After the Post About My Purse ... I could use a new one.

After checking out the Photo Hunters at TNChick, I saw that she had entered a contest at Pinks&Blues, so I decided to enter also. I sure could use a new purse (one which I cant' fit as much junk into) and MY GOODNESS, its a cute and fashionable Dooney & Bourke. Go ahead and check it out ... But don't get your hopes up - I am going to win this one !!

Memorial Day 2007

My Daddy's my Hero ...
He's a Soldier.
U.S. Coast Guard



This is their Daddy.

Their Daddy is my nephew. The twins are my great nieces (almost 2 1/2 years old). Lee is in the Coast Guard. He reports to Hampton, VA on June 5th. Next stop will be to board a boat and go to the waters near Iraq to protect his country for the 2nd time. Please keep him in your prayers for the next year.

Mom and Dad, SJ and all the rest of the family ... haven't they grown?



Kendall (My Dad Rocks t-shirt) is on the left and Zoe (her t-shirt says My Mom Rocks) is on the right. Just when I finally figured out which one was which - their Grandma changed their shirts !! ( Previous picture: Kendall is in yellow and Zoe is in pink).

Memorial Day is not just the beginning of summer, not just the day that the pools open, nor just a day to have a picnic ....

It is a day of Remembrance - of all of those before us (and in the present too) who gave their lives for our country.

God Bless America - Home of the Brave and Land of the Free


Hey SJ and KJ ....



Jenny says "Hi!"

Weight Loss Wednesday ... American Idol Style

Jordin Rocks !!

Kelly Clarkson needs to take a few steps back - Just too ANGRY with her new single!

Weight Last Week: 199.2 lbs.
Weight This Week: 196.8 lbs.

Must have been bloated or something last week ?? Who the hell knows ??

2nd Goal Weight: 180 lbs.

Enough said !!

Good Night - It's late here on the East Coast - Morning will come way too early ...

This Almost Brought Tears To My Eyes ...

Just a bit of backup info first so that you understand ...

Many years ago (16 really), my boss at the time, got a puppy (a YorkiePoo)for his family. My boys were young and whenever he would go away, he would ask them to watch the puppy for them and make a few extra bucks. They did ...

The boys grew up, left home, married and well ... the dog still came to my house when they went away. Up until this past fall/winter ...

This evening when I picked up the mail, I had received the following note ...

Dear "BS",
With sadness, we wanted to let you know that our beloved DJ has passed away. But we know he led a long, happy life of 16 1/2 years. We were so glad and honored and thankful that you were a part of his life. Whenever we told him he was "going to "BS's" house", his ears perked up and his tail wagged. He loved coming to stay with you and playing with the children in your neighborhood. We just wanted to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all the times you cared for DJ when we were away. Your home was truely his "home away from home".

Love,
"T, M, S, J" & DJ

I was touched.

I knew the last few times that DJ came to visit, that there wouldn't be that many more. He had gotten old and just wasn't the same chipper pup that he used to be. He used to be black and he had turned grey and moved very slow. But, he was still happy to see me when he would finally wake up from his resting all day.

I am saddened that this little dog has passed, but ever so grateful that this grieving family took the time to let me know. I know it had to be very hard for "T" to write this note.

Rest in Peace DJ

I know that this doesn't compare to the pain and sadness my younger sister, SJ is enduring right now ... but death is hard for anyone touched by it.

Keep SJ in your prayers - I wish I could be there to give her hugs and help her through her pain. Friends are hard to lose.

Rest in Peace Kenny

This is Ridiculous but Absolutely True

That Chick commemorated her 200th post on Friday by showing us the contents of her adorable purse. I am so jealous of her, it is too damn cute. Not thinking of the true embarrassment I would cause myself, I commented that I would do the same.

So here goes (Don't judge me, OK? I carry way too much junk!)...

My purse (suitcase) ...
I know what you're thinking (not cute at all)



Inside the purse (behind the zippered compartment in the middle)...



calendar/planner thingy, checkbook, savings register, Race for the Cure registration form (had just signed up), my Address Book , a bunch of crap (coupons to stores, receipts, etc) banded together and The South Beach Diet Good Eats, Good Carbs Guide !

Inside the purse (in front of the zippered compartment in the middle) ...



wallet (doesn't show up too well in the picture but it is one of the big ones), cell phone (of the antique variety - no camera, doesn't flip, no fancy ring tones - but it works!), keys, cigarettes and lighter (I know, I know - BAD FOR YOU), glasses ( eyesight is one of the first things to go when you get old), fold-up brush, calculator, remote for security system and pens (you haven't seen them all yet!)

Inside the zippered compartment ...



hair clips, elastic ponytail holder, hand cream, emory boards (what?? I have acrylic nails), Blistex and Lip Gloss.

BEWARE - I'm not done yet!!

