Happy New Years Eve Everyone :)

Well my new years eve is off to an exciting start...7:30 pm and all of our 4 legged family members have had a bath...they all did pretty well ...my new little shih tzu puppy is really not in love with the bath idea...this was her third with me and she is 5 1/2 months old now and i have only had her for four weeks...and i am sure she had none before arriving here...but she seems fine...i will try and post a picture of her later...

news years eve...i really was prepared to lay out some pretty good plans for the upcoming year...but something was pointed out to me in the last 24 hours that has made me re-think some things...we shall see...

i know that last year i really wanted to find ME again so badly... and only to make matters worse by the sudden death of my neighbor and the arrest of her husband...the end of june...which altered all of my summer plans...and will probably...take up a lot of my time this coming year...as there is no resolve in sight...but everything happens for a reason and i really learned that sometimes what you are looking for the most is right under your nose...but life is ever changing so we will see...

in all this i have found me again and that is so good to say...i feel strong ...i feel i can stand on my own again...be put down by NO ONE...i am who i am ...i have given you my best as a daughter...sister...wife...mother...grandmom and if that has not been good enough for you then take a hike...NO negative people in my life anymore...i will be there always for you...but i will no longer beg you to be in my life...that time has gone...i am who i am...and it is my turn now...you are welcome to join me...

see i have found me again...not sure where i am going with the new me ...but it will be a fun adventure...i can promise you that...i am not sure where i will be this time next year...but i know i will have a fun time getting there:) to my best friend...thanks for teaching me that everything happens for a reason...no truer statement ever spoken...no truer friend could one ever ask for...i do know you will still be in my life next year...you are safe ...lol...

yes there will still be a need for those help calls out to my best friend back home...they are always going to be needed :) i am sure i will still have my moments...but knowing you are just a call away...is a good thing...

these last 4 weeks for me have just been wonderful...my new dog maxi...has brought a calmness to me and this house feels like my home again...she completes it...such an odd thing to say...but we all have fallen in love with her and our other dogs love her so much and she loves everyone...

i am hoping all of us get over this creeping crud we have ...it has been a week..and it is still hanging on...michelle has had 3 major dental surgeries this past week...just so happy to have found someone so awesome to take her on...she has several things coming up over the next 8 weeks...but we are hoping the worst is over...she is a real trooper... always will be...our miracle baby...it was 20 years ago the 28th of dec...that we got the call from university of md. that without surgery known as ECMO...done at johns hopkins...our baby girl would die...it was her only chance...we said yes...what else would or could we say...she is our miracle and their miracle baby too...she is my rock...i was always her rock...but the roles have changed or did change for a while...but i am steadily taking my role back as rock...in case she hasn't noticed...i wish nothing but success for her this year... take aunt mimi's morsel's and run with it ...i think we will make it her time now...she really gave a lot of her time to me this year...and i am so lucky for that...i needed her :)

can not comment about this year and not mention my granddaughter journey...and how lucky i am that her momma and dada share her with me...she is just the most special little girl ever...and i learn a lot from her every day...but in aug of this year she will be getting a baby sister or brother...and as long as it is healthy i do not think any of us care what it is...she will shine in the role of big sister...i do know that..she can hardly wait...it is just going to be a wonderful healthy year for all of us ...i just have that feeling...and my feelings are always right :) night all and have a very happy and safe new years eve ...luv just ME

Happy Hump Day :)

I hope everyone is having a great holiday week...it has been a crazy one here...i have had the creeping crud since christmas eve...michelle has had it too...and alan starting coming down with it yesterday...

i have been very worried about michelle having to fight this crud and trying to cope with her dental work...and then yesterday her dr. had a sudden cancellation and could move up her appointment that was scheduled for friday and once she got there he decided to do her jan 18 appt as well...a lot of work for her to have done...she wanted it done ...so great to find a dentist willing to take her on ...it has really hit her hard ...as anything does...but true to her form...she is a pure champion...i knew she was a superstar to me around the house...but i miss her help and company so much...but just want her to rest...

i am feeling so much better today..i was beginning to worry...just did not feel i was getting over it at all...today it was good to start feeling better..

