Southern By Grace

Capt. William O'Keefe

2006-09-10T21:19:00.000-05:00

Capt. William O'Keefe
Originally uploaded by sthrngrace.

Five years ago today, Captain William O'Keefe of the New York Fire Department went to work. His alarm probably went off early, maybe he went for a quick run, or maybe he simply ate breakfast, kissed his daughters and wife "good bye" and left for work. But I am quite certain he never realized it was to be the last time such mundane things were to happen.

It was like most any other day--the sun rose, the sky was blue, the birds were singing in the park... Unbeknownst to any American, though, the horrific plan radical terrorists had been plotting for years was finally to come to fruition.

Below is a tribute that I have blatantly borrowed from the "Fallen Brothers" website. http://www.fallenbrothers.com/community/printthread.php?t=652

Wednesday, September 26, 2001
By FRANK DONNELLY
ADVANCE STAFF WRITER

The little things mattered most to William S. O'Keefe.

Running at sunup along the beach at Sea Isle City on the Jersey Shore with his daughters, Tara and Kaitlin. Working out a folk or rock tune on his acoustic guitar. Doting on his two beagles, Lucy and Desi.

Promoted to captain in the city Fire Department in May, the 48-year-old Eltingville resident lost his life responding to the World Trade Center terrorist attack on Sept. 11.

"He was a wonderful person, a completely devoted father and husband," said his sister-in-law, Barbara Weimar. "And a very brave firefighter."

A lifelong Staten Islander, Mr. O'Keefe was appointed to the Fire Department in April 1979. He worked his way through the ranks, spending 15 years at Engine Co. 224 in Brooklyn and seven years at Engine Co. 154 in Travis.

Following his promotion to captain, he was assigned to Division 15 in Brooklyn.

"He was very proud of the promotion," said Ms. Weimar. "His family was very proud."

Dedicated to his wife, the former Ginny Sheehan, and his daughters, Mr. O'Keefe relished the family's annual summer treks to the Jersey Shore. They recently returned in July from Sea Isle City, where he would rise at dawn to run along the boardwalk.

Mr. O'Keefe also enjoyed watching his girls' track meets. Tara, 19, and Kaitlin, 16, have both run for St. Joseph by-the-Sea High School. Mr. O'Keefe was an avid runner himself, participating in a number of long-distance events and firefighters' races.

He enjoyed golfing, and loved playing the guitar. Handy with a hammer and saw, Mr. O'Keefe also liked renovating his home.

His family said he had a terrific sense of humor, joking and keeping the mood light. "He was a very funny and amusing guy," Ms. Weimar said. "We all loved him."

Mr. O'Keefe was born in Tottenville and moved to Great Kills with his family as a 5-year-old. He settled in Eltingville in 1982 following his marriage.

A graduate of Tottenville High School, Mr. O'Keefe earned his bachelor's degree from the former Richmond College in St. George.

He was a parishioner of St. Clare's R.C. Church, Great Kills.

In addition to his wife, Ginny, and his daughters, Tara and Kaitlin, surviving are his father, John, and three brothers, Robert, John and Timothy.

I am privledged to have the honor of setting up this memorial post on this day. None of our fellow citizens, taken in such an egregious manner should be forgotten, but the heroes of that day; the members of the community whose lives were lost in an attempt to save others, hold a special place of honor.

Thank you for your sacrifice. May God bless and keep you, the family of Captain William O'Keefe.

See ya later, Blogger...

2006-08-27T20:49:00.000-05:00

Jaime n Nick hike
Originally uploaded by sthrngrace.

The time has come to say good-bye. See ya...ciao...adios...hasta la vista, baby. You get the picture.

I finally got tired of battling blogger every time I wanted to post--regardless of length or content.

So...'Ive moved over to www.sthrnbygrace.wordpress.com

Y'all stop by some time, ya hear? :)

Sherlock Grace

2006-08-11T22:36:00.000-05:00

I used to smoke. I was among the population who thought their sense of taste and smell was never affected by the fact they smoked. But I'm here to tell you how misguided I was. :) There is a smell in my house that only I can smell. NO ONE else in my house can smell it. The neighbors can't smell it (unless they're just being polite). My mom can't smell it (and she's never smoked). But this smell is driving me NUTS. When I wake up at night, I smell it. When I come out of my bedroom I smell it. When I first walk in the house, it overwhelms my senses. It is not a pleasant smell. I am getting headaches from this smell! It kind of smells like when you leave damp clothes in the washer overnight. But there's nothing there. It's a cross between mildewy and moldy. I've taken everything out from under the sink. I've gotten down on my hands and knees and personally smelled under my refrigerator. I've sniffed around the washer. I've sniffed the dishwasher. I've sniffed the drain. I'm completely obsessed with finding the reason for this odor. All I need is my little cape, hat, and pipe and you ,might confuse me with Sherlock Holmes. *wink* I CAN NOT FIND THE SOURCE OF THIS ODOR AND I'M GOING NUTS. Tomorrow I am going to solve this mystery if it's the last thing I do. Wish me luck... and wish my family patience and understanding. :)

