Happy Halloween

We had a fabulous time tonight! Hannah had fun with friends from school at Trunk or Treat. There were so many adorable costumes! Then we went to our church's fall carnival and found Hannah's "boy" friend. She was treated to way to much candy!

Monday
Breakfast ~ Cheese omelet
Dinner ~ White Bean Chicken Chili, cornbread muffins, tea


Tuesday
Breakfast ~ Oatmeal & Cinnamon toast
Dinner ~ Beef & Bean Quesadillas, tortilla chips, salsa, root beer

Wednesday
Breakfast ~ Pancakes, bacon, juice
Dinner ~ Spaghetti & meat sauce, garlic bread, tea


Thursday
Breakfast ~ Cereal
Dinner ~ Chicken & rice, peas, rolls

Friday Happy Halloween
Breakfast ~ At Micky D’s Cinnimelts & Chocolate milk
Dinner ~ Papa Johns Pizza and off to Trick or Treat

Saturday
Breakfast ~ We get to sleep in and anything goes
Lunch ~ Grilled Cheese & tomato soup
Dinner ~ Gumbo at my sisters

Sunday
Breakfast ~ Muffins
Lunch ~ Tuna sandwiches, chips
Dinner ~ Crock pot pork chops, pasta roni, green beans, rolls, tea, brownies

Snacks – fruit, oatmeal cream pies, pretzels

Way to Go Hannah Rose!

Hannah got her Report Card today

and I am THRILLED!

Reading B

Math B

Language A

Science B

Health A

Social Studies A

Art A

Music A

Physical Education A

Conduct B

She is only 1 point away from the A Honor Roll!

Monday 10/20

Breakfast – Cheese omelet
Dinner – Ziti casserole, green beans, garlic toast

Tuesday 10/21

Breakfast -Oatmeal
Dinner Taco soup, Spanish rice, refried bans, chips and salsa

Wednesday 10/22
Breakfast-Cereal
Dinner -Church Dinner $8.00

Thursday 10/23
Breakfast Malt o meal
Dinner –Sloppy Joes, tator tots

Friday 10/24
Breakfast Cinnamelt
Dinner –Frozen Pizza

Saturday 10/25
Breakfast - Anything goes
Lunch - Grilled cheese
Dinner -Grill out hamburgers, chips, baked beans, lemonade


Sunday 10/26
Breakfast - Magic Muffins
Lunch – Happy Meal
Dinner -Crock pot pork chops, broccoli, cauliflower, fruit kabobs


