The good, the bad, the downright ugly

First, the good news! The car is fixed. Well, even that has a "but". The immediate problems are fixed. But, i still have to shell out 89.00 for tags(which i don't have) and it needs a front end alignment and new tires. (there's another few hundred dollars). So, mom and dad bought the parts to fix the initial problems and I will pay them back with my refund from financial aid. That was almost $300. *choke, cough, puke* So, im excited, but not overjoyed, as the car still must sit at mom and dad's. I guess we are just that much closer to having it back.

The bad...we checked our fancy new mailbox today (it's those ones that are locked, at the front of the community...). We had like 4 or 5 letters from our phone company. One giving us the run down on the plans we chose, one explaining the credit bureau they use for credit checks, one from when i originally had it started in my name (but canceled hours later), and the last one explained our choice of Unlimited Plan. I must first say that the area I live in has one phone company to choose from...wait, that's not a choice, is it? Anyway, the prefix to my home phone is "abc"(-1234). Well, the area that has this small prefix is well, a very small town (I refer to it as a one-horse town). It is nothing much more than a stop light in town. In the past, having a phone in this area, meant you could call this one horse town or it was long distance. In other words, to call my sister, who lives in the next town over, it would be long distance (thus racking up a phone bill). More recently, they have made it to where you can call the surrounding cities and even the larger city we are nearest. Well, I don't have to dial the area code to access these other cities, but im not sure if it's still considered long distance. Maybe it's just a brain fart...but i am not 100% certain that they eliminated the "long distance" aspect of surrounding cities. Anyway, i know im babbling...but to get to the point, this letter we got in the mail said that "The Unlimited Plan is available for typical residential voice usage only. Long distance fax and data(including long distance calls to a dial-up internet provider) will be billed at .10/min." WTF? So, are we being charged, the past couple weeks for every ~MINUTE~ we have been online? Bc if so, our phone bill is through the roof already. I feel this is a very important "piece of information" that perhaps, they should have shared with us when we called to get the phone turned on and chose this "plan". So, Im hoping that seems I don't have to dial the area code to reach these cities, that it isn't considered long distance still by the phone company(as i know less than 10 yrs ago, it was, although then, you had to dial 1 then area code). I am a bit nervous to even be on the internet. And wouldn't you know it, i get this on Saturday, of a holiday weekend and this company is so "out of date" they don't offer 24 hr customer service. They have regular old m-f, 8-5 hours. They certainly won't be open monday as it is Labor Day weekend. So, i can't call to verify anything. I tried accessing their website, but you must have an account number, from your bill, which i haven't received yet, bc this is a new service...grrrr.

Now to the ugly...there are 2 of them, really. The first is the worst. Makenneh stayed at my mom's last night. I call my mom this morning (around 1030) to see what the plan was for the day and she informs me that she is picking nits out of Makenneh's hair. I grew queasy very quickly. Then i fumed. Where the hell did they come from? I don't want to go through this shit again. SO, while still on the phone to mom, Jeremy starts looking at Seb's head...finds a bug right off the bat. I was ready for melt down. One saving grace was, i had plenty of lice shampoo and other stuff from the last round with these pesty things. So, i treat all of our heads here...comb through seb's hair, find nothing more, after inspection. Of course, you know how it goes, you are itching your head right now, just thinking about it aren't you? Yep, i haven't been able to stop itching since i found out. I have treated my head..ran a comb through it the best i can with nothing on the comb. Yet, i itch. My whole body itches. I don't think i will be able to relax until i have my mom check my head. So, my kids have only been around 3 other kids: Stephanie, who has stayed with us most of the summer, with no incident, Desiree, who stayed a few nights ago, but does live with Steph, so hard to say. Then there is the two little cousins, whom i suspected last time and whom my mom has found bugs in their hair. We will call them K and K. Well, last week, during our move, mom had the kids for me, one day. K and K were at their grandma's house (who lives next door, who is also my dad's neice). So, Im thinking, once again, that's where they came from. THis kid always is digging her head, last time when we had this and my mom found bugs in k's hair, she told the gma, who then said she would treat, but we found out, she did shampoo, but only the two little ones and didn't treat the home (not even the mom's home). So, we know they don't take care of the problem correctly. I decided today that my kids are not allowed to play with those kids anymore. I know it may hurt feelings and could cause familial issues, but the things is, when my kids get lice, it hurts my pocketbook, my sanity and ruins the day for me. NOt to mention, my kids then have to endure the whole treatment process, be exposed to harmful chemicals and sit forever while i pick nits. Not fair to me or my kids. So, let them get mad, hurt, upset, angry. Maybe they will see that they have to treat this properly and get rid of it. I can't imagine just letting my kids run around, digging at theirs heads and not even think about checking/treating for lice. It makes me wanna puke. How could someone do that? So, out of all this ugliness, the one good thing is, i didn't have to buy the treatments this time. That was a life saver as we simply don't have the extra money right now.

The other ugly is that Jeremy's back tooth is rotted. HE has had issues with his teeth forever. He had a bike accident when he was a kid...over the handlebars, knocked out some teeth, deadened some of them, etc. Well, this tooth is horrible looking. It hurts him, he is miserable. We have no insurance. I am going to have to call around on tues to try to figure something out before he gets infection and bigger problems. When it rains, it pours. i have had my share of downs, im ready for some ups!

So yeah, my last weekend before plunging into college is spent miserably. What gives?! Maybe i can look forward to classes as a vacation?! Of course, if i don't get something solved about the tags on the car, i won't be worrying about classes, bc i will have no way there and will have to drop them. My mom doesn't have a car during the day and my dad doesn't get home until after my night classes start...so they can't help and everyone i can think of has work. Because I used finacial aid, i cannot just wait and see...if i can't get there, i have to withdraw from them, bc otherwise, i will not be eligible for financial aid until after i pay for a semester, which i can't see myself affording that any time in my near future. So, yeah, a lot on my plate, starting to feel overwhelmed and ready to bury my head in some sand. I am fighting the urge...bc that wouldn't solve anything, but im reaching a point where i feel i can't keep going at it.

Now, im off to scratch some very hopefully and most likely imaginary bugs in my head...lol

One more trip

We went yesterday to get what we thought would be the last load of stuff from the old place. Hah! We will have to make yet one more trip. I will be so glad when i can turn over the title and all and be done with that place. Now that we are moved out, it just seems even more nasty over there. At least, i don't have to live there anymore!

