A Day In The Life Of.......Me

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

2011-08-05T18:31:00.002-04:00

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....

2011-06-24T18:49:00.002-04:00

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.....

2011-06-19T18:32:00.002-04:00

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......

2011-06-05T17:52:00.002-04:00

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

2011-05-30T19:06:00.002-04:00

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-05-20T17:20:00.004-04:00

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.....????

2011-05-13T18:38:00.002-04:00

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......

2011-05-06T19:41:00.002-04:00

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.......

2011-05-01T18:36:00.002-04:00

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.....

2011-04-29T18:44:00.003-04:00

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.....

2011-04-24T19:10:00.002-04:00

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........

2011-04-22T20:15:00.003-04:00

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

2011-04-20T20:00:00.002-04:00

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.......

2011-04-14T20:25:00.002-04:00

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....

2011-04-07T19:46:00.003-04:00

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.......

2011-04-02T15:10:00.002-04:00

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.....

2011-03-30T20:42:00.004-04:00

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....

2011-03-26T08:05:00.002-04:00

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.....

2011-03-21T21:07:00.002-04:00

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.....

2011-03-18T19:00:00.002-04:00

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.....

2011-03-17T20:44:00.000-04:00

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Momma Got A New Dyson.....

2011-03-15T20:58:00.002-04:00

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.....

2011-03-13T18:44:00.005-04:00

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.......

2011-03-10T19:53:00.003-05:00

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.....

2011-03-06T20:18:00.007-05:00

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.....

2011-03-05T19:41:00.004-05:00

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.....

2011-02-28T20:01:00.002-05:00

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!

Home For Pre-D.....

2011-02-24T18:39:00.002-05:00

Mr. P flew out yesterday morning to hop into Billy's truck waaaayyyyy down in J-Ville to drive all the way back home to Massachusetts...yikes what a long day!

They made it back this afternoon. It was good ot know that they were home & hard to stay at work! I packed it in at about 2:30 I couldn't stand not seeing them so home I went!

And girls I got the biggest hug from that Marine of Mine!!!

I have a little time off while Billy is here, Nikky is taking some time to spend with her brother, life is good! He's home and I am going to cherish every moment...

Be back tomorrow, Love to all of you!

Lost Weekend.......

2011-02-21T13:51:00.002-05:00

Yes, that's right! A lost weekend! I have been so sick all weekend long & I was so thankful to have today off for the President's Day Holiday!

I didn't do a darn thing all weekend, with the exception of just straightening up a bit on Saturday & Sunday morning, other than that I was snuggled up under a blanket with a hot cup of tea & my books!

Mr. P wasn't quite sure what to make it, I never take a time out, I didn't cook not one thing! I think he thought I was kidding on Friday night & when I told him if he wanted food he would have to do the marketing & then fend for himself I thought his eyeballs were going to hit the floor LOL! He's just a wee bit spoiled!

My trusty sidekick stuck to me like glue!

Our fella is back in from the Mojave & will be making his way home for pre-d leave. Mr. P will be flying out down to CLJ so that he can drive home with him!

I need to get to feeling better so that I can enjoy my time with him!

Well, that's about it for me...Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless!

I Don't Feel Well...............

2011-02-19T15:13:00.002-05:00

On Thursday night when I came in I was feeling like poopoo! Friday morning & whamo, I felt like I had been hit by a truck! I couldn't stop coughing & it hurt to stand up straight & walk just a few feet...hmmmm! I just started back on Remicade & sometimes that can cause respiratory problems, called my doctor. I was able to get an appointment in the afternoon, fever of 101.4, x-rays showed bronchopneumonia, off to the pharmacy & home with two different kinds of inhalers, antibiotics, & hydrocodone-tussin cough syrup!

I'm wiped out, I took a shower today & put on a nice new pair of P.J.s and I've been lounging around all day long!

Now, I'm heading off for a nap!

Hope you all have a nice weekend, see ya tomorrow!

Oh HELLO Girls.........

2011-02-17T20:23:00.002-05:00

Hello girls, it’s me, it’s me Bailey & I’m in charge tonight!!!
My poor mom has had a long hard week…I have had tummy trouble again for about a week and a half now & I don’t want to stay upstairs with her so she has been staying with me downstairs just in case I need to get out QUICK!!! And gals let me tell you we’ve had a few close calls! I have to be on a special diet & I think that it costs a lot of money ~ my dad just keeps telling me good thing you’re cute and your mom loves you to pieces ~ YIKES ~ I might bite him!
Anyway, I have been waking her up quite a bit and you know how she has trouble sleeping (she’s napping on the couch right now ;O ) she has been up early and working so late. On Tuesday her battery died and we went to go help her out. I was kind of mad because she wouldn’t let me go with her in her car ~ NO NO NO my car is all nice and new and clean WOOOF WOOOOOOOF to you too lady!
Now she doesn’t feel good, she keeps coughing (don’t tell her I told you this but she sounds a bit like a little yappy puppy & it’s making me crazy).
I decided to write her blog for her, I know that she misses all of you very much. After I finish up here I think I’ll make her a cup of tea. Dad knew that she wasn’t feeling well when she came in tonight with sandwiches, she never lets dad eat sandwiches NEVER~ HE WAS SO HAPPY!!
Well, I’m going to run, no really I don’t like to walk sometimes I prance like a horse but walking is not for me!!
Mom should be back tomorrow.
Bye Girls!!

Happy Valentine's Day...........

2011-02-14T20:18:00.001-05:00

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm..........

2011-02-13T19:18:00.002-05:00

Yup, I got nuttin'....I was busy all weekend, ran here there and everywhere! Washed one million loads of laundry :/ not really one million but it felt like it, prepared a few meals for the week. Ironed...doesn't it sound like loads of fun??!

I just sat down to try and get some work done that I brought home with me, I got a little bit done but just didn't feel like it ~ GRRR!

That's my day/weekend in a nutshell, not a whole lot to blog about today!

Maybe tomorrow will bring a new adventure, so until then...

Be Safe & God bless...

Birthday Month..........

2011-02-11T17:23:00.003-05:00

These two sweeties celebrated a birthday this week, Billy & Bailey share the same birthday ~ how funny is that??!! February 8th...he turned 21 & she turned four.

This was the third birthday in a row that I didn't get to see my son on his special day! I tried calling him a few times but he doesn't really have great service out there in the Mojave Desert :? I left him a voicemail & told him that I didn't want the day to go by without wishing him a Happy Birthday. At 11:47pm my phone rang ~ my Marine YAY YAY YAY! It was a quick call, he was good BUSY BUSY BUSY he asked me to hold the phone to Ms. B's ear so that he could wish her a Happy B-Day ~ the look she gave the phone LOL!!

He will be heading out soon & then on home for his pre-d leave, as soon as I have the dates I'll throw together a 21st Birthday/ Deployment send-off bash for him!

Girls, I feel silly telling you all this but I have been crying all week long...my heart is so heavy. I miss my son so much and do not want to see him go YOU KNOW WHERE...I know he has to & I know that he has been trained by the best but it doesn't make it any easier...Sorry to be such a bummer!

Oh, we also have one more special day to celebrate....

This gorgeous princess will be 27 on February 13th...she was born at 11:56pm on February 13th, when she was old enough to understand that her birthday & Valentine's day were only four minutes apart she was so mad with me & asked "mommy, why couldn't you keep "it" in for a few more minutes?" the "it" being her ~ LOL!

Too funny...I'll be seeing her on Sunday YAY YAY YAY!!!

Well, I'm going to scoot! Have a great night!

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless...

Thinking Warm Thoughts......

2011-02-09T19:17:00.005-05:00

It's been so cold here & I am so ready for the summer to get here...I want to wear my flip flops, capri pants, go the the beach, have hot dogs on the grill, go for a ride to the beach and get an ice cream cone, go to a baseball game....I WANT SUN I WANT 85 DEGREE WEATHER I WANT I WANT I WANT!!!!

So let's all keep thinking those warm thoughts!!!!

I Love This Show....

2011-02-07T19:57:00.002-05:00

Have you had a chance to see this new show, it's cute! Kind of silly & sappy...not a fan of reality shows. I usually watch the History Channel or QVC, now there's a schockr LOL!

I saw an advertisement for it and one night when I couldn't sleep and couldn't concentrate enough to read I found it on "On Demand" & now I am hooked!

So I'm off to go and make a cup of tea and get ready to watch a new favorite of mine!

Hope that you all had a great Monday!

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless...

Gates of The City.....

2011-02-06T07:20:00.002-05:00

Carne alantejna, espetada á madeirense, sopa a portuguesa, pudim flan, ferreira porto, ♥ comida portuguesa ♥

Translation...Marinated pork with potatoes and little necks, Madeira-style shish kabob served with Portuguese fries, rice and seasonal vegetables, Fresh vegetables, beef and chouriço soup, custard pudding, port wine, ♥ Portuguese Cuisine ♥

Last night we did something we haven't done for a long time, earlier in the evening we went to my cousins house for a little get together and after that Mr. P took me out to dinner!

