances that have done the same. I believe and always will that God places people in my life for me to learn from, for them to learn from me and to grow after knowing them.

Man it has been cold, windy and rainy today. I went to see my friend Carole for a little bit this morning, just to visit. She's been sick but is feeling somewhat better than the past few weeks. I told her I saw someone at our office Tuesday that looks great, has lost 55 pounds on Weight Watchers. I lost that about a year ago and got off of it and was thinking that if I'd stuck with it I would be at my goal weight. I am thinking about going back and rejoining. I just don't do good by myself and being down there, it will give me something to focus on. I have a wedding to go to in January but a graduation to go to in May, I should start feeling better by then. Brandon get's his Masters then, I am so proud of him and he is so smart. For a young man that has had such a rough childhood and teen years, he's making something out of himself. Him and his dad are so close and his dad is so proud of him!!!

I got to see my beautiful granddaughter, little Miss Madison!!! Her and her daddy came by to see us. I had cookies for her and she ate a piece of pumpkin pie with whipped cream on it. She has grown up so since I last seen her. Growing into that body that she was chunky in this summer. She said she has only gotten one B and it was in Math, everything else is straight A's. I love taking her to church with me when she comes and is able to go with me. She is so awesome and I believe in my heart God has been using her, you should hear her say Grace. She sounds better than some preachers I have heard. She is an amazing little girl.

After Madison and her daddy left, a couple of Terry's friends stopped by. It was so good seeing them. They are getting ready to take a two week vacation, going to Civil War sites. I find that stuff so interesting and they are heading a good direction. South.

Well, I'm going to sign off. Terry has turned on a movie I haven't ever seen called "Fourth of July" or something like that. It has Tom Cruise in it and as I said, I have never seen it. Seems to be a really good movie.

Good Night all.

Can't Wait Until Sunday Night!!!

You know, I think there is one thing better than the actual Thanksgiving meal....that would be leftovers the day after. I'll be getting tired of them about tomorrow but they were pretty good this evening. Of course that isn't what I am thankful for but I sure do like them. do and told him didn't have anything planned. He then asked me if I wanted to take a ride to that cafe I was telling him about last weekend. I said sure and we headed to the truck to go have lunch to a destination neither one of us knew about. I'd heard that it was a really good place to eat and low and behold it was. I like to consider myself a tenderloin sandwich connoisseur and I have to admit this tenderloin was one of the best. It wasn't so done that the breading was hard, it had a very nice crisp taste and was clean tasting. Prices weren't bad either.

Where is this Small Business Establishment, you should ask??? It is called Mom & Pop's Country Cafe. It is on Z Highway between Deepwater and Lowry City MO, off 13 Highway. The address is 1092 SE Z Highway, Deepwater, MO 660.438.2284. Once you get on Z off 13, it is probably about 9 miles down the road on your right hand side. They are only open from 7am-2pm, Tuesday-Saturday but it is well worth the drive. I've heard rumors that the pie is delicious too. Of course Terry gets pretty spoiled with homemade cream pies and pie isn't a treat for him. Especially since we had three leftover pies at the house waiting on us when we finished our drive.

When we finished we left and headed on down Z Highway, past Finey Church and many other homes and came out on 7 Highway, about 6 miles from Warsaw on 7 highway. It was a nice day for a nice drive for a nice lunch. I love these times. We listened to The Best of George Strait on the way down and The Best of the Beatles on the way home. We sang, we looked a pretty scenery and we hardly uttered a word, but it seemed like we visited the entire way!!!

We stopped outside of Clinton to fill the gas tank up and gas was $2.97 a gallon. Now THAT is what I am thankful for today. That gas has finally gotten down cheap enough to where we didn't grumble about the price and worry about not being able to afford a drive like we just had. I didn't think I'd ever see the day when I though $2.97 was cheap, but today was the day!!!

Not only was the gas prices were at a reduced price, the day was beautiful too. It was cloudy and a little windy but it the temperature was nice, probably around 50 but nice. We are suppose to get rain tonight and we need it so bad now. Wish it would just get over it and rain. Instead of this teasing us with drizzle all day long!!!

This morning before we left for the drive we were watching The View. I know alot of you probably can't stand these woman but I find them a delight. They had an actor on that is starring in a made for TV nonfiction movie that is to air on ABC this Sunday. The name of the movie is "Have a Little Faith" and the actor that was on their show was Laurence Fishburne. He plays Henry Covington, a gentleman that had been put in prison for a crime he did not commit, got out of prison and got into drugs which him and his wife became addicted to. He ends up stealing from a man that he was selling drugs for and the man tries to kill him. While he is hiding from this man be hides behind a trash can and gives his life to God. Telling God that if He would save him he would let God use him however he needs. That prayer changed his life from that point on and he ends up preaching to the homeless and bringing them to the Lord. Anyway Mitch Albom, the writer of this book, had been asked by an 82 year old rabbi from his hometown to deliver his eulogy. Albom doesn't feel worthy and becomes involved with this Detroit preacher that preaches to the homeless.

The movie is a true story and should prove to be awesome. I have read one other of Albom's books "5 people you meet in heaven". I loved that book and love Albom's writings. This movie is based upon something that actually happened to Albom. Talk about an outstanding movie, I ask you guys to watch it. Go to this webpage to read about the movie and also a little about Mitch Albom. He will change the way you think and see the world, I guarantee!!!

Can't figure out about the incomplete sentences and also don't like the color of the links but will figure it out. If you haven't figured out I want you to click on the word this webpage to read about Mitch Albom and his writings.

Well, haven't learned how to end these blogs in style so I just end with a closing statement. Can't wait to see you guys and will talk to you later!!!

...glenda

Full house, full belly, full hearts...thankful.

Wow!!! That was a feast and a half today. Was expecting 9-11, had 8 but only 7 ate, made enough to feed a small third world village of 150-200!!! Needless to say, there are going to be a bunch of leftovers but that is fine, my husband loves his leftovers and I already have a few recipes in mind!!! Thank goodness Josh and Brandon will be around to eat this weekend. I even sent food home with Terry's sisters, Sheila and Patty, and we still have enough to open up a restaurant!!! LOL!!!

I am so thankful for grocery store sale ad's the week of Thanksgiving and my ability to make everything by scratch!!! Will I do the Black Friday thing??? Not no but hell no!!! Have never experienced it and plan to never experience it!!! To much chaos and to many people for me. I'm afraid I would be on the 6:00 news, Harrisonville MO woman goes bonkers at store, ramming her cart into people and screaming at the top of her lungs "GET THE FRIGGING FRUCK OUT OF MY WAY!!!" Then she was seen in the parking lot slicing brake lines on every car and using fine grain sandpaper on everyone's windshields!!! Or something like that anyway!!! Yeah, I don't do that kind of thing well. They don't make strong enough Zoloft for me to even attempt that madness!!!