Of course, bringing that load yesterday meant another mess of boxes and stuff to unpack, put away, find homes for. The problem is, without a shed, we have to store so much more stuff inside now and it limits our space. I am hoping to get a shed somehow, soon. I thought I had one from a freecycler, but her hubby decided he wanted to keep it. Oh well. It would have been nice.

I called and left a message for the lady who coordinates the headstart out here. She hasn't called back yet. I hope she can get in somewhere, bc she loves school. Not to mention, with me being in school, it could be helpful in that, hopefully she goes in the afternoons and I will be able to drop her off, go to class, get out and pick her up.

Last night, we got the diagnoses on Jeremy's grandma's tests. She has CML (Chronic Milophibrosis Leukemia). Here, I will copy and paste the email bc it's easier than trying to retype it all, especially with my mind....

I went to see Dr. today to receive my diagnosis: CML (Chronic Milophibrosis Leukemia). This is not newly contracted, he thinks I have had this for a few years.

My iron is low. Dr. is having me get an endoscopy done to determine whether there is bleeding in my esophagus/stomach areas.

I have to have one more test done to pinpoint the specific leukemia. This is just a simple blood test. This will also help determine whether my spleen needs to be removed. A spleen is usually 10-12 centimeters; mine is 28 cm. With it being this size, it zaps my energy and it sits on my stomach, making me feel full after eating very little. The spleen is where the white blood cells are congregating. This is the test for the CML. I also have to have a CBC each week for 4 weeks. After this, Dr. will be able to give me a plan for treatment, which WILL NOT include radiation. He thinks we may just be able to treat this with a pill.

I go back to Dr. on October 1, 2007 at 11:30 AM. So I'll let you know then.

DAMN IT....THE ITALICS STUCK AGAIN! REmember last time i used them, i couldn't get them off? I am so mad. Anyway, ill just change the color of the email so you can tell where it ends. So....the prognosis sounds decent. I like that dr isn't expecting to resort to radiation and that he thinks a pill will treat it. Please pray that things go as well as the dr is expecting!

Well, Jeremy should be home from work soon, so i am going to finish my rounds on here before he wants to take over on the computer!

Mini girls day out

Last night i was talking to my cousin and she asked if i wanted to go with them for her sister's final wedding dress fitting. Seems how she bought the dress down near Detroit, we usually make an all day trip of it when we have to go down. So, i decided to go, figuring i could use the time out of the house, interacting with other adults. So, I went. It was me, my cousin Shannon (the bride to be), her sister (and also my cousin) Rachel, our cousin Ashley who is a bridesmaid and then my aunt Kathy, rachel and shannon's mom. This is like an hour and 15 min drive. We get almost there, only to have shannon realize she had forgotten her bra and shoes for the fitting. So, she calls the dress shop and she said that we could go to a store and buy another bra and then try to find a shoe with same heel. The problem being that then final touches are made with guesstimates. So, shannon opted to set up another date for the final fitting. So as not to waste a trip. we exited and ate at a coney island. Then, we headed closer to home and stopped at a walmart. It was nice to get out, get a few things we needed and not have men or children hounding us (ok, with cell phones, can't really avoid either of those things...). We laughed and had a good time. Afterward, we went to shannon's house to see it, as it's new and they are just now moving in. Then, headed home in time to make a later than usual dinner and it is now 1am and Makenneh is just laying down. She has refused to go to sleep. I am tired..and quite ready for bed myself.

So, im off tonight..without any cute or funny stories to share...but Julie, i was probably down near your area today!

heat, humidity and storms

This move couldn't have come at a better time. It has been sooo darn hot and humid that the air is almost hard to breathe. I have enjoyed my central air, lemme tell ya! It has also rained every day for the past week...with some of those days being all out thunderstorms, complete with tornado warnings.

Tomorrow is my cousin's bridal shower. My sister and I went in on her gift...we got a laundry basket and filled it with cleaners, scrub brush, laundry soap, all those good things. She and her fiance have bought a house recently and it's an old one, which needs repairs...but they just had to have it...bc it has a lot of land (10 acres) and the house is cute and has a lot of potential. So, we figured all the cleaning supplies would be helpful. Not to mention, even if you get duplicates, you can always use them. We also did a gift bag with cute stuff, a picture frame with the double hearts (that's her theme), some wedding scrapbook supplies and that's all i can think of. Then, I had put together a "household tips" booklet that we are including. This will be their first time out on their own. They have lived with my aunt and uncle (still do until they get the house finished). So, it's fun to do shopping for someone like that...bc they don't already have a home set up.

Jeremy got his Xbox 360 back today. It had the "red ring of death"...a manufacturer defect that has caused a lot of xboxes to quit. We didn't expect to get it back so soon, but they ended up just replacing it rather than repairing it. He was like a kid at christmas when he got that thing back. To be honest, i kinda wish it would've taken a bit longer, bc im more apt to get more help out of him without the game. Oh well. He didn't play too long tonight, so i was happy with that.

Well, I did manage to get a few more boxes unpacked tonight. It has been so hard to get anything done with these kids. When i am alone with them during the day, i can't take my eyes off Sebastian. He has just been in destruction mode lately. He gets into all of it. He even had to draw on the darn wall tonight. He doesn't quit. This child is surely going to be the death of me. Hopefully this phase doesn't last too long. I may be bald soon otherwise.

We have been cracking down on bedtimes, eating at the table, following rules, all that jazz. Hopefully it won't take long to get them back on track. This is what i get for being so laid back. I picked my battles and just didn't pick enough to fight...i didn't have the mental energy to fight any battles, really. I still don't, really, but now, i have monsters that need to be straightened up before they are really really big monsters. So, time to tighten up and lay down the law.

Well, im off here...i think i may be ready to crash. I hate it, bc i go gung ho all darn day and by the time night comes, the kids have gone to bed, i don't want to sleep, bc it's my only peace and quiet. So, i stay up to enjoy said peace and quiet. Then, im up too late and dread morning. Vicious circle, i tell ya! I think i really just love night time best!

still settling

Well, im still unpacking, putting things away, finding new homes for all this stuff. I still haven't found my camera. Not sure which box it was packed in. And it doesn't look like I'm going to be able to get much done when im here alone with the kids. I can't turn my back on Sebastian for one second without him making a mess or getting into something. I tried putting their clothes away and came back out here to him in the antibacterial hand gel stuff...had it in his hair and on the floor. UGh! And the fight has begun to keep all food and drink in the kitchen/dining area. Makenneh has no problem with it so far, but Seb is insisting he should be able to eat crackers on my carpet! Try again! I don't care to ever move with little kids again! We will have to stay right here until they are old enough to pack up their stuff, help with the move and most importantly, understand the importance of letting us get our stuff done. So, here's to many years here in this place! LOL.

