I'm going, do you want to go?

http://www.watchingthewaters.com/2010/09/orlando-159-days.html

No, I don't know a single one of these women in real life.
But I've known some of them for years, some I've never said (wrote) a word to.
But I feel I know them as well or better than their best friends, and them me.
I've never done anything like this before. But the idea of spending the weekend with someone who knows exactly the kind of life, drama, hades,other world-ness I live is surreal. To know there really is someone,lots of someones, who know what I'm talking about is priceless....and I have not been without a kid hanging on me for about 6 years...really. I selfishly want to go so I can pretend I don't have a care in the world & I wont hear mommymmommymommymommy one million times in an hour.
I don't think doing something totally out of character in 40,hmm,hhmmm years is too bad.

Too Much

Sometimes there's just so much going on, you just want to turn your back on the whole thing.
There's no words to explain it anyway.

Surprises around every mouse click

Just clicking around trying to find the very earliest pictures of The Boy...I found some too cute to even believe!

Let's talk Sinus'

My husband had sinus infections for years. He had one at least every other month.
Finally he had to have sinus surgery a few years ago. (it's a very miserable surgery, by the way) But lo & behold about a year after the surgery he started having them again. There was no way he was going to go through the surgery again. So the ENT dr said he needed to try a Neti-pot. He wasn't so sure to begin with, but would rather try that than have infections all the time or forbid, another surgery.
He has religiously used a neti-pot twice a day or at least once a day for years now.
He can't go without it. And I can tell you he only has about one sinus infection a year, if that. It really has made that much difference in the number of infections he has.
I asked the ENT why more people didn't use these and he said he always recommends them but most people are put off by putting water up their noses. Personally, I think I'd rather do that than feel like I'm dieing from a sinus infection or have sinus surgery.
He said it was also good for people with pollen allergies. You can wash all the wonderful pollen out, when our beautiful southern trees and flowers bloom.
I asked my husband if I could take a picture of him doing the neti-pot...he just looked at me like I'd lost my mind. After 22 years, I think that means NO!
So you get to look at the bottles instead. It really is easy and it really does make a difference.
WaterPic even has two different ways to do it.
Squeeze Bottle- allows you to customize the amount of water flow for a complete cleanse, simply with an easy squeeze. The SoftSeal™ nozzle maximizes comfort and the One-Way FlowControl™ valve prevents backflow to maintain solution purity.

Neti Bottle- a unique approach to the traditional neti pot; its ergonomic shape, SoftSeal™ nozzle and One-Touch FlowControl™ valve make the Neti Bottle easy to hold, comfortable against your nose and creates a controlled gravity-fed water flow that provides a gentle sinus cleansing.

Even better, all SinuSense™ products are BPA free, dishwasher and microwave safe and safe for everyday use, even for children ages 4 and up. Now everyone in your family can breathe easier- and cleaner!

My Baby My Baby

After 28 years of being a mommy, my last baby is starting his journey into education.
He is going to Pre-K this year. He has a late birthday, so he'll be one of the oldest in his class. There is no turning back now. Next year my baby boy will HAVE to go to school or I will have to homeschool him. In a few months he'll be 5! 5. Where has the time gone?
I think 5 is the "you can't even say he's a baby anymore cutoff". ~sigh~

Nothing like griping to make you feel better

(This one's mine by the way, not up for grabs. this was taken at a festival today)


