tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34492473115874307292024-02-19T09:57:55.211-05:00Randomly EllyI am a wife, a mom and a girl just trying to make it in this Wild and Wacky world.Randomly Ellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04166043892236315303noreply@blogger.comBlogger113125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449247311587430729.post-67344384994427089662010-08-06T13:17:00.003-04:002010-08-06T13:24:46.166-04:00Which way is up????<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSbrh93s7FxiO13hlrhm9YiXG957zTjU_SZRYSQc1c9Lds7ynbhkiOorXgMM4w8XONt3G7oH55uYUi7TuXrWPOM0H_exuPepxrIMnKCPKeblOshF57fQx5bYi8ymtlxtxtdgvOtsco7hf/s1600/DirectionSignsLizardLick_0_preview.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502349022887125714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSbrh93s7FxiO13hlrhm9YiXG957zTjU_SZRYSQc1c9Lds7ynbhkiOorXgMM4w8XONt3G7oH55uYUi7TuXrWPOM0H_exuPepxrIMnKCPKeblOshF57fQx5bYi8ymtlxtxtdgvOtsco7hf/s400/DirectionSignsLizardLick_0_preview.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Ok....so I am not that good at this blogging yet. I would love to be able to stop in....read everyone's pages....post on my blog and gorw my page!!! BUT.....motivation and time are slowing me down. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I started this blog as a window into my world.....but I am not sure which way I want to go. I have so many interests....which way to spread my wings. I even have a blog that I am creating for my daughter....yeah - well.....that is not going to well either.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So bear with me as I slowly find my way. I hope to get serious about blogging....it is FUN!!!!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Have a GREAT weekend all!!!!</div>Randomly Ellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04166043892236315303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449247311587430729.post-74800580883915305892010-06-14T20:23:00.003-04:002010-06-14T20:50:43.782-04:00Summer Storms<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyg0Ue5s3RJ_kNaX6kmsThASSPtkjw7VRitR5lq_zGovhzaJMYEqHhDa58Oy57Wc51_jUtbE97n-xWiZ-jbPZyK0SAzp1zPR81ElxUlxnYys4A1rr8mTEw8kEpKU0X8od5P6Fn2451SaPt/s1600/rainbow.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 337px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482796298334558386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyg0Ue5s3RJ_kNaX6kmsThASSPtkjw7VRitR5lq_zGovhzaJMYEqHhDa58Oy57Wc51_jUtbE97n-xWiZ-jbPZyK0SAzp1zPR81ElxUlxnYys4A1rr8mTEw8kEpKU0X8od5P6Fn2451SaPt/s400/rainbow.jpg" /></a><br /><div>That time of year has come again. Each day is a little warmer than the next....the humidity thickens the air so it is hard to breathe. As the flowers bloom and reach toward the sky, they beg for relief. As the afternoon wanes.....the clouds roll in and the wind begins to blow. You hear the rumble of thunder far off slowly moving your way. Then there is a drop....and another ....and then a deluge. As quick as it moves in......it runs away leaving behind a fine mist making everything beautiful and vibrant....sometimes you can even find a rainbow.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/noellekon/2748941125/">strange charm's</a></div>Randomly Ellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04166043892236315303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449247311587430729.post-60388831167957560492010-05-09T16:15:00.003-04:002010-05-09T16:22:36.141-04:00My Beautiful Daughter<span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#000066;">My Beautiful Daughter</span><br /><br />My beautiful daughter<br />You cannot know<br />How much my heart breaks<br />As I watch you grow<br /><br />In time you’ll become<br />Independent and free<br />Always my daughter<br />And special to me<br /><br />As you grow older<br />You will see<br />Through the eyes of a mother<br />Reflections of me<br /><br />Past, present and future<br />All intertwined<br />My mother, your mother<br />All daughters you’ll find<br /><br />Our reflections, not vanity<br />Mirrored lives we share<br />Always a daughter<br />Your mother, who cares.<br /><br />~Julie Copeland<br /><br />My mother is not with us anymore, she is smiling down on me from Heaven. There is a small part of me that is crying out, missing her very much. But to have my duaghter smile and hug me fills me with much joy. Being a mother is a TRUE BLESSING.<br /><br />Happy Mother's Day to all you mommas out there!!!Randomly Ellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04166043892236315303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449247311587430729.post-15060211956887470072010-04-05T21:13:00.008-04:002010-04-10T21:26:44.886-04:00make them move.....<div>Spring break was last week and the weather was AWESOME!!!! So Bailey decided she wanted to go to the <a href="http://www.ncmls.org/"><span style="color:#993300;">Museum of Life and Science in Durham</span></a>...and take her little cousin Noah. So, off we went to see the space crafts, dinosaurs and butterflies. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 292px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458682556512630242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuujWelDw1ozYPyJEye7YWf1gwiad3VZfLS-37DHt7eTlrIviSfsmCz6jYgWgAFT3NxeagoSeD7v_VIHMbItgeRsaWObV5yk5-W5KlUW0X1kVvgSs11HXN2ANxWEcLcGW9r0dLc4Ufg-Ip/s400/museum.jpg" /></div><br /><br /><br /><p>Nothing is cuter than watching a 3 year old trying to catch a butterfly. Noah ran around the butterfly house determined to have one land. </p><p>But the funniest part came later when we made it to the dinasaur area. No matter how hard Bailey and I tried....we could not make Noah understand that we could NOT make those dinasaurs move. "Why" became his favorite word. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QO7_G98QZnjlIE1v894f5eMtJXjrofQPcY5KORemKapTxrzVRt7WRmVlCYuldPvsMn9L_ifhPsxgg7deN0DcVJowzaDXHsrV7zrgE9fz0GQ2goEITe9P4-D8-43cWhDg_TNcWy7UFDit/s1600/tired.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 313px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458684565051633138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QO7_G98QZnjlIE1v894f5eMtJXjrofQPcY5KORemKapTxrzVRt7WRmVlCYuldPvsMn9L_ifhPsxgg7deN0DcVJowzaDXHsrV7zrgE9fz0GQ2goEITe9P4-D8-43cWhDg_TNcWy7UFDit/s400/tired.jpg" /></a></p><p> </p><p> </p><br /><br /><p>The afternoon was so much fun...full of running, jumping, digging and laughing. So much fun....that we wore poor Noah out.....</p>Randomly Ellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04166043892236315303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449247311587430729.post-45643589231853769272010-04-01T22:06:00.004-04:002010-04-01T22:17:30.260-04:00LORDY Lordy...loOk wHo is FORTY!!!!<div align="justify"><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJs0UrHP5QPrfjDRwzW1IDRIyA08AIuXvN6kgFa1dulSCQ4KXwZ-Ozlx9bowtUpgg4IIpuvNRK5j6k1BUAbfiZu41tGU-qjRt35I9Nx2I7l8OqAgfTDVJjcg9JUcdOe7sf8IeLEkWqLq8/s1600/40.