It's amazing how much i was able to accomplish yesterday when my mom had the kids. Today, it is almost 1130am and I haven't gotten much of anything done. Mostly running in circles, feeding kids, cleaning up mess, picking up after them, all that jazz. Helen, i just don't know how you do it! (or anyone else who moves with little kids).

I'm having a spa party on tues bc i was supposed to have it a few weeks ago, but something had come up and i was unable to have it. Now, amidst this move, i have to have it. I don't want to cancel or reschedule again, bc i booked it from a cousin's party and she needs this 2nd booking to get her goodies! I figure whatever i don't get done, oh well. I surely have earned an hour of pampering myself with facials, foot spas, lip treatments and all that good stuff!

Anyway, im being hounded for food. These kids must have a tape worm. They had breakfast a lil after 9, they just got done mowing down some crackers and now she is whining for a pb&j sandwich. Ugh! She will have to wait til closer to lunch time and that will be lunch!

Anyway, take care

Maybe it's not so bad....

Well, tonight is our first night at the new place. Still a lot of unpacking and putting away and arranging and all that to do! But for the most part, everything is in here. There are a few small things yet at the old place that we will probably get tomorrow. Now that it is starting to look more like a home, i am feeling better about the whole move.

Helen asked about pictures. I need to dig out my camera and i will take some pics. I will tell ya now that it's nothing fancy...but better than the place we were living.

Makenneh may not be able to go to school this year. I am a bit sad about that. The school district we are in now is full as far as headstart but the headstart coordinator is going to check on some things and call me tomorrow. Hopefully we have some other options bc i can't imagine her not going to school. She will be so disappointed. We now live on the border of 3 school districts, so hopefully one of the other two have some openings and I could drive her to my mom's or uncles (both within 2 miles of my place) to catch the bus.

Well, it's late and I should be doing something constructive around here to get us unpacked and settled. just wanted to post that we are moved and up and running!

And the forecast is...

rain, rain and more rain! It rained all day today and it's supposed to continue raining pretty much all week, with tues. being the only day without rain. I am hoping the forecast changes to less rain. We were unable to move anything big today bc i don't want my stuff getting moved in the rain...not when it's a steady rainfall. We instead took some smaller stuff and then spent the day at the new place working on cleaning and wallpapering and getting all that stuff done. I don't know if i will have a ride to the new place tomorrow or not...so not sure when all the moving is going to get finished. During the week it is hard. This whole move came so sudden and everything feels so darn unorganized. Ugh.

I have very mixed emotions about moving, too. I am not really excited. I even cried a bit. I am not sure why. This trailer is junk. But it has been home. I like the community here, the fact that we don't have many neighbors surrounding us and that it's close to things like expressway, grocery stores, etc. I guess, i have just grown to like the area that i live, despite the fact that the school district is crappy. I have to keep in mind that this move is a positive one. One in the right direction. And things are coming along nicely..it's looking more and more like home at the new place. But we are surrounded by neighbors on all side. lol. I really just can't explain what my feelings are, but Helen, I think I know some of how you feel when you have had to make certain moves. It just doesn't give me the warm fuzzies or anything of that sort. I feel rather blah. So, this rain certainly isn't going to help my mood.

And I can't help but think of Julie and her family as they are staying in a cottage this weekend. I hope wherever they are, it's not been as rainy and yucky!

Well, im off here to let Jeremy have his turn on the computer before going to be.d I think im going to lay down on the couch..that is, if the kids will let me. somehow they come up with energy that has no end!

Busy busy

I was woke up to my mom calling my cell phone. She and my aunt were coming to pick us up so i could go to my aunts to do the games and such for my cousin's bridal shower and work on her wedding invites. I was unaware of said plans..well, i take that back. I knew we had to do it (her shower is the 25th, wedding sept 22. ) I was really just unaware that today was the day. So, i had to rush around to get us all ready to go. It took a good portion of the day to do all that typing and printing. But, it's mostly done. The invites have to wait for Shannon's final approval, bc, God love her, she can be bridezilla. LOL.

So, didn't get much packing done today. Plan to work on it tonight and tomorrow. Mom kept Makenneh tonight and she is coming to get Seb in the am. That will speed the process up. But, tonight, seb was a big help. He can actually be more helpful than Makenneh.

I am low on boxes thought, too and must wait until either my cousin or dad get more for me. Hopefully tomorrow.

Oh and to answer some of Julie's questions...She has almost all of her stuff out. the only things left in there is boxes of paperwork and odds and ends. So, the small surely has to come from the floors. UGh. I so hope that we can get the smell out! My sis said i can use her steam cleaner to do the carpet that is still in there. Then, mom has some ideas of things to try on the floors to help rid the smell. I don't even care for dogs, so it just makes it that much worse!

Well, off to more packing! Of course, my monthly curse has come to visit and has brought a migraine along with it. Perfect timing i figure!

Moving

I have to start by saying, Helen, How in the world do you do this moving business with 3 little ones? I have only just begun and already want to pull my hair out. They don't let me get anything done. I feel like im moving backward. And here it is almost 1230am and Makenneh is still up. She fell asleep on the way home from my moms and i guess she is ready to go now. Not cool. I got most of the junk cupboards packed up from under the sink and then the knick knacks but still so much to do and i am whipped. I think im going to clean up the aftermath and call it a night.

We were able to go see the new place tonight. It isn't anything special, but it's better then what and where we are living right now. It does smell of dog, bc she had 2 dogs in there...so we have to get that smell out of there...any suggestions are welcomed. The carpet is pulled up from the living room so my uncle has some carpet we can get, thankfully. No money to get anything like that, for sure. THere is new windows throughout and it has central air. So i am happy for those two things. oH and an open floor plan! woohoo! so much better.

well, makenneh is being a brat, wanting to get into the crayons and markers to play artist at this hour so i have to go!

A gift from Above

I think our answers have been at least partially answered. My uncle called me yesterday and asked if we would be interested in moving. Huh? Well, his fiancee has moved in with him and she owns a mobile home in a different park that she is paying a trailer payment and lot rent on. So, she offered to give us, yes give us, her trailer. she will finish paying it off. All we have to do is pay lot rent. The rent is only 29.00 more than we are paying now. The park is nicer, the school district is great and it's only2 miles from my parents, my uncle and the expressway. My cousin lives in the same park and will be across the street from me. Plus, i have another cousin who lives in a different section of the park. We decided to go ahead. We are going to sign our trailer over to the park to settle our balance (they would really be coming out ahead, but oh well). This new trailer has new windows and central air! Woohoo! The down side is there isn't a shed. We really need a shed. But, for now, we will make it work and i may see i can find a shed on freecycle. I've seen them listed on there before. Everyone say a prayer that this all works out.