I don't usually write in too much detail about the *foster children I have in my home. Oh, I know I do my fair share of griping. I just kind of generalize it.
But both of my boys will be leaving soon, I believe. It's not like it's not about time. I happen to believe a child should not be in *foster*care one minute longer than it takes the parents to get their crap together. I *foster the very young ones. Attachment issues are very real in this age group. One little one is the cutest thing you've ever seen. As a matter of fact one of the complete strangers who's lap he crawled up into said," Those eyes are so bright, you'd need to change the bulb in there every once in awhile." He knows no stranger. Which is terribly scary if you know anything about RAD%. He's been with us 18 mos. of his 30 mos. of life. I fear for his future and the perspective parents, who I doubt ever heard of RAD^, let alone know how to handle it or even know if this is something they can deal with. All they know is the superduper *SW says he is *healthy,white,male child. period. I will be sure to fill in all the very large gaps they fail/forget to tell them. Plus he's still a *legal risk. If I were them I would run and never look back. But I keep telling myself, who am I to judge. Maybe they can deal with it. But the first time they meet and he calls them mama & daddy, it will all be over, and they will hear nothing of my warning. People, love does not cure all things.
My other baby, has been with us 21 of his 24 months. His poor case has languished for far too long. One day he's going home & the next he's going to TPR*, staying in state or going out of state for *adoption. They don't have a clue. All the while this baby thinks this IS his home, the only home he's ever known. Why shouldn't he think that. It's the courts that should be ashamed of what they've done to this child's life. It doesn't take 2 years to figure out if mom's got what it takes to parent a child. Especially if you've had 2 more since the first came into care. Folks, this ain't rocket science. Foster*Care is a necessary evil, if you will. But it doesn't mean the state couldn't do a better job of taking into care the ones who need it and sending home the ones that need to go. Whether that be back to bparents or adoptive parents. Sitting in foster*care for years doesn't do anyone, on either side of the fight any good.
I've said my rambling piece for the night. I feel so much better.
I wonder why Juvenile court judges don't read foster blogs. Maybe they could learn the real truth.

You know it's September in the South

Beautiful, Beautiful Kudzu is in bloom. I wonder if most people know it actually
has a bloom? Zooming by on the highway, you'd never know.

(Actually late August, early September. But that wouldn't fit in the title.)

I love kudzu. It's like huge green leafy drapes everywhere you look.
The blooms smell like you walked into a giant piece of grape bubblegum.
My husband hates it and says it smells like deodorant cakes they put in men's urinals. I'm just going to have to take his word on that one. I don't want to know what they put in there.

For the love of Avocados & the South

I love avocados & there is a law in @lana that says if you are from the south you must love fresh sweet corn. Really, it's true. I've seen fights break out when the first crops of Silver Queen sweet corn starts to run low.
The combination of sweet corn & avocados are de-vine.
And with nutritional facts like this for avocados, why not :

At only 50 calories per ounce (around three slices), and sodium and cholesterol free, they make great additions to everyday salads and sandwiches. With nearly 20 different types of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients in a one ounce serving, avocados make a healthy ingredient in any dish.
So, while watching the Atlanta Braves in the play offs ;) you can make this dip and I promise you will not have any leftovers, so you may want to make it a double batch.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Ingredients:
4 ears Sweet Corn (only the real stuff will do,make sure you know it's sweet)
2 whole Very Firm Hass Avocados, Diced
1/2 Red Onion, Diced
1/2 Jalapeno, Seeded And Finely Diced
1/2 Hot Chili Pepper, Seeded And Finely Diced (optional, only if you're crazy about HOT)
1 whole Juice Of Lime (I like lime,so I use more)
Plenty Of Chopped Cilantro
Salt To Taste
1 Tablespoon Vinegar
1 teaspoon Sugar (optional)

Prep. Instructions
Slice kernels off the corn, and combine it with all remaining ingredients in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Over night is best.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Do you have a favorite avocado recipe? You can go here:
any consumer can submit their avocado recipe and may be featured as an "all-star" recipe. All voting and recipe posting will take place at



“I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association. Mom Central also sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Just when I thought IT was over

