3/4 of a century

My daddy is 75 today! Nobody ever thought he'd see this day after everything he went through a few years ago. He had a quad bybass surgery, congestive heart failure, had his gall bladder removed and before all that he had a shunt put in his head to relieve the fluid that was causing his balance issues. Then, of course, we had a lung cancer scare among other things. We also found out that at some point he had a heart attack. It was a scary few years. I saw the strongest man I knew grow weaker and weaker by the day until he couldn't even hold a cup up to his lips. It was heartbreaking and frustrating, to say the least. He spent a few months in a nursing home because there was nothing that the hospitals could do anymore and he was too weak to stay home. Trust me, we tried to have him at home. There were days I prayed harder than I had ever prayed for God to just take him. But either God didn't want him or he's really that stubborn because today he is healthy! He's not the man he was 10 years ago - he still has a hard time getting around, but from what he's gone through it's nothing short of a miracle.

So now every birthday is one more milestone and reminds me of how lucky I am to still have him to visit everyday. He might not be as strong as he once was, but he can still be stubborn, play jokes and piss you off to know end.

So Happy Birthday Dad.

He shares his birthday with his mother, too, who would have been 105 today. It's a double-special day because Grandma Rose is the only grandparent that I ever met and I'm named after her. She died in 1983.

Blah Yuck Icky

Is it spring yet? I'm tired of this cold and snow.



No. I'm not moving to Arizona. Nice try, though.


I wanna start taking pictures of flowers again!

Sunday Stealing: Our Third Meme About Blogging

Cheers to all us thieves!

Sunday Stealing: Our Third Meme About Blogging

1. How did you come up with your blog title OR what does it mean?

Because of Demon #1 & #2, I live in a padded room world and most days I need a straitjacket... it's the world called parenting.

2. What are your general goals for blogging?

We are supposed to have goals in all of this?

3. Do people “in your real life” know that you blog and do they comment on your blog OR is it largely anonymous?

I have a few IRL people that read. And most of the people that have commented, I've become "online friends" with through blogging. But, then of course, there are those few people who think they read anonymously, but I know they are watching.

How often do you post (x per week)?

Depends on my mood, if I have something to blog about and/or if the memes are interesting. 3-5 times I suppose.

4. How often do you read other blogs (x per week)?

I try to read them everyday... or as often as they post.

5. How do you select blogs to read (do you prefer blogs that focus on certain topics or do you choose by tone or…?)

if they keep my attention. Simple as that. I tend to be turned off real quick of the ones who are constantly running contests. I don't get that.

6. Do you have any plans to copy your blog entries in any other format, 0r do you think that one day, you’ll just delete it all?

I'll just one day decide thats enough, and poof, I'll disappear and take the posts with me.

7. What are the things you like best about blogging?

the people I meet through it.

8. What are the things you don’t like about blogging?

People who visit religiously but don't leave comments. How hard is it to leave a comment? I love memes, but I have issues with those who just do the meme, leave their link on the meme site and then don't go visit other blogs.

9. How do you handle comments?

Handle them? I read them... sometimes respond if it's worth responding to.

10. Do you have any burning thoughts to share on blog etiquette?

I guess it goes back to the meme commenting. Take the time to comment.
And take the fricken music off your blog. First of all... it slows the page down. Second of all - how do you know I'll even like the song? Thats as bad as people who use those answering tones... you never hear the song anyway, only your callers do and newsflash for you - not everyone likes your kind of music.

11. Any desired blog features?

To blog for me when I have nothing interesting to blog about.

12. Have you suffered blog addiction?

when I first read this I thought it said "accident". Silly me. No, I have no addiction. Yet.

April Fools, Non-Reality, Cracking Your Knuckles, And Other Off The Wall Questions

This week we will answer some crazy questions brought to you by Kimber, the color yellow and the number 8554.