Saying "Thanks"

2006-08-10T17:07:00.000-05:00

I'm not really a political person. I won't generally discuss my views. Not because I don't want to argue, but just because they're mine. And I like it like that. So, don't think I'm implying anything in one way or another by posting this. "It is what it is." Kristine? Shaun? Everyone? Are you cringing yet? LOL I cringed when I typed it, but that statement sums up what. this. is. It's not a political thumping. It's not a pro-war shout out. It's not an anti-war slam. It's not anything more than wanting to share with you something that you can do that is...nice. If you go to the web site http://www.letssaythanks.com/ you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq. You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to some member of the armed services. This isn't about whether you think the war in Iraq is right or not. It's not about whether you like President Bush or think he did the right thing. It IS about supporting our troops and making sure they know, no matter the circumstances, that you support THEM--as human beings doing a job they volunteered to do. And it's about thanking them...and letting them know that it's not only their families & friends who think about them and pray for them and hope they come home alive and well. It is FREE and it only takes a second. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these? I sent mine, now you send one too! And here's the link to a sister-site: http://www.give2thetroops.org/

Firsts & Lasts

2006-08-09T18:55:00.000-05:00

Here we have the TaterTots on their very first official first day of school as a group--

(taken on my first day back to work after the Lil Guy was born)

And here they are today--Their very first official First Day of School with all of them as students!

(taken today *sob*)

I guess I did something right. Lil Guy walked into class today like he had done it a thousand times. He hugged and kissed me, reminded me to "pick him up later", gave me a high-five and turned around to go join the other 4 yr olds in his class.

I waved and blew a kiss to a retreating backside. His teacher smiled indulgently and reassured me this child she'd only met the night before was in "good hands" and that he would "be fine". She's not a mother. She is clueless. But I left him in her care anyway.

No, this wasn't the first time I'd done this, but it was the last. My baby is no longer a baby yet he will remain so for the rest of his life. I'm not much of a gusher or sentimental "fool" but this hit me hard. Lil Guy is great. And I'll be fine...

(PS: And if they screw him up, I'm gonna hurt someone!)

Exhausted.

2006-08-09T05:59:00.000-05:00

I got lots to say and no time in which to say it. Today is the first day of school and I have three kids and myself to get ready and out of here within a shorter-than-humanly-possible time. I am wasting 10 minutes drinking coffee and blogging! Running on 4.5 hours of sleep. LONG day ahead. Details and hopefully a picture of the FIRST time ALL THREE of my boys GO TO SCHOOL. YIKES! ...off to the races again :)

100 Blogs Old!

2006-08-07T19:21:00.000-05:00

Welp, THIS is the actual 100th post. Yippee! Yahoo! Aah-Oooga! C'mon in! We've got... Party Hats! Party Horns! Balloons! Cake! Punch! Musical Chairs! Pin the Tail on the ~~Gracie~~ Donkey! (whoops!) C'mon! You can dance! For inspiration! (I know you know that one, Cheeky!!) http://factsofgrace.blogspot.com/ Check 'em out! ;)

Facts of Grace

2006-08-06T13:20:00.000-05:00

Okay...this is it...Part ONE! http://factsofgrace.blogspot.com/ Better hurry up and race over there if you want the answers to some of the questions that keep you up at night! Shoo! Git! Scat! *wink*

Busy Busy Busy

2006-08-04T06:43:00.000-05:00

How do women who work outside the home all the time do it? I don't get it. I feel like all I ever do is play "catch-up" and that sucks. I'm the kinda girl who likes to bust booty to get things done then have some relaxation time and kick back and enjoy the day/evening/night/weekend. I can't seem to get that last part anymore. There is always one-more-thing-to-do. Then I fall asleep. Even when I had a newborn baby I didn't feel this busy. Maybe it was because at least then, I could guarantee myself at 20 minutes or so to "rest" every few hours while I was nursing. LOL All I know is that I'm not particularly happy with this busyness. And I'm the only one who can change it. **Edit: My FIL is only 73--NOT 75! Heaven forbid I age him before his time!! Yikes.** This weekend (Sat), the family is giving my FIL a birthday party. He'll be 75. He's an interesting man, but I don't know him well. He was born into a sharecropper's family. Joined the Army when he was 17, fought in Korea, came home, got married, worked for a yam farmer, managed to raise 6 children, buy land, a house, a new (used) car every 3 years, and retire with some comfort. His health is declining with age, but he can still give my MIL hell if he decides to! LOL I'm married to #4 in the line-up/ #2 Son. He's always been friendly in a standoffish type way. He's typical of his generation, I suppose. I'm a woman, so unless he needs something from me, he isn't going to engage me in conversation. Women weren't to be educated on the "ways of the world" in a manner that was worthy of debate or intelligent conversation in his day. They were only good for sex, having babies, raising babies, and cooking-n-cleaning. If you wanted to discuss world politics, the weather, or anything of substance, you did it with your male counterparts--not wife, your friends' wives, and by all means, not your sons' wives. *shrug* We'll go, celebrate his birth, eat way too much food, "enjoy" the company of ALL. THE. SIBLINGS. AND. THEIR. CHILDREN. and come home and hopefully pass out. :) This is also the last weekend before school starts. I need to hem pants, finish buying school supples (for my kids) and finish Lil Guy's "nap blanket". Yep, doesn't look like things will be slowing down anytime soon...! How long til Thanksgiving break?

