Hello Everyone,

 

Well it's Labor Day and I have been watching a marathon of "Dead Like Me" episodes on the SCIFI channel.  It is a quirky show that used to come on Showtime.  With it being Labor Day I decided to take the day off and do nothing productive.  So far so good.  This entry into my blog is the only productive thing I have done. 

 

Since I haven't blogged in a long time I will tell you some exciting news that has developed over the last year.  I am going to be a grandmother!!!  Can you believe it?  I couldn't when I first found out.  My daughter Sierra is going to have a baby boy in November.  In my last blog in May of 06 she was getting ready to go to prom and graduation was just around the corner.  She graduated and lived thru the horrible summer with me and hubby being seperated.  She started college at Marshall University in the fall of 06.  She absolutely loved being on her own.  She would come home on some weekends and call me and tell me all about her days on campus.  She worried herself sick about her Chemistry grade and when she came home for Christmas break she was emotionally spent.  She got her final grades for the 1st semester in the mail and cried when she had passed Chemistry.  A huge weight had been lifted off of her.  When it came time for her to go back to school she kinda joked and said she didn't want to go back to Huntington.  She went anyway.  I didn't think much of it because she didn't act serious about it.  But a day later when she called me crying telling me she was homesick I knew then that she was serious.  We transferred her schooling to the local campus of Marshall University and she continued on.  I was so glad to have her home.  I had missed her so much.  She wanted to be away from me but then she didn't.  She worked and went to school.  She bought herself a car.  Then 3 days before my 37th birthday she came to me and said she had something to tell me.  I could tell by the sound of her voice what it was.  I was dumbfounded.  I couldn't believe that it was happening.  My whole life flashed before my eyes.  I remembered the day that I told my parents that I was pregnant.  The hurt look on their faces.  I so hoped that I didn't have that look on my face.  I just kept trying to smile for both our sakes.  Accidents happen and she is a shining example of how wonderful accidents can be.  She is a wonderful person and I have been so proud of her since the day I had her.  So she takes a little harder route in life.  There is nothing wrong with that and believe me it will make you stronger.  I can't wait to meet him.  I know I will be a basket case when she goes into labor.  She doesn't tolerate pain very good.  Who does for that matter, but you never want to see your child in pain.  She is a trooper and I know she will do fine.  I will keep you posted on her progress and fill in some more gaps later.  Thanks for reading.

 

Later Taters

 

Jennie

Hello Everyone!!!

 

Surprise! Surprise!  I am not dead, all though throughout the past year or so I have thought that I had died and was in a some sort of Twilight Zone Living HELL place.  A lot has happened in my life since my last blog entry of May 06 and I will try and touch a little on each and everything that has happened.  You know that old saying that those things that don't kill us only make us stronger, well I must be one of the strongest women on earth at this point.  I wouldn't want anyone to go thru what I have went thru, although there are a couple of DIKES that were supposed to be my friends that live on Flatwoods Road and my soon to be ex-husband I wouldn't mind seeing go thru some sort of HELL.  With that being said I am a firm believer in "What goes around, comes around!!".  Believe me what they been spreading around will come back to haunt them one day.  We will all have to meet our maker and answer for everything that we have done, good or bad.  I am sure they will do some stuttering and back pedaling.  Ok enough with the opening remarks.  Lets get started.

 

In June of 2006 my husband and I separated.  Things hadn't been good for awhile and they progressively got worse.   No one really knew how miserable I was with him and how he had been treating me for the last 6 months leading up to our separation.  We didn't do anything together.  He would go to work, come home and take a nap then talk on the phone and then go to bed.  When we did talk he was so full of shit about everything.  See he always had this habit of stretching the truth on stuff but that got alot worse too.  The joke around the county was that you could tell when he was lying because his lips were moving.  Then out of the blue an old friend called me and because I so needed to talk to someone about everything that was going on in my life I then get accused of having an affair.  At that point I was so disgusted with my husband that I really didn't care what anybody said or thought for that matter.  I was able to see my life thru someone else's eyes and I didn't like it.  I decided to change it.  After about 2 weeks of being apart hubby decided that he was going to move back in and I told him he wasn't until he seeked some kind of counseling about his compulsive lying and that we needed to go to marriage counseling as well.  He refused.  When he realized I was serious about it that is when all hell broke loose.  Everyday he would call and threaten me.  He called all the time.  In front of the children he said that he was going to cut my head off with a chain saw. He tried to run over me with his truck with my youngest child in the car.   He went nuts.  I finally had to put a domestic violence protection order against him when he tried to run my car over the hill with me in it.  I got out and took off running towards the house and he caught me and football tackled me.  Ruffed me up some.  His brother Phil watched the entire thing and did NOTHING to help me.  I finally got away and called the cops.  They came and took my statement and then arrested him.  He spent the night in jail.  When we went to court he was ordered to stay away from me and I got custody of our youngest son.  He told me that he would make him so f*cking mean and bad that I wouldn't be able to stand him.  From that day on that is what he has done.  Anything and everything that he can do to make my life a living hell that is what he has done.  There is alot more that has happened with that subject but you get the point....it is bad and now with it being over a year we are still not divorced, we go to court again on the 4th of September so hopefully then I will have some sort of closure.  But then I realize that I will have to deal with him on some level until our son turns 18.  Oh joy.  Well that's enough for today.  I will update more tomorrow.  Have a wonderful evening and believe me when I tell you I am doing great now.