alan on the other hand...it has hit him hard...but men just have to be babies...just a little...i guess us women...just can not stop ...or it all falls apart around us...people always depending on us...i do not know if that will ever stop or that i want that feeling to stop...i do not like to be waited on...never have never will :)i think men like to be babied...enough said...

michelle's dog maddie has some hip problems and is having some problems...fingers crossed we caught it early...knowing what to look for...and she will be able to get over it much sooner...do not like one of our babies not feeling well...wish they could talk...maxi our new shih tzu really misses her play partner...hoping for a new day tomorrow...so that i can take the hospital sign down soon...not for michelle she needs her rest...she still has several procedures to under go...but getting the green light for her to have it done and finding the right person to do it has been wonderful...enjoy the rest of your night :) tomorrow is a new day...a healthy day...journey will be staying here for a little while tomorrow afternoon...that will be a good thing :)

Merry Christmas

merry Christmas to all...i hope everyone has had a wonderful christmas day so far and that everyone has a wonderful holiday week...

last night i had our family over to exchange gifts and to have christmas dinner...all went well and everyone seemed to have a good time...

so christmas day was pretty quiet around here...alan and i walked over to see what journey got from santa...seems like she made a big haul...alan, michelle and i exchanged gifts when we got up this morning...we all seemed to make a good haul as well...alan gave me fur this year and i got it early...my shih tzu maxi...we are all enjoying having her in our family... and as always michelle out did herself with some great pieces of jewelry and an awesome pair of slipper boots that are so warm...and she even surprised me and stuffed my stocking...

michelle will be having some dental surgery over the next month...it is really hitting her hard...she is such a helper even when she is not feeling good...i do not know if i am going out tomorrow to check out the after christmas sales or not...michelle can not go with me...not sure if i want to go alone...we will see...have a great week...join me back here tomorrow :)

Dec. 23, 1991......20 years ago

i had planned to make todays blog all about my wonderful daughter michelle...and her struggle to live...and how that so sick little baby ...has become one of the strongest young ladies i know...manages her own business aunt mimi's morsels...but she is not having such a good day...so i have decided not to blog about her tonight...i am going to spend this time with my birthday girl...happy birthday michelle...you are an awesome person and a wonderful young lady :) and i LOVE being your mom....

3 Days it will be Christmas :)

Busy...Busy day here today...but i did get my hair cut and colored today...that was a good thing...love ...love ...love the girl that does my hair michelle...before i found michelle..only one other person has ever really been able to do my hair...that was lisa burton thomas ...in maryland...she grew up in jeffery lane ...the street just behind my parents..i always thought she would grow up and marry my brother...they were just such good friends...and she had just awesome parents...her father has passed away...but her mom remains a friend of my moms...

speaking of friends...i ran into my bestest friend at the store today...that was great...saw her yesterday too...love her so much...not to be confused with my bestest friend in maryland...i am lucky to have two people in my life that i feel always have my back and both know me way too well...

ok on the friend note...i ran into a toxic friend today as well...one that for years i have tried to break away from...you know the kind that calls every day...and after that call you feel worse...so during my summer from hell...she had to go...she still calls...and the voice mails i had been deleting before i even listened to them...but the last couple of weeks i have listened to a couple of them...sad and then kinda funny...i rarely ever saw her...just the calls...it really is a long story...and i have gone ahead and really let go of all the negative in my life...i do not need it...and i am finding myself a very happy person...i know for the first time in a long time...everything does happen for a reason...and that the thing you are searching for may really be right there at your side the whole time...and that trust is not a given ...it is something that you have to earn...

hoping all goes well tomorrow...michelle has decided to go ahead with some dental and jaw work that she needs done and have it started tomorrow and not wait till the new year...she has found someone awesome to do it...but fingers crossed...we are talking about michelle..so she will need rest...rest and more rest...and she is like me...not very good at taking it easy...and we all work hard around here to keep her healthy...our little miracle child...i hate to have her birthday and christmas be in pain and not be able to eat...but she wants to just get it over with...and we will be right by her side through it all...all said and done she is looking at 12 weeks before everything is done...but she is fine with that..she is strong and a fighter...i know that...just got to keep her healthy through it all...and see to it she gets plenty of rest...and her doctor from johns hopkins has given us the green light...so hoping for a great tomorrow...night all off to snuggle with my family :)