1. Did you play any April Fools jokes on anyone or have a joke played on you?
Besides Mother's Nature's cruel joke of 10+ inches of snow? Nope and not really.
2. If you could be on any non-reality TV show as a guest star or star, which one would it be and why?
Days of our Lives.... or House!
3. Do you crack your knuckles?
multiple times a day and I just found out the other day that it's actually bubbles or something like that. You just never stop learning.
4. If you remember your first day of kindergarten, were you scared or excited? If you have kids or grandkids, were they scared or excited?
I don't remember mine and the demons were excited as all hell!
5. If you are in the shower, hear the fire alarm going off and smell smoke/see flames, will you just run out of the house with a towel on or grab some clothes & dress as you run out?
I wouldn't even grab a towel...
6. Last week the Thursday Thunkers asked about your Daddy (twice), so this week tell us a little about your Mom.
my mom died when I was 7, don't remember a whole lot about her. I have a really cool rockin' stepmom though! She's been around since my mom died and even though we basically hated each others guts while I was growing up, we are really good friends now.
7. Which search engine do you use most often?
Google. Is there another one?
8. Did you participate in Earth Hour?
Just lights & computers. TV's stayed on. So we kinda cheated.
9. What was the last new-to-you movie you watched? Was it in the theater or on DVD? Was it good?
I watched most of the new Dawn of the Dead the other night. It was really stupid, just as I expected it to be but there was nothing else on at the time.
10. If you do something embarrassing, do you laugh it off, or sit & worry about it?
I'd laugh it off... thats the best part of embarrassing moments!
11. Where is your favorite spot in your home to sit & relax?
sitting in my recliner with my eyes closed and music blaring... very though provoking.

In other news... just because I have to say it, I was bit by my loveable, sweet Serena Rosabella today. She doesn't like hates to be brushed but once and awhile I have to do it anyway. She usually bites me when I brush her, but never like this. She bit HARD. I could have killed her. I have 2 punctures in my finger, one on each side, and I think the one puncture possibly hit the bone or went under my fingernail or something because that side hurts bad. Plus my finger is all hard and swollen and I have little feeling in it. And it's red. Can't wait to see what it's going to look like in the morning... I'm almost afraid.

Don't let her beauty fool you... she's really a bitch.

What we woke up to this morning....

Tuesday there was no snow on the ground.

Where did you go?

For those of you who are members at InsanityCafe forums you might have noticed we disspeared. Yeah, I broke something. So the new link... new forums, new software.... is http://www.insanitycafe.com/forum/index.php

We are staying here. We lost everything.

You will have to re register.

Thursday Thunk - by the Thunkers themselves!

This week we will answer some crazy questions brought to you by THE THURSDAY THUNKERS, the color brown and the number 1.

Remember last weeks last question? Well... every question submitted is this week's Thursday Thunk!!

1. What is your favorite type of soda (if you drink soda)?
My newest find is Cherry Dr Pepper... I guess I can forgive them for the stopping of the Cherry Vanilla Dr Pepper production.
2. Do you believe in astrology? If so, what does your sign say about you?

Sagittarius in a Nutshell:

Sagittarius seem to be guided by luck, good things happen to Sagittarius and this is usually because of their optimistic outlook and positive disposition which attracts good fortune. Despite hardships, Sagittarius is always optimistic that good things will happen tomorrow and the future carries good luck. Sagittarius have a vibrant, expansive personality that is free like a bird, Sagittarius cannot be contained. They are full of curiosity and they always look forward to the future, never dwelling on the past. Sagittarius are detached from emotions because emotions hold a person back, they do not like to talk about their feelings, they simply experience them and move on. Sagittarius can be reckless and irresponsible because they will jump at a suggestion of something new before they weigh the advantages and disadvantages.