 

Later Taters

 

Jennie

 

 

Hello Everyone!!

 

Where to begin?  My week started off great and it ended just as great!  I don't know why and nothing really special happened to me but for some reason I feel very calm and relaxed and that I don't have a care in the world.  Who knows?  I am not going to ponder on it and try and figure it out but enjoy it I hope it lasts forever!!

 

My daughters Prom was this weekend.  It was great to see her all dressed up and looking very girlie.  I usually see her in some kind of soccer gear or jeans and a t-shirt.  She fixes her hair daily but doesn't like to wear alot of makeup and very rarely does she wear anything frilly or girlie looking.  So it was a good day just to see her all dressed up.  I probably won't see it that dramatic again until she gets married.  I can wait. 

 

Well have a great day and wonderful week ahead.  Enjoy the pics.

 

Later Taters!!

 

Jennie

 

Hello Everyone!!

 

Well  to say the least I have been slacking on updating my blog but it seems that my world has been running full throttle for over a month and stuff is finally starting to settle down.  I started my new job at Pleasant Valley Hospital.  I am a clinical/clerical asst where I register the patients that blood has been collected from and process the blood/urine to the lab.  Finally yesterday I got to finally start taking blood from people.  I was very nervous but I did fine and will be doing that now too.  Woo Hoo. 

 

The kids are all doing fine.  Gearing up for Summer Break.  Sierra has Prom this weekend.  She has been getting ready for that.  We bought her dress a couple of weeks ago.  It is very pretty.  Graduation is also just a couple of weeks away.  We went to visit Marshall University on the 22nd and had a great day.  Toured the campus and stuff.  She really likes the college and is looking forward to going there.  One of my previous foster children that lives in Huntington went along with us for the day.  It was good to see her again.  I talk to her all the time and she has been doing great.  Nicholas is going to stay with his dad for a couple months when school is out.  His dad lives in St. Petersburg, FL and is moving back here at the end of July.  He is excited about it.  Him and his dad haven't spent alot of time together and hopefully this will be a good thing for both of them.  Nic always thinks that the grass is greener everywhere else.  I hope his dad doesn't let him down again.  Christian has been doing great.  He had some troubles back in March/April but has really done well and certainly is a little trooper.  He is more aware of his ADHD and has been kinda realizing what it does to him and how it makes him act.  I would love for him to be drug free and just be a kid but his schooling would suffer so much.  I plan to let him take a break from his meds this summer.  He is looking forward to that, however the others kids aren't.  I simply told them that we put up with the way they act sometimes they can do the same.  Brian has been doing well too.  He is the type of person that has to constantly be doing something.  He loves to work/play outside.  Uncle Phil found him a farm job for the summer so he is looking forward to doing that and the money he will be making is a plus too.  He starts high school next year.  He would like to play football in the fall but we will see what happens.  He likes to talk a big game but when it comes down to it sometimes he is just full of hot air.  I support my kids in everything they do and help them any way that I can but sometimes it seems that i do all the work and they don't.  I will have to work on that. 

 

The rest of my family is doing good and looking forward to summer as well.  My sister is doing great since her surgery and my brother went back to school and is doing good with that.  Mom and Dad survived their trip to Vegas and Nannie is finally getting over her cough.  We all went camping the past two weekends and have had a blast.  Nothing like getting away from everything and taking a break. 

 

Well I have a million things to do today and had best get started.  I promise to update more frequently and let you know what is happening in my world.  Have a great week!!!

 

Jennie

 

Hello Fellow Bloggers

 

Well another week has come to an end and I am ready to pull my hair out.  My husband has been off sick all week with an alleged chest cold.  Did he go to the doctor?  NO Does he take over the counter chest decongestion?  NO He just makes him a little nest on the couch and expects me to be his personal little gopher.  It is times like these that make me wish I worked full time again.  He is a hypochondriac and I have ZERO sympathy for him.  Someone can cough or sneeze in his area and within 2 hours he is sure he is coming down with the same thing.  He can read about a disease and he is sure he is developing the same symptoms.  Does he go to the doctor?  NO.  Did I tell you that it drives me insane????? 

 

Sierra received her graduation announcements this week.  I can't believe that she will be graduating in May.  Unbelievable.  She has decided to go to Marshall University to be a Nurse.  She really wanted to go to Mountain State University but it was just too much money.  Marshall is a little over an hour away so she will still be close to home. 

 

My sister Sonya had to have a hysterectomy done on Wednesday.  She is doing great.  She is in a little pain but not much.  She might be able to come today.  She had a bunch of scar tissure built up from her C-section years ago and the surgery took longer.  She pulled thru.  What a trooper. 

 

I got the phlebotomy job that I applied for.  I start sometime next week.  I have orientation to go to so I am not sure how long that will take.  

 

Thats it for now.