Rainy Days and Mondays :(

It has rained here all day...i guess it is better than snow...which is what the rest of our state is to get over the next two days...i just do not like snow anymore..i hate to drive on ice and snow since we have moved to kansas...they just do not clear roads out here...i really think that they do not know how...

this year i will post pictures of our roads during the snow and ice we get...and i will also say...they rarely ever cancel school...it is really tough on parents...since most kids here are driven to school by their parents...

journey really wants a white christmas...since she believes that santa coming means snow...i do hope we get a little around christmas...but i have a lot going on and really do not want the icy roads...i think i have something planned everyday starting the 21st through the first of the year...between alan..michelle and myself...seems we have appts. everyday and we want to get some after christmas shopping in...of course...we need to stock up aunt mimi's morsels for cookie tins for sure...

it was funny to see maxi today in all of the rain...i have had her for a little over two weeks and it seems she has been here forever...in a good way...when she first came here she loved it outside...did not want to come in..but now she runs out and does her business and comes right back in...she does not like it outside anymore...i love that...she should have never been an outside dog...my heart breaks when i look at what conditions she had in the prior 4 1/2 months before coming to live in her forever home...she has completed our home and we all feel that way...even our other dogs love her...her sweetness really can not be explained...sometimes i am afraid she is scared to be a puppy...and then i see her finally playing with michelles dog...they love to play...does a person good to see her so happy...no puppy should be as good as she is...ok and she can not bark...she looks at our other dogs like they are stupid when they bark...i have read that some are barkers and others never bark...she lives with barkers...it will be interesting to see if she ever barks...she has added a very silent spark to our home and our hearts :) night all...

Sunday...is coming to an end :(

I am so sorry to see the weekend end...it was great....aunt mimi's morsels got all of her baking done and it is all in cold storage awaiting pick up or it is going to be mailed out on wednesday...

we have all the gifts wrapped and stocking stuffers all bought...i will need a few things from the grocery store...michelle and i are planning to go out on the 23rd to get a few more things for the dogs...i love that rush of last minute shopping ...even though i am really finished all my shopping...

the 21st i have a hair appt...and school here does not get out until the 20th ..so i have journey two days this week...so we are going to make cookies for santa one of those two days...and we are making some reindeer chow for santa's reindeer...journey will sprinkle it out on the lawn at her house...

over the past few months i have really been doing some soul searching...you all know that...and over the last 2 1/2 weeks i feel better than i have in awhile...things are starting to feel good again...at the end of the year i think we all reflect on the last year...well i have been reflecting on the last several years...and today i have to say i am far from perfect...but i have never made or did anything in my life that i have not put my husband and my children first...and i am not sorry for that at all...i do not regret any decision that i have made ..i did what was best for my kids always...i am sorry if they do not see it that way all the time...but it is what it is...i will always be there for all of my children..they will always be the light of my world...and i am so proud of all they have accomplished in their lives...but i hope they do not forget that without hard working parents and the core values that were raised with they may not be where they are today...just saying...i never thought i could say it but it was your time then.. and now it is my time...time to grow ...time to reflect...with no guilt...i have always done the best for you that i could...i will not beg for your time or time to spend with your children...you know i am here...it is your children that will lose...the time i got to spend with my grandmom ...was the happiest times in my life...it taught me so much...it taught me to respect people...and she had a way of making me feel so special...that special feeling that only can come from a grandmom...when something was wrong ...she was where i headed..not that my mom was not there...but moms can be busy sometimes...grandmoms are just there...or they should be...that is the kind of grandmom i want to be for all of my grandchildren...and i am so blessed to spend time with journey...i hope as she grows older she will always remember the ginny days...as she gets older...it feels good to be able to say that...with no guilt and no looking back...i am who i am....i love my kids most for allowing me to be who i always wanted to be...a mom...and i was lucky my husband worked very hard to allow me to be a stay at home mom...but it is time to move on...on to never looking back...only forward...and it is going to be a great year :)

thursday ...and i am tired....

Going to keep it short tonight...i am really tired...dealt with an insurance adjuster today...she was not only full of herself...but rude to to a very talented well respected roofer in our town...i believe them so much...her...she is just odd...not happy...talk to my agent tomorrow...we shall see...

posting a picture tonight of a retro tv cabinet that alan re-purposed into another hutch...it looks awesome in my dining room...you all have a nice evening...see you back here tomorrow :)

Rainy Days and Tuesdays ????

