Please...

Good Morning All;

Gee, would you believe that we are down in Milwaukee? No big surprise there... Spent over 7 hours at the ER at Froedtert, and all they did was treat her pain. (Not that it didn't need treating, just that we need answers)! I am waiting for her to wake up so we can get hold of her surgeon... DAMN hey?

I do not know what else to do...

So-o-o-o-o-o-o...

...Yesterday I sent a note to ALL of my friends in my own 360~World.

I have received but one response. Thank You JEN. CLICK HERE

Maybe you will copy/paste it for a note/blog of your own?

Please?

Special request for you in my newest blog...

Hi All

We sent b~day cards out to the kid in UK/Canada that wanted the world record for birthday cards...

I am hoping you will take a moment to "Blast" Mariahs Benefit. (blog entitled "Mariah, Casey, Gabriel and The Pups")

Won't you please help this baby, and her family, out a bit? It only takes a moment to do this and forward it on.

Mariahs grandmother (Laurie), and I go back to 7th grade and have been close friends throughout our lives. Her son Mike is Mariahs daddy.

Mike and Mickey have 2 daughters, Morgan and Mariah. These two little angels came to them after years of doctoring to even HAVE a baby in the 1st place.

I am trying to get word of her benefit out worldwide.
Perhaps your friends will "blast" it as well if you forward this note on to them?

Her benefit is Sunday. 8/19/07.

Do not worry about anything that would arrive late as there will be plenty medical bills to cover now AND later...

I am hoping that you can do this. Or even send it to anyone in your regular email list too...

Love to all,

XOXO
Anne

http://www.nbc26.com/features/calendar/8192607.html

Date: August 19, 2007

Time: 1:00pm

Location: Suamico Ale House, 2310 Lineville Road, Green Bay

Phone: 920-592-1167

Event Description
Three year old Maria Klein was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor known as Pontine Glioma. A Pontine Glioma tumor is located near the brain stem and is difficult to surgically remove.

Mariah has started treatment which includes radiation and chemotherapy. Now you can help and have fun at the same time.

Join Mariah and her family for a special benefit at the Suamico Ale House, 2310 Lineville Road in Green Bay.

There will be a motorcycle ride, food, prizes and more on August 19th.

If you can not attend and would like to donate, the Klein family has established a benefit fund.

Please make checks out to

"FBO The Family of Mariah Klein"
and mail to:
M&I Bank
2700 S Oneida Street,
Ashwaubenon, WI 54304.


Thank You...

XOXO
Anne

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I had also asked in yesterdays blog. TWO of my friends did that too.

Thank You Beth. CLICK HERE

Thank You WYCK. CLICK HERE

CLICK HERE to see my personal challenge to everyone at the bottom of that page!

Are we immune to the problems of others?

Of babies?

Or do we simply not care?

And yes, I do know that there are a handful of you that simply can~NOT afford to send anything... That is OK, but maybe could we just let the whole world know on your pages, or in your own blog/blast/regular emails?

It doesn't cost a penny to do that...

I thank you in advance for ALL of your efforts on baby Mariahs behalf.

God Bless.

XOXO
Anne

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CHALLENGE!!! (at the bottom)!

Good Morning to all;

I cannot believe I have already been up for hours... Surfing, reading; and once again trying to catch up. (Emphasis on the three letters "try"). Par for the course here.

Seems as though our hot and muggies are over. And hopefully not for just now either. And yes, I did have to mow a bit of lawn too. Under the apple trees (so it will be easier to get the deer fed over in Little Suamico).

I brought Master Gabriel out with me, planted him on the porch steps and told him to stay there. Seems as though Miss Milly and The Punk also felt the need to stay with him...

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Every time I reached down in the bottle holder on the rider to fetch the camera, Gabriel would start to laugh and laugh.

I could not hear him over the mower, but could just imagine the squeals that came out.

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Now who said that yardwork couldn't be done when you have little ones???

Like Mama would say, "Difficult, but NOT impossible."

They ALL remained there, safely, until I was done.

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After a HUGE lunch, we had gone outside... (I swear that little Gabriel can eat enough to put a grown man to shame). And that is when I had cut the front yards. And after I was finished, we all took a little walk over to the garden... Not too much to be had, ('cept maybe a little dessert)?

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A cob of corn, right off the stalk! Mmmm....

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A short walk back toward the garden to check on Miss Millys progress with her own cob... (Oh she just LOVES this treat)!