I will take advantage of this Saturday though!!! This is something I posted last night on my Facebook wall. " ... and don't forget, this Saturday is Small Business Saturday. Do your Christmas Shopping via small businesses!!! If you don't like the way is the economy is doing then do something for the economy."

I get so sick and tired of listening to individuals complaining about the way the economy is today and then do they do anything to help try to keep jobs in the United States??? NO. They would rather complain. These are the same one's that complain that we live in a terrorist nation here in the US. Well, if that is the truth then move. Go live in Yemen were women are joing the uprising against incumbent president Ali Abdullah Saleh so they can enjoy the same rights as men. Oh, wait a minute....that's already been done for us years before and we already have that right. Okay then, go live in Haiti where children are explotied and still work as domestic servants, you say no. Plus that is there, this is here!!! Okay, maybe so but stop complaining about how terrible we have it here. As far as I can tell it isn't that bad. Do I have to pinch my pennies. Yes, have I always...yes. Do I see so many people living above and beyond there means??? Yes. I can retire from the State in 4 years, will I???? Who knows, it will depend what is going on in 4 years but do I feel sorry for you because you are so in debt you will never be able to retire??? NO. My mom always taught me to never live outside of my means. Do I wear top of the line clothing??? Yes. Where do I get them?? Thrift stores, garage sales and 80% racks at the stores.

Well, just finished the second load in the dishwasher tonight. Probably should go into the kitchen and put them up. We are watching Rain: A tribute to The Beatles on Ice. Terry and I saw them last year at Starlight and they are fabulous, we've seen Liverpool Legends in Branson but Rain beat them tenfold. I'm amazed how these skaters can ice dance with such

grace. I'd be all over that ice like a tweeked out meth head!!! LOL.

Going to sign off. It was so good seeing my family today and being with them. Wish I could take all the pain away from everyone but all I can do is listen and pray for you. Of course and invite you to come to church with me. I love you so much and look forward to talking to you again!!!

Goodnight everyone!!!

Reno 911

Terry and I ran to Belton this afternoon to pick up Brandon's birthday present. His birthday this year lands on Thanksgiving, bless his heart. Told him we'd do a special dinner afterwards. Not sure if I will go ahead and do the cake for tomorrow or wait. We then ran to Ryan's because my husband LOVES his cafeteria style food. He's into quanity, not quality. LOL.

Anyway as we were leaving Belton the Fire Marshall truck went through traffic 90 to nothing zipping down 71 Highway south, the direction we were going. About 4 miles down the road that truck had caught up to the Fire Truck and then we rounded the corner and there it was, a wreck on the northbound side. An ambulance drove down the median as traffic was backed up. There were a couple State Trooper cars and another ambulance coming up. The wreck didn't look as bad as wrecks I've seen on the highway before but still, a wreck is a wreck. As I was watching these first responders working traffic and getting to the injured individuals in the accident, I thought to myself. Thank goodness for these dedicated individuals, willing to come like this to help someone to an extent that it could mean saving a life. Or to come up to an accident and the person might not have made it alive. I am so thankful tonight for these individuals. This is something I cannot do. I worked a short time one time in the admitting of an emergency room a hospital, and with those short three months I knew this wasn't a job for me. I don't like dealing with trama. It's not my strength at all. Praise God for these people that it is their calling.

Well, I am sitting here with a slight headache but I have been cooking like a mad woman tonight. Got the pumpkin pie baked, made a chocolate cream pie and sugar free banana cream pie with meringue, and also baked some chocolate chip cookies.

Tomorrow morning I will get up early and hit it hard!!! Well, not to hard but will hit it. Had to write down the menu so I would be sure and fix everything and not forget anything. Been known to do that before. I made homemade cranberry sauce with sweetner and when I tasted it the other night it wasn't very good. A little bitter tasting. I haven't tasted it since it has been sitting in the refrigerator for a couple of days but went ahead today and bought a can of Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce. Gotta have cranberry sauce with my turkey!!!

Terry's Josh called tonight and said that Madison is here. They are going to drop by sometime tomorrow and see us and I can't wait!!! She is such a smart, funny, sweet little girl and loves Lamar with all her heart. He loves her too. Can't wait.

Well guys. Got a lot of feedback about last nights blog, sorry this one is a little boring. I'm tired tonight and haven't gotten anything up my crawl tonight. Or haven't let anything get up my crawl. Wait, I take that back, something did tick me off bigtime but I will write more on it tomorrow.

Enjoy everyone and be thankful!!!

Don't get me started!!!

DAY 22

Last night I was talking to my friend Patsey via Instant Messaging on Facebook and I told her I was starting to run out of topics to say I am thankful for and she reminded me of so many things that I am thankful for that I didn't even consider, or had forgotten about. I have to say that I am thankful for the government programs that made my life possible as it is
today. When I was pregnant with Josh, I barely had a proverbial "pot to piss in". I worked part time as a waitress/cook at a little drive-in in Urich MO. I also worked at the grocery store there in town as a cashier/stocker/butcher, anything else needed in the store to keep it running. Not only those two part time jobs but also worked full time in Clinton MO at the then Holiday Inn. It was brand new and the place to be at the time. So two part time jobs and one full time job plus a new mama. Josh's dad and I had been in a serious motorcycle wreck and he couldn't work full time yet. I had to be on WIC, food stamps, Medicaid and anything else that could keep our heat on in the winter. Plus was able to keep healthy myself with all my Well Woman Exams and birth control. Josh had all his immunizations through the county health department and after I left his dad and decided I needed to learn another trade to be able to give my baby boy a good life, I applied for the Pell Grant so I could go to college and learn, not only how to use a computer but also be able to become eligible for a different career. During all this I lived in low income apartments in Garden City MO so I could live in an affordable housing situation. Did I just go to school and live off the state??? No!!! I worked and usually full time jobs. One year I worked at a nursing home as a cook and made sure my days off were Tuesday and Thursdays so I could go to school full time during that time.

Was I generational poor??? Maybe, I grew up poor but didn't know it because most of the children I grew up with were all poor too. We didn't know any better. Were there rich kids in our community, yes....there is in any community but that was okay too. My mom taught me the value of the dollar and that money doesn't grow on trees. I always say no matter how tough the economy gets, I know how to save. I know how to can my vegetables, I know how to cook, I can sew, mend, stitch, iron, rewash aluminum foil and also Ziploc bags!!!

I am a product of a mother that raised children in the depression. I like to consider myself situational poor. I was poor because of a situation I had been thrown in. Josh's dad made good money in a factory job and I made fairly good money too as a waitress but the motorcycle wreck screeched all that to a halt. Then I left Josh's dad and that put me in a complete
different situation.

