The past few days...

Well, been pretty busy the past three days, thus no posts. Parents are in town visiting for two weeks, will be here through election day.
I am been hit real hard lately with depression, I feel inadequate, lonely, fat, useless. I know it is the devil making me feel this way. I need to pray more.

I have started dieting, been on it for three days now. Wish me luck.

THE LAW IS THE LAW

THE LAW IS THE LAW

So if the US government determines that it is against the law for the words "under God" to be on our money, then, so be it.

And if that same government decides that the "Ten Commandments" are not to be used in or on a government installation, then, so be it.

And since they already have prohibited any prayer in the schools, on which they deem their authority, then so be it.

I say, "so be it," because I would like to be a law abiding US citizen.

I say, "so be it," because I would like to think that smarter people than I are in positions to make good decisions. I would like to think that those people have the American Publics' best interests at heart.

BUT, YOU KNOW WHAT ELSE I'D LIKE?

Since we can't pray to God, can't Trust in God and cannot Post His Commandments in Government buildings, I don't believe the Government and it's employees should participate in the Easter and Christmas celebrations which honor the God that our government is eliminating from many facets of American life.

I'd like my mail delivered on Christmas, Good Friday, Thanksgiving & Easter. After all, it's just another day.

I'd like the US Supreme Court to be in session on Christmas, Good Friday, Thanksgiving & Easter as well as Sundays. After all, it's just another day.

I'd like the Senate and the House of Representatives to not have to worry about getting home for the "Christmas Break." After all, it's just another day.

I'm thinking that a lot of my taxpayer dollars could be saved, if all government offices & services would work on Christmas, Good Friday & Easter.

It shouldn't cost any overtime since those would be just like any other day of the week to a government that is trying to be "politically correct".

In fact....I think that our government should work on Sundays (initially set aside for worshipping God...) because, after all, our government says that it should be just another day....

What do you all think????
If this idea gets to enough people, maybe our elected officials will stop giving in to the minority opinions and begin, once again, to represent the 'majority' of ALL of the American people.

SO BE IT...........

Please Dear Lord, Give us the help needed to keep you in our country!
'Amen' and 'Amen'
~Author Unknown

Teresa Heinz Kerry Ticks me Off!!!

Ok, I just read a USA Today Article (which I posted on Parenting Bytes Blog), that really had me fuming. Little Miss Wanna Be First Lady Said She thought Laura Bush never had a real job, then apologized for the comment after realizing Laura Bush had been a school teacher for 10 yrs. What she failed to mention was the fact that our Precious First Lady was also a stay at home mom. Studies have shown that being a stay at home mom is equivalent to TWO FULL TIME JOBS. I sure don't think Heinz Kerry qualifes as a first lady...she seems so crude and worldy, and has NO CLASS. Laura Bush is like royalty in my eyes, delicate, poised, respectible. Please Vote For Bush/Cheney in 2004 and Keep Laura Bush as our first Lady.
To access Heinz Kerry article, go here: http://parentingbytes.blogspot.com/

A friend emailed this, I thought it was worth posting. 

My day Today

Today was pretty good. Started at 6:15am, got up, got christian up and ready for school, dropped him off, came home did some minor cleaning, got on the computer for a while, Created a new parenting blog, just to post some helpful parenting articles and such, watched a little of the news. Then went to a friends house and had lunch and watched the kids play. Then had to go get christian, then came home and cleaned some more, then the cable guy came to fix the cable, made dinner and blah blah blah and so on and so forth, LOL. Pretty much a normal day. Not bad.

Elijah and Abrianna 

Force of human nature

Ivan changed the landscape four weeks ago, taking homes and lives but leaving an area filled with hope
October 14, 2004
Troy Moon

@PensacolaNewsJournal.com

Summer slipped out of town weeks ago, but most of us didn’t notice. It was hard enough to keep track of the days, much less the passing of seasons, as we waddled around in the dark in the wake of Hurricane Ivan.

A community,
four weeks later
Use the drop-down menu to read related stories.

But the lights are on again in the Pensacola Bay Area. Most of us now have vacated our candlelit porches for the familiar hum of air conditioning and “Seinfeld’’ reruns on TBS. The fortunate ones among us — those who only lost a tree here or a shingle there — are settling into a routine once more, going forward with our lucky lives.

Heather Minnich takes a break from cleaning her flooded Warrington home Wednesday while trying to get it ready for repairs after the interior was damaged by Hurricane Ivan. Minnich said she’sanxious to get the job done and get her two daughters back from Atlanta, where they evacuated to.
Photo by Ben Twingley@PensacolaNewsJournal.com
At worst, some of us only have that crazy, rules-free, post-Ivan traffic to gripe about. We’ll go on, albeit with minor inconveniences such as “limited’’ menus and giving up surfing for a few months.