Snacks
Pretzels, raisons, popcorn, peanut butter and crackers

100 Things About Me

1. I have to have something to look forward to.
2. I am a planner and am told the I become “Psycho Martha Stewart”
3. When things don’t go exactly as planned I feel that all is ruined.
4. Occasionally vodka makes me happy.
5. I’m witty.
6. I wish I could think on my feet.
7. I love taking pictures.
8. I love body powder all over me and sprinkled all over my sheets.
9. I like to try new things.
10. I love to cook.
11. I love inspirational books and biographies.
12. I hate feeling obligated.
13. I was a matchmaker for a dating service for one day. I wasn’t convincing enough.
14. I am an insomniac.
15. When I can’t sleep I have to take another bath.
16. I NEED nine hours of sleep at night, but would prefer ten.
17. I love old rusty things.
18. I love listening to stories by the elderly.
19. I was an animal person until I had to care for all of Hannah's.
20. I am an introvert, unless I’ve been drinking. Then I can (and will) talk to anyone.
21. I’ve received a few speeding tickets.
22. I caused a 5 car pile up by running thru a light as it just turned red. On driver was pregnant and another had just driven off the car lot.
23. I suck on my tongue if I’m not chewing gum.
24. I have a terrible memory.
25. My favorite movies are Waiting to Exhale and Beaches.
26. I love spicy food.
27. I have no respect for people who think they’re perfect.
28. I hate cemeteries.
29. It is challenging for me to stay on schedule.
30. I love watching Little People Big World. Matt is awesome
31. I love creating traditions for Hannah (beauty night, game night, pizza night).
32. I adore my strong willed daughter.
33. I want to travel to Italy and Alaska.
34. I wish I were more of an original thinker.
35. I sometimes feel that life is passing me by.
36. I’m not looking forward to getting older.
37. I am a true Gemini!
38. I can be demanding.
39. My wrists hut from giving so many injections.
40. Christmas has become so commercialized it exhausts me.
41. I HATE Wal-Mart, but I love their prices – so I go.
42. I really hate grocery shopping, but have learned to shop with a plan and coupons.
43. My favorite store is Target.
44. I have never broken a bone.
45. I wish I spent more time focused on Hannah instead of feeling rushed to do something else.
46. I’ve watched All My Children on and off forever.
47. I make my bed every morning.
48. Open heights terrify me. I feel safe if there is a wall around me but I can’t look down.
49. I love flea market, estate sales, garage sales and finds on the side of the road.
50. I wish I were parenting in the 1940’s and 50’s. It was a simpler life.
51. I have learned to never say never.
52. I watch the news and Good Morning America every morning.53. I have trouble relaxing.
54. I can be obsessive, I am definitely impulsive – but I am not compulsive.
55. I hate sand. Detest it, actually. It gets EVERYWHERE.
56. I love to be in the water.
57. Things I want to learn cake decorating, finance and photography.
58. I love clean, fresh, high thread count sheets
59. I love surprising people.
60. Lack of sleep and/or food makes me mean.
61. I love bright colors.
62. I hated piano lessons.
63. I hate massages. Just can’t get over the idea of someone touching me all over.
64. I’m a rule breaker.
65. I have to have a fan on to sleep.
66. I love cold weather.
67. My favorite scent is Sung.
68. I enjoy entertaining friends.
69. Baking cookies makes me feel like a good mom.
70. My favorite way to start the day is waking Hannah up with tickles.
71. I love sunlight and open windows.
72. I really admire strong women.
73. Scary movies well, scare me. So I don’t like them.
74. I worry too much.
75. Wearing earrings make my head hurt and my ear lobes red and hot.
76. My first car was my dream car a DeLorean. I couldn’t drive a 5 speed so I didn’t really get to drive it.
77. I almost always wear scrubs until I get home then I wear t shirt & shorts.
78. When I get nervous, I get itchy all over.
79. I love my Blackberry.
80. I don’t have a problem asking about things I don’t know.
81. I’m a great cook, if I do say so myself. But again, not very adventurous.
82. I love camping.
83. I like to make people laugh.
84. I’ve never had surgery.
85. The dislike pretentious people.
86. I can do anything I set my mind to.
87. I love my heating pad. It is so soothing.
88. I still have all 4 wisdom teeth
89. I love the rain. I don’t like to drive in it but love the smell and feel of it. I always "want" to get wet in the rain.
90. I'm able to cry better as I get older. I never cried as an adult until after my daughter was born. It must be hormonal? I used to think people were silly to cry at movies.
91. I was born on Flag Day.
92. I’m getting really good saying NO to Hannah!
93. I feel strongly about the toilet paper going OVER the roll, rather than under.
94. I get migraines.
95. I hate swallowing big tablets.
96. I love road trips!
97. I have trust issues.
98. I have traveled to France and England.
99. I don’t like to deal with problems and I avoid conflict.
100. I enjoyed this. I think I’ve learned some things about myself – and it feels good. I like myself.

Message to Grandpa

Hannah is so sweet. She went to her school's carnival yesterday and brought back a bunch of ballons. Today after breakfast Hannah showed me a balloon that she had written a message to her Grandpa in Heaven. He wanted to live long enough that she would remember him. I am so thankful that he is so much a part of her.