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She was trying to get the little hulls out of her teeth!

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Coming back to the front yard to check on Gabriel, I see that Miss Punk had gotten a wee bit closer...

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hehehe

You HAVE got to give her credit for TRYING anyway!

*I only give Punkie the top ends of the cob... (Corn being a known laxative and all; I do not care to be washing kernels off my floors/carpets).

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Later again now, it was time for the master to be giving his lesson of the day. (Punk and her mother were very good students and listened to his every word)...

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"See Girls, if you look UP, that is where the apples are!"

(Well, I am SURE that's what he was saying anyway)...

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Now for Casey news... Jenny Mella came last night to visit. I think they maybe watched a movie or two after I had gone to bed. Casey has pain at times that goes anywhere from a 5 to a 10; seemingly in a millisecond. She is getting through it, but I do have my doubts as to whether she will 'wait' til next week to get down to Froedtert too... We will go anytime she says it is time.

I want to thank you for all of your kindnesses prayers and support, not only for CaseyAnne, but for Miss Mariah too. Again, there aren't enough words to convey my appreciation for all of you that have written and or sent cards and notes to them both!

Love to all! ...

Have a "wunnaful" Wednesday!!!

XOXO
Anne

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Free Site Counters

Challenge?

(Are you up for it)?

Please let the whole world know about Miss Mariah...

Perhaps within your blasts, or however, and maybe we can really help this family out.

If you do this, please use the channel 26 link with the address.

More info on Pontine Glioma can be found by clicking on my cloud tag of the same name...

****Cloud tag my blog on babys with cancer, pontine glioma: CLICK HERE

OR...

http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-dpmNyxc.dbILPvAAWzZ3Tq.I9pxXBodPASLWCZE-?cq=1&...

___________

****Channel 26 ad for Mariahs Benefit: CLICK HERE

OR...

http://www.nbc26.com/features/calendar/8192607.html

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...I thank you again...

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Mariahs Caring Bridge website CLICK HERE

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What's On YOUR Shirt?

Good Morning All;

I just had to ask about your shirts... I am thinking too that these are already a bit retro, but I wore mine LOTS at one point; at least once a week! hehehe

"Aim it. Fire it. Admire it."

I shot league darts for almost 15 years before my hand/fingers betrayed my aim. (And we were GOOD too)! That, and lots of fun as we got together every week back then. I miss it. Years before that, I shot in mens league. Masters. (Yes, I said "mens")... That too was tons of fun. Oh enough of this. I only wanted to immortalize my shirt before it is turned into a scrub rag, or a cut~off work shirt of sorts.

Here's the picture from yesterday, in daylight

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Ma and Dads headstones, along with Grandpa and Grandma's to the far left.

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There is a shed around where that 'flame' appeared to be in yesterday photo. A caretakers sort of a shed. But no light source either. Go figure...

Such a busy day yesterday. And of course to begin with Caseys doctor appointment. Originally she was to have had a CAT Scan here in town; but after speaking with Froedtert, she will be having the pancreas scan down there.

*To be of note too is that they could not get her seen any earlier than next week. Her regular doctor called here late yesterday afternoon and said the next time she is in that awful pain to bring her directly to the Emergency Room down at Froedtert.

She is still receiving (giving herself) the Octreotide injections 3 x day. The doctor has now given her a script for compazine for her nausea/vomiting. Hopefully once her system adjusts to it, this part of the problem can be relieved a bit... Yes, even drinking water, in small sips, causes her pain.

****I have a problem with someone who is to love her telling her to get used to it (the pain). To put up with it. A "grin and bear it" mentality that would work (maybe) if this wasn't friggin' pancreatitis!

Duh?

What the heck do people NOT get about this all? Happy at least that her doctor is doing everything he possibly can for her. I am VERY mad about this, and somebody had better realize how damned dangerous this is to have going on inside of her body??? ...

After all that running around, we came back here... A message from the vets office reminding me that Miss Punk was overdue for her Lymes Disease booster shot. We brought her straight in, and that is done with til next June... As are all her shots, tests etc. She still gets pretty miffed when we leave home without her. She has gotten over her own travel sickness and LOVES to go for rides now.

...*Knock on Wood*

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Coming back home, Master Gabriel figured if he crawled up the opposite side of the old Simplicity that we couldn't see him.

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Oops... Caught AGAIN! hehehe

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But he at least got a short nap in later, waking completely refreshed!

