Hello Everyone!!

 

Well since my last blog entry I did some serious soul searching and asked myself what kind of person I wanted to be and I fast forwarded to my funeral and I thought about how I wanted to be remembered, as a kind person who was always trying to help people, to put their needs ahead of mine and always did the right thing and if I didn't do the right thing a couple of times they could at least say that I learned from my poor judgement and didn't do it again OR what a bitter ole' bitch she was and I am so glad that she won't be reaking havic on the world anymore.  I chose the first option of course and told myself that it was their loss and me a being a firm believer in Karma knows that one day it will come back on them.  (Shawn if you are out there reading this please know that I appreciated your comment you left me.  It really lifted me out of the dark place I was and made me think about the stuff I just wrote.  Thank you.) 

 

later taters!!

 

Jennie

 

 

Hello Everyone,

 

Today was an eye-opening day for me it was also filled with confusion, disappointment & sadness.  I have always tried to live my life by being honest, doing the right thing and treating people the way I would want to be treated.  I haven't always been successful at it and I admit I have lied about certain things not necessarily for personal gain but for the sparing of peoples feelings.  I think those are called "little white lies" and I haven't always done the right thing or made the people around me do the right thing but I have felt the consequences from not doing the right thing or making those around me do the right thing and I have learned my lesson.  I have always forgiven those people that have hurt me or who I have thought have wronged me in some way.  I may not forgive at first but eventually I do.  Our relationships may never be the same after that but I have forgave them.  The old saying is forgive but never forget.  In alot of ways that is true, because if you forget them you are prone to make the same mistake twice.  Another trait that I have always tried to practice is to find goodness in everyone.  Everyone makes mistakes and has regrets and I try my best to not let that influence my judgement of that person.  I am not a church going person, don't get me wrong I believe in God and churches do some wonderful things for less fortunate people but for the most part it is just not the scene that I want to be around.  There are always those that look down on you, will be one of the biggest hell raisers in town and will be sitting there in the pew beside you passing judgement.  I just don't understand that.  You are probably wondering why I am talking about all these values that I have tried to live my life by and why I am confused, disappointed and have a heart filled with sadness, well I am going to tell you.  Back when I seperated from my husband Rick there had been these 2 neighbors that I had lived by for 7 years.  My husband didn't like them and couldn't get along with them and I never really had an opinion of them one way or the other.  I had heard things about them, good and bad but like I said before I try not to let anyone else sway my opinion in either direction.  When I would see them I would wave and say hello or if I my lawnmower had thrown grass on their property and they came to tell me about it I was always polite and apologized.  Well when Rick and I seperated I had a foster son still living me and my kids and he was looking for some part-time work I suggested that he go talk to the ladies next door and ask them if they need any help with their farm.  They did and started letting him weed-eat, cut grass, you know stuff like that and because of that we got to know each other and started hanging out.  For about a year there wasn't a hardly a day that went by that we weren't over there or they were at my house or we were talking on the phone or planning excursions together.  I felt very fortunate to have found such wonderful friends.  Don't get me wrong they had their quirks but it was things I didn't dwell on or condemn them for because I considered them my friends no matter what as I am sure they felt the same way about me.  Well along around the end of July/August of this year we had a disagreement one day and the next day our friendship was over.  We had cut and sold firewood together and had some left over they wouldn't let us have our share of it.  They had cleared a piece of their farm for us to plant a garden on and then we werent' allowed back on their property to maintain the garden and we had also had a yard sale together and I had stored my leftover yardsale stuff in their barn because we had planned to have another one in the fall and I wasn't allowed to get any that stuff either.  The day after the disagreement the ladies called my realtor and said that I had major sewer, drainage and structural damage, they also called Child Protective Services on me and said that I was an unfit mother and with my experience of being a foster parent that meant that I was guilty until I proved I wasn't unfit.  Talk about being taken aback.  I was completely dumbfounded.  I tried calling them to see what the heck was going on and they wouldn't talk to me.  I ended up moving and we called a lawyer to see if we had a case and if he thought we would be able to get our stuff back and compensation on the garden.  He said yes that it was a verbal agreement and we shouldn't have any problems.  BOY WAS HE WRONG.  We went to court today and proved our case and when it came time for them to respond they did nothing but lie.  I mean one lie right after the other.  They even had witnesses that got up there and lied as well.  Again I was completely dumbfounded.  When we walked into that court room we all took an oath to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth.  Well after the magistrate listened to everything he rendered a decision that it was nothing more than a friendship gone bad and because we didn't have a contract stating that all this was happening our word didn't mean squat. Sorry about your bad decision making on picking and trusting friends.  I am confused and disappointed that the court system didn't seem to care that she kept all my stuff.  Had we been living together I could have got my stuff back.  It doesn't make sense to me.  Now for the sadness part.  Like I said before there are certain ways I have tried to live my life and how to treat people.  Had the shoe been on the other foot I would have let them have their stuff, still maintain their garden and given them half the firewood because it was the right thing to do.  My husband has pretty much done the same thing in our divorce proceedings.  He has lied about everything, he has assaulted me and he messes with my childs head, he can refuse to do stuff and it doesn't matter.  I try to be the bigger person.  I make sacrifices to keep peace with him.  It makes me very sad to know that everything I have ever been taught by my parents and the way I have lived my life doesn't count for shit.  It makes me ask myself do I really need or want friends?  Should I still be the bigger person in situations?  Should I quit wasting my time by trying to teach my 10 year old not to lie?  Should I not trust anyone and stab them in the back at every chance I get?  Should I only trust family members and can I really trust family members?  Those are some of the questions that are waying heavily on my mind and heart this evening.

