HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIMMY!!

Today is my oldest son Tim's 27th birthday. He is engaged to a wonderful Kristen. They will be married this coming November. I am so blessed to be this man (wow) 's mom!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIM!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

I dunno if it's the weather ... the length of this winter is unending ... or the conflicts that I have had to resolve, BUT I am so looking for a warm spot to rest my tired body. Some where outdoors preferably. Because Mark started at a new company we will not be going to Florida in March. Fine, because it was during spring break when winter usually leaves Illinois. But this year, I figure winter will last until June...BLAH! Mrs H and her live in had a horrible fight ... argument about the live in's blood pressure, and her asking the visiting nurse to take it for her. Mrs H was sure that the visiting nurse would charge her insurance or medicare or whatever. No amount of talking mattered. I tried to ignore them both, nod when prompted and just said, "there, there baseball season is almost here" Mrs H will behave when the White Sox start playing. Both were crying by the end of the morning. When I went back this evening they both were still mad, Mrs H sitting mumbling and live in face red and mad. I gave live in my favorite relaxing tea for bedtime, Mrs H was on to something else. By the time I left they both seem better. Then I had to brave the wind and blowing snow to go to the store and try to send a bill via Western Union. The girl at Mejier didn't want to do it so she acted like she couldn't, so I threatened to go to Dominick s and suddenly her co-worker figured the machine out. Then my dang debit card wouldn't work at the gas pump, when I clearly had money on it. I sat in my car and screamed ... felt a bit better after a dose of loud music. My solution? A hot cup of tea and a soak...the cure for all ailments big and small!

truckin'

My husband's new job is the same route as his old one, but with nearly brand new shiny equipment. The trucks are clean, up to date, and in perfect working order. They have a small bunk in the back. Because it is not forbidden I am able to ride with him on his route. He leaves at 8:00 pm and goes the 400 odd mile round trip to Indy from Montgomery Illinois. Most is highway driving on one of the most dangerous state highway's in the United states, I65. Lake Michigan is like a snow machine during the winter/spring months sending inches of snow down the highway. I road with hubby both Friday and Saturday night.

At his request, what a sweet man I have...he doesn't want me to be alone...especially on Valentines day...

Friday night I was sleepy and jumped in the sleeper bunk early in the trip, I was awaken to swearing and the CB radio alerting other truckers of the jack knifed semi and the car who was gawking in the ditch, I sprang up, shocked hubby by yelling, slow down!! Freezing rain and snow were pelting the roadway...

Silly wife, trucker hubby knows how to drive.

Last night was quieter and I snored most of the night in the bunk...

Isn't marriage grand??

Love is in the air...high school kids making out in front of our buses, no pecks on the cheeks these kids. Adolescents gazing into each other eyes...Junior high kids teasing each other in the name of love...

Tomorrow is a half day so the elementary kids had their parties today...card boxes were made and filled with Barbie, Nascar, Sponge Bob, and Hannah Montana valentines. Even some cool 3-d cards...candy, games & Red shirts and tights...

Bus driver even got her favorite, pretzels with melted candy kisses inside...yum...

I told every little one ... "I heart you"

And I do!

please go visit Give a HAND UP!!

SORRY!! I never have figured out how to do links so here's the link!!

http://give-a-hand-up.blogspot.com/

2 years ago...

2 years ago tomorrow my little neighbor Katie went to Heaven ... she was with that group of teens who packed 8 of them in a car driven by a drunk adult at 2:00 am. They hit a pole and killed 4 instantly and one died later. Nothing has changed. The police did not process this lady properly and she is out on bail.
No word on her trial, or her punishment.
2 years and 5 dead children, not much has changed.


So sad and such a waste of life...Kids still live destructive lives, they run the streets at younger and younger ages. I've seen 5th grade girls hanging out at the park with 18 year old men. My friend J's daughter who is 13 and in 8th grade walked out of school Friday and went to her boyfriend's house in the next town, he's 18. A few months ago she thought she was pregnant. What is she to do short of sticking birth control pills in her PB & J???

My junior high kids comment about how so and so has lost her virginity. So sad...

I am lucky I think I did things right, mine have problems but they are adults and are so far doing OK. I always made sure they had strong male figures to go to. They always knew they were loved and could come to me or a responsible adult for anything...they all have most of the same friends that had growing up.

I hope for the sakes of all our futures thing change, our children are not children anymore....

The crosses are gone, but what's left are the memories...

I want my mommy...