What a rainy windy day here today...and it was cold...colder in the house than outside...i am just never warm anymore...i never really wore a coat for many years...hated them...not anymore...i do not know if that comes along with weight loss or not...i think the weather even affected journey today...she just was not herself today...

i woke up kinda cranky...i tried for the second time to sleep with maxi...i can not do it...she can not seem to get comfortable...i have a fear that she will fall out of bed...i have slept with 4 kids from the point of them being just a couple days old...and countless dogs and cats over the years...and i didn't lost a one of them...but ...i am older now ... and as much as she does not like to be alone..it is best for both of us...as i do not sleep well at night anyway...and she seems to be very restless...

i really hope this rain stops soon...i really want this insurance adjuster to come and get this over with...she called yesterday...asked a few questions...all i really said was i had 2 roofers come and look at it and her reply was...i do not care who you have had look at your roof...i am the ONE that makes the decision....ok maybe i am wrong ...but i do not think we are off to a very good start...as hard as it will be for me ...i plan to listen...only answer what i have too...and hope for the best...if it does not go my way then ...only then will i cut loose on her :) we shall see...

pictures of my hutch that alan and michelle re-purposed will be on here tomorrow...i promise...i usually like to send christmas card with a picture on them...but this year...it may be regular cards again...just can not see myself getting all of our dogs together or a picture...and it seems wrong to just do maxi ...we will see...need to get my packages off in the mail...they have been ready to go...i have just not had time to load them up and mail them off...planning to go off to bed shortly...and hope for a good nights sleep...night all...i will be back tomorrow :)

Fun Sunday....

sorry about no post yesterday...but journey was over with her daddy last night ...so i spent the whole evening visiting with them...it was great...i miss having all of my kids at home...oh well i will take what i can get...

it was just a wonderful quiet weekend around here...the weather was cold and damp...alan and michelle stayed really busy saturday...michelle had a lot of baking to do for Aunt Mimi's Morsels...she got almost all of it done and than did all of my holiday baking as well...alan worked on a retro cabinet...we had bought for $20...and re-purposed it into a hutch...he stained part of it and then michelle gave it a white wash...forgot to take before pictures...but will post pictures of the finished hutch tomorrow...had planned to sell it...but instead i moved a bakers rack from the dining room and put that on my porch...and put the new hutch in the dining room...looks really good...dining room is done...it can hold no more furniture :)

i stayed busy all day but really do not know what kept me so busy...oh well it was a good day...michelle finished up some baking today and tried out a new recipe for cinnamon buns...they were soo good...these may be a new item for Aunt Mimi's Morsel's...alan stayed busy as always...finished up the new hutch...trimmed the ivy off the house...went for a walk with molly and worked out...

we have a buy...sell..trade on facebook for the county we live in...i love checking out the for sales and i love selling on there as well...but today i checked on there and saw a vintage 5 ft. corner cabinet for sale 3 blocks away...so i called and alan drove me over in the truck...it was a teenager in an apt. building ...said he was down sizing...but the apt. was almost empty...i am sure there is a story there..we liked it and bought it...it is neat...my thoughts again were to re-do it and sell it...but i really like it...hope it may work in my craft/office...we shall see...will post a picture of it as well tomorrow...

again all of my family was productive...once again i was busy all day...just not a lot to show for it...spent some great time with my family and our 4 legged babies...i had some great times with maxi...she is a doll baby...alan...michelle...and me...both have remarked on how complete our home feels since we added maxi...she seems to have completed our home...crazy i know she is a dog...we have all fallen in love with her and she has fallen in love with us...her 4 legged sisters seem to like her too...sooo glad of that...even michelle's dog maddie is coming around...she is a calm for me i have not felt in over almost 2 years...and since june of this year there has been no calm for me anywhere...she has made me stop and sit down...she is so calm...like no puppy i have ever been around...i groom her every night ...she loves it...and it calms me makes me relax...i love taking her places with me...i hope to get a therapy pass...so that she can go anywhere i go...even the court events that loom in my future...she would be my calm ...we will see...i have to deal with with insurance and my roof...not looking forward to that...but i will stand tough...while holding my shih tzu...lol...have a great evening...and a happy monday :)