So when you see someone using food stamps, or using WIC coupons, or have what you consider to many children, think to yourself instead. I wonder what that woman's story is. I wonder what life has handed her in this tight economy and how this must make her feel using those coupons to put food in those babies mouths.

I remember one Christmas, which was the hardest time for me because I always wanted the best for Josh, I had him at the DayCare in Garden City and yes, that was another government program I took advantage of so I could afford to go to work!!! Anyway they had a box of groceries waiting for me when I went to pick up Josh. I felt guilty for taking it but was so
thankful too. It meant so much to me and I will always remember Pam Larcom as an extremely caring woman for doing that for me. Every little bit helps, no matter what you have. That is one of the reasons why I always give canned goods when food pantries are asking for them and no, I never give vegetables. People cannot live off vegetables alone. I give canned
meats like tuna, salmon, things that are good for them. I also give peanut butter. I don't give processed foods at all. That isn't good for anyone. Good gosh, if you can't afford something that is nutritious for people that cannot afford it themselves then maybe you need to be living off the food pantry yourself.

If it hadn't been for the government programs I wouldn't be able to do what I do today and Josh wouldn't have been able to grow up as the healthy young man he is either. Individuals that think this is the ruination of the United States need a reality check. And those that think we need to get rid of Planned Parenthood and birth control programs for low income individuals REALLY need a reality check. Yes, lets do get rid of Planned Parenthood so we can find more dead babies in dumpsters, bus station terminal trashcans and also let these woman find other ways to get rid of this fetus.

Am I for abortion, no. I would never, ever in my entire life consider an abortion. No matter what the case is. I do not believe you should have abortions for birth control measures but I believe it is the individuals choice. Not yours. It is between them and God. That brings a whole new issue with me. Would I counsel the individual, yes. Would I tell her she could not do this. No. Would I tell her it is in her best interest not to do this. Yes. Grrr.

Another one of my many gripes. Do you know what low income couples are doing today because they cannot afford birth control. It's appalling but true. This statement may make you never read my blogs again and I pray not because I want you to stay with me, but these people are having unprotected anal sex. OUCH!!!

We need these programs to help the situational poor. PERIOD!!!

Okay, I am now stepping down off my soap box. I get on this subject and sometimes I am out of control. Any hoots, we had my co-workers retirement party today and it was the bomb!!! That's good, not bad. Lots and lots of people attended it and it was so much fun seeing everyone. I had everyone introduce themselves, where they work and how they met him and to give a comment or memory of him. He really, really enjoyed it and I am so glad. He is a special man in my eyes and his wife is awesome. Good, good people.

Josh just left this evening. He came by to get something to eat, typical Josh, and bless us with his presence. LOL. Love that kid. Not sure when Brandon is coming home but it will be within the next two days. Thursday is his birthday and he isn't going to miss that. Last year I made him a cake and all and he loved it. Got the stuff together now to whip up
another one. We will have his birthday dinner probably Saturday or Sunday.

Also found out my granddaughter, Madison will be here tomorrow and stay until probably Sunday. She is such a delight. Her daddy is Josh also and she lives over by St. Louis. We haven't seen her since June and we all are having Madison withdrawal. Gotta have our Madison fix!!! LOL.

Well, I will post more tomorrow night and I promise I won't get so radical as I did tonight. Public Health is something that is near and dear to my heart and I believe everyone should work within that field at least once in their lives and see how the real world lives. It's nothing like your life, believe me when I say that.

Good night everyone.

Be Glad When This Thankfulness Stuff Is Over!!!

Well, this is tough. I was going to say that I was thankful to be able to look up recipe's on the internet but that would go under being thankful for modern technology. Already done that one. So, would have to say I am thankful for local hospitals and the convience they are for rural communities to be able to have minor surgeries and not have to go to the large cities. Harrisonville has a small hospital that is an extremely nice, state of the art facility. I have done the physical therapy part of the hospital and man. It is really, really nice. A couple of years ago they rebuilt our hospital and I had been to the old physical therapy in the old hospital and it does not hold a candle to the new one. I also gave birth to my son in the old hospital and this new one is so nice. I am thankful we have this resource available to us and other communities also.

Today was the first day of my week off. I made No Bake Cookies and baked Snickerdoodle's. I also made a bowl of potato salad for a co-workers retirement tomorrow. I know you are thinking, that's nice but when I say I made a bowl of potato salad, I used 10 pounds of potatoes and a dozen eggs. Not sure who is going to be at this party so I told the girls at work I would make a huge bowl of potato salad. Another friend is making potato casserole and someone else is going to make baked beans. We are having a covered dish lunch with more food brought in from other co-workers, along with brisket and chicken wings. It's always fun and should be nice.

The cookies I made today though is for our Thanksgiving dinner. Hopefully tomorrow I will make chocolate chip cookies and also want to make Oatmeal cookies. Oatmeal are my favorites. Josh, Brandon and Terry likes all the rest. Of course I've never seen a one of them turn down a homemade cookie!!! No matter what kind!!!

Tonight we went to our hospital to visit a friend that had a minor surgery. Terry went to school with him and they are good friends. His wife was like a year below them in school so all three of them are good friends. Anyway, they were talking about someone that had passed away. We were talking about the two funeral homes here in this community that we get email notifications for the obituaries. I said, isn't it sad that we check the obituaries to see who has passed away and love the fact that we can get notifications when someone passes. I told them I also check the funeral home down in Osceola and have been known to check the funeral homes obituaries in Clinton. It seems the older I get the more people I know pass away and I want to be able to pay my respects for the person and do not want to miss the notification.

It's going to busy tonight on TV. MU is playing Notre Dame in basketball. Chiefs are playing the Patriots. Terry is going to be switching from game to game. Then at 8:30 I am going to want to watch Mike and Molly. Love my comedy sitcoms. That show cracks me up!!!

Speaking of sports I was saddened when I heard the young man that plays professional baseball for the Seattle Mariners was stabbed to death in the Netherlands. They believe it was his brother. Wow. Bless his heart and bless his families heart.

Of course I get tired and am totally appalled at the police point blank pepper spraying those students that were protesting in California because of high tutions. Why don't they do that to Fred Phelps and WBC??? Pepper spray them everytime they go to protest a soldiers funeral??? Grrrr. Don't get me started on all that. I get tired of bad news but then again I want to stay a breast on current events. What's a girl to do???

Welp, going to go in and finish cleaning up the kitchen. I love to cook but not so much on the cleaning up. It's okay though, it could be alot worse and it has been. Talk to you guys later.