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And just LOVES his apple juice!

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Suzy Q and her hubby came and got my deer apples. About 2 bushels. I also sent along a few cukes that were threatening to become Slim Jims out in the garden. They cleaned up the pear trees too! Yay. I will get out there early enough and mow that part of the lawn real close to the ground. I am just so happy that they come and get them.

I'd better close for today and get busy before my little man gets here... I believe I have bored you long enough!

Have a grand Tuesday!!!

XOXO
Anne

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Only one more day of this godawful heat/humidity too.

And, get this, by friday the high is to be around 70!

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Now about your "Co-ed Naked" T~Shirts...

C'mon, I want to see them!

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Fun In the Cemetery?

Good Monday Morning From my Pumpkin Patch! hehehe

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And since I never know how to start a blog, it occurs to me the weather is kind of perfect for that... Especially when you have weather like this...

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Yup, it really does say it will be sunny "TONIGHT"

???

DANG! (And I wanted to see the meteor shower)!

Like THAT'S gonna happen now.

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Miss Punk and I took a little ride after the Packer Game on Saturday night, and ended up saying a prayer or two at the cemetery. While there I snapped a few pictures... Yes, of course I bring my camera to the cemetery, (don't you)? hehehe

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...an old dead tree on the way there... (appropriate)?

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But this next one had me laughing out loud!!!

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WAIT FOR IT...

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hehehe Now who the heck toilet~papers a cemetery anyway?

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Sitting on the edge of the parking lot; with the church silhouetted in the background.

WHAT IS THIS???

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"The Stairway to Heaven"???

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And I took a few pictures of Mom and Pa's headstone too...

I have NO idea what the flame is on this picture either.

There was/IS nothing there, save an old park bench...

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I shall have to return to see whose grave it is by...

Just weird to have it come up on my photo...

Guesses anyone? (Cuz you know what I think already)...

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And so those are a few thoughts from my weekend. I am sure that most of you can read Caseys blog; and she has written a few words on her 'tummy ache'. hehehe She will be having a CAT Scan done again today, and yes, the doctor will be in contact today with her surgeon down at Froedtert in Milwaukee.

I hope you all had a great weekend! The Packers won, so mine was wonderful! (Easy to please that way)... AND we got a few drops of rain too!

Time for me to fly!!!

XOXO
Anne

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***Please do not forget to send a card or a dollar to Mariahs Benefit... (Link for the mailing address is in my blast)...

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CLICK HERE FOR MARIAHS STORY.

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Somebody Done SUMPTHIN' Wrong...

>Looking skyward<

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And repeating... ad~nausem:

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I will not swear.

I will not swear.

I will not swear.

I will not swear.

I will not swear.

I will not swear.

I will not swear.

I will not swear.

I will not swear.

I will not swear.

I will not swear.

I will not swear.

I will not swear.

I will not swear.

I will not swear.

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!@#* ***Like hell I won't!!!*** @#*!

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**************

Imagine my surprise to try to login to one of my accounts at the bank... And for some silly reason I cannot get into it online?

Knowing that they have redid the entire site to cut down on the possibility of identity theft, (but still getting a weird feeling), I think "Hmmm... Maybe I will just take a ride to the bank and just find out what their little machine says"...

So I take that ride.

...After all, I will need a bit more petrol to go mow my grass (so it won't be a completely wasted trip)...

And, I can grab some milk and eggs at the mini~mart while I am at it too...

Miss Punk wants to come, seeing that I am loading up the gas container; (and she KNOWS that Burger King is right there; and maybe she will get a naked burger)!

I pull into the bank, insert my little card, push the required number of buttons... and wait and wait...

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The screen blinks.

It tells me to reinsert my card.

I do this all over again, and I wait

...and wait...

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I sit waiting to find out that as of two days ago I am worth all of:

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.85 !?!?!

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• No checking...
• No savings... (well, except for that whopping eighty~five cents)...
• No money market funds...
• No shit?!?

So, something is awfully awry. hehehe (I always wanted to use that word in a blog).

And as luck (mine) would have it, it would be Saturday today... And so, I only need to wait a mere 48 hours to find out WTF has happened at the bank...

Patience is a virtue. (I have now lost all of my virtue).

WAH!!!!!!!!!

xoxo, Me

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And why am I laughing???

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(Maybe I should have at LEAST had a dollar and eighty~five cents).

