This and That......

Hello !!! We're back from Las Vegas and let me tell you..... what a trip ! It was a trip of memories that's for sure. I'm not big on gambling so that wasn't much of a pull for me but the glitz !!!! Now, that got me ! I loved seeing the casino's. The fountains, waterfalls, architecture, statues... oh my ! Beautiful !!!

We saw the white tigers in The Secret Garden, the lion habitat, and the large aquariums. We ate at Roxy's in Circus Circus. I could have sat there all day. The staff took turns singing all the old time rock and roll songs. It was fabulous and the food was good.

We stayed at the Terribles Hotel and Casino. It was a smaller place but the buffet was great and the rooms were clean, comfortable, and the staff was great.

We visited with our mom and I got to meet more of the family. My half sister came over from Ca. and we got to meet. It was wonderful. You can definitely tell we are sisters. We look like our grandmother when she was younger.

Our family was like the Brady Bunch.... moms 2 girls and her husbands 4 kids. Mom lives with Deb, one of his girls. She was wonderful and I feel like she is a sister to me now too. Remember... I was adopted out, so I wasn't raised with the family.

I took lots of pictures and I'll be putting them here as time goes on. I just wanted to let you know I was home and I missed all you all. (((HUGS)))

I'm Off........

Hi ! I'm off to Vegas folks !!! My sister is taking me to Vegas to see our mom. I've never been there so I am anxious to see the glitz. I'll have stories to tell when I get back next Friday. You all take care. (((HUGS)))

Life Is Like a BallGame???

Ok, what's up with this thing called life? Do you believe that before we are born, we decide our path in life? How does that work? Do we open up the Angelic Post, read the want ads and see an ad for Wanted: Life Positions. Are you tired of harp music? Are you bored with your days being filled with laughter, peace, contentment, and UnConditional Love? Well, if you are, we have the answer. Everyone is welcome to attend the informational seminar being held at the Reincarnation Center, this Friday. Refreshments will be served. If you are interested but can't make the seminar, please contact your personal rebirth counselor for more information.

So you go to the seminar, indulge in the heavenly teacakes and the mind awakening tea, and learn that Life is a ball game. You choose the team you want to be on. Do you want to be on the success team and live a life full of happiness, abundance, filled with unsurmountable success and not caring what your "purpose" is, and continually hit home runs? Or do you want to be on the losing team where you have to work hard, take one step forward and three backward, endure pain, hardship, failure, always wondering "what am I here for?" and continually strike out? Or do you want to sit on the bench? Live a life full of contentment, experience minor success, bounce back from failures, believe that your purpose on earth is to a good person, and when you die people will say you were a loving, caring person who led a full life?

Now, come on... which team would you pick? Why would anyone pick the losing team? But it seems that we do. And it gets tiring. We read the self help books. We read books like "The Secret" and we try but it doesn't work. Is it because we don't try hard enough? Do we not have enough faith in our beliefs? Or is it because we chose our path and picked the wrong team?

What do you think?

The Devil Went Down To Georgia

Our New Puppy Maggie......

LOVE

Music Monday......

Music Monday......tom cruise dance

Come on..... let's dance !!!!

Singular Saturday....

Something precious we overlook....... Time

Happy 4th.......

My sister rented a pontoon for tomorrow so when we get up we are going to get ready for our great adventure. We're packing a picnic lunch, taking our fishing poles and heading out. May you all have a safe and fun day too. (((HUGS)))

This and That.....

Don't go into shock now..... but yes, I am here blogging.... LOL I just haven't had much to say as of late. You'd think after all the months I was gone I'd be running my fingers off, but in reality I have been in a funk. Funk.... where did that word come from anyway? According to my precious scabble dictionary it means to shrink back in fear. So.... I haven't been in a funk. I've been in a void mabe? I don't know where I've been, but it's kept me silent. Anyway, it's got to stop. I refuse to be quiet any longer. So here goes.....

I got a new puppy today. She is a mix of chocolate lab and malamute. Just adorable. I named her Maggie. My sister got a new kitten. A "Blue" something. Cute as a button. She named him Wall E after the new movie character. I'll get pics soon.

We are going to Indiana, where we are originally from for a few days. We are leaving on Sat. and will be back next Thursday or Friday. We're going to see our two boys and meet our grandson and two great grand daughters. I'm going to be a grandma again in February. Wow !!!! It will be a nice trip. We are going to stop and see the daughter too on the way to/from. She lives if Rockford, Ill. which is a half way way point in the trip. Then when we get back we are supposedly going to remodel the bathroom before Eddie leaves for his 90 day stay in the hoose-gowe.