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455356977747481922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJs0UrHP5QPrfjDRwzW1IDRIyA08AIuXvN6kgFa1dulSCQ4KXwZ-Ozlx9bowtUpgg4IIpuvNRK5j6k1BUAbfiZu41tGU-qjRt35I9Nx2I7l8OqAgfTDVJjcg9JUcdOe7sf8IeLEkWqLq8/s400/40.jpg" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJs0UrHP5QPrfjDRwzW1IDRIyA08AIuXvN6kgFa1dulSCQ4KXwZ-Ozlx9bowtUpgg4IIpuvNRK5j6k1BUAbfiZu41tGU-qjRt35I9Nx2I7l8OqAgfTDVJjcg9JUcdOe7sf8IeLEkWqLq8/s1600/40.jpg"></a></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000066;"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">Happy Birthday to my loving hubby!!!!!</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;"></span> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000066;"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></span> </div>Randomly Ellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04166043892236315303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449247311587430729.post-64852442245055556092010-03-28T20:11:00.011-04:002010-03-28T20:52:43.759-04:00Taking the next step<div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wA3h6sZD0K1Lwxvw5bDTzd8sXVwYofIPIhcaD4M9WR4JuCEA-2y-HHkyutT4cFnICEHReoACCeWvBpmY4064le9StarhJBRsyDocgTFtHpvIw_yn4EPg7Dh2FN1rSIDHEte4GWQahHTg/s1600/baby+shoes.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 204px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 117px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453844742573047474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wA3h6sZD0K1Lwxvw5bDTzd8sXVwYofIPIhcaD4M9WR4JuCEA-2y-HHkyutT4cFnICEHReoACCeWvBpmY4064le9StarhJBRsyDocgTFtHpvIw_yn4EPg7Dh2FN1rSIDHEte4GWQahHTg/s400/baby+shoes.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><div><span style="color:#000000;">She started walking when she was around 10 months old. The weather was getting warmer and the grass was growing....she explored everywhere. Mostly she ran around barefoot...but once in a while I squeezed her foot into those cute kids shoes.</span></div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yJfL1lgNmL-H0voxdDV8yfzVM0HJSqQXG7058NL6oaXwAeRusGZgNowe5YH3ZAIy5-DrTdpyq03sUs-Se0sXee3lrBQq1ozGk4iEH71caycnnNiUZ1BUa274evKlizLRaDsr745mFc9q/s1600/flip+flops+1.jpg"><span style="color:#000000;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 152px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 148px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453850119331977250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yJfL1lgNmL-H0voxdDV8yfzVM0HJSqQXG7058NL6oaXwAeRusGZgNowe5YH3ZAIy5-DrTdpyq03sUs-Se0sXee3lrBQq1ozGk4iEH71caycnnNiUZ1BUa274evKlizLRaDsr745mFc9q/s400/flip+flops+1.jpg" /></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"><br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;">Basically, we tossed her in the pool upon birth. She has been swimming ever since. The required attire for a sw</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LyzcDi934dEJfbS4PBW_1ZGuv5ThpAg9g8bpW-DZZvdDSJHeq3kPYqZfP-TnBfIii4dMQNtdLJISsCq0AZyX9C-rBSpxNwEzjJBSSSDqday5WU_Ud4wQUtDvSdSjE5gNpH-L-o9iH1WD/s1600/converse.jpg"><span style="color:#000000;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453850430103988578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LyzcDi934dEJfbS4PBW_1ZGuv5ThpAg9g8bpW-DZZvdDSJHeq3kPYqZfP-TnBfIii4dMQNtdLJISsCq0AZyX9C-rBSpxNwEzjJBSSSDqday5WU_Ud4wQUtDvSdSjE5gNpH-L-o9iH1WD/s320/converse.jpg" /></span></a><span style="color:#000000;">immer...FLIP FLOPS!!!! It cracks me up to see all the kids in the middle of December fall out into car line all wearing them.</span></div><div><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Today.....was another mile stone in our baby's life. There comes a time when you have to let the lil one begin to spread her wings. My baby girl who used to be at home playing play dough...is now wanting converse in every color and running off to the movies with her friends. She is giggling like crazy and swapping Silly Bandz. One second I see my little girl and then ....I glance back and see a teenager ready to burst out. </span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"></span> </div><div><span style="color:#000000;">I love watching my little flower grow and bloom. Each milestone that is reached is awesome...but part of me is so not ready!!!<br /></span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><div> </div></div></div>Randomly Ellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04166043892236315303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449247311587430729.post-17681360604704433062010-03-18T21:02:00.005-04:002010-03-18T21:24:33.632-04:00Walking on Sunshine<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixc70XLsf5S7R1IsWgmAOU3fZORbxLp3pXBCizsXVFTc-tyLbA-eeRI3qi-SDF0IYQBZFzTHYnOsZyeaf2FHFlC_D5Wddzbgxqft7y4OgwKMfVjBLPKrUYum6PDRCbzKrVXvu2QO9asBUs/s1600-h/sun.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 294px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450149286183842642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixc70XLsf5S7R1IsWgmAOU3fZORbxLp3pXBCizsXVFTc-tyLbA-eeRI3qi-SDF0IYQBZFzTHYnOsZyeaf2FHFlC_D5Wddzbgxqft7y4OgwKMfVjBLPKrUYum6PDRCbzKrVXvu2QO9asBUs/s400/sun.jpg" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Guess being happy has paid off........my nickname at work is "Sunshine". I love my job!!!</span></div>Randomly Ellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04166043892236315303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449247311587430729.post-53756595090048104212010-03-15T08:04:00.003-04:002010-03-15T08:14:23.552-04:00"Spring" Forward<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOK2EOmppOAUfMu9p7PlIuNZd-Mo9OtuKx42sHqatu7Mqz3H3Gq42c8cHhdRYnW_cAcFQY1_gipaYcVwmivirPD647K_DAEBr9v-xABmbhO1ndFBY2YSCcNcfjWRrMV6yJW1UqbawpP3Gh/s1600-h/time.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448831842139359794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOK2EOmppOAUfMu9p7PlIuNZd-Mo9OtuKx42sHqatu7Mqz3H3Gq42c8cHhdRYnW_cAcFQY1_gipaYcVwmivirPD647K_DAEBr9v-xABmbhO1ndFBY2YSCcNcfjWRrMV6yJW1UqbawpP3Gh/s320/time.jpg" /></a> I am so ready for Spring to be her.........just not liking the time change. Wonder how long it will take for my body to adjust.Randomly Ellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04166043892236315303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449247311587430729.post-4009192879348446192010-03-12T11:48:00.005-05:002010-03-12T12:06:27.357-05:00Kid at HEART!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg52G_Xqh8J7biGhJ7c_JgaqGDe74xBfeLvqTqtTBjsAYAnwaSLIQ7wMxyK97e66uuDdlJ4HAO61yiTWxMReu9LcRZ5VO7azygTLPxz2GBrFOHCpI7Xlng-ScXJOOd73FHyHzFAAOiN3j6I/s1600-h/merry+go+round.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447794587001798210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg52G_Xqh8J7biGhJ7c_JgaqGDe74xBfeLvqTqtTBjsAYAnwaSLIQ7wMxyK97e66uuDdlJ4HAO61yiTWxMReu9LcRZ5VO7azygTLPxz2GBrFOHCpI7Xlng-ScXJOOd73FHyHzFAAOiN3j6I/s320/merry+go+round.jpg" /></a><br /><div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">For some reason I have this sudden urge to jump on a merry go round, lean back and feel the wind rush all around me. now....all i have to do is find one!!!