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.Damn hey, WHAT NEXT?!?!?

heart pic

Hmmm....

Breakfast is served!

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Good Saturday Morning to All;

The forecast tells me that we just might get a few drops of rain. (Unfortunately the emphasis is on the word "few" too). Better than nothing though.

And I am sure that you are all wondering about CaseyAnne... The doctor has changed her meds twice now, in as many days; trying to keep her out of the hospital for the weekend. And then next week we are hoping for the referral back down to Froedtert. She is back down to just the three shots a day now; since doubling the Octreotide made no difference at all in her pain level.

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Aw... She's SO cute!!!!

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She is to remain in telephone contact with her doctor this weekend, and to keep him filled in on everything that is going on with her. Her lipase and amylase counts are 'up' again... And so we shall take it all just one day at a time.

I did manage to get a bit of lawns cut; although the trail to the woods, (along with the campsite), has been terribly neglected... And while cutting to have decapitated a young garter snake... Oops. They might be icky, but I don't like killing them so awful either. The grass, so deep and long in places that I shall re~mow that which I have already done. It is to be upwards of that 90~degree mark again today, with like humidity. UGH. (But no, I do not wish to be shoveling snow either).

I wanted to get to those mean wasps too, but have not been awake to deal with them when I want to either. Seems as I am just SO tired all the time. Have doubled up my own little vitamins and stuff just to try to stay ahead, but even doing that doesn't seem to be working too well. (Although I do wonder how I would be feeling if I hadn't begun to double those all up)?? Hmmm... Maybe tonight then I can get to those wasps in the ground.

And I have to spray around the house too. Seems as all the little spiders are somehow making their way into the house. AND I HAD ONE CRAWLING ON MY BARE LEG!!!! That is just bad. I beat him off, and immediately Punk was to my rescue, and finished him off. She is such a dearheart that way.

And I ...am such a wuss.

Oh well, there are worse things... (Um... Aren't there)?

I hope you all have a grand weekend. And do have some fun for me too!

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Of course, you could just play "where's Waldo?" with me.

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Er... I mean "Where's Gabriel?"

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hehehe

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Have a good one!

XOXO
Anne

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Nuff Said...

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Love, Milly

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Too Odd?

Good Morning All!

Dashing through my home page at Yahoo; there near to the bottom is my daily Horoscope. I might check this about once a month or so, as I am usually too happy just to check my email and my 360...

Here is mine for today:

August 09, 2007

Cancer (6/22-7/22) You know more than you think you know, so don't let anyone keep you from saying what you think about a certain political situation today. They can't intimidate you anymore, because the universe is going to wake up your inner warrior. This is a good day to be assertive about what you think, what you want, and what you expect from other people. Without coming off as too demanding, you can clearly communicate anything you want. You may make an enemy, but you will win many new allies.

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Kinda just makes me wonder where I should begin then? Hmm? (Or shall I just start laughing)???

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It is Pa's birthday-

Had he lived, he would have been 95... If you weren't around last year, please take a quick minute to read last years tribute to him... >CLICK HERE<

...Now I shall go ponder my 'horror'scope! (YOKES)! hehehe

Have a good one!

XOXO
Anne, ~and my "Inner Warrior"...

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Caution: Moral and Political

Good morning...

First of all to thank those of you who responded to my latest note about Casey, or to the blog yesterday, and have extended your thoughts and prayers, links, hearts and love to us too.

Casey had called the other night after reading that 'most' patients diagnosed with "Chronic Pancreatitis" do not live past the seven year mark... *Sweet Pea, I too have been unable to find this same information with my own searches, (and yours); but no mind to that, I have a scared young woman on my hands. (As if she hasn't been scared enough before)... All of your thoughts and prayers WILL help her through that all; size not withstanding, this girl is a formidable opponent when angry.

We all love Casey. What's NOT to love?

There are but less than half a handful of people that have conveyed that not to be true... But again, I only ask those same people, (two exactly) that have said the most heinous and untrue things to/about her to WALK A MILE IN HER MOCCASINS. (Just one).

...To say anything, or to do something with ONLY the intention of causing pain and/or suffering is so truly despicable. And especially now, isn't it?

Mama always said "If you can't be right, be wrong at the top of your voice."

I intend to do just that. And to do it right now.

In the above referenced note that I had sent out to a select few, I had closed with these two paragraphs:

"I can only hope and pray that during the next 7 years SOMEONE is going to come up with SOMETHING.. SOMEHOW... and SOMEWHERE.