Oh my gosh!!! Terry is on the internet and he is telling me they have doggy flu shots. He'll have Lamar at the vet in the morning if I let him!!! LOL.

Automatic Warmth

With the cold weather that has blown in today and this week, I am thankful for a thermostat on the wall to make it warmer in my house or cooler. Whichever I prefer. I have had wood heat before and it is nice but is such hard work. Plus when you wake up in the morning and the fire has gone out it is very, very cold. I love my central heat and central air. I remember growing up out in the country and we heated with a wood stove. It was in the kitchen and since we didn't have indoor plumbing that was were you took you bathes. Mom would heat the water up on the kitchen stove because we did have a regular kitchen range fueled by the propane tank out back. Just no furnace. Sometimes in the morning there would be frost on the windows because it was so cold outside.

My dad spent most of my life as either a cook in a restaurant, or a construction worker and even one time he leased the Skelley Station in Osceola but the last two years of his life he was nominated as the St. Clair County Clerk. Woo Hoo. We were in the money then!!! We got a furnace for the house, wall to wall carpet and paneling on the living room walls. I remember when we got the furnace I was like, I don't understand at all!!! It's so much colder then with the other heat. But my body got use to it and all was fine. We'd gotten indoor plumbing a couple years before but the furnace was the last thing he bought new before he passed away. When mom and I moved to town, we had one of those floor furnace's in our house. Do you remember those? If you stood on it it could melt the soles of your shoes in the grid and there was no way you would stand on it barefoot, it would burn your feet.

I use to walk to and from school because I only lived about 5 blocks away and in the winter time it was cold walking. No matter what the element was, I had to walk because alot of times mom would be at work when I got out of school. I couldn't wait to get home and straddle that floor furnace. It was so warm and would warm you up in nothing flat.

That brings back another memory. Like I said, we lived in town and I didn't live that far from school. I never missed a basketball game and was in the Pep Club. Never a cheerleader or a player but I was in the Pep Club cheering our team on like nobodys business!!! Mom always had me invite the country kids to our house so they could call their parents when the bus came in town so the parents could drive in and pick them up at our house. That way the parents didn't have to wait down at the school because we never knew for sure what time the bus would get in town. My mom always had hamburgers and french fries ready for everyone along with Snicker bars.

She worked at the Commercial Cafe in Osceola and then again at the Corner Cafe in Lowry and would buy boxes of Snicker's bars to just have. That Christene Thompson was something else. I think that is why I love to feed people too. If I can't do anything else, I can feed people.

Today, my niece Christie commented on my Facebook page that she read my blog post on when she taught me to drive a clutch and she reminded me of when we were driving in the back yard of our house in Lowry and one of us (we can't remember which) hit the propane tank. I can't believe she had us driving the Chevy Nova in the back yard at our house. The yard wasn't that big!!! What was she thinking I would learn, how to parellel park!!! LOL.

That is one of the things I like about posting this stuff, I get to remember stuff and it gives my friends and family remember stuff. I was reading tonight how to put up a geneology blog page. A couple years ago I was hot in heavy on finding stuff on my dad's side of the family along with mom's. I had it all the way to the 1700's on dad's. I was pumped and had backed it up on a CD. Well my computer crashed and I didn't have the program anymore that I was saving the genealogy stuff on and got really discouraged but plan to get back into it. I think I will do a blog one and see how that goes. Not on this one though, on a different one.

I haven't done to much with the webpage design the last couple of days on here. No reason, I just do better when I am home alone in Springfield doing stuff. I may do something this week while I am home but just posting is good enough for me right now. I have been playing with the design of the blog though. I wish I could figure out how you guys can comment on here but hmmmm. May change to a different blog site but want to make sure I can do it with ease. LOL. I have been looking at other blogs and people have moved their blogs to other sites and just put their new address on their old blog. No biggie though, it's not like I am going to be doing that in the next week or two. I have the holidays to get through. Maybe after the first of the year.

Well guys, all I can say is stay warm tonight if you are in the MidWest because it is cold, cold, cold. It's okay though. I still love this time of the year. I love my changing of the seasons.

Peace, Love and Tranquility to All
...glenda

Chicken Pot Pie and I don't care!!!

Today I am thankful for the person that invented frozen chicken pot pies. They are the bomb and I don't care how many times I try to duplicate them, they never, ever are as good as the one's you get in the freezer section at the store.

I ran to Aldi's today to pick up a few things for Thanksgiving and thought, I'll get a frozen chicken pot pie for supper. Everytime, they are better than the last. Love, love, love them and thank you frozen chicken pot pie inventor. I ate them as a teenager in Lowry. Mom worked during the day and sometimes in the evening she took care of an elderly couple in Lowry so I ate quite a few chicken pot pies. Not alot because sometimes she would bring me whatever was the special at the cafe she worked at, but I always preferred the chicken pot pies.

Today was a beautiful day but very windy. I think the temps got up to the mid 60's. I ran down to help a friend winterize her mom's trailer at the lake. It is located fairly close to where I grew up and I just absolutely love that area. I don't care how many times I go back, I love each time more. I use to want to buy down around there, just to have a place to go to for reunions, family gatherings and such but now that I am older, I'm not sure. It would be okay if it happened but I really don't care one way or the other now.

I let Lamar lick my plate clean tonight after I finished my chicken pot pie, I have to say never again. He's REAL gassy!!! The cat's have even left the room. LOL.

Not sure if you remember or not but a couple weeks ago or so I got on the library website and put a hold on a book on tape, The Brethren by John Grisham. It came in Thursday so I walked over to the library Friday to pick it up so I could listen to it on the 2 hour drive back home Friday evening.

I plugged it in my CD player and everything went really well, I was like this is a really good book. I'm going to be enjoying this puppy. Can't wait to hear what is going to happen here. I was driving along and got into like 45 minutes of the CD and all of a sudden it started skipping and quit. CRAP!!! Now what am I going to do???

Do I get the book and read it hoping I will finish it, do I tell the library that their CD is screwed up and see if they have another copy so I can listen to it or do I just get another tape hoping that it plays okay.

Well, what I think I will do is tell them their CD is screwed up, see if they have another and if not get the book. I am going to make my new year's resolution to read at least 5 books in a year. i love reading and love books but just don't do it much. Not sure why. Probably because I get so into them and it is hard to put them down. I love a good book.

With all this wind blowing and all it has really made me want to join the Kansas City Kite Club. The wind today was to strong and would have beat it to death but you would have been able to get it up in nothing flat. LOL. I know my husband will think I've lost my marbles but I love doing this. A friend of mine is going to join with me. We will learn how to build kites and go around flying them at different events. I love it. That will be a next year thing.

