Tea Time - November 14, 2010

Just a few pictures from a tea party given by Noelle in November, 2010.
A lovely time was had by all!!

This is "The Gang" that attended. The girls all had beautiful dresses on for the tea, but when it was over... BAM! Off came the dresses and on went the fun clothes!

Noelle & her mom (Aunt Ruthann)

Sonya, me, and Noelle

The SWEETS table!

The pre-party table setting.

Let's get this party started!!

Two beauties!!

Someone Like Me :: An Unlikely Story of Challenge and Triumph Over Cerebral Palsy by John W. Quinn

When I first signed up with Facebook, my intention wasn't to "network", make "new" friends, or even to locate old classmates. I simply signed up because a few of my co-workers (past and present) kept asking why I haven't signed up yet?? So one day while messing around on the computer I decided to check it out. Well, let me be the first to say how much I ♥ Facebook!! I ♥ how you can play games with people around the world, or friends right down the street. I ♥ reading about things people are doing, thinking... or just the stupid random thoughts that go through our minds! I ♥ leaving a "thumbs up" on posts that I have nothing to comment on... I'm sure you get the idea!

About a month ago I decided (for no real reason) to look for a common interest group on Facebook.... I searched for "Cerebral Palsy". At first I didn't completely understand why... but now realize maybe there was a reason! I ended up finding a few pages that were like support groups for people that have CP and, parents with children that have CP. Their stories touch my heart in ways I cannot describe in words... maybe it's because I have this disability, maybe it's because I feel so BLESSED to be able to live an independent lifestyle because I have it so mild... maybe it's because of the struggles I know these families have to live with every day, and the frustrations each child will be faced with on some level.

While reading through some of the pages, I stumbled on a posting about a new book that had either just been released, or was getting ready to be released. This author (John W. Quinn) had a blog that I went to and read a short excerpt from a chapter in his book. Well, after reading that "teaser"... I knew I had to get this to my mom, who in turn would immediately order the book directly from the author so it would be signed. We were all so excited when the book arrived - both of my parents had it read in a day each!! Then it was my turn!

Someone Like Me is an amazing & inspirational memoir about growing up with Cerebral Palsy and having a career in the U.S. Navy!! If you are anything like me, you may be shaking your head thinking how can a person with CP make a career in the military?!?!? How is this even possible... people without disabilities have a hard time! His story is written so clearly, and with so much feeling and emotion, you will feel like you were there, watching it all happen. His book made me laugh out loud, to the point I had tears streaming down my face... short of his military career, things he wrote about and felt... I did too! This book is without a doubt one of the best memoirs I have read in a long time. It's a MUST READ by all... you don't have to be living with a disability, or even know someone with a disability to read this book. We all live with challenges in our every day lives, and I believe this book will be an inspiration to keep pressing on!! Never give up when you have your heart and mind set on a goal!

Click HERE to visit his personal blog, and HERE to visit his Facebook page.

A Dog Named Beau

The Orangutan and the Hound

These are the type of stories I LOVE seeing.... I now want an Oragutan!! Lena may be too little to play like that, but she'd enjoy sharing the treats!! ENJOY!!

A good laugh to tide you over....

...till I get off my butt and post some new blogs!

E N J O Y!!

Here are the lyrics:
Pants on the ground
Pants on the ground
Lookin' like a fool with your pants on the ground

With the gold in your mouth
Hat turned sideways
Pants hit the ground
Call yourself a cool cat
Lookin' like a fool
Walkin' downtown with your pants on the ground

Get it up, hey!
Get your pants off the ground
Lookin' like a fool
Walkin' talkin' with your pants on the ground.

Get it up, hey!
Get your pants off the ground
Lookin' like a fool with your pants on the ground

For you Mark... Merry Christmas!

Introducing.... MUFFIN!!

Muffin (a 7 year old Shih Tzu) was found on a wonderful web site called Petfinder.com. On this site both breeders and rescues can list dogs for sale / adoption. Muffin was turned over to a vet in Illinois shortly after her owner died. The family "didn't want to bother with her". I can't imagine doing that to a family pet.... but, that's just me!!

The vet called her friend who has run a dog rescue for 30 years, and is also a Vet Tech. We are told that Muffin was black with fleas and had Kennel Cough. They began a radical treatment for fleas, and gave her the Kennel Cough vaccine. She now has a clean bill of health. Thankfully, since she was being fostered by Vet Tech's, they gave this little girl the royal treatment. She has been groomed (cut shorter due to the fleas), given a dental cleaning, micro chipped, had a full blood panel done, a hearing and vision test. They did say that she does have some hearing loss. The GREAT thing is that she is already potty trained, and very gentle!

