Today we went to the early morning yard sales and I saw a jumper seat for D's neice, got it for $3.00...saw an end table I liked but I was waiting to see if at the end of the sale I could get it for less:)Went to the next sale and was getting ready to leave when I saw an animal crate, I went over to look and there were about 10 little kittens.Of course being me I had to hold a couple, but had no intrest in another animal right now. I was leaving and the guy said here, hold this little one, did you see her? I held her and it was like we already knew each other, so today I'm introducing my new kitty Boo!! She loves to touch my nose with hers and sleep in my lap and chew my shirt:) Oh did I mention she is adorable?

no, because animals basically go with survival and only kill for that reason.

Just stopping by to say Happy Memorial Day! Here is hoping everyone is having good weather and some great food! We are having some chicken salad for lunch and I made chicken and spinach enchiladas, yummy! Kind of hard to cookout since we keep having rain and storms. We still got our walk in Friday and Saturday, tough yesterday we couldn't, but we will today hopefully.. D seems to be doing pretty well after his heart attack, though since he quit smoking he is trying to eat the entire house.. I am now coming up on 100 days of no smoking and he is now at ten days! The buyers cam back about the house and have agreed to wait until July or however long I need, they ar not in a huge hurry...In other news I got bitten by a spider and am broke out in a rash, always fun, but I guess not life threatening. My sinus's are acting nuts too and benadryl is my new friend. That is about it from here in rainy NC, wish right now I was cooking out with my kids in Texas and playing with my grandkids...

MyHotComments hope yours is the best Laboutin!

MyHotComments hope yours is the best Laboutin!

I am posting because I promised my daughter I would put up pics of my beautiful flowers I got for Easter. I also have a new photo of me and some of the new dresses D bought me for Easter. Today is my 60 day celebration of no smoking! Yeah me! It is also about a week until my birthday, argh,,, I also think I have a buyer for the house, so Texas is coming my way soon! Many things going on right now and life is really exciting! This is the best I have felt in a while and the reason I haven't posted is because I honestly felt so horrible and depressed, but finally I think I'm coming out of it. According to the doctor this is due to stopping with the cigarettes and probably is, but I am truly glad it is getting better. Anyway, here are the pics; enjoy, Summer!

First clue, rhymes with brain and drain, second requires my chihuahua to need life jacket and flippers, third, well the ark is coming along nicely.....yep it is RAIN, again. Oh where, oh where is the sun, the warmth, spring? If you are having that weather please post for those of us who are in rain or worse snow, like Lissa and poor Emmy probably thinks there is only snow by now. On the positive, coming alog nicely with post surgery, thanks Taron again and Renee thanks again for help with smoking, today is day 42 days free from those stinky things...

Even though I'm still very sick, I could not pass up the day without thinking of how; I woke up with a very painful stomach, many years ago and went to bed that night holding the most beautiful angel to ever be born. She took my breath every time I looked into her sweet eyes. I have thanked God everyday for the gift he gave me this day; several years ago! To my one and only little girl; HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I LOVE YOU! BTW you have other things on the way! Let's all send out a birthday wish to: Collectonian!

Today my post is for the rain! Please,please, go away! You are making everyone grouchy and miserable, we are stuck in our homes, staring at the walls, wishing it was 70 and sunny. I miss my walk, I miss fresh air and warmth, could you please leave and come back with the warmth of spring and the flowers? Oh where did the 70's of just a week ago go to? Was that meant to torture us? This is so depressing and boring......

