Hello from the North Pole...

...at least that's where it felt like I was when I woke up this morning...sans the white stuff. It was 15 degrees with a wind chill in the single digits...in NORTH TEXAS!! Of course by week's end it will be near 70...yesterday we got to almost 80. Oh and now, as I am typing, we are getting freezing rain...ughh! I hate the ice...especially when Aaron is working. He has a 40 mile commute, works 12-14 hour days so that means he doesn't get home until 8pm usually but when the weather gets cold and we get precip, you can count on his commute time to at least double. I am like a worried mom waiting on their teenage child to make curfew (or is it with a ph...sp?!). Thank goodness for cell phones is all I can say.

Anyway, seems like forever since I have updated...not like I missed out on telling of anything interesting. Our harddrive crashed early last week (the puter is only 4 months old) so Aaron spent the better part of his days off and evenings getting us back up and running. I used the boys' puter to check email and stuff but didn't so much of anything else online. I lost all the pics I had uploaded since August...(that'll teach me to backup my files)...and of course, all of my bookmarked favorites...and I had A LOT (understatement there).

We were able to complete most of our Christmas shopping over the weekend. Am I alone in feeling like shopping is a chore?! I don't care if it is for groceries, Christmas or whatever...I just detest having to do any of it. I don't know what happened as I used to not feel this way but I haven't really been able to get into the commercial part of Christmas this year. Don't get me wrong, I love the whole idea of getting together with family...visiting, eating and celebrating the real reason for the season...but the shopping part hasn't been my thing this year. Oh well...

So much sadness and loss has been occurring around me the past couple of weeks. My friend's mom (that I asked for prayers for previously) went Home week before last. It was not suddenly or unexpected but still is always a sad thing when those we love go before us. Also, one of my friend's from high school lost her husband last weekend. He was 38. I found out my aunt and uncle (they are married) have to have surgeries this week. My aunt for occlusions in both of her carotid arteries and my uncle on his eye. There is a strong possibility he could go blind. Another of my uncles is going through chemo for mesothelioma which he contracted working for the school system years ago. He told my Nanny the other day he just wanted to give up because he was so tired and felt so helpless most of the time. And today, is one of my very best friend's (ever) birthday. She is no doubt celebrating in Heaven. She earned her angel wings 5 years ago at the age of 36. I find myself thinking about her alot and just missing her...she was the epitome of what a true friend should be...I have yet to meet anyone who even comes close to the type of friend/ person she was/ is.

I'm sorry for making what now seems like such a downer of a post...I guess it reflects the "mood" I have been in. Just have had a lot to think about lately...and feeling sad for so many in my life.

Count your blessings...no matter how smalll you think they are...let those you love know it NOW...we're on this Earth for a short while, make the most of it.

Love and HUGS!!

Tis the season...

...for head colds, sinus infections and the crud! I look forward to this time of year but dang I hate feeling sickly. I have been trying so hard to not succumb to whatever is floating around but I am about to give up. I have been so tired not to mention achy, sniffly, itchy (nose, throat and eyes), hot (when everyone around me is freezing) for the past couple of weeks, on and off. Guess it is time to bite the bullet and go to the doc for my yearly shot, nasal spray and antibiotics.

Anywho, we had a really good Thanksgiving...way too much food for the few people we had this year but that was ok, left something for us to eat on for a couple of days after. Well, all except for Aaron...he doesn't do leftovers, unless it is cold pizza. My Nanny turned 92 the day after (last Friday) so Aaron, the boys and me took a cake and presents over to her house. My uncle and aunt were there, so we had a nice visit. Then on Saturday, we went back over along with my brother and his family and my mom...we each brought snacks and my Nanny's favorite, LOTTERY TICKETS...LOL. She loves to sit and scratch those things so she was very happy to get some. I forgot my camera at home so I didn't get any pics. I was very disappointed in myself for not remembering to bring it as I promised myself I would start taking more pics of Nanny and the family...after all, she is NINETY-TWO. She is an amazing woman and I am so glad the good Lord has let her be here with us so that my boys can grow up getting to know the wonderful woman she is.

Usually, by this time I have my tree up and have decorated the house, but I have to say I just haven't been able to get into "it" this year and I really don't know why. Hopefully, the bug will bite in the next few days or the Christmas fairy will come one night while we're all sleeping and Holiday our house...Of course, I hope she then remembers to come back by New Year's and un-Holiday it as well. Isn't that the worst part? Taking everything down, wrapping the breakables and packing it away...ughh, thank goodness hubby and I made that deal years ago that I would unpack and he would pack...LOL...