23 Skidoo

2006-08-02T21:06:00.000-05:00

23 skidoo (sometimes 23 skiddoo) is an American slang phrase popularized in the early Twentieth Century (first appearing before World War I and becoming popular in the Roaring Twenties). It generally refers to leaving quickly. And that means I'm going to try to be brief and get this done quickly! I had my first full night of sleep last night. Let me tell ya...that was GREAT! I have no guarantees about tonight or any other nights, and I can't tell you what was so different about last night, but it felt good to sleep straight through the night (and only get up to pee once)! School! School! School! Here is my latest list of requests. As the acting Admissions Coordinator, I'm getting to know a whole different side of people; Up close and personal, ya might say... Number 1: Please, people, do your local school Admissions Coordinator a HUGE favor--register before the week before school starts. P L E A S E. Number 2: If the door to the Admissions Office is locked. Take a hint. Come back tomorrow during the hours posted on the outside of the door. Just because there is a frazzled looking woman standing in there talking on the phone is no reason to continuously bang on the door and look in the window while shouting through the sound-proof (mostly) glass telling her that you're here to register your child. K? Thanks. Number 3: If there happens to be a cute lil basket with peppermints in it on the corner of the desk, feel free to take ONE. Really. Other people might enjoy having one too. :) Number 4: If you walk into an office and you see someone is on the phone, there are several people waiting to be helped, and the person on the phone happens to be the person you need to see, please refrain from shoving the person standing in front of the counter out of the way and tapping on the desk and asking loudly, "Hey! Is this where I needa come to get my kid registered?" (~~Um, no. You "needa" go down the street to the public school that really has no choice but to accept your rude ways and the children who will likely be as rude as you...~~ ) And most important of all--Number 5: Please, please, PLEASE if your child needs to have their diaper changed, by ALL MEANS, feel free to utilize the bathroom facilities BEFORE ~~squishing the ooze~~ sitting them down on the countertop. And also--feel free to say "excuse the mess" before you leave with your 3 yr old ~~Tasmanian Devil~~ child, too. Thank you for your time. *painted on grin* (I really do love my job--just sometimes the people are a bit over the top!) Ciao* PS: I've begun workin' on my 100th post...those "burning questions" will all be answered! If there are any late takers...get them to me! *wink*

I've been tagged!

2006-08-01T05:46:00.000-05:00

I've Been Tagged! I've been tagged by IrishChurchLady to: 1. Do the following WITHOUT complaint. 2. Choose five people to do this after you've completed yours. 3. Leave a tag on the person's tagboard to say he/she has been tagged. 4. Start your post with I have been tagged! Then do this. (copy and paste!) Favourites: Favourite Colour: blue--any shade I love 'em all. Favourite Food: crawfish etouffe *swoon* Favourite Movie: I waffle between "Gone With The Wind" and "My Fair Lady" and The Godfather1 & 2. Favourite Sport: to watch? college football to play? swimming Favourite Day of the Week: Wednesday Favourite Season: Spring Favourite Ice Cream: Chocolate Chip Mint Currents: Current Mood: fair Current Clothes: jammies Current Desktop: pic of my boys on Memorial Day Current Time: 5:51 am Current Surroundings: livingroom Current Annoyances: the fact I'm awake and have been for the last hour (way too early!) Current Thoughts: thinking of my friend whose mother just passed away; things to do at work; something I forgot to do yesterday; finding the tickets for the Wiggles before I leave for work, remembering to iron my shirt before I put it on and have to rush to do it before I head out the door, wondering if I'm going to have a dip n my hair from wearing it in a clip all night...Any wonders why I can't sleep?? First: First Best Friend: Janet. She moved in down the street from me when we were two. We were the only girls in our neighborhood and became friends through default, although we did enjoy each others company tremendously. Her parents divorced (quite the scandal, yet, in the early 70s), her mom got weird, we moved and I switched schools, and we grew apart. We saw each other occasionally in Jr. High, but completely lost touch when I went to 9th grade and she didn't. I haven't seen her since. Last: Last Drink: non-alcoholic? coffee; alcoholic? cosmopolitan Last Car Ride: yesterday on the way home from work Last Crush: I used to never, NEVER have celebrity crushes, but since I've hit my mid-30s, watch out! Matthew(just cuz he's so dang beautiful), Liam Neeson (only reason to watch Star Wars 1), Orlando Bloom (NOT as Legolas!!), Fabrizio Moretti (The Strokes' drummer). I don't indulge in real-time crushes. LOL Only ones that are so far out of the realm of possibility that they're "safe". ;) Last Phone Call: My sister-in-law (bday party for the FIL on Saturday) Last CD played: mix of tunes by The Floating Men Have you ever: Have you ever dated one of your best friends: yes Have you ever broken the law: yes Have you ever been arrested: nope! Have you ever been on TV: yes (the news) Have you ever kissed someone you dont know: yes--EW. (New Year's Eve 1986 at a bar--some drunk lunatic grabbed me and shoved his disgusting dragon-tongue into my mouth. I almost puked--right before I kneed him and shoved him into a wall.) *sweet smile* Things: 5 things you are good at: organizing, cooking, planning, worrying, navigating 4 things you have done today: sweated (hot flash, tyvm), gone potty, drank coffee, read blogs 3 things you can hear right now: cat crunching her food, clock ticking, hum of cpu tower Okay, since I'm really no good at tagging people (the only time I've ever done it, she'd already played!), I'm going to "recommend" that Beth do this since she's been needing things to write about and choppz...you need something to get your mind off the heat and how to entertain the kiddies! And that's the best I can do! LOL PS: Cheeky is such a sweetie! I tagged her yesterday, but she'd already done the meme. I wasn't going to tag her again today 'cause I didn't want her to feel like I was "hounding her"... Instead, she just volunteered to do this meme! What a sweetie! Thanks Cheeky!!