ok it is the middle of the night and I should be asleep, why am I not? I guess because my chest is going at it again. I have reflux again and it woke me again. I have tried prescription meds, tums, pepcid, you name it, does not work, so here I am posting. I really would like to be asleep about now and was, but the pressure in my chest said wake up and I obeyed, hoping it would ease up if I did. I guess it just goes with the rest of my day. My day started ok, at the usual time, but just went down hill some where. Perhaps it was when Shia wet my bed. Perhaps it was when the baby threw the temper tantrum complete with hitting his head repeatedly on the floor. It could have been when I was washing the three loads of laundry, because of the wet bed or when I tripped trying to remake the bed because the kids were "helping" me. Perhaps it was when I wanted a smoke so bad, that I actually went outside and lit one, went to puff, fought myself and threw it. I ran back in the house, so the baby could start screaming again, he needed a nap, but hey I had to wait for the mattress protector to dry first. I guess by the time one Mom called to say she was working late and the other kids would be there after school, the day was messed up anyway. Of course when they started arguing immediately and never ceased until their mother got there at six, not five as discussed who cared where it went wrong. Of course, after that I did finally get to shower and remove the food from sticky hands. Of course at that point, the reflux thought, hey your day sucked, why don't I just add to your fun? That was my day, hope yours went some what better, oh and let's not forget it is 3:07 and I am supposed to be up in a couple of hours with three fussy kids:)

I promised flowers so I got them loaded before the little ones started really getting crazy. I thought it would brighten everyone's Monday, always a rough day, but with time change a little rougher. This will make you think spring! BTW, these are from my wonderful daughter, just to let me know, that she was happy I quit smoking and to keep going!

My weekend was so busy, that I had no me time at all. I usually like to do that on the weekend, since during the week, I'm running all day with kids. Today, was the worst, I had the baby, went to the grocery store with baby; do not recommend. Cooked with baby, do not recommend and cleaned up food and other baby debris most of the day. I was going to post pics of my flowers, but honestly I'm just tired. I have food in my hair and God knows what else on me, so a shower is in my future. I have cooked and cleaned , cooked and cleaned again. The house looks fairly normal again, thank goodness! I think the bed is calling and the daylight savings time is messing me up big time, oh well that is life here in the country....good night!

Guess this is a good time to post, since I'm up anyway. I must admit I will be happy to be able to sleep again. Yesterday was better for me, I wasn't quite as jittery and I didn't snap anybody's head off. I will call that a win! I of course had kids all day, but for the most part we had a ball. Of course I got to vacuum several times, I have three vaccuums, to manage whatever spills and I got to do the furniture several times, but on the plus side; the baby said juice yesterday and yes, I was thrilled. Shia also was impressive; she got herself completely dressed and did very well, other than putting her underwear on backwards, which we fixed immediately. Today we will probably go outside since the day is supposed to be in the 60's. One of the Mom's is seriously behind again, so that will not be a good conversation; I wish people would think of this, this is my job and they do not work for free; guess what neither do I. I love the kids, but I have to pay my bills too. Now to tell you what happened to me yesterday; two very funny and cool things. One the Fed-ex man came to my home; he looked lost, so I assumed he was. He asked for an address and it was mine, but I knew I hadn't ordered anything and it is not any holiday or my birthday. He hands me a florist box; what is this? Shia is more excited than I am. I'm looking to see who sent me flowers and for what reason. I get the beautiful box open and their are all these yellow and cream spring flowers, they are beautiful. Shia is saying Oh.... We put them in water, per instuctions, I trimmed them and I still see no card. I finally see a card and it is a $15.00 gift card to FTD. I am seriously puzzled, why I ask and from whom? Finally, tucked in a little pocket down in the bottom of the box I see the card. It is from my wonderful daughter! She wanted me to know she was proud of me for not smoking and to keep going... I actually had tears in my eyes. Thank you baby for making my day a lot better. Later, my son called, this would be Carlos. He wantd to let me know, he and his baby brother were coming home this weekend. All of a sudden it occurred to him, that he could hear me; yes people I have a voice again! Carlos was so excited; he started talking a mile a minute and then realized he had missed his exit home. He was in DC! He said he'd see me today and that he better get off the phone, since traffic was awful and he had to get turned around! All in all not a bad day! I will post pics of the flowers later today, so everyone can share in spring, if only through a bouquet, at the moment. Hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Man I will be glad when I can actually sleep again. Going to sleep no problem, staying asleep, serious problem. Maybe I should try no patch at night or something. I'm thinking of lowering my dose, because it is making me shaky. I had already cut myself down to less than 10 smokes a day, so maybe I should have went with a lower dose, this is Nicoderm CQ. Anyway, I'm up, waiting for kids, can't wait to see who brings a sick one today. I have had to call a parent everyday for the last week to pick up their child. While I understand they need to go to work, they need to understand it is not cool to bring your child and make everyone else's child sick. Since I'm no longer smoking and have lost 15 pounds, I'm trying to eat healthier, so last night we had baked Turkey breast with roasted broccoli. This was an excellent idea until I walked in the kitchen and realized, someone (D) had consumed most of it. WTF, are you kidding me! I really believe he is smoking for me and eating for me and while I have assured him it is not neccessary, he continues on. I told him he smelled like a cigarette and he lied and said he had not smoked:( I'm hoping we get past this, I'm grouchy and he is running around trying to stay out of my way and be sneaky. I think he is stress eating and I feel bad for that. I told him we would be eating healthier and he looked green. I'm thinking of his health too, plus I must admit I am ticked with him. I feel like he lied to me, he said if I quit, he would, then when I did, he said I meant that minute, of that day, we were talking about it. What a buncn of BS! Anyone have any suggestions on how I get myself past what I see as betrayal. I know he knows I'm angry and we are barely speaking. I realize that what I'm doing I should not impose on him, but he lied. Anyway, enough venting, hope everyone has a great day! It is going to be almost 60 here today, whooo, whee!

