Hello, "Happy May Day"

"Happy May Day" please celebrate Spring in your own fun way.
If you could "peek" into my window.....besides that fact that IF I saw you doing that....you would probably scare the "Fire" out of me.....you would see a very busy lady.

Who would be me.

I am about over "the EDGE" with kids.
MY kids.
Running around in circles it seems....all over the city, trying to get things done....that they need done.
Doctors, Dentists, school things...jobs....College tests, shopping with Miss Priss for summer clothes.

Not counting the "every day normal life things."
You know.....groceries, laundry, housecleaning...bill paying. Yikes!

It's the end of the school year and near the end of High School for one child in particular.

Which reminds me....."where are his Senior Pictures at that I ordered weeks ago."
Blah.....one more thing to add to my "Thursday List of Things To DO!"

Now you know why I haven't had time to write any of you nor keep up with my site.
But I know......"this too shall pass."
And it will.
I love my kids.....sigh. I'm not really complaining.....I'm just overwhelmed.
And here I sit at my computer at 2:02 am...what is up with that?
HA!

I believe it's the only time I've had to "think" without something interrupting me all day. But I am tired so I need to stop the madness.

My kids are growing up. Or have.

Some days however....I wonder which it is. HA!

Bathroom Re-do

Finally....here are some photos of the infamous "Bathroom Re-do" that we just completed here in our home.

Sorry it's taken me so long but we've had a lot of "Drama" here in our household....so it's not exactly been up there on the top my list of things to do to take these photos. HA!