</span> </div></div>Randomly Ellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04166043892236315303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449247311587430729.post-51139455394500526432010-03-08T17:30:00.003-05:002010-03-08T17:40:02.361-05:00Railroad tracks....<div>Well....it is official. After following Bailey for 5 years, the ortho has made the call....<strong><span style="font-size:130%;">BRACES</span></strong>!!!</div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 205px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446395041770637426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKqAtdWI_dss2rrQ6wXmCQLxsiCOcJwWn29teDjzQzvUQjPFtjYHne-dRxniYlieIMr7hIYJVlkv8-3T3EOdicq_GXoRPpxwVbAIvJfMvpxic6pjQwrxa_ekqRvFnfvhJdDhkL-hmO27Ir/s320/Colored_Braces_358225715.jpg" /></div><br /><p>The good news...yup here actually is good news....she probably wont have to have her wisdom teeth pulled....AND she will be getting braces on the front part of her mouth. . . . . guess we can call that the silver lining.</p><p>Bailey...she is moaning about what she wont be able to eat....ME....is crying because my house renovations are on hold for atleast 18 months while we pay off her teeth. I am skeptical about braces myself....I had them for about 3 years and when I was about 27....my bottom jaw grew which in turn caused my lower jaw to move out of allighment...yeah me!!!</p><p>So....in 2 weeks...Bailey will have a <span style="color:#33cc00;">BRIGHT green</span> smile with a little metal tossed in.</p>Randomly Ellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04166043892236315303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449247311587430729.post-16505484972521311042010-03-07T16:47:00.003-05:002010-03-07T17:03:07.705-05:00Ready . . . Set. . . Go!!!Today is BEAUTIFUL!!!!! The sun is shining and it is a balmy 63ish. A perfect day to go door to door and raise money.<br /><br />Ya'll know that our Bailey swims for a year round swim team...New Wave Swim Team. Every year they have a "swim-a-thon" ~ which wording we can not use...so we have a "Laps for Cash" and 5% of the money raised will be going to the Duke Children's Cancer Center.<br /><br />This year, Bailey and several of her swim friends decided it would be fun to do it as a "GROUP". So last week, the parents put our heads together and figured since this was the only weekend that our children DID NOT SWIM {but there was a meet this weekend....just not for our swimmers} and the weather was GORGEOUS!!! <br /><br />The plan was to have a about 5 of them all together go out in a neighborhood.....only 3 were actually able to make it. N, H and our B were really excited and had been practicing their opening lines all night. I have to say I am proud for them to want to actually do this....it is kind of intimidating.<br /><br />After 3 hour and tons of walking and knocking...the 3 trooped back to the house.....with $380. They had so much fun and it was also a great learning experience....it takes guts to get shot down not once, not twice....but several times and keep on going. They found their rythym and worked as a team. <br /><br />I am so proud that these kids were enthusiastic to help out and raise money for a good cause. They truly have become a family and back each other no matter what.Randomly Ellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04166043892236315303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449247311587430729.post-55039278266829035882010-03-06T16:29:00.004-05:002010-03-06T16:39:44.793-05:00Spring Fling<div>After weeks of rain, and several threats of snow, and one actual snow storm, I believe that spring is around the corner. We may be done with frigid mornings, being spent sprinting to the car in your pj's to crank your car so it can warm up so the ride to school is WARM!!! and do NOT forget to turn the seat warmer on for your daughter!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNgWrsW01mjqBvCOWLR0e-vdRp3Cmxqo4N2HCqrS8Xst73xldlT6mR9WKLN4s-EyaGtBBzY0p3sKnEfBq-E7HKebVmsCzOyHROf-g3w4XAaDWiio-Gw22Sj_E0Jj8Hza6NcX0oUbGuatmP/s1600-h/dogwood.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 250px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445637790782465714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNgWrsW01mjqBvCOWLR0e-vdRp3Cmxqo4N2HCqrS8Xst73xldlT6mR9WKLN4s-EyaGtBBzY0p3sKnEfBq-E7HKebVmsCzOyHROf-g3w4XAaDWiio-Gw22Sj_E0Jj8Hza6NcX0oUbGuatmP/s320/dogwood.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Today - the sun is shining ......my spirits are high. Tomorrow, the weather people are teasing me saying it is going to get to SIXTY!!!! Ya know what that means?????? The trees will begin to bud and within a week or so....LEAVES will come out!!!!!!!! </div><div> </div><div>I get the <span style="color:#000066;"><em>"winter blues" </em></span><span style="color:#000000;">I am so ready for the warm weather and</span><span style="color:#ffff00;"> </span><span style="color:#ffcc33;">SUNSHINE! </span></div><div><span style="color:#000000;"></span> </div><div>So please join me in doing the "Spring Fling" ...shake your tail feathers and welcome in Miss Spring.</div>Randomly Ellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04166043892236315303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449247311587430729.post-15874950576927015622010-03-05T08:02:00.004-05:002010-03-05T08:24:57.629-05:00Silly ....with a side of BananaYes....It has been a <strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000066;">VERY</span></em></strong> long time since I have posted. Life has a way of tossing you curves and I seem to have been manuvering those curves lately.<br /><br />Here is a little recap:<br /><br />* a most compassionate boss gave me the <em><span style="color:#000066;">"you are laid off"</span></em> the week of Christmas. Merry Christmas to me!!!<br /><br />* 3 weeks of job searching....landed me a new job with a GREAT company working only 3 days a week.....so even though a curve was thrown......I was able to straighten this one out!!!<br /><br />* Bailey has had more swim meets that I am not sure what pool I am supposed to be at. We have been to GA, Charlotte, NC and we are headed BACK to Charlotte next weekend.<br /><br />* The "yucky" bug seems to like this family....Bailey has battled an inner ear infection, a double swimmers ear infection and a BAD cold....which she so kindly "shared" with me.<br /><br />* My loving and wonderful hubby is on a mission....to get a Jeep. I am all for this ...now do not get me wrong.....but he was trying to do it without selling his truck!!!<strong><em> NOT HAPPENING!!!!</em></strong> soooo....if anyone is in the market for F250....give ma a buzz.