My parents were so excited when they were approved to adopt this little baby doll, they quickly made arrangements to drive to southern Indiana on Thursday, spend the night so they could pick Muffin up first thing Friday morning. She has the sweetest little face, and is about the same size as my little Lena.

This picture is of Karen, the lady who runs the animal rescue. My parents say she is a wonderful lady who just has a passion for placing dogs in good adoptive homes.


My dad with his newest little baby girl.



The long 6 hour trip to her new home.



The proud new owners of this little baby... so thrilled to have rescued this dog from who knows what. Little does Muffin know the life she is going to have with these two..... boy is she in for a TREAT!!!!!!!!!!

Stupid Moments... we all have them!!

Friday was my day to have a completely stupid moment. I am NOT one that is impulsive, and depending on the idea, I can easily over-think things... to the point that I usually talk myself right out of something, be it good or bad. I'm very critical of myself, and hate when I make stupid decisions. Here's my story :

For several weeks now I've been wanting to check out my cellular plan to see if I qualify for the yearly trade-in / trade-up on my cell phone. I've been looking around asking opinions from people with other carriers, various phones, and rates. Sprint has been my carrier since day one of owning a cell phone, and feel I have the best monthly rate to suite my needs. I haven't paid extra to get all the "bells and whistles" that my phone comes with. Who needs texting when I can just pick up the phone and talk? And internet... on a cell phone... seriously!! Just seemed ridiculous!! However... technology has come so far, and monthly plans that include all the "bells and whistles" have become more reasonable. I am such a geek when it comes to certain things. I'm not one that "needs" the latest and greatest toys the moment they hit the stores. I will say that certain technology does peek my interest, and I could easily fall prey to their lures. The BlackBerry has always been that item. It's nothing new... it's been around for some time, and over the years have improved greatly. I've always thought it would be nice to have one, but my lifestyle has not, and does not in ANY WAY afford me that luxury. :-( or so I thought... Until Friday.....

Friday (after work and before the Sabbath started) I decided to head over to my local Sprint store to check things out. I called to see how late they were open, and the guy on the line said if I came and mentioned his name, for that day ONLY, he would give me a FREE car charger. Well, shoot, that's roughly a $30 value for FREE... and car chargers are a MUST!! BONUS!!! I was going anyway - free charger or not! The store was packed!! They have specials galore and just in time for the quickly approaching holiday. I went to the phones I figured I could trade in for next to nothing... knowing that I wanted something that had a nice keyboard for texting. I still didn't have texting on my monthly plan, but figured in time, I would. SO many options... so many styles... it was nuts. I knew BlackBerry had a special, so I checked them out. Talked things over with one of the sales girls there.... and before I knew it I decided on the BlackBerry Curve 8330 in red (picture above). Oh yes.. HELLO beautiful!! Finally... I was gonna own all the bells and whistles, and for only $26 MORE every month. Seemed like a pretty darn good deal! And, to a person that hasn't had two pay cuts in one year, and has worked 40 hours every week for 52 weeks... sure!! Only problem is... that person is NOT ME!! What was I thinking?!?!?! I walked out of the store trying to rationalize the stupid buy I had just made. Then, when that didn't work, I tried to ignore thinking about the stupid move. I got home and played with that beauty till midnight. Yup... I was determined I was going to learn all I could, and play with all I could before the inevitable happened... the RETURN!! They told me I had 30 days to return the phone, but would have to pay a $35 restocking fee.... I knew I should have chose another phone at that point... but still didn't go with my gut feeling. So, at midnight I finally decided I needed to charge the phone and go to bed. I didn't sleep well that night. EVERY time I'd wake up or roll over, that stupid phone was on my brain... What do I do? What utility can I try and reduce? What do I spend money on that I can stop? How can I get them to waive the $35 restocking fee? Oh yes... all that kept me from sleeping. I finally got out of bed at 7:15 a.m., determined that I MUST return the phone and get one that will support my old service plan. I didn't even know what time the store opened - I did know that I had to be there when they did. I also knew I couldn't spend one more minute with that beauty!! I MUST GET IT BACK, and get my money back!! ALL OF IT! I raced to get ready, and decided to call Sprint directly to talk to Customer Service about getting my plan back, and find out what they can do for a long time, good paying customer. I got a really nice girl named Becky who completely understood my problem. She was able to re-activate my old phone, AND gave me a better plan, to include texting, for the SAME amount of money I was paying before!! (give or take a dollar). Can you believe that?!?!? PHEW, I was super relieved!! Now, I just needed to explain all this to the kids that work in those stores.

