May 2004 Archives

I don't know if my husband is insane or just naive ... but the man has to have lost his mind. He wants to take the clan camping today. No big deal, right? Well, one would think it wouldn't be ... but he wants to take about 20+ people camping with two tents (that only hold 10 people combined) and six fishing poles. No one else has tents, poles, or anything else.

I am about to crack up! One has to meet the clan to know just how funny this is going to be. Moonay doesn't do fish, worms, dirt, spiders, or snakes. V does not do tents. L has a bit of a time moving around. Four of the nephews are wimps when it comes to this stuff. K does not like camping. And my youngest girls have never even been camping before!

And, to top it off, there is supposed to be a thunderstorm this afternoon ... plus a major storm tomorrow with up to 100 mph winds. Yeah ... this is going to be fun. I live for this kind of thing ... but I know they don't! :)

I have a feeling there is going to be widespread griping and whining going on ... which is why I will be on the other side of the lake with my fishing pole. I am sure I will probably hear it from there ... but at least I will not have to hear it close up.

I cannot wait to hear the first scream though! LOL

My nephew, Ricky Lee, was the first in LM's family to graduate last night. The family came out in force to watch one of their own receive his diploma. It was totally awesome too, as he received a standing ovation throughout the auditorium from family, friends, and strangers.

Ricky Lee is the first person, his age, to be diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Major fund raisers have swept through our county in the last year to raise money for treatment. His name is well-known, even if most people around here have never seen his face. The town has been rallying together for a year to help provide him medical treatment, clothes, money for graduation pictures, the prom, and other things he would like to have.

You would never know just by looking at Ricky Lee that he has cancer. Yeah, he has lost quite a bit of weight in the last year ... but he looks healthy and strong. He is like most young men his age ... he likes girls, partying, and hanging out with the fellas. He smiles a lot, just like the majority of his family. He loves to fish and camp. He loves life. That is just so obvious when you are around him.

He hasn't let cancer ruin his life or his attitude.

So, when the auditorium flew to it's collective feet last night ... it was not just to congratulate a young man who graduated from high school. It was not just because he was the first to do so in his family. It wasn't even because he had cancer. It was to cheer on a young man for beating the odds.

Oh, what a joy it was to see the smile on his face last night and that pep in his step as the crowd cheered. He deserved it and I am so proud of him. I hope we are so lucky to watch him graduate from college as well.

Since I don't feel like talking about anything of any importance, I decided to do some quizzes instead. Enjoy!

I found this little quiz over at Genuine's place :)

You are PRINCESS FIONA!

You're kind, compassionate, and see people for who they really are.

What Shrek Character Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

I was laying in bed, stroking LM's back as he went to sleep, thinking about how lucky I am. He is great. Things are so wonderful between us. It is truly amazing and I wouldn't change a thing.

It is hard for me to believe I am really married. It hits me, out of the blue, and really floors me ... as I never believed I would take those vows again. I did not believe that I would ever find someone that I would be willing to do that with. I did not believe that I would ever get over my fear of marriage itself. But, when I look at the man I married ... I thank the Lord for all He did for us and for blessing me the way He has.

And, to think, my mother actually believes that I am just in love with the thought of being married. Yeah, my mother hasn't stopped yet. But, what really amazes me is that she cannot even fathom, for one minute, what my marrying LM truly means.

There are a lot of people in this world that travel for their honeymoons, spend a ton of money, and stuff like that. Not us. We had a "redneck honeymoon," as my nephew Ricky Lee put it and we had a great time. We didn't go to a hotel. We spent our nights here at the house. What we did do is go fishing.

Yeah, you read that right. We went fishing! LOL

I don't have a lot of time, as we have a house full and we are grilling some BBQ ribs, chicken, and polish sausage. But, I wanted to let you all know that I am now, officially, a married woman. :)

More later!

It has finally arrived! Yep, today is the big day ... our wedding day. I am still nervous, but in a good way. Everything is set ... the rings, marriage license, and camera are ready. LM is off to get V and N, since they never got the car fixed right yesterday. And, I am supposed to be getting ready ... which I will do momentarily.

In the last eleven and a half years ... there were times when I did not know if I ever wanted to get married again. I had been asked a few times, but I turned them down. I knew they just didn't have the same philosophy about marriage that I do. I knew they were not even close to being the one for me.