Pockets and zippered compartment on the front of the purse ...



work badges (unclassified ones - can't show you the other ones or I'd have to kill you!), matches, empty mint wrapper (Baby Girl) from a baby shower a week ago, grocery store card (have never even been to that store!) plastic baggy with a broken tooth inside (What am I carrying that around for?), note on a scrap of paper, glasses wipes and MORE FREAKIN' PENS.

Zippered fold out compartment on the back of the purse ...



travel scissors ( they have come in handy many times), CHICKEN POOP (compliments of SJ), binder clip, allergy tablets, bug repellant/sunscreen wipes, moist towelettes (compliments of some resturaunt [God knows where] - and they are probably no longer moist!), South Beach Diet coupons (every penny counts), bandaids, first aid packets and a list of all the movies I own (when you own over 800 and you find a good buy, you need a list to make sure you aren't buying duplicates!)

FINALLY that's all! I need to seriously clean out this suitcase and switch to a much smaller purse. A cute one, at that ...

Is anyone else up to the challenge of spilling the "guts" of their purse? Feel free ... and be easy on me, I am embarrassed enough already.

Note: I didn't cheat and clean it out first - this is exactly how it was when I read That Chick's post. She's one of the best reads around !

I'm Even Early

The Secret Swap Spectacular is well under way and I actually have my package ready to go to the Post Office before the deadline !!

See ....



It looks flat ... but it isn't !!

American Idol Final Three Results Show

I have intentionally waited until now to post this (so as to not spoil anything for the fine folks who live on the West Coast) BUT I was so totally not expecting Melinda Doolittle to be the one to go home tonight !!

Who will be the next American Idol??

"Beat Boxer" Blake or "Sparky" Jordin??

Weight Loss Wednesday with ATTITUDE

And now for the back view ...




Weight Last Week: 198.8 lbs.
Weight This Week: 199.2 lbs.
Weight Lost: NONE !!

(2nd) Goal Weight: 180 lbs.

So What! Who cares? I lost 30 lbs. the first go at it. Maybe it just isn't the right time to try for more. My body must need a break! Summer is coming and I am getting busy doing fun things - like not fixing proper meals - eating way too late - eating Dark Chocolate because The South Beach Diet allows it in moderation ... (enough for the excuses - right?) Screw the diet! It's really just a change in eating habits and choices anyway. I will continue to make healthy choices (well, most of the time - one MUST have a little ice cream when it is hot outside!) and make the effort to not gain any more than a lb. or two (MUST stay under 200 ...)

I bought a new bathing suit (in a smaller size).

Definitely NOT a bikini, but a tankini (shades of purple instead of black) and not the (typically bought by me) old lady style. (Sorry, don't mean to offend anyone ...)

I bought this ...



AND it came from the REGULAR size section instead of the PLUS size section! CLAP CLAP ... that is a BIG step for me.

And to complete the look, when I was visiting SJ a month or so ago, she graciously drove me around to find these ...




THIS CHICK'S GOT IT !

I felt good yesterday when I wore the outfit! (except my feet were a little sore at the end of the day - new shoes do that to you ...)

As I was gathering up my stuff to leave work, one of my "younger" co-workers (male of course) stops at my area, looks down and says

"There's no place like home."

Hell, I don't know if he is even old enough to know what "The Wizard of Oz" is all about!

So, I deliberately clicked my heels together and said "I'm on my way".

A Touch of Love

You were six months old and full of fun.
With a blink of my eye, you were suddenly one.

There were so many things we were going to do,
But I turned my head and you turned two.

At two you were very dependent on me,
But independence took over when you turned three.

Your third birthday, another year I tried to ignore,
But when I lit the candles, there weren't three, but four.

Four was the year that you really strived.
Why, look at you now, you're already five.

Now you are ready for books and for rules.
This is the year that you go to school.

The big day came, you were anxious to go.
We walked to the bus; going oh, so slow.

As you climbed aboard and waved goodbye,
I felt a lump in my throat and tears stung my eyes.

Time goes by so fast, it's hard to believe
That just yesterday you were here home with me.

And tomorrow when the bus brings you home and when you jump to the ground,
You'll be wearing your cap and graduation gown.

So I'm holding to these moments as hard as I can,
Because the next time I look, I'll be seeing a man.

by Cindy Zelinski
copyright EAP 1983

I am a mother to two sons ...

This poem is framed and has sat on my bedside table for almost 30 years ...
Along with this picture on the wall above my bed ...




Where did the time go ....


HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Weight Loss Wednesday Blues

Not so good this past week. I made my first goal of 30 lbs. a little while ago and this next goal of 20 lbs. isn't going so well. I need to go back to Phase 1 and it just hasn't happened! The food selections are just so boring ....

Weight Last Week: 198.2 lbs.
Weight This Week: 198.8 lbs.
Goal Weight: 180 lbs.

Pounds to Lose: Don't even feel like going there today!

3 T's on a Tuesday

#1 - Tired ....

I can't quite pinpoint why, but the last few nights I have been extremely tired and unmotivated. Maybe it's the weather - maybe it's work ...

