I DID IT! I traded in the Hyundai and got me a Monte Carlo! Well, Robbie and I both did. On the way to the airport yesterday the wheel fell off the Hyunda. Yes, off. While I was driving. Scary indeed. Anyway, to make a long story short, I got Lizzie to the airport, came back to the car, towed it to Dobbs, they fixed it and I traded it in. Here's the new baby! Ain't it a beauty!!!!!

MY DREAM CAR

So it's been a while, but not as long as usual. I am updating, although I don't think I have much to say today. Sam's in North Carolina, Lizzie will join him on Wednesday. Robbie, Lizzie and I are going on a float trip this weekend with Randy, should be a blast. Work is still work (Ed? Ed? Hurry soon before I implode!) My car is a piece of crap, I got new furniture, I've lost 10 pounds and that's about it. Not a long update today, but it's at least an update. Happy Birthday, Jess. I still miss you.

Lizzie
Me
William
Sam in the lake at the lot
Matthew in the lake
The "Lot"
Robbie, Sam and Liz in front of the New Busch
Matt, Sam and Liz in the lake The lot - and our tent.
Me & Drew on the beach

SO – there was no barrage of e-mails requesting updates and it’s been a few months since I put anything into words, so I guess it’s time. I will blog no whines before it’s time. That was pretty cute – I made that up myself. I made a joke up last week and my dad cracked up. Can’t remember exactly – something about mad cows disease and a cow running around the pasture saying ‘I’m a penguin’. I was actually quite funny – guess you had to be there.

What has happened since March – well, the boys have come and gone again. They only got to stay for two weeks this summer. Drew is working full time and trying to graduate early so he can go to his culinary specialty school. So he could only afford two weeks and Matthew can’t really stay here without him, since we work and he’s not enrolled in our daycare. I’m sure he could probably stay by himself but what fun is it to come here and hang by yourself. At least back home he’s got his homies.

We’ve been to the lot a few times already this season. Mom and Dad have signed over the lower one to us and we’re actually looking into buying the lot next to it. It’s very exciting. We’re going again tomorrow. I just love it there. I’ll try to post pictures – basically it’s just a hole in the woods but it’s ours and we have fun. Kids have a blast and they can roam. Not too far, but they can expand their little worlds more than at home.

Sam is going to the St. Louis Cardinals baseball clinic on the 27th. Some of the Cardinals Alumni put on a baseball clinic for kid’s ages 10-13 and he’s so very excited. Hopefully he’ll learn some good techniques, etc.

Remember my blog about a year ago when I was contemplating the Wednesday night children’s ministry at River Oaks Church and how Robbie and I could actually get this going? Well – through the direction of our youth minister’s wife, Robbie and I are “TeamKid” Coaches! It starts September 9th and it is for kids in grades 4 – 6 for them to prepare for the youth group. Kind of cool! We are official members of River Oaks and we’re becoming quite involved and I’m lovin’ it. This is the non-denominational Christian church that Randy goes to. The Catholic classes lasted exactly one week. I thought it was where I wanted to go, but I was wrong, I guess. We all live and learn.

I am also now on Myspace.com. Nathan said I needed to get on there so I did. It’s a pretty cool connection place where you keep up with friends and family and can find old buddies – if they’re on there too. Check it out.

OK – hold your socks on. I have quit drinking. I haven’t had a drink since March 25th. I just decided it wasn’t for me anymore. I may have one every now and again sometime later on down the road, but for now – I can honestly say I don’t drink. I know, quite amazing considering the amount of beer I can put away and still walk straight, but that’s quite a dubious honor indeed, anyway.

Sam goes to North Carolina on August 5th and the Lizzie will join him on August 16th. They’ll both be home August 20th. So – she won’t be there without Sam, that seems to work out best and he loves it there so it’s cool. Although I found out Michael lives there now, less than ½ mile from them. Sam is not digging the idea of seeing him at all and I don’t blame him. Suddenly after 2 years he gets an e-mail – Hi – it’s me ‘dad’ and I love and miss you??? Come on, let’s confuse the poor guy even more!! I will not get started on this one, I don’t have enough room and besides, this isn’t Jerry Springer. Let’s just say, neither I nor Robbie are happy and quite honestly, Sam isn’t either.