I was at the store at 10 a.m. when they opened... first customer, nobody else there to hear my sob story. Thankfully, I had a different sales girl (named Laura) who took her time with me. At first she couldn't understand why anyone would return such a great phone, at such a great price, with such a great plan. Then, after I told her I was stupid, honestly cannot afford an additional $26 each month, and couldn't even sleep knowing I made such a dumb move... she got it... or maybe she got nervous seeing complete fear in my eyes... not sure! Anyway... she talked me through other phones and features, and helped me make my final decision. The Lotus LG in red is what I got (picture left), the free car charger, and 15% off the protective case. A wave of happiness came over me as I walked back out to my car. My life (as I know it to be) was back to normal. I knew I could once again sleep at night. AND, she never once mentioned about me having to pay $35 to re-stock the phone!!! Yippeeee.....

I would like to say it was nice owning a BlackBerry (for 15 hours), but it would be a lie!! Maybe one day that little lovely will be mine... but until then, hey... at least I now have free texting!! All things worked out!!!

If God is so powerful and so good, why do bad things happen? - Voddie Baucham

Here is yet another Voddie Baucham clip that humbles me... The truth he speaks shoots like an arrow through my heart!!

Photo Shoot

Just because...



Photos compliments of :: My Dad!! (thanks pops)

Turning 40... (better late than never edition)

Per usual, I have to post what my birthday theme was this year at work. Yes, it was my BIG 40... and thankfully, there was not one "Over The Hill" item. I will say this, my boss and co-workers really did a GREAT job coordinating all the festivities!

This was my desk as I came into work. Around the outside were balloons.

This is the gift that had me in tears... it was a mini photo album that the girls coordinated with my parents to get pictures of me. What surprised me to tears was the picture on the front. It's my dad holding me at 4 weeks old in his Army uniform.... yeah, they got me GOOD!! I had to leave the area to get a grip!! :-)

My theme this year was "Music". Everything I received had something to do with music. And to top it off... they wanted me to fill in the missing words to songs BEFORE I opened presents. Only problem was some of the songs were before my time.... oh yes, its true!!

Yup! Chocolate cake with BUTTER CREAM frosting!!! They made me share..... DARN!!

Our entire kitchen was packed with snack foods for our pre-lunch grazing!!

The kicker was lunch... we had filet wrapped in bacon and sirloin burgers. To top the steaks off, we had Portabella Mushrooms sauted in a red wine sauce... OH-MY-GOSH... to DIE for!!

No one can have too many cakes for their birthday! I had yet another CHOCOLATE cake with BUTTER CREAM frosting waiting for me at home from my parents.

This is my little Lena showing how old she turned today too.... a big "High FIVE"!!

Yet even more WONDERFUL food for dinner. Aunt Ruthann took me, Sonya and my parents out for dinner at one of my FAVORITE places... Salvatore Scalopini. I was able to order anything I wanted... even appetizers!! Dessert was my cake!

So, that was my day in a nutshell. It was full of family, food, fun, laughter and tears! What more can a girl turning 40 ask for?? Hmmm.......

Goodbye Amber... We love you!!!

Today my parents had to put down the last of their little girls - Amber. She lived a healthy 15 wonderful years. Amber started out as my puppy when I moved out of my parents home back in 1994. However, because I moved into a condo, there really wasn't any yard for her to play in, so my parents kindly took her to live with them - and Little Megan!! They were the best of friends!!! You couldn't have asked for better girls! Both Amber & Megan were VERY well behaved. Last June, after my parents had to put Megan down, Amber seemed to sense that SHE now was the PRINCESS... and she took full advantage of that!! Such a sweet baby girl & our "little clown". She brought so much laughter with her playing and dancing... We are really going to miss you Amber Bella!!