 

Later Taters,

 

Jennie

 

 

 

wello Everyone

 

As everyone is aware of my husband and I are foster parents.  We have been doing that for about 4 years now and I can honestly say that for the most part with the exception of a couple we have had some really great kids come and go thru our doors.  With that being said my recent EMERGENCY placements have put me thru the ringer this week.  What started out as an overnight stay at 9:30 at night has turned into a 2 week placement and then back to just a week.  They will be leaving on Monday morning.  They are two little boys 7 & 9.  They both have ADHD and mix that with my own son who has ADHD and there is a tornado ripping thru my house at all times.  They don't know how to play quietly and the brothers argue about everything.  This morning they got into a knock down drag out fight about video games.  I thought they were gonna come thru the ceiling.  I have never ran up the stairs so fast before.  I  was skipping 3 at a time.  They have had so many time outs today which absolutley does nothing but give them time to recharge and think about something else to get into.  I have tried everything.  I have even tried to sit down with them and play some games, watch movies and  even cleaning up the bedroom.  The quiet lasts about 10 minutes and then they are bored with whatever and off they go.  My older children saw how frustrating my day has been and offered to take them on a hike in the woods.  I was so excited.  I got them all ready and practically shoved them out the door.  They were excited to go to.  Hopefully they will be exhausted when they come back and I can have even more quiet time.  HA HA I am so funny. 

 

I did manage to go on a job interview this week.  I find out next week if I got it or not.  It is part time, M W & F and the pay is great.  The only drawback I can foresee is that I have to be at the nursing home at 4:45 AM.  I haven't been up that early on a regular basis since my kids were babies.  I will keep you posted on whether or not I get the job. 

 

Well the kids just got back from the hike so I must go.  Take care and I will write more when I get the chance. 

 

Jennie

 

 

Hello Everyone!

 

Sorry I haven't updated in awhile but have been kinda busy.  Doing what you ask?  I haven't a clue but I recall that my days are busy and I haven't had time to sit down.  Usually on Thursdays and Fridays I babysit for my friend Susan, but this week she didn't need me so I have some extra time this week.  So, where to begin....

 

For starters a couple of weekends ago we went to Louisville, KY to visit my ex-neighbors and good friends, Howard & Sheila Parker.  We had a wonderful time.  We went shopping and out to eat and all kinds of good stuff.  The kids were glad to get away as well.  We laughed all weekend.  Their house is coming along quite well.  They just had the entire thing painted and it looks soooooooo good.  I just couldn't believe the difference.  It is a very pretty house and they are slowly but surely getting settled in.  DAMN.  I wish they would change their minds and move back. 

 

The kids are all doing fine.  Sierra has a bad case of senioritis right now.  She can't wait for school to be out.  She broke up with her boyfriend of one year.  I'm not real sure why but they are still friends and still hang out together.  As long as she is happy with it that is all that matters.  She has had some real doozies in the past that made her cry alot.  Thank goodness she came to her senses and realized they weren't worth the trouble.

 

All the boys, Nic, Bryan & Christian, are doing fine.  Nic and Bryan went to a paintball party last weekend and had a total blast.  They both talked about it to me for about an hour when they got home.  Nic got his learners driver permit last week when he turned 16.  He could have got it back when he turned 15 but was grounded and then when he got ungrounded he really didn't have any desire to get it and I didn't push it either.  Well he decided to get it and I let him drive home from the testing place.  I was scared to death.  OMG.  My heart was racing the whole time.  He did pretty good and we lived to tell the tale so that is always a plus.  LOL  He can't get the regular permit for at least 6 months so he has alot of time to become more familiar with our Suburban.  I don't think he realized just how big those things are.  Bryan started track season at the middle school.  He has been coming home walking all stiff.  He says all his muscles hurt and he usually ends up going to bed at around 8.  Christian's biological sister came down last weekend as well for a visit.  They hadn't seen each other since Christmas.  They had alot of fun catching up and just being with each other.  As you know we adopted Christian and probably would have adopted his sister as well but the state and their divine wisdom thought is would be best if they were separated.  Go figure.  Well now 4 years later they are contacting us to see if it would be a possibility of us adopting her or at least letting her live here.  I think they realized that they made a mistake by separating them and are now trying to fix it.  We told the state that we would at least give it a try but that we were not promising anything.  His sister will be bringing alot of baggage with her and I don't mean suitcases.  We are proceeding with an open mind and hoping for the best but like I said before I am not promising anything. 

 

I did clinicals last weekend at the hospital for my phlebotomy class.  I got to dress up in my scrubs and everything.  I did good and managed to get blood from every patient.  WOO HOO.  I have 13 more sticks to get by March 9th to become certified.  All my friends are on stand by if I happen to come up short.  My son Nic always volunteers for me because he knows how much it means to me.  The rest of the family has to be begged and bribed to give up their blood.  Oh well.   

 

Rick found out today that the company he works for is being bought out by another company.  He has worked for them for 27 years and has a wonderful retirement plan.  He was planning on retiring when he reached the age of 55 but I'm not sure what will happen now.  We will just have to wait and see what happens.  It is very unsettling though.  There are a million questions I can think of and don't have any answers so far. 

 

Well thats enough for now.  Everyone have a great weekend!!

 

Later Taters

 

Jennie

 

 

 

Good Morning Everyone!!!