<br /><br />I have come to a decision. Most people make their New Years Resolutions on Jan 1st.....well......I guess I am a little slow. Most people choose to get in shape {which I swear I am going to do}, me.....I am going to <span style="color:#000066;">SSSSSLLLLLOOOOOWWWWW</span> down. Life seems to be swimming by at an alarming rate and I am not ready. I want to slow down, make more time to smell the roses.<br /><br />My first step ......well...to post here. Second....tidy up my house today so that I have free time with the family tomorrow and Sunday. Third.....go on a date with my hubby tonight.<br /><br />So ~ while life can toss you a curve ball....hold your head high, give a little giggle and press on.Randomly Ellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04166043892236315303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449247311587430729.post-15539111322203248532009-10-21T13:05:00.003-04:002009-10-21T13:24:51.890-04:00"Where's the Beef?Well...I have made it to 100! My ONE hundredth post that is. And for reaching this mile stone ~ I am feeling a little nostalgic....take a walk down memory lane to the 80's. I LOVED the 80's and last weeka friend and I got to reminiscing about old times. For any of you from that time....do you remember:<br /><br />1. You've ever ended a sentence with the word "PSYCHE".<br /><br />2. You watched the Pound Puppies. <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">{had to have one}</span><br /><br />3. You can sing the rap to the "Fresh Prince of Belair " ...and can do the "Carlton".<br /><br />4. Girls wore biker shorts under their skirts and felt stylishly sexy.<br /><br />5. You yearned to be a member of the Baby-sitters club and tried to start a club of your own.<br /><br />6. You owned those lil' Strawberry Shortcake pals scented dolls. <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">{erasers were the best}</span><br /><br />7. You know that "WOAH " comes from Joey on Blossom.<br /><br />8. Two words: Hammer Pants.<br /><br />9. If you ever watched "Fraggle Rock ".<br /><br />10. You had plastic streamers on your handle bars... and "spokey-dokes" or playing cards on your spokes for that incredible sound effect.<br /><br />11. You can sing the entire theme song to "Duck Tales". (Woo ooh!)<br /><br />12. When it was actually worth getting up early on a Saturday to watch cartoons. {<span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">SO TRUE}</span><br /><br />13. You wore a ponytail on the side of your head. <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">{GUILTY}</span><br /><br />14. You saw the original "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles " on the big screen... and still know the turtles names.<br /><br />15. You got super-excited when it was Oregon Trail day in computer class at school.<br /><br />16. You made your mom buy one of those clips that would hold your shirt in a knot on the side.<br /><br />17. You played the game "MASH ". (Mansion, Apartment, Shelter, House) {<span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">still waiting on my Mansion}</span><br /><br />18. You wore stonewashed Jordache jean jackets and were proud of it. <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">TOTALLY}</span><br /><br />19. L.A. Gear... need I say more.<br /><br />20. You wanted to change your name to "JEM " in Kindergarten. (She's truly outrageous)<br /><br />21. You remember reading "Tales of a fourth grade nothing " and all the Ramona books. <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">{Ramona was the BOMB}</span><br /><br />22. You know the profound meaning of "WAX ON, WAX OFF". <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">{saw them ALL}</span><br /><br />23. You wanted to be a Goonie.<br /><br />24. You ever wore fluorescent clothing. (some of us... head-to-toe) <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">{what....so we glowed in the dark}</span><br /><br />25. You can remember what Michael Jackson looked like before his nose fell off and his cheeks shifted.<br /><br />26. You have ever pondered why Smurfette was the only female smurf. <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">{nope never really thought of it....and actually - she isn't}</span><br /><br />27. You took lunch boxes to school... and traded Garbage Pail Kids in the schoolyard. <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">{so did this}</span><br /><br />28. You remember the CRAZE, then the BANNING of slap bracelets. <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">{YUP}</span><br /><br />29. You still get the urge to say "NOT " after every sentence.<br /><br />30. You remember Hypercolor t-shirts.<br /><br />31. Barbie and the Rockers was your favorite band.<br /><br />32. You thought She-ra (Princess of Power!) and He-Man should hookup.<br /><br />33. You thought your childhood friends would never leave because you exchanged handmade friendship bracelets.<br /><br />34. You ever owned a pair of Jelly-Shoes. (and like ..24, probably in neon colors, too) <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">{AND THEY ARE BACK!!!!!}</span><br /><br />35. After you saw Pee-Wee's Big Adventure you kept saying "I know you are, but what am I?"<br /><br />36. You remember "I've fallen and I can't get up" <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">{what about "where is the beef"}</span><br /><br />37. You remember going to the skating rink before there were inline skates. <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">{I remember the FIRST rink in our town}</span><br /><br />38. You ever got seriously injured on a Slip and Slide.<br /><br />39. You have ever played with a Skip-It. <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">{mine was a lemon}</span><br /><br />40. You had or attended a birthday party at McDonalds.<br /><br />41. You've gone through this nodding your head in agreement.<br /><br />42. You remember Popples.<br /><br />43. "Don't worry, be happy"<br /><br />44. You wore like, EIGHT pairs of socks over tights with high top Reeboks.<br /><br />45. You wore socks scrunched down (and sometimes still do...getting yelled at by "younger hip" members of the family)<br /><br />46. "Miss MARY MACK MACK MACK, all dressed in BLACK BLACK BLACK " <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">{I like the elephant}</span><br /><br />47. You remember boom boxes. and walking around with one on your shoulder like you were all that. <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">{the bigger the better}</span><br /><br />48. You remember watching both "Gremlins" movies.<br /><br />49. You know what it meant to say "Care Bear Stare!"<br /><br />50. You remember watching "Rainbow Bright" and "My Little Pony Tales "<br /><br />51. You thought Doogie Howser/Samantha Micelli was hot.<br /><br />52. You remember Alf, the lil furry brown alien from Melmac.<br /><br />53. You remember New Kids on the Block when they were cool... and don't even flinch when people refer to them as "NKOTB".<br /><br />54. You knew all the characters names and their life stories on "Saved By the Bell ", the ORIGINAL class.