...And next year will be the year to get RID of the narrow mindedness in DC and vote for anyone that does not wish to stop stem cell research for any reason."

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"Disease and disorders with no therapies or at best, partially effective ones, are the lure of the pursuit of stem cell research. 'There are examples of significant progress that is a prologue to an era of medical discovery of cell-based therapies that will one day restore function to those whose lives are now challenged every day — but perhaps in the future, no longer."

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Stolen from www.msu.edu

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For anybody that might think that KC~Face will be taking this lying down, you have another 'think' coming. Where she said she could not ever inject herself, she has already done so...

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Her 2nd shot of subcutaneous Octreotide Acetate

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And while we do not know what the future will bring to any of us, we do know that she will continue to fight this 'beast of a pancreas' she seems to have!

Like I said, "a FORMIDABLE opponent!"

I already know I am going to 'lose' a friend or two on my list for what follows, so please just be straight with me about this, and let me know.

Opponents... I have always hated the Roe v Wade decision, and have always been 'against' abortion; and most especially as a birth control measure. To me, this only constitutes irresponsibility to begin with. But how I feel about that is neither here nor there.

The facts are thus...

• Abortion IS legal, I believe in all 50 states to some degree.
• The 'product' of the abortion is generally destroyed, simply as medical waste.

Why?

To me, this is the largest waste of medical (and 'miracle') possibilities, not only for my daughter, but FOR US ALL. That these babies might be able to somehow provide life for some other child, some other person that has suffered so very greatly during their life, only to have an uncertain future; is an awesome thought.

I am no scientist, but I am a mother of an ill child. I will need to do much internet research and find the possibilities within that all. I already know the potential exists to sustain GOOD/REAL "life" for many people... And seemingly Washington has curtailed these efforts. (I am left to wonder if that executive order would have been the very same if GW had a loved one that is suffering)? Hmmm...

In closing for today, please do not be thumping your bibles or your morals in my direction.

I already believe that between God, The Great Spirit, (or whatever you deem Him to be), that I am a moral, decent and ethical person.

I need NO judgment calls on this issue, (and I truly thank you in advance for that).

What I do need is a government FOR the people...

What I do need are answers; and thus, a treatment and a cure.

And that is all Casey wants too.

Casey has a doctor appointment to get to, so we will be leaving shortly. Please forgive me if I do not get back on too quickly. And in advance to thank you for your thoughts, comments and hope.

Love, peace, health and happiness to all.

XOXO
Anne

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Bake and Broil... I Broke the Baby

Good Morning... (er... I so "hope" it is anyway)...

Some of you may have been vigilant enough here to have caught my blast yesterday afternoon. Others might not have, so no worries, (I can blog about darn near anything so I shall just blog about my ex~blast)! hehehe

Does anything happen with rhyme and reasoning attached to it? I think not. Having been so icky~sick with my wasp~stung hand/arm, (and nighty night with the danged benedryl), I did not accompany Miss Casey to the hospital. She was there Saturday night/Sunday morning; with intense pain all over again. She had to visit her primary doctor yesterday afternoon, and said she would call me as soon as she was through there.

Hindsight being 20/20, I should have packed up Master Gabriel and met her there.

But no~o~o~o, I figured that he would need his nap at almost the same time, and chose not to go along.

We played outside for a long time.

Hot as heck, but am afraid I/we are getting somewhat accustomed to the "bake and broil" temps around us.

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He picked some deer apples...

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He picked a few 'weeds' too! ("FOWERZ" as he calls them)!

And all was right with his world; (and mine)...

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Time to come inside or just croak out there, he played with his little blue ball at the bottom of the steps. He would bounce it off of them and go running after it; to the kitchen, or the bathroom or to the back room as well. The ball is actually a bit warped and doesn't roll straight to begin with. (Truth be known, I know people like that)...

I was in the kitchen, having gotten the ball for him at one point. I rolled it back to him... and at that point all hell broke loose.

Punk walked inbetween Gabriel and I. And Gabriel had turned at that exact moment as the ball had rolled past him. And then I am unclear of the details, only that my arms were not long enough, nor my body quick enough to react as I saw him toppling over, hard, and headed for the doorframe.

He caught the doorframe straight in the center of his forehead. A split second late I caught him... No skin had opened up, but a dark streak and an immediate goose egg too.