Have you noticed anything different on my page??? If not, look on the right hand side and listen to the "The Clap Song" video. Gotta love my line of work!!! I was doing my training in my area and was going to add it on my powerpoint presentation and my supervisor vetoed it. Said she was afraid it might be offensive to some. I am like, they need a different line of work if that offends them!!! Oh well. I liked it and thought it was hilarious.

Talk to you guys tomorrow. Have a good one!!!

Thank goodness

I am truly thankful for organizations like this that assure us the opportunity to tell our soldiers Thank You during the Holiday season!!!

This information is going around FaceBook tonight and is something that I believe is a really wonderful jester that we can

do for our soldiers.


When filling out your Christmas cards this year, take one card and send it to this address:

Holiday Mail For Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

For cards to get to our soldiers overseas they need to be postmarked by Dec. 9th.

Every card received will be screened for hazardous materials by Pitney Bowes and then reviewed by Red Cross volunteers working around the country.

Please observe the following guidelines to ensure a quick reviewing process:

All cards being sent in for 2011 Holiday Mail For Heroes program should be postmarked no later than Friday, December 9, 2011.

Ensure that all cards are signed.

Use generic salutations such as “Dear Service Member.” Cards addressed to specific individuals can not be delivered through this program.

Only cards are being accepted. Do not send letters.

Do not include email or home addresses on the cards, as the program is not meant to foster pen pal relationships.

Do not include inserts of any kind, including photos, as these items will be removed during the reviewing process.

We encourage participants to mail as many cards as they are comfortable sending. If you are mailing a large quantity,

please bundle the cards and place them in large mailing envelopes or use a flat rate box from the post office. Each card does not need its own envelope, as cards will be removed from all envelopes before distribution.

Please refrain from sending holiday cards with glitter. Many of these cards will be delivered to military and veterans medical facilities and the glitter could interfere with a patient's recovery

Well, with that said I will be saying a little prayer everyday for our soldiers and their families.

When I came home tonight from Springfield the highway was extremely busy. Lots of young men and women driving north from Springfield, going home for Thanksgiving week from college. Made my heart smile. I saw my cousins son, Geoff pass me on the highway. He was heading home and nothing was going to stop him!!! Alot of crazy stuff on the highway too.

Speaking of crazy stuff, the other morning I was heading to work down Glenstone and there was a pickup truck in front of me going about 10, maybe 15 mph. When I passed it there was a little old man and his little dog. The dog was on his lap, had his front paws on the steering wheel and looking over the top of it as if he was driving. I was like, what the heck is that man doing out at 6:30 in the morning with his little dog??? Laura, my co-worker said they were probably heading home,had been out since 3am. LOL. Made me smile, I could see my husband in 10+ years from now with Lamar driving down the street here in Harrisonville the same way.

Going tomorrow to help a friend winterize her mom's lake cabin down at Truman. I've helped her every year for the last several years. Don't mind, it doesn't consist of much work. Just making sure the antifreeze runs through the pipes and put up the outside furniture. It's all fine!!! Plan to stop off in Clinton at Aldi's and pick up a few things for Thanksgiving dinner. I sure do wish Harrisonville would get a Aldi's also. Maybe one of these days.

Going to sign off. Can't think of much more to write about. Tomorrow I should have something to write about. I think I need to get me a tape recorder and when thoughts come in my head I could record them because as I am out and about in the real world I think to myself....I will write that in my blog tonight and then I forget it. Oh well. Talk to you later.

If you have only one smile in you, give it to the people you love.

...Maya Angelou, she is one of my favorite authors and poets. She has some good stuff out there and if you ever have a chance to read it, I highly recommend it!!!

Well, day 17 of Thankfulness. Not sure if I am going to make it. Maybe I need a ticker to keep track of everything I have been thankful for in the past. I am truly thankful for convience stores with coffee just a waiting on me on the days I really don't want to make any. There is a chain of convience stores in Springfield area that are called Kum and Go. Isn't that the most disgusting thing you have ever heard of??? I know they have one in Cameron MO too because I use to drive by it thinking, "seriously???" Anyway, this morning I was glad there is a Kum and Go on every street corner in Springfield.


With Thanksgiving one week away and I am taking next week off I have to say I am so glad that I love to cook and bake. I have always enjoyed it and to have everyone like what I cook, it makes it even better. Thinking about what I am going to have on the menu.

• Turkey
• Dressing
• Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
• Green Beans seasoned with ham
• Cranberry Sauce
• Yeast Hot Rolls
• Pumpkin Pie
• Chocolate Cream Pie
• Banana Cream Pie
• No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
• Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Snickerdoodles

Not sure what else but whatever, it will be good, hopefully.

I love Thanksgiving. When all the family was intact, no one had passed away, we always had Thanksgiving as a family. We had alot of festivities together. Now everyone has married, have children of their own and other families to attend the holidays at. It is just hard for all of us to get together anymore and it is sad. I enjoyed the time we spent together as a family, catching up on what everyone has been doing and what has been happening in their lives. Oh well, times keep on going on and new memories are made daily!!! Along with new traditions.

Well, tomorrow is my last day at work. As I said earlier, I am taking next week off and all I can say is rock on!!! I am so excited. I will talk to you guys tomorrow night sitting in my easy chair with an ottoman at home, sitting in front of TV and enjoying my evening with my husband and my pets. ROCK ON!!!

Have fun everyone. It's what it's all about!!!

Gotta Learn To Always Put A Title In Here!!!

Now this here could prove to be fun!!!

Each day I find this to be so much fun. I love this and will get better at it as it goes along. It reminds me of a saying my mom use to always say, "Practice makes perfect". So true. She would use that line on me with just about everything. I told her I can't make gravy as good as hers and she'd say "Practice makes perfect". Same thing would go with so many different things. Listen to your mama's people, they really do know what they are talking about and can give you so much information to get through life. They've been there, done that and ain't a going back. :o)

I guess before I get to far into this posting tonight I need to say what I am thankful for on Day 16. Several things came to mind today but I have to say I am thankful for my "gift to gab"!!! I have never met a person that I can't talk to. With my job today I have to visit with a vast array of individuals and I do not have a problem at all. I cannot say I have always had that gift but then again, I look back and maybe I have. My mom and dad worked various restaurants while I was growing up and there were times that I had to go with them and sit out the shift. Needless to say it was extremely boring but the coffee drinkers always would keep me entertained by teasing and tormenting me. They would have a nickle for me to play the pin ball machines or put money in the jukebox. Mom and dad worked out at Hart's Cafe and I can remember sitting there with Bill Foote, Glen Russell, Harry Foster and a vast array of individuals. They'd tell me, don't play none of that rock and roll music. I'd slip my quarter in there and play "Red Rubber Ball" or "This Diamond Ring" or anything else I wanted to listen too and they would give me a hard time. I'd just giggle.

