Poor little birdie....

When I came home from the nail salon this afternoon, I noticed that something was jumping around in one of the bushes outside. Of course, House, our youngest pup, decided to investigate it for himself! He found this sweet little bird that must have fallen out of its bird nest. He was trying to fly but just couldn't make it off the ground. It was precious to watch him try.

House got upset with me because I wouldn't let him play with it! Like these pups don't have enough toys to play with already!!


Other than that, it's been a quiet day. The sun is shining beautifully and the dishes are calling my name (like that's something new!)

Just hanging around....

Well, not much has really been going on the past few weeks. The boys went back to WV to visit family and last week I basically just laid around and tried not to push myself. I'm feeling much better now so I'm hoping that maybe I'll get into scrapbook mode within the next few weeks.

Our fourth was pretty quiet. Ray cooked up some barbecue spare ribs on the grill and we pulled out the almighty watermelon! LOL Luckily for the puppers, there wasn't any fireworks in the area going off so they had no problems when it came to sleeping. I always hate it when thunder or fireworks scare the poor things. House is the one right now that is showing his reaction the most toward noise. If you get out the vacuum cleaner, he's runnin' before it even starts!!

Meadow & House enjoying their day

Today I'm trying to stay occupied and ignore all the MJ hustle and bustle. I am so sick and tired of hearing about him. Yes his music was great, but I still believe he is a guilty man. Nothing will ever convince me otherwise. Must be nice to have money to buy you out of jail!! Same goes for O.J.!

Rays been working some pretty hot hours. It was nice having him around for a four-day holiday week-end. I personally cannot wait to get back to work! :o) Well, I'm off to hit the record button on the DVR because I promised Ray I would record the MJ service for him to watch. Doesn't mean I have to watch it though..........hehe

Night Life In the ER

Well, I've had an exciting week of medical adventures. Last week, I was having a few vision problems and had to have an MRI. Turns out that I had suffered from an Aura Visual Migraine. Something I've had to educate myself on this past week.

A more intense medical journey began for me on Wednesday night however. I woke up in the middle of the night with excruciating pain in my lower right abdomen and could not even lay down because my entire body jabbed with pain and spasms. I called my doctor to schedule an appointment and as usual, she fit me right in. When she began to examine me and asked me to lie down on the table, all I could do was scream and cry because the pain was so extreme. It literally shot all the way up past my shoulders!

She ran a few tests and discovered that my WBC was elevated and that I had a bit of blood in my urine. She figured that I probably developed a kidney stone so she scheduled a CT scan for me. I was reluctant to believe I had a stone. I wasn't vomiting or anything, but figured I may be in the early stages of it if my doctor thought so. I've never had them before so it wasn't my job to diagnosis myself.

I called to tell Ray that I had to be in Winston for the scan and almost immediately he announced he would leave work to come home and take me himself. That was not something I expected of him at all. I've been so use to taking care of myself when I've been ill in the past that it was very meaningful to me. Here's a perfect example:

Three or four months after we moved to Atlanta, I became very ill early one morning and had to get Brady off to school and drive myself with Brandon to the Emergency Room. Brandon was only 4 at the time and we didn't know very many people at all except for the few acquaintances I had made at the church we had been attending. Eric was completely unreachable. I didn't have a cell phone back then and had to rely on the hospital to call my parents back in WV and have them to try and help me get a hold of Eric. My parents tried calling the post and commander until they had reached him. I had called my pastor and he helped me find someone to take care of Brandon for me and helped me arrange for Brady to be picked up from school at the end of the day.

They thought I was going to have to have my ovaries removed and they were already planning on during surgery on me. Understand that I showed up in the ER around 7:30 am and it was around 2 pm when they were discussing surgery. I still hadn't heard from Eric. His commander called to check on me, but nothing from my so-called spouse.

Finally, they announced that I had a severe kidney infection due to having a congenital kidney. Something that neither my parents or I ever knew I was born with. One of the gals from the church came by to take me home from the hospital that evening around 6:30 p.m. Around 7:30 that night, Eric arrived at home and I'll never forget the words he spoke to me. "Guess you weren't that bad if they sent you home now are ya??" There was no how are you? I'm sorry I didn't make it to the hospital..........I'm sorry I didn't call....Do you need anything?? NOTHING!!!!!