 

I just got finished watching the news and we are supposed to get about 3-6 inches of snow over the weekend.  I cannot wait.  I have been waiting patiently for the big snow and finally it should arrive tomorrow.  The hill in my front yard is calling my name and wanting me to slide down to the bottom and hopefully not break anything. 

 

I am just about finished with my Phlebotomy class.  We have learned everything we possibly can and all we are doing now is just sticking people.  I get stuck about 4 times every Monday and Thursday night.  All the girls are pretty good and it doesn't hurt anymore.  I haven't had anymore bruises since the first night we started sticking.  WOO HOO.  My arms made me look like a druggie and people would stare at the bruises and then when I would tell them I was studying Phlebotomy they would say OOOOHHHH ok.  It is so bizarre when you know someone practically your whole life and just for an instance they can forget everything about you and what you stand for and think that you are using drugs.  It just kills me. 

 

We are planning on going to Kentucky next weekend to visit my long lost neighbors Howard & Sheila.  I can't wait to see them and what they have done to their house.  Sheila has been scoping out the shopping malls and finding the best places to eat for our visit.  I can't wait. 

 

Well I have a bunch of work to get accomplished today with my house and stuff and then this evening my twin nieces are coming over for me to do their hair for the big Sweetheart Dance so I better get moving if I plan on getting in a nap before they arrive.  Have a good weekend everyone.

 

Later Taters,

 

Jennie

 

Good Morning Everyone!!!

 

Yesterday I was paying my bills online and noticed that I had two garbage bills from Waste Management.  One was for the regular amount and the other one was a credit for $3 less than the regular amount.  I couldn't figure out why I would be getting a credit.  I wondered if I had won the secret garbage bill lottery and I got this quarter free.  Yeah Right.  I call Waste Management and they informed me that I had moved.  I assured them that I hadn't and the clerk proceeded to argue with me saying that I had.  She said that her computer was telling her that I had moved and it should never be wrong.  My patience started wearing thin at this moment and I told her that my neighbors had moved.  She was like OH that must be it then, hmmm.  What a DITZ.  Holy cow.  I then told her I would be paying the regular bill and she advised me not to because my account was closed and it would screw up the computer system.  I should wait until they get everything changed and then they will send me a new bill.  I was fed up with the whole conversation at this point and told her WHATEVER.  I did take her name and extension number just in case they send the bill collectors after me for $3.  HMMM.

 

Hello All,

 

As you know my youngest son Christian never ceases to amaze me.  Whether its the stuff he does or the things he says he always keeps me on my toes and makes me shake my head in disbelief.  So with that in mind here is his latest "What Were You Thinking" moment.  Enjoy.

 

Tuesday morning started off like any other day.  I started my day by straigtening up the house and doing laundry.  I noticed with the first load of clothes in the dryer that the clothes just weren't getting dry and it would take 2 cycles to get them dry and then they weren't dry like they usually were.  I had 3 loads run thru the washer before I could get one load dry.  I was bewildered and kept checking the lint screen and everything.  Finally I asked Rick if he would come and take a look at the dryer.  I thought maybe it had filled up with lint because the kids are famous for not cleaning it with every load.  Well the first thing he does is go outside and take a look at the vent.  He gets out there and says  "Hmmm, this might be your problem!"  I walk out there with him and there in the vent, shoved as far as it could possibly be shoved was Christians soccer cleat.  Yes a soccer cleat.  I call for Christian to come to me and when he gets there I ask him "Did you put your soccer cleat in the dryer vent?"  He has the look of do I tell the truth or lie.....big debate.  I notice this and say don't lie.  He confesses to shoving the cleat in the vent.  I can't help myself so I ask the big question.....WHY did you do that?  I knew the answer when the words were spewing out of my mouth but for some reason I just had to ask.  I got the answer I had been expecting, those 3 little words that I have come to hate with a passion.  I DON"T KNOW.  I took a deep breath and then proceeded to tell him the dangers of what might happen when a dryer can't vent properly.  He took in every word that I said with great interest and when I was done with my speech he said to me and I quote...."I don't know what I was thinking, I must have lost my mind again."  When he said that I immediately remember all the times that I have asked him "Have you lost your mind?, What were you thinking?".  Yes Christian keeps me on my toes and to be on the lookout for strange occurences.  I think that everyone should experience an 8 year old son with ADHD.  You don't know what you are missing.  Love ya Christian.

 

Later Taters,

 

Jennie

 

Hello Everyone!!!

 

Haven't updated in awhile so I will try and fill you in on all the stuff happening at the Walker household. 

 

1.  Phlebotomy School is going well.  When we started back to school after Christmas we finally got to start sticking people with needles.  I was scared to death the first couple of times I stuck my class mates.  I thought I was gonna pass out or vomit.  Neither happened.  Thank Goodness.  I have stuck everyone I can possiblly talk into letting me.  So far so good.  The only draw back is that I draw blood from healthy people which is good but I think I need to practice on people that don't have good veins.  Will keep you posted.

 

2.  Got Foster Daughter who has been with me since November 1st enrolled in school finally.  Had to go all the way to the State Board of Education but she is in school.  Long story.  Maybe I will post more on that at a later date when all the appeals have been heard. 

 

3.  Rented my rental property to my ex-husband and his wife.  Not so sure I like the fact that he will be five minutes from my son now but hopefully things will turn out ok.  He has never really been there for him before so I am not holding my breath.