We used to have Saturday Date Night every Saturday but somewhere along the way we just stopped! Mr. P likes to eat early, before the crowd gets there...the last time we went for dinner we were given the Early Bird Menu ~ UMMMMMM We'll have plenty of time for dining with the Early Birds Mr. P! Sorry but I don't want to go out to dinner at 3:45 in the afternoon :/ just sayin'!!

We stopped off at home to let Ms. B out & then we headed off to one of my favorite restaurants, Portas da Cidade or Gates of the City, it's not fancy by any means a lot of Portuguese restaurants have very ornate decor not this one. They have a very nice bar area and a big informal open dining room.

Portuguese food has become a favorite of mine, my mother-in-law is Portuguese her father was born on the island of San Miguel her mothers parents were born in Terceira so he grew up eating a lot of this delicious food! I have learned to make quite a few of his favorites but it's always nice to go out for dinner every now and again & the staff at this place is out of this world, so nice! The foo will knock your socks off!!!!

They give you way too much to eat and serve these wonderful little rolls called Pops, warm and crusty smothered in butter ~ OMG!!! I had to have one :-)... I only had a few bites of my dinner the pork with little neck clams because I was saving room for dessert, Pudim Flan a sweet custard that is covered in a carmel sauce that and an espresso with a shot of anise ~ can we say HAPPY HAPPY!

If you ever make it up to my neck of the woods I'll cook up a few things for you as for the breads we'll have to go the bakery early in the morning and get our Sweetbread when it comes out of the oven, get it home grill it up ~ MMMMM or a malasadas, delicious fried dough covered in sugar, GREAT WITH A HOT CUP OF COFFEE and our Pops to go with dinner!

Hungry yet????

I've Got It Bad........

2011-02-03T04:52:00.004-05:00

Hi Girls!!! I haven't been sick & I have missed my bloggy pals so much but honestly I have been too tired when I get in from work!

Mr. P's third shift job has really taken it's toll with regard to our sleep patterns....He comes home at 7:15am, heads off to the range is back by 11:00am has a bite to eat & heads off to bed...usually he's asleep by noon & he sleeps until 9:30 - 9:45!!! Gets up hops in the shower throws on his uniform and he's off! WOW 9.5 hours of sleep ~ GRRRR.

Meanwhile I am downstairs or on the computer trying to stay awake, I fight it & fight it and then when I can finally get into bed I am wide awake! Last week I tried staying in Billy's room, after a very in depth conversation with the mister "PLEASE DO NOT WAKE ME UP IF YOU SEE THAT I AM ASLEEP" I decided to just go to bed when I am tired, which meant trying to catch some ZZZZZZZssss in Billy's room....

Mr. P. ~ "LYNDA (shouting) are you asleep, are you going to come up here"

Lynda P. ~ "OMG, what is wrong with you, didn't we just talk about this!!!???? Please, I am having such a a hard time sleeping...we just talked about this!!! Didn't I ask you not to shout for me, not to wake me up, well?

Mr. P. ~ "Yeah, sorry, I just wanted to know if you were going to come up to bed."

Let's try this again, under no circumstances are you to stand at the top of the stairs or in the middle of our room & shout for me at almost 10:00pm at night!!! Don't do it!!

I have been running on no Remicade for almost 6 months, working LONG hours and getting about 3 hours of sleep a night if I am lucky...I'm not sure why but that man just can't seem to stand to see me sleeping! He's always been like that, but honestly I am at my wits end and he just isn't understanding!!! Sorry to whine but I am so damn tired, my eyeballs are bleeding (not really)...

This week, my new plan...

Honey, I am going to get my blanket & pillows and snuggle down on the couch, please do not shout for me PLEASE OR I WILL BLACKEN YOUR EYES!!!

I have been able to come in eat my dinner get cleaned up for bed and just relax...however, someone is still have trouble with DO NOT WAKE ME UP!!!

Mr. P. ~ "Hey, do you want this lamp left on?"

Lynda P. ~ "WHY DID YOU WAKE ME UP TO ASK ME THAT????"

Mr. P. ~ "Want me to let her out one more time?"

Lynda P. ~ "Honestly, is there something wrong with you, I'm not trying to be a smartA$$ but seriously, why can't you just do as I ask? Can't you see that I am asleep, you know that I have been having such a hard time sleeping why do you continue to wake me up?"

Mr. P. ~ NO ANSWER....gets his cooler & heads out the backdoor ~ but not before shouting "GOODNIGHT, SEE YOU TOMORROW NIGHT" ~ followed up with a phone call which causes me to have to get up to answer the phone...

Lynda P. ~ "WHAT DO YOU WANT NOW?"

Mr. P. ~ "Don't forget to put your windshield wipers down in the morning..."

Lynda P. ~ "OMG, You must have a death wish $#@^^#@$**&&!!!! @#$% &*%!!!!

You won't be seeing me if you don't' stop waking me up because I am going to be checking into the Days Inn or the Loony Bin either way I'll get some much needed R&R!!!

So that's where I've been!!

Love & Hugs to all, do any of you have a spare room???

A Winter Day at The Beach....

2011-01-30T18:42:00.006-05:00

It was cold & it was windy but it was SO BEAUTIFUL!

Hope you enjoyed, Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless...

AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH...!!!!

2011-01-29T16:06:00.002-05:00

Cabin fever, I have it... going nuts, loco, crazy, berserk, slap happy, off the deep end, batty, loony, crackers, daffy, unhinged, wacky, bananas, kooky :/ I've lost my marbles!

Oh girls, it's bad when you have Kohl's cash & a gift card and even that doesn't make you want to leave the house, but you really don't want to be in the house either. This weather is really getting to me, Saturday afternoon 4:15pm & I'm ready to put my PJ's on...jeepers creepers!!

Mr. P has been watching True Crime documentaries all day long, I'm beginning to get a little nervous ~ LOL! Oh & he's singing songs his grandpa used to sing AT THE TOP OF HIS LUNGS ~ PLEASE JUST SHOOT ME NOW.

I'm heading down to see if I can find a good movie to watch or else maybe tape his mouth shut...

Oh & surprise, surprise MORE SNOW heading our way Wednesday ~ Think Cinderella would mind if I moved into one of the rooms in her castle at Disney World?

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless...

Tea Time....

2011-01-28T18:24:00.003-05:00

Girls, this tea is just so good! I have a cup most nights after I get in from work, I usually have it with my dinner. My grandmother was a big tea drinker, Ma that's what all of our older cousins called her but we called her gramma (not grandma, just gramma) she made the best tea, really the best cup of tea you could ever hope for!

She made great hot dogs too, not just any old hot dogs but Rhode Island favorites, Saugy Franks ~ these babies snapped when you bit into them...a boiled Saugy on a steamed bun with mustard, onions & celery salt...now that's what you call heaven on a bun!

Anyway back to that tea (pictured above) if you haven't tried it yet please do & then let me know what you think! You'll be hooked!

Barb, if you're reading it's tea time!!

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless...

Can You Believe This.....?

2011-01-27T18:27:00.005-05:00

Oy vey!

This girl has had enough, really I have had it with this white stuff!

We woke up to a foot of snow this morning, add that to the snow from our last storm we're up over 2.5 feet ~ @#$%^&!*&%#!!!!!

The doctors that I work for decided yesterday afternoon that we would be closed today. That makes three days lost to snow storms! I did my housework and then went to work here at home ~ I am fortunate to be able to work from home if need be & not use up vacation time!!

Billy was finally able to get to a spot where he had some service so YAY ME!! I was able to have a nice chat with him, I miss him so much!

It's so cold here tonight, it time for a hot cup of tea & my P.J.s

Hehe, Ms. B is on the floor under the desk (we're never very far apart LOL) and she is dreaming. Her little feet are going a mile a minute & she is growling in her sleep. I hope she catches whatever it is that she is chasing!

Well ladies, I'm off!

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless...

That's Me......

2011-01-25T21:45:00.002-05:00

I feel like a wet rag, I am so exhausted! Worked late these past two nights and I am beat!

It's so cold here, my furnace has been going non-stop for days & they are calling for more snow tomorrow night into Thursday morning ~ ENOUGH ALREADY!!

I ready for sun, fun, flip-flops & Remicade!

Heading off to bed, I can hear my pillow calling me from here...

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless.

Just Because......

2011-01-23T18:34:00.002-05:00

Steelers, PLEASE KICK SOME JETS BOOTY!!!!!

The Jets whooped it up on my beloved Pats, die hard Pats fan, bleed red, white & blue....I don't lose well & yes I took it personally ~ SO COME ON STEELERS LETS GO!!!!

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

Let's Try This Again.....

2011-01-22T07:20:00.005-05:00

I tried & tried last night to get a blog posted but blogger would not cooperate and it's not looking very promising this morning either ~ GRRRRR

O.k., this blog wouldn't work this morning either...Comcast was outside my bedroom window working on the lines ~ HMMMMMM!!! Mr. Comcast man get this thing fixed before we have a problem you & me!!!