Oh my stars!

2006-07-31T18:51:00.000-05:00

I've been tagged by the sweet Kimmy! For some reason, she thinks some of y'all might be interested in hearing more of my useless information! Imagine!?! When did you first start blogging and why? Initially, I started a blog because I wanted to chronicle some things going on in my life at the time. I no longer have that blog. I missed blogging though, so I created this one to give my thoughts a place which to escape. What don't you talk about? The things that I count too personal. Even here, I can't talk about everything. And politics and theology--I won't get into those either. Are you and your blogging persona the same person? I very much am the person in my blog. While I may not discuss everything, I very much am one and the same. How do you use blogging to build friendships? I think the internet is a powerful tool that, if used properly, can give you an avenue of discovery--for knowledge as well as friendships--which you wouldn't normally be able to attain. (Crap! I just scared myself with that last sentence. What I MEAN, is: I've been able to meet (online and IRL some people I'd never have connected with without the benefit of the internet/blogging, and I think that is pretty cool!) How would you describe your writing style? Um...I dunno! I just write what's in my head. I try to make it interesting, because I like telling stories. Sometimes, I know I'm boring as a dead tree, but oh well--that's just part of me! So...hmmm... *rubbing hands together gleefully* I'm gonna tag Miz Cheeky ('cause I can!) (Only 5 posts left...)

Slapdash

2006-07-31T16:08:00.000-05:00

I'm not real certain how this is going to come together, so just bear with me as I try to throw everything out that's been building up in my head. :) Friday we had our first "family night." We've never had one of those before. We've never needed one. We've always spent so much time together because of homeschooling, that we had to schedule times AWAY from each other instead. ;) Initially, I was a bit apprehensive, but it ended up being fun. I won, by the way. The Game of Life rocks! LOL Next up we're gonna try Cranium! I can't wait. :) Saturday I took my mom to an Olde Tyme Country Concert. While it may not sound exciting to YOU, let me just say it was AWESOME! Don Helms, the last surviving member of Hank Sr's back up band, was there playing steel guitar. There were several performers doing covers of songs from Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, Eddie Arnold, Marty Robbins, Johnny Cash, Ernest Tubbs, Dolly and Porter and of course, Hank! It was so incredible to listen to the stories and witness this man still performing at 79! He actually played on the original recordings of many of the songs performed that night. I was so pumped to see this show--and they didnt' let us down. Toe tappin'-hand clappin'-good! And to top it off, they closed the show with Johnny Cash's "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" and "I Saw the Light" by Hank. Just fahbulous dahling!! Work is kickin' my butt. Back to school time is always insanely busy, and I knew that. This year it's a little more difficult than most. M and her hubby haven't been in much at all this month. His dad passed away early in the month and this morning, her mom passed away. Complications got her down...she ended up developing pneumonia and a staph infection. Both which are typical complications from being on a vent and being in a hospital for any length of time. Her poor body just couldn't rally. For a few days it was looking much better. Last week, late, she started running a temp. And that was it. M is taking it very hard. It's now just her and her brother...and of course her children. But that's all the family she's got. Thank y'all for all in the past, but if y'all think about it, send another prayer up for her and her family. On a brighter note, although work is super busy, I'm loving it. I'm getting to know more of the kids and their parents as they come in and register for this school year, and thank goodness my typing skills are excellent (thank you internet!!). There are days when I don't sit down for the first 2 hours I'm there simply because I'm running around answering the phones, making copies, dealing with a parent or doing faxes. Even though there is a chair at my desk, I always feel weird talking with someone while they're standing and I'm sitting, so I inevitably stand up to talk with them...then remain standing. What's the point of sitting down if I'm just going to have to get right back up, right? LOL Oy vey! The boys just keep growing! Lil Guy has grown an entire INCH since the 7th of July!! I'm not even certain the uniform pants I purchased for him the middle of June will still fit. Ugh. I swear! If I have to return those pants I'm gonna scream! LOL Not really. It's all good. ;) It certainly explains why he's been eating sooooo much food! And #1 Son? he's taller than his dad now...and still has at least 5 years left to grow. Imagine? SweetSon is growing at a slower pace--much to his chagrin. I never have to worry about him outgrowing anything at a rapid rate. ;) Oh yes! Listen up! Only 6 more posts left til I reach my 100th. Get those burning questions in to me if you want them answered! I've got a list. I'm checking it twice. Some will be naughty and some will be nice! sthrngrace66@yahoo.com Ciao*