Last night, I experienced what it's like to truly have someone care for you. My doctor called and spoke with me immediately after my CT Scan was done and instructed me to go directly to the ER because there were no stones, but bleeding in my pelvic area. Yes, I got scared.........the last thing I wanted was to be admitted to the hospital. Especially one that I didn't even know anything about! Ray didn't leave my side for a second and I truly believe that if they would have admitted me, he would have stayed right there the entire time. He spoke up when he was curious about my care and I knew that I was safe just because he was there. He didn't even take a smoke break!! Now THAT says a lot!


After they doped me up on morphine and ran all their great tests they came to the conclusion that I had a ruptured ovarian cyst. Of course, a few of the nurses were a bit more concerned over Michael Jackson's passing than on me..........but I had the best medic in the world taking care of me. I am so truly blessed having him in my life. He has shown me so many great things about a relationship. He makes me feel cared for and safe.

Now I just have to lay around for a few days, pop some pain killers (which are totally making me feel groggy and icky) and regain some strength. Thanks to all my great friends who started that prayer chain last night and sweet, sweet Kara was ready to hop in her car and head for the hospital. What else could I possibly ask for in life? I have so many things to make me happy..........even when I dying in pain!! LOL

When Heaven Calls....

For those who are very dear to me know that we experienced a loss in Ray's family on Wednesday. It was a quick and unexpected loss and I believe that has been the hardest part for everyone. Two weeks ago, Ms. Mildred was sitting at the flea market trying to make an extra dollar to purchase those Marlboro cigarettes she loved so much. A few days later, she was roaming around Wal-mart. That was her last outing........

I've only known Ms. Mildred personally for about 9 months. I've had the privilege to speak to her on the phone during the years though. But I had come to love her. She was so fiesty and bold! She didn't hold back speaking her mind. Every time Ray would leave the room, she'd start telling me stories about him. I spent a Saturday afternoon with her over Easter break and she boldly announced that she knew Ray loved me because she had never seen his eyes light up before as they did when he was with me. She told me that she didn't worry about him anymore because she knew I took good care of him. Then the real lecture began..........if he ever hurt me then I was to come to her and she'd take care of me! haha She was just so much fun to be around and I loved listening to her stories (especially the one's about how much she hated Katie, the ex! hehe).

She reminded me a lot of my mamaw back home always wanting her hair done. I miss my mamaw a great deal so I enjoyed making sure that Ms. Mildred had the oppurtunity to get all dolled up. The last time we went she wanted to get all spruced up for some fella she had her eye on at the flea market!! She was always so enthused when I'd show up to visit her on my days off from preschool. I'm thankful that I did get to know her as much as I did, but wish that I could have known her for many more years.


She was so excited about Ray finding Joshua. She was always asking about him and told me that when he finally came to NC, we were going to have a big dinner to celebrate! Josh wanted to try and fly in a few weeks ago but the funds weren't there to make it happen. If only we had known then what we do now.

I have been so proud of Ray during the past few days. He has really stepped up and made sure that his Mama's wishes were taken care of. I've seen a side of him that has never been visible before. Part of it I hated to see because I don't like knowing that he is in pain and hurting. The other part was so nurturing and mature that I know that I am luckiest woman in the world to have him in my life.

Please continue to pray that God will reign His mercy and comfort down upon the family and envelope them in His safe and precious arms.

Fancy Nancy

I just had to share this great poem that Gov. Huckabee had written and recited on his show Huckabee (which can be seen on FOX every Saturday night at 8 p.m.) last week-end. It's about Miss Nancy Pelosi. Enjoy!!!

Fancy Nancy

by Mike Huckabee

Here’s a story about a lady named Nancy
A ruthless politician, but dressed very fancy
Very ambitious, she got herself elected Speaker
But as for keeping secrets, she proved quite a “leaker.”

She flies on government planes coast to coast
And doesn’t mind that our economy is toast
She makes the Air Force squire her in their military jets
There’s room for her family, her staff, and even her pets.

Until now, she annoyed us, but her gaffes were mostly funny;
Even though it was painful to watch her waste our tax money.
But now her wacky comments are no laughing matter;
She’s either unwilling to tell the truth, or she’s mad as a hatter!

She sat in briefings and knew about enhanced interrogation;
But claims she wasn’t there, and can’t give an explanation.
She disparages the CIA and says they are a bunch of liars;
Even the press aren’t buying it and they’re stoking their fires.

I think Speaker Pelosi has done too much speaking;
And instead of her trashing our intelligence officials, it’s her nose that needs tweaking.

If forced to believe whether the CIA and her colleagues in Congress are lying;
Or it’s Speaker Pelosi whose credibility and career is dying.
I believe in the integrity of the men and women who sacrifice to keep us safe;
Not the woman who has been caught flat-footed, lying to our face.