I have more snow pictures for you, yes I said SNOW!!! We woke up to quite a little snow storm yesterday morning! See for yourself!

I know that all of my pictures always look the same but we have a very small yard & I only have one little pooch to model for me, but she is more than happy to show off for all of you!

It was cold here yesterday & didn't warm up at all today...8 degrees & windy YIKES!

Nikky's sister-in-law had a Mary Kay party this afternoon so I went over to Mike's mom Sylvia's for that. It was a silly afternoon, laughter is always good! Rachel, that's Mike's sister did a really good job & the girl that was training her was a hoot! I bought some facial products & then called Nik to see if she wanted them. I broke out in hives by the time I got home :/ dang ~ I was so excited about having a "new" face! I use .......philosophy and haven't had any trouble with it so I think I'll just stick to that! I didn't want Rachel to lose the sale so I had Nik ask her if she could just re-do it to match her skin tone.

Billy sent me some pictures from the desert, the sky was beautiful!

That's about it for me!

Until tomorrow (if this darn thing works) Be Safe & God Bless ~ oh & GO STEELERS, kick some JETS BOOTY!!!!!

Nite Nite....

2011-01-18T21:12:00.003-05:00

I just popped in to say goodnight, I have worked late these last two nights and I am so tired!

I didn't want another night to go by without checking in on all of you...

Glad to see that everyone is doing well!

Have a great night, sweet dreams!

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless...

BooooHoooo.....

2011-01-16T20:52:00.002-05:00

I'm at a loss...so aren't the Patriots!

They lost, best team in the NFL, best QB! None of that matters when you don't come to ready play in the post season!

I have to go, I'm burning all of my Patriots "Stuff"!

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless...

Our Pup Just Had To Get Out........

2011-01-14T19:24:00.004-05:00

I was up and about early this morning, had my house cleaned from top to bottom by 10:00am! Showered and off to the market we went!

I made a yummy Greek Salad & some grilled chicken for lunch ~ boy was it good!

After that my little furry four legged friend was itching to get out! I told her earlier that we could go out and play & after telling her "one minute" for about an hour she had had enough!!! She grabbed a boot and ran all around the dining room table like a little crackpot!

I bundled up and out into the yard we went, I was on a mission to get the heavy snow off of my beloved holly bush! I just love that beautiful shrub & it was buried under some pretty heavy snow!

My friend was checking things out for herself, she gave a few tugs at the branches but thought it would be better to leap through the snow...

That was my day in a nutshell...came in and made a Butt-kicking chili! That's dinner for tomorrow night MMMMMM!

Oh & MY MARINE CALLED!!!!! We talked for just a minute, he was good waiting for everything to really kick off on Monday ~ OOHRAH Marine, you made your momma smile today!!

Hope that you all had a good day too...

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless!

A Few Things To Make You Laugh.....

2011-01-13T21:19:00.007-05:00

Things Only Women Can Understand

10. Why it's good to have five pairs of black shoes.

9. The difference between cream, ivory, and off-white.

8. Crying can be fun.

7. Fat Clothes.

6. A salad, diet drink, and a hot fudge sundae make a balanced lunch.

5. Discovering a designer dress on the clearance rack can be considered a peak life experience.

4. The inaccuracy of every bathroom scale ever made.

3. A good man might be hard to find, but a good hairdresser is next to impossible.

2. Why a phone call between two women never lasts under ten minutes.

And......

1. Other Women!

Did You Remember To Laugh Today?????

Yes, More Snow Pictures!! LOL.....

2011-01-12T18:17:00.005-05:00

Momma, when can I go out & play in that snow??????

These first five pictures were taken at about five o'clock this morning!

Peeking out our front door, a view of our little street!

Mr. P working hard, YAY he made it home.

Poor Ms. B, she was exhausted after our morning in the snow, she didn't want to go in but I was worried about her paws and her little knee. Don't need her to go skidding across the deck BECAUSE SHE DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO WALK ONLY RUNS RUNS RUNS!!!

All in all it was a pretty good day, the physicians that I work for let a few of us work from home so we weren't behind when we made it back in on Thursday. I was able to get a lot done & won't have to use up too much of my vacation time.

I was doing the HAPPY MOMMA DANCE TOO!!!! Billy had a few minutes before heading out & was able to send a few quick text messages and a few pictures of the dessert & their humble accommodations! He was good & was really "into" the training ~ Marines LOL!

Chatted with Miss Nikky for a bit this morning, she isn't feeling good :-( Mike was out helping his dad clean away the snow. She was supposed to go in at 12:00pm, at that point why bother! Hopefully her office remained closed, I'll have to inquire as to how she is feeling and to see if she made it in!

I know that you are all sick of looking at snow pictures so I am going to scoot!

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless...

Snow Days..........

2011-01-11T20:33:00.002-05:00

Jack Frost doesn't want to go away anytime soon!

New England is going to get hit hard tonight, we have one storm a small one that give us a dusting, 3 inches to us that's just a dusting, once that storm moves out a nor'easter that is right behind it and that will leave another 18 inches ~ YUCK! We're also going to get wind gusts up to 60 miles an hour... I have my candles, flashlights & matches ready to go just in case!

Rhode Island (I work in RI) & Massachusetts have shut down for tomorrow, work is closed for me ~ not Mr. P :/ all essential personnel have to report, I guess that means Corrections Officers buddy!!

I am just hoping that he is able to get out tomorrow morning & get home, last time it snowed like this he got stuck at work due to all of the first shift offices that called out. I had to shovel the snow all by myself, Ms. B helped LOL! It took me all day long! I don't know if I'll be able to do it this time around, maybe one spoonful at a time ~ HEHE!!

I'll keep you posted, I know my little Georgia Peaches got hit with some snow, thanks for sharing all of your wonderful pictures! Stay warm gals!!

Joyce, my hip is feeling better, right arm is not so bad either but this left one of mine if I could just yank it off an hang it on a hook for a while ~ OUCH!!! I go back on February 4th & if it' snot feeling better I'll have to let him know OH NO!!!

Well, I'm going to run, hope you all have a great night!

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless!!

Tried To Shop....

2011-01-09T17:43:00.002-05:00

I was on a mission yesterday and again this morning to SHOP FOR ME!!! One of you suggested it, Ganky...yes it was Ganky! Well, shop I did I went everywhere & NO LUCK! Don't ya just hate that...money to spend and not a thing to buy :/

I went to the mall, headed right back out ~ it was so busy & I wasn't in the mood to fight the crowd. Scooted into Macy's & I am wondering why they are only selling skinny jeans and leggings??!!! This butt isn't getting into either style anytime soon. I understand trends but not everyone wants to wear it and just because you can get them on doesn't necessarily mean you should stuff yourself into them, jeepers!

Kohl's looked like it had been ransacked, Target a disaster...

Ended up at BJ's NOW THAT'S DESPERATION, LOL!

Picked up a few odds & ends and then as I rounded the corner next to the coffee alley I spotted these beauties...AAAAHHHHHH! I love slippers and mine were all worn out!

I tried them on and home with me they came! I LOVE THEM, it really was love at first sight <3 <3 <3

I was awake again all night last night & tonight isn't looking good either...crazy I know. Billy & I texted back & forth all night last night.

Those Marines waited out in the freezing cold from 12:00am until 4:00am when the buses arrived to pick them up. He called when he got on the bus, he was cold & tired. He gave a quick call when he got to the airfield, said he slept all the way there.

I got a text from him at 2:00pm they had just made their first layover. He was going to find a restroom, shave grab a cup of coffee & a quick bite and sit with the rest of his unit!

We haven't heard from him since, I am betting that he is there safe & sound. I have been praying all day & I kept the rosary beads that he gave me when he went through the Crucible around my neck with his dog tags, I always carry them every day but when he is on the move I keep them close to my heart...

I'll keep you all posted, Cindy I am seriously considering taking you up on your offer. You Georgia Peaches just might be seeing this face this spring!

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless...

Coming Apart At The Seams

2011-01-07T17:57:00.002-05:00

Literally & figuratively ~

First the Literal…I went back to my rheumatologist today to get the once over and to have some lab work done before starting back up on Remicade.

Dr. A “you’re looking good but your hands are freezing and quite blue”

Me “well, they have been bothering me since early November & my left arm sometimes just hangs limply & hurts to move. I can’t lift my vacuum cleaner & you know I just love to vacuum!!”

After several attempts to twist, turn, tug & pull at them he had me get up on the table…

Dr. A “how’s that hip? Oh, sorry, very tender? Can you move it that way?”

Me “No!” with tears streaming down my cheeks.

Dr. A “Let’s head over to the ultrasound room.”