Time: Friend or Foe?

2006-07-28T07:00:00.000-05:00

My baby is... Growing up--FAST! He starts "real school" in less than 2 weeks. He looks SO FREAKIN' CUTE in his uniforms. OMG And so grown up! *sigh* This is it. He's the caboose. And as shocked and horrified as I was when I discovered I was pregnant with him (story for another day), I couldn't imagine my life without him. God gave him to me for a reason, and for that, I am eternally grateful. Don't get me wrong--all of my guys are special. Lil Guy's story is just different...and special in a special way. I'm slowly adjusting to the fact that I am going to be giving up control to someone else...to people whom I don't know very well; in fact, to people I've only recently met. That is terrifying to me, yet other people do it all the time. I, on the other hand, am a little freaked out. I will survive this...and so will he. He'll probably survive it better than I, but that's okay. He's more malleable! ;) Hi! Ho! Hi! Ho! It's off to work I go!...

Thursday Thirteen

2006-07-26T22:40:00.000-05:00

Thirteen Things I REALLY DISLIKE 1. DUST (I do believe it is the bane of my existence.) 2. People who don't take personal responsibility-- whether it's cleaning up after themselves or for some issue that is unresolved. 3. Being frightened 4. Waking up when I'm not ready to wake up. 5. Bad coffee 6. Blue ink. 7. Being late (I don't mind if YOU are late, but I can't stand it if *I* am.) 8. Long nails on men 9. Being sweaty (other than for extracurricular reasons *wink*) 10. Clutter 11. Feeling like I need to sneeze but I can't 12. Rumpled sheets 13. Rudeness-- both in others and myself. I don't tolerate it at all. Wow. That went really fast. There are lots more things I could add, but guess I'll have to save them for another week!

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I Have No Title

2006-07-26T07:56:00.000-05:00

As of today's post, there are only 10 left til I hit my hundreth post. I've decided to do what I've seen others do, and post several things (I'll shoot for 100, but likely won't make it) about myself you don't know. And I'll even give you an opportunity to fine tune the post! So put your thinking caps on, and if the question isn't horribly crass, I'll answer it. *wink* You can email the questions to sthrngrace66@yahoo.com. I'll get back with you, in ten days or so, with the answers. *grin* This morning was just a glimpse of what is to come--it was still dark when I woke up at 7am. Ugh. There is nothing that stalls out my morning more than having to be "perky" while it's still freaking dark outside. Double Ugh. Thankfully, this darkness was due to the inclement weather, so I'll have a few more months to adjust to the ever darkening mornings...weeeeeeee! (NOT) I've really been having a tough time sleeping, too. I was so exhausted last night yet I couldn't go to sleep. The last thing I remember is listening to Nancy Grace's voice but I woke up 3 times to use the bathroom (for cryin out loud!) and then my eyes popped open at 5:30. I forced myself to stay in bed and managed to fall asleep about 20 min before my alarm went off. Great, huh? LOL Classic. I'm really busy at work. It's going well, though, so I have no real complaints. The owners (my friend, M) are still out of town. Hopefully they'll be returning today. An update on M's mom: Miraculously, she is stable. They are continuing to be hopeful that she will recover completely, but it's a LONG road. They are weaning her off the ventilator and BP meds and believe she won't need dialysis again. They're allowing her to remain concious for longer periods of time and beginning to do some mild PT with her. She will be a walking miracle if she recovers. The doctors had pretty much given up hope of her surviving. Proof that miracles DO still happen. :) Thank you for your prayers. Feel free to continue. ;) Time to scoot this boot(y) into gear. May you all have wonderful days!

Is it just me...?

2006-07-25T17:04:00.000-05:00

Or does anyone else thing the actress who plays Colleen Carlton (on the Young and the Restless) should really go back to acting school? Her storyline is getting more involved and she just isn't carrying it very well. For someone uncovering all this horrifying information about her dad, she just doesn't seem to be able to convey the emotions of "shock" and "betrayal" very well. (Okay, yes! I wrote myself a note so I wouldn't forget to watch it this afternoon! LOL Sue me!)