But there are so many others whose lives won’t be rebuilt that easily. Sure, they’ve picked up the pieces — pieces are scattered everywhere and easy to find.

But putting the pieces back together?

How?

And how long is it going to take?

It’s been four weeks since Hurricane Ivan roared into the region in the early morning hours of Sept. 16, shattering homes, dreams and lives forever. The storm drowned people in their driveways and threw a tree upon the home of a 7-year-old girl, killing her.

Hurricane Ivan claimed the lives of 13 people in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. And that’s not including the four members of a Molino family who died in a Mississippi plane crash trying to escape the storm. Or four Good Samaritans from the Pace Assembly of God who died when their airplane crashed shortly after takeoff. They were scouting the area to help in the relief effort.

Ivan shut down our schools for a month. It brought armed troops to our streets and thousands of kind souls to town from around the globe to give us ice, water and food, which were luxuries for the rich and the poor alike in the days immediately after Ivan.

It destroyed 6,100 homes in the two counties, sending droves of once-sturdy families into the ragged ranks of Pensacola’s homeless.

“About 25 percent of our congregation lost their homes completely,’’ said the Rev. Bob Bailey, pastor at Warrington United Methodist Church, home to 360 worshippers.

“It’s not going to be easy for anyone. We’ve tried to be with them and preach sermons that will deliver messages of hope, a message that there is a living God. ... Hopefully, in the future, we can be strengthened by this.’’

Bailey has but to open his eyes to see the obstacles facing so many. The steeple of his church has been sliced away. The pile of debris in front of the church is stacked so high it would serve well if the congregation ever decided to re-enact the Sermon on the Mount. There are 12 leaks in the church roof “that I know of,’’ Bailey said.

Every neighborhood near him is wrecked, from tree-strewn Star Lake and Navy Point to the chewed-up homes near Davenport Bayou just north of Pensacola Naval Air Station. Near the base, just off Navy Boulevard, debris lines roads as tightly and as long as a downtown parade crowd. There are tree limbs as thick as lumberjacks mixed in with relics of people’s lives — mattresses are browning in yards; once-beautiful oak furniture sits out like trash.

A mile away in Navy Point, Sonya Williams is raking leaves in her yard. Her home came out perfectly. Her next-door neighbor to the left sports a blue tarp on the roof but is staying put. Her neighbor to the right has a blue tarp, too. And broken windows. Williams said that neighbor might not come back.

“She’s old and staying with some family up in Alabama,’’ Williams said. “She was living by herself. The roof came in on her house and destroyed all her pictures of her children and a lot of her keepsakes. She was real depressed. She just told me she didn’t want to be alone now.’’

Does Williams know how lucky she is?

“Believe me, I know,’’ she said. “It could have been me who lost a house, too. I’ve got two kids. Before the storm, I didn’t really think too much about it. Now, I just think: What would I do if I lost my house? Where would we go?’’

While Williams can imagine the questions, so many others are asking themselves the same questions in earnest every single day.

Answers are hard to find.

For many, the aftermath is proving tougher than the storm, as homeowners wrestle with insurance agencies, beach workers hit the pavement looking for jobs, and those previously teetering on society’s ladder try to claw their way back just to reach the lower rungs.

Before the storm, Kim Moody, 24, resided in a mobile homer off Gulf Beach Highway with her two children and her boyfriend. Moody was unemployed and stayed home to care for the children. Her boyfriend repaired cars at a nearby shop. Moody was poor before Ivan hit, she said. The hurricane destroyed the trailer. And it sent her boyfriend packing.

“He just freaked out,’’ she said. “He just left us. He’s still in town, staying with his friends, but he just left us hanging.’’

Moody is at Wal-Mart on Mobile Highway buying diapers for her 7-month-old son. She and the children have been staying in a small bedroom at the home of a girlfriend, who has two children of her own. Moody’s oldest son is 5 and has started wetting the bed again, she said.

“He just wants to go home, and I have to tell him we can’t go home no more,’’ she said, carrying the diapers, some generic soft drinks, bread, tuna and cheese to her friend’s car. “We don’t have anything, really. My kids lost their clothes, I lost mine. And we can’t stay with (her friend) forever.’’

She’s been asked if there’s any event in her life that compares to the last four weeks. Moody’s eyes widened in disbelief, as if she had just proven all those teachers wrong after all. See, there really is such thing as a stupid question.

“No, nothing,” she said. “This is the worst thing that’s happened to me in my life.’’

It’s the worst thing that’s happened in many of our lives. It’s a tragic chapter in Pensacola’s long, storied past. And the chapter, really, is just beginning.