Me “Ughh”

35 minutes later, the tear in my hip is a little bigger and the cartilage is completely shot on the right side, right arm tendonitis & bursitis with a lot of wear and tear on the socket…left arm, tendinosis, bursitis, and a tear on my rotator cuff ~ FUN!!

Leg ~ a shot into the hip joint and into my groin OUCH!!!

R Arm ~ shot in the shoulder

L Arm ~ 2 shots in the left shoulder and a shot of “painkiller” into my ELBOW!!! I really thought I would faint, seriously…I have never felt anything like that but you can also hear it going through the tendons ~ EEEEKKKK!!!

SIX SHOTS SIXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX!!!!!

I am wiped out!

Hopefully I can start back on Remicade in February; we had a colonoscopy scare right before Nikky’s wedding. Not sure if you remember or not but I had a colonoscopy in September the week before Nikky’s wedding, my colonoscopy was positive ~ 6 polyps, 2 of the ones that are “o.k.” and 4 that weren’t so “o.k.” one of the four was large and the pathologist was very worried about it. I was a bundle of nerves & didn’t tell a soul, (only my wing-man Mr. P) until I had it repeated on December 17th and was told that he got all of the “big one” this time ~ Thank you, Lord. That was why I had to stop the infusions, now if my liver enzymes are o.k. it’s a go & I hate to have to go for it but I really cannot wait to start back again. I feel like a wet dishrag & do not like it one bit!!!

Now for the Figurative… (I’m almost done; I know I have blabbed a lot tonight)
I do not like it when my children travel or my husband for that matter or my mother!!! Crazy I know but I get so anxious! When we were all driving to North Carolina Nikky checked-in at every state with a text picture or a quick call. I spoke to my mom several times during the first leg of the journey and then “MADE” her call me when they got back on the road at 5:00am the next morning, I calle dher a few more times after that!!! Billy called us while he drove down from CLJ.
I passed out cold once I got to see Nikky & Mike and I knew that they were o.k. I tried to be awake to meet my mom & Tommy but I just couldn’t do it, I made Mr. P promise to stay awake until he heard from them. They called he woke me up & then went to their room to help them unload and have a “cold one”! The next night the anxiety level was up again as Billy made his way to the wedding venue...

When Billy traveled to Parris Island, I dreaded it, didn’t want to get that call but was so relieved to hear that scripted message…my nerves were shot when he went to Japan & well all of you know what a nut case I was when he was making his way home!!!! WHAT A LONGGGGGGGGGGG WEEKEND!!!

Well, he heads out to Mojave Viper this weekend & my nerves are raw. I cannot stop the tears no matter how hard I try. I know what will be coming down the pike and I really don’t think I am strong enough. My heart is broken & I am so scared…He’s my baby boy and yes I feel foolish but I can’t help it.

So Prayer Warriors ~ I NEED YOU, PLEASE!!!!!

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless…

Just Stopping By To Brag....

2011-01-04T21:08:00.003-05:00

Yes, every now & then I just like to puff up my chest and brag on my Marine!! Billy called me early this afternoon to tell me that he had been awarded the Navy Marine Corps Achievement , he was so excited & proud & well guess what I did.....CRY, yes you guessed it!!! But these were happy tears!

He will probably receive it tomorrow during Battalion formation, I wish I was there to see it :/

Last night he sent me a bunch of text messages of pictures that he took in the Commissary, tuna, sardines, corned beef in a can...nacho cheese, little make your own pizzas, he wanted me to have a picture to go by when I started shopping for care package contents ~ WHAT A KID! I told him that he could have anything he wanted!

2/6 made it back Monday morning ~ Yay!!! Thank you Marines, job well done!

Well, it's getting late & I'm sooooo tired!

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless...

Tears, Tears & More Tears.....

2011-01-02T19:04:00.003-05:00

I just can't seem to stop crying :/ I am missing my son so much. I sat on the couch all day yesterday and cried, whenever I went upstairs and passed by his messy room I stopped and peeked in and cried, I can't sleep when he is traveling so I was awake all night until he called us at 5:15am to let us know that he was back in NC and heading to bed...

It's silly I know but every time he comes home it's harder to let him go again! He will be leaving for Mojave Viper very soon, then back to Camp Lejeune, with any luck he will be able to take pre-d leave and then onto you know where ~ that land far far away!

Maybe that's why this time around it was so hard to let him go, I don't know! My head is so stuffy, my eyes are swollen and red I look like I have been punched in the face & just when you think that you couldn't possibly cry one more tear they COME AGAIN ~ :/

I'm going to go make a hot cup of tea & put on my pj's, sorry to be such a poop tonight!

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless...

Happy New Year....

2010-12-31T20:13:00.010-05:00

Happy New Year...

What a year!

Rang in 2010 all by myself...ringing in 2011 all be myself...

Billy is out with friends and Mr. P is sound asleep, oh, it's not so bad! I've never liked New Year's Eve NEVER!!!

2010 was filled with ups & downs...

Ms. B had to have surgery and thankfully she came out A.O.K....

it was touch and go for a while, the vet was even beginning to wonder if she would be able to hunt again...

but, she made it through to hunt another day!!!

We had to say goodbye to our old furry friend Max...

Bye old boy, we still miss you...

We had a Marine stuck in Okinawa :/

BUT....he finally made it home!!!!

We took a LOOOOONNNNNGGGGGGGGGG drive to North Carolina, WHY would you drive all the way to North Carolina....because we were the Parents of the most BEAUTIFUL Bride EVER, and her wedding was there ~ LOL!!!! Ocean Isle Beach, what a venue, what a great time with friends and family, what a day, what a BEAUTIFUL bride, oh and what an amazing son-in-law!!!!!

We are truly blessed, Nikky & Mike are so happy and that makes us happy ~ we love them so much!

Hoping that 2011 is filled with new and exciting things for all of us!

Enjoy your night & Be Safe!

Happy New Year!

Busy Bee.....

2010-12-30T19:17:00.003-05:00

I worked my little fingers to the bone today!!!! I too the tree down, shoved it out the front door and dragged it round back...back in took all of the boxes of decorations downstairs, put my dolls away. Swept, vacuumed, steamed the floors, dusted, cleaned the stairs...cleaned the bathroom, did all of the laundry ~ YAWNNNNNNNN!

I'm exhausted :@

Enjoying the last few days with Billy, tomorrow we will go to my mom's house to celebrate Christmas with her & Tommy. Maybe tomorrow night we'll get Portuguese food for dinner ~ YUMMY (I really don't feel like cooking)...

Well Ladies, I'm going to scoot. I still need to run to the drug store before I settle in for the night!

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless...

Movies With My Marine....

2010-12-28T19:55:00.002-05:00

Billy & I have always enjoyed going to the movies together ever since he was a little boy, today we saw "Little Fockers", it was just as funny as the first!! We laughed from the beginning to the end, it was a great afternoon.

Tomorrow we have some pre-deployment things to take care of :/....

I think I've eaten my weight in Christmas cookies this week, I really have to stop myself before I'm rolling back to work next Monday ~ LOL!!

It's so cold here tonight, YIKES. The older I get the less I like the winter, put me on a plane to Florida and don't send for me until May ~ HEHE!

I'm going to make a cup of tea and settle in with a book.

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless...

Random Ramblings...

2010-12-27T18:30:00.007-05:00

Sorry, I keep apologizing for not blogging & promise to get back to it FULL TIME but I've been so busy!

Billy is enjoying his time at home, I am on vacation enjoying my time here with him!!

Christmas has come & gone, a lot of work for one day ~ whew!! We do Christmas Eve & Christmas day, I pull double duty every year, actually I do all of the Holidays and I like to do them big ~ kid of like Clark Griswold ~ LOL!!

We had a blizzard yesterday, YIKES over a foot of snow, wind & then some ice and more snow, the Billy's were BUSY this morning!!

A few pictures form Christmas Eve & the STORM!!

Ms. B ~ Santa Paws stopped by and left her a big bag of toys for being such a sweetie girl!!

Billy, waiting for the festivities to begin!! It was so great having him home!

Mike, hehe....I put the apron on him, didn't he look like he was having a blast! Actually we were laughing & Nikky said "you know where that's going???" BLOGGER ~ LOL!

Nikky, she was assisting me with the last minute dishes for Christmas Eve ~ Thank you Beautiful Girl!!

We weren't very good with the picture taking this year :/ oh well, my memories will live forever in my heart!!

Billy, shoveling the driveway this morning!!

The "Snow Show" ~ staring Ms. B....Enjoy!!!

Dedadedade ~ That's all folks!!

Mr. P drove me to the book store earlier and I am ready to go get warm & snuggle up with a good book!! Tracy, if you're reading I'll post the titles in a day or so, they all look so good!!

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless!!

Merry Christmas....

2010-12-24T15:59:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas to each and every one of you, I pray that you all have a safe & peaceful Christmas...

Please remember to say a prayer for those away from home far away this evening defending our country & please remember our fallen...

Look What I Came Home To...