50 Odd Things

1. Do you like blue cheese? Yum
2. Have you ever smoked heroin? No
3. Do you own a gun? Yes, but not at my home
4. What flavor do you add to your drink at sonic? I don't go there very often.
5. Do you get nervous before doctor Appointments? Yes, very and I work for one.
6. What do you think of hot dogs? I don't eat them very often. My daughter thinks they are dog weiners!
7. Favorite Christmas movie? Frosty the Snowman
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Coke
9. Can you do push-ups? I thought I could until I tried to a couple of days ago
10. Age? 39 forever.....
11. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? Not really a jewelry fan after my was stolen
12. Favorite hobby? Photography, reading
13. Favorite Actor: Erica Cane?
14. Do you have A.D.D.? No but I medicate myself as if I did
15. What's one trait you hate about yourself? I'm a coward and afraid to face my fears
16. Middle name? Gail
17. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? (1) I need to go make a treat for the boys (2) Is it too late to take a nap? (3) What do I have coming up this week?
18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday/today? (1) Frozen pizza (2) coke (3) muffin mix
19. 3 drinks you regularly drink? 1. Water 2. Coke 3. Tea ~
20. 3 Current worries?~ (1) Budget(2)Being a better mom (3) Christmas! I start worrying about that in July.
21. Current hate right now? Lack of money
22. Favorite place to be? Home or with family and friends♥
23. How did you bring in the New Year? With family and friends and lots of food
24. Where would you like to go? Italy & Alaska.
25. Name three people who will complete this. Y'all!
26. Do you own slippers? Yes, but I don't wear them enough.
27. What shirt are you wearing? Red tshirt
28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? No
29. Can you whistle? Yes
30. Favorite color? Red or yellow
31. Would you be a pirate? Maybe
32. What songs do you sing in the shower? I don’t sing in the shower
33. Favorite girl's name? Hannah or Grace
34. Favorite boy's name? Jacob
35. What is in your pocket? nothing
36. Last thing that made you laugh? My little girl saying she needs a bra
37. Best bed sheets as a child? white with yellow floral trim.
38. Worst injury you've ever had? concussion
39. Do you love where you live? No
40. How many TVs do you have in your house? Three
41. Who is your loudest friend? Chrissy
42. How many dogs do you have? 1 upstairs
43. Does someone have a crush on you? Maybe...
44. What is your favorite book(S)? Any pull yourself together book, biography
45. Where were you born? Shreveport
46. What is your favorite candy? Chocolate anything!
47. Favorite Sports Team? Mudbugs
48. What songs do you want played at your funeral? try not to think about it
49.What are you doing at 12 A.M.? Either sleeping or wide awake because I am an insomniac
50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? My alarm didn't go off because I forgot to set it

Blue Week

I have had a really stressful week. I have been overdrawn, overwhelmed, overslept, overextended & overworked. Sometimes being a single mom or just alive can be overwhelming. By the end of the day you're mentally and physically exhausted. Worries plague your mind, and you have trouble sleeping, but the next morning you must get up and do it all again. I spent some time with myself today and took a short drive. I found an amazing white wood framed home that was abandoned. I felt alone just like the house but with potential.

I am alone,

so very alone

I hurt,

so very bad

I am ignored,

just thrown aside

I am security,

for others to have

I am lonely,

there is no one close,

no one sees the pain

I cry,

hope is gone

I am alone,

and no one knows

Captain Jack

One of Hannah's assignments this week was to write a pumpkin story and decorate a paper pumpkin. She chose to write about a pirate pumkin named Captain Jack. She did a great job.

Why I Love Being a Single Mom

~I have become very resourceful.
~I can really appreciate an hour alone.
~We can go to Target at 9:00pm at night with no one freaking out on us
~I like that there's no one around to make me feel insufficient.
~I can spend hours at the store with out feeling I need to rush home or explain myself.
~I love being able to have my own traditions. ~I love being able to do fun things with my girl whenever I want
~Because it feels great raising a fabulously terrific child!
~ I never have to say, “I wish I could ____, but my husband won’t let me/doesn’t like it.”
~My daughter knows that I will take care of things, know that I will be there, that I will stand by her no matter what.

~What a blessing to have had no choice but to find the strength, patience, humility, resilience, energy, resourcefulness and courage necessary to do it alonewithin myself.
Yes I do being a single mom, I can't imagine doing it any other way!

Top Reasons Being a Single Mom is Hard

~Waiting for Child Support payments.
~Sleeping in is MISSED!
~Having noone take a photo of you with your wonderful marvelous child.
~Having to be the on that says no.
~Wondering “How am I going to do all of this by myself?”
~I worry about what would happen to my child if something happened to me.
~Being alone.
~Even worse, being alone for parent teacher conference.
~Being rushed.

Sweet Sunday

I love Sundays. I baked banana nut muffins for breakfast. Hannah quickly dressed for Sunday School and we were on time yea! Our Single Mom Class is back in session and I really enjoyed our class today. I realized once again how lucky Hannah and I are to be safe and healthy when there are so many sick and suffering in the world. I was also in awe of all of the strong women in our class. It is not a woe is me group, they are an empowering group of amazing women. I decided to take the day off from what I should be doing. I stopped at home to put dinner in the crock pot and we enjoyed a picnic at the park. We both needed Happy Meals and a toy. It was a beautiful day!

Something to look forward to . . .

I am planning a weekend trip to Petit Jean State Park in November. I can imagine relaxing in the cool wind, sleeping in the teepee, hiking the trails and taking in the beauty of nature.

I miss my Daddy everyday

Hannah was so close to her Grandpa.
I see his ways in her so often.