Robbie and I looked at display homes last weekend. I’m hoping we’ll get to move sometime next summer. Closer in - probably in the Wentzville area. Gas prices being what they are and are expected to go up to, every little bit helps.

Work is work. Without going into major detail and just in case anyone I work with happens upon this blog, I won’t say much, but sometimes you just feel the need to move on, ya know? I felt a major betrayal a few weeks ago by someone I considered a good friend and have not quite recovered. Of course, that isn’t the only factor but it was a major player in my feeling the need for a ‘til then sendoff (again). And of course, I’ve been feeling that need for a LONG time now so it was kind of a clincher. Just really sucks when you put trust in someone and it backfires right in your face. I would NEVER betray the confidence of a friend so it was shocking to me – even though I’d been warned about parleying any confidences to this person, it was still hurtful. And I’m just sick of the crap here. There is ALWAYS office drama - This person’s mad at this one, don’t say anything to this one, mother hen likes it her way or no way, and then this one is just a B*****. I’m just tired of it. And I’m trying to be more forgiving and have more of a Christian attitude, especially toward these people I work with (and of course those who cut me off in traffic and then flip me the bird!), but man, it can be hard. I really only have two people here I even get along with. I thought there was a third but apparently private/confidential information can just not be kept. Although outwardly it appear as if there is a modicum of comradeship among all of us, underneath lies a tension that knows if we didn’t work together or have to get along for the sake of the office, we’d never be friends in any world but this little bubble. And of course, as usual, I dream every day that my ol’ buddy Ed will come along and relieve me of being required to keep a 9 to 5. (McMahon, just in case you didn’t know who Ed was).

Ok – that sounded like I’m depressed and I’m really not, honest. I’m quite happy at the moment but do have the realization that I could be happier elsewhere. And I’m trying not to put all my need for happiness into things or jobs or houses. I’m right where God wants me to be at this particular moment, and I’m content with that.

So – on that note, I think I’ll sign out. Duty calls and life awaits…

Okay mom, I am updating.

She replied to this e-mail I sent - 4 things - where you had to answer certain questions about yourself – “4 Things You May Not Know About Me”. One question was “4 Websites You Visit Daily”. Of course, the queen travel agent for guilt trips puts my blog on her list with the tag line “She never updates it.” I know, I know. I’m terrible. I even promised Uncle Walter I’d update more often, because he visits, too. Just start sending me e-mails requesting an update. Maybe I’ll get sick enough of getting a bunch of e-mails telling me to update more often that I’ll actually do it.

My momma was in the hospital last week with some heart issues. Hopefully, they’ll fix it with medication. Part of one of her stents was blocked but they think they can control it without inserting another stent. Which is good, but she also needs to see a neurologist. Her many head traumas may be causing problems in there.

We had a trivia night Saturday. We had a blast and I think we came in 5th out of 30 tables. Not too bad, but I might have done better myself in helping out me fellow teammates if I hadn’t been partaking in the free beer quite so liberally. Plus it was draft, which makes it worse. We didn’t do too badly, though.

Sam’s baseball team had the first practice Saturday. Robbie, again, seems excited about his group of kids. Our veterinarian’s son is on our team and I’m happy about that. I just love our vet and he is as encouraging with all the kids as he with Norman (my dog, not my dad) when we take him.

Tomorrow is my mom’s birthday and also my baby nephew is turning 21 tomorrow. I cannot believe it. I’m feeling so very old these days. Sam saw a telephone with an actual rotary dial on it and said, “What the heck is that thing?” Lizzie wanted to know what an 8-track was. Then asked me if they had cars back in the old time days – you know, mom – back in the eighties. Then wanted to know if we had shoes back then. OH LORD HELP ME.

Work is work. Still the same, I am counting the days until Ed McMahon shows up at my door with a $10 million dollar check. Of course, that probably will never ever happen so I’m now selling candles to bring in some extra cash. The good kind - PartyLite. Anybody who wants to have a party or knows anyone who wants to have a party or whomever just wants to order some candles, let me now. I’m your candle girl. You know the song “Foxy Lady” by Jimi Hendrix? Well – I am “Waxy Lady”. Ha – that’s a good one. Funny too.

I’m coordinating a big b-b-q for our church. They have put me in charge of something. I don’t know which is more scary – being in charge of it or them thinking I can do it? I’m sure it will come of without a hitch – let us hope.