Today, I actually almost feel human, except for not being able to eat. I'm still hearing my stomach give out monster sounds, but not as often. We had a beautiful 6 inches of snow and I couldn't even go outside. On the positive; this weekend it will be 70, woohoo. I am hoping I will be better and out of the house be then. I have checked on Scooby and they are happy with her and I hope she is happy with them. That is a load off of my mind! I can't believe how many people responded to the ad. I wish everything I put up there went that fast! I'm thinking of advertising the house and furniture next, what do you think? I'm thinking Texas or bust real soon! On my good report, one week and no cigarettes, can't say I haven't wanted one, but I refuse to give in to those killers! There are times I feel very anxious, but I am hanging tough! Keep thinking positive thoughts for success with this!

you may ask yourself why, so am I. Well it looks like I have picked up a virus that the kids I keep have had. I can't quit tossing my cookies and my stomach is making sounds like a monster in a horror movie. I am freezing on top of that and have 2 comforters, a thick blanket, sheets, long PJ's and a robe on, still freezing. I do not need this on top of the other mess. I had asked the mom to keep the kids home until they were well. She called Saturday morning saying it was an emergency and that they were fine. Turns out, not fine, the baby was so sick I felt sorry for the little fella. While this is going on at least the view is pretty since it is snowing like you wouldn't believe here. We also are getting ice, not my favorite at all, but while the world is quiet, it is pretty! On a positive note I did find Scooby a very good home, that I think is right for her. I will miss her terribly, but I'm so sick and she is young. She needs the kind of attention I can't give her and I want her to be the wonderful, happy dog she is. I told the prospective parents that if they had any questions or problems to call. I also told them if she was not right for them to return her to me. I will call today and check on her, I stopped myself from doing it tonight. Hope everyone has a good day and I hope this stuff goes away quickly and that I get some sleep.

well here it is Saturday night and it is raining and cold; waiting for the snow tomorrow night and I have played about 200 hands of Spider Solitaire, guess I'm a little bored. On the plus side haven't even thought about having a smoke (thanks Oregana). I still have very little voice, but I'm here and that is a good thing. Hmmmm....where is everybody? Tell you what, since I'm sick and can't do much; tell me about your night and I will share your fun:) Remember, I'm bored so it doesn't have to be exciting, just different from mine. Unless, you are doing your laundry, that was my excitement for the day!

