HELLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello Everyone, I just got caught up on all of your blogs...I follow along most of the time but I have been sooo busy, hopefully that will all be ending soon!

Nikky & Mike are doing great, their house is so cute & they are cute together in it! Last Saturday we were chit-chatting she was doing her housework & she said "mom, I'm just like you, I have to rip everything apart and make sure it's really really clean!" LOL! Mike was doing yard work, they have such a pretty yard!

Billy is doing well, I will share some of the things that he has been doing once he is back. I am so proud of him but I know that my little boy will be coming back a man, he has seen so much.

We've been to the beach a few times, tomorrow we're heading out to see Harry Potter. I tried to plan a trip to see my pals in Georgia but the anxiety of being away from home while Billy is you know where was overwhelming & I couldn't do it. I'm hoping that I can make it down there sometime soon.

I have so much to tell all of you that will be hard to share here maybe I'll note all of you in fb or something...this deployment has been hard and heartbreaking at times and I have had to take a step back from blogging and posting for fear of really going NUTS ON A FEW PEOPLE....

Missing my Marine but so thankful for my husband the Incomparable Mr. P, my beautiful daughter & wonderful son-in-law and last but certainly not least The Amazing Ms. B!

Please keep praying, we have another sweet fella out there Cindy's son Justin...

Love & hugs!!!

xoxo

Meeting Marine Families....

From left to right: Chris, Kerry & me ~ TADA!!

Chris & Kerry are Marine parents too...Chris lives in Georgia and has been up here just down the road from me all this past week! Kerry lives just over the line in Connecticut!

Chris' son Blake was KIA on 1 September 2010 in Afghanistan ~ I "met up" with the two of them via Marine Parents and then facebook. We would chit-chat into the night & email and talk on the phone but we had never met in person. Chris "spent the night" with me when Billy was stranded in Okinawa ~ LOL I can laugh now but that night & long long weekend not so much ;)

When Chris' son was killed Kerry messaged me to let me know, I was unable to make it to the services and my heart was breaking for the Rodgers family.

Chris his wife Jane and their beautiful daughter Emily have a strength that is just amazing and they are the kindest sweetest people I have ever met, yes MET! We got together this past Tuesday for our official "Meet & Greet" ~ we laughed, talked, cried, hugged, laughed & cried some more! It was a beautiful night & it was such an honor to meet them.

I have Chris and Jane a little taste of Fall River sent them packing with some treats and a bottle of Portuguese Port Wine...Chris had a memory shirt made for me, R.E.D. of course in memory of our hero Blake. I wore it today with pride!

God Bless you Rodgers family, please know that Blake is ALWAYS REMEMBERED & Will never never be forgotten....

Let Me Take You On A Tour.....

Nikky & Mike's new home, isn't it sweet?!

The view from the outside looking in...their living room, dining room, family room/office and the back deck, their sweet little kitchen!

It's just the sweetest house; they have two full baths one downstairs and one upstairs. Mr. P was painting the master bedroom so I wasn't allowed to get in there and snap some pics...we worked all day Friday and Saturday. Their furniture is being delivered throughout the week and we’ll be back over there next Saturday to help them some more. Mr. P has a few painting projects over there throughout the week...stay tuned more pictures to follow!

Hope you enjoyed your tour!

Plantings & Mr. P's Picking Finds......

I spent Saturday afternoon with Nikky, we went to BJ's so that she could stock up on supplies for her new house! Everything should be finalized the week after next and then they get their keys, YAY YAY YAHOOOO!!! They are so excited & happy! Mr. P will be heading over to paint and I'll be going over to help them clean and organize! We haven't seen their house yet, Nikky wanted to be able to show us when it was officially theirs so we've been chomping at the bit waiting to get in their and see it!

While I was out with Nikky Mr. P went out to Wareham, Massachusetts to go picking with a friend of his! They were going to an estate sale and then to a few thrift stores in search of hunting/fishing equipment...why I'm not sure he has soooo much! Well he decided that he didn't need any but scooped up the little iron and stand and the shoe for me! SO sweet, thank you sweetie!

This morning I went out to the garden shop and picked up some flowers, I'm not very goo with them so we'll see how long that last! For now anyway my front flower boxes look pretty!