Then came the breath... This sharp intake... A lungful of air... And the wait for that scream too. (Seemed like a very long wait at the moment too). And out it came!! Punk headed back out to the entrance. (I really don't think she had ran into him, but am not sure either).

The crying didn't last too long, but after trying to check his pupils then I thought better to call Roberta at work. (I won't even get into the bs that they gave me just to get an emergency message to my daughter)... But she came out right away and brought him in to the ER. His xrays came back ok, and just the standard protocol then for possible concussion. Light on the foods, and to wake him every now and then if he seems to be sleeping too long. (What exactly, is "too long" for a child to sleep)? hehehe

Ok I really DO understand what they are saying there... But couldn't resist that one...

In the meanwhile, Casey had been at her own Dr. appointment. I will go back in with her this morning to see how she must self~inject digestion hormones... They are thinking this could be the problem with her pancreas now? I surely hope so. I just want it to be all over/done with for her. With each misdiagnosis,(?), and unsuccessful surgery, she gets just a little bit more bewildered, withdrawn, but still angry too. That 'anger' fuels her right on through the pain most days. She says "no way" can she even give herself the shots. I can do this for her, no problem. I just hope it helps is all.

She now has a formal diagnosis of "Chronic Pancreatitis"... Prayers please.

Time for me to fly. Gee, it seems as Miss Roberta did not believe me when I said I did not care to babysit any longer... hehehe And he is wiggling away to go play now. (I shall buy him a helmet and make him wear it, even to nap)!

Bad, bad Grandma that I am...

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(I think he still loves me)...

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My friends, I hope your Monday was MUCH better than my own, and that you have a fabulous Tuesday as well!

XOXO
Anne

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Mother Alone/Woman Alone...

Good Morning Everyone!

Yes, my hand is still the size of a small pineapple... And yes, I went and bought some benedryl; taking it for the first time in my life. (And going "nightie~night" very shortly thereafter too)!

Now if any of you know what I am trying to say here, or how maybe to say it better; PLEASE leave me a comment. This blog really does NOT only pertain to mothers; but to anyone else that might have seemingly not been given a wee bit of credit for WHO they really are... inside...

Very recently one of my children said to me that she believes me NOT to be the person I portray myself to be within my pages here... And that has gotten me to thinking.

I have "thought" myself only to one obvious, and simple, conclusion.

She is wrong as "wrong" can be.

She is a woman in every sense of the word. Bright. Capable. Strong. (Just as I raised her to be). Entering her 4th decade of life as it is.

And yet, she has only given me credit for being a mother. Perhaps it is only because she is my child? And I am thinking that there are too MANY children in this world that, unfortunately have only/will only see their mother as a mother.

I assure you this is not the case.

Our mothers, and YOURS, were women first. Born daughters of someone else who gave birth to them. When your mother was young, she never believed that her mama ever would "do" such a thing to create new life. And if she did, it was once, (and only once), to bring forth life. Mmmm~Hmmmm

"When I was a child I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child..."

And yet, your own mother grew to know all the love, the glory, the resounding successes (and the heartbreaking failures) that came to her even before you did. She knew freedom. She knew life. She loved all animals. (She hates spiders).

She had/has many many friends that have shared almost every experience she has ever known.

Then came her children.

"...When I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways" (1 Cor. 13:11).

Since I recently have entered my own fourth decade of being a mother, I can assure you that once that heartstring has been pulled that nothing else will ever be that important to me. And so with that very first delivery, I put aside most of those dreams I may have had. I did this freely and without any coercion, (save for those tiny fingers that clasped my own).

And those tiny fingers quickly grew to a woman.

You have accused me now of being less than honest.

As I have said you are quite wrong.

You have known me only to be a mother. (More specifically YOUR mother).

There was a different 'life' before you came along.

And there is a different life now that you have gone on...

This is the 'woman' I always was, and always will be. I promise you that my friends, and even my elders, will all attest to this; almost as well as my own heart can. For they knew me then, and they know me now.

These are the people that have given me the strengths, (or even the escapes) that I needed many times.

The people who knew, (and know, and respect, and love), the woman inside my skin. The people for whom the song was written, whether they were friend, lover, employer, or employee.

And yes, they have seen me 'become' my own mother in so very many ways; as you yourself will "become" one day.

I am always to be your mother. Good. Bad. And yes, every degree conceivable inbetween.

I have never lied to you. And I have not chosen this moment in time to begin to do so.