I'm not real sure why I thought it would never happen again. I think I was prepared for people to think I was his grandma. I got that some when he was a baby. I was only 40 when he was born...not too old to have a baby, right? Although I am a *MeMe. My grandson is 6 months older than the Boy.
I guess I thought all ignorance was erased from the world or something. Evidently some assuming has been going on at the Boy's taekwondo* class. The parents kinda know we are foster parents, they've seen the babies that obviously are not of our genetics. So OK, no big deal.
Tonight, some lady I think I've said HI to twice sits down and says,"What's your son's name?" I said D@v!d. She said,"oh, is he yours or *adopted?" I was kind of dumb founded. Because believe it or not, I just think of him as my boy. When he runs to me and says I love you mommy. I don't think, oh wow, he's *adopted, I wish I were his mommy. Damn it, I am his mommy. Look up the definition of mother and I'm pretty sure you'll find me there. I looked at her and gave her my most deadpan look and said "both". The Boy's daddy was on the other side squeezing my hand, hoping like crazy that's all I'd say.
She went on to tell me, one of the older girls there was %adopted thru ^fostercare* and it was funny because everybody thought the man who brought her to taekwndo* was her dad, but was really only her ^foster dad who ^adopted her.
Need I say, that everyone who reads my blog knows I'm kinda straight forward, I don't beat around the bush. I say what I mean & mean what I say.
My husband was hanging onto my hand for dear life by this point.
BUT, people...I smiled and only said,"I bet she thinks he's her dad too".
And then she didn't say anything else to me.
I wonder if I offended her?
It's one thing if I share our story with you. It's not OK for you to start a conversation with your assumptions. If you're curious about @adoption, ask about @doption. Do not question if my son is my son.

Stack & Whack

I've been working on this quilt for what seems like forever.
I've never done this kind of quilt before and it turned out soooo nice.
It's called Stack and whack, using the wildest patterned material possible and when "pinned & cut" correctly will give you dozens of kaleidoscope images.
After each block was completed I was sure it was my favorite, until the next one was done.

I'm tired of Reality....

If Df@c& doesn't kill me first...

Wanna come with me?

GUESS WHAT?

I'm a B*t*h!
I'm sure plenty of people could have & would have told him that.
It seems one of the babies daddy stopped visiting because I had the audacity to tell him the baby could not ride a four wheeler with no helmet or other protection AND there could be no people at the visit who were not approved by the court. I am so mean, you just would not believe it. I've been known to kick dogs too. (who puts a baby on a 4 wheeler and says, "here, push this button"?)
He stopped showing up for visits about a month ago. Here, it's miss 3 visits and your out. When asked by the @birthmother why he stopped going, he told her I was, well, what I was. And that the courts were just going to take his rights away anyway, so he'd just get a head start on it.

I guess it would be fair if I called him an idiot.

My Boy...I'm not proud or anything, but

He tested for his yellow belt AND got a trophie for most respectful!
I'm not one to brag or anything, but I think he's a pretty great boy.
In the first picture when he first tied his yellow belt on, he's smiling so hard I thought his face would break in two!
When Master Bruce tied his yellow belt on, he ran over to us and almost yelled, "I got my yellow belt!!!" You sure did buddy and I'm sure it wont be your last.

ME & SAM-E

What is SAM-e?

SAM-e is a naturally occurring compound that is found in all living things. It’s distributed throughout the human body and it contributes to maintaining mood levels.

SAM-e levels tend to decline as people get older and certain groups of people, including those with low mood, tend to have lower levels of SAM-e in their bodies. When the body doesn’t make enough SAM-e on its own, taking a SAM-e supplement can support many important functions.

SAM-e Complete is a daily over-the counter dietary supplement available from retailers everywhere, as well as online. SAM-e is best known for restoring a healthy mood by promoting a balance of brain cell functions.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Clinical studies indicate that benefits are most likely evident after 7-14 days of supplementation.


I have taken Sam-E for years, how many I don't know. It was recommended by an Ortho. Dr I worked for, because I was always complaining of stiff joints (lots of tests done,nothing wrong) But I do know I can tell a difference when I don't take it.
And as for "brain cell functions" go, I don't know about you, but I can't afford to take any chances. And mood levels...when you do what I do, you need all the mood stability you can get!

**Would you like to try a 3 month trial of Sam-e?
The first to email me their snail mail address will get it.
Don't worry, your info will not show on the blog!