These are ESPECIALLY for my sister Jennifer who has NEVER been to my home.....hummm.
HA! HA!!I told her I was going to write that! She needs to bring her family down here for a VISIT. We always go North to see them.

~~~~~Here we go~~~~~

These are some "BEFORE SHOTS".......ugh
Don't you love that old funky early 1970's WALLPAPER that we found behind the mirror that was over the vanity??

As you can see.....my husband took the old walls down to the "studs" by gutting the entire bathroom.
Getting the new counter top and vanity in now....

Now there is a new tub and shower in white.....the old one was a "marbleized GREEN." I didn't take a photo of inside the tub because I didn't want you to see what kind of shampoo my kids use. HA!
Actually to me....a tub is a tub and it looks very nice, so lets move on to the GOOOOOD stuff.


A new paint color which is a very nice shade of "green"....new ceramic tiled floors which are a "antique green/brown shade" and we stained the grout with "TEA" to get it to the color we wanted. Great brainstorm that I had...the grout was too light and we had to do something. It worked perfect and then we sealed it and it looks fabulous.

New sink......new tan and white and black fleck granite counter top....a new
"taller" vanity which is an "antique white with a chocolate glaze over it"....new toilet....new mirror above the vanity.
A new print on the wall, yes it's that "Eiffel Tower".....new shower curtain, hung with "Fluer Des Leis" hooks, new accessories everywhere.

Everything is fresh and new and clean. YAHOOO!!!

We have to put the towel rack up yet and I will put one more print or piece of artwork on the wall.....I've looked and looked in a bi-zillion antique stores and regular stores and just about everywhere....and nothing that was "resonably priced" has hit me! HA!
So I will WAIT until that happens.



I am so glad this project is over and now...it's on to the wretched kitchen. We already have the cabinets purchased and they have been "waiting in the wings"...so this will be happening fairly soon. Maybe. HA! It depends on how life goes around here.

We have graduation for our youngest son in a couple weeks so I think we will wait until that is over at least.
Oh then we are taking Miss Priss to go look at a college over in Texas.

SO.....

Then we will be into "hurricane season" and I always dread that...."just incase."
Been there and done that a few times now. Blah!

There you have it......we are THANKFUL this is done and I am especially thankful and grateful to have such a talented husband.
He's the BEST!!!
I'm not kidding....this man can do anything.
I am SO BLESSED!

Fast and the Furious ....

"Life seems but a quick succession of busy nothings."
Jane Austen

That is exactly where I seem to be at today.

Don't you feel this way too sometimes? I can't get it "all" done right now, whatever it "all" is at this point in time.

I had a conversation yesterday with one of our best friends on the phone.....this man and his wife take "teams" into Mexico to do "short term" missions work and Miss Priss wants to go on one of those trips this summer.

Our friend was talking about how "busy" everyone seems to be right now. In fact he and his wife sounded overwhelmed by their schedules and just other "life things." It seems as if everyone I know has some MAJOR "Irons in the fire" right now.

And I just can't stand it. How did we all get so busy? This frustrates me to no end at times really. Even though I am a person that doesn't like to be bored. I do like some quiet days occasionally and time with my family...that isn't spent say...at a Chiropractors office several times a week now.

The "Tyranny of the urgent" loves to overtake us.
Often times I am left wondering when this happens..which especially for me is right now....."is this all worth it in the end?"
I don't think it will be actually..not some of this. Part of it yes. We have to choose what is important and those things that will last really.

People are what matter most in my book and I always ask myself.....
"how can I neglect them or put them off to the side just so I can get this or that thing done and off my list of things to do?"

I just can't do it. I can't kick people to the curb. So I suppose the house, and the paperwork and whatever else.......might just have to wait a bit.

Tomorrow night is Prom #2 for us..."Italian Boy's" school this time. Since Miss Priss's Prom was such an "eventful night"...they decided to go ahead and go to his. Hummm....scary....we just did this two weeks ago. In someways...it seems like forever now.

Even though many of the physical "manifestations" of that night are still very evident and both our families are dealing with those things and our children.

Graduation is on it's way..for number three son....thankfully. The invitations are here. We are "counting down" the days now.

We have to understand "Times and Seasons"...sometimes we run....sometimes we walk. Sometimes we get to rest. This seems to be one of those "running" times for our family. But it's okay..those seasons don't last forever.

When it's over I'm going to have a "quiet cup of tea" like this lady is having.....hopefully on a nice, calm, beach somewhere.

Well, it might have to be "iced tea."
IF that is the case..that is still fine with me.

Untitled

Break is over. NOW get back to work!

I sort of came to a realization about my blog when numerous people whom I didn’t even know took the time to read it mentioned to me they missed my banter.
I am no longer going to be punished for my blog (or LET anyone punish me) and I am going to continue what I do here and be satisfied with the knowledge that not everyone can like me, as long as I love myself.

Boooyaaa.

So with that being said…that is ALL that will be said about it (again) lol.

I started Soccer on Tuesday. It’s been three years since I tore my ACL completely, and about a year and a half since my surgery. Not going to lie, I was nervous as hell. Despite feeling a little bit uncoordinated running…I did pretty well. It IS a Div 3 team, which based on my ‘experience’ is on the lower scale…but without prejudice, I actually enjoyed myself. I have a loooooooooong way to go to ever be able to compete at the level I once did, if ever, and I have totally made peace with that. I took a look on the Metro Women’s website and saw several ex-teammates listed as contacts for the Premier teams and had a slight pang in my stomach, but still didn’t envy it…which is a HUGE step for me! Despite being UBER competitive, I KNOW I can play at this level and be ok. Besides, my best bud is playing with me and that’s all anyone can ask for!