Awkward Picture Monday

2006-07-24T06:36:00.000-05:00

Jenny, over at Mommy Adventures has declared: It's time once again for us to share those photos that will never see the light of day in a frame. Nope, they won't be displayed on the mantel or hung on the wall. Why we keep them is a mystery at all. Masochists, blackmailers, whichever you are, pull them out now and give the world of the internet a peek at the poses "you'll never share with another living soul"--except, that is, US! So, here's my peek for this week: Mom popped in for a visit with the grandchildren. Whew. Good thing I made coffee, eh? ;) Didja play?

Perfect Prescription

2006-07-22T21:21:00.000-05:00

A night out with a good friend...
A few drinks (OMG) in great clubs...
A LOT of laughs...
A possibly scandalous picture that may end up in a local, independent paper (It's scandalous only IF they mention the name of the club in which it was taken.)
And a LOT of great memories.

Just what the doctor ordered. I was going to kind of go into detail about what went on last night, but I just can't. There're so many details I don't want to leave out, but if I were to give all of them enough detail, this post would be pages long. Just trust me when I say it was ideal. And I can't wait to do it again! I love music and I got a HUGE dose of it last night--several different genres, in fact. A little 80s, a little club house/dance, a little Cajun...Every place we went was so unique in its identity (as were the clientele), but we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves at each place. Stopped at a Greek place for food and had the most interesting conversation with the waitress. She's from somewhere else (sorry, don't remember where LOL) and she said she started waitressing because it seemed like something interesting to do and while waitressing won't be her chosen profession, it has been all she ever expected and more. And to top it all off, she's met some wonderful people and had wonderful experiences. How cool. Not some burnt out, down-on-her-luck chick thinking what she does is scraping the bottom of the barrel. We gave her a full 50% tip. You should've seen her face. I swear Christmas lights went off in her eyes. It was great. She was adorable and totally deserving. I miss Chloe. I do. I realize she's better off, but I still miss her. It'll be awhile til the ache goes away, but I can do this. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phillipians 4:13 Don't worry. LOL Sometimes things just come to me. And because you're sitting there reading this, you get to see them, too. Ain't that just cool? (*insert chuckle*) I hope y'all had a nice day. Mine was fairly lazy and peaceful. I am glad. Enjoy your evenings.

No SPF Today

2006-07-21T06:52:00.000-05:00

Felt like I needed to warn ya cuz if you popped over here to check it out, I didn't want you to get caught up in the long-ass blog below. Y'all have a great day. :)

It's 5:26 a.m. And I can't sleep.