Many people believe that love is something that comes from within. But, when I read the vows that I am going to take today, I know that it is something you do. You promise to love someone until death do you part. You promise to be faithful. You promise to honor them always.

Those things are choices and today, I make those choices. It feels right. And, this time, I know I am ready.

See ya later, folks. It is time to get married. :)

LM shaved his beard and mustache off ... and he looks nothing like himself! I have never seen him without them and now I cannot stop staring at him. It is like I am seeing him for the very first time! LOL

BTW ... we will be married in less than 12 hours! I am like totally freaking here. Totally. But, in a very good way!

Yeah, tomorrow is the big day ... and I am beyond tired. Trying to get everything together ... get a dress ... get the house cleaned and all ... has tired me out and I am not even done. I so want to take a nap, but I cannot ... at least not until my youngest daughter gets home. She will be here in about 10 minutes. But, even then, I will only be able to doze on the couch.

I still have to finish the house, wash some laundry, clean up LM's and my bedroom, put up laundry, decide what dress I am going to wear, deal with kids and supper, pack the kids bags for the weekend, get LM's suit ready for tomorrow, trim LM's beard, do my grooming, and wash my hair.

LM is in Fulton right now getting his hair cut, picking up some dress shoes, and fixing V's car so her and N can get down here tomorrow for the wedding. I so wish he was here to help me get everything done here. I feel a bit overwhelmed.

I will post later ... if I find time! LOL

Today, while LM was grilling what turned out to be the most delicious country style pork ribs I have ever eaten, we decided to do a bit more target practice with the BB gun. LM was looking around, watching the birds as we took a small break ... when he noticed a dove sitting on the roof of the house behind ours. He excitedly brought the dove to my attention ... as we have never seen a dove around our neighborhood.

We watched the dove for a bit. It flew around the far side of our house, then turned to make a full circle around it and us. At that point, we lost sight of it for a moment, then saw it again fly around our house ... and then over our heads. After that, we did not see the dove again.

"It is a sign," LM stated.

I am sitting here looking around the blogosphere ... doing a little catch-up ... while I wait for some laundry to be done that the girls need for tomorrow. LM is in the living room with me, sleeping on the couch, because he does not want to go to bed without me.

I am cheesin' big time. LOL

Today was one of "those" days. I have been tired since I woke up, due to the fact I slept too hard and felt like I had not slept at all. I have been cranky as all get out, not feeling good, and just in an all-around bad mood.

Yet, I worked myself until my hip started acting up ... then pushed myself some more. I had two days of dishes to do, laundry that has been piling up, and I spent three hours cleaning off mud and hay from the underneath of the SUV. I had to fix lunch for seven kids, deal with various phone calls, and keep seven kids under control.

I was beyond whooped by the time supper rolled around and half-kiddingly asked LM if he felt like cooking. He said he would be more than happy to do so and set about peeling potatoes while I sat at the kitchen table making chocolate chip cookies. I sat there and watched him as he chopped onions, got his flour together, and made up his egg mixture. He refilled my tea and chatted with me as he cooked ... giving me bites here and there to taste.

I wanted to wish my Sister a very happy 30th birthday!

Well, the details of the wedding are set. The rings came in today and they are beautiful. We finally got to speak to a Reverend that will marry us. We have picked the place ... a beautiful park in the next town. V and my nephew, N, will be standing up with us. And, the date has been set ... next Friday at 11 AM.

Now, I just have to pick what I am going to wear!!!

One of the things I adore about Little Man is his ability to turn a very normal, casual thing into a romantic moment. Today, he did that. We had been driving around town, taking care of business, before we headed home. As I pulled into the driveway and put the truck in park, he told me to look at him.

He then sang to me, as he looked deep into my eyes ...

I am getting married next week. The rings were paid for today, but will not be in until the end of the week. We got the marriage license today as well.

Shocked ya, didn't I???

I spent the day with V, Miss Pootnanny, Pooh, and DeeDee. We sat on the porch and talked all day long, drank a little beer, and chilled. The men went fishing, except for the younger nephews. The kids were good and played well with each other. It was nice and I really enjoyed myself.

I got a lot of gifts and cards from my kids. Miss Pootnanny even bought me a card as well. I was seriously touched by the gesture and what she wrote in it. It was definitely a good day for me.