I am the same person, the same spirit, with the very same soul, that I always was.

I am determined.

I am strong. With credit due my own many experiences in life, and my own understanding of human nature, that simply makes me stronger than you. But just because I am stronger does not mean that I want to be so, it is simply the way it is.

And this is not only to be applied with respect to my lifetime, or my mothers; it is for all time.

Mother? Yes.

Invincible? Hardly.

Woman? Always.

"Yeah, it's kinda like that"

XOXO
Anne

for more on Anna's Family, click here...

*****of course if you were already on my friends list when I wrote that blog, you might NOT want to revisit it. .... hehehe

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Counters

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She can kill with a smile, she can wound with her eyes.
And she can ruin your faith with her casual lies.
And she only reveals what she wants you to see.
She hides like a child, but she's always a woman to me.

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She can lead you to love, she can take you or leave you.
She can ask for the truth but she'll never believe you.
And she'll take what you'll give her as long as it's free.
Yeah, she steals like a thief, but she's always a woman to me.

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Oooh, she takes care of herself.
She can wait if she wants, she's ahead of her time.
Oooooh, and she never gives out, and she never gives in,
she just changes her mind.

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And she'll promise you more than the Garden of Eden.
And she'll carelesly cut you and laugh while you're bleeding.
But she'll bring out the best and the worst you can be.
Blame it all on yourself, cause she's always a woman to me.

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Oooh, she takes care of herself.
She can wait if she wants, she's ahead of her time.
Oooooh, and she never gives out, and she never gives in,
she just changes her mind.

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She is frequently kind and she's suddenly cruel.
But she can do as she pleases, she's nobody's fool.
And she can't be convicted, she's earned her degree.
And the most she will do is throw shadows at you,
but she's always a woman to me.

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Billy Joel

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Green Nuts Anyone?

Good Morning!

Now just what kind of bug is THIS??? Termite? Carpenter Ant? I am asking on behalf of Roberta and CaseyFace... Their apartment seems to be the very worst, (and yes I did too tell them not to be living there a LONG time ago). hehehe .... "Kids", eh?

It is a basement apartment, and the landlord is a shyster. When Casey moved out last week, all of her furniture was covered in black mold, her brand new mattress needing to be tossed etc etc etc... We have tons of pictures... Roberta will also be departing there shortly. I shall buy her buckets and buckets of bleach too... She has been running a dehumidifier 24/7/365... and as you know, with this water all over, even that electric bill doesn't fix it, nor does any amount of cleaning or scrubbing... Yes, the landlord siad he would fix everything... a LONG time ago...

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Oh wait! Here's another great shot...

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Taken when Derek had pulled up the carpeting to see what was/IS underneath. (You do not even want to know)...

And yes, I have spoken to the County Health Department already...

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And another narfy picture for you here...

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Just one, (of probably about 10,000), that didn't like me messing with my water hose. ... And that damnable thief stole my wrist... (and my knuckles)...

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As you can probably guess, I am out of my Epi-pens...

And yes, I have put ice on it too. (And all that did was make my hand cold). hehehe

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I am NOT out of apples though!

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The trees are dropping their baby apples to the tune of about 5 gallons/day... Not enough moisture for them, and would you believe we still need many inches of rain? The news said we have only gotten less than .09" in the past three weeks. And everything is so dry. The humidity has parted, for today only, and will be working its way back up to raunchy and muggy in the next few days. UGH?

I was going to cut lawn yesterday, but those were only my good intentions before "I fought the wasp, and the wasp won." (Sorry. I couldn't resist getting that song in your head)...

My hand has been getting bigger and bigger. I had hoped it would settle down overnight, but it hasn't. Worse, it freakin' hurts; and actually itches all the way to my stupid elbow. I got stung on the left shoulder too. Danged things.

Punkie had her own run~in with a "thing" yesterday; and she 'followed' it all the way across the lawn...

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A wee little toad... (Made her snort too)!

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A trip back to the woods tells me that there will be a bumper crop of black walnuts this year... And I even stole a few to come back home with.

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Black Walnuts... Just starting to turn.

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I can remember as a kid, crawling up in the old shed. Pa would get the walnuts and there would be oodles of them up there in bushel baskets. I would go up the ladder with a hammer to get them open... By the light through the edges of that tiny window I could ruin my supper in no time flat!

Time for me to get my backside in the shower!

Might you all have a wunnaful weekend!

XOXO
Anne

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