Well, Jake graduated High School this Thursday. He will leave June the 7th for boot camp at Paris Island. 13 weeks there, and he will be home for 10 days and then off to combat training. From there it is anybody's guess, but we know what is really up there.

There is going to be a party of sorts Sunday night at the church. Jake will go to a hotel from there and leaves Monday.

I'm losing my baby, you know.................

Today is my birthday. I want to take the kids to the drive in movies tonight. It's 4.50 a carload tonight to watch that adventure vampire movie, Van-Something.

I want to see breaking all the rules, but it is not included in the one price carload deal.

Ah well........................Happy Birthday to Me!!! Oh, and I am 44 today.

Wow, I really am getting old :-)

Now you know everything!!!!

The liquid inside young coconuts can be used as a substitute for blood plasma.

No piece of paper can be folded in half more than seven (7) times.

Donkeys kill more people annually than plane crashes.

You burn more calories sleeping than you do
watching television.

Oak trees do not produce acorns until they are fifty (50) years of age or older.

The first product to have a bar code was Wrigley's gum.

The king of hearts is the only king without a mustache.

American Airlines saved $40,000 in 1987 by
eliminating one (1) olive from each salad served in first-class.

Venus is the only planet that rotates clockwise.

Apples, not caffeine, are more efficient at waking
you up in the morning

Most dust particles in your house are made from dead skin.

The first owner of the Marlboro Company died of lung cancer.
So did the first "MarlboroMan."

Walt Disney was afraid of mice.

Pearls melt in vinegar.

The three most valuable brand names on earth: Marlboro,
Coca Cola, and Budweiser, in that order.

It is possible to lead a cow upstairs...But not downstairs.

A duck's quack doesn't echo, and no one knows why.

Dentists have recommended that a toothbrush be kept at least six (6) feet away from a toilet to avoid airborne particles resulting from the flush.

Richard Millhouse Nixon was the first U.S. president whose name
contains all the letters from the word "criminal." The second?
William Jefferson Clinton.

(Please don't tell me you're SURPRISED!?!!)

And the best for last.....

Turtles can breathe through their butts.

(I know some people like that; don't YOU?)

Now you know everything there is to know.

ChristiaNet.com<---that is an interesting site. It has a lot of quizes and the like. Hope you enjoy it!!

imood.com >> mood indicators: ""

PLEASE click here before you forward yet another hoax email!!!!!!

Wow, I don't keep up the way I used to!! I go to do a post and the whole dang screen has changed!

Anyway, times are getting better here at the home front, and you didn't even know they had got worse, did ya?

Jake graduates from High School the 26th of this month. He will be leaving for Paris Island the first part of June. 3 months of basic and he comes home and then goes for combat training. I guess it is pretty much settled where he goes from there. I'm not happy about it, but someone has to do it. I just wish it were not MY son. You can pray for him, if you will.

I won't get Jake's SSA from his Dad's death anymore, and the finance thing has not been good in my house for quite a while even WITH that money. SOOOO, I called Consumer Credit Counseling and they are going to take over paying our CC debt which is up to about 18 grand now. It will cost 500 dollars a month. That is a lot better than it has been!!!!

Joy called me yesterday on Mother's Day. They have moved to Portland, OR. She says "Randy" is now working side jobs doing lawn work. Funny, when they got together he couldn't work (she *he* said) because he had a heart murmer. She needs prayer too.

I am so tired I can hardly see straight. Off to early bed!!!!

Okay, it is OFFICIALLY "My Favorite Month" MAY, MAY, MAY, MAY, MAY!!!!!!!!!!! I am trying to get some spring cleaning done, but I have someone staying with us, and I am unable to do what I usually do. Leroy and I have swore not to have folks staying with us, and I know why.

I am going to have to ask her to leave within two weeks. That may seem funny, but we just can't live like this. There are too many people in the house and I want my living room back.

There are 'reasons' of course, but I choose not to go there. I just need things back to normal.