There was one time dad ran the Skelley Station in Osceola and I remember sitting outside with the old men there and of course what did old men do but give me a hard time. After my dad passed away mom taught me to do the same thing she knew to do, wait tables. From the age of about 14 until I was 30, I waited tables and if you don't learn the gift to gab there you don't make money at it!!! I enjoy working the public and get extremely bored if I have a job that I don't have any public contact at all. Anyway, I am thankful today for the ability to talk to people and make them laugh.

This has been a stressful week for me at work but it is all going to be over with soon. Of course I bring more stress to myself than is needed because I want everything to be perfect and everyone knows that isn't going to happen. As I said in my earlier posts, I have finished all those trainings and today I got all the certificates printed off and sent to the participants. That is completely behind me and won't have to worry about it for another couple of years. Thank goodness. I am organizing a co-workers retirement in the Independence office and it is tough being down here in Springfield but I have friends that are helping me out BIGTIME so that stress is releaved somewhat. I will just be glad when the 22nd is done and over with and I can concentrate on Thanksgiving. I am excited and believe it or not that is a stress reliever for me. I love to cook and bake and cannot wait to get it going. Terry is fantastic in helping me with the cooking, cleaning and of course he loves to do the eating. LOL. I'm excited and then after T-Day we can put up the Christmas tree and such.

Well, this is about it for posting. The weather has turned off cold and it looked like it could have been sleeting when I got off work. Not sure though, could of just been really cold drizzle. I really don't complain about the hot and cold weather. Now I do complain about ice and by the time winter is over I am ready for the changing of the seasons but I have to say, I love season changes. Missouri has so much to offer in beauty there. Yes, it would be nice to live somewhere that there is 75* weather, and then it turns off nice....but yet no. Not really. I've lived in various states, such as Oklahoma, Kansas, Indiana and Wyoming and I have to say that I LOVE MISSOURI!!!

Welp, I will see you guys tomorrow night. I was going to make it big font like I did yesterday but not sure. Gotta play a little bit here. You guys are my guinea pigs!!! Later gators!!!

Day 15 of Thankfulness

This morning, after getting paid, I went on-line and ordered several Christmas presents thatshould arrive at the front door within 10 days, if not sooner. It is such a blessing not to go out and fight the crowds, worrying about my attention deficiet disorder playing havoc. When I walk into a store I tend to forget what I was looking for, off I go to the pretty jewelry counter. Then I look up and there are the pretty purses, ooo shiny items, they get me everytime. There are just so many things out there that distract me in the store.

I plan to order a few more things and should be done by the first of December. It is such a blessing for me to be able to order things on-line, pay for them and be done with it. Yes, sometimes I have shipping but it is worth it to pay the little extra just to not go into the store. I hate to shop and hate messing with the crowds, let alone trying to find a sales person when you need one!!! I have been known to chase someone all over the store and finally tackle them down to get an answer. Of course, the ones that hover like vultures swooping in for the kill drive me nuts too.

I am playing a little bit with web page design. Not alot but a little. I will see how it looks and play more each night.

When I logged into Facebook tonight, I just couldn't make myself post anything. I have gotten really bored with Facebook and get aggrivated at the dumb stuff that is posted. Especially the political stuff, leave me alone with that. This is suppose to be light hearted and fun, not political and nasty. Also, sometimes I get so tired of the ones that post the stupid jokes, I am like....I hope this isn't the way people feel when I post stupid stuff. I'm just bored, I need to vamp it up a notch or two. I am looking for a non-credit class down here on Facebook. They have them up in Kansas City. The Metropolitan Community Colleges have them along with UMKC and Johnson County Community College. I am sure they have them down here, I just haven't found them yet. I can't wait to take my Web Design I class through the library on the 28th of this month. 7 week, 2 hour a night computer led class. It will be fine and fun. I am sure.

Well, Thanksgiving is right around the corner and I plan to take that week off. I have a retirement celebration for a good friend to attend on the 22nd and the rest of the week will be vacation. I will be glad so I can get all the cooking done and be ready for Thursday.

I was talking to someone today that made me a little upset. I can't say names or refer to who it was but I know they won't see this blog because they don't have a computer. All my life they have made snide remarks like I am a loser. Not really a loser but won't ever make much out of myself. Anyway, they called me today needing some resources. If you know me at all I am all over helping anyone out that needs resources, if I can and know who to contact I am there to help you out.

Well, they didn't know that I was living down here in Springfield until they talked to someone up in Garden City. I said yes, that I had been down here for almost a year and love it. We visited a little bit about Josh and Terry, this person has children around the same age as Josh and I made a comment, I know how it is because I have Josh. Kids will be kids, if you have kids you know what I mean. Anyway this person said in a snide remark, "Well you guys are like brother and sister." I said no, I am his mother and he knows that. Then they made a snide snicker. What did that mean??? Why do I let this person make me feel the way they did??

I know I shouldn't let them bother me but sometimes I just do. In my heart I believe they are just jealous of me because I have made it this far in my life and have made a good living for Josh and I. We have had some real tough times but we made it. One time Josh texted me an awesome text that just made me prouder than punch to be his mom!!! I will have to post it at another date.

Well, I am going to sign off. I see where I am missing something with The Muppets!!! I love the Muppets, they are the bomb in my book!!! I know, I'm ate up!!!

Driving back to Springfield today I was thinking about when I was learning how to drive a car and mom’s car was a 1966 Chevy II Nova.  It had “3 on the tree” and that is what I learned to drive.  My niece Christie, who is 9 months younger than I, taught me how to drive a clutch on the streets of Lowry City.  I also remember my dad teaching me before he passed away, we would drive out in the pasture in his 1963 Ford Falcon but I don’t remember it being a clutch. Mom either didn’t have the patience or just didn’t want to do it, but she never taught me how to drive.  Thank goodness for Driver’s Ed and Mr. Wilson.  He was the Coach for our school and he also taught our class Driver’s Ed.  That man must have had the patience of a saint because I never once remember him yelling at any of us.  I can’t remember who was in the car with us but it seemed like Terry Colley and Lenora Moran.  But then I also remember something with Myra Slaybaugh and Kay Snyder too.  Who knows, like I said the man had patience of a saint!!!  I can honestly say that today I am thankful for those days because now I can either drive both an automatic or a clutch with no problems what so ever!!! 

When I got to Clinton this afternoon and crossed the stop light where 7 Highway goes to Warsaw and 13 goes straight I thought to myself, man that spot is like the Mason Dixon line.  I can’t explain what it is but when I pass through those stop lights it is like I have crossed into another plain.  Another land or something, like I said it is hard to explain.  It could be because that is my childhood memories that I am crossing into, leaving my adult memories behind me.  Two complete different eras or chapters in my life!!!