I've got all my gardens planted and they look beautiful. We needed rain and got a real good dousing tonight. We have mama racoon and her 5 babies that visit every night, two tree foxes, and our three legged bear that visits also. the gangs all back..... LOL

Well, that's enough for tonight. Take care and blesssings to all. (((HUGS)))

Love Ya !

Singular Saturday.....

How I feel at this moment being out of touch with my friends.....

LONELY

Hello Blogger Friends !!!

Hi All ! I'm back... at least for awhile. We'll see. Hope you are all great. I'll try to catch up on all the news. lol

Blessings,
Jan

Hello Everyone !!

Hi ! I finally found time to get to our local library and access their computers. I want to say how much I miss all of you and how much I appreciate your support and prayers. I hope it won't be much longer before we have our computers back.

I feel I owe you all an explanation. This is hard to write about but here goes...

My husband Eddie frequented an adult chat room where he talked to several people across the country. This was not a porn site, just a site where adults talked about anything they wanted. Pictures of families were shared and some people even met to play cards if they lived close enough. One day Eddie was talking to one of his "Buddies" when he received a file from him. Thinking more family pictures or silly pictures, he downloaded it and discovered it to be child porn. His buddie who sent it told him he wanted the file back so Ed immediately sent it back and deleted it. NOT !!!!! It stays on your harddrive folks. Anyway, it ends up that his "Buddie" was being monitored for being in a child porn ring that was nationwide. When he sent to file to Eddie, that brought Eddie into the picture and the police raided our house & took Eddie and his computer to jail for possession and distribution.

When Eddie went to court the judge ordered no computers in the house so my sister and I lost ours too. This has been a devastating ordeal. As it continues, Ed's rights were violated by the police so the distribution charge will hopefully be dropped. Our lawyer told us that the police expected to come into our house and find a "Big Dog" player of the ring but instead found a puppy.... someone that was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Since this has happened, the person who sent Ed the file has been prosecuted and is serving 20 years in prison. We still don't know why he sent Ed the file... trying to recuit? I guess we'll never know that but we have learned a BIG leasson about downloading files. If something can't be seen/sent in a regular e-mail, it won't be seen by us because nothing will be downloaded again.

I hope this hasn't offended anyone. If it does, I am sorry. We have certainly suffered from this. As you know, Eddie is a teacher. He had to take early retirement or be terminated. It doesn't make any difference if you are guilty of something like this, all you need to be is accused. This has devastated us but we are slowly recovering. We have had so much support from friends and family and co-workers. That has helped so much.

I'm sorry it took so long to come back and post something but I just couldn't. I feel doing this today is part of the healing process. I don't know when I'll be able to get back here. I can't access this site from school. It is blocked... LOL If anyone would like to write me you can reach me at school......... jhimes@clbs.k12.mn.us

Jenn.... I got your card. It was beautiful. Thank you so much !!!!!!! Wholly Burble, I love you !!! I'll be back when i can. (((HUGS))) to all.

Love,
Jan

Good Bye For Awhile........

Hi everyone ! Due to a situation which I can't control I will be unable to access my home computer after tonight for an indefinite length of time. Please keep Eddie and I in your prayers, as we have had a terrible tragedy happen in our lives. I will miss you but I will return when I can. (((HUGS)))

Love,
Jan

Ashley....

Many have asked who Ashley is. If you remember in another post, I had a picture of Barb and I've talked about Barb and her family. Barb is Ashley's mother. There is also Glenn, her daddy and her brother Brandon.

The Reynolds family has been apart of our lives for many years. Glenn and Eddie worked together and then Glenn married Barb. Then came the kids. They are not blood family but they are family in our hearts. I don't know what we would do with out them. The kids call us Aunt Jan and Uncle Elly..... LOL When Ashley was old enough to talk she couldn't say Eddie. She said Elly and it has always been that since and has carried on over to Brandon. Ashley turned 12 in December and Brandon will turn 10 next month. They have grown up fast.

We see them every week-end and spend every holiday together and we take a vacation at the lake with them. All of our blood family, except for my sister, who lives with us, live states away so the Reynold's family has become our family here. So, if I write about the kids coming over or seeing the kids, that's who I'm referring to. (((HUGS)))

Wordless Wednesday.....

Ashley Dawn Reynolds

innocense

Thank You Mariposa !

Sweet Mariposa awarded me this award and I am so thrilled !!
I try to make someone smile every day and to get this award lets me know that I have accomplished my goal. What better gift to give someone.... a smile and a feeling that someone cares about you, and then to be awarded for it ! I'm so happy !!!

Thank you again Mariposa. You're a special person. (((HUGS)))

Native American Flute Jeff Ball New Age music

If you haven't listened to Native American Flute music you have missed out on a wonderful experience. It is not only beutiful, but it is calming and gives you a peaceful feeling to your inner soul. Enjoy. (((HUGS)))

First Attempt at SOS........