2010-12-20T20:44:00.005-05:00

I couldn't get my pictures to post in the order that I wanted, but you get the picture right????

SNOW, yup...about an inch and a half slippery but so pretty....GRRRRR I do not like wet snowy footprints on my floors!!!

And when I came in there was a very special package on the dining room table, homemade candy from Ganky ~ YAY!!!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I ripped open the bag of buckeyes and sampled one ~ can you say "TDF" yummy!

Thank you so much, it made my night!!

A young Marine from our area was killed last spring in Afghanistan, his mom has a memorial Christmas Tree in her yard, I stopped by this evening on my way home and hung some ornaments on it. The snow was falling & it was so quiet on that little street. After I hung my ornaments I just stood there crying, when I looked up his mom was watching me out the window. She smiled and waved, I waved back and told her thank you.

I have so many things to be thankful for this Christmas season...and I am counting every blessing!!

Billy is on the road & should be home tomorrow morning...hot out of the oven banana bread will be waiting for him!!

Gotta run, love & hugs to each of you!!

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless...

Cookie Baking Day....

2010-12-19T17:48:00.002-05:00

Cookie Baking Day was a success, well kind of! We had to quit because we ate too much cookie dough :/ but we did get a lot done!! Oatmeal, Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Mint, Oreo Truffles. We'll finish up Wednesday night!

We laughed all morning long, we talked about last year too. I spent most of the afternoon in tears last year because I was baking cookies to ship over to Billy. I was missing him so much. We laughed because the songs that made us cry last year are still making us cry this year, Billy loves "So This Is Christmas" every time Nikky heard that last year she would sob her little heart out & I would break down when I would hear "I'll Be Home For Christmas" ~ they still make us cry but for different reason, we are happy & thankful to have him here with us this year.

I've posted a few pictures form our day, Mr. P was the official Mom & Nikky Cookie Baking Day photographer, thank you Mr. P!!

Well ladies, I'm off.

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless!

Feeling A Bit Better.....

2010-12-18T20:13:00.003-05:00

Thank you all for your well wishes & prayers! I am feeling better today, I was a bundle of nerves knowing all that I had to do. I was up at 4:00am and started dragging out all of the lights & boxes. I put four of my dining room chairs around the tree and just kept stepping from chair to chair to string the lights & so on and so on. Next the bows on the top of the tree & then the decorations. Mr. P got up at 7:30, he smelled the coffee an came peeking down to see what I was doing and he was amazed..."what are you doing crazy girl, I would have helped you!!!"

After that I showered and we went off to the market, $200.00 later we were on our way back home again...

Cleaned YUCK!!!

Took a few pictures (as you can see)

Ms. B did not like sitting still for her Christmas picture!

My Italian Lemon Egg Biscuits ~ they came out good. If I make them next year I'll get the little candies to go on top! But otherwise they're good really lemony.

Nikky is all set to come tomorrow to bake, more pics to follow!

I'm going to scoot!

Have a great night.

Until tomorrow Be Safe & God Bless!

Sick As A Dog.........

2010-12-17T16:11:00.002-05:00

Ughhhhhh! I woke up in the middle of the night SICK AS A DOG! Oh brother, I haven't felt like this for a long time :/ ~ I can't be sick I have too many things to do!!

Fever, chills, tummy trouble :/ , Mr. P ran out and picked up some chicken soup ~ EEEWWWWW Not now but thank you so much. I'm laying low & keeping warm! Need to kick this thing by the morning!

See everyone tomorrow!

SNOW WHAT???????????

2010-12-16T19:07:00.002-05:00

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! The weather man is calling for snow for Sunday, that's our Mom & Daughter cookie baking day!!!! We're hoping that it holds off until after we bake, spoke to Nikky earlier ~ "I'll be there early if they say snow later in the day"

Mike will be staying behind to do his Christmas wrapping, but I will be making a warm "stick to your ribs" dish and I'll be sending some home for him!!

Billy will be heading home on Monday afternoon, driving, so hopefully he stays ahead of the snow. He should be in by Tuesday early afternoon!!! But if you could keep him in your prayers, while he makes that long drive...

We'll be getting our tree Friday afternoon & I'll have that thing decorated Saturday morning ~ YAY!!

I might try baking Italian Egg Biscuits, never made them before but I LOVE THEM with a hot cup of tea!!

That's about it for me, caught up on what you all are doing & I'm heading downstairs to snuggle up by the fireplace!!

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless...

Duh..............

2010-12-14T21:04:00.002-05:00

I got "nuttin' honey" ~ my mind is blank, I am so stinking cold my teeth are chattering...I want a cup of tea but I'm too darn lazy to get up and make one!!!

So many things to do & not a lot of time left to do it...we haven't gotten our tree yet ~ long story, suffice it to say that we didn't get to go out & tag one as a family Thanksgiving weekend!

Mr. P has been busy working weekends so we will have to get out early Saturday morning find one chop it down drag it home put it up & wait for it to warm up so that the branches can fall!!! Then I have to get it decorated!

Best part of the weekend is Sunday, my Nikky is coming to bake with me & I cannot wait to see her, I hope that Mike comes along...I'll make a nice hot stew and some bread to keep them warm and energized!

Billy should be here on Tuesday, I've managed to turn his room into a giant walk-in closet again so I need to get my butt in gear.

I'm too tired for all of this ~ LOL!

Well, looks like I babbled on like an idiot...going to run!

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless...

Rest Easy Soldier....

2010-12-13T20:56:00.005-05:00

"And they who for their country die shall fill an honored grave, for glory lights the soldiers tomb, and beauty weeps the brave." - Joseph Drake

After I posted my blog on Saturday night, I clicked over to facebook and found out that a friend of Billy's one of the "Boys" that used to come over here for the Sunday Football Games was killed in Afghanistan. It was a long hard night, I tried to get to Billy before he read it online but I was too late. He had received about a dozen text messages, he called he was crying, my heart was breaking for him, for his friend, only 21 years old, for his mother & his father. For so many dreams that will never be realized.

Billy's facebook post shortly after hearing about his friend...

Billy Platt
Be with your loved ones, kiss them, hug them, hold them for all those who can't.

I spoke to Billy several more times Saturday night and again on Sunday, he went into work to keep busy and to ready things that he will need to take with him when he deploys, I hate that word!

The family flew out Sunday to meet his remains and we are just waiting on word for the funeral arrangements. Billy is hoping to be able to pay his respects to his friend, I told him that if the arrangements were before he came back that we could go out to the cemetery together.

He went with his Lieutenant this afternoon & spoke to A MARSOC Marine "recruiter", the Gunny that he spoke to ran all of his info and said that he qualified and that he could begin classes to go MARSOC ASAP ~ Billy was so excited as this is something that he wants to do but he will be deploying soon so if all works out then he will probably start training/classes in January of 2012...I think that that child of mine is trying to kill me slowly but surely :/

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

Hmmmmmm......

2010-12-11T18:24:00.003-05:00

This is not a picture of my toilet paper holder thing, but this is how Mr. P left my toilet paper holder thing this morning....NOT NICE!

Then when I jumped into the shower, guess what he used the last of the soap and then must have washed up with my ......philosophy "Amazing Grace", but instead of using the pump he unscrewed the top and it fell over into the tub ~ GRRRRRRRRRR!!!!

Ran around hit JC Penny and got a bit of Christmas shopping in and then I went to the market. A new market opened up in our area about 3 months ago, I was reluctant to try it as it is about 20 minutes away and I just hate to try & find things in a new store BUT LADIES!!!!! Hold onto your hats, I went the week before Thanksgiving and I have to say that I must have saved at least $150.00 ~

I am hooked, the prices are out of this world. They have crazy in-store specials, nice wide aisles, big carts!!!! The nicest bakery EVER, I could go on & on...

Picked up all of the things I will need for our cookie baking day & items for Christmas Eve & Christmas Day dinners!!!

Oh & Mr. P managed to "run" out just as I was rounding the corner, he is on the "not nice" list tonight!

Going to run & make a hot cup of tea.

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless...

Getting My List of Ingredients Together....

2010-12-09T20:56:00.002-05:00

Next Sunday Nikky & I are going to get together and do some baking!!! Christmas cookies ~ YUMMO!

I can't wait. I'll have to get my list together tomorrow morning and get what we'll need when I go to the market.

My office Christmas Party is tomorrow night, staff only ~ it should be fun. Mr. P is happy that he doesn't have to go out on a Friday night, that's his long day!

It should be fun, Barb & Karen will be going so we'll be laughing all night long!

I have to get some shopping done too ~ YIKES!!

Well, I have a shopping list to make & I have to put some thought into my Christmas Gift list...

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless...

My Favorite Christmas Story.....

2010-12-08T20:30:00.002-05:00

This is my favorite Christmas Story, I read it every year and watch it a few times too...I have probably seen every version ever made!

My dad loved this story too, it makes me think of him & our Christmases when we were little. My middle sister Lauire and I used to have such fun, finding the gifts & then sneaking out to the living room early on Christmas morning to peak at everything!