So the goal for this summer is 25lbs gone, walking 30k a day (for the WTEBC), and some super duper muscles! Oh, and maybe a new hairstyle…we’ll see!

"Trifling Tuesday?"

"Trifling"
Webster's Dictionary defines this word as:
"Lacking in significance or solid worth:
as a: frivolous
b: trivial

Lately, I've heard my kids use this word alot in their conversations. I figured it was some new term that was going around....and it is...and yet it's not.

I checked it out further because honestly...I can't recall anyone I know using it. Although I'm sure I've come across it in literature or elsewhere.... because I pretty much knew what it meant.

This word goes way back to about the year..."1535" actually.
Funny how some things "come and go."

What is intriguing to me is the meaning of this word and I have been pondering it....because really....in this day and age I've been wondering to myself.....

"How many people talk about or care about "significance or worth?" Or if something is frivolous or trivial.

I mean we waste food, and we waste water, and gas, and money, and we waste time as if it will always be there.
And just know that I include MYSELF in all that I am saying.
Unfortunatly.
I don't want to be this way...but I am and I know it. I work on these things and always have...but it still happens at times and that bothers me. Because many times....we just excuse it.

We live in a society of self indulgence and materialism and I suppose it's always been this way in many cases....but not in all.

I've lived other places and I've traveled around a good bit.....and for whatever the reason. I feel an immersion of it in my area of the world.

Obviously....it's not this way everywhere.....for example possibly say ....
in the Sudan.

But then we don't really see all that heartache on a first hand basis now do we?
So it doesn't seem real to us. Believe me though, it's happening.

Sometimes it's a good thing to bring the "old words" or even the old "ways" back into our lives....it causes us to "consider"and it hopefully will help us to change.

Not just ourselves but especially ourselves. If you know what I mean.

Many times....we don't open our hearts or lives to things..or issues or people, until we are smacked right between the eyes with them. Because most of what we are caught up with on a day to day basis is.........."Trifling."

Hummm.......I think I like that word.

Tea and a Movie

When I arrived at my friend Diane's house on Friday......she had "Tea" waiting for me.

I was thrilled when I saw how she had prepped the little table that we were going to eat at while we watched the movie she had wanted me to see so badly. I had never hear of the movie but it was very good and I absolutely enjoyed it.

It was called......"Ladies in Lavender" staring "Maggie Smith and Judi Dench."
I had never even heard of it before.
It was a VERY interesting story line and great ending.....it had one cuss word in it so I want to warn you because of course...it was the
"F-BOMB." Why they had to have that one word in it don't ask me....ugh!

This was such a special treat of a day. Even though I was SO tired that morning and would have liked to stayed home. I enjoyed myself so much.We had home made "Chicken Salad" over lettuce.....and a very good "Lemon Honey Tea" by the Republic of Tea, then for dessert....."Mini Cheesecakes" that Diane had made.

We even had a "Special guest".....look closely.....it's a little Brown Bone China Duck. I had bought Diane a box of "Red Rose Tea" one day and this was the "surprise" inside of the Tea. I looked high and low for this tea because I had heard of the "Bone china figurines" they had inside of it. And low and behold.....I found us both some boxes of it at a "Winn Dixie" near my home.

The day went great and we had a great time....

I have to tell you though....on my way home.....I was sitting in my truck stuck in traffic on a highly congested road not maybe 8 minutes from our house and was "rear-ended" by a car.
I couldn't believe it.

Long story short....ugh......I had damage to the bumper and the jar of the impact threw my lower back out and when I got home I immediately laid down on the couch and iced my back and went to sleep for a while.

All in all.....life is still GRAND and I am not going to complain because we have always been "over comers." And this will pass..
Even though it does get a bit wearisome at times!

The next few days are very busy for me....my younger son has to do some special "Dyslexia" testing for college....and I have to meet with my R.A. Specialist and the Research Group that wants to possibly have me participate in a new "Drug Study." I am praying for wisdom on that thing.

Miss Priss has to go to Alabama on a school Field Trip this week too....and she is still in a lot of pain and achey....I am a tad concerned about this so hopefully she will be okay. She just took a huge ice pack to bed with her. Ugh. Italian Boy's knee is still hurting him greatly so he has a Dr.'s appointment to see about that tomorrow.

Hopefully all will be well around here soooooon. We need a break! HA!

I will be back as soon as I am able to. I wish you all well.
Cheers!!
Joyce

Friday Friendship

“You don't have a soul.
You ARE a Soul.
You have a body.”

C.S. Lewis
British Scholar and Novelist. 1898-1963
_________________________________

I have been looking forward to this small event since I was invited over a week ago.....even though right at this moment I sort of am tempted to stay in my pajamas all day and lay in bed too.

It's rainy and dreary here today.
Which is fine. I like rainy days too.

That is......IF I can stay in my pajamas all day and read a nice book in a comfy and warm bed and I am not in extreme pain.

Which THANKFULLY, I don't appear to be too bad off today. YEAH!!!

Last week my good friend Diane, asked me to come over to her house for "Tea" and to watch a movie for today. I said "Sure." Not knowing then of course what a crazy weekend and WEEK we would be having.

She checked in with me last night to see if I was "still coming?" And I told her "Yes, I am still coming." All the while thinking to myself as I gave my reply that....."ugh....my plate has been SO FULL THIS WEEK I need to stay home and have a day of rest.

Yet, I know will really be a nice "break" from the drama of the past few days AND whenever I am with her we always have a great time of "fellowship" and "reflection." So I need this time actually.