“We won’t see normal life for 18 months or so,’’ Bailey said, minutes after a quick meeting with the church’s roofer. “But life will come back to normal.’’

He’s talking about the living. Bailey, like the rest of us, knows that the people killed by Ivan paid the biggest price, along with their grieving families. And he knows that every person who survived, no matter what the damage, is lucky in some manner.

“The people I’ve talked to have such positive attitudes,’’ he said. “They’ve lost their homes. But not one of them didn’t feel blessed to be alive.’’

It’s been that kind of a month, where just waking up is a victory of sorts —.even if many of us still wake up each day to a nightmare.
©The Pensacola News Journal
October 14, 2004

A Late Anniversary Surprise!!

Well, I haven't posted in a few days, I pulled out my upper back/neck while moving around furniture...that is what I tend to do when bored, LOL. So, I have been drugged up on steroids and flexeril. Have had a crappy weekend, but monday was great. Monday is the night we go out to eat at a local all you can eat mexican restaurant. Well, before we went, my hubby gave me a late anniversary present.....Diamond earrings, I totally wasn't expecting them. they are beautiful. I will post a pic when I can. But for now, got some housecleaning to catch up on, also some emails to answer.

My weekend

Well, I pulled out my neck/upper back, trying to move a dresser by myself, not to mention that I also moved around my living room furniture. So, my mom gave me some flexeril and some steroids, and I pretty much slept through most of the weekend. I hurt so bad. I am starting to feel better already though.

I did get to see Farscape: The peacekeeper wars, the conclusion is tonight, I love sci fi. Well, I guess that is all for now.

Mom and Dad were watching TV when Mom said, "I'm tired, and it's getting late. I think I'll go to bed."

She went to the kitchen to make sandwiches for the next day's lunches. Rinsed out the popcorn bowls, took meat out of the freezer for supper the following evening, checked the cereal box levels, filled the sugar container, put spoons and bowls on the table and started the coffee pot for brewing the next morning.

She then put some wet clothes in the dryer, put a load of clothes into the washer, ironed a shirt and secured a loose button.

She picked up the game pieces left on the table, put the phone back on the charger and put the telephone book into the drawer.

She watered the plants, emptied a wastebasket and hung up a towel to dry.

She yawned and stretched and headed for the bedroom. She stopped by the desk and wrote a note to the teacher, counted out some cash for the field trip, and pulled a text book out from hiding under the chair.

She signed a birthday card for a friend, addressed and stamped the envelope and wrote a quick note for the grocery store. She put both near her purse.

Mom then washed her face with 3 in 1 cleanser, put on her Night solution &age fighting moisturizer, brushed and flossed her teeth and filed her nails.

Dad called out, "I thought you were going to bed." "I'm on my way," she said.

She put some water into the dog's dish and put the cat outside, then made sure the doors were locked and the patio light was on. She looked in on each of the kids and turned out their bedside lamps and TV's, hung up a shirt, threw some dirty socks into the hamper, and had a brief conversation with the one up still doing homework.

In her own room, she set the alarm; laid out clothing for the next day, straightened up the shoe rack. She added three things to her 6 most important things to do list. She said her prayers, and visualized the accomplishment of her goals.

About that time, Dad turned off the TV and announced to no one in particular. "I'm going to bed." And he did ...without another thought.
~Author Unknown


Boy this sure is the truth most days!!!

Elijah;'s 4th Birthday Party, pictured with Abrianna, and Christian 

Elijahs Last Minute Birthday Party

Well, mom and dad stopped in for a visit, so, since Elijah's birthday is next friday, we decided to just have it tonight, because they are leaving tomorrow. It was hectic, we had fried chicken, french fries, chips and salsa, cake and ice cream.
I am utterly exhausted from today, the day started at 6:15 am, took Christian to school at 7:30, then did this and that, ya know, basic sahm stuff, then had to get Christian home early from school for a doctor's appt. After that I did my last minute shopping for the party and for his gifts. We had two families come, it was great. Not to many kids, just the right amount of friends.
Well, i am utterly exhausted.

Why so Many Hurricanes in 2004?

Sunshine for some..., Rain for others,
but why so many hurricanes in 2004?

"As The Storms Churn."
This is about as good as any explanation I have heard so far...
Rumor has it that Frances was married to Ivan but was having an affair with Charley. Charley used her and left, and she went looking for him--mad.

Charley swept through Florida quickly while Frances (a woman scorned) followed close behind taking her time looking every-where for him. Ivan (vacationing in the Caribbean) finally got wind of what happened and is now looking for his wife and
Charley.

Ivan has vengeance in his heart and has the whole gulf coast running for the hills. Actually, Ivan was in the Caribbean with Jeanne and she is now "hot for him," which is surprising now because she just broke her engagement with Karl who is out looking for both Ivan and Jeanne.