2006-07-21T05:29:00.000-05:00

And if you hang on for the ride, maybe you'll understand why. Here are the completely random thoughts running through my head: 1. I don't have to work today. I have a long day ahead of me. I should really sleep in. 2. I have so much work to do, I should really go in this morning. Back 2 School packets need to go out next week and my bosses have been away most of the month dealing with family crises (that's the plural form, folks, not a typo). They're out of town now, and I'm not certain when they'll be back. I have the rough draft (finally) and need to get it put together. I can do it at home but I concentrate better at work. Ugh. I'll see how things go this morning. 3. I also need to go shopping. I have plans tonight and would really like to get a new outfit, or at least a new piece of clothing. 4. I'm so disgusted with myself these days. Since my surgery, I've put on 20 pounds and I suck. I had an appt. with the doctor a few weeks back and cancelled it because my hubby didn't feel it a "necessary" appt. I just wanted to get my blood taken and see if there was something wrong with me. I am NOT eating more than I was (I know y'all are thinking--yeah, right), and I'm actually moving more (cuz I feel better). No, I'm not on any regular exercise routine, but I'm moving more. And that has to count for something. I am eating less and even attempting what some might call a diet. I have read that hypothyroiodism oftentimes sets in with menopause and since I was thrown into menopause after my surgery, and gained this weight with no change in my diet or routine, I just want a freaking blood test to prove I'm okay...or not. 5. Hey! TKW! Want some booty? I got your portion (and a few others) right here, hon! Why can't we share body fat? I mean, once our bodies have what they "need", why can't God had made it easier to share that stuff? I'll be sure and ask Him that, one day. Trust me. I won't forget. 6. It infuriates me that my husband says it "doesn't matter" to him that I've gained weight. I mean, it really pisses me off when he tells me I "look nice". It pisses me off even more when he says he "loves my body" (right before he wants to have sex). He's a flippin' liar. I see what's in the mirror every day, dude. I'm not blind. I look like a freakin' road map from all the surgeries--2 C-sections, hysterectomy(not done in the same place as the C-sections, tyvm), gall bladder. Just get a marker. Maybe the dot-to-dot that is my abdomen will make a pretty picture. And then you can take a picture. And then I'll be in the Guiness Book of Records. And then we'll be rich. Yeah. This might work. 7. I just realized while I was ranting that I have forgotten to take my hormone the last several days. I don't remember the last time I took it. Maybe Monday? So, um, maybe that accounts for some of my irrational attitude. Okay, okay, I got up and took it. It's pretty bad when even *I* don't want to live with me. Give me a day or two for levels to get back up and I'll be just peachy again. :) 8. I want to start walking in the mornings before I get out, but Lil Guy has some kind of crazy radar on him that alerts him when I'm awake. For instance, this morning, I was up 30 min earlier than I normally am, and who comes trodding out here 5 min after I sat down? Yup. He did. Now, explain to me, how I'm supposed to get up and go for a walk with the risk of him waking up and getting the other boys up. Once the school year starts, I'll need to be up at 5:30 am every day. That means that to get a walk in, I'd need to be up by 4:45 am. He's four. He can't be waking up that early, number one. And number two, the older boys need more sleep than that, too. Ugh. Whine. Gripe. Whine. Just. Stop. Talking. K. 9. I need someone to fix my life. I don't seem to be doing too well. 10. Chloe had a rockin' night last night. She got grilled hamburger (broken up into pieces), a hot dog, and she got to sleep in a BED. She got some serious play time and attention, too. She got so wound up at one point (while #1 Son was playing with her), she snapped at Lil Guy when he tried to get into the action. And. she. didn't. get. disciplined. (She only pinched the skin and he'll have a bruise.) We just separated the two of them and I told #1 he needed to calm her down. LOL Poor baby. Lil Guy was quite distraught. And Chloe was quite sorry. She couldn't quit trying to lick him, which led to another ruckus. LOL We did get them all calm, eventually. 11. I don't think I'll blog about what happens today. I'm tired of feeling sad and depressed and guilty. Y'all have been so awesome. You've put up with my self-pity and my sadness. You've been awfully sweet and kind, and compassionate. Compassion is such a lost art. "Be kind and compassionate, forgiving one another, just as in Christ, God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32 Don't worry, I'm not gonna preach at you. That's just one of the memory verses I learned years ago. And this is my brain ramble, so that's what you get--whatever is in my head. :) 12. Forgiveness is something I don't do very well. Trust, once broken, is hard won. They seem separate, and I guess they're supposed to be, but they're connected, nonetheless. It's just so incredibly hard to get beyond the broken trust. True forgiveness is when you can say you've "wiped the slate clean"; you remember it no more; and most important, you don't bring it up in the future. Argh. Why is it I can forget to take my medication (which I need) but not forget that time when __________ did/said __________? How sucky is that? *sigh* What can I say? I'm a work in progress. 13. Finally, I think I'm out of thoughts. LOL Is that a paradox or what?? I guess, since I'm up soooo early, I'll go take a shower. Won't be any exercising going on this morning so no need to waste time pretending there will be. Lil Guy has made sure of that. :) Good thing he's so darn cute. ;) 14. Oh wait. I knew there was more. No SPF again this week. I just don't have the oompah-pah for it. Besides. I can't show you what's under my kitchen sink. Let's just say it's top secret. If I showed ya, I'd have to kill ya. And I'd hate to do that. You'll have to check Flickr for a pic of Chloe (blogger is being a butt). She doesn't photograph well. Just thought I'd share that with you now. Can't seem to ever get a decent picture of her, but you'll "get the picture". LOL May you all have really wonderful days :)

You know the saying...

2006-07-19T17:07:00.000-05:00

(Warning: If you're looking for uplifting and perky, keep moving. This post is damn depressing.) "There's always someone who has it worse off than you?" Well, I know that someone. Keep reading... I went to work today with a heavy heart. I had to make the call to the vet and schedule an appointment for Chloe. After talking with my mother (who has taken in stray animals for years and volunteered with vets and the Humane Society in her area), we decided it was in Chloe's best interest to "take care of matters" now--before she got really sick. The vet's blood tests won't be wrong. There's no mistake. She will definitely be getting sicker the longer we wait. So... You know we'll be spoiling Chloe rotten between now and then. Shoot. It started last night. We NEVER give her table scraps. Last night she got her own grilled hot dog! Tonight she's having hamburger. Don't know what she'll get tomorrow. Maybe steak. I don't normally allow her to sit on the furniture (she has a pallet on the floor). Fugitaboutit. She's queen of the sofa right now. Friday at 1:30 pm. Mom is coming with me. I need her to be there with me. We all have our support systems. I am the support system for my children. Mom is mine. :) Prayers, happy thoughts, peaceful vibes, whatever it is you'd like to send will be more than appreciated. It's gonna be a tough afternoon... And speaking of tough things to deal with... My friend, M, is going to see her mother in Memphis this weekend. Her mother was being treated for cancer and ended up being allergic to the chemo. She. may. not. make. it. The medicine is going to be the thing that kills her, not the cancer. Where is the justice in that? M and I have been friends for 10 years or so. Our kids were in kindergarten together. They moved here the 2nd week of school. She lost her father when she was in college. And now, at the age of 38, she may very well lose her mother. All I'm losing is a dog. My heart breaks for her. If y'all don't mind...send her some good thoughts and prayers too. I know she'll feel 'em. Thanks.

Forgive me if I ramble...