Hope everyone is having a good week!

HUGS!!

Happy Thanksgiving (and free gift from Oprah)!!

Just wanted to wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving holiday. May each of us realize our blessings and be thankful for them all.

I am very thankful for my wonderful family and friends and that I am able to spend the holidays with those I love.

Have a very happy and blessed Thanksiving!

HUGS!!

PS: Go to http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahshow/20081118_tows_holiday/2 (sorry, still can't link...ughh!) and follow the instructions to download a free Christmas cd. Some great music from some really talented artists!! You can only do this over the next 48 hours so get yourself over there and start downloading!!!

My mini-book FINALLY

I have to apologize in advance for the crappy quality of the pics in this post. I am in dire need of a new camera...the one I have is 4+ years old. Hubby bought it for me before he left for Iraq in August of 2004. Hopefully, Santa will read this and bring me a new one...I've been a good...err ok girl this year! :)

Anyway, thanks to Miss Mel over at www.mojoy.blogspot.com (sorry, I couldn't get it to link), I am starting to get my feet wet in the scrapbooking world. This is my very first attempt at it so judge accordingly...LOL. On my next project I want to "journal" more but this time I did not have the right writing utensils for this tiny book so looks like another trip to Hobby Lobby (don't tell hubby, he'll hide my check card)is in order. You don't even know how exciting that is to me...just getting to spend 2-3 hours in that store...*sigh*.



























And here's a better look at the one above on the right. It is Aaron in his "disguise" costume (Groucho Marx glasses/ stache) from one of the care packages we sent him while he was in Iraq.









Way too blurry pic of my Jack Sparrow












And a better one, to show you the cute little 3-D trick or treat bag sticker.



And just for fun, here's my sweet *cough, cough* little Tyler TRYING to act all angelic...but you see his horns right?!










HUGS!!

Goodnight!

Prayers please...

My dear friend's (Alison) Mom is not doing well at all. She was diagnosed with cancer a few months ago which had already metastized to many areas of her body. The family decided given the progression that chemo would only buy them some time and would not be comfortable for her. They (as well as she) wanted quality not quantity. A went to visit her Mom on Sunday after church and found her lying on the floor, quite dioriented. They are pretty sure she had a stroke but there's nothing they can really do as she is on hospice care. Her nurses are keeping her as comfortable as possible...she has only been up a couple of hours today. A sent an email earlier and said they don't think she will be "here" much longer. Tonight, I pray for comfort and peace for A's mom and strength for the family. I know from experience it is not easy watching someone you love being called Home.

Take advantage of time you have with those you love...we never know when any of us will be called Home.

HUGS!!

A Whole Lotta Nuttin Goin On!!

That pretty much sums up what has been happening around here. Had a fairly low-key weekend. Aaron and I took my brother and his wife out for their anniversary on Saturday night. We went to this awesome seafood and steakhouse in Addison (Dallas area). I highly recommend it if you are ever in the area, it is called Nate's Seafood and Steak House, Inc. Their cooking "style" is Cajun which made my hubby from New Orleans so so happy. He was able to get his crawfish and softshell crab so he was one happy camper.

On our way back to HICKSVILLE we stopped off at Old Navy for a quick 10 minute shopping spree. It was 8:50 pm by the time we got there, we thought we had plenty of time to shop since we THOUGHT they closed at 10pm. Nope, got there and the sign said 9:00pm. WHAT?!? You should have seen me running through the store (and Aaron trying to keep up) trying to find what I wanted. I should have prefaced by saying we had a Friends and Family coupon for an additional 30% off of EVERYTHING!! Yeah, now you see why I was running frantically through the store. Anyway, 10 minutes later and I had racked up quite the bargains. Three outfits, socks, gloves for the boys, pet clothes and a wool coat for me...all for $170!! Yep, I was so proud of myself. I can't believe I actually got started on my Christmas shopping and it is not even December yet! YAY me!!

Sunday we went to spend some time with my precious Nanny then home to cook din-din and clean...FUN! Well, everything except for the cleaning part.

Today, I have been sick with some type of crud...slept most of the afternoon. Hate these kinds of days. I will probably be up most of the night with all the sleep I got today...or maybe this red beer will help put me to sleep. HA!

Anyway, hope your week is good thus far!