WILD Friday....

this was one of those days you do not want a repeat of...it all started when alan accidentally dropped the top part of his lancet in the floor and before he could pick it up my baby girl maxi ate it...ok i did not take this well at all...nor did i handle it well...

not sure what to do ...i called home ...alan on the other hand went to work and was waiting at our vet's door when they open at 9 this morning...he came home right away as they were alarmed and wanted to see her right away...before he could get here...roofers showed up to look at our roof...we were told recently that our roof had suffered hail and wind damage by another contractor working on our home ...they suggested we call our insurance co. and request an adjuster come look out...but i wanted a roofing contractor to look at it first...so they showed up so i had to stay home ...so michelle went with her dad and my maxi to the vet...

so journey had arrived earlier... before the roofers...so i was trying to watch a christmas show with her that i had promised to watch with her all week...then me trying to stay calm for her...she was soo good today...yesterday she had kind of a rough day here...just did not want to listen...but today she was just an angel :) then the roofers told me CALL YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY...you have hail and wind damage...and that i had cedar shingles under my shingles...i though so what...but when a new roof is put on they must be removed...they do not meet city code and new decking must be installed...all of which my insurance company will fight...i told them i have 100 % replacement and $1000 deductible...they replied...good luck and fight hard...we shall see...

then my bank called second time in 2 years...your checking account has been compromised...it was caught...come by and we will advise you how it will be handled...

then the case i am involved in...heard from the attorneys...kind of cut them off till monday...then michelle and alan arrived home with maxi...the vet had wanted to induce vomiting..to get it out...no luck...sent her home with canned bland food...antibiotics...and hope it passes and soon...i was so worried...

in between all of that there was the call to our insurance company...never a pleasant call to make...then i fixed journey lunch and she slipped out of her chair...bit her cheek...all of this and it was only noon...as i was typing this about 15 min. ago maxi ran to the door...michelle took her out...SHE PASSED IT...she is going to be fine....i am so thankful...i have only had her for 8 days ...but it feels like i have had her forever...she is supposed to relax me ...so much for that today...i am so lucky michelle once again was so there for me and Journey was that perfect child when i needed it the most :)

speaking of perfect children...in august of next year journey will be getting a new brother or sister...we are all so happy for her and her dad and mom...she will be quite the little helper girl :) journey says it is going to be 2 ...a brother and a sister...so a lot to look forward to in the coming year...going to sign off now ...going to chill with my baby maxi and my daughter :) night all ...

Just a Wednesday...

Just a boring wednesday around here...michelle busy in the kitchen...and me just doing all of the normal things i do everyday...me normal...nothing i do is normal...

our lab molly got nasty with michelles dog...i really do not know what got into her but hope she is over it..she is a sweetheart but has always been protective of her food bowl...but tonight she got a little out of hand ...even with alan...will keep a close eye on her...since she is so close to journey...it will all work out :)...

adding a picture of the fish dish michelle made last night...also a few of our newest addition...maxi...enjoy...have a great evening :)


The flounder with tomatoes on top, cauliflower, and rice...yum...



Miss Maxi...



:)





Isn't she precious...

Snowy Tuesday...where is santa ???

Yes... it snowed here last night...not a lot but a good size trace...journey was so excited and told me her loved winter...and that it would be santa time soon...and maxi my new dog loved the snow...she should be a prissy little girl...but i think she is a tomboy at heart...which is really good...i think alan has really fallen in love with her...which is a good thing :) now the one she really has to win over is michelle's dog maddie...a dachshund...they have not yet bonded...they will i know in time...

dinner is going to be leftovers for alan...and then bath time and grooming pictures of maxi...

michelle has been busy in the kitchen baking ...so the house really smells like christmas...the fish dish last night was good...will post a picture...it was different...alan said it was ok...he is not a fish person...but he is really trying...and i am so proud of him for that...you all enjoy your evening :)

Cold...Windy ...Monday

It is very cold and windy in kansas today...some parts of kansas are getting snow today...i will say i do not want to be the person that has to explain to my three year old granddaughter why it is snowing and it is not santa claus day...she believes those two events go hand and hand...if it snows earlier...someone has some explaining to do...