This is a post about life changes; for the last several weeks I have been very sick, though I tried to deny it; it was smoking that was hurting me more than anything else. Over the last few weeks I cut down but refused to completely stop. I thought things would get better, if I took my meds and waited it out. I kept the kids even though it hurt to stand up, but I refused to think that I was that sick. This last Tuesday, I woke up and literally couldn't breathe. My chest felt like it was crushed and I was nauseated, dizzy and gray. I had only Shia, thank God and D was home; I told him something was very wrong and I thought I should go to the hospital. He said I looked gray and let's go, so he grabbed Shia and we drove 30 miles to the emergency room. When we got there; I walked in, but felt like I was going to pass out. The triage nurse looked at me and grabbed me and took me in the back. She took my blood pressure and the next thing I know I have tubes in me every where. They are pumping oxygen and sticking needles in me. they took a cat-scan and x-rays, pumped me full of morphine and I was now scared. They said I was trying to stroke out and was not getting enough oxygen. D brought Shia in after a few hours and I saw the tears in her eyes and in D's. I was diagnosed with Reactive Airway Disease, Pleurosy, UTI, Bronchitis and uncontrolled Blood Pressure. I realized that I almost died and if it had not been for D being home, I would have died in front a three year old baby. I quit smoking and I am taking my meds like I should. I'm using my breathing machine and I'm fighting. I thought about my kids and how bad I wanted to get back to Texas, hold my kids and grans, that I wasn't ready to go yet. I thought about how hurt my family would be and I have decided I will do as I should have done all along. Everyday, I pray for strength to get through and not think about smoking, I also think that I am stronger than a stick with tobacco in it and that I'm here for a reason. It does put things in perspective though. I have been so worried about bills and D being laid off, how we would make it and the other day I saw that those things will work out and that life is precious. That the people we love and are with us are important, that the rest really is just worrisome, but not insurmountable. I know several of us on here have been going through some rough things, but I want you to know that you will get through it and that are many things that are worse. I have made a promise to enjoy each day, no matter what it brings, because as long as we are here there is hope and a new day to start again.

I thought it would be fun to do a day in my life; Daycare by day and cake maker by night or weekend. By Friday, I need more vitamins. I'm still going with no voice, but I'm used to it now and so are the kids I keep. I want to say I'm sorry for not posting more, but by the time the last child leaves, I clean my house back up, cook dinner, shower, wash the supper dishes; I basically pass out:) Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and does something fun. I plan to, probably shop with my baby girl and just chill, so I will be ready for 5:30 am Monday, when the fun starts again! In other news I have had several people come look at the house, but no serious buyers as of yet. In the last couple of weeks I have managed to lose about ten pounds, probably from being sick. I have fallen asleep during Grey's Anatomy this week and even worse House, also American Idol. I think I need sleep! Anyway, the photos start with Angel and Chase at 5:30 am and go through the day. There are also pics of the birthday party I did last weekend and the cake I stayed up half the night to finish. At least it was a great success and I was ready to roll on Monday.....sort of:) ok I'm tired I didn't load the photos of the older kids, anyway here we go.... oops left out Scooby

My weekend was very boring, the highlight being getting to go to Dollar General and buy household stuff. D is driving me crazy being at home, he hogs the TV, we have two and he plays remote tag with both of them. My sons stopped by on their way back to DC, looking for food and then they were gone. I can't talk on the phone, no one can hear me (miss You Summer) and now we are having the bizarre weather. Today it will be 60, tomorrow it will snow twice! I am doing good on the cigarettes and I am not too grouchy, I smoked maybe 5 yesterday and I went outside to do that. I'm learning to drink my morning coffee without one and it is not too bad. Oregana, actually gave me some good tips for doing this. I think the key is not to freak yourself out by gong cold turkey. Your brain feels better about all of this, if you say hey I can have one if I want to. I have found that playing games like Spider Solitaire(thanks Summer) keep my hands busy and I read a lot too. Right now I'm reading a trilogy of the classic 87th precinct novels that Summer sent me. Now I need help with the weight issue. I'm eating very little because I'm sick, but when I get better I know I will start again. According to my doctor, when you quit; your metabolism tries to return to a slower pace. Question how do you minimize the weight gain? I can't afford to gain it, it resricts my movements, because of the spinal fusions I have had. The more weight I carry, the worse the pain gets and I can't walk. Would appreciate thoughts on this. hope everyone had a great weekend!