I talked to the headstart coordinator and makenneh is set to go to headstart in the afternoon. That would work great with my school schedule. She is also going to give me the brief orientation when she comes to drop off her packet tues. Of course, all of this will probably be irrelevant bc of the move. But i am going to go ahead with it just to have it covered. When maureen gets here, i will ask her about switching school districts and go from there. I am not sure if the new district offers headstart or not, but if they do, she will have bussing and that is a plus.

I will be calling within the next couple of days to have all of our service transferred to our new address. Hopefully i don't have to go without net...although with moving, i prob won't have time for much internet anyway.

ill keep you all posted with updates as i find out things.

Also, i may be able to borrow the money to fix my car. Pray that that works out for us as well bc with the move, we definitely need a car for him to get to and from work. He will be asking his buddy if he will pick him up at the gas station by the expressway so they can continue carpooling. Hopefully that will work out!

anyway, gonna go. im so excited and just hopefull that this will all work out! God truly is good. I have had tears of joy...yep, im tearing up now.

My weekend

Well, Friday night, sis took me out for some drinks for my bday. Ironically, neither of us had actually felt like going, but didn't say anything to the other...until she got here to pick me up. LOL. We had a good laugh. But we decided that a couple drinks would be good for us. So, we go to Billy's. We ran into some ppl we knew growing up....two sisters and their mom. The one sister, Krystle, had a bday on wed and they were out celebrating. So, we all sat together, had a few drinks, then decided to go to a diff bar down the road, bc they have karaoke. So, we get to the 2nd bar and well, one drink, after another.....we closed the bar down! I drank my favorite...amaretto sours (several of them), had a shot called superman (boy was that good), had a shot called a blow job..i know, dirty dirty, huh?! but it has the whole kaluha (however it's spelled) and cream. I love the taste. I also had sex on the beach and a tequila sunrise and an oatmeal cookie shot. Yeah, lots of alcohol. I got home at 3am, was pretty drunk. I went in to let Jeremy know i was home...i climbed up in bed, and was leaning over him to give him a kiss and he was like, Ummmmm get back, you are drowning me in alcohol. Of course, i had to laugh. I laughed a lot. It felt good, i had a great time and i didn't have a hang over!

Saturday, we had a wedding celebration for my great uncle. They had gone to the courthouse in July and had a bbq/cookout this past weekend. The house where the party was held was huge and beautiful. The landscaping was even more beautiful. stone walkways, stone patio, waterfalls and landscape ponds and a gazebo, a tiki hut/bar, huge pool with deck, a small building that was like a mini cabin...set up as a living room type thing....used to house their hot tub, until they moved it out under it's own gazebo. You get the whole idea, eh? It was amazing. The party was nice. I didn't drink, bc well, i still kinda felt a buzz from the night before. We left there and dropped the kids off at my mother inlaws, then went to my brother's for a bon fire. I had a total of one and a half margaritas and that was it for me. I just didn't feel like drinking anymore. LOL. But i still had a good time. It was relaxing and enjoyed just sitting back around the fire, holding my baby nephew...he is sooo darn cute! I forgot how relaxing it can be to snuggle a newborn (well he is a month old). Then, we crashed at my brothers. We got up, sat around visiting, then ordered pizza and came home. That's the gist of it.

Tomorrow I go to my aunt's to help them with some bridal shower stuff. My cousin Shannon is getting married next month and her shower is aug. 25. They liked some of the things I had for Carrie's so i am going to do them for shannon's shower. One is a "game" without the feel of being a game. It asks for the guest to fill in their favorite...color, season, flower, etc. The bride fills one out as well. After everyone is done, the bride reads her answers and whoever matches her the most wins a prize (can also give prize for least matches). I'm looking forward to getting out of the house tomorrow, actually. I know i was out all weekend for the most part, but i will get to visit with my aunt and cousin. And they just got a new puppy, yellow lab, that makenneh will love to see.

Well, it seems like i have spent of the day on the computer, but i have to say, i have managed to get quite a bit done..the kitchen is clean (which it was trashed) and the living room is picked up and vacuumed and ive done several loads of laundry...oh and i picked up the yard. I have decided to get rid of some of the toys out there. They don't play with them and they just strew them all over the yard and won't pick them up. The yard always looks trashy....so toys shall go! I will save the couple that they actually do play with it and call that good!

I planned to make a roast for dinner, but my uncle has my crock pot and that's what I use, so i don't have to heat up this place using the oven for hours. So, i might just do spaghetti. not sure yet. Guess i need to think about that...as it's getting near that time.

ok im off now....

Books

I got my books for college yesterday! I was so excited! I was able to get all 4 books used, so that saves a lot of money. The total for 4 books was 297.62. And that's cheap! LOL. Well, and add into that total that i got a pack of ink pens (2.69) and a pack of pencils (.99). I looked at book bags there, bc if i got it from the bookstore, i could use my grant money rather than money out of my pocket. But dang, the cheapest one they have is 28.00 and it isn't big enough for much of anything. And none of them tickled my fancy. Ok, one did, but it was one of the ones that weren't big enough. So, i decided to just use the one my mom has. It is older than dirt but still in very good condition. There is plenty of room for books, notebooks, binders, etc and it has a lot of organizational pockets, zippers, etc. Mom used this bag when she went to college (which was back in the early 90's). I used it in high school and then when i went to college the first time. I don't remember what brand it is, but it is definitely a good quality. Of course, they probably don't make them anymore. lol.

I'm already having to start juggling the whole going back to school with Makenneh being in school. I got the letter from her headstart yesterday and her orientation is Sept 5 at 1:30. My very first class is actually that same day...at 1pm. And someone HAS to attend the orientation. Jeremy will be at work...my mom doesn't have a car during the day, so i have to figure something out. They did say at the bottom of the letter that if that time doesn't work to call bc there is an alternate orientation. So, im going to call on that and hope that it is at a time in which i can attend. If nobody attends this orientation, the child may be moved to the waiting list. UGh! So why do they set it up for during the day? silly if you ask me.