I Do Believe

by Jennifer Janiszewski

There is nothing i can do, to make him come back

There are no words I can say, that can replace the words you long to hear

There are no answer's I can give, that will satisfy your questions

There is not another soul I can introduce you to that will ever replace his

And, there is no love I can offer that will ever replace the love you shared

I can not promise your broken heart will ever be complete

I will not say it could have been worse

I will not deny it was a tragedy

I will not lie and tell you he will come back

He never really left

I do promise he hears you when you speak

I will say he loves you no matter the distance

I will not deny he is in a better place

And, I will not lie; he is waiting to greet you someday

He is every you step you take

He is in everything you do

He is the air you breathe

He is every beat of your heart

" He is like the wind. You can not see him...but you will always feel him"

Never forget . . .

To be happy you must have 3 things:

1. Someone to Love

2. Something to do

3. Something to look forward to.

The Story of Life

The Story of Life

Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there, to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson, or to help you figure out who you are or who you want to become.

You never know who these people may be, your neighbor, your coworker, a long lost friend, or a complete stranger.

When you lock eyes with them, you know at that very moment they will affect your life in some profound way.

Sometimes things happen to you that may seem horrible, painful, and unfair at first, but in reflection you find that without overcoming those obstacles you would have never realized your potential, strength, willpower, or heart.

Everything happens for a reason.

Nothing happens by chance or by means of good luck.
Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness, and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul.

Without these small tests, whatever they may be, life would be like a smoothly paved,straight, flat road to nowhere. It would be safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless.

The people you meet who affect your life, and the success and downfalls you experience, help to create who you are and who you become.

Even the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are probably the most poignant and important ones.

If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your heart, forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious when you open your heart.

If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because in a way, they are teaching you to love and how to open your heart and eyes to things.

Make every day count. Appreciate every moment and take from those moments everything that you possibly can for you may never be able to experience it again.

Talk to people that you have never talked to before, and actually listen.

Let yourself fall in love, break free, and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right to.

Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in yourself, it will be hard for others to believe in you.

You can make of your life anything you wish. Create your own life and then go out and live it with absolutely no regrets.

Most importantly if you Love someone tell him or her, for you never know what tomorrow may have in store.

Learn a lesson in life each day that you live.

That's the story of Life.

Cleaning Day

Every Saturday I try to follow my list of chores. My long, long list. I try to get everything clean and ready for the week. I reward myself with a relaxing bubble bath, manicure, pedicure, facial mask & scrub. Hannah gets treated too even though she barely touches her list of the simplest chores. She is only responsible for cleaning her room. This is my ideal Saturday morning and night. I look forward to getting up on Sunday morning to cook muffins or cinnamon rolls for breakfast, give Hannah a quick tickle and we are off to Sunday School.

How I spend my Friday nights

Friday night is our night for eating pizza and a board game or movie. Tonight we played Cranium for the first time. It has been in the unopened box for way too long. We had a lot of fun and best of all I WON! I also love that I don't have to set the alarm on Saturday mornings.

The miracle of birth

I didn't believe that Tara was pregnant. She comes in and out of the house and there are several cats on the block. I was still in denial until I heard her meowing long and loudly. I told Alex I thought she was in labor and he said he didn't know anything about cats in labor but thought it was too soon. I called Chrissy to come down and when she finally did I checked her and saw a kitten on the way out. I rushed to pick Hannah up from school while Chrissy stayed with Tara in the bathroom and said that Tara was going in circles until the kitten came out and hit the wall. I waited until Hannah was standing at the bathroom door with the news of the new kitten. Tara loves Hannah so much. She immediately crawled into Hannah's lap for support and love. Tara had 3 beautiful new kittens and is being a great mom.

And next. . . . . .

Thursdays are always a busy day at work! When I saw the school on the caller ID, I knew today was only getting worse. It was the school secretary sating that Hannah was in the office sick. She had complained that her stomach was hurting this morning and I thought she was just hungry.

I O U a McBreakfast

I'm sorry xoxoxo

What happened to easy?

Hannah wakes up laughing almost every morning. It's not that she is a morning person, I tickle her all over until she is begging me to stop. I have her clothes ready for her as I get her breakfast and morning meds ready. I love when I day goes as planned.

I planned for things to be easy but things sometimes don't work out as I expect. Hannah hates taking her morning meds. Things have gotton better but we haven't quite mastered it yet. Hannah ended up running out the door with her cup in hand and I was right behind her. I drove her to her daycare bus stop and she did finish taking them. Tomorrow is another day and we will try again.

Easy Morning

Wednesday nights are my special time. Last night while Hannah was at church, I rushed to clean and pick up around the house. I never thought that I would spend my alone time cleaning and making sure that everything is in order. After picking her up we had bathtime and went straight to bed. It really makes a difference to be prepared for the next morning.