Karl's little sister, Lisa, is trying to keep him out of trouble. Matthew is Lisa's boyfriend who follows her anywhere. And the rest of this story is.... TO BE CONTINUED...

-Author Unknown

More of 1-10 bridge 

The 1-10 Bridge, a trucker actually tried to drive over it during the storm. He died. 

Finally Some Sleep!!

Well, I was so tired last night, that I passed out around 7:30!!! I have been battleing an ear infection for a week 1/2. For some reason it is causing my neck and upper back to hurt. I have been sleeping with a heating pad on my back, and last night I was hot, so I put the air conditioner on 65 degrees...I am sure I froze my family out of the house, lol. I even woke up cold with the heating pad, so, I got up and put the a/c on 70. I usually sleep with it on 69. I think I am back on schedule with my rountine for sleeping. This ear infection has whipped my butt, but I think it is getting better.
Christian started school today, after missing a whole 19 days of school due to hurricane Ivan, or should I say "Ivan the Terrible". We drove on the westbound side of the I-10 Bridge yesterday, it was amazing to see how damaged the other size of the bridge was. Concrete pillars, in the Water...totally smashed and bent over, whole sections of the bridge gone. I saw the areial photos from the newspaper, but didn't realize how bad it was til I drove past it. I thought that the 20ft storm surge just washed away parts of the bridge, but it was totally bashed and battered. I will upload a picture or two of the bridge.
Well, guess that is all for now, got tons of cleaning to do.

Enough was Enough! 

allboarded up 

tree on roof 

Our house after the storm 

The Tree is Down!!!

Finally, My husband woke up about 45 minutes ago, and headed outside. He got the tree down off the roof, with a little of my help of course ;-)

Not the Tower of Strength that my husband thinks I am...

Man, it is already taking its toll on me...good that I had a break for a couple months before my husband started flight school. Before that, it was college, before that it was 6 month deployments. I sit home all day, clean, do laundry, take care of the kids, do the grocery shopping, just waiting for the highlight, or what should be the highlight of my day, when my husband gets home from the military base. But it is a disappointment, he is tired, he has to study, he has to get some sleep, he leaves before daylight and gets home after dark. I am left to still take care of the kids in the evening, no one to take care of me....I know, I am whining. I internalize all this, but I get to let loose here (good thing I created this blog, maybe it will keep me sane). I know my husbands career motivations are for his family, his sons, his wife. If it weren't for his ambitions we wouldn't have our home, our cars, our comfort. Don't get me wrong, I totally appreciate all he does, but, even with the kids, the housework, all the daily things I do, I still feel useless, worthless, unappreciated and all alone (even with a 3 yr old clinging to me). I try to appear to be ok in front of him, not to show my feelings, he needs me to be a tower of strength for him...so now, for me, I need to lean on God. God needs to be my tower of strength...it is aweful how I ask God last, how I think of Him last. May God forgive me for not trusting in Him. Lord, Please help me trust in you to be my Tower of Strength.

Here we go again!!

Well, looks like our area will be hit again. Tropical Storm Matthew is on the way, and supposed to make landful sunday. I am praying that it doesn't become a hurricane before it hits. I feel really bad for all those around me with roof damage, because we are going to be slammed with rain. Well, if the tree on our roof caused any damage that we can't see with our eyes, then we will see it when it starts raining. My husband looked in the attic and didn't see any damage, but we will see when all the rain comes.

Now I Know I am Crazy!

Well, I've done it....I have started a blog....now, the question is, will I keep it updated? I guess you will have to just wait and see. I must be bored to death to be doing this. Well, my husband is in flight school, kids are still asleep....nothing on cable (go figure with all those channels).

Hmmm....where to start? I guess I can tell you alittle about me. I am a 29 yr old sahm, I have two boys ages 8 and 3 (almost 9 & 4). I love sci fi, scrapbooking, jewelry making and I am currently addicted to watching alias...thanks to my husband, lol.

Well, I am not an experienced writer, so I will probably ramble. I wear my emotions on my sleeve, I take things personally...such as politics and religion. So, if I write something that offends you...get over it, this is my blog and my opinion. ;-) And I am always right (hehe).

Well, the past few weeks have been crazy, we were hit by hurricane Ivan, boy, it sure hit our area hard. But God blessed us, He laid His hand over our home, and it was protected. A tornado hit our neighborhood, some homes had damage, but no total losses. I am still cleaning up from the storm. I am actually just resting before I go outside to clean up more tree limbs...you couldn't even see our lawn. It has been three weeks since the storm, and we still have a tree on our roof...no telling when we will finally get it down.

Well, that is all for now...I will update later.