 

4.  Puppies are doing great.  They are mobile now.  They are into everything.  They will be 5 weeks old this Friday.  Have a vet appt scheduled to get their shots and worm meds.  Placed ads over the weekend hopefully someone will want an AKC registerd Daschund. 

 

5.  Getting a new foster son next week.  Finally glad that he is finally getting to move in for good.  He has been coming down here since November on weekend visits and such.  Has a wonderful personality and fits in great with us. 

 

6.  Cleaned up the BIG garage.  The family took a Saturday and cleaned, organized, threw away and can actually get all 3 of our vehicles along with a horse trailer, box trailer and a flat bed trailer in there.  Not to mention all the stuff we have stored.

 

7.  Sierra scored extremely well on her ACT test.  FINALLY.  It is amazing what a little studying will do.  Go figure. 

 

8.  Still miss my neighbors, Howard and Sheila, but don't tear up as much when I think about them not being next door anymore.  Managed to introduce myself to the new neighbors without screaming "If you haven't of bought this house they would still be here".  They seem like very nice people and we will probably get along fine but no one will ever take the place of Howard & Sheila.  Have I mentioned that I miss them????

 

9.  Christian made it thru his first season of basketball.  He learned alot and enjoyed doing something different.  He still prefers soccer to basketball but at least he enjoyed himself.

 

10.  My one foster daughter gets to go back to her mom tomorrow.  I am going to miss her so much.  She is a very special girl and I just hope that her mom realizes what she has been given and will do right by her.  I told her that if she ever needs me I am just a phone call away.  This is one thing that I hate about being a foster parent, when they get to go home and you know that nothing has changed there.  SUCKS BIG TIME.

 

Well that is enough for now.  I am faithfully going to try and update my blog at least 3 times a week.  Take care and thanks for stopping by. 

 

Later Taters

 

Jennie

 

Good Morning Everyone!!

 

What a wild and crazy past two weeks I have had.  Where to begin???  Well for starters we had Christmas Eve dinner at my house this year.  All my family and friends came over and we ate lots and lots of Shrimp.  It was soooo good.  Shrimp on Christmas Eve is a family tradition and I absolutely love it.  When my sister arrived we all ran out to see if she was wearing "The Christmas Turtle Neck Shirt", she wasn't but she looked fabulous all the same.  She reminded me of the fact that she has an old Christmas Day photo of me where I don't look too good and is not afraid of scanning and posting it.  So maybe I should back off of making cracks at her expense?  No way!!!  Then came Christmas Day.  The kids were all very excited about the presents they received and I actually bought my husband a present that he had no idea what it was.  Usually he guesses and spoils the surprise but this year he didn't have a clue.  I bought him his very own rocker/recliner.  He absolutely loves it.  Hopefully now he will finally finish our family room, but that is another story in its self.  I received a pretty wonderful present from my kids this year.  It is my very own Ms. Pac Man game.  I loved it so much back in the 80's along with Space Invaders.  I play it daily.  I am addicted again to it.  I played it so much one day that my hands hurt for hours afterwards.  Good times. 

 

Now for the sad part of my Christmas.  As you know my neighbors were selling their house.  So on the 28th of December we packed the U-Haul truck and laughed and cried most of the day.  I will surely miss them.  They are the two most wonderful neighbors/friends/and yes family that anyone could ask for.  We all headed out for Crestwood Kentucky on the morning of the 29th.  Rick and Howard were in the U-Haul truck, me and two of my kids were in my Suburban with a pull behind trailer and Sheila and Christian was in her car.  For the most part the trip was uneventful except for Rick always managing to get in the "Exit Only" lanes and then having to whip that big truck back in front of me.  I changed his name to Exit Only after he did it twice.  We all had cell phones and I would try and call him and tell him to get over but I guess the Diesel engine was just too loud.  I finally reached him and told him to put the phone on vibrate and stick it between his legs.  Not only would he be alerted he would also get some cheap thrills out of it.  Sheila and I got a big laugh out of that one.  LOL  Finally we made it to Kentucky and I was never so glad to get out of that car.  My but was numb and I had enough of all the stupid movies my son and daughter had been watching on the way.  We were staying with Howard and Sheilas son Danny while we waited for the closing of the new house.  Him and his family are very nice people and we had more goods times.  We ate just about every meal out so no one would have to cook.  The waitresses would have this Oh My God look on their faces when we would all come in and sit down.

 

Friday morning I managed to loose my footing on the last three steps going down stairs.  I caught myself but my left foot got bent under and I cracked every one of my toes.  Some how my big toe got bent all the way backwards and boy did it hurt.  It swelled up and turned black.  I hobbled for the rest of the day.  Nicolette went to the store and got me a toe splint to keep it immobilized that helped with the pain some but what really took care of the pain was when Danny's son Jacob stepped on it and flattened it out.  It hurt while he was stepping on it but afterwards it felt great.  I assume it went back into place when he stepped on it.  I was never so thankful to have my foot stepped on.  We got the truck unloaded and started putting stuff away.  I knew that my time with Sheila and Howard would soon be coming to an end.  I dreaded that moment when we would have to say goodbye.  We stayed with them the last night and sat up until about 2 in the morning laughing about things that had happened and the stuff that we always managed to find funny.  We got up the next morning and got ready and then came the water works.  Everyone was crying and saying goodbye.  I know they are only 5 hours away and we will visit as will they but it was still one of the hardest moments I have ever had to face.  I kept crying for about an hour after we left.  And I would get teary eyed when I would think about them.  It wasn't the same when we drove by their house on our way home.  The new owners had moved in and the house had a different look to it.  It was no longer the Parker house. 