Billy called yesterday afternoon while I was out with Nikky, I spoke to him for a few minutes and then Nikky talked to him. When I got the phone back my phone was beeping low battery. I had Billy's truck so I was without a charger, it went dead!!! I was shouting BILLY BILLY, I love you :/ but he didn't' hear me...I was so upset! He called back but it went to voicemail :/ stupid phone, it hasn't been keeping a charge!! Time for a new phone!!

Well, I have to run need to get ready for my work week! If I don't make it back here until the weekend know that I'm always thinking of all of you!

Love & hugs to all of you!!!

Memorial Day ~ 30 May 2011

For love of country they accepted death... -James A. Garfield



May God bless our Fallen and their families and may God bless and protect our Military....

Psssssssst....I've Got A Secret!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, I've got a secret & it's been killing me not to tell you all BUTTTTTTTTTTT here goes!!!!

NIKKY & MIKE BOUGHT A HOUSE!!!!!!!



It's just the sweetest most darling house you could ever imagine, I can't wait until they are all settled in and they let me take you on a tour! Hopefully they will be in by the middle of next month & we'll be having a good old fashioned moving them in party...I'm going to take a day of two off to help them out with some things! It's just beautiful and has recently been updated so YAY YAY YAY for our beautiful daughter and our wonderful son-in-law!

We are so proud of them!!!

Other than that same old same old here...working late & not liking it so much, I think that it's just too much I am worn out tonight! Made a pizza and a nice big salad for dinner & now we're just relaxing!

See everyone tomorrow!!!

What Have I Gotten Myself Into.....????

Oh girls, first of all ~ HI HOW ARE YOU ALL DOING???

This is what I spent my evenings doing...calling elderly cardiac patients and asking them to pay their bills :/ not fun! The collection agency that we hired has done a terrible job so I offered to help out until they hire a new one...The extra money will be NICE but it's breaking my heart, my puppy misses me & I miss her so much, Mr. P is so upset that I am working late.

I'm thinking maybe two or three more weeks and then I'm done. I'm too tired, my day starts at 4:30am & I'm not getting home until after eight! It's too much for me, I'm too tired!

Tomorrow, my babycakes will be going turkey hunting & I'll be doing what I do best ~ SHOP nuff' said LOL!

HOpefully I'll be back tomorrow...love & hugs to all of you!

Working Like A Dog......

As some of you know I have a four day work week, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday ~ I work 40 hours actually it's more like 50 hours a week and then you add the time that I sit in my car commuting...a looooooooooooooohhhhgggg day! Well this week I put in a few extra hours so that I would be ahead of the game when Monday rolls around! The physicians that I work for have asked me to work on a few things for them and seeing as my day is full I'll be staying a few nights a week, oy vey! The extra money will be nice but girls I'll be beat!

I've been working a lot so that I don't have to be home :/ this deployment thing has really gotten the better of me & I cannot shake it! I'm trying though,I'm trying!

We have some exciting news but we can't share it yet DRATS!!!! No I'm not going to be a grammy just yet, lol (although I keep dropping hints hehe) but it's still VERY VERY VERY EXCITING!!!

We've decided that Ms. B just cannot continue to hunt, I know she's a big ole bruiser but she's really very fragile...her little leg is just too fragile and we would be heartbroken if she was to get hurt again so it looks like Mr. P might be getting a new hunting buddy. The breeders that we got Ms. B from are having one last litter before they retire their dogs, we're on the list for a little black lab & somewhere in there he/she is related to Ms. B so she'll be a "momma" not sure how she'll take to a pup as SHE'S THE BOSS! I'll keep you posted ~ I must be a sucker for punishment but oh boy I sure do love puppy kisses & fat puppy tummies!

Hopefully I'll see all of you tomorrow!

Love & hugs to all of you!

Yellow Ribbons For Billy.......

I've been looking in all of the craft stores since Billy left for yellow ribbons, I finally found some yesterday afternoon!!!! I bought the iron red, white & blue stars and then added a yellow ribbon to each one and fastened them to the hangers with yellow ribbon! They look so pretty hanging on the doors, I picked up a third one for the tree in our yard. I can look at it as I stand at the sink and look out over the backyard & think of him....