Is it me? Yeah, kinda.
3. Who is John Galt?
I have absolutely no idea
4. What is the last thing you do before you go to sleep at night?
Turn the tv off, check my alarm, take my glasses off, roll over and put my arm around the husband and drift off into dreamland.
5. Who's your Daddy?
the best, most powerful, most loving man in the entire world.
6. Jelly beans or Jelly Bellies?
Jelly beans. Starburst to be exact.
7. What do you think about yellow car? Why car manufacturer actually made yellow cars?
I think yellow cars are sort of obnoxious
8. Holding on or Letting go?
Letting go... you have to or it will drag you down with it
9. What kind of underwear, if any, do you wear?
bikinis
10. Who is your daddy and what does he do?
He's my hero and he sits around all day still thinking he can tell me what to do. And I still listen. Go figure.
11. Spring - is it here yet??
*looks outside at the new snow* No
12. Does Google Streetview scare you?
No, because it's not on my street
13. What is your favorite brand of ice cream?
Schwans
14. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
peanut butter passion
15. Do you ever get tired of your everyday routine?
not really, because I have the ability to shake it up if I want to
16. What inspires you?
the demons and the voices inside my head
17. It’s springtime-do you spend more time outdoors?
*again looks at the snow* Not yet... but I will
18. When do you think Bud will let us see the DVD of him and the french twins?
Who knows, but I hope it's soon! The suspense is killing me...
19. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you, and why?
Montana
20. Why do you blog?
because I have this strange idea that there are people out there who want to know what is on my mind and I can't control the urge to fulfill their needs... and someday I am hoping Mel will find this blog and fall in love with me
21. What are electrolytes and why are they good for us?
it's what they use to make Brawndo!
22. Do you twitter? Why or why not?
Yes I do. It's an addiction. I twitter multiple times a day. Aren't you following me?
23. What did you dream last night?
I don't remember... and thats really odd. The other night I dreamed about cleaning the bathroom cabinet
24. What is the strangest thing you've eaten?
pickled fish?
25. What was the last picture that you took?
see over there ----->
26. what is your favorite part of spring?
I get to stop wearing shoes & socks
27. what is one thing that you did this past week that no one knows about?
um... if I tell you someone will know
28. What kind of bandages do you typically have in your household?
none because as soon as I buy them, the demons think they need to use them all

Wednesday Wierdness

WW #48

1.) What is your significant others worst habit?

Me

2.) What piece of clothing that isn't lingerie or an undergarment do you have that you feel especially sexy/handsome in?

Hmmm a good fitting pair of jeans and a white tank top? With a tan, of course, which I don't have at the moment.

3.) If you could drink ONLY two beverages for the rest of your life, which would you pick?

Sunkist & Coffee

4.) What is your worst habit?

the husband and biting the skin on my fingers

5.) Are you superstitious in any way?

Not really.

6.) What kind of shopping do you hate doing most? (Grocery shopping, clothes shopping, shoe shopping, etc)

I hate all shopping. No, you don't have to look at my profile.. I am female. I just hate shopping. Too many people.

7.) What was a “fad” you remember from your childhood?

pinning my jeans?!

Parenting

Since Mother's Day & Father's Day is approaching... yeah I know, it's a ways away yet, but I have to think months in advanced!

I've added a few parenting designs in my shop, InsanityWear.com. Go check 'em out... tell your friends and your enemies - because really, do you care if your enemy buys from me or not?

Raising Teenagers

Baby - Coming Soon!

Dads Rules for Daughters Dating

Dad to the Bone

lots and lots of more designs to choose from....T-shirts and Gifts by InsanityWear.com

Saturday 9: Crank Up the Tunes

Saturday 9: Crank Up the Tunes
1. What is your favorite 50’s band?
Well, I'm gonna have to go with Johnny Cash because he started in the 50's!

2. What is your favorite 60’s band?
Again, I'll go with Johnny. Sorry people - I wasn't around until the 70s!

3. What is your favorite 60’s record album?
I suppose Johnny's Folsom Prison

4. What is your favorite 70’s band?
Kiss. No questions there.

5. What is your favorite 70’s record album?
Kiss - Destroyer. It has the song "Beth" on it, afterall.

6. What is your favorite 80’s band?
I fell in love with Poison in the 80s.

7. What is your favorite 80’s record album?
Poison's Look What the Cat Dragged In, of course!

8. What is your favorite 90’s band?
In the 90s I went back to my country roots (although I never really left them, I just loved country secretly because it wasn't cool, ya know). I love all country, so I don't really have a favorite - except Johnny, of course.