Not much else is going on here. This is my uninteresting life. I think maybe that is why I don’t update often. Just the goings on of a regular ordinary life, quite boring usually. Except for the rare dramas that pop up occasionally, which seem to be fewer and farther between these days. AMEN!

Ok – so let the e-mail bombardment begin. I will try to update more often, please e-mail me to remind me to do so.

These are pictures of Chris and Rick's baby, William Virgil Stone born Monday, November 14, 2005. Isn't he cute??

Uncle Walter and Uncle Richard were here this weekend past (as you'll see from the pictures below) and I found out not only does my most wonderful Uncle Walter actually read my blog, he visits several times a week to see if I've updated! Someone actually waits for updates! So - I am now being held accountable for updating and feeling the need to update more often. No, I didn't say it would happen, I said I am feeling the need. I shall try, in earnest, to update regularly.

What a wonderful visit we had with our east coast family. I am so very glad they got to come. I am going to try to get together our entire clan for a road trip this summer. And I mean ALL of us, Stef, Dan, Nathan, Jacob, Dave, Sabrina, Josh, Lauren, Alex, Brett, Randy, Lynn, Erica, Amanda, Connor, Robbie, Me, Andrew, Matthew, Sam, Lizzie, Mom & Dad. Wouldn't that be something! Anyway, I've posted only some of the 105 pictures I took of their visit. I'll try to add more as time allows. Friday, Robbie, the kids and I all went to Mom and Dad's, had dinner and pulled out the mandolin, guitar and banjo and just sang and talked. Then Saturday we went to Stef's for a bonfire get together, but it rained so we threw some wood in the barbecue pit, sat in the garage and again, sang and talked. I got to see Walter and Richard briefly Sunday then they headed back early this morning. Was a whirlwind of a visit, but it was a good one! Since I know he's reading - I'll just state my case right now. Uncle Walter - it will NOT be 15 years until our next visit. I promise! And I was glad to see Uncle Richard, also. Maybe I'll get to know him even more, like I've gotten to know Uncle Walter. Isn't e-mail great?

So, in all this excitement, my best friend had her baby today! William Virgil Stone, 11/14/2005, 6 pounds 6 ounces, 19 inches long! They've been trying for 12 years to have a child and out of everyone I know, they deserve it most. They've had 4 wonderful kids, but they were mine. Now she finally has one of her own. I am so very excited for her. She called tonight and was pretty drugged up, but was excited, I could tell. They had to take him c-section because he'd had a bowel movement in utero, so it was critical they get him out of there. They did and he's fine. She's fine, except she just realized she can't give him back and lock the door when he gets to crying! She'll make a wonderful mother.

I found out a few weeks ago that I'm getting a 5% raise after the first of the year and then I found out Saturday that Robbie got a raise last week! So - that's a good thing. I always like to make more money, but then again, I also just want Ed McMahon to visit my doorstep so I can retire and not care what my hourly wage is. Seem selfish? Nah, just pipe dreams.

Sam and Lizzie are doing great in school. Sam's grades are awesome! He has all A's except 2 B's, is on the honor roll for the first time (first time eligible), and is on the homework club because he turned in all homework assignments on time. Lizzie is doing great, they don't have honor roll yet, but her teacher did say she's doing wonderful! Seems like all is going ok in that area.

I don't know what else to write about. WHOA - me! At a loss for words! Shocking. And it's already almost 11. My uncles should be home tomorrow so this will be updated for Uncle Walter's return! HI! I love you! Wish you could've stayed longer. Tell Uncle Richard to get me his e-mail so we can converse!

I think I'm going to bed.

Pictures from this weekend past with Uncle Walter and Unlce Richard! Uncanny - the similarities between Uncle Walter and my dad.

FYI - the date on these pictures are wrong, they were taken 7/10/2005.

I’m a slacker. I was asked to “guest blog” Aunt Sue’s blog and include pictures of our Hurricane Disaster Relief and I had to logon to the blog thing, and of course, be reminded that I hadn’t updated my own since APRIL. And so very much has happened since April, well after all it was only 5 months ago.