Ms. B my big helper was out there with me as I was tying it around the tree, she thought it was a game and kept climbing up to grab it ~ GRRRR!

We got an email from Billy this morning...he sent it Friday night but Mr. P hadn't been on to check his email...he's been out on patrol every night. He said that it still gets chilly overnight but has been up over 100 degrees during the day. MY heart breaks thinking of him and all of our troops over there and those that will be going over shortly....all we can do is pray and send out mail and care packages!

Well, I hope that everyone had a great weekend! Tomorrow is Monday, back to reality!

Love and hugs to all of you!









Ms. B Missing her Marine....

The Stuff Fairy Tales Are Made Of.....

Yes, I gt up early (when am I not up early, LOL) I made my coffee and snuggled on the couch and watched all of the pre-wedding coverage and the wedding...it's what every girl dreams of, becoming a princess!

Catherine was stunning and Prince William was so handsome in his uniform, it was a storybook wedding & I loved every minute! The crazy hats, the horses, the cars, the carriages, the Royal family EVERYTHING!

I wonder how many times today Prince William thought of his "mum" today, she was with him in spirit every step of the way....



After the wedding I headed off to Remicade so I am very sleepy now :/ off to nap before bed ~ I hope I can sleep...it doesn't come easy and lately it doesn't want to come at all!! The end of October can't get here fast enough!!!

Hope that you were all able to "attend" the wedding ;)

Have a great night, tomorrow I'm off for a mani & pedi and then some SHOPPING!

Love to all of you!

Happy Easter.....

Happy Easter, I hope that you all enjoyed your day! Our precious daughter and her sweet husband came to spend the afternoon with us and had dinner...I am Polish and Easter was always a favorite of my dads. We always had yummy Polish food on Easter Sunday and I have carried on with that tradition ~ and girls let me tell you it was GOOD!

We ate too much and laughed a lot! We were all missing Billy and hoped that he had a chance to sit down to a nice dinner, the USO was hosting a dinner on Camp Leatherneck and we were hoping that he was able to have some time to sit down and enjoy!

Tracy, if you are reading that you for the sweet e-mail! Seeing that cutiepatootie made my morning!

Until the next time...Be Safe & God Bless....

Just Too Cute For Words........

I went out this afternoon to run some errands & pick up an Easter Bunny for a gift bag...looks like I'll be heading back out tomorrow morning for another Easter Bunny....







Shhhhhhhhhhhh......she's asleep! Please do not wake her, she needs her beauty rest LOL!



Hope that you are all G.R.E.A.T.!!!!

Love & hugs to all, Until tomorrow Be Safe & God Bless.....

Gallery 63

Hey...hello out there! Georgia Peaches have, Ganky have you ever been to this auction house???? It's in Georgia & they have a show on the Discovery Channel & I just love it!

I would love to go to an auction, all of that excitement! I am looking for an old dresser that I can re-finish for Billy's bedroom. I think after Easter I might hit a few yard sales and look in the paper for estate sales and try my old haunt St. Vincent's!

We haven't been doing much; it's been cold and rainy here. Hoping it warms up soon, I'm ready to plant some flowers!

Nikyk & Mike are coming for Easter dinner! They have started looking for a house ~ YAY! My wish for my beautiful daughter and her handsome hubby is that all of their dreams come true!

Well, I'm going to scoot. I just wanted to get caught up with all of you and say "hey"!

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless...

Yay For Thursday.......

It's been a long week, two late night meetings and an early morning meeting today makes for one cranky Lynda!

We have had rain here off and on all week...hopefully these April showers will be bringing the May flowers. I look out at the grass in the yard every day and I keep hoping to notice a change...a few more weeks and it will be think and green!

Weigh in tomorrow morning, YIKES!!! Fingers crossed!!

Hope that you all have had a great week, one more day to the weekend ~ YAHOO!

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless...

Struggling....

I have been struggling with so many things as of late & not enjoying anything :/

I sit downstairs and think about coming up here to "visit" with all of you but then I think I'm just too tired. I have had two infusions that haven't seemed to help a whole heck of a lot, going back this Friday for a few injections in my hip ~ GRRR!