 

Well the title of this blog entry is "Happy New Year" and I am sure that we will continue to have happy moments with the Parkers just not as often as we would like.  However, with blogs, webcams and digital cameras the separation won't be as bad as it could be.  So Sheila when you read this know that I love you very much and you have a Happy New Year getting settled into your new home, meeting new friends and going shopping in all those wonderful places and with the help of the internet and Ma Bell we will never be out of touch for very long. 

 

 

 

Good Morning Everyone

 

Well early Friday morning my wonderful weiner dog, Malibu, gave birth to 3 beautiful puppies.  She was in labor for about 3 hours and just couldn't get comfortable.  She would whine and moan and bark.  She would look at me with the sadest eyes as if to say "PLEASE HELP ME."   I felt so sorry for her.  I finally took her into the living room, covered myself with towels and she settled right down in my lap.  She calmed right down and didn't move.  About 45 minutes later I felt something warm on my leg and realized her water had broke.  I moved her back to her box and before I knew it she had delivered the cutest little black and tan male puppy.  Then about a half hour later she delivered a brown male one and then came the little red female one.  They are so cute and she takes very good care of them.  She is very protective of them.  She chased two of my daughters out of the room and they were no where near her puppies.  She won't even leave them to go outside to relieve herself.  I have to pick her up and take her outside and when she is done she will race her way back to where they are.  When anyone goes into see the puppies she will stand over them so no one can see them.  Very protective. 

 

Yesterday my mom and me went shopping so I could finally do my Christmas shopping.  We left out of here at 7:00 in the morning and didn't return until 7 that evening.  We got most of it done and what I didn't get done I can finish it up locally.  So now comes the fun part of wrapping everything.  The kids love to  help me so we should have a pretty good time this afternoon with wrapping paper, ribbons and bows flying everywhere.  My oldest daughter Sierra is going to try her hand at making cookies again today.  Something always happens to her cookies when she goes to make them.  They either get burnt or she puts too much salt in them or they are too runny or something.  But she keeps on trying so today hopefully they will turn out.  I am going to look oversee the process today just to be sure. 

 

Well thats enough for now.  I will post pics of the puppies later.  Have a good one.

 

Later Taters

Hello Everyone!!

 

Well there isn't much time left to get ready for Christmas and Guess What?  I have only bought 3 presents total.  I have no idea when I am going to get the time to go shopping.  I like going with my mother and the two of us get everything for the most part done in one BIG day.  We are on a mission and do not stop until the last present is bought.  We are not rude to anyone nor do we push people out of the way to get that one special gift.  We just have a big job to do and thats what we do.  We also end up eating either lunch or dinner at Red Lobster.  My all time favorite restaurant. 

 

We also have to find time to buy all the food for Christmas Eve Dinner.  We usually have about 20lbs of Shrimp and lots of stuff to go with that.  We used to gather at my mothers house but suddenly we realized that my family kept growing and plus the kids themselves kept growing and their just wasn't enough room.  So usually we alternate between my house and my sister Sonya's house.  Lots of good food, fun and laughter.  I can't wait so I had better get busy and find time to get all this stuff done because its my year on the rotation. 

 

The other night I was down at my moms and she keeps a Christmas scrapbook and I was looking over the past 4 years of so and realized that my sister Sonya has this one turtle neck Christmas shirt that she wore on Christmas Eve 2002 and 2004.  My mom hadn't put in any pictures from 2003 so we searched hers and my dads computer looking for what Sonya wore on Christmas Eve 2003.  She will probably want to hurt me in some way when she reads this for telling everyone but oh well.  She is a good sport and I know will get a laugh out of it.  I wonder what she will wear this year????  HMMMM.  Love ya Sonya you are great big sister!!

 

 

Good Morning Everyone!!

 

Well Rick finally got the time to take Christian Deer Hunting.  By the time Christian left to go he had on his chicken skins, camo pants, orange sweatshirt, orange hat, 2 pairs of socks and boots that were a little big.  He even got to carry his DEER SLAYER knife with him.  He was very excited.  I made Rick promise me that he would not load Christians gun until they were ready to actually shoot the deer.  I could just see Christian seeing a deer and going "Look dad a deer!!!"  and WHAMO my husband is wounded or killed.  I felt a little queezy the whole time they were gone and then there came a knock on the door.  My heart nearly leaped out of my chest.  When I opened the door it was Christian with a big ole smile on his face.  He got himself a deer.  I look out in the driveway and there is Rick with a big ole smile on his face too.  Rick said that he had never seen Christian so quiet and focused on what they were there to do.  He said he was very cautious with the gun and remembered everything that he had tought him about gun safety.  I was quite relieved.  I guess I worry too much.  Then comes the gutting part.  Christian was all set to gut the deer with his DEER SLAYER knife until he seen the blood....Rick said he turned pale and covered his mouth.  He told Rick that he would let him do it this time so he could see how it was done and maybe take on the next one.  They checked it in and he told the clerk the story of his first deer.  It was a day I am sure that he will never forget. 