As I was driving along and crossing the Truman Lake, the lake levels are extremely low.  There are dead trees sticking up out of the water and you can see where the Grand River flowed.  When you get to Osceola you can see the Osage River perfectly and it made me think of the times mom and I would sometimes go home along the river.  Or when the dam was still intact in town and seeing all the fishermen during snagging season, for those of you that do not know what snagging consists of.  It is when the spoonbill spawn and the fisherman would use big poles and snag the fish.  It is only during the spring and the spoonbill would come up river to Osceola and spawn at the bottom of the dam.  It was a big deal in the springtime for our area.  Seeing the lake so low and being able to tell where the rivers flowed made me extremely sad, because so much beautiful land was ruined because of the lake and now all is lost, never to return.  Oh well, they say that is progress but I say it is not. 

Two places I love more than anywhere else is the library and the bookstore.  I am really, really bummed that Borders has closed because I liked them so much, better than Barnes and Noble.  Since I have been down here to Springfield, I haven’t been to a bookstore yet but have been to the library several times.  They have an awesome library here, even equipped with a gift shop that sells old library books long with really, really neat little gift ideas and such.  I usually just get books that are factual or something that can improve my life.  I was talking to a co-worker last week and he said he gets books on tape to listen too because we are on the road so much.  I told him I had been thinking about the same thing but don’t know to much about the authors or titles and don’t know what to listen to.  He said he really likes Stephen King and that his stuff isn’t all scary or supernatural.  He said his favorite is Dream Catcher or something like that.  I went on line looking for a book on tape and got “The Brethren” by John Grisham.  I hope it is good but figure it is a start for me because I would like to get back into reading at least one good book a month.  My problem when I start reading a good fiction book is that I get so into the characters that it takes me a couple of days to get over the entire thing.  Maybe I will write about it here on my blogs.  There ya go, another topic to talk about.  I need something because I am having troubles thinking of things I am thankful for but I do figure it out when it gets time to blog. 

If you guys have something that you think I might like let me know.  I’ll give it a shot but it has to be good and catch me at the beginning.  Its tough keeping me hooked but once I am I am hooked throughout the entire book. 

One of my favorite sitcoms is getting ready to come on.  It is Mike and Molly, if you haven’t ever watched it I have to tell you it is hilarious.  They crack me up and my other favorite is Big Bang Theory but it is on Thursday nights.  I will be back tomorrow night, I promise.  For those of you that love my writings I am not sure why because I don’t feel like I am writing about anything of importance but I do feel good about writing.  I have always loved to write and this is just making me a stronger writer. 

I am thankful for my Sunday afternoon drives with my husband.  After the Chiefs football game on TV we get into his truck and drive around in the country or around town, whichever floats our boat.  When we get into the truck he turns on the sports radio station on the AM channels.  We drive to the Dairy Queen, get some ice cream at the drive thru and park the truck, watching the cars drive by while we enjoy our ice cream.  After the ice cream is gone we go on our ride.  Tonight we went riding out in the country to see if we could see any deer and we did.  Evidently this particular deer had heard us driving down the gravel road because he was running as fast as he could along the tree line, next to a soybean field that had been harvested a few weeks before.  Needless to say he probably had been eating grain that was left on the ground.  I couldn’t tell how many points were on his antlers but he had a pretty big rack!!!  We looked to see if we could see more of the herd but none was seen.  They either had run into the woods ahead of him or may have run a different direction.  The reason we were looking for more is because they do not run alone, there are usually 3 or 4, if not more. There was a creek nearby that had been dry most of the year but with our rains we have received the last few days, there was water standing.  If I was a hunter I would go back to that spot because not only was there food and water available, there was also enough timber to give them shelter.  Of course someone was probably already hunting that area because the fields were someone’s!!!

We take those rides in the Spring and Summer also after the Royals games.  Terry likes to listen to the fans that call in and hear what they have to say about the game.  They were pretty mad tonight because the Chiefs lost against the Denver Broncos.  He thought it was pretty funny what some of them were saying but he was pretty disgusted with them too.

We have been watching a Directv channel called HDNet.  It has been really good tonight, they usually have concerts.  Earlier they had Graham Nash and David Crosby.  Loved listening to those two, not sure where Stephen Stills was but Graham and David did pretty well.  Stephen Stills use to play in Buffalo Springfield and Graham Nash was with the Hollies.  When Terry got out of the Navy he went to broadcasting school and was a DJ for WHB and also 101 the Fox when it was in Harrisonville.  Anyway, he knows his music trivia, he was quizzing me earlier.  Right now they have John Fogerty on and he is awesome.  He was the lead singer for Creedance Clearwater Revival and they are playing some really good songs!!!  I am so glad Terry loves his music as much as I do!!!  We enjoy watching shows like this together!!!

It has been a busy weekend and I believe it is going to stay that way until after the holidays.  Always does but at least this year I’m not planning a wedding.  That was stressful!!!  In one month I had totaled my car, took a new position, got married, found an apartment in Springfield and moved.  WOW.  That was something else, lots has happened in that year but I wouldn’t change any of it for anything!!!

This evening my memory bank has been playing overdrive.  One thing is that Mary Lou Spinning is having her 90^th Birthday party at the First Christian Church in Garden City.  Mary Lou was a wonderful lady as was her husband Grant.  I have a picture somewhere of Josh out at their house holding their dog, a Jack Russell Terrier, and he is sitting in a chair outside.  I will have to see if I can find it and bring it Saturday to her party. 

Also, I have several friends from all parts of my life on Facebook.  I have this one person that I have probably known for close to 40 years.  She was married to one of my best friend’s brother and had a son by him.  The last time I had seen her son he was a little guy, and her husband had passed away.  I saw a picture of her handsome son tonight and he is a mirror image of his daddy.  His daddy was a handsome man, as he is too.  Her son is probably now in his late 30’s, early 40’s which is the age that I knew his dad at.  Maybe not that old, I can’t remember.  It doesn’t seem like I should be the age I am now.  LOL.  Anyway, when I talked to her a little on Facebook it brought back many memories.  My friend that is the sister of her late husband has passed on now too.  They were a good family, just had several demons that they had to deal with unfortunately.  We all deal with demons daily of some kind.  It is how we handle them that matters in our lives.  I fight with them daily in many capacities; I just have my trust and faith in God that helps me handle them.  I pray hard though, real hard!!!

With that said there are 4 things we need to know and do to become Christians in this hairy scary world we live in.  Love, Give, Believe and Receive. 

John 3:16  For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.   

Fake it till you make it!!!