HUGS!!

Singing Laynie

TGIF!!!!!

I honestly thought this week was going to drag on forever. Seems like the weeks when Aaron is off on the weekend, they take their sweet time coming around. What do you have planned? We don't have huge plans...just taking my bro and his wife out, they celebrated their 20th anniversary Wednesday. They've been together since they were sophomores in high school...they have 3 children...all TEENAGERS...YIKES!! I cannot imagine having to live with that many hormones. Although it was very unexpected and not really a good thing to happen at the time, my nephew gave them their first grandchild a couple of years ago. We are a very open minded family and know these things happen but you never think it is going to happen in yours. After the disappointment and just pure shock wore off, our family was BLESSED with the arrival of Laynie Nicole. She will be 30 months old on the 17th and is a bundle of pure joy. My bro and his wife are the epitome of what good grandparents are...but don't dare call them anything remotely sounding like grandpa or grandma (they are both 38)...they are PaPa and MeMe and Laynie adores them so. Look at this angel child...just don't think they come any cuter than this! That is my niece (Laynie's aunt) singing with her. Laynie loves to sing, dance and do all things girly. She is going to be so much fun this Christmas...I am on the hunt for the perfect gift for an almost 3 year old. It is exciting buying for her because I have boys and I think each Mama longs to being able to buy things frilly, pink and just plain girly. Don't get me wrong I love my boys and wouldn't trade them for anything in this world, but I do love having a girl to buy for now. Hope everyone has a great weekend. HUGS!!

The apples of my eye(s)...

Sadly, I don't have many pics saved on my computer...usually I will upload and then copy to discs. I did find a few that I need to crop and resize in order to post. This one I had to crop some little ones out since I didn't ask their parents' permission to post online. We took Tyler (my little man on the right), his bro (my other little man on the left) and 3 friends to a Renaissance Festival for his birthday back in April...they had a blast! I'll have to find more over the weekend to share...

Tristan would have a cow if he knew I posted this...he hates it (preteens you know?!) since he is squinty due to a bright sun in his eyes...hehe, but I know you won't tell him...*wink*





Have a great weekend!

HUGS!!

Wow, where does the time go?!

It seems I am not doing so well at this whole blogging thing. For one, my life just isn't that exciting...LOL...but I also get so wrapped in it that I completely forget to come here and blog.

I suppose I could pick up where I left off on the autobiography thing...I will try not to be too detailed so as not to bore anyone who happens to be reading...

Ok, so Aaron is in the LVN program and doing his Navy reserves thing...he is 11 weeks away from graduation when he gets THE CALL. Any military spouse or family knows what is meant by that term. Yes, he is called to deploy to the sandbox...aka Iraq. Even though I so hoped this day would never come I knew it would and, at the time, was what Aaron wanted to do. Not only will he be away from his family for a year on the other side of the world but he would lose his place in the LVN program and would have to start over when he returned. Ughhhhh! I won't go into the emotional details of his deployment...just to say it was the longest year and yet it seemed to fly by...I am guessing because I seemed to be on auto-pilot most of the time. Many people asked during and even after how I made it through and I really can't answer that...only to say I did what I had to do. After all I had two young sons (they were 4 and 8 at the time) to take care of, if I had curled up and waited for time to pass, they would have been the ones to truly suffer. It helped too that Aaron was able to call frequently and email almost daily, except when he was out on 2 week missions (he did medevac missions in the Al Anbar province)...at these times I was a nervous wreck. He returned home in March of 2005 and luckily hasn't been called back up since. Like most other combat veterans, he suffers from PTSD (Post Tramatic Stress Disorder) and our boys still are having problems emotionally because of his deployment. Aaron has chosen to leave Reserve duty when his contract is up in December after about 14 years in so he can further pursue his civilian medical career to become a Nurse Practitioner.

Anyway, he came back ready to start the LVN program over but because his instructors and the head of the Nursing Dept were so impressed with his skills, knowledge and experience they allowed him to pick up where he left off...so he graduated with his LVN in August of 2005. He returned to school almost immediately to get his RN and graduated December of last year. He has been working on the Medical/ Oncology floor of an HCA facility here in north Texas since graduating with his RN.