trying to figure out what bake goods i need to order from aunt mimi's morsels...she is booking up fast...which is great...

michelle has a great new recipe for dinner...using a white fish...we are using flounder...it is simmered on top of diced tomatoes...will supply a picture tomorrow...off to call home...i owe a call...have a great day :)

Sunny Sunday

It is simply beautiful in kansas today...about 55 degrees...sunny...and no wind...perfect...

alan has re-purposed a retro tv cabinet from the 70's that had louvered doors...into a hutch...we were planning to sell it...but he has grown attached...and michelle and i have decided to get rid of a bakers rack in the dinning room ...and put the new-old hutch there...i will try and post some pictures ...before we paint/stain it...alan forgot to take pictures of the tv cabinet with the louvered doors...but that is okay...we will still keep him he is very crafty :)

maxi is doing really well...she is starting to come out of her shell...and i think she is beginning to love me as much as i love her...the dogs are all doing terrific with her...even maddie...michelles dog...

busy week...as aunt mimi's morsels will start their christmas baking to fill her orders...aunt mimi loves to be busy ...so i am excited for her...

i am doing a beer can chicken for dinner with roasted veggies around it...it is starting to smell good in here...post pictures later..have a great sunday...

"And They Called It PUPPY LOVE"... :)

I am so in love with our newest baby...she is laying in my lap right now...her big sister molly the lab is laying on the love seat watching both of us...they really like each other and molly loves everybody...

journey got to see maxi this morning ...for the first time...love at first sight...first time maxi had wagged her tail and seemed happy since she arrived here last night...journey said maxi was her sister :)

maxi went to the vet today..all was good...this evening when i put her in a kennel to fix dinner...she cried...sad i know ...but this was her first cry...she missed me...

until today...she really not had a lot of one on one contact with people...she has been around dogs and people...but no one on one...she is 4 1/2 months old ...she had no name...that is sad...in 24 hours she knows her name...and misses human contact...amazing...but we are kind of alike...for a while i really wondered who i was...and i can tell you we are very quickly finding out who we both are...going to spend a very quiet weekend at home...need to work on some furniture flipping...and some furniture rearranging in our spare room... off my office/craftroom...have a great sleep everyone...and a wonderful saturday :)

2 Blogs in 1 Night

i have always told my daughter careful what you ask for...after asking for her dogs...and getting them...i am a new mom again...all i can say is i am in love with her...alan must have been real worried about me...and thought this early christmas gift would do the trick...if i am stuck in kansas for awhile doing this court thing...i have a new little girl named "MAXI"...i think she is kinda where i am right now and she needed a little saving and a fresh start...which started with a bath...here are some pictures enjoy...cause i am heading into the living room to join my family and OUR newest addition :)

A Temp. Drop Thursday :)

Temps. this evening are really starting to fall...i do hate to see the ice and snow coming in...we have three chances for it this weekend...i do hope they are wrong :)

ok anyone wonder where i was yesterday...well i just was not in the mood to blog...maybe i would have felt better if i had blogged...but you see things went on here this summer and a lot of you know or may have figured it out...but there is a lot i can not say or will not say...really hoped it would be resolved without me reliving june 26, 2011 in court or anywhere else...i know that is a lot to wish for...well i had some calls yesterday and it looks like there will be no easy fixes on this...and i know it is a serious matter...i get it ...so starting dec.1, 2011...i have to start reliving june 26,2011...not just to myself everyday...it was getting easier for me...to go through the day and not relive that day...i realized yesterday ...that is over...i feel like a big baby...and many people feel that way i know...but do not judge other peoples reactions to anything...because if you were in that situation...you really do not know how you would react...

so i spent most of the day in tears...yes tears...i will be fine i know that...michelle has been a rock and alan... he tries to understand...but i think..when ones wife is going through the change...having a midlife crisis...i think he really does not know what to say...and can you blame him...i will be fine ...just needed to wine a bit...

tomorrow is friday...plan to spend the whole weekend working on furniture...we have three pieces to work on and i am in the mood...hope it is not too cold...still waiting for alan to get home to feed him dinner...then just hoping for a quiet evening...need to wrap a few things that just came in for michelle...can not decide to wrap them for christmas or birthday....decisions...decisions...wish they were all this simple ...have a great evening :)