Funny how the Holidays can bring the memories flooding back....

I'm going to go and have a good cry for myself.

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless! Or, should I say "God Bless Us Everyone!"

YIKES......

2010-12-06T20:44:00.002-05:00

Ladies, we are getting some COLD Arctic air coming down from Canada & let me tell you it's COLD & WINDY! It was 26 degrees here this morning * with the wind chill, which we had most of the day it was 10 degrees :/ OH NO I WANT TO BE WEARING MY FLIP FLOPS!!!

I made a nice big mug of hot tea when I got in tonight, I am not ready for this cold weather!

We haven't gotten our tree yet, we were supposed to tag it over Thanksgiving weekend but we ran out of time so maybe we will take a ride out to the tree farm this weekend...got a few Christmas gifts out of the way, but a bunch more to go!

I can't believe how fast this year went, it flew by.

Well gals, I'm going to scoot.

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless!

Lazy Day.....

2010-12-05T16:44:00.006-05:00

Hello Ladies, sorry I haven't been blogging regularly. I've been so busy & when I get in for the night I am just too tired!

We had dinner out at a friends last night, I made Shrimp Mozambique & a pumpkin roll. Now the shrimp dish was a cinch, but the pumpkin roll...Never made one of those before, it was a little intimidating! I got the recipe from Libby's.com. I am really getting my monies worth out of my mixer, I LOVE IT!!

Anyway back to that pumpkin roll, I was just a little bit too short to get it up and off of the cake pan so my pal Mr. P had to give me a hand there but the rest was ll me baby!! And if I can brag for just a second, it looked so pretty and tasted even better!!! I might make one for Christmas Eve ~ YUMMO!

Not mine, there wasn't a crumb left..but it looked just like this ~ AND BUDDY IT WAS GOOD!!!!

We didn't do much of anything today. Finished up the laundry, got ready for the work week & then we sat down and watched "A Christmas Story" ~ I just love that silly movie!

That about sums up my day, hope yours was good.

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless...

And The Answer IS.......

2010-12-03T06:06:00.006-05:00

1. What kind of Christmas is Bing Crosby dreaming of?

~ White

2. What reindeer's name begins with a V?

~ Vixen

3. All I want for Christmas is my...?

~ Two Front Teeth

4. What should you do under a mistletoe?

~ Kiss

5. Where was Mommy kissing Santa Claus?

~ Under the Mistletoe

6. What does Alvin want for Christmas?

~ Hula Hoop

7. What was the name of George Bailey's guardian angel in "It's A Wonderful Life"

~ Clarance

8. What is the Scrooge's first name?

~ Ebeneezer

9. What did Ralphie want for Christmas in "A Christmas Story"?

~ A BB Gun

10. Which Christmas Carol contains the verse "O tidings of comfort and joy"?

~ "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"

I'll do a few more Trivia games before Christmas, feel free to copy the questions...print out copies, make scrolls, tie them up with pretty ribbons and play with your co-workers or at your next family gathering..make it fun and perhaps make an inexpensive gift basket filled with some chocolates, a scented candle, a nice pair of cozy socks....!

Christmas Trivia.......

2010-12-01T21:20:00.004-05:00

Let's play a round of Christmas Trivia!!!

1. What kind of Christmas is Bing Crosby dreaming of?

2. What reindeer's name begins with a V?

3. All I want for Christmas is my...?

4. What should you do under a mistletoe?

5. Where was Mommy kissing Santa Claus?

6. What does Alvin want for Christmas?

7. What was the name of George Bailey's guardian angel in "It's A Wonderful Life"

8. What is the Scrooge's first name?

9. What did Ralphie want for Christmas in "A Christmas Story"?

10. Which Christmas Carol contains the verse "O tidings of comfort and joy"?

Good Luck, I'll be back tomorrow night to post the answers!

A Few Pictures....

2010-11-29T20:42:00.005-05:00

My Thanksgiving Table set with my Beautiful Christmas China ~ I just love these dishes!!

Ms. B waking up her Billy on Thanksgiving morning, after she woke him up she ran off with his socks!

A few more, in no particular order...

Mike, poor sweetie, he needs a nap after after our Thanksgiving feast :)

The "Billy's" & my mom in the corner...

Ms. B hoping for a bite of turkey, don't ya love Mr. P's apron ~ LOL!!

My beautiful kiddos, Mike, Nik & Billy!

The Auclair's :)

My mom.

Grandpa stealing a kiss!

A few of "my" boys!!!

Hanging out in the kitchen, where all of the fun happens!!

Grandpa, my stepson Mark, Billy & Mr. P ~ not quite sure what this is all about!

And blogger just quite uploading picture again.... GRRRR

Well, as you can see we had fun, too much fun, too much food, to MUCH!!! It was great having everyone together & having our Marine home with us <3

We put him on the plane this morning, it's hard watching him leave but I am thankful that we are allowed as a Military family to accompany him to the gate and wait, every minute is so precious! Counting the minutes until he is home again...

I hope that you all enjoyed your day & your family as much as we enjoyed outs, so much to be thankful for!

Until tomorrow, Be safe & God Bless...

Our Thanksgiving....

2010-11-27T19:48:00.008-05:00

Our Thanksgiving in pictures....

Maybe not, blogger is not being very cooperative tonight ~ GRRRRRR & I have so many great pictures to share with all of you! Oh well, I'll try again tomorrow!!

Happy Thanksgiving.....

2010-11-25T06:52:00.002-05:00

Today I am thankful for so many things & my heart is so full!

Our son arrived last night at about 11:00pm, it was so great to see him! A big bear hug was what I was needing and I got one ~ Happy Momma Dance ;)

Our beautiful daughter & her ever so handsome husband will be here late morning, I cannot wait ti see them! I missed her yesterday she had to work so we didn't get to spend the day together as we usually do...

More family, my mom & Papa Tommy & Mr. P's mom & dad and our niece Julie will be heading over for dinner and then an open house later in the evening...YIKES I better get busy!!

As you sit down to your dinner today with you family and friends gathered all around please take a moment to remember those that will not be at home ~ tables across America will be setting special places for those deployed or far away. Take a minute to remember our Military & please keep them in your prayers.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Out of Gas....

2010-11-23T21:54:00.002-05:00

Hello Ladies!!! I see that we have had one heck of a snow storm in the Pacific Northwest, Joyce stay warm...Glad it wasn't here!!

Billy will be heading home tomorrow, I am so anxious to see him. Mr. P is banging around in my kitchen getting ready to head out to work. Ms. B is ready to it the hay, but I couldn't let another day go by without stopping in to say hello.

I'm pooped, zero energy :/ every bone aches and I could just cry ~ but I'm not going to let it get the best of me, nope no sir no how!!!! Just go a bit slower & work a little longer. It will all get done in the end. I'm glad I got a few things out of the way already.

Busy cooking tomorrow ~ MMMMMM I can smell the stuffing & pies now!

I'll see all of you tomorrow night, I'm off to bed!

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless...

Getting IT Done....

2010-11-21T19:58:00.003-05:00

IT is just about everything!!!! I have been back and forth to the market I can't even tell you how many times. Mr. P came with me yesterday afternoon to help me pick up the wine other items from the package store. This morning I have to go to the Portuguese bakery for my cornmeal bread for the Portuguese stuffing, then oh wait for this ~ BACK TO THE MARKET grrrrrrrr, son-of-a-stinker I forgot the dish washing soap!!

This afternoon I brought out my Christmas China, it's so pretty & I just love it and I can't stand the thought of not using it. I will take a picture of our table so you all can see how pretty it looks!

My mantle is all done up in white lights and my dolls are out, I put out my Christmas Village that Billy gave me a few years ago. Candles in the windows...last year I had all I could do to drag the decorations out and get them put out, this year there's NO HOLDING ME BACK!!!

Every time I think about Billy being home I just start to cray, happy tears! I cannot wait to get my hands on him & hug him!!

We did take a break last night from our Holiday preparations and went to see Harry Potter! OH it was great!!! I just love Harry Potter. I've read all of the books, yup I'm a Harry Potter geek ~ LOL!

Waiting for the oven to finish cleaning itself, self cleaning oven gotta' love em'

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless...

So Many Things Left To~Do....

2010-11-19T20:02:00.003-05:00

I have been to the market twice now and still have things to get, forgot the dish washing liquid this afternoon, the cranberry juice, the O.J., my almond milk....YIKES!!!

I am making a list of items that I need to pick up and then a list of our Turkey Day Menu! It's easier for me if I have a list then I can check things off as I go along!

It;s tough getting old, the old mind isn't what it used to be ~ LOL!

I hope that you all have a great night!!

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless...

Royal Wedding.....

2010-11-18T21:19:00.003-05:00

O.k., I have a confession to make...I was just a bit saddened when I heard that Prince William had proposed to Kate, I was holding out hope that he would ask me!!!