When I was a young girl I was taken to church every Sunday. My parents didn't attend but i was ever faithful at Sunday School. I was a loner. I really didn't have anyone I associated with during my middle school years. One Sunday as I was sitting by myself, waiting for the activities to begin a very good looking high school guy walked through the room and on his way out.... he smiled at me !!! Oh My! My heart fluttered. You can imagine how I felt. Of course I smiled back and I just couldn't resist turning around in my seat to have a last glance of him. There he was.... this nice looking guy with brown eyes, fit body, sandy hair, wearing this light blue sports jacket, smiling , and watching me !!!
I quickly turned around.

At that time I had no idea what his name was. I didn't know anything about him but I knew he was different. Maybe I would have thought that about any guy who had smiled at me...

I was a very sheltered child. I wasn't like the other girls. I dressed very prim and proper and I had no experience with boys, except for the boys in my neighborhood, so this was definitely a NEW thing for me. Needless to say, I was confused. Why would this nice looking, older guy, be watching me?

Singular Saturday.......

With a 40 below zero windchill expected I feel

COZY

Update.... and Things.....

Some of you have asked how Eddie and I are doing after our surgery. I can report we are doing great. We are officially in Stage 3 now. This consists of flaky meat such as fish, tuna, chicken, and soft foods. I have to say I haven't been hungry while on the liquids. I thought I would be. Our stiches are all healed and the incisions look good. I have lost 17 lbs so far. Ed has not weighed but his jeans are baggy and he has taken his belt up 3 notches. Stage 4 starts on Feb. 3. That will start us back on regular food. So I guess this is working. Our check-up is Feb. 20th.

We have had some terribly COLD weather the past few days. It is now 15 below zero not counting the windchill. It is supposed to be even colder over the week-end. We did our weekly shopping on Thursday night so we don't have to go out. Smart people huh?? LOL

I don't have to work Monday !!! Eddie has a teacher workday but I get to stay home with my sister and relax. Whoopee !

I decided not to play The Writing Game this time. I can't even think of a good story line..... LOL Maybe next time.

That's about it for now....... (((HUGS)))

Wordless Wednesday.....

Memories

Last summer's vacation...... Eddie and my sister, Mary

Precious.......

This is my grandson Dominick. In another post I wrote about us being reunited with our son. Well, Dominick caused the reuniting. Kevin, the father, (and Ed's son), grew up and realized that life was not just about him, and Ed followed his heart and accepted Kevin back into his life. Thus, we now have this precious angel in our lives too.

I guess every family has a trouble child in some form. Kevin lived with us most of our young marriage years and became the son that I had lost so many years ago. I really love that boy. But we had to use "Tough Love" and it paid off with the help of Dominick. He's 2 years old. I can't wait to squeeze him !!!

(((HUGS)))

This and That........

Barb, Glenn and the kids came over today and Barb made us homemade chicken noodle soup. It was delicious even if we did have to put it in the blender to make it smooth.... lol We had a nice visit and played the game Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader. No, we are not !! LOL

Eddie and I are feeling pretty good. We are fairing ok on the liquid diet so far but I have to say, I am ready for stage three..... where we can start to introduce regular food into our system. That will happen on January 22. Neither of us have any pain to speak of. My main discomfort is my back for some reason. It is really achy. Barb said maybe it's the position I was in on the operating table. I hope so. I certainly don't want a reoccurance of my back problems. But, a little liquid Tylenol does the trick.

Not much else happening around here. It is colder tonight. 9 degrees outside. More like January weather. I'm ready for Spring. (((HUGS)))

Singular Saturday.......

Contentment

Day To Read Report.....

I read Stalemate by Iris Johansen. I have read all her books and she is one of my favorite authors. I'm an avid mystery/thriller reader. I especially like the forensic investigators. I find it so interesting in what they can find out about a person.

The main character is Eve Duncan, who is a forensic sculptor. She takes the skull and builds it up to make the person identifiable. She calls it "bringing the person home". It's a tedious job but the end result is stunning. It's the type of book that you can't put down..... at least for me anyway.

Here is what Amazon has to say about the story........