#2 - Tyler (x2)





#3 - Tori

It's Hard Work but Someone Has to Do It !

Wouldn't it be wonderful if weeds didn't exist ?

I spent the entire morning removing the leaves and weeding out the flower bed that runs along the side of my townhouse. Since it is an end-unit, the leaves have a way of swirling around and ending up all tangled into the plants. It would have been easier if I had removed the leaves this past fall, but I was lazy (and had hoped they would just disappear on their own, but they didn't!)

See here - proof of all my hard work !






Now, it doesn't look all that fantastic right now, but you just wait - because it will! These are the plants that come up on their own year after year. After Mother's Day (that's because in this neck of the woods you wait till then - something about making sure it is after the last frost), there will be flowers, lots of flowers !!

Right now, the backyard (and front yard) needs to be tended to and the mess I made needs to be cleaned up ...



...BUT IT STARTED TO RAIN - Thank you Lord !! (He must have sensed that I was getting tired and had HAD ENOUGH for one day)

Facts and Fun on a Friday

A fact is that SJ is passionate about music.


The fun is that she loves music so much that it comes out of her ears !!









Another fact is the story behind the picture ...

While I was visiting my parents and SJ in CO recently, Mom pulled out some old records and SJ was looking through them (old records ... like 33's and 78's and some 45's too). Anyone old enough to remember those and how you actually played them ? My Mom turned on her record player thingy (looks kinda like the real thing but has a turntable and a radio and a cassette player - maybe even a DVD player) that she purchased not too long ago. I'm sure you have seen them advertised ... One of the recognizable songs she played was Chantilly Lace (Oh, baby that's a what I like. Chantilly Lace with a pretty face and a ponytail hanging down ... who knows all the words, I'm not THAT old!)

Anyways, I'm getting off track ... Mom says to us, "Didn't one of you kids put 45's on your ears ...?" and ... SJ grinned from ear to ear and sheepishly admitted "It was me". The only reasonable thing for her to do next was demonstrate, hence the picture !!


Another fun - SJ, are you still proud to be my baby sister?

Going Backwards on Weight Loss Wednesday

This isn't the way it's supposed to be !

I am heading in the wrong direction !

I guess this is what happens when you get a little lazy - hoping for better results next week ....

Weight Last Week 197.6 lbs.
Weight Today 198.2 lbs.
Goal Weight 180 lbs.

17.8 lbs. to Go ! By late June .... umm, maybe, but I'll give it my best shot !

Finally !! - Part 2

Many thanks to Rachel for sending me 5 interview questions. Here are questions 2 - 5 as promised.

2. What is one thing you want to do before you die? (That's kind of a morbid question, sorry)

Before I die, I want to go to Europe - specifically Ireland and England.

My father's ancestors came from Ireland. I have been to the homestead where my grandfather and his sister were born. I want to see where his ancestors came from. We have been told that my grandfather's grandfather came to the US during the Great Potato Famine and settled in Vermont.

My mother's ancestors came from England. Her uncle has spent a good portion of his lifetime (he is in his 90's and still alive) researching geneology of his family. He has traced the line back to the Mayflower when it landed on the shores of Truro, Massachusetts. And even before that in England .... Imagine this, I have ancestors named Patience and Prudence !! I want to see where her ancestors came from.

3. Do you worry more or less about your kids when they are adults?

I think I worry more about them now that they are adults. I am not there every day to fix things for them like I was when they were young. I don't mean "fix" things literally, but I had a hand in what they did. I was there for support if they needed it and I didn't have to pick up the phone or get in my car to give it. They both have families of their own now and don't live in my house with me (well ... we won't go there ... he hasn't been here for a while). Sometimes, I just want to tell them what to do and how to do it, but I can't - they have to make their own decisions now and suffer the consequences if they make the wrong ones. They both have encountered many "bumps" in the road, but I think they pretty much are doing OK. I still worry about them though, what Mom doesn't (at any age!) AND they had better not forget their Mom on Mother's Day !!!

4. Are you hoping for more grandkids?

One can never have enough grandchildren to spoil ! But, I honestly think that the ones that I have are enough for their parents. Kids aren't cheap to raise !!

Josh has 2 sons (ages 13 and 2 1/2) and that precious little girl that was born in March.




She sure has changed, hasn't she? This pic was taken just this past weekend - Gramma had to stop by for her baby fix !!



Matt has a son (16 - he was adopted 2 1/2 years ago after being one of their foster children) and a daughter (4 1/2 but thinks she's at least 16 also!)



The best thing about grandchildren?? You love them, you spoil them, you send them back home !! (I've paid my dues and at my age, I need my beauty sleep ...)

5. What type of work do you do?

I am an Administrative Support Specialist (and also provide backup support to the Budget Analyst - doing procurement and property management).

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FINALLY ... I'm done !

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1. If you want to do this meme, although I think most already have, leave me a comment saying, "Interview me." (If I don't have your email address already, either leave it in the comment or email me at bams226@msn.com)

2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions.

3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.

4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.

5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.