Leroy and George are at a Men's Retreat with the church. Leroy didn't really want to go, but I had already paid for it. I know they are having fun though!!

I was suppose to have gone over to the church for fellowship and lunch, but I didn't make it. I am still trying to clean up this dang house. It's well on it's way to being clean though. One thing I am going to have to do is GET RID of a TON of JUNK!!!

I smell brownies...................hmmmmm.........maybe I should get them out of the oven......................

I don't relax. Either I'm moving as fast as I can or I am at a total standstill. I have never been able have that midway point. There is always so much to do though. I think the worst part of that is that expect everyone else to keep up with me. I can see that in myself when I step back and take a look, but when I am in the process of accomplishing whatever I am working on, I don't see it in me unless Leroy points it out.

For the last week, my goal has been to get a handle on my laundry. I have thrown tons of stuff away and I've institued an organizational piece with the girls. They have two bins a piece. One for tops, One for bottoms. Sundays they pick out clothes for the entire next week and put them in attaching baskets. Each girl has ten wire baskets that attach, so they have clothes already ready when they wake up (that includes socks and shoes). This has made my mornings easier to handle. George has the large bins for tops and bottoms too. Night clothes, socks, and underware go in the drawers.

My dryer broke, so I have been hanging out clothes on the fence. That is working out so much better because they dry faster than if I was to use the dryer.

I really want Leroy to get that privacy fence put up. We have had all the stuff for ages and it is partially up---------which makes it look even worse. It will probably take me another couple of weeks to have the house back to normal, then, if he doesn't have it up....I will put it up.

I need a box springs for a full size bed, two full size matresses, and one twin matress. Any ideas?

I guess I have posted here some about how my world turned upside down beginning with my trip to California to assist my oldest sister who had lost her youngest son (my nephew) in a freak accident.

Now..........that was August of last year, and I am just now getting to where I can work on the plagues that have bothered me since my return.

The plagues were:

Smoking

Letting my house get filthy

Drinking AGAIN

Loss of income (my old job)

Totaled my van

Smoking (other than cig)

Not eating right

Not working out

More

and more

and more

..............................

My first day back in my Church/AA program was actually the 8th of this month, April 8, 2004. I feel really good about my recovery this time. I haven't made a meeting yet, but have been in church on both Sundays and Wednesdays so far. I DO want to start going to meetings though, but this house has really suffered the worst. I am almost caught completely up with the laundry. Our dryer broke, but I am hanging the stuff outside and it's working a whole lot faster than when I was using the dryer. PLUS it will cut down on the electric bill.

I have chosen today to be the day I start getting back into eating right. I really need to make it to the YMCA though, before this week is over!

So, ladies and gentlemen, God is not finished with me yet!!! I'm just so glad that He is still there for me through thick and thin.

The oven timer just went off................................................anyone for roasted chicken!!

Wanda's Country Home ~ House For Sale

The graduation ceremony was great! And it is official Ladies and Gentlemen. I am college gradutate!!!

Two hillbillies walk into a bar. While having a shot of whiskey, they
talk about their own moonshine operations.

Suddenly, a woman at a nearby table, who is eating a sandwich, begins
to cough. After a minute or so, it becomes apparent that she is in real
distress.

One of the hillbillies looks at her and says "Kin ya swaller?"

The woman shakes her head no.

"Kin ya breathe?" The woman begins to turn blue and shakes her head
no.

The hillbilly walks over to the woman, lifts up the back of her dress,
yanks down her drawers and quickly gives her right butt cheek a lick
with his tongue.

The woman is so shocked that she has a violent spasm and the
obstruction flies out of her mouth.

As she begins to breathe again, the hillbilly walks slowly back to the
bar.

His partner says "Ya know, I'd heerd of that there "Hind Lick
Maneuver," but I ain't never seed nobody do it!"

I have this last class "Senior Seminar" today. Tomorrow I graduate with my Bachelor's in Human Services.