2006-07-18T19:10:00.000-05:00

What started as a frenzied search for our escaped rat terrier, Chloe, and mediated as a possible broken leg, has resulted in our discovery that she has stage 5 heartworm disease. When she came limping up to me after I saw her, I naturally assumed she'd injured the leg she was favoring. She growled and snapped at me when I tried to examine it, so I just bundled her up in a blanket and #1 Son and I took her to the vet. They were extremely busy, so they asked that we leave her there and told me how much it might possibly be if they had to do X-rays. I told them to just do whatever was necessary. I was told she should be ready around 4, but to call first. We returned home, slightly concerned for our Chloe, but knowing she was in good hands. At 4:20pm I phoned the vet. The receptionist told me I needed to come in and that Dr. Kevin would talk with me when I got there. I thought that a little strange, but really didn't get too concerned. When I got to the vet and all the ladies kept looking at me, I started to think something serious had either happened to Chloe or that something was seriously wrong. I was right. When we got back into the room where the Dr. was, I'll admit, I was a bit anxious and when he told me my dog had a heart murmur, I maybe got a little in his face. I assumed it was an undiagnosed condition. I was wrong. Unbeknownst to me, heart murmurs are caused by serious heartworm disease. Once I got calmed down, he proceeded to explain to me about the 6 stages of heart disease. The last time my dog was at the vet was a year and a half ago. (She's been an inside/outside dog in general good health. There just wasn't any reason to bring her.) They tested her then. She was negative. This means the mosquito bit her and she's developed stage 5 in a year and a half. Her problem this afternoon had nothing to do with her leg. When I found her she was in the throes of congestive heart failure. Rat terriers aren't hard wired to understand that when they dont' feel well they slow down, so her body did it for her. She was just short of actually passing out when I got to her. By the time we got to the vet, she was still in shock. They gave her fluids and a sedative. And now this Dr. is telling me we "could" treat her, but she's only got about a 30% chance of survival due to the intense congestion and her breed--a breed that doesn't know how to "stay quiet". He said even if we get through six weeks of treatment, if she somehow gets out of the house and runs into the yard, she could drop dead right there. We're talking 3 - 4 months of being in the house in a dog kennel and leash walking only; weekly vet visits to have blood tests done; hundreds of dollars for the treatment and follow-up visits, all with the possibility that it could all be for naught if she gets overly excited--if we choose to treat her. Hubby has already assumed we're putting her down. Honestly I can't rationalize the expense. We (I) love the dog, truly I do. She has been a part of Lil Guy's life since he was born. But we just don't have the funds available to put out...I just don't know. Let my neglect/naivete be a lesson to you all: Get your dog tested for heartworms and put on a preventive. It really could save their lives. And it could save your heart as well...

FINALLY!

2006-07-18T06:51:00.000-05:00

A man who understands my needs--for creature comforts! A/C Guy was on the way home when he remembered about my plight and turned around to come and check on my situation. Now HE is a man who truly understands (that no one should have to suffer in 90+ degree temperatures for any length of time)! When A/C Guy showed up last night before our pitiful supper of cold cuts n cold tea with ice cream for dessert (do ya see a theme??), I met him at his truck and said, "I'm not saying you look like Jesus or anything, but I do believe you're my savior!" He just grinned and gave me an "aw shucks" kind of look. LMAO Turns out it was "only" a disconnected connection (of some sort) that had evidently been working itself loose for some time (insert technical talk) and it took him all of FIVE minutes to fix it. He gave us a "deal" cuz he went to highschool with Hubby, but let me tell you, these guys are doing pretty darn good. Ugh. Thank goodness for "deals" in any form. That's all I gotta say. So the moral of this story? If your hubby is gonna screw up, make sure he calls on a good friend to fix it for ya when it really goes wrong so you have to suffer the least amount of time and be given a "deal" so it hurts less in the pocket. That ensures they both get hugs at the end of the day. :) And oh yeah--I'm making July 17th "Hug Your A/C Guy" day. They sooooooooooo deserve it!

Oh Me; Oh My! Awkward Picture Monday!

2006-07-17T17:23:00.000-05:00

I almost forgot today was Monday (except for the fact I had to get up and go to work n stuff...)!!! Brought to you courtesy of Jennifer over at Mommy Adventures. This is where you get the "opportunity" to post your freakiest, most embarrassing photos! They can be of you, your husband, your friends, your in laws, whoever happens to be in a "most awkward" moment. :) So have fun! And if ya play, let us know! Here's my loverly little post for APM this week-- Me and Sweet Son in Florida at an English fort. It was scorchingly hot that day too. Difference? We are outside. It's supposed to be hot outside. Big difference. Just sayin'. Can ya see the exhaustion and the sweat on my face? I certainly can. Ugh. Oh wait. That's what I see in the mirror today. Silly me. I get confused like that when my brain is frying. See the goofy expression on Sweet Son's face? Who knows what that's about. This is the only picture we took there cuz it was extremely HOT. LOL That's the only reason it got saved in the archives. Update? Hubby called A/C Guy and he "promises" to be here before dark. It's 5:28 pm. I'm watching the clock. Worry not. See ya.