And I woke up this morning, went to use the house phone to call my mom before getting online and i had no dial tone. I checked all the cords, made sure everything was plugged in and tight...still nothing. I happened to glance at the phone..the part you hold to your ear...and the thingy you use to hang the phone up with is broken. This is just a basic phone...the speaker part (part you hold to ear) has the numbers for dialing, the receiver to hang phone up, everything. So the base to this phone is just that...a base. (this is a corded phone btw). So, somehow, my phone was broken last night. I have 2 of the teenagers at my house, so i don' t know if they did it (it wouldn't have been on purpose, but still) or if one of my kids did. So, now, i have play with the receiver to make calls and to get online. I'M NOT HAPPY. I can't afford to buy a new phone right now, no matter how darn cheap they are. WHen the girls get up, im going to ask them. I guess it is true that you can't really have anything til ur kids move out. LOL. It's not really a laughing matter. I was doing one of those surveys on myspace once and you could only use one word to answer each question. One was simply put....your favorite thing? My very first instinct was to put, BROKEN. Bc it seems that everything gets broken. I don't have a favorite thing, per se, but if i did, it is a good bet that it's broken.

Well, the boy child is standing at the door, ready to escape, so im going to get off here...my yard is trashed, my house is trashed, and im certain i should be doing something besides sitting here at the computer. I need to get it all done bc it's a busy weekend....going out for drinks with sis tonight. I can't wait. IN a way. In another way, im in one of those moods where i don't want to be around a bunch of ppl in social settings. But, i am ready for a night out as an adult. We will just go to a small local bar..i don't do clubs. bleh. too many ppl. too little clothes...lol.

ok, im off, seb is out the door!

Leukemia

I hate those dirty kind of words. Leukemia. Cancer. Bleh. I checked my email and had one from Jeremy's grandma. The subject was doctor's appointment. I was expecting to hear something routine. What I read caused me to cry. Her white blood cell count is down (or is it up?) from December. Her doctor sent her to a blood specialist. The appt was today. She was told that she most likely has chronic leukemia, but he can't be sure until he runs further tests but that she has had this (whatever it is) for awhile. She has a bone marrow biopsy, ct scan and some other test, all to be done within this month. 2 of the tests will be done this week. That, in itself, tells me that it must not be too good, bc she went today and has the tests already scheduled for this week. Usually there are waits. But, reading her email, she sounded so casual about it all. As if she was writing to say that she has the flu or something. I can't believe this. She is otherwise quite healthy, gets out all the time, lives on her own, etc. Please say prayers that everything turns out okay.

That's really all i can write about right now...my mind is too full to think logically at the moment. I don't want to have to tell Jeremy this. She is his last living grandparent. He just lost his paternal gpa a couple years ago.

A refreshing kinda day

This is the picture of the church with the carriage out front, right after the wedding. Doesn't it just look like something from long ago?? postcard perfect?

This is the entire wedding party...the pics are small bc that's how they saved from her myspace.
Look at these boots! Aren't they just georgous?

Introducing the new Mr. & Mrs Ralph and Carrie!!!!!!

I copied these pics from carrie's myspace and she had left this one as is..and i forgot to edit before posting...but you certainly can see just how cute my little Makenneh is! She loved being the flower girl!

Wow, these pics uploaded fast...of course, im doing 2 at a time. Anyway, this one is my sis, my brother and I. My brother was in the wedding too, so you can see what the guys were dressed in....western dress shirt, black dress pants and a bolo tie. Very simple. And that dress was designed by my sister, herself and made by our Aunt Bev! They both did an amazing job! I can't believe that A. Bev took some sketchings carrie drew and was able to make that dress into a reality!

Also have to note that my mom did all the flowers, including makenneh's halo and flower girl basket. She did a great job!


This is the pic of my dad walking sis down the aisle. It was so beautiful bc dad and carrie rode up on a horse and carriage and then entered the church...those doors behind them lead right into the sanctuary from outside....so they literally got off the carriage, walked up the steps and into the church.

And now onto my blog post (which actually was written before the pics were posted!)
I don't know what the temp reached today, but it wasn't even 80 i don't think. It was chilly. Or maybe, it's that after all the heat we had last week, this feels cold. At any rate, I left the house in shorts and a tank top and was quickly wishing I had worn long sleeves and pants. I got to go grocery shopping with my mom sans kids. It was so nice. And the best part is, i have a baby shower on the 11th (which is also my bday). I dread all these showers as I am sooo broke. But, i found a cute little outfit on clearance for $4. Can't beat that. And I have a picture frame for baby's first year to put with it and I also picked up a bib and travel wipes case (that were both clearanced to .50 each). So, i got a real good deal! I'm not going to the shower, but i figured I would send a gift, as it's jeremy's cousin. Not that we ever see these ppl at all, but oh well.

My brother is having a bon fire for me on my bday. WE figured that seems how we have my uncle's wedding celebration (they got married at the courthouse and are having a bbq to celebrate), that we would go to that at 3, when it starts, then later, go to my brothers and have a little party/bon fire. And to top it off, my sis called this weekend and said that she would take me out for drinks on friday night. Sounds good to me.

I get to go get my books for college this wed. I can't wait. Having the books in my possession will make it seem all that more real. There is a twinge of me that is nervous. I have been out of school for a long time. In fact, our 10 yr class reunion is next year! But, i know that I will do fine and it will be a lot of fun!

Well, i have some wedding pics and am gonna try to post a couple..Of course, they will post at the top and that's right where im going to leave them..it's just easier. Anyway, take care!

Yeah, im still here

I haven't had anything interesting to say. So, i've said nothing. Still really isn't anything to say, but thought I would at least say something to let everyone know i haven't disappeared. The weather has been hot and muggy so we have been staying in where it's cool. Of course, the kids don't seem to mind the heat and humidity. If they had their way, they would be outside all day. But, momma can't hang out in that heat like they can. I get sick to my stomach. So we go out for a lil bit at a time, coming in to cool off for a bit.

The weekend is almost here. No plans, just staying home. Well, i usually go to my parents' house one of the days, but that's it.