<br /><br />55. You know all the words to Bon Jovi - SHOT THROUGH THE HEART.<br /><br />56. You just sang those words to yourself.<br /><br />57.You remember watching Magic vs. Bird.<br /><br />58. Homemade Levi shorts. (the shorter the better)<br /><br />59. You remember when mullets were cool!<br /><br />60. You had a mullet! <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">{nope...but I had the flip bangs}</span><br /><br />61. You still sing "We are the World" <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">{and what about the Coke commercial}</span><br /><br />62. You tight rolled your jeans.<br /><br />63. You owned a bannana clip. <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">{fashion baby}</span><br /><br />64. You remember "Where's the Beef?" <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">{YEAH ~ WOO HOO...what happened to that lil ole lady}</span><br /><br />65. You used to (and probably still do) say "What you talkin' about Willis?"<br /><br />66. You had big hair and you knew how to use it. <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">{Aquanet}</span><br /><br />67. You're still singing shot through the heart in your head,aren't you!<span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"> {YUP}<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />ENJOY</span><br /></span>Randomly Ellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04166043892236315303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449247311587430729.post-1832448815880809232009-10-13T11:42:00.005-04:002009-10-13T11:59:38.882-04:00It has been HOW long???<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTVhHocEeqj3dC_D9dc3Q2kgck5T7KuGCiL2FaNDUKaeSXcG5ZU_SWUN4HYjAOIv1W-6KzCfN24P4T9oH-5S4Kl81jKEv9_6KIZII7R7ODxKhLQTMGBJz5kGixyabiuaKFo2tCltyENa6n/s1600-h/untitled.bmp"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392114625157788530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTVhHocEeqj3dC_D9dc3Q2kgck5T7KuGCiL2FaNDUKaeSXcG5ZU_SWUN4HYjAOIv1W-6KzCfN24P4T9oH-5S4Kl81jKEv9_6KIZII7R7ODxKhLQTMGBJz5kGixyabiuaKFo2tCltyENa6n/s320/untitled.bmp" /></a><br /><div><br /><div><div><div>It was your typical girl meets boy at a country dance club. Back in September of 1992, my friend Jennifer dragged me out of my dorm room for a girls night out to the <a href="http://www.longbranchsaloon.com/index.php">Longbranch</a> which has recently closed its doors. Well.....needless to say, I met a guy. I began going to the Longbranch at least 2 nights a week.....hey ~ I wanted to DANCE!!!!! But it was nice to "run" into our group of friends. We kept "running" into each other for about a month. Then on Tuesday, 10/10/92 I went there looking for Keith and Keith came looking for me. We exchanged numbers. We talked on the phone for 2 hours the next evening and by Friday {10/13/92} on our FIRST date ~ THE STATE FAIR!!!! </div><div></div><br /><br /><div>It is now 10/13/09 ~ and we are happily married !!! It has been 17 years that we have been together...and I would NOT trade a day away!!! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I love you Keith ~ now and forever!!!</div></div></div></div>Randomly Ellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04166043892236315303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449247311587430729.post-16631353147004459962009-10-13T11:34:00.005-04:002009-10-13T11:59:52.828-04:00Funnel Cake or Fried Snickers?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVJpf4YeUpj6uAJkcG6B2sH5_19-28eTfaPWe522Pg_NjMRRnVyyBZQQdrtt6C-zgUF2HCpN60sPjg-V_Nx8VJKfAiB7b6fqqHhUmDxNOAhg44Eqsfq9o8kLbqNZ_63N93g4HwY97Gs0r/s1600-h/NCSF09Logo.png"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 298px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392108455626359154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVJpf4YeUpj6uAJkcG6B2sH5_19-28eTfaPWe522Pg_NjMRRnVyyBZQQdrtt6C-zgUF2HCpN60sPjg-V_Nx8VJKfAiB7b6fqqHhUmDxNOAhg44Eqsfq9o8kLbqNZ_63N93g4HwY97Gs0r/s320/NCSF09Logo.png" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#660000;">It is that time of year again. Fall is in the air {for now <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">at least</span>!!!}. Every year in October, the <a href="http://www.ncstatefair.org/2009/">State Fair</a> arrives with all its trucks and equipment for a FUN FILLED WEEK!!! Not to mention some AWESOME food {which I can not partake in b/c of my fructose <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">malabsorption</span> crap!!!} which any of it will automatically add 20lbs by simply looking at it!!!</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#660000;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#660000;">I can not tell you over the past 38 years how many times I have gone....but it is probably up to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">at least</span> 20 something! I know I have not missed on since 1990 and actually had my first date with my husband on Oct 13<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span>, 1992 ~ the day the fair opened that year =)</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#660000;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#660000;">So you can see that the fair has sentimental value ~ and I plan to have "A Whole Lotta Happy" this year!!!</span></div>Randomly Ellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04166043892236315303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449247311587430729.post-54565524871042466702009-10-04T13:08:00.003-04:002009-10-04T13:26:52.768-04:00Oink Oink<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsAaOMG1lxpT36cb9WPNZlMv28zseohyMIYdLTv65wMfyNAwZ5OXAojLPu8_mJCQNl6zuvvsOoO2_4TMWTzIXHKRzCPTFRkPE7NyXhGmPirSMpJXQIks6vEUS2gRXxx0afIhgQPzmGy8vG/s1600-h/piggy_flu.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 188px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsAaOMG1lxpT36cb9WPNZlMv28zseohyMIYdLTv65wMfyNAwZ5OXAojLPu8_mJCQNl6zuvvsOoO2_4TMWTzIXHKRzCPTFRkPE7NyXhGmPirSMpJXQIks6vEUS2gRXxx0afIhgQPzmGy8vG/s400/piggy_flu.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388794163829843730" border="0" /></a><br />It begins with a stuffy head, a runny nose and a cough that rattles your brain. No fever yet....but you go through a whole box of tissue. A day off school...should have been two.....a few days off from swim practice and you begin to recover ~ except for that darn cough.<br /><br />I dropped Bailey off at a birthday party ..... cake, lasagna, soda and FUN!!! Walk in to pick her up and I am confronted with a child who went from Happy to SAD within a few hours.<br /><br />A few Tylenol and off to bed only to have her spike a fever of 101.2 this morning. I pack her in the car and off to the Fastmed we go. In walks the Dr. with mask and gloves to take the "swab". He was back faster than you could say Ahchoo!!! POSITIVE!!! The piggy flu has struck our home. <br /><br />Back home on the sofa, box of tissue, bottle of water, a tsp of cough syrup, a dose of tami-flu and the TV remote....should help for a speedy recovery. According to Bailey...this will so not help her social life ~ having to hold up in the house for a few days!!!