Let’s see, the boys have come and gone since then, they stayed May 28th through July 31st. We had a great time with them. Only major medical issues over the summer were my hysterectomy in June and then Sam was hospitalized overnight in late July because he had some sort of flu bug and he subsequently got dehydrated. And – Dad has been sick and in the hospital just not that long ago. Went in for pneumonia, ended up with congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, diabetes and two stints in his heart. Robbie thinks it was kind of like when you take your car to the shop for a tune-up and the mechanic looks under your hood and says “Oh shit!” Well, of course, Robbie didn’t say the expletive; I had to add that part. But, Dad is doing better. He is still very weak, but getting stronger every day.

I had my first family get together, where the entire family came over. We had a grand time – will post pictures. Not sure if anyone ever looks on here for updates anymore anyway, but hey, I’ll surprise those that do.

Gas prices suck! Robbie has to fill up about 2-3 times per week and with that big Dodge Hemi, it’s costing a fortune! I say he needs to talk to his boss about a gas card. I know they do that because the guy he used to ride with has one.

I started my Catholic classes this Monday past. I still have a lot of unanswered questions but of course, it was only the first class. Thing is, I’m somewhat feeling….”called”, if you will, to Randy’s church (non-denominational), which I’ve visited the past few weeks and helped out with their Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. As it turns out, Sam and Lizzie are not going to attend the PSR Catholic classes on Wednesday night. I figured out they are more wanting ‘instruction and fun’ than to actually “be” Catholic. However, Randy’s church does not have a Wednesday night children’s ministry yet. They are still a relatively new church so they don’t have that yet. Randy, being wonderfully insightful, started a thought in my head. What if it me that is supposed to start this ministry? What if, Robbie and I are supposed to do this and that is why I am having all these reservations and misgivings about the Catholic Church? And, what shocked me even more, was when I broached the subject to Robbie, he said he would love to start a children’s ministry there. Wow – lot’s to think about!
Anyway, I have updated this thing, for my dear readers who probably have given up and moved on. I'll add some pictures of my family get together.

Well. I know that drama in our life keeps us from being bored, however...can I be bored now? For about the next ten years please? We've had so much going on lately that I think my life can run parallel to either a bad Soap Opera or a funny, in a sick sort of sense, sitcom. Or then again, maybe just a Jerry Springer episode - pick your fancy. Nothing has happened yet today, but then again, I'm still awake and the night is young.

Sam had an asthma attack Monday night while roller blading with his friends. Luckily, the friends were astute enough to race home and get us. Robbie took of at a fast paced trot with the inhaler and arrived just before the EMS people. Sam couldn't remember what "etic" he was, diabetic or asthmatic. Luckily, Robbie was there. We've thanked his friends profusely and keep doing so. I couldn't get there fast enough because I hobble around on a gimp foot. The story behind that one to follow. By the time I got there all was well and he was doing much better. I tore my ace wrap to shreds running/hobbling across the rocks. And then he looked at me with those big blue eyes and big crocodile tears in them and simply asked, "Mom, will I ever grow out of this?" My heart nearly broke in two for him.

Then last night, he was bitten by a dog. Not too bad of a bite, but did break the skin on the back of his leg and is now quite a large bruise. After I had 'words' (let's just leave it at that) with the owner of the dog, I found out the dog has never had any shots, and has never been to the Vet. Lovely! So, now the City is involved, the dog is quarantined and I have to keep an eye on Sam. Not that I think the dog has rabies or anything, but HELLO - you live in the City Limits, there is an ordinance that says every July 1st you have to get a new license for your dog and in order to have said license your dogs shots must be up to date. And what kind of a nutcase has a dog and never takes it to the Vet?! It's unsafe for the dog and any neighborhood kids, especially since the dog seems to have a propensity toward using it's big snarly canine teeth to get it's point across!

I have injured my foot. Working on the garden, Robbie and I were putting up the corner fence posts and one of the 4x4's fell on my foot. Went to the ER, they said not broken, but it was crushed and I had a helluva hematoma. Those are fancy medical terms, too. But as Lizzie so accurately put it, "Mommy, your foot looks like one of those big cartoon foots!" Twelve days later it is still tender, I still cannot wear a shoe, it's still the color of grape jelly and somewhat swollen. I went ahead and went to my doctor just to be sure and I won't get in to all the soap opera, second opinion crap but, to make a long story short...even if it is broken, they apparently do not cast feet anymore. They just stuff it in an ace bandage and say take it off when it quits hurting. Okeydokey. I will do that.