I say it here and I say it rather clear—
It’s time for Nancy Pelosi to resign and get out of here.

Bad Grooming Experience

Well, I finally was able to save up the money to have Mia Sue groomed over the week-end and this is what she ended up looking like!! When we first arrived for our 1 p.m. appointment, they informed me that they were already two dogs behind and that she wouldn't be ready until around 4 p.m. Okay, so I can handle hang out in town for an extra hour. Well, she wasn't ready until 5:30 p.m.!!! And I think the only reason she was ready then was because Ray & I showed up at the groomers to check on her.

Mia always has an attitude towards me after I take her to be groomed & she was shaking so I had Ray take her out to the car while I squared the bill away. Once we got home, it was obvious that they had messed her face up pretty royally! Her hair line was cut too far back and it was obviously crooked. She has so many places within her body that are long and she is cut so unevenly....I was royally TICKED!!!

So I sent them an email on Sunday along with pictures I had taken of her immediately after arriving home. They called and apologized and offered to fix her and give me a free grooming next time as well. I'm hesitant because I don't want Mia to go through any more drama, but she looks like Cruella Deville!!!!! I kid you not!

The "Cruella DeVille look"

I'm getting ready to run her in to be fixed (if that's even possible!) Hopefully I can post some beautiful pics of her afterward. In the meantime, enjoy seeing how messed up she is (and for those that know me well knows you do NOT mess with my dogs!!)

My Wish.....

rascal flatts mp3 | rascal flatts lyrics

free music downloads | funny games | rascal flatts pictures

Mother's Day Crafts.....

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day! I relaxed and actually got to spend a good bit of the day with my Uncle Bobby who was visiting North Carolina for the week-end. It was having him here...........he is hilarious and we had a good time. He's been a huge influence in my life...when it comes to orneriness & mischief.....hehe

I thought I'd add a few preschool pictures today. Below is a picture of the Mother's Day gift I had the children make this year. It has a cute little poem and their handprint. Of course, I took the picture and added the stamp & flower.

This flower was made using the childrens handprints and the petals were made with their footprints. My students love doing anything that pertains to painting their hands! I learned that it took a lot more work assembling the flower than I thought it would though. But it was a hit with the parents!

Our class caterpillar died last night...........I was very upset over it because I didn't want to break the kids hearts because they were so looking forward to watching it turn into a beautiful butterfly. They didn't ask me about Curly (that's what they named him) today so I just didn't bring him up! You know the old "Don't ask, don't tell" policy! hehe I'm sure that the question will come up soon though. They don't miss a beat! What in the world will I do without them this summer? Just the thought of the school year ending is making me sad........

Migraine Madness.......

Well, the rainy weather has taken things one step further and now washed so much pollen to the surface that I woke up with an excruciating migraine. I haven't had one this bad in quite a while. Within ten minutes I was praying to the porcelain god. And of course, being nauseated and extremely sensitive to any light, it meant I couldn't spend the day with my preschoolers. My head has been pounding so badly that even the screen on my cell phone hurt due to the reflecting light. I had to turn my sound off all together because it sounded like someone was banging on a set of cymbals right outside my ear canal. It's eased up a bit but I'm still sitting around in the dark. In fact, just sitting here looking at the screen is making my stomach feel wheezy so I best get off here. Just wanted to drop a line to let everyone know that things are going well here. Hopefully, when I finish work in a few weeks, I can update my blog more. Heck, I know I won't have anything else to do for a few months. Talk about depressing.......

Happy Birthday Josh!

Well, the weather has finally turned to warmth around here. EXTREME warmth!!! It has been incredibly humid outside. But I'll take the sunshine & heat over cold & rainy weather any day!! We've been enjoying our evenings sitting on the front porch with all the dogs basking in the breeze. Work has been going well.......I have the most precious preschoolers! It's hard to believe that there is less than a month left in our school year. I hate letting go of them each year......they have placed such precious memories in my heart.

Today is Ray's son, Joshua's, birthday. Even though I've never met him, he's already a special person in my life. It's been so amazing to sit back and watch the two of them get to know each other the past few months. I can tell it's had a positive impact on both of their lives & I know it has blessed mine. So Happy Birthday Josh!

Well, I guess I'll go lounge on the couch for a short while and watch Judge Jeanine Pirro (just love her!!!) I pray everyone is being safe & taking extra precautions against the Swine Flu epidemic (remember to sing your ABC's while washing your hands!!! hehe)