Here are the two girls (above)... Megan (left), Amber (right)

Reflecting back... again

Gosh, for several years now I've looked back at a few pictures and wondered where the time went? I've been blessed with a small but very close, loving family... to include my Godparents and their girls!! There are a few pictures that I dug up last night that bring back the most memories for me today! I've decided to scan just a few to post here on my blog. Two right off the top were the day each of my parents turned 40!! And, here I am years later... right where they were, probably feeling exactly as they felt (or darn near close). I remember making and decorating a double layer chocolate butter-cream frosting cake for my dad on his 40th. Now, its just weird to look at this and think... I'm as old as he was.... GEEZ!!Here is a BEAUTIFUL picture of my mom on her 40th birthday... gosh, she looked GREAT!!! (and still does)


And then there is me... turning 30! (just 10 VERY short years ago) Two of my GREAT friends (Sharyn & Becky) took it upon themselves (with a little help from friends and family) to give me thee BEST surprise birthday EVER!! It was flawless I tell ya!! This is a picture of me and Sharyn (my sister-in-law)... gosh I miss our fun times together! I LOVE my brother dearly, but also wanted a sister to share "girl times" with... Here is a picture of the other friend responsible for this flawless birthday party! We met in 9th grade, and to this day remain the closest of friends... well, as close as we can since SHE decided to get MARRIED two years ago and MOVE far, far away... like to New Mexico!!! Excited for the day she tells me she's moving back!!And then there is my friend, Nicole, that I have know all HER life (since I am just 14 days short of being two years older than her - YES... I count). We literally grew up together... tormenting each other about stupid stuff that we talk and laugh about now. We would come up with the most devious plans on how to get our moms to let us have a sleep-overs, and then bring EVERY stuffed animal onto the bed with us because it was our "boat", and if they weren't on the "boat", they'd get eaten by sea monsters.... oh yes... the stories go on, and on, and on......A picture of me with my parents at my 30th birthday party...And the group shot that almost didn't happen. For some reason, my dad had the hardest time trying to get everyone together on the porch for this picture. I'm so happy that it finally happened.
For me, looking back through all these photos makes me smile today... the day I turn 40. I realize it's JUST ANOTHER DAY... but am reminded by several people that it's truly a "milestone birthday".

Reflections of the last 39 years.... (in a nutshell)

Well, tomorrow I turn the big 4-0! (and Lena turns the big 5!!!)

As I sit here tonight - the night BEFORE my birthday, I'm wondering why turning 40 somehow causes you to take a serious look back over your life and think about all the stuff you've accomplished... and the stuff you haven't, or just can't seem to get right?? (I don't recall feeling this way when I turned 30).

I've never been one to make a "check list" of all the things I wanted to do in my lifetime. For example: graduate from college :: check, get married in my 20's :: check, buy a house with a white picket fence :: check, go for a ride in a hot-air balloon :: check... you get the idea. Yes, I've had goals, but never anything specific! More now than ever, I feel that I haven't made the most out of every moment. I do feel I am older and much wiser!! So, I guess I intend on making the next chapter of my life even better (how... I have no idea). Right now I need to keep reminding myself that "age is just a number".

Huh.... I never knew.....

I never knew the "proper" way to peel a banana open until I saw this video. I usually struggle like this guy to get it started.... Velly Intellesting!!!!!!

Do you enjoy fresh squeezed lemonade??

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT!!

Hello friends! Do you enjoy the fresh squeezed taste of lemonade, but HATE having to deal with squeezing tons of lemons to get just a few drops? If your answer is YES... then let me tell you about this wonderful product available at your local Costco store. Italian Volcano Lemon Juice!! This Lemon Juice by Dream Foods International is:
- 100% juice
- No preservatives
- USDA Organic
- Single-origin juice made form Sicilian lemons
- Not-from-concentrate
- Kosher

A 1-liter bottle of Italian Volcano® Lemon Juice equals the juice of 40 fresh lemons!

So, if you enjoy fresh squeezed lemonade, but hate the fuss and muss of squeezing lemons, then get your hands on a bottle of this stuff!! You'll never have to squeeze lemons again!

You're welcome!!

(p.s. There are a few other citrus flavors available by Dream Foods International - I have only tried the Lemon Juice.)

ORGANIC LEMONADE

1 part organic sugar

1 part Volcano Lemon Juice®

5 parts spring water

Combine sugar and lemon juice. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Add water and stir again until well mixed. Enjoy!

Laura's 26 ABC's

I've seen this being done on other blogs, and I thought it would be a fun thing to do. If you want, cut and paste this into your blog, answer the questions, then leave me a comment letting me know you did it too.