Lizzie got hit in the eye while walking behind a moving swing. Has a beaut of a shiner. She's ok, but she looks like a poster child for abuse victims. Hell, if you think about it, we all do. Except Robbie, and as my mom said, it's going to start looking suspicious, ha ha. I told him we can't all be so perfect so I make up for it by tripping over my own two feet and falling out of my chair at work on a regular basis. Just call me Grace.

My brother-in-law had some sort of seizure/stroke over the weekend. They are not sure what is going on with him, but maybe he just overdid things Saturday while working in the yard. It's weird, but I always knew I loved him like a brother but I don't think I knew quite how much I loved him until Sunday. And then he tore his cartilage in his knee so now he has crutches and they can't do the stress test on Friday because he can't walk. My sister has something going on with her neuro system and has alot of numbness in her hands. I'm beginning to feel like my drama problems are wearing off on other members of my family. Maybe I should stay away. Maybe I should wear a sign around my neck that says, Stay Away. I have like drama voodoo or something. I don't really believe that but you know, after so much crap, you just really start to wonder....

Wow - it's been awhile. Again. I have an anonymous commenter who apparently thinks it is time to update. Guess I would have to agree.

Robbie is coaching Sam's baseball team this year and I, as a dutiful coaches wife and player's mother, have decided I would upkeep the team website. Let us hope and pray I update it more often than I do my own blog. Our first team practice was yesterday and it went very well. Robbie was the most excited about how excited the kids were and how much fun they seem to have. And he only heard one comment about being the old guy that can keep up with the kids. Kids say the darndest things.... Anyway, our website is http://ppp-allstars.tripod.com/ Feel free to visit and tell all your buddies so our hit counter gets way up there.

I was sick this past week. I was almost 100% sure I had pneumonia but alas, the chest x-ray had final say and I apparently did not. My trachea was inflamed, whatever the hell that means and I had an upper respriratory infection. I couldn't talk above a whisper and if I did, then I croaked. First round of antibiotics did nothing to appease anything so the doc tried a different one. I am much better today, thankfully, the last day of the weekend. I did venture out some yesterday but could tell by day's end that I'd had enough.

The boy's will be here end of May through beginning of August. I am very much looking forward to it, as I know Robbie is. We have room for them now even!

Easter was good, I made a dirt cake and a bunny cake. Had a lot of fun with them, too!

Wow, so like, no wonder I never update. Nothing is really going on. I got glasses. Went to happy hour with Gena and Diane. Watched the fights at Stef's two weekends ago. I have a garden going, Robbie has been diligently tilling and shoveling for me. Other than that, not much else. Knock on wood, the kids seem to be staying well. Sam did have an ear infection two weeks ago but thank goodness that was all it turned out to be. We'll see how this Spring goes with allergies...pray for him.

Terry Schiavo has been a hot topic as of late. I know we all have personal opinions about it and yes, I know you've heard them all. But, here is another. I, personally, do not think politics and the government should have been involved AT ALL. And why is it that the husband waited 10 years before he suddenly announced that Terry had wishes about not wanting to live like that? She was NOT on life support, she did NOT have a breathing machine and the only thing medically needed to sustain her was the feeding tube. So - they starved her to death. Boy, tell you what, try that on a golden retriever and you'll have the animal rights people on your ass and in jail so fast it will make your head spin. I completely 100% disagree with what they did to her. She had people who were more than willing to take full responsibility for her care and they should've been given the rights to do so. Jessie, my niece, had a feeding tube that went up her nose and into her stomach. She had what the doctor's said was the brain level of a 2 month old, she never walked, talked, sat up or much of anything else, but I do know, she had more knowledge of what was going on around her than most people gave her credit for. And if someone had said you HAVE TO PULL THE FEEDING TUBE, I am sure I would be spending my life in prison. Ok - sorry, enough of my soapbox. I can say a whole lot more but I don't think my blog capacity would hold it all.

Ok, I am done now. Until next time...

I about fell outta my chair! Somebody commented! I LOVE comments! Keep commenting, dear readers, all two of you.