I have always wanted to be a princess, HRH Princess Lynda ~ doesn't that have a nice ring to it??

Seriously, I am not kidding!! I have always wanted to wear a tiara & be called "Your Majesty" doesn't every little girl want to be a Real Life Princess???? I always did & I guess the little girl in me still does!!

I WANT A CASTLE, A TIARA, A SCEPTER, A KINGDOM ~ I WANT IT ALL!!!

I hope that they have a long life together, they are a beautiful couple & I love how he is including his mum's memory in their day! I watched Diana get married and I'll get up early put on my best dress and watch this wedding too!

Silly I know :)

Crabby, Cranky, Grouchy, Rotten....

2010-11-17T20:35:00.002-05:00

Oh ladies, I am so tired and cranky! I can't help myself...I almost wish someone would tick me off so I could slap their eyeballs right out of their head ~ SERIOUSLY CRANKY!!!

No Remicade since September, I feel like I have been run over by a truck :/

Sorry to be such a poop but I feel like poop ~ LOL!!

Even little Ms. B is cranky.

It's getting cold & windy here. It was warm all day but a cold front is coming through and the wind is picking up ~ making it bone chillingly cold...also not good for my aching bones :<

Well since I can't seem to find anything nice to say I'll say good night!

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless.

Sorry for being so cranky, tomorrow is another day!

Birthday Wishes....

2010-11-16T19:54:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday Cindy!

I love you!!

Gone Hunting....

2010-11-14T18:07:00.002-05:00

I have to say that I truly love my alone time but I will be so happy when hunting season is OVER!!! Every day HUNTING & on the days when Mr. P can't hunt he spends all of his free time getting ready for the next outing ~ JEEEEEEZZZZZZEEEEEEE!!!!!

I should grow some antlers, feathers, carry a shotgun or a bow & arrow, wear a string of bird calls around my neck, sport some really pretty orange attire MAYBE HE WOULD NOTICE ME ~ WAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

O.k., that's it my little pitty party is over for now!

I was out and about early yesterday morning and started my Christmas shopping, picked up a few bargains and then it was back home!

Made a delicious coffee cake this morning from scratch, I've never made one of those before and I have to say that it is REALLY REALLY GOOD!!! Bringing a good bit of it to work to share with the girls!!! Don't need that going right to my big ole' butt!!

Well, Ms. B is getting antsy so I'm going to scoot!

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless...

Where's The Bird....????

2010-11-12T19:27:00.003-05:00

Mr. P hasn’t had much free time this week to get out with his Best Girl “The Unstoppable Ms. B”, he has been doing some contracting work on the side and it has taken up all of his free time this week! HE has been so tired, he’s been heading right over to the job when he gets out of work (he’s a third-shifter) ~ he knew that he wouldn’t have much free time on Saturday so he hurried home early this afternoon loaded up his truck, grabbed Ms. B and away they went!

I was home and in the kitchen when he ran in, she didn’t come to greet him at the door. I think she was mad at him, but, as soon as she heard the crack of that shotgun she ran in and waited at the door. HE hooked up her collar, she was so happy she was shaking…what a pair they make!

As they drove out of the drive way he was waving & she had her head sticking out “Her” window.

They were successful once again; she is making up for missing out last year!
A few pictures of her Bird!!

She was so proud of her bird, I kept leaning down to snap pictures and got the bird in the face a few times! When she was finished showing off she dropped it at my feet and nudged it to me! I guess that was my reward for being such a good "mom" ~ LOL!

Mr. P cleaned it up and will be making a stew with it.

Junking tomorrow ~ YAHOO!!

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

Please Remember Our Veterans Today....

2010-11-11T18:29:00.004-05:00

My Father ~ United States Army

Our Son ~ United States Marine

Thank you to all who have served those who are serving and those that will one day serve....

Remember freedom isn't free...

Happy Veterans Day!

Happy Birthday United States Marines....

2010-11-10T19:17:00.002-05:00

Leatherneck, Devil Dog, Jarhead, United States Marine...the title is earned never given. I'm the proud mom of a United States Marine, I LOVE MY DEVIL DOG!!

Happy Birthday to the United States Marine Corps!

Thank you for all that you do to protect our freedom!

Semper Fi ~

SNOW WHAT...........!!

2010-11-08T20:18:00.002-05:00

Not a lot just an inch, just enough to make me have to dig out the ice scraper and the salt...not fun! IT warmed up a bit over night and rained so when the temps went down everything froze over ~ GRRR!!

Ms. B has had a bit of "Tummy Trouble" over the past few days so she was up VERY EARLY this morning, we got up and headed down so she could go out! When I turned on the back light and opened the blinds and she saw the snow on the deck she went BANANAS!!!! She wouldn't come back in. I had to bundle up and go get her, it was only 3:15am!! Well, knowing that the deck was covered in that white stuff made for one very BAD little dog. She kept jumping off the bed and yanking on the blankets until I gave up and went back down with her so she could go out and slide around in the slop!

The pink pig came along for the adventure, she forgot it out there so I had to go and retrieve it, she was wet and she stuck to the deck ~ what a "momma" doesn't do for her baby, even if she is four legged and covered in fur ~ LOL!!

The snow is all gone and Ms. B is curled up downstairs sleeping & I'm heading off to bed!

Hope that you have a great night!

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless...

My Christmas Spirit.....

2010-11-06T15:54:00.004-04:00

I found it...

I have a copy of this print hanging next to my fire place along side of this print...

Mary and her babe Jesus to remind me of the sacrifices that a Mother must make & St. Nicholas because of his giving spirit & his love of children...

I have struggled so many times in the past looking for my Christmas Spirit, yesterday I found it...I put on a few CDs one of then being Kathy Mattea, "Good News".

They were on shuffle...singing, dancing, doing my house work...."Nothing But A Child" came on and I just stopped..my children, Nikky & Billy ~ bold, beautiful so amazingly different yet MINE! They are my every breath, I go to sleep thinking about them and wake up thinking about them!

Their lives are so different than they were just a year ago, pardon the interruption...I am crying as I type this!

MY beautiful daughter grew up & got married...she & I used to "dance" to "you and me against the world" by Helen Reddy...I remember her tiny little hands on my face "Mommy, you will live forever, right? You won't ever die & leave me?" she would ask that often...my beautiful little girl! Well, she grew up and got married to a wonderful man...Happily ever after...my Cinderella Girl!

A few songs later, again my Kathy Mattea CD would make me stop and look up into my sons USMC Graduation picture...."Mary did you know?"....last year Billy was not home with us, I know that so many Marines have been lost this year and I mourn every one...Blake you will never be forgotten, we love you...Rest Easy Marine, your job is done...

I know that it is selfish but I am so happy to have Billy here with us this year, to have my family together at Thanksgiving has made me so THANKFUL...

Yesterday after hearing these two songs I knew that I was the luckiest momma on earth...our daughter is so happy & so in love!!! Billy is doing his Marine thing...he will be in the "sandbox" late February early March and my heart aches, but it is so full knowing that he will be home with us & that he is so loved and that he loves his Country, his God & the Corps....

So, that is how I found my Christmas Spirit yesterday...

Ghost Walk.....

2010-11-04T20:41:00.002-04:00

I know that Halloween is over but tomorrow night a few of us are going on a walking tour of historic Providence, RI. Mr. P & I went a few years back, we also went on the walk of Newport, RI too. Not at all scary, really!!

If you love history and walking then these walks are for you, I bet if you researched it you could find something like this in your neck of the woods! The tour last about an hour and a half ands starts right after sundown, the people that give the tours dress in old period costume & take you past spots are are supposedly haunted and they tell you the history of the "Haunt"!

We're going to bundle up, put on our walking shoes and GO!

I'll let you know if we see any ghosts while we're out and about ~ BOO!!

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

Did You Vote Today.....

2010-11-02T20:05:00.003-04:00

On August 26, 1920 The 19th US Constitutional Amendment, which gave women the right to vote was certified...did you remember to go out and exercise your right to vote today???

I was so excited and proud the first time I voted and I still feel that same excitement each and every time I go out to vote! I feel that it's more important now more than ever with a son serving in the Marine Corps...YES EVERY VOTE DOES COUNT!!!

We live in the greatest country in the world & for that I am so thankful!

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless...

Making Travel Plans.....

2010-11-01T21:02:00.002-04:00

Making Thanksgiving travel plans for our Marine ~ CAN I GET A BIG OOHRAH!!!!

We are all so happy & thankful that Billy will be home with us this Thanksgiving. That first year after Boot was special, last year was not the same without him & this year knowing what he has done & where he has been and where he will soon be heading is making me one very very THANKFUL Marin Momma!

He keeps going over the Thanksgiving Menu every time we talk, says he starving for stuffing & homemade pie :)

On another note it was FRIGID here this morning ~ 32 degrees YIKES!!!!

I wore my winter coat and big fuzzy mittens!! Not much warmer here tonight!

Going to snuggle up by the fireplace for a bit.