So that is pretty much everything up until this point in our lives that needs to be revealed. We are a pretty ordinary family with ordinary lives. :)

Love "happies" for friends

I'll give those who read a break from the boring autobiographical stuff. About this time every year, I get the baking and "goody" bug and before I know it I am in the kitchen turning out things, trying new recipes or perfecting old ones. I am not a sweet eater so what to do with all the stuff I make/ bake?! Well, some of it gets gobbled by Aaron and the boys and some I have to give away to keep everyone in the house from going into a sugar coma. One thing I love is to share with those I have developed great friendships with...it is my way of showing them how much I cherish their friendship and that they mean alot to me. I am talking about a group that I met online...most I have known more than 7 years...some I have actually met offline but there are those who I haven't been able to physically meet but I can't imagine that making any difference in the way I feel about them or my "closeness" to them. I refer to these great people as a "group" because that is pretty much how we were all introduced...many of them I "met" at the same time as we all are fans of Tim McGraw. The man (as we refer to this hunk of man) and our love of he and his music brought us together but the bonds we have formed will last a lifetime. I love these people like family and would do anything for them. Getting sappy and emotional here as I think of all we have been through together...I'll save those stories for another day...especially since I prefaced this post to tell you no boring autobiographical stuff...LOL.



Anyway, I say all this to show you the treats I made for these friends...those are bats and pumpkins on the "balls".






And here they are all packaged and ready to be shipped...





Now, I am off to make a rum cake...

Hope you're all having a great weekend!

HUGS!!

Better late than never!

Well, I finally made it to the blogging world. I have been a reader on many different blog sites for a long time but never thought my life warranted having it written about for everyone to see. Can you say BORING?!? I am married with two sons and we live in a small town in North Central Texas where almost nothing ever happens. I don't work outside the home at this point of my life other than taking care of my Nanny (my maternal grandmother) who will be 92 next month and my aunt who has many health conditions including CHF (Congestive heart failure) and diabetes. She had triple bypass last March after a massive heart attack and hasn't been able to get back to doing some of the things for herself that she was able to prior to having the heart attack. My Nanny (and my aunt's mother), however, is the picture of health. Her only health conditions are peptic ulcers and a slightly elevated blood pressure. She is an amazing woman and I am realizing it more and more the older I get.

I mentioned I do not work outside the home but in the home, I think I am quite productive. In addition to the tasks any domestic engineer (sounds so much better than housewife doesn't it?) would perform, I also homeschool our two sons who are 12 and 8. We withdrew them from the public education system about two years ago and never looked back. They have grown and flourished so much in the past two years. My nervous, stressed out and bullied oldest son has grown into a confident and totally different (in a good way) young man. Our youngest is doing great as well. Both are sponges when it comes to learning...they love it.

My husband, Aaron and I have been married for 13 years, 14 in February. We were only together a matter of a few months when we knew we should get married and almost 8 months to the day, we were. When we met he was active duty Navy and was TAD (temporary duty) in Dallas until about two months before we married at which time he returned to his regular duty station at NAS Corpus Christi. Those were to be the longest two months of our lives...that is/was until May of 2004. I will explain that later. When we married, I moved to Corpus Christi to start our life together. In June of 1996, we had our first son, Tristan. In 1998, when his contract was up, he decided to separate from the Navy and become a civilian so we moved back here, to my hometown. The transition to civilian life wasn't easy for him, he had spent 8 years in...it was all he knew. He joined right out of high school and here he was 26-27 years old and thrust into a new way of life. I know he must've went back and forth in his mind on whether he should have gotten "out" or not but he never said anything. We had our second son, Tyler, in April of 2000 and soon after I returned to work, while Aaron decided he wanted to utilize some of his military benefits (GI Bill) and go to college. He got a degree in computers and then 9/11 happened and it seemed it threw the country and the economy into a tailspin for a while. He couldn't find a job anywhere. And, the events that took place on that fateful day left wanting to do something for his country...and so he reenlisted in the Navy, this time in the Reserves. He also returned to college to pursue his first love, medicine. I failed to mention previously that Aaron was a corpsman in the Navy. He was stationed on a ship for two years (during Desert Storm) and performed many of the tasks a physician's assistant would and on land, he was a lab technician performing many kinds of tests for the doctor's on base. Anyway, he began the nursing program full-time and would graduate with his LVN, get a job and return to school to earn his RN while helping to support the family...well, that was the plan anyway.

That's enough for now. Look at this, my first post and already I have written a book. Hope I haven't bored anybody who MIGHT be reading this, too much. What am I saying, if you have ventured here, you are already probably bored or else you wouldn't be here! LOL.

Toodles for now!

HUGS!!