And I guess it was time again for an update. My chili was good, but it didn’t last longer than about 10 minutes. Something new - I have been spreading my culinary wings as of late. Trying new recipes, pouring over cookbooks…feeling like my mother. She absolutely loves to “read” cookbooks. How the heck do you read a cookbook? There’s no plot, unless you consider boiling a narrative to delve into. Anyway – she enjoys looking through cookbooks while I would much prefer a good suspense novel, but to each her own. I made this chicken stuff – man it was good. Can’t remember the name of it.

Robbie and I made our “media closet” and then turned the empty, good-for-nothing-but-collecting-dust-bunnies space behind the front door into useable space! I made a two-tier shoe/boot shelf with a hat/mitten bin on the end, and he made the coat hanger upper thingies. We stained and shellacked them. How do you spell shellac? That doesn’t look right.

Everyone is staying relatively health (knock on wood). I go to the doctor this morning for a follow up on my blood pressure. It’s still way high (got up to 190/110), sheesh. But, hopefully we’ll get it under control. It’s been about 6 months now since I started going to the doctor for it, about a year since it’s been high. Sam goes to the allergist Thursday for his 6-month follow up. Lets hope she gives us good new and says he doesn’t have to come back for a year! Although, spring and early summer are Sam’s worst times of year so lets get though this one without a hospitalization.

My friend Elizabeth whose mother passed away this past August has found out her father will no longer be getting chemo and when the time comes, he will go into hospice. I didn’t understand until her mom died that hospice means you’re almost to the end. I feel so terrible for her, first losing her mother and now probably going to lose her dad within a year. He has had cancer for quite some time but apparently has always been on the winning end of the battle. She also lost her brother to a rare form of cancer a few years back. Man, I wish I could convey to her how deeply I feel for her about all that, but that’s hard to put into words especially when she is still going through it. I just hope she knows I am here for her.

Finally got to work on my taxes, don’t want to talk about that. Thought I was getting a great big refund but made a grave error and realize now – that for the first time ever in my life, I OWE! Like I said, I don’t want to talk about that.

Had a great Valentine’s Day! Robbie showed up at my work in a tux and delivered flowers to me. Even better than florist delivery, don’t you think? He’s so wonderful. And they were daisies! My favorite. I am truly a lucky woman.
OK, well, better get my butt in gear for the day. Maybe Ed McMahon will call me, give me good news and I can retire by postcard from a hut on the beach in Curacao. Wish me luck…

Ok - so. I looked back on my blog and decided it's time again for an update. I've been told that I seem sad in my pages, but I must remind my dear readers (all 2 of them) that my cynical sense of humor is hard to interpret upon mere type written pages. I am not sad, I was trying to impress the unknown cyber world with my keen sense of wit. We've had alot going on, but alas, I am an incredibly strong person and it takes a lot more to put me under. My sense of humor is what keeps me going. If I should ever lose that, I fear I will sink. However, I also must remember first and foremost, I am an ABBOTT, which means I persevere, I am tough as nails, and I have this nose that only a select few can appreciate.

What has happened in the last weeks -- I was not ready for Christmas, but DANG-IT, it came and went anyway. Drew and Matt came and we had a most wonderful visit with them. It is so hard to only see them for a few short weeks during the summer and only one incredibly short week during the winter. We crushed much living within 7 days and they cannot wait to come back. Must say something for their stepmother. You know, she is most cool!

I will be starting RCIA classes in the fall. They are the Catholic classes which the RCIA stands for something but I am not sure exactly what. R is for rite, C is for Christian, I is for something and A is for adult? Anyway, by Easter 2006 I will become a bonafide Catholic, which is kind of crazy for me since it is something I swore to myself I would never do. Religion for me has been something very very personal. I was baptized by my Baptist preacher in 1994 and I have felt since then very strongly about the fact that I am A BAPTIST, DARNIT! Upon moving to Troy (this itty bitty town I live in than when I do not know what I am doing-it doesn't matter because everyone else does), I visited several churches in the hopes of finding one that makes me feel comfortable. As far as denomination goes, I feel it's all the same God, just different roads to get there as long as you know where you are going when you are done here. I visited the Baptist church just a block up the road and I felt like an outsider. I visited the Catholic church and I must say, I have never met many people with a sense of humor more keen than mine, especially a priest. He gave up jokes during mass last year for lent. We went on Easter - Lent.......was over. We heard a barrage of jokes that day, he was making up for lost time. I am used to the Catholic priests that do that monosyllabic thing that makes you want to snore. This Sunday past, he started Mass with a joke about the unpredicted snow we had experienced. He said "Hey, how about that snow we had! Was it unpredicted or what? Yea, I thought it was kind of flakey too....if you get my drift" And the rest of the Mass went from there. I am feeling very "pulled" toward this church. And at this point in time, I don't think it would matter if it were Baptist, Catholic or Pentacostal. Well, I don't do skirts, so maybe the latter of that trio wouldn't do, but you get my drift. And my kids asked me Sunday when they could become Catholics?!