<br /><br />So wish us luck and many prayers that Keith and I stay piggy free. {I am on tami-flu}<br /><br />Oink OinkRandomly Ellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04166043892236315303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449247311587430729.post-14325504785990344922009-09-29T07:12:00.004-04:002009-09-29T07:45:30.351-04:00Her memory lives on....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgKYYo4Ud8LEEXY_QjmWqKDjFqIjt90FaJ3lEZYZyQfZArwIqKMCClPan1d50gQtVxorEzt8ccDaqhqw4mdqK9WSusBnLC_LLcOBjMCMu31qDstueLj1GxmPJdQ-k0k6wr7ztFH1up41E/s1600-h/100_7011.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 356px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgKYYo4Ud8LEEXY_QjmWqKDjFqIjt90FaJ3lEZYZyQfZArwIqKMCClPan1d50gQtVxorEzt8ccDaqhqw4mdqK9WSusBnLC_LLcOBjMCMu31qDstueLj1GxmPJdQ-k0k6wr7ztFH1up41E/s400/100_7011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386846177712376962" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">On October 7th, it will be a year since my momma passed. I am doing better...I don't seem to be crying all the time....but my heart strings still tug at all the memories. I was able to get my families photo albums from my father {took a lot of patience} and it is WONDERFUL!!! I now find myself sitting here reliving so many great moments with my momma.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">I have thought of getting a tattoo long before my momma passed. I knew that whatever I was going to get would be with me forever, so I was taking my time in choosing the design....also, I admit...I was chicken!!! I also have been wanting to get my nosed pierced....yup - call me CRAZY!!!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">So......what changed??? Bailey and I met my friend Jen at the mall on Saturday for a girls day. Over lunch, she asked if I wanted to go with her the next day...she was going to get a new tat. I figured that I may not be ready for my tat...but I would get my nose done.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">Sunday - Jen and I head off to Warlock's to meet Mark. Jen new what she wanted...I was determined to get my nose pierced....but ~ it was not in the cards for me. The piercing person was not there.....so.....where did that leave me? Getting a tattoo. Standing there in the lobby surrounded by TONS of images....what to choose. I figured it was time....time to get my guardian angel. I asked if they had cancer ribbons....they were all pink, purple, multi color....but I new mine would be pearly. {lung cancer} I found the image above and new.....this was the one. I had it placed on the inside of my left wrist so that I can look at it every day, place it close to my heart and kiss it....knowing that my momma is always with me. It hurt like HELL...I can not lie...but I am so happy that I got it. no regrets!!!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 102);">So....what about the nose piercing...that will have to wait until another day. </span><br /></span></span>Randomly Ellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04166043892236315303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449247311587430729.post-69162632764325702192009-09-22T09:46:00.004-04:002009-09-22T09:56:31.706-04:00Choo Choo.....chugga chugga ...Choo Choo<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLQBeWlz52LVoKQG2OR7r5dmcJDWdFnczTAsnZi8A5SRWfToihb46mXkoD_qQeorNb1H6CnJhCRJxXAz6D1SEwUhw8nyHSnd6KR3vYK9BuPaNkppX75xZFloL868p66nxqmiVHkQgZfnM/s1600-h/train+game.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 372px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384288495556645874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLQBeWlz52LVoKQG2OR7r5dmcJDWdFnczTAsnZi8A5SRWfToihb46mXkoD_qQeorNb1H6CnJhCRJxXAz6D1SEwUhw8nyHSnd6KR3vYK9BuPaNkppX75xZFloL868p66nxqmiVHkQgZfnM/s400/train+game.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;">Anyone up for a game of </span><a href="http://www.pagat.com/domino/train.html"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">Mexican Train </span></a> <span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;">game??? It was sevearl years ago while at a Thanksgiving retreat that I was introduced to this game....and may I say that it is totally addicting!!!!! Last Friday evening we had a "girls" night and played. AWESOME!!!! I met new friends, gabbed with my old friends and played a fun game of dominos. I am so ready for nest month :)<br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPSTS1KPRdp0pHQsvTOKs110c6BKDS8wx0lbfaMqJDRAPszLUNVCYNhp71UHkoVCrzEG83NgiWMrq8asNPi6e6OFIgWaONEQxCNuN69L9ewZ07XJ_YopvZ_y1rYZy4ZgdxgS6TAtpoCcW8/s1600-h/train+game.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXZgiWluGHdPS51zs593neECmPY__Ggy8udVkn0IwaIw5j4KT4QzooXXs5NyhXZxlrhmF51Hh43huFGQaj4JTof33L6Z04-mzKc3xY6qQPPNz7EUDK028UINtWQsr1AIsXiyOV3sPXprq/s1600-h/train+game.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Randomly Ellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04166043892236315303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449247311587430729.post-33130299224398692442009-09-16T13:44:00.003-04:002009-09-16T14:31:57.734-04:00Heartache<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UQ-6UXY-b02_jkoXAONaxxwki6IL2iWI4eYHW2MboBYBVXVF743P6O30HRC63O4bq4foX4pKECxRCc5RjLdI7BGc93eAKUUti3-xfW6qr0V5qVjNIavYgL_V9DA9MIiGOkS2ODRlh6jl/s1600-h/ernest+sewn.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UQ-6UXY-b02_jkoXAONaxxwki6IL2iWI4eYHW2MboBYBVXVF743P6O30HRC63O4bq4foX4pKECxRCc5RjLdI7BGc93eAKUUti3-xfW6qr0V5qVjNIavYgL_V9DA9MIiGOkS2ODRlh6jl/s320/ernest+sewn.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382127247309132034" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);"><span style="font-size:100%;">Would you give up your relationship with your spouse and child just to have a relationship with your parents? {more so just one of your parents}</span></span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">Is having the biggest house and all the newest toys what is most important and truly needed to make one happy? Supposedly to my father you do.<br /><br />My father does not know how to "love" unconditionally. Over the years, I have learned that my father is the type that likes to keep up with the "Jones". Because it is name brand or cost a lot "MUST" make it better than the rest. My momma on the other hand, loved unconditionally. She welcomed my hubby right into her family, unlike my father. During my momma's illness, I learned that my hubby was not welcome into my father's life. I have struggled with my feelings and wanting a relationship for my daughter with her grandfather. But I do not believe in sacrificing my family just so I can have a relationship with my father. M</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMhH2xPhe67SyonwaSowFTrkdbknfEqEM3A8xxCNsorO_eQESbRCxaiccaiocV8D5HLBYNiDVAuF9K_u99kMVNmcsYkE_EDQ5w1M4WDHEFFU9wc1QR9bNw7or7uLniPzbyGz-QIVifOWD/s1600-h/levi's.