A - Age: 39 (gulp)
B - Bed size: Queen
C - Chore you hate: Pulling Weeds
D - Dog's name: Lena
E - Essential start your day item: Shower
F - Favorite color: Purple

G - Gold or Silver: Silver

H - Height: 5'3"
I - Instruments you play: None
J - Job title: Accounting, Mom to my dog Lena & bird Caleb, daughter, sister and friend
K - Kid(s): None
L - Living arrangements: Home in Eastpointe, Michigan
M - Mom's name: Virginia (a.k.a. Ginny)
N - Nicknames: Lo, Lola, Flowie
O - Overnight hospital stay: Yes, several times growing up
P - Pet Peeve: Dirty House
Q - Quote from a movie: "You had me at hello" - Jerry McGuire

R - Right or left handed: Right Handed
S - Siblings: 1 brother
T - Time you wake up: 4:30 AM
U - Underwear: Yup
V - Vegetable you dislike: I love Veggies
W - Ways/Reasons you run late: I am never late
X - X-rays you've had: teeth and just about everywhere else at one time or another

Y - Yummy food you make: Szechuan Noodles with Pork
Z - Zoo animals you like: I just love ALL animals

Saturday afternoon with Mom

Today my mom and I got to spend some fun time together. It didn't end up being as we had originally planned... but was fun all the same.

We started out headed toward a watch repair store by my house, but found it to be closed on Saturdays... which consequently threw the entire plan off. My watch that I LOVE broke a few weeks back, and rather than try to find a replacement, I thought I would get it repaired. I've had this watch for eons and HATE thinking of having to find a new one. Originally, depending on how much it would cost to repair my watch, my mom and I were going to head out to the dreaded MALL (ugh!!) to look around for a new one. She picked three up during the week, and although I really liked them, she felt it best that I look around to make sure there wasn't one that I would like BETTER! Well, the problem is that my mom L O V E S to shop... I H A T E to shop... well, for anything other than housewares.

So, since the watch shop was closed, we drove through a sub division and found an "ESTATE SALE". We decided to go in and take a look. Found NOTHING of interest. Next stop... The Salvation Army!! YIPPEE!! I love shopping at thrift stores.... its like digging for treasures! There we found a few nice tee-shirts, athletic running pants, and four really cute, small bowls for who knows what?!?!? This Salvation Army was really one of the better ones... everything was so neat and organized. Funny thing is... my mom H A T E S stores like that... and I totally L O V E stores like that! That's so funny to me....

So... on to the next stop... DINNER! Since we both LOVE Mediterranean food, we went to a little diner close to my house. We went all out... Hommus with Chicken, Kibee Nahyee, salad, garlic butter, cucumber with yogurt.... we STUNK to high heaven when we left... but it tasted SOOOO good!!! Unfortunately, we still needed to make one more stop - and after eating the garlic butter... I was feeling bad for whoever came into close contact with us! :-) My mom needed to run into the Bulk Food store to get some type of "salt-free" diet thing... and she came out with that, PLUS a few small bags of candy.... I KNOW! Go figure! (love you mom).

Radio Shack was the last stop. We wanted to run in to get adapters for our iPods to play in our cars. That was a quick in-n-out. My mom was so excited because she was able to get one for their older mini van that doesn't have an "Aux" connector. She was able to get an adapter that works from a tape player... VERY COOL!!! They think of everything! On our way back to my house, we both (literally at the same time) thought it would be cool to share and Iced Latte Mocha from Dunkin' Donuts... MMMMmmmm!! So, since I don't have a DD close to my house... we drove to one by her house, shared one as we drove back to my house. She decided it would be fun to take a little detour down memory lane. We went past a few of the homes that she lived in growing up. It's a fun thing to do, but also kinda depressing to see how BAD they look now... and how people just let them get run down... they use to be BEAUTIFUL homes. FINALLY, we made it back to my house!! Right after unloading the car, my mom took off. It's funny, because she went home, got my dad, and went back out to the mall!! She's really something!! Actually, my parents were made for each other... they BOTH love to shop - especially with each other!!

I had a GREAT afternoon Mom!!! Thanks for the memories!!!

This had me smiling all the way through...

I've stood up in my fair share of weddings, and NEVER have we ever discussed entering like this (thank goodness... I don't think I could have done it). But seriously, how creative and cool!!

MacKenzie for the weekend

This past weekend, I had the PLEASURE of watching my niece, MacKenzie. What a good girl she is!! She helps my Lena guard the house while I sleep AND while I'm at work. MacKenzie is also the "Chief Yard Security Officer". Every morning and evening, she patrols the yard for critters of any sort. It's a tough job... but she doesn't seem to mind. All they ask for in return is BREAD!! They both LOVE their bread!!

I was able to snap a couple pictures of these two... what dolls!!