 

Until next time

 

Jennie

 

Seasons Greetings!!!

 

I just wanted to let everyone know that Hell once again has frozen over.  You are all probably wondering what the heck is this chick talking about.  Well I'm going to tell you.  My soon-to-be ex-husband Rick has finally seen the light when it comes to our "special needs" child, Christian.  The best way to explain it is to start from the beginning.  So here goes....As you are aware of  Rick and I have been separated since June of 2006 and since that time he has refused to admit that Christian isn't like every child out there and that I knew what I was talking about.  Anything and everything that he could do to destroy any progress I made with Christian as far as his behavior and schooling he would do.  To give you a little background on Christian, he had been in foster care since he was 2 and came to be with us when he was 5.  We adopted him when he was 7.  He soon will be 11.  He has ADHD and Reactive Attachment Disorder.  He is a compulsive liar and will argue with anybody about anything whether he is right or not.  Can be very stressful.  (See grey hair around my temples LOL)  The attachment disorder is hard to swallow sometimes because I know in my heart that if a total stranger walked up to Christian and promised him the world he would go and not look back.  He will go with whoever has the best or easiest deal for him.  That is why he desperately wanted to go live with his father.  He didn't have any responsibilites of any kind, he knew his dad wouldn't make him do his homework or anything for that matter.  Rick played on this to no end and then one day I decided to let him go.  I knew that things would never get better until Rick had to deal with it 24/7.  I was tired of fighting with him and Christian and I knew it would be only a matter of months before the honeymoon period wore off with Christian and Rick would see that I had been telling him the truth all this time.  It was one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make and on top of it my family accused me of giving up all my children for the man I am with.  Everyone has an opinion but until they walk a mile in my shoes they shouldn't pass judgement or offer advice when they haven't a clue what is going on.  But thats another blog entry someday or an entry in my journal.  Anyway about 2 weeks ago the light came on in Ricks head, his eyes opened wide and everything just clicked for him.  Thank God.  He called me and told me he couldn't deal with it anymore and didn't know what to do.  We had planned for Christian to move back in with me over Christmas break but it came a little sooner than that because Christian got suspended from school for threatening another child and Rick lost it.  Needless to say Christian is now here with me.  In the last 2 days I have managed to get Christian set up with a new therapist, pediatrician, dentist, school and into some intramural sports.  Hopefully with Rick on my side now we can make some progress with Christians "special needs" and move on with our lives.  Wish me luck. 

 

Have a good one!!

 

Jennie

 

Hello Everyone!

 

I have some time this morning and thought I would update my blog.  My grandson is a little over a week old now and he is still the greatest thing since slice bread.  Go figure!!  He had his first doctor's appt yesterday and I tagged along.  He is doing well and he got his first shot yesterday.  Him and mom were both upset for a little bit but they both did good.  I went shopping before they got here and bought him some clothes.  Not like he doesn't have tons but they were just too cute not to buy.  LOL.

 

I am still having problems dealing with my soon to be ex-husband and the upbringing of our son, Christian.  He has no idea how to deal with a special needs child like Christian.  Maybe one day he will but it is very doubtful.  As far as the rest of my life it is going good.  I am still working as a phlebotomist and I am with a wonderful man that I think the world of.  None of my family (parents & siblings) seems to think that he is wonderful but what else is new.  They have never cared for anyone I have ever been with.  I guess they tolerated everyone else and this time they have decided not to.  So they don't come to visit me unless he isn't here and he isn't allowed to go with me when I visit them.  We had a great big family blow up back in August with some bad decisions and comments on everyones part made.  Everyone is slowly healing from that but I know that I will never get to spend the family functions with the two things I love, my family and him.  Needless to say I am not looking forward to Christmas this year.  Enough about that it is too depressing and it will drive me crazy if I dwell on it too long.  I do look forward to it being Hayden's first Christmas.  He may not remember it but I will. 

 

Well got to go.  Thanks for stopping by.

 

Jennie

 

 

Hello Everyone!!!

 

Well on November 21, 2007 at 2:55pm EST my whole world changed!!  It was at that moment I became the newest Granny on the Block.  My daughter Sierra gave birth to a beautiful baby boy.  His name is Hayden Mathew.  He weighed 7lbs 9ozs and was 20 inches long.  I had never really witnessed a birth except for those of my own children, I was excited and a nervous wreck.  Everything went well.  She did great.  I can't explain the feeling I had when I first got to hold him.  I had never experienced anything like it.   She got to come home yesterday and is doing pretty good.  She is a little sore but other than that she is doing great.  She has lots of help with family and friends.  This baby is a first for everyone involved.  I am sure he will be spoiled rotten.  I know if I have anything to do with it he will!!  I have attached some pics so enjoy and I will try my best to keep this updated like I used to.  Take care.

 

Later Tators!

 

PS.  I tried to upload photos to this blog entry and can't.  AAARRRGGHHHH  Will try and add them in an album instead.

 

 

 

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!!