Oh i do have a funny story to share. So, i called one day last week to get a house phone turned on. I then called aol to set up internet. Well, they said i had to have a disc to install their program. Now, normally there are aol discs everyone, getting them in the mail all the time, at the checkout lanes in the stores, etc. Well, wouldn't you know that i could not find a disc anywhere. I hadn't recalled receiving any in the mail recently and of course, if i had, i would have tossed them. So, i called several family members in search, bc someone just had to have a disc laying around, right? Wrong. I call aol back, tell them i cannot find a disc, they told me, for about the 3rd time that the discs are available at walmart, blockbuster, etc etc. So, i had my mom check at walmart. Guy said that they were out. I had my aunt check at blockbuster, they were out. I called kroger, they were out. Grrr. I call aol back. This is like day 3 of having an internet account with no way to use it. I was so frustrated. So i tell aol that i have been to all these stores and nobody has any so just cancel my account. So, account canceled. I figured i would wait to get a disc to set up an account rather than pay for a service i can't even use. The next day, i go with mom and had her stop at kmart....they only had netzero discs....so i grabbed one. Came home, jeremy set it up for us. So, we ended up with netzero. Then, yesterday, i had my aunt run to me to store, she brings me a disc her sister had found while moving (aol). That same day, i check mail, there is an aol disc in there. Then today my cousin called and he has a disc now. Wouldn't it just figure? I still might switch to aol. not sure. but i lose connection all the time with netzero.

Anyway, thats all i have for now. its real late and im real tired....

A few pics

Welcome Kaden Matthew! Isn't he just a doll?

Here's Makenneh holding her first baby cousin!!!! She just adores him! doesn't ever want to let him go!

And here is a pic of my sis on her wedding day. We were at the salon getting our hair done. After hers was done, she laid down on the floor to catch a few winks! I had to get a picture of it, bc it was too darn funny! Thankfully we were the only one's in there at the time! I have to mention that this salon is absolutely beautiful. You can tell that it was once an old house and they maintained a lof of that structure. The bathroom still has a tub in it, the kitchen is still in tact, etc. The way they decorated it is absolutely neat! For instance, for curtains, they bought yards of various, matching fabrics and cut them in strips, then tied them around a nice rod. Very neat!

Im sure it's going to take forever and a day to upload a few pics with dial up. Hopefully I have the patience to wait.

Anyway, i don't really have any wedding pics to share, bc these are just the ones from my very crappy camera.

Wow, so far, it's been 20 mins to upload 3 pics...whew. You can bet i won't be doing this often. LOL.

Ok, so it took 25 mins to upload. I was starting to get impatient. i was just about to cancel it when it went through. Glad i hesitated.

I will eventually post more pics, perhaps just one at a time. Matt and Sara got his newborn pics back and im sure I will get one. I will definitely scan it in to share. I usually prefer their hospital pics to be in the white tshirt bc it's sooo newborn looking. But, my brother and sara put Kaden in a UofM (our college football team) onesie and used a U of M blanket as the background. He also had a uofM hat on. It is soooo cute! Yes, as you can guess, my brother is a huge Michigan fan! The baby got a lot of Michigan stuff...i diaper bag full of Michigan baby things like rattle, pacifier, bibs, sippy cup, etc, they also got a Michigan baby mobile and tons of MI clothes! Thats just what i can think of off the top of my head. Hope he turns out to be a Michigan fan and not a State fan, eh? LOL.

Today was quite hot, although I didn't have to deal with it much. I turned the air conditioner on as soon as i woke up. it kept it comfortable in here. It did start to get a bit warm later in the evening, but i think the humidity increased later this evening as well. Jeremy heard 104* for tomorrow, but my cousin heard 96*. Either way, it's going to be quite hot! Im leaving the air on over night and hopefully we can survive the heat!

So, hope everyone getting this heat wave stays cool and that's all I have for now!

Escape

I want an escape. I want to run. This has been a day from hell. Pure hell. The kids do not listen. I spend my entire day getting after them. I am burned out. And it seems any nice thing i try to do for them gets turned into an ordeal. I let Makenneh go play with her friend...when it came time to come home, she acted a complete fool right there in front of her friend's mom. I was mortified. She sat there in the pool, refusing to get out, sticking her tongue out at me. It took every ounce of restraint to not get in that pool and yank her out not so nicely. She was invited to come back tomorrow and swim, but I think she will be staying home, most likely in doors for the day. I hate to keep her from her friend, but she has to learn that she doesn't act that way. She is so argumentatative and bossy and all out disrespectful. If they had boot camp for 4 yr olds, she would certainly be there. I hate that i cannot enjoy these kids. I spend my days tense and frustrated and ready to just run. I think tomorrow I am going to clear her bedroom of all toys and take her movies away and as she behaves, she can slowly earn them back. maybe she has to be stripped of everything to realize that I am the parent, I am in charge and she will listen and do as told and have respect. I absolutely dread being here all day with these kids. I would rather have a root canal or walk on glass. I know it sounds awful, but this blog is for me to vent and that's what I'm doing. It is 10:40pm and both kids are still awake, bouncing around. I have yelled, i have swatted, I have placed down for bed. Still they go. It's probably good that I don't have a car right now, bc im almost sure i would be in it and long gone.

Then, to save money, we have been rolling our own cigarettes (I know, we should just quit, but easier said than done). Well, Jeremy sat here all damn night at the computer desk, with the stuff to roll cigs and didn't roll a one. He must expect that i should sit up all night rolling him enough for work tomorrow, while tending to kids. Well, he will be surprised come morning. Im not a freakin cigarette rolling machine.

Oh and it's my month to host bunco. well, it wasn't originally, but we had an open month and i volunteered. My mother in law said we could use an empty apartment at the complex she lives/works in. Well, last week they cut her hours almost in half and she thinks they are trying to get rid of her, so she said she isn't asking them for anything, so I have to find somewhere else to have bunco. My place is just too small and the floors are bad and jeremy never seems to find the ambition to fix them (another vent in itself). I just long for the day when i have a decent home to entertain company in and a decent car to drive and spare money in my pocket.

Ok i really have to stop now bc the more i type the more infuriated I become. Not to mention, i just know that everyone doesn't want to hear all my gripes. Even if this is my blog. Who wants to read all that depressing crap?

What are those blotches??

I so miss my cable internet. This dial up tests the very patience of even a saint. I have no patience to start with. So just imagine my frustration! And if i had cable, I would take a picture of Makenneh's stomach to show you the blotches she woke up with this morning. WE couldn't figure out what they might be. I thought maybe mosquito bites, bc both my kids welt up from mosquito bites. But, these were huge. Like the size of a silver dollar or larger...and welted. Well, I called my aunt to see if she could stop by bc my mom is out of town as of today. (That figures...lol). After even further inspection, the welts have a hardness and warmth to them as well as a "puncture" or bite spot. They look and seem like bee stings. But this girl has about 5 of them on her. It seems strange that she could be stung 5 times and not cry. 'Tis a mystery! But I do know we have bees around here like no other!