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 222px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMhH2xPhe67SyonwaSowFTrkdbknfEqEM3A8xxCNsorO_eQESbRCxaiccaiocV8D5HLBYNiDVAuF9K_u99kMVNmcsYkE_EDQ5w1M4WDHEFFU9wc1QR9bNw7or7uLniPzbyGz-QIVifOWD/s320/levi's.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382133106383421122" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">y husband does not beat me, does not belittle me, provides a home for us and does what he loves ~ runs 2 companies and is a volunteer fire fighter} W</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">e may not live in a huge h</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">ome {yes...it is a doublewide}, our cars are paid for, my daughter is in private school, my daughter swims year round, we have a Wii, ipods, cameras, do not mind shopping at consignment shops and vacation at the beach every year. Ask my daughter and she would tell you that she is happy. I work part-time so that I can be there to pick my daughter up every day....yet my father is embarrassed of me and feels that I am not providing for my daughter. My daughter is caring and compassionate and loves to give to others. To me, this is providing!<br /><br />I grew up in an affluent family and lived in a 4000 square foot home.....and honestly don't care. That is just stuff...FAMILY is what is important to me and if you feel you need to judge me on "WHAT" I have or do not have, then I actually feel sorry for you. I have finally come to the conclusion that I will NEVER have a relationship with my father.....because my husband and daughter mean the world to me!<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia, bookman old style, palatino linotype, book antiqua, palatino, trebuchet ms, helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, avante garde, century gothic, comic sans ms, times, times new roman, serif;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">When you look at your life, the greatest happiness's are family happiness's.</span> ~Joyce Brothers<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102);">ps. can you tell which pair of jeans actually cost over $800?<br /></span>Randomly Ellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04166043892236315303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449247311587430729.post-18490805664366812112009-09-15T08:22:00.003-04:002009-09-15T08:38:10.888-04:00You found WHAT ......Where???<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheBnWDPsx9BkkfyLIgMDeWl-HC9rgiZK3Z-EUppfLAUAHvzGjBMMVdjTX2E_JuzLCF3vRKsNEORdVRk143C72RNuy5p-ZGPQE4RbAoQ0RK-oMJbctqh1qPdeDB8hWB-XSZPtRUhUeFeFTz/s1600-h/9.11.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 141px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 102px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381672178181483618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheBnWDPsx9BkkfyLIgMDeWl-HC9rgiZK3Z-EUppfLAUAHvzGjBMMVdjTX2E_JuzLCF3vRKsNEORdVRk143C72RNuy5p-ZGPQE4RbAoQ0RK-oMJbctqh1qPdeDB8hWB-XSZPtRUhUeFeFTz/s400/9.11.jpg" /></a><br /><div><span style="color:#006600;">Last week was 9/11. I did not know anyone personally that was lost that day, but my husband is a fire fighter and I am so proud of all the people that serve this country. I was listening to a local radio station yesterday morning and what I heard was alarming ~ but not so very surprising. A woman had called in. She was traveling by plane from the RDU to I believe somewhere on the west coast and even had to change planes. She had a laptop {her sons} that was her carry-on ~ here at RDU she pulled the laptop out from the bag and placed both on the conveyor belt at the security stop. Everything looked good and she boarded her plane. Her trip was great. As she prepared to pack up to head home, she began to pack up the laptop. She opened one of the side compartments on the laptop bag and found a SIX inch pocket knife!!!! This bag had not left her side during her whole vacation....which means that it was there when she went through security in RDU...and their X-Ray machine did NOT pick up on it. THIS FREAKS ME OUT!!!! If this got through....what else is getting through???? I truly do not believe that after 8 years, we are any better protected from an attack. Next time I fly, I will most definitely be praying the WHOLE flight.....</span></div>Randomly Ellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04166043892236315303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449247311587430729.post-9881620462751725282009-08-26T10:41:00.003-04:002009-08-26T10:51:33.908-04:00Happy Birthday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrBPYTvOSmuibWinThVKROQg4pELD6gL8FgSTAG5nsrjmWEnIg1FBXdkGWj_MUfLwkxPXGNCTR_VgX8BZ4t-JCZm3CLCfCMy3r5YrpFcoEIPV719SQimgJI5yCisfYKymBsuPrGXhSSqX/s1600-h/momma.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrBPYTvOSmuibWinThVKROQg4pELD6gL8FgSTAG5nsrjmWEnIg1FBXdkGWj_MUfLwkxPXGNCTR_VgX8BZ4t-JCZm3CLCfCMy3r5YrpFcoEIPV719SQimgJI5yCisfYKymBsuPrGXhSSqX/s400/momma.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374284693097353698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Today is a WONDERFUL day {yes...each day is wonderful if we are aloud to see the sun rise!!} but today would have been my momma's 72nd Birthday. A lot of you know that I lost my momma to lung cancer last October ......but I know she is forever watching over me and my family. I want to wish her a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! I love you momma and miss you....</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Photo: picture taken at dinner on my momma's 70th Birthday...the last one we were all able to celebrate {she was too ill last August to know anything}</span></span>Randomly Ellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04166043892236315303noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449247311587430729.post-67794534204619403382009-08-17T10:42:00.001-04:002009-08-17T11:05:47.840-04:00Can you kick the Addiction?I sent my baby off to middle school today {7th grade} and yes it is a Christian school, I know that she will not be shielded from all that scary stuff out there. What we did for fun back in the day is NO WHERE near what children do now. I am watching <a href="http://www.thedoctorstv.com/">The Doctors</a> this morning and they are dealing with teens and drugs and alcohol. It is becoming CRAZY out there and many teens are going to end up DEAD!!!!<br /><br />I have dealt with many alcoholics in my life, my grandfather, my uncle, my father, my brother-in-law and friends. I have also seen what drugs can do to a person first hand..... What is hardest is that most of my family is in denial of their alcohol problems. The fact that someone has to have a glass {or 2} every day ....that is an alcoholic....you do not have to become "drunk" to be classified as an alcoholic. <br /><br />What else is heartbreaking is when your family does not support those that are trying to help themselves. Once someone has admitted to having a problem and even makes the effort to get treatment, they have to make the biggest change by re-organizing their life. They have to find new friends and do things that help them to support themselves to stay "clean".... even if that means going to a meeting EVERYDAY!!! I have heard of someone who ended up back in treatment AFTER 22 YEARS clean!!! Addiction is a disease ..... and tempatations are always out there....but your family should be the BIGGEST supporters and REMOVE ALL temptations. . . . that means NO alcohol in the house!!!