9. What is your favorite 90’s record album?
I'm going with Pirates of the Mississippi. There was really only one hit in that album - Feed Jake. The husband & I listened to that song so many times in the old truck he had when we were in high school. I love that song. It always brings a tear to my eye.

I'm standing at the crossroads in life, and I don't know where to go.
You know you've got my heart babe, but my music's got my soul.
Let me play it one more time, I'll tell the truth and make it rhyme,
And hope they understand me.

Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I die before I wake, feed Jake, he's been a good dog,
My best friend right through it all, if I die before I wake,
Feed Jake

Now Broadway's like a sewer, bums and hookers everywhere.
Whino's passed out on the side walk, doesn't anybody care.
Some say he's worthless, just let him be.
But I for one would have to disagree.
And so would their mama.

Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I die before I wake, feed Jake, he's been a good dog,
My best friend right through it all, if I die before I wake,
Feed Jake

If you get an ear pierced, some will call you gay.
But if you drive a pick-up, they'll say 'No, he must be straight.'
What we are and what we ain't, what we can and what we can't,
Does it really matter?

Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
If I die before I wake, feed Jake, he's been a good dog,
My best friend right through it all, if I die before I wake,
Feed Jake

Friday.... yep it is

#116

1. Why do we have to change the time twice a year?

2.Cigarettes, again, are now habits.

3. I have a lot of work today on my shops, but instead I'm blogging.

4. I had never heard the phrase "_____" and it _____. - ok seriously, I got nothing for this one.

5. I slept with a cat and dog last night, the way I always do.

6. How as I to know _____. - I got nothing on this one either. I can't even say it outloud without screwing it up.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to more snow melting, tomorrow my plans include visiting my favorite daddy-in-law and Sunday, I want to not worry about it until Sunday!

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Breakfast
If your job made you move, but you could choose which country you would be living in, which country would you choose and why?
I'd have to say Austrilia... I love the accent!
Lunch
Do you have any phobias?

More than I care to admit to. My biggest is being stabbed & bears. And, yes, I know both of those I really don't ever come in contact with... it's a stupid phobia.

Dinner
What is something you can't help but spend money on?

Chocolate. I just can't help it. I can't leave the store without some.

Midnight Snack
What profession/job did your parent(s) have while you were growing up?

Bridge Construction. My dad was a superintendent, which I'm not sure what the difference is between that and a supervisor. He was the big boss man who everyone hated, was afraid of, but wouldn't work for anyone else but him. My stepmom was the desk/do it all kinda person for the same company... they were on the road all the time going from job site to job site.
Recipe of the Week (instead of your recipe for life what is it just for the week?)
Quit sweatin' the small stuff and laugh at things that normally would piss you off.

Random Thunks for Thursday

This week we will answer some crazy questions brought to you by Berleen, the color carnation pink and the number 54321.

1. The last flight of stairs you walked up/down - were the carpeted? No, but they should be. Or I should finish painting them. Or something.

2. Green or purple grapes? Depends on my mood.

3. Do you like Peeps? No. I can't stand the things. I can't understand why they are so popular!

4. The smell of Vicks - like it? I LOVE it! I have Puffs w/ Vicks right now and I just sit and wait for my nose to just get a hint of running so I can grab a tissue!

5. Do you put decorative cling-ons on your windows for different holidays? I'm a cling-on addict. I'll admit it.

6. Finish the sentence - I spent too much money on camera accessories.

7. Which celebrity should be flown into outer space or placed on a desert island? Michael Jackson...

8. Would you support schools changing the "open" time? Such as 10am - 5pm, for example? Not 10-5, but I would support a 9-4. Most kids don't get enough sleep as it is and their brains just don't function that early. I feel bad for kids with a math class right away in the morning.

9. Do you go fishing? Yes. I love to fish. Once the weather warms up, the demons & I will be at the lake almost daily fishing.

10. What question should we ask next week? If you see a feather on the ground, do you pick it up?