Lizzie was sick again last week, with some sort of stomach flu that has been circulating since Christmas. I missed MORE work, but that's ok. I shall survive (remember that Abbott nose syndrome I have).

I am making homemade chili for dinner, and it smells like it's about done so I best close up for now. Mom - don't faint, I updated!

Ever wish your year would just be over so you could start fresh? I’m so hoping that 2005 goes a little smoother than 2004 did. Between Sam in the hospital, Mom in the hospital, Lizzie in the hospital TWICE, Sam breaking his arm, my two broken teeth, Robbie’s tooth issue, Lizzie’s teeth issues, the lumps in my armpit and my high blood pressure (no wonder?), I’m just ready to go relax for a while. Unless my legs are falling off with gangrene or I’ve suddenly developed amoebic dysentery, I am going to refuse to go to the doctor/dentist/hospital for quite some time. I’m on a first name basis with the nurses in the pediatric ward at St. Johns. They know us by sight.

I am not ready for Christmas, though. I have shopping to do and I don’t want to do it. Its hard trying to figure out what everyone wants. On top of that, I have to finish the calendars still. Last year, I already had them done, printed and bound by now. I’ll get them done, eventually. I am queen of procrastinators. I think I’ll make a New Year resolution to just be the joker on that royal court instead of the queen. But, that’s a long shot and I’ll probably break it by January 2nd.

Because of all the medical mayhem, I’ve had to miss a lot of work and without pay since I ran out of vacation days back when mom was in the hospital. Robbie has not taken a vacation this year at all, so he cashed in his vacation time for money to pay the airfare for the boys to come visit. But, since I missed so much work, we’ve had to use that money for living expenses and bills and we were going to have to forego this year’s trip. ALAS – Aunt Rose to the rescue once again. She’s offered to pay for $400 of the $540 trip and all we had to come up with is $140. And of course, Chris to the rescue too – she’s started a $140 fund to help defer those costs as well. Can you believe the generosity and compassion of my friends and family? If it weren’t for them, I’d be dead, homeless or completely psycho. As it is, I’m just a little crazy, but at least I’m not alone.
My parents came to visit last weekend. Well, not really to visit, we had a power outage in a portion of our house and Dad and Robbie were trying to figure out what was wrong. Turned out it was a broken wire outside, but this was only found out after 2 days without most power. They said they’d never seen my house so messy – my dad wrote his name in the dust on my table, I called him the next day to make him proud – I DUSTED. My mom told me my plants needed water, they were drooping, and I called her the next day to make her proud – I WATERED! My mom also told me I needed to dust my ceiling fans, I told her the next day I CLEANED THE FANS! She also told me I needed to update my blog once in a while, so here it is mom, to make you proude, I UPDATED! (Don’t faint)

Ok, so I'm updating again. It's been a fanatic / General Hospital / These are the Days of Our Lives kind of week / month / year. Lizzie went in the hospital - oh - some two weeks ago. For a week, Sam broke his arm, I have a lump under my armpit that turns out to be more than one lump and I'm still awaiting the results. I told you, it's freakin' General Hospital man.

I've started work on the 2005 Calendar, a tradition I've started with our family. That is their Christmad presents. And actually, it's quite fun and they love it.

On top of all this medical bullshit I seem to be acquiring, I broke the front half of my tooth off tonight eating a FRENCH FRY. So God was striking me down man. He say - Catrina - I tol' you, yo' belly too big to be eatin' french fries. Therefo' - Ima takin haf yo tooth. Krammit.

Ok, I'm going to bed. I thought it would be good to update. If I put in here everything that was goin on in my life, they would no longer call it a blog. It would be something similar to the intern's diary.