Today was a lazy day. I slept and/or laid around for most of it. I haven't felt my best in the last couple of weeks. It started with my period. The endo has to be out of remission bc i spent a good 4 days mostly in bed, in pain. Once I got over that, I got a lovely migraine which lingered for a few days. Even today, i felt the nagging pain in my head. Of course the ugly depression has its grips on me as well. Being stuck here, without a car and broke as broke can be leads to endless bouts of depression.

My brother called today. it's funny but since becoming a dad, he has called many times, just to chat. Anyway, i was telling him how aunt Missy more or less invited her and my uncle over for my bday (which is aug. 11 and falls on a saturday this year..woohoo) for margaritas. He asked if that's what i really wanted to do for my bday. I said, well, it doesn't really matter. Mom, sis and I are having a yard sale that weekend as well, which i don't mind, bc well, face it: we are broke and it's not like I will be doing anything exciting. Sis said we could do a cookout or something that day, while manning the yard sale. Fine by me. I really am easy. Well, my brother said Yeah that sounds good, then maybe have a bon fire that night. Then, he says, Hey, my pole barn is cleaned out now so we could even do it here if you wanted. So, it now has been decided that we will have a cookout/party at my brother's. So, i will just tell mark and mis about this and invite them along. Better for me to get out of this trailer for a change. I spend every day couped up in here. And, seems how it is my day after all, i get to pick what happens, right? I really do, don't i? LOL. Great! Then how about a week away...in a hotel or cabin, near the water with someone else to clean up and meals made for me and days spent lounging in or near the water? C'mon, it wouldn't be that difficult. My state is surrounded by water on 3 sides..i wouldn't need to go too far! LOL. Yes, i could use a vacation. I have even romanced the idea of hitching a ride up to my gma's all by myself. No hubby, no kids. Just get away and have some peace and quiet. I feel bad even putting that in black and white. it sounds so selfish. But, the inner being in me is screaming out: I am a woman. A human being! I am not just mom and wife and daughter. I am more. Really, i am. There is more to me than dirty dishes and mounds of laundry and endless vacuuming and dirty diaper changes and wiping butts and cooking dinner. There is a woman who likes to go places, do things, get out, let my hair down, enjoy an adult beverage or even 7. who likes to laugh and have a good time, who enjoys painted finger nails and getting a hair cut and oh how I'd love to have highlights in my hair! But, i guess for now, I am stuck here. Stuck sounds so horrible. But, literally, I am, short of begging and bumming rides, stuck is what i am. But, have no fear. Something good has come of all of this. Sometimes we have to hit rock bottom in order to stand up and fight. If nothing else, this spot I'm in has motivated me to do something. I finally got the fire under me to get my ass back in school. And that has given me back some hope. It has given me the realization that it doesn't have to be this way. That there is more out there for me. I just have to go get it. You know, it's kind of ironic, but really, I think I had it too easy growing up. It sounds funny if you think about how I grew up, in that money was very tight and we didn't have much money. But, that wasn't the point. The point is, mom busted her ass to see to it that we never went without. We always had what we needed and more one way or another. She never let us know just how tight money was, how hard she has to pull to keep the ends met. Add to that the fact that everything came easy for me as far as school. I have never had "fight" for anything i needed or wanted. it has all just come to me. And so, I don't know how to fight. I never had to learn. Now, here I am, almost 27 yrs old with no fight in me. So, to those of you who have had to fight and fight hard, had to overcome huge hurdles, just remember that those things have made you stronger and instilled a sense of hard work in you. It isn't exactly best to have everything come to you. Those obstacles make you stronger and able to fight for what you want/need. I guess the best is to find the happy medium. If there is such a thing. My other problem is probably just simply accepting everything as is. Not having the desire for more, for bigger, for better. Now,i want more! I am sick of settling. So, here I go! better late than never, right?

And while I'm busy analyzing things and doing my soul searching and all that jazz, let me tell you something that I really came to realize. it even ties in. I never knew just how damn good I had it growing up, until I sat and listened to my teen cousins tell of the horrors they deal/have dealt with in their homes. Add to that the whole Desiree drama. I never had to worry about dad not coming home or that my parents would get into huge fights, that my dad would snap and hit me with a closed fist. I never had to fear my dad. I never had to be subjected to verbal or physical abuse from either parent. I never had to deal with favoritism and being on the short end of the stick. I never had to doubt that I was loved. Sure, i did my fair share of telling my parents that I hated them and they were just trying to ruin my life and how could they love me bull crap. And boy do i feel like a fool now. If i had known then what i know now, i would have never taken any of my childhood for granted. I never would have taken for granted that my parents put us kids first, that they made sacrifice after sacrifice for us kids. or that all 3 of us were treated equally. or that we were disciplined with love rather than anger and vengeance. Seems how i can't go back and show more appreciation, I have taken the time recently to let my parents know how grateful I am for my childhood full of security and love and harmony. And that's not to say my childhood was perfect, but after some of the things I have heard, it was pretty damn close!

I have more things on my mind. See what happens when I'm gone for so long? I go on and on and on bc so much has built up in my mind, with nowhere to vent. One thing troubling me is the things going over and over in my head in regards to my cousin being gay. Her dad told her that her grandparents are rolling in their graves bc she likes girls! ARE YOU EFFIN KIDDING ME? I told her that if anything they are rolling in their graves bc of his behavior towards her. She is his daughter and he should love her for who she is, not who he wants her to be. Since she has admitted to having a girlfriend, she has been treated like a 3rd rate citizen, less than human. It is horrible. And this treatment comes primarily from her own dad. When they were out of state, he pinned her on the floor and screamed in her face that she won't like girls! WTF?! What good does that do? hell, living with a man like that, I would probably find men repulsive too! I want so bad to tell him that all he is doing is pushing her away and hurting her so bad. I really think a lot of his issues is not with her liking girls, but rather with the fear of how family will respond to it. Get over it. Your job as a parent is to love your children not worry about what others will think. His sister in law lives with her girlfriend. He has no problem with them at all. In fact, he always made comments about how cool it was and glamorized the whole girl on girl thing. I guess it's ok for everyone but his own kids. I just ask that anyone reading this say a prayer or do whatever it is you do that he will come to his senses and realize that no matter who she loves, she is still his daughter and he should love her irregardless. For me, as a parents, having one of my children admit they are gay is the very least of my worries/concerns. There are so many real things to worry about, to get upset about. Things that are actually detrimental to their well-being.