I stared college in 1992. I went part time off and on for 8 years. With 5 or 6 children in the house, it was hard to try to work full time and do all I needed to do. I was going to school when I met my husband. I remember coming home from school in 1998 when we first go together, it was on my birthday May 20th, he and the children had balloons everywhere, etc. It was my first party type birthday since I have been an adult.

I started Springfield College in the fall semster of 2002. I have been taking 12 or 13 credits a semester since then.

Tomorrow.......................it's done.

Well last Wednesday, it finally happened. I crashed. I just couldn't take all the stress anymore and I ended up in the hospital for 3 days.

I'm just glad I didn't miss Easter, or Jamila's birthday this Friday, or my last two classes in school this Friday and Saturday. And most of all my College Graduation this next Sunday!

I am some better, but still need to take it easy mentally. Leroy and I have appt with the regular primary Doc on Thursday afternoon as well.

Wanda's Country Home ~ An Easter Trilogy

I doubt I have ever been any more tired in my life! I have 5 outside appointments from 12 to 3. What a trip!

Praise God that my supervisor realizes that is not the time I spend at work, but the what I do with that time. I can get more done in 3 hours that most folks can in a week.

Think I'm lying? Noper, I can do it Jack. I just can't put out 8 hours like that. I would be dead.

Don't Mess With Mom
My son came home from school one day,
with a smirk upon his face.
He decided he was smart enough,
to put me in my place.



"Guess what I learned in Civics Two,
that's taught by Mr. Wright?

It's all about the laws today,
The "Children's Bill of Rights."



It says I need not clean my room,
don't have to cut my hair.
No one can tell me what to think,
or speak, or what to wear.



I have freedom from religion,
and regardless what you say,
I don't have to bow my head,
and I sure don't have to pray.



I can wear earrings if I want,
And pierce my tongue and nose.
I can read and watch just what I like,
and get tattoos from head to toes.



And if you ever spank me,
I'll charge you with a crime.
I'll back up all my charges,
with the marks on my behind.



Don't you ever touch me,
My body's only for my use,
not for your hugs and kisses,
that's just more child abuse.

Don't preach about your morals,

like your Mama did to you.
That's nothing more than mind control,
And it's illegal too!



Mom, I have these children's rights,
so you can't influence me,
or I'll call Children's Services Division,
better known as C. S. D.


Of course my first instinct was
To toss him out the door.
But the chance to teach him a lesson
made me think a little more.



I mulled it over carefully,
I couldn't let this go.
A smile crept upon my face,
he's messing with a pro.



The next day I took him shopping
at the local Goodwill Store.
I told him,"Pick out all you want,
there's shirts and pants galore

I've called and checked with C. S. D.
who said they didn't care
if I bought you K-Mart shoes
instead of those Nike Airs.



And I've canceled that appointment
to take your driver's test.
The C.. S. D. is unconcerned
so I'll decide what's best.





I said "No time to stop and eat,
or pick up stuff to munch.
And tomorrow you can start to learn
to make your own sack lunch."





Just save the raging appetite,
and wait till dinner time.
We're having liver and onions,
a favorite dish of mine.



He asked "Can I please rent a movie,
to watch on my VCR?"
"Sorry, but I sold your TV,
to put new tires on my car."





I also rented out your room,
you'll take the couch instead.
All the C. S. D. requires is
a roof for over your head.

Your clothing won't be trendy now,
and I'll choose what we eat.
That allowance that you used to get,
will buy me something neat.



I'm selling off your jet ski,
dirt-bike and roller blades.
Check out the "Parents Bill of Rights,"
It's in effect today!



Hey hot shot, are you crying,
and why are you on your knees?
Are you asking God to help you out,
instead of C. S. D..?

We had to get a new hot water heater today. THAT was a trip, but the gas company let us charge it at No interest for 5 years. 10 dollars a month. How does that sound?

Things are better today!