“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Nature Made and received products necessary to facilitate my candid review.”

Pirate Flag

The Boy wanted a Pirate flag. So we dug out stuff from the bottom of my fabric pile.
And va-la. I pirate flag for the tree house. (click on the picture for the detailed view!)
That boy is spoiled rotten.

Why I'll never Win the Lottery

I love my husband, really I do. A true love.
For 21 years I've wondered what I could have ever done to deserve
such a man. I could lie and say I had always dreamed of marrying a man like him, but the truth is, I didn't know there was a man like him to marry.
We've had our hard time like most couples (Thank you Marine Corps)We may have been married for 21 years, but the Marine Corps made certain we've only spent half that time together.
Today is our anniversary. 21 years. We decided, unspoken of course, not to buy each other anything because we are going to the big city for the weekend & visit an aquarium. (That's what you do when you have a 4 yr old on your 21st anniversary, he had a ball on our 20th on a Disney cruise) anyway......
I get up this morning and stumble to the coffee maker for my morning I.V of coffee and there sits a card & little gift. You know you've been married awhile when he knows that will be the first place you go in the morning.
When I moved the card is when I saw the little gift, he wasn't supposed to buy. It was a Randy Travis CD. It's a little inside joke of sorts. I LOVE,LURV,LUV,HEART Randy Travis. So much so, that I used to tell my girls when they were little that I was engaged to Randy Travis...he just didn't know it. For some reason my girls always thought that was hilarious. Not long after we started dating I told my husband I was engaged to Randy Travis..he didn't know. But if Randy ever came back for me, I'd have to leave him and go with Randy.
After we got married I told my husband that the only man I would ever leave him for would be Randy Travis...if he ever came back for me. Well, I haven't heard from Randy in 25 years. How long is a woman to wait?
I think I'll go ahead and keep the one I have and buy Randy's Cd's. 'Cause really, I'm sure Randy's changed over the years & I would hardly know him. I'm sure he doesn't know the first place I head is the coffee maker. Or that I stood in the kitchen and cried and laughed like a fool.
So now you know why I'll never win the lottery. I've used up all my good luck on this man. He didn't really get very much in the deal, so there's still a chance HE could win the lottery.

P.S: if it wasn't enough crying & laughing in the kitchen, I checked my email and my friend sent a singing anniversary "email" that made me laugh & cry a little more. I have a good life, who needs the lottery?

Wanna Laugh until You totally cry like a fool?

Oh, don't be silly. OF COURSE you do!
I totally stole this site from Marcia


http://www.cakewrecks.blogspot.com/2010/02/cakes-only-mother-could-love.html

Be sure to look at the other catagories or just start at the top and work your way down. Be sure to have a few hours & some tissues. Oh, and be sure and go pee BEFORE you start reading.
Please, you don't have to thank me.

SUMMER

It sure is fun! Kinda. Not in 100 degree heat & 98% humidity. It doesn't make for much outside fun.
This Boy is driving me the rest of the way crazy. September sure is looking good.

Breyer's Smooth & Dreamy

Breyer's has a new Smooth & Dreamy ice cream bars and sandwiches.
First, what is there NOT to like about anything from Breyer's?
These new Smooth and Dreamy ice creams are just that...smooth & dreamy.
As you can see Daddy & The Boy loves them. The Boy especially like the triple chocolate bars.
You know it's good when you look like the second picture of the Boy!

*The good part is they gave me some to share. The first person to comment with their
snail mail address will get a coupon for a free box of your choice. Since the comments are moderated your info will only be visable to me, not on the blog*

http://www.smoothanddreamy.com Go learn more about the all natural ice cream and ENTER the company's sweepstakes. I love free stuff!


"I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Breyers and received products necessary to facilitate my review. In addition, I received a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate."

Free Stuff and Cool Stuff

I love Tip Junkies website. I've followed her for years and love the Christmas in July she has.
There's going to be great giveaways over there this year.
Go take a look.