I have been going to Weight Watchers for four weeks now & I have only lost 1.4lbs, WTH I am writing everything down weighing & measuring but no luck!

My son is on my mind constantly, I cannot stop thinking of him. I wake up when I hear a car or truck outside and my heart pounds so hard I think that the neighbors will hear it, LOL! I scared Mr. P last Saturday night jumping up to look out the window...

My cell phone rang yesterday and the number came up USMC and a 910 exchange my heart stopped...it was Billy thank you Jesus. He had a few minutes on his calling card and needed to talk to someone. Two Marines were KIA and he was asked to help retrieve and ready for the flight home, he was able to be with them as soon as they arrived back at Camp Leatherneck and he stayed with them until they were ready to be boarded on the plane. He was able to be there to help load them in and then salute as they were carried past. He said that it was heart wrenching but beautiful, he said they were young men...still had a lot of life left to live. Billy said that he was honored to have been able to do that for them but that he was shaken to the core and feeling so sad for their families.

His other reason for calling was to let me know (you see he spoke to his dad on Sunday and told him but didn't' want to tell me) that he was going to be going out very soon and that after being a part of that sendoff he couldn't go out without calling to say he loved me. I can tell you it was hard not to cry while on the phone with him, I broke down when we finally hung up and I have been a wreck ever since.

Mr. P is very quiet we kind of just wander through our day aimlessly. I thank God for our beautiful daughter she is such a joy, she and Mike are enjoying life and moving on with some very exciting plans, hopefully I will be able to share with you all very soon.

I think that I am very depressed and anxious and I will be talking to my doctor again tomorrow about it.

Sorry to be such a bummer...

Until the next time....

Long Walk In The Woods.......

This afternoon we took little Ms. Fatso Bailey Platt out for a long walk in the woods! She heard the sound of her leash and collar and got herself so worked up she ran right into the sliding glass door ~ NUT!

We took her out to the woods where she hunts for pheasant, it was just too funny watching her run back and forth. We walked and walked probably a good four miles round trip. I have my camera around my neck the entire time we were walking and forgot it was there LOL!

Spring turkey season starts up in a few weeks & Mr. P is so excited he has a new bow so he can't wait to get out there!

While Ms. B is napping I'm going to go get a few things done!

Hope you're having a great Saturday!

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless....

Change of Command.....

Today Billy's Unit officially relieved the Marines that will be leaving...he will be busy, driving out to the front and back several times a week. He'll be a driver on and off base, on base o.k. off base not so much :/ we spoke to him this past Sunday he was excited to get going. His GySgt has put his name in for a few "special" assignments. Can't talk much about them, please just say a little prayer for him...

Now as for all of the pictures, Mr. P found them today it was just like being back in Boot Camp!!! We used to get to see pictures of the boys going through training YAY!

Well about these pictures, the Marine closest to the camera carrying the rifle right next to the Marine carrying the Marine Corps flag is my Billy!!!!! OH HAPPY MOMMA DANCE!!!

I just thought I'd share with all of you!

New Spring Duds....

The temperature might not reflect it but it's spring here in New England & I am getting sick and tired of my winter clothes. So what's a girl to do you ask...hmmmmm??? Why shop of course & QVC made it way too easy yesterday :/ it was "Treat Yourself Day" and girls I did just that! Everything was on three easy pays or more and well that was the green light to GO GO GO!!!!

New tops, new Capri pants, new summer dresses, new sandals...Hey, a girl needs to refresh her wardrobe at the change of seasons right (please just agree with me!!!)

I am on a first name basis with the UPS man, LOL! The last time he dropped of a package Mr. P was up YIKES! The UPS man asked Mr. P if I was his wife's ling lost sister or something, the guys at the "shop" kid him that they go to his house all of the time to "see" his wife ~ imagine HOW FUNNY!!! Apparently she's a QVC nut too, he says he hates seeing the little aqua QVC symbol but was happy to know that his wife wasn't the only one battling this addiction ~ LOL!

Well, now I have to run. I need to make room in my closet for all of the new purchases!

See ya soon!

Love to all of you, thank you for the prayers and good wishes!