Hello Everyone!

 

Haven't updated in awhile because things have been crazy around here.  Well not that they weren't crazy before.   For starters my 8 year old, Christian, has started to ask me if he can do something and I will ask if he has all his responsibilities done (I call them responsibilities for him rather than chores) he will say no and I will tell him to get them done and then we will see about him doing what he wants to do.  Well I had to go over to the neighbors house a couple times this week and when  he sees me leave he will then proceed to go ask his dad if he can do this or that and of course dad won't think to ask him if he has this or that done so dad says sure go ahead.  I come home, the chores aren't done and he has vegged out in front of the tv with cartoons and video games.  He then looks at me and says well "Dad said I could!!"  What?  Dad?  AARRRGGGHHH!

 

Then 2 of my daughters (1 bio and 1 foster) become sick on the same day.  I take them both to the doctor, they weigh the same amount, the both have the same birthdays (different years) and they both have the same symptoms.  The doc walks in and asks if they are twins?  Hello?   Did you look at the charts or look at the girls they look nothing alike.  Nothing.  He prescribes the same meds for both.  It was just too weird for me.  They are both feeling better now and doing great.

 

Now for the major event.   My other foster daughter decides that she is going to snort drugs up her nose on the school bus.  Some kids at school offered and she said yes!  I notice that she isn't behaving normally when she gets home and her eyes are blood shot and she is very chatty.  After some pressuring she confesses to snorting oxycontin.  Oxycontin!  Where in the world do these kids get it from?  Why would she just snort it out of the blue after being clean for 6 months.  This is a child that when she came to live with us had some major baggage.  I am talking MAJOR.  She has changed so much in the last 6 months that she doesn't even look or act like the girl who arrived here back in July.  She actually goes to school everyday.  She went from making all F's to A's & B's.  She is more open and expressive.  Not withdrawn.  Applied for a job as a waitress at a local steakhouse and got it and absolutely loves it.  She used to do what they call "cutting" on herself and doesn't do that anymore.  So what happened to make her stumble?  Two words, BIOLOGICAL MOTHER.  She recently got to go on overnight visits with her Bio Mom and everything that we have worked so hard on to accomplish gets thrown out the window.  This woman cannot stand to see her daughter being so happy and so together.  Her bio mom has been the source of all her baggage.  Well the school finds out about the drug use and suspends her for 5 days.  She has a home visit scheduled for today until Monday with the bio mom.  I thought for sure that the state would cancel the overnight visits for awhile based on what was told to them and what happened.  Did they?  NO!!!  Can you believe it?  They know this woman is poison and that my foster daughter will only continue to stumble until she falls really hard and what do they do?  Throw her right back into the fire.  I know that the ultimate goal for all foster children is to be reunited with their biological family.  The child gets help as well as the parents.  But what about the parents that are just jumping thru the hoops to get CPS off their backs?  Its like they know that they are doing that and we have to give them a chance to apply what they have learned but what about that gut feeling?  Doesn't that count for anything?  This woman has failed so many times before why does she deserve another chance?  How many chances should she get?  When will the state finally say enough is enough?  My foster daughter has been in the "system" for over two years.  I think enough is enough.  Not to toot my own horn or anything but this has been her first placement where she has actually flourished.  She has never had so many positive results before and now that the bio mother is slowly coming back into the picture some of the positive is starting to dwindle away.  Our hands are basically tied and I can only give my opinion and hope they consider it.  Crazy huh?

 

Well I think I have brought you up to date.  I have alot of phone calls to make to state agencies.  I will keep you posted. 

 

Later Taters

 

Hello Everyone

 

Well today was report card day and I am happy to report that my son, Nic, won't be going to the Military School this semester.  He managed to do his work and actually turn it in.  He brought his F from last 6 weeks up to a C and his D up to a B.  I was very excited that he wouldn't be going but I was prepared to send him if he didn't bring his grades up.  He has to continue to maintain his grades every 6 weeks or he will be going.  I think he knows now that I am not kidding around and he shouldn't kid around with his schooling either.  The girls did well on theirs so it has been a pretty happy place in the Walker household this evening.

 

Later Taters

 

Jennie

 

 

Good Morning Everyone

 

Just wanted to update you a little on the highlights of my Thanksgiving week and whats been happening this week so far. 

 

Last week as you know was the opening season for Deer Hunting in WV and Rick & Nic along with Phil and Alin went hunting just about everyday.  Rick or Nic didn't get one but Phil & Alin got two each.  Way to go.  I have added pics to my website to show Alin's Big Buck.  I believe it was an eight point.  Who knows.  All I know is that it had a big set of horns on it.  LOL.  We had an extra foster child for Thanksgiving this year.  His name is Brian.  He came down on Wednesday before Thanksgiving and stayed until Saturday.  Rick took him hunting as well.  He is a great kid who will be coming to live with us sometime next month.  He seems to fit in with our crazy family very well.  My son Nic is excited about finally having a foster brother around his age.  He told me he was sick of all the moody girls we get.  LOL

 

On Black Friday me and Sierra along with my mom and sister went shopping.  We got up at 3:00am and arrived at the stores at 5:00 am.  It was very cold that morning.   I had a good time and found some pretty good deals but I made a vow that I would never do it again.  I couldn't believe the people that were out and about at that hour.  We were home by noon and I just had to take me a 2 hour nap.  I was so sluggish. 