Happy Mother's Day to all the mommies out there! I hope you had a wonderful day too. :)

As I have said before, I love me some Betty Wright. This is one of my favorites and says more to me than probably any other song she ever did. It holds a lot of truth in it ... so check it out.

Betty Wright
No Pain, No Gain

The party was a major success ... even though everyone got so drunk that we all forgot about the cake!!! LOL Everyone had a good time and for that, I was glad. The party was meant to be a good time for all ... and it was that and more.

The food was delicious ... the drinks were plenty and continuous ... everyone had a good time ... LM said it was the best birthday party he ever had ... and my nephew, Nikko, helped me clean up. Life is good.

LM's Birthday Party Menu

5 racks of ribs
10 lbs of lean beef for hamburgers
10 lbs of chicken leg quarters
40 polish sausages
15 pork steaks

Turnip greens w/neckbones
Blackeyed peas w/onions
Macaroni & cheese
Green beans & potatoes w/bacon
Corn
Cornbread
Baked beans
4 bags of potato chips

Super large birthday cake

2 cases of soda

And, for the alcoholics ...

4 cases of beer
3 liters of vodka
Fifth of rum
Fifth of Canadian Mist

Well, I said I deserved a rest but I didn't get much of one! I left yesterday morning at 8:15 AM and did not come back home ... except to get kids off the bus ... until 8:45 PM. I was whooped!!!

After surgery, we had to get insurance on the SUV and title it. Then it was time to do more running, as some bills had to be paid. After that, it was time to head to Union City again, as my sister-n-law is in the hospital ... so we had to visit with her. Finally, we stopped to eat supper. It was pretty good too.

Today, it is off again ... as there is more bills to be paid, a fishing boat to be picked up, a trip to Wal-Mart, and an oil change to be done. It won't be as much to do, but considering I woke up with my face all swollen ... I know it is not going to be fun.

Well, yesterday was a busy day! The day started with a trip to the courthouse to transfer over the Grand Am to V. I had to take a trip to Union City, TN and back. Then, I was off to look for an SUV ... which we found and bought in the afternoon. After that, it was home for cleaning. I got all three tents sprayed down, the coolers cleaned out, and the tarps sprayed. K and the girls did some work on the kitchen ... cleaning the camp dishes and emptying out the coolers. The night finished with a trip to Wal-Mart for a BB Gun with a scope.

Now, I am getting ready to go have surgery on my mouth, get insurance on the SUV, license it as well, and then come home for a rest. I think I deserve it! :)

I woke up this morning to find that the cleaning fairies from the camping division have went on strike. They say their benefits package sucks and they want more pay. Little monsters.

I have a ton of cleaning to do.

I was asked ...

"Do you find it hard to handle having so many black family members?"

I don't think I have ever been asked this before ... but the answer is "no, I don't find it hard at all." I really don't think about the fact that I have family that is black. They are family ... period.

I have been asked before if I felt weird being the only white person surrounded by black people ... and the answer to that is "no" as well. I don't think it is because I am used to it by now, as I don't recall ever feeling weird about it or finding it hard to handle. I have always been quite comfy around black people and prefer their company most of the time to white people. I just fit in better with them ... at least that is how I have always felt.

I am so comfy, in fact, that the camping trips I have taken lately have left me being the only white face in the bunch ... as well as the only woman. I don't give it a second thought. It is just a natural state for me.

Well, we came home from camping a day early. *pout* But, my nephews were ready to leave. Nikko and D had been out there since Thursday and Demetrius had set out with me Friday. Demetrius had never been camping before and was highly upset with how dirty he got. A thunder storm hit Friday afternoon and the camp site quickly became muddy ... and he did not like that at all.

But, I got in some good fishing on the boat yesterday, so I wasn't too upset about it. I got myself a sunburn on my face and neck as well. But, I sure did enjoy being out there on the water! There is nothing like letting the hours roll by to the rocking of a boat on the water ... especially when you have a few poles in the water as well.

I have a ton of cleaning to do now! All the camping equipment is filthy, especially the tents. I know I am going to be cleaning on that mess for days ... but it is definitely worth it. Camping is just too much fun! I wish we could go back next weekend ... but I have a party scheduled. It is unfortunate too, as it is supposed to be sunny all weekend long.