Packing Care Packages.....

Billy was able to get another call out yesterday, I was so happy to hear his voice! They have been shadowing the Marines that they will be taking over for so they really aren't in a routine yet. He told me few things that he might be doing and it made my hair curl...time to get on my lazy praying knees. He also told me of something that happened while they were out on the rifle range the day before yesterday, I was shocked I was shaking I just couldn't believe it...they are supposed to be safe while on base...he said "ma, we're never safe out here..."

He asked for a few things and we did the only thing we could do, start packing boxes, he said that they were low on some things and the PX on base didn't have a lot. I asked what he needed and wanted and if any of his buddies needed anything. Razors, envelopes, calling cards for when they were able to call, they will share the minutes...snacks! So that's what we did, I packed it all up tonight, the first shipment will be a big one the next ones will be in the smaller boxes so that we can send out more often so he never runs out!

It's only the beginning of week two and I feel like it's been an eternity, my baby boy (he really is the baby)...last night I couldn't sleep again, surprise! I went into his messy room ans sat on the bed and picked up a bundle of his clothes from his suitcase they smelled like him I just hugged them and cried. Cried until I cried myself to sleep slumped over on his pile of "stuff"...

Ughh, I am tired.

Be back tomorrow, love to all of you! Thank you for the thoughts and prayers...please keep all of our military in your prayers!

Yup It's Been a Long Day.....

I think I need to have a sit-down with my rheumatologist, I haven't been feeling well all week long. I know that all of this deployment $@#% hasn't helped any, I cannot sleep at all, my hips ache so much & my right hand is so swollen and red.

Poor Mr. P came in from work this morning and took one look at me and said that he felt so bad & that he wished that he could wave a wand and make things o.k. ~ well if I wasn't crying before that had me bawling like a baby ~ poor guy he didn't know what to do!

I had my first WW weigh in after joining last Friday. I was a hot mess, wore my lightest clothes & walked up to that nasty old scale...stepped on got off & waited tick tick tick WOW I must have broken a record must be the biggest weight loss in one week that they have EVER seen...the person behind the desk smiles & hands my 2 point bars and my weight loss tracker back to me and says with the biggest smile I have ever seen "GREAT JOB" oh wow I think it's got to be good... "you're down a pound!" WHAT ARE YOU FLIPPING KIDDING ME ONE POUND ONE STINKING ROTTEN POUND!!!! I just smiled and said "oh". Stayed for the meeting & then I headed off to do errands, I was so disappointed. Maybe next week I'll break a record, the leader said if you keep on losing one pound a week pretty soon you'll disappear ~ GEE THANKS!

After that home to do my housework, it was so nice here today I turned off the heat and opened up the windows for a while, buds on my lilac tree & the crocus' are coming up!!! YAY YAY YAY!!

That's about it for me...Until tomorrow Be Safe & God Bless....

Happy St. Patty's Day.....

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Momma Got A New Dyson.....

I did, I did & yes it's pink & I LOVE IT!!!!! Ladies it works so well, I was using it to vacuum the walls in my bedroom & I could actually let go of the extension wand and it continued to suck itself to the wall WOW!!!

Ms. B wasn't very impressed, she's not fond of any vacuum. Steps in my way so I can't get by & tries to bite it ~ NOW THAT'S A DEVIL DOG!

It doesn't take much to make me happy & to tell the truth I seriously love to vacuum, I vacuum the furniture, the walls, the stairs the hardwoods, the little area rugs...I vacuum every day, ask Mr. P he'll tell you!

We've lived in our house going on 11 years and I have gone through 13 vacuum cleaners :?

Oh well...what can I say????

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless....

So Much Going On.....

Well, they finally left yesterday morning. His buddies wife took this picture for me right before he got on that bus!

We were able to talk to him while they were waiting at Cherry Point for their flight, he was tired but ready to GO! Like I told Cindy when we talked on the phone, he got on the bus and took my heart with him...so many emotions. I called my Nikky to let her know how much we love her and how very special she is to me, I just felt like I needed to tell her!

I spent the day in my house, because I just wanted to. I ran out to the market very early to shop for supplies, yes supplies!! I went back to Weight Watchers, I am an emotional eater and I figured that if I kept eating the way I had been this past week that I would need a tractor trailer to haul my big ole booty down to CLJ!