Anyone who has lost their mother I don't care how old you are still craves her...her touch, her voice, her wisdom...her "I'll fix it", even if she couldn't fix it, you always knew, deep down that everything was going to be all right. My mother died from cancer nearly 10 years ago.

When things get scary...or uncertain, I think of that woman. A woman who through her quiet presence let you know her strength. Years of smoking and too much wine, even though she quit for 5 years, caught up with her. Cancer robbed her life at the young age of 60, many may say it's her own doing, but me as her daughter, and her grandchildren will argue the fact, and say no fair! Even my stepsons mourn her...she treated them with the same love & care as my children.

I wonder as I take over her job as grandma, the matriarch of the brood, am I doing it right? Do I do too much, do I talk when I should listen? I am a lot like my father, I am bold, outspoken, always searching...moving forward...but there are days when I silent the voices the "you're doing it wrong, look at the mess you made" and know that I am doing it just right...

I know she's in heaven and I know she is smiling...keep going kid you're doing fine...I love you...

I miss you too mom...

looking up...

My husband got a call from the new contractors for the route he had to Indy. They offered it back to him, same rate, better insurance, and a new truck. Things always seem to work out, but this time it was quick. We are blessed.

We kept the grand kids a couple of times this weekend. Dayton got mad at me and told me he was calling daddy to spank me. He is a real clown, but with a face like that and a charming, "Come 'ere Grandma Roses, play with me" I always give, after all I am the grandma...that's my job!

A short week, 1/2 day at school for the Friday the 13th and we have off next Monday... weather is turning 50's and the snow is melting!

Happy days are here again!!

I've been there, that's why I do what I do...

Have you ever met someone who is just genuinely good? A friend of mine who is to me not only a good person, but an awesome prayer warrior. Realizing a friend of ours was in desperate need, need of love, attention, prayer, she prayed then she acted...you see this girl was in fear, her husband had lost his job and this girl saw no hope. Her husband did get another job, but now my friend is to go to a formal gathering for his new company. This girl is like most of us housewives, roots showing, hair in need of a cut, barely have a dress close to being in style let alone a formal, and nails? they are broken and chipped. Awesome prayer warrior steps in she rally's her friends, collects some money, then she hears of the need, so acts...she colors & cuts this girl's hair, she makes her a dress, and she asks another girl if she will do this girls nails, for free...which she agrees. All this at no cost to the girl in need... My friend is renewed...she has hope...which gives me hope and I hope you do too...

everything's ah-right...

We have come to the bottom of the paycheck problem. It's all political so to speak and will be solved soon. Mean while Mark is helping the company move equipment, some would call this stupid or foolish or why would you work for free...we look at as being first in line to get a check! :)

Seriously though they have offered to give us cash to tide us through. So for today all is well.

Today must of been a full moon or spring fever, because at least 5 drivers pulled their buses over to the side of the road to have a "word" with their students. Two drivers who already don't like each other started yelling at each other over the radio.

I didn't wait until trouble happened I talked to my grade school kids before I even left the school.

The end of cold is almost over...30's tomorrow...50's by Sunday...

Just waiting on spring!

Mrs H turns 96 tomorrow!

everybody hurts...

Nearly everybody I know is feeling the economic crush. Caterpillar is a big main stay here in Illinois. They are laying off hundreds. One of my good friend's husband is one of them. Others are hurting just as bad. My husband received a call yesterday that his winter job is gone. Poof the company is no longer has it's contracts. We saw it coming, but it's always a kick in the crouch just the same.

We've been here before, layoffs, companies folding and bouncing pay checks...fortunately my husband is an excellent truck driver. He'll get another job until the construction business picks up. It's unsettling just the same. Mostly because now it's very very real again to me. It's easy to say "there, there, it'll be fine" to a friend, BUT when it's you...well it just sucks.

We are faithfully believing that God will see us through, but I also believe that God expects us get up off our butts and find work....well not us, hubby. I have three jobs.

I'm mainly posting this because I feel better getting out of my brain. We will be OK. We do not have a huge expensive home, the cars are paid for, no little ones to feed, the daughter has a job, and a car.

I try to look at the bigger picture...our country is in some dark times right now. I hope the light comes back really soon!

I have become very good at calling the people I owe and figure out how to pay them. I've been there.

Thankfully my weekend was good. The kids entertained me and did not want to go home. Mrs H is eating and I think she was just feeling bored and misunderstood. After all she's old.

Now it's time to chill and be thankful for what I have...

This too shall pass...