In the latest Eve Duncan forensics thriller from bestseller Johansen (Killer Dreams), the Atlanta-based forensic sculptor with an international reputation finds herself attracted, not always convincingly, to a sleazy manipulator. Duncan, who specializes in reconstructing facial features from skulls, has buried herself in her work since the disappearance and presumed death of her seven-year-old daughter, Bonnie, years earlier. That still-open wound is probed with sadistic skill by Luis Montalvo, a shady Colombian arms dealer, who offers to solve the mystery of what happened to Bonnie if Duncan agrees to attempt a reconstruction from a skull Montalvo believes was his late wife's. Despite the misgivings of her former husband, an FBI agent, Duncan accepts, and soon finds herself dodging bullets in a war between Montalvo and a drug lord rival in the Colombian jungle. Despite a shortage of the sort of meaty science that, say, a Kathy Reichs thriller typically provides, Johansen's faithful audience should be satisfied. (Jan.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

I sure do enjoy her books and I think anyone who enjoys a good mystery would enjoy it too ......... (((HUGS)))

January 10, 2008..... Day To Read

Shhh..... Quiet Please ! I'm Reading Stalemate by Iris Johansen.

Wordless Wednesday........

My Friend Barb

My Jasper Baby.....

This is my Baby....... Jasper. He has always been all mine. I've always called him my fat cat because his belly almost touched the ground. He's such a love. He's MY BABY !! In the past couple months though he has lost weight and he just acts old. He's 15. That really isn't old for a cat. His appette is good though and all his bodily functions are working ok. I love him so much.

Tomorrow we head back to work. The teacher I work with says the kids miss me !! They are full of questions as to why I haven't been back yet. She told them I had some minor surgery so I know I will have plenty of questions to answer tomorrow. It will be good to see them. I love those kids. We've had them in our class for two years now. Next year we'll start with a new group.

So wish me luck tomorrow. I know it's going to be a tiring day.

(((HUGS)))

Happy Birthday Baby

Just couldn't resist this one.. LOL

The Tune Weavers-Happy, Happy Birthday Baby

A classic song for a classy lady
Happy Birthday my friend. Love You !! (((HUGS)))

This and That.....

Today was the first real day of being on our own with this new way of eating. My friend Barb, the nurse, went to the health food store and brought us several types of herbal broths. I've tried the vegetable and the chicken and they are quite good. My sister went to the store and brought home several types of Crystal Light, some Italian Ice, popcicles, and sherbert. We're all set. LOL It hasn't been bad today really.

I picked the word anticipation because that's what I feel about this surgery. I anticipate good results along with more energy and being able to get off some of my meds.

I'm really looking forward to SOS tomorrow. Maybe one of these days I'll try it. (((HUGS))) to all...

Singular Saturday......

Anticipation

I Feel Loved.......

We're home and doing fine. The surgeries went well. We're just tired from not getting much rest in the hospital. If it wasn't them coming in to check your vitals, it was me calling someone to unhook those air bags from my legs so I could go to the bathroom... LOL Oh well, it's over and we've rested today. Eddie is already in bed and I'll be there shortly.

What a surprise I had when I logged on this evening !!!! I am so thrilled ! Thank you Mariposa and Jenn for my wonderful awards. I feel like a real blogger now... LOL It really made me feel special to get these. I am so honored. In the short time I have been on here blogging I have met so many nice people that I now consider my friends. Thank you all for making me feel so welcome. Thank You W B for suggesting that I come here. You are all wonderful !

Well, off to bed now... I'm tired. (((HUGS))) to all.

My Oh My........

I come to you tonight with a heavy heart. Tomorrow is our surgery day and I found out today that we can't get in until the afternoon. Eddie will go in at 2:30 cst and I will follow, so...... We Will Have To Stay Overnight !!! Wah !!!!!! I hate that !! What about my blogging? What about my Pogo Games ? I feel the withdrawals already starting......... I know it's only one day but when you're hooked, one day can be traumatic. If only I had a laptop...... LOL

W B sent me a message saying she would go to the Buffet in town to eat her last meal instead of Arby's so...... We went to town early and went to the Buffet and then stopped at Arby's and brought a sandwich home for supper. So I got the best of both worlds. Thanks W B !!!!

Well my friends, I"ll talk to you Friday evening. Wish us luck and keep us in your thoughts. Take care. (((HUGS)))

This and That.......

It's been a quiet few days around here. Tomorrow Eddie and I are going to venture into town to WalMart and pick up a few things and go over to Home Depot. We want to check out the radiant heat heaters. We have an oil heater here in the back room but I think it is wearing out...... LOL Kind of like me, it's getting old and tired. THEN...... we are going to have lunch at Arby's. We just had a new store open in town and we haven't been there yet. I LOVE Arby's !! So, for a final lunch out on the town before our surgery on Thursday, we are going to indulge ourselves in their glorious roast beef sandwiches. I may even buy one to bring home for supper too...... LOL

A news update on the kittens. I say kittens because I don't know which one did it, but we heard water running. When we investigated, we found the water running in the bathtub. Yes, one of my darlings turned the water on. Now is that talent or what? LOL

Talk to you tomorrow..... (((HUGS)))