Signed up on Friday, bought a new cookbook to go with the new Points Plus Plan & then stocked my pantry with everything healthy & I'm making Mr. P do it with me :-)



I'll keep you posted....

Hopefully I'll get back to a routine and get back to my dear old bloggy friends very soon!

Love to all of you, thank you for your prayers and your good thoughts!!

Semper Gumby.......

After all of the commotion the rushing to the airport the night flight back to Camp Lejeune my Marine is still waiting for the word go....it's been a long hard week here!

They were supposed to head out on Wednesday and were told to standby until further notice....suffice it to say they will be leaving soon VERY SOON....my heart is breaking all over again.

I have been busy at work and it's nice to be occupied for a good portion of my day. I tried to work a bit in Billy's room, it's a disaster but it made me too sad...quite honestly I think I just want to look at the mess for a little while longer :/

He has had to hurry up only to be kept waiting, I know that that's the military way but it hasn't been easy.

We've spoken every night and with each conversation he becomes more resigned to the fact that he is leaving. I feel bad because he was so ready just a few days ago their moral was up up up, I know they will get back there again the hanging around has been tough for them!

I haven't slept well at all, my face is all broken out, I have been eating everything that isn't nailed down and crying all night long....I look a wreck if I keep eating the way I have been I'll be rolling down to Camp Lejeune when they finally come home!

Ughhhhhhh....I think liked Boot Camp much better!

Thank you so much for all of your prayer...keep em' coming prayer warriors!!!

Much love to all of you!!

And He's Off.....

Billy out at Mojave viper....


Billy & two of his buddies, I've connected with their moms and one is married so his wife! We've got quite a little support group going on!

We spent the day together today, Billy's friend Al came for breakfast & then Nikky & mike came by to spend some time with Billy. It was nice hearing them laugh together!

The rest of the afternoon was spent packing the sea bags :/

Off to the airport...some of you know and some of you may not know but I had surgery on my cervical spine in March of 2009 & I now have a metal rod and two titanium cages in my neck and down my sternum...well I made the alarm go off when we went through the gate...I was scanned, x-rayed and patted down...my hands were swiped for gunpowder residue...finally the TSA person said ma'am what do you have down your shirt...duh it's not down my shirt it's a rod and it's in my spine & those are titanium cages and they hold me together .....x-rayed again ~ oh now we see. OMG I know that they are just doing their job but my word. Did you think I was packing a weapon & had it hidden in my spinal cord????

We were able to go the gate with him, as the minutes ticked on it became harder and harder to stop the tears. People were curious as to why all of the tears, when they stared to call the passengers to board the attendant was notified that there was a member of the US Marines waiting to board and he was with family, she asked that we be given some privacy to say our "see you laters", never goodbye, well he got a standing ovation!!!! People then started to say thank you to all of us as they passed by, oh what proud parents were were...when he finally walked away to board after many many hugs & kisses he turned around and yelled "OOHRAH Semper Fi mom & dad, it's time to become a part of history..."

Godspeed Son, OOHRAH & Semper Fi...we'll see you in October!

Oh My Aching Heart.....

Tonight is our last night with Billy, the tears have been there all day and now I cannot stop them from flowing. Ha has asked that we not go down to Camp Lejeune, quite honestly he said that it would be hard enough saying goodbye to us at the airport he couldn't handle it if we were there, he knows he needs to keep his head in the "game" and he doesn't want to see us as he looks out the windows...just wants to keep thoughts of us at home in his heart and in his memories until he's back home again...

Please keep him in your prayers...

Racing Around.....

Hello girls, I just wanted to drop in and say hello! I got caught up on what you all have been doing ~ you gals have been busy too!!

We're running ragged here, cramming everything into just a few days & I am beat! I had to work today and I have to go in tomorrow & just a half a day on Wednesday & then I am done for the week!

I'm still feeling run down from being sick last weekend :/

That's about it, I'll be checking in tomorrow night! Not sure if I'll blog my emotions are all over the map & I'm just not feeling like it right now! But you never know I just might????

Love to all of you!