Heard this song tonight and really like it.  Doesn't have to much to do with what I've written except I saw Graham Nash and David Crosby sing it on HDNet tonight!!!

  

It's gotta be the pets!!!

The companionship of my pets….I am so thankful for them.  They are like your children and if any of you are pet lovers, you know exactly where I am coming from.   No matter how tough of a day I have had or if it’s been a week from hell, I can walk through that door and Lamar is so excited to see me and the cats both have their tails straight up in the air walking figure 8’s straight to my legs.  They are ready to love on me and show me their unconditional love.  No matter if you have been away from them for an hour or it’s when I return after being gone for a week, they love me no matter what.  The toughest part of having pets is when you have to scold them for doing something they aren’t supposed to do, I feel extremely guilty.  The dog feels really bad and will not make eye contact, but the cats are more like, “you talking to me punk???”  They all have personality plus and then some!!!

 

Today was a full day for me.  I went down home to Lowry City and attended an All School Reunion committee meeting.  They nominated me as President this year and I will probably be in that position for a while.  No one ever seems to want to do it but it’s a pretty easy job and there isn’t a lot of work involved.  We met in Lowry City at the little restaurant down town at 10am.  We stayed there until around 11am, my cousin was there George Lysinger, Cindy Neuenschwander McDaniel, A Joe Davis and Patsy Snyder Beaty.  I know a lot of you won’t know who that is but a lot of you will.  After the meeting Gloria Goans Crowder came into the restaurant and I visited her for quite some time.  Then George and I were leaving and he asked if I wanted to go out and have lunch with him at another restaurant down there, the Oxyoke BBQ.  It is out on the highway and they have really good food, the Nichols own it and if you are from Lowry area you know the name Nichols and BBQ go together.

Let me add, that before I left Harrisonville Terry told me he was going to go to the high school football game at 1pm with a friend.  I think last night I posted on here that Harrisonville played Seymour, my bad!!!  They played Savannah MO and it was a nail biter game I guess.  Harrisonville lost, with overtime minutes played.  I told Terry to go ahead and go, I wasn’t sure if I was going to be home in time or not.  Glad I did because George and I had a nice visit at the restaurant. 

While I was coming home Josh texted and ask what I was doing.  Told him I was heading home from Lowry and he said he was going to go and find something to eat.  I told him I’d stop off in Garden City and we could run up to Eric’s Rockin’ C, another really good place to eat.  I was full but I sat there and visited with Josh.  He is such a good kid and I love him with all my heart.  

Then I headed home after taking Josh to the house and my friend Carole called, saying that she wanted to run up to Overland Park to JoAnn’s Fabric.  Carole has been sick all week, diagnosed with bronchitis, coughing and feeling all around crappy.  She wanted to pick up her mom a Christmas present, an Ott light.  For those of you that don’t know what an Ott light is, it is a lamp that is like natural sunlight and if you are doing crafts or even reading they are a dream.  JoAnn’s had the really nice one on sale, it was the $200 floor lamp, on sale for $99 and she had a 20% off coupon and the sale was over today.  I told her I would drive her up there, we found it and by the time everything was over she only paid $84.00. THAT rocks and she was so glad I took her up there. She’d do the same thing for me, I know and that is what friends are for!!!

I got home after all that running around at 4:30 and I don’t plan to do anything but veg out all evening.  Hoping I can stay awake until Saturday Night Live is on tonight.  Want to see what kind of skit they have for Rick Perry’s screw up on the Presidential Debates.  I am sure they are going to have fun with that one because SNL always has fun making fun of political candidates!!!  

Tomorrow is going to be a slower day; I will go to church in the morning and then have lunch for my guys.  Not sure yet what I am going to make but will make something good, I am sure!!!  I will get more philosophical next week, I seem to write more detailed when it is just me and the computer.  When I am home on the weekends I usually am sitting here with the TV on and with Terry there is always a game on.  He always tells me I can watch anything I want but I really don’t know what else is on.  I would rather watch football then what is happening at Penn State.  That just makes me sick and I can’t stand to hear about it!!!

Good night, sleep tight.  Don’t let the bed bugs bite!!!  Enjoy a little "Jazzman" by Carole King!!!  One of my all time favorite singer/songwriters of all time!!!

got freedom?

11-11-11, that always seems cool to me and I don’t know why. Like in September when it was 9-10-11, I know I need a life but numbers fascinate me sometimes!!!  Also when I look at the time and it is 12:34 or if my speedometer is at an amazing number too.  Can’t help it, it’s just the way I am. 

Today I would have to say that I am thankful for Wikipedia, the dictionary, a thesaurus and anything else I use daily, either to research something, find another way to say a word or to look and see what a word means.  As I was looking up to see what I could find out about a calendar and see if I could lay some amazing facts down for you to read, I thought to myself.  I remember when I was in school and would have to write a paper or something, I would have to use the encyclopedia.  I found them interesting though and sometimes would sit and read sections of them.  We also had some World Atlas’ and I would look and see what other parts of the world were like.  I still have been known to buy old encyclopedias or books about a certain era. Not the entire sets, just sections that interest me. 

Brandon made it home last night and Josh came by and we went out to the movies and then to eat.  We went to see Tower Heist with Eddie Murphy and Ben Stiller.  I liked it, it made me laugh and as I have said, anything that makes me laugh I like.  Would like to see Puss in Boots too, I love a good cartoon movie!!!  They make them so amazing now than when Josh was a little guy and I use to think they were pretty cool then. 

Tomorrow I am going to the All School Reunion committee meeting.  Lowry City, where I graduated has an All School Reunion every year.  They nominated me as President last year and they usually have a couple of meetings before next May when the reunion is.  Not sure what I am doing but am sure it will all be fine.  We need to figure ways to get more people involved, now that we all are getting older.  Terry is going to a high school football game here in Harrisonville, the game starts at 1pm and I should be home in time.  They play Seymour MO and if I get home in time I will go with him.  It is their play-off games and I really don’t understand football that well but will go with him just because!!!

Well, I am going to sign off.  I didn’t make it to my Web Design class because I was going to be gone the next two Mondays and didn’t want to do the tutorial and then have to start all over.  May have not forgotten anything but then again, I might have!!!  Sometimes I click on all cylinders and other times not so much so!!!  I’m getting bored so I have to amp this all up a notch or two but won’t be able to do anything.

Praise God, Just found out the Washington National’s baseball player that was kidnapped 2 days ago in Venezuela has been found alive.  I can’t imagine how thankful his mom and family is.  Wow.  How scary.  Terry tells me that kidnapping is a high crime in South America but is usually young children from influential families.  How scary!!!

Good night everyone.  Love each and every one of you!!! 

Peace, love and tranquility!!!