<br /><br />I guess this show has hit me pretty strongly. I never have tried any drugs except alcohol thankfully, but I know that now a days, kids are trying more and more things. I often wonder where they come up with some of these ideas {who would have thought of putting vodka over dry ice and inhaling it????} I know my daughter is getting closer to her teen years and closer to becoming MORE independent and full of secrets. I just hope she can look back at her family and see what can happen when alcohol and drugs become the most important thing in your life. I think this is one of the greatest fears of a parent, along with your child becoming sexually active {thankfully we are not anywehere near that one!!!!} I can only talk with Bailey and be honest and open and PRAY everyday!!!<br /><br />Even though my grandfather is no longer with us, my uncle and father are and I hope that one day they wake up and see what is happening to themselves before it is too late. I am very proud of my brother - in- law and I am proud to say that he is doing very well!!! We are supporting him in every way possible and he is CLEAN!!!!<br /><br />Please....talk with your children and be open as much as possilbe.Randomly Ellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04166043892236315303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449247311587430729.post-16772037187621185172009-08-17T09:34:00.003-04:002009-08-17T10:23:23.788-04:00Where did my lil girl go?<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWdrioyDIHKwQdM5GvwRW9J39EMrereetEpvAWdbgmMSShRKdaarNsXdkmEGLzRwngAVlT8zvefsRP06mcFkbxDnPBWUV9ZSMskm67Tj-1jEqNjFW8g6twLd38JDaIGu8julqLK7QqNGL/s1600-h/7th+grade.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 283px; height: 582px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWdrioyDIHKwQdM5GvwRW9J39EMrereetEpvAWdbgmMSShRKdaarNsXdkmEGLzRwngAVlT8zvefsRP06mcFkbxDnPBWUV9ZSMskm67Tj-1jEqNjFW8g6twLd38JDaIGu8julqLK7QqNGL/s400/7th+grade.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370937462814509410" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Today .... my baby stepped out of the car and began her 7th grade year. So many feelings for me....not sure what is going on in Bailey's mind other than "uuuuggghhh....6:30 is WAY to early!!! Where did my summer go?" I should be a "pro" at sending of my child to school ... I have been doing this since she was 4 ~ but I still want to grab her and not let go.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLqxUcun6VIBnphPd9G3vwJ5Khxea_hdSb8oIbRXCLqN_nhx6WnEhT2t8SN3GglxkJhENKXWx6dQXpNSBr6b1e4wjZhLhVAwIsJeVGHYcCKZnvPhz9UZ5Vr9Q2_ypZncv4kOgsI5HQ7Q5/s1600-h/last+day+of+k4.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 358px; height: 371px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLqxUcun6VIBnphPd9G3vwJ5Khxea_hdSb8oIbRXCLqN_nhx6WnEhT2t8SN3GglxkJhENKXWx6dQXpNSBr6b1e4wjZhLhVAwIsJeVGHYcCKZnvPhz9UZ5Vr9Q2_ypZncv4kOgsI5HQ7Q5/s400/last+day+of+k4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370937638572932450" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Rewind to 2001.....you were age 4 and getting ready to go off to K4 at Faith Lutheran. Cute bob, new uniform and a HUGE smile ~ you didn't even look back as I dropped you off in front of the school. That was one of the hardest days to go through.....watching my baby take her next step to growing up. Now it is 2009 .... and it still is hard to see you step out of the car and go off to your first day of SEVENTH grade!!! You now have contacts, a cute new haircut, a great new outfit and you are now OVER 5 feet tall!!!! AAAAHHHHHHH.....where did my little girl go????? I am so not ready for these TWEEN years. Not ready to see you "blossom"!!! Can I totally lock you in the closet until you are 30????</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">I hope today is GREAT for Bailey! I am still trying to figure out what to do with myself since I have lost my playmate. As it will take Bailey a few weeks to get back into the swing of school....I will have to get back into my life .... my house may actually get cleaned now!!!!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Happy First Day of School my sweet.....YOU ROCK!!!</span><br /></div>Randomly Ellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04166043892236315303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3449247311587430729.post-608050490133583962009-07-21T11:39:00.004-04:002009-07-21T11:55:22.407-04:00Oh to have a pony!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16_PPtvRcjalbNmXzst4F12KfIibD4b6Sq35UTNFaPHEbwz3iuHu9ed3P_rmPfMGeTVEKxJDh9kx8E5ntG_m94sEh6-4v8UorsDsSSwKujSm8i6gOgNPv_oY7826Q6q444JP8Rixvu0R8/s1600-h/laura+travels.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360942319114607442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16_PPtvRcjalbNmXzst4F12KfIibD4b6Sq35UTNFaPHEbwz3iuHu9ed3P_rmPfMGeTVEKxJDh9kx8E5ntG_m94sEh6-4v8UorsDsSSwKujSm8i6gOgNPv_oY7826Q6q444JP8Rixvu0R8/s400/laura+travels.jpg" /></a> <div><div align="left">The annual <a href="http://www.assateagueisland.com/ponyswim/ponyswim.htm">Chingoteague Pony swim </a>is coming up. This year it is on Wednesday, July 29th. I remember when I was younger reading <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misty_of_Chincoteague">Misty of Chincoteague</a> - and forever wishing I too had a pony. My parents took me to the pony round-up one year......and what I can remember most was not the hot sun and bugs....but watching those heads bob up and down as the ponies swam toward the island. The foals would struggle to keep up with their mothers. I would love to take my daughter to see this event that has been going on since 1925 - but I think she might enjoy it more if we went in the off season and toured the island .....so we can see these creatures at their best.</div><br /><div align="left"></div><div align="left">I think it would be awesome to be a wild pony....free to run the beach!!!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360942016259843154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtU8e1HnpLja5tlUsWSFkdQvIGp5kEyKxfkfxGLg5rS0vheWl-MxkJ29ZXt755t6exk2_W6QgDtGy4VX8NF6BSOVZQwsAPBQLH19KUyE4F4OFh3H0-nR-WarhDi2NmXPyKz0IRW973CZPq/s320/tviolette.jpg" /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/expeditions/2629887579/">laura travels</a>, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/eighty-two/2731744432/">tviolette</a></div></div></div>Randomly Ellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04166043892236315303noreply@blogger.com0