 

On Saturday I took all the kids to see the new Harry Potter movie.  I liked it alot.  The movies are never as good as the books but it is nice to see what you have read.  I have read all the books and can't wait until the last one comes out.  It will be nice to finally know what happens but it will be sad too that we won't be able to go on anymore adventures with Harry.  Oh well we will just have to find something else to read. 

 

There was one more awful thing that happened this past weekend that I didn't share earlier.  Everyone knows about my neighbors who are trying to sell their house to be able to move closer to their family in Kentucky.  Well....they finally sold it.  They will be gone by the end of the year.  I am excited for them but just hate it at the same time.  They are truly wonderful people and I hate to see them go.  They will always hold a special place in our hearts.  I know that we will visit each other and keep in touch but it just won't be the same as having them living next door.  Nothing like starting off the new year with a sadness in your heart.  Have I made you feel guilty yet about leaving me Sheila?  We love you and wish you the best.  I am sure that I will have some funny stories to tell when the packing of their stuff starts.  Sheila and I can't be in the same room very long without busting out laughing about something. 

 

Later Taters

 

Jennie

Hello Everyone!!

 

Sorry it has been awhile since I last updated but I really haven't had the time.  Most of my in-laws or should I say out-laws came in for deer season and Thanksgiving.  WHAT A WEEK!!!!  Holy cow. 

 

First of all Rick's brother Phil came in with his stepson Alin for deer season last Friday.  Phil is my favorite brother-in-law from the Walker side.  He is the most fun to be around and seems to be the most normal one of the bunch.  Him and Rick have a great relationship and talk daily on the phone.  The both worry about each other and look out for one another.  Phil's only problem is that he has a history of dating women that make him very unhappy.  He is currently back to dating his ex-wife.  Long story but anyway he thought that he would give it another try.  Big mistake.  They had lots of problems when they were first together and guess what they still have the same problems.  Go figure.  I hate the way Rick and I get dragged into the middle of their domestic affairs.  Phil will tell Rick whats going on and when she decides to call me or actually talk to me while she is up here visiting she tells me her side.  I just kinda sit there and listen and not give any advice what so ever.  It makes for a very uncomfortable situation.  In all the years past that him and Alin have come up for Thanksgiving/Deer Season Alin has always spent the nights here with my son Nic.  Well this year he decided to leave every night with Phil and stay up at my mother-in-laws house.  He said it was because he wanted to get lots of rest so he would be wide awake for deer hunting each day.  Yeah what ever.  His mother in my opinion made him stay up there with Phil to make sure that Phil wasn't sneaking around with some woman up here.  It was kinda funny that as soon as my mother-in-law came in on Tuesday and would be staying up there with Phil he suddenly decided to spend the nights down here with us.  I'm not saying that Phil is innocent nor am I saying that he is guilty of wrong doing but it just chaps my ass that she dragged her son into the whole mess.  She showed up on Wednesday night and didn't cook, clean or lift a finger to help out in anyway.  She barely talked to me and would give me mean looks if I talked or laughed with Phil.  What ever.   

 

Secondly my mother-in-law, Annalea, along with Rick's sister Amy and her two kids came in to town on Tuesday.  She had told me that she would buy the turkey so I didn't buy one. I should have bought one anyway.  She didn't but it and when I found out I had to go and get one.  Well guess what?  They didn't have any big enough to feed 18 people so I ended up buying two turkeys.  Yes I cooked two turkeys on Thanksgiving day.  Wasn't happy about that to say the least.  She is having a difficult time this time of year Im sure because it was last year this time that Rick's dad got sick and passed away on the 1st of December.  So I don't hold any ill will towards her.  Because I sympathize with what she must be going thru I didn't speak up when she would drop Amy and the kids off daily at my house to spend the day with me.  I love Drayven and Jada very much but they can destroy a house in five minutes and Amy lets them.  She comes in and sits down and doesn't get up unless it is to eat or leave.  Pisses me off to no end.  I shouldn't have to discipline her kids on how to behave.  Every night when everyone would leave I would have to go thru and pick up my entire house.  I know I cleaned up my kitchen 3-4 times daily.  Why do people think that they can walk into my house

totally destroy it and walk out and not clean it up or come in and eat all my food and not offer to replace or bring their own?????  When ever we go to someones house to visit I always take food and drinks and make damn sure that my kids don't destroy their house and that they pick up after themselves.  What is so hard about that????   Am I being unreasonable???  I don't think so. 

 

Well they all left today and do you think that any of them stopped to say goodbye or thank you or kiss my ass or anything??? NOPE.  Needless to say it will NOT HAPPEN AGAIN!!!  I am done. 

 

Well thats enough ranting for now I will write more later about the highlights of the week.  Yes I did manage to have some.

 

Later Taters