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless...

Happy Halloween!!!!!!!!!!

2010-10-31T19:22:00.002-04:00

Happy Halloween to all of you ~

Found A New Junk Store.....

2010-10-30T14:33:00.002-04:00

I had to run out to Seekonk to pick up some pants I had dropped off at the tailors to be hemmed & well as I was passing through I spotted a new consignment store ~ The Corner Consignment! Ladies, it's in the cutest little house you could ever hope to see & they have rooms full of the best "junk" ~ well take a look for yourselves!

I have always wanted a washboard, not sure where I'm going to put it just yet but will ya just take a look at it! I LOVE IT!!!! $7.99, don't ya just love a bargain?

I couldn't pass him up, he's now "nesting" up on top of my cabinets. What a pretty splash of color! $1.50 ~ YAHOO!

This sweet little wooden shoe, FREE YES YOU HEARD ME RIGHT FREE!!!! The gentleman threw it in when I commented on it :) YAY & THANK YOU SIR!!

This little tin, I love old tins & it is now sitting nicely with the rest of my collection up over the stove! $1.25...I had money left over!!!

Might be worth another trip next Saturday!

Got my Halloween candy & put it in my Trick-Or-Treat bowl. I hope we get a lot of littles this year!

Enjoy the rest of your day!

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

Worked My Fingers To The Bone....

2010-10-29T18:51:00.007-04:00

Oh ladies, I worked my fingers to the bone today! I am very fussy about my kitchen & I have to have it just so! I took down the curtains washed dried ironed ~ washed the windows hung the curtains back up...washed the walls, the can lights, the fan, took down every single stinking knick knack. Washed them dried them, put them back up.

Ran to the market, back home put the groceries away & continued on with my housework. I am thinking about taking November 11th off that will give me two whole days to do the windows and the curtains in the rest of the house!

Then I am putting my Byers dolls & my white lights on the mantle and maybe even my candles in the windows...I'm the boss so I can decorate if I want too!! I want the house to look festive for Billy when he gets here for the Thanksgiving 96. He missed being home so much last year :? I am just so excited to have him here and to have our beautiful Ms. Nik & our handsome son-in-law Mike here. He's a big help Thanksgiving day, he loves to cook & he jumps in and helps with things! It is so funny to say our daughter and her husband, WHEN DID SHE GROW UP????

My kitchen during the overhaul & after, UGHH THAT'S A LOT OF STUFF!!!!!!!

Now I am going to relax & have a glass of "Eggnog" this is made locally and sells out fast. Ready made Eggnog, I have been holding off buying the real stuff! I just love it with some brandy & a sprinkle of nutmeg ~ MMMMMM HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Look at this crazy squash my mother-in-law sent over to me. Yikes it's huge! I will be slicing and dicing that up tomorrow. Cook it and then freeze it, I'll be making a yummy squash souffle with it!!

That's all I got, I'm exhausted!

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless...

Flushing Out The Birds....

2010-10-27T19:46:00.002-04:00

Congratulations to Ms. Bailey & Mr. P, they bagged a pheasant yesterday!! They were quite pleased with themselves! Mr. P tried to send me a few pictures from his phone but it doesn't take very good ones :/

She flushed it out, waited for her master to get his shot off and then waited for her command!!! She ran like gangbusters, scooped it up gave it a quick shake & trotted right back to Mr. P. Dropped it at his feet gave it a lick and a nudge and waited for a pat on the head and a "good girl" ~ YAY Ms. B!

Tomorrow they go for ducks ~ YUMMY!

My doctor had me stop Remicade for a few months, a few of my tests came back "questionable" so he stopped it, my last infusion was the week before Nikky's wedding :/ I am definitely out of steam and every joint is screaming...that's why I haven't been blogging regularly, I am just to tired when I get in. Last night I got home at about 6:30, fed Ms. B heated up my dinner and fell asleep on the couch waiting for it to finish up in the microwave ~ I never ate a bite & when Mr. P got up we jumped into bed and fell asleep until about 4:45 this morning! Hopefully the last round of tests that I go for in December come back o.k. so I can start up again in January! This couldn't have happened at a more inconvenient time of the year!!!!

Well, I'm going to scoot!

Until tomorrow Be Safe & God Bless....

Monday, You Did It Again....

2010-10-25T20:33:00.003-04:00

Dear Monday,

We really need to come to an understanding! I don't bother you so why do you keep coming round to bother me???? It would be greatly appreciated if you would just stay away!

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

Lynda Platt

Fresh Baked Bread Here, Fresh baked Bread....

2010-10-24T16:24:00.004-04:00

This was how I spent my Sunday...tried out my new mixer & I LOVED IT!!!! I made a white bread & a cinnamon swirl bread that I let rise and then froze, one of my Marines favorites so that will be thawed and ready to pop in the oven before we head off to get him the night before Thanksgiving from the airport...hot yummy cinnamon bread waiting for him after a long flight!!

Mr. P was so happy, he said that if he closed his eyes and took a deep breath he would have thought his Grammy Miranda had made dinner...That was the best compliment a girl could ask for. I made him a Portuguese (Yankee Pot roast) Pot roast with sweet potatoes & extra hot chourico & a homemade bread!!! He was smiling from ear to ear!!

I asked him to make a picture of me with my hot out of the oven bread...my mouth was watering & he had already cut into it :)

Nikky & Mike have a big Halloween Party coming up, it's 80/90's theme, should be fun!!! I hope that they put up some pictures...they are really enjoying being newlyweds & they are so cute together! They compliment one another and that makes me so happy to know that she is so loved!!

Billy & Katrina spent the weekend in South Va. half way for the both of them! He starts training next week :/ Good luck my beautiful son, I hope to hear from you soon! Billy has decided to travel up to DC for the Marine Corps Ball, he will be escorting Katrina. She went out shopping for her gown, no Dress Blues for that Marine this year ~ SHE WANTS A BEAUTIFUL GOWN!!! YOU GO GIRL!!

That's about it for my Sunday...

Until tomorrow, Be Safe & God Bless...

Please continue for our Marines & our Military....

Worth Reposting....

2010-10-22T18:09:00.003-04:00

Low-Cal Chicken Potpie....

1 medium onion, chopped
2 cups of mushrooms (I substituted an additional 2 cups of fresh green beans as I DO NOT EAT FUNGUS)
1/4 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp Bells Seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 cups frozen mixed veggies
1 cup chicken broth
3 cups cooked chicken breast
2 tbs flour
1/2 cup fat-free evaporated milk, divided

4 reduced-fat crescent rolls, unrolled ( the package makes 8 rolls, I just sealed the other 4 up and will bake them up to go with dinner, over the course of the week)
Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Coat large pot with non-stick spray, add onions & green beans (or fungus if you are so inclined), and cook until tender. Stir in seasonings; add mixed veggies, broth & chicken. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes.

In a small cup, combined 1/4 of the milk with the flour, stir it into the chicken mix. Cook until thickened, once it thickens up stir in remaining milk cook for another few minutes.

Spray pie plate with non-stick spray, spoon in chicken/veggie mixture. Unroll crescent rolls and arrange around in side of pie plate to form a boarder (there will be a hole in the middle, that's o.k.)!

Bake until rolls are golden brown and filling is bubbly, about 15 minutes.
Serves 6

I posted this recipe back at the beginning of the year, I made it for dinner this evening and let me tell you it was "STICK TO YOUR RIBS GOOD"!! It was so cold & windy here today & I wanted to make some comfort food & gals it was YUMMY!

Heather if you're reading I'm sure that you could make this Gluten Free with no trouble at all!

My Kitchenaid mixer came in last night ~ YAY!!! I am going to be baking some bread tomorrow a pumpkin bread ~ Thank you Kelly Kelly & a loaf of scrumptious good old fashioned white bread. Mr. P was begging me to bake a loaf of bread so I figured why not! I'll have to cut it in half and freeze it, if not he'll devour the entire thing!

Special prayer requests for "Dark Horse" 3/5 Marines...They have lost 9 Marines in four days & they in the fight of their lives. Please pray for these young men and for the fallen & their families!!!

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

Blogger Is Not Working.....

2010-10-19T19:34:00.002-04:00

No image uploads until 5:00pm on Wednesday 10.20.2010 ~ WHATTTTTTT!

What is up with this blog of ours???

Mr. P returned from his trip up north this afternoon, he didn't get a deer :/ he took Ms. B out for a trial run. She did really well, they'll be going out for a nice long romp tomorrow & hopefully will be coming back with a few birds!

I was glad to see that Julie was back to blogging :)

Happy to know that you all still love me even if I am a bit silly ~ LOL!

Making my holiday todo list, need to get things in order around here so that I can get my dolls & light up by mid November & get my house in shape for our Holiday Festivities oh and for our VIP, yes that's right our VIP Cpl Platt will be home for the Holidays this year ~ YAY YIPPIE YAHOOOOO!!!!!!!

O.k., I'm going to scoot!

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