Well, i've ranted enough for one night. i need to get my aching body to bed. Take care!

I'mmmmmmmmm.........

BACK! Yes! You read that right! Where's the smiley that does back flips? There is so much I could type. I will start with saying that dial up sucks! but, not nearly as bad as having no internet at all! LOL. It took about 7 mins to get to my blog so i could post. So, with that in mind, it will take me some time to get caught up on your blogs. But, I promise I will do it! I have missed you so much!

The most exciting news to share is that I am all set to start College in Sept. I can get my books Aug 8 and I can't wait. I have my classes and my financial aid is in my account. Good to Go! First day of class is Sept 4!

Next is the birth of my nephew! I am now an aunt! Kaden Matthew was born on July 12 at 1:13pm via c-section. The C-section was scheduled even though Sara was only 37 wks bc she developed pre-eclampsia. They pushed to 37 wks. But, even 3 weeks early, little Kader bug (my nn for him) weighed in at 6lbs 13.5 oz and 19.5 in long. His apgar scores were 7 and 9. The 7 was bc he didn't wanna cry at birth at first. But, it didn't take him long to get the hang of that! He has a head full of dark hair and is just absolutely beautiful! And my brother makes me beam with pride! He is so awesome at this daddy business. He has no problem changing diapers, bathing, anything and everything...he does it with joy! And he loves the baby sling, missed using it while Kaden was on a biliblanket for jaundice (the blanket had to be plugged in, so it limited mobility while holding the baby). And boy did Sara bounce back great from her C-section! She is doing great as well!!!! I know you want to see pics of this beautiful baby, but I have to upload them. Tonight i am weary and ready to check in so i will have to post later!

The next exciting news is my sister is now Mrs. Ralf! LOL. The wedding was absolutely beautiful and everyone had lots of fun! Makenneh did wonderful as flower girl, although she did forget to drop the pedals. No biggy!

On a sad note, my cousin Desiree lost her best friend in a horse/car accident. Desiree's best friend was Crystal (12 yrs old). They bonded instantly and spent a lot of time together. They could relate to each other bc while Desiree's mom died and her dad ditched her, Crystal's gma had recently died and her dad is a dead beat at best, leaving home for months at a time, while mom had to work 2 jobs to make ends meet. Well, the night of July 7th (same night as sis's wedding), Crystal took her horse to Desiree's house to see if she was home. She had 2 friends with her. One on another horse and one on a bike. They were going down a side road (which Crystal lived on), when a drunk driver came flying down the road. He was going so fast that his car kept bottoming out (est. speed was 65-70 in a 45 mph zone). The car bottoming out spooked the horse and he reared up. At that very moment, the car struck the horse, throwing Crystal off. Both Crystal and her horse were killed instantly, right there in front of the other 2 kids. The drunk got out of his car, went up to the other kids and asked, "Is she dead?" then took off through the woods. The kid on the bike took off for home and got help. The guy turned himself in the next day. He is still awaiting arraignment on the charges. Sadly, Crystal's mom had just made the last payment on her mom's funeral from the previous year. The community has come together and there have been benefits to help offset funeral expenses. AT first, the family was just going to have her cremated with no funeral/visitation bc of costs. But, ppl stepped forward and they were able to have a showing and funeral for her. They still opted to have her cremated bc the family has been planning to move out of state and want to be able to take her remains with them. I feel so bad for Desiree. I mean, i feel for the family too. But, Desiree has lost soo much in just a few years. I broke down crying and just kept asking God, "WHY?" How much can one little girl go through? What has she done to deserve all this pain?

On a lighter note, the summer has been ok. Makenneh has already started asking when she gets to go back to school! It must be so confusing to little ones to go to school, then have all this time off. She has also made a new friend. Audin (not sure how her name is spelled) lives across the street and down a couple lots. She is 4 and was born just a couple weeks after Makenneh. Of course, while this is nice, it comes with its own stress for me. For one, I'm not good at this stuff. Until now, Makenneh's "friends" have been either family, my friend's kids or classmates. So, now I have to deal with all the social graces which to be honest, im just not good at. Audin's mom, Tegan, had said that she has mon and tue off and Makenneh can come over. Well, it's hard to get kenneh to understand that she can't just waltz over there whenever she feels like it. I also don't want to intrude or have makenneh overstay her welcome or anything like that. And when Makenneh is there, Tegan feeds her, even. Agh, life was easier when we stuck to ourselves....lol. Makenneh also has taken to the two neighbor boys bc they catch her lightening bugs and have a puppy that they let her hold. She thinks that's just cool. So, we have been more neighborly with them as well. And makenneh hounds to go hold the puppy. She has no sense of boundaries or something. Don't know how to explain it. But, she figures if she wants something, why shouldn't she be able to get or do it.

Sebastian found a favorite word...NO! It is frustrating. For a long time, counting to 3 worked wonders with him. I would say 1 and he was on it, moving. Now, when i say 1, he says no. Grrrr. Thank goodness for those big beautiful blue eyes...lol. Oh and Makenneh writes mom now! It is so cute. She can't get her name down yet, though. She has done make and that's it. She's also learned how to play slap jack and we usually play several games a day.

Well, our car is still out of commission. We have to get something figured out before school starts, though. It is so depressing being stuck at home every day, relying on others to take us to the store and do any other errands we need to do.

Well, I have typed enough for now. The kids are fighting bed time so i need to help get them snuggled in as well as try to read some blogs. But darn if everything doesn't load so slowly!

It's so good to be back and can't wait to hear from everyone!

here for a min

Hey guys! just wanted to drop in and say hi. im at my uncles and using his laptop. its crazy,bc the keys are in different places....anyway, sister's wedding is this sat. we got everything under way for the most part. my dress fit almost perfectly. that made me quite happy.

My brother's gf is probably going to have the baby soon. She has preeclampsia and had to stay overnight in the hospital. they let her go home, on complete bedrest. she has to do 24 hr urine sample and take them to the hospital. depending on what they find, they may be inducing her soon. they wanted to wait til she is 37 wks so they are hoping her blood pressure and all is down. sara cant go to the wedding even. doc said absolutely not!

other than that, the kids are getting bigger every day. smarter too!

oooh ooooh btw, i signed up for classes the other day. i start college sept 4. jeremy is gonna try to go back as well. so excited. and i got an extra $1300 grant so that;s real helpful.

well, we gotta get going to take care of final wedding things. hope to be back up and running soon...looking into dial up. ill try to update again soon.

miss all of ya