Diane's house is always such a sweet place of "refuge" from a nasty world, and "My soul needs this especially" right now, because I am a bit drained.

Even though often times any more, my body is achy and I am ever so weary.
I always try to keep in mind "how my body will one day fade away"...but my soul will live on forever.

To "nurture" ones soul is like tending a garden I feel. We will only get out of it what we put INTO it.

I just looked up that C.S. Lewis quote written above. I hadn't counted on finding a nice quote when I started looking for one regarding "the soul" and then I came across this fabulous quote by him and it went perfectly along with what I was trying to say.

I love C.S. Lewis....his writings, and perspectives.
And he was Irish and lived most of his life in England...so anyone who knows me knows that these things are a major "plus" in my book. HA! HA!

This reminds me.....Have you ever seen the movie about his life called.......
"Shadowlands?"

It is a fantastic movie. Very touching.
Anthony Hopkins plays Lewis.

Try to get your hands on it and watch it if you haven't seen it. You'll love it.
I did. In fact, I need to dig my copy out and watch it again very soon.

Wednesday Morning...

Flowers arrived yesterday for Miss Priss from "Big Brother and The British Girlfriend".....
That was so sweet and unexpected of them....but it was a very nice "pick me up" for little sister who loves and misses her Big Brother dearly.
We all do. :~(

I have to say....my kids know how to "rally" around us all in a crisis. They always have. I don't care if it's a hurricane...or whatever. They are there and they are on it doing whatever they can to help.

When their Daddy and Luke were hit by the other DRUNK DRIVER, our two older boys were on the scene before me and Miss Priss and had unhitched their Daddy's work trailer from the truck that was wrecked and were pulling it out of the mess to bring home. The trailer had been damaged as well....but was able to be moved to our house.

The boys couldn't reach me immediately because I had gone to bed very early and so had Miss Priss because we both were really sick with colds, and she had Strep Throat. Long story longer....my oldest son finally got me on the phone and told me what had happened and that he and middle brother were already there and what was going on and to just "GET to the hospital."

I had to pass the wreck on the way. The State Troopers were still with there on the site with their lights flashing, so I stopped and SAW first hand what my older boys were doing..and that made me fall apart. Partly to see what had just happened to my husband and youngest son....and partly to see how my older boys had taken command of the situation without any asking or help.
They came up to the hospital to be with Miss Priss and myself while we were in the E.R. with Don and Luke once they got finished doing all that.

WHAT a blessing it is in a crisis to have kids like this.
Or anytime for that matter.

Luke and his dog....Danny O'Shea.

Saturday night.....once Miss Priss had called us....and we were leaving the restaurant that we had gone to. I called our boys immediatly.
I called Caleb first.....who as soon as I got the words out of my mouth yelled to someone..."GET IN THE TRUCK".....I had no clue who he was talking to but he and a friend beat us to the accident scene.

Luke.....tried to come...but couldn't get anyone to bring him. He was already involved in his Prom festivities...and was at dinner with a group. He didn't drive so he couldn't leave. He checked in with us several times though.

Big Brother is in Connecticut of course so he couldn't be there.....but believe me. We called him from the scene and he talked to little sister right then and there.

Miss Priss and the "Italian Boy"

Mom, Miss Priss, and Dad. Yes I am looking fat and like "get me out of here" UGH~! The humidity had made my hair already fall FLAT from just a few minutes prior taking photos with Luke at our house...this is Louisiana my friends. Crazy!

A sadder Miss Priss (and very CRABBY...ugh!) who still likes the comfort of her stuffed animals.


I let Miss Priss try to go back to school yesterday. But it was too soon.
She had a very hard day.
So I'm MAKING her stay home today. Tomorrow I am taking her to the Chiropractor to see if they can bring her some relief.

Yesterday was my husband's birthday too....

We didn't have much of a party because this whole week has been messed up and I didn't have much time to get done what I had wanted to do. So the boys and I decided that we will deal with this event better on Sunday.

However we did grill steaks and chicken breasts last night and had a nice family dinner minus Luke who had to work.

Italian Boy was here too. I have to get him from his school since he's out a car now since his Mama has to use his from work now that she's out her vehicle and I can help her in that way for now.

By the way......"Miss Priss and Italian Boy" will get ANOTHER SHOT at Prom.
He attends a private school.....and they will be going to his Prom at the end of the month.
I told them they can't get on the Interstate and can only do something like maybe the local area "Taco Bell drive thru."

This now makes a total of THREE ACCIDENTS caused by drunk drivers for our family. We were ALL hit by a drunk driver on a family vacation in Colorado years ago when our kids were little..... yet, we have still been fortunate enough to walk away with our lives.
But not without some pain and suffering and not always our vehicles and other expenses though.

Do you think I am sick of DRUNK DRIVERS?
You know I am.
Sorry to rant but I must.

"Trust the GUT"

Have you ever felt something "going on" but you weren't quite sure what it was?

Sometimes things are a bit ...."cloudy" but know you're aware of something "about to take place."

I AWAYS have tried to tell my kids to "TRUST OUR GUT"......because your usually RIGHT in what your feeling. So be "aware" of it.

Many times we "feel" something....or we "pick up" on someone or feel an odd feeling around someone...or you feel weird about a "situation".....I tell you to TRUST it. You may not always know why....at that moment. But there is a reason many times for what your feeling.

Sometimes it's revealed to you....sometimes it isn't. But it may very well be a "warning." I usually try to take note of it and process it at some point to see what it is.

Saturday after taking photos with Luke before Prom.....I had a "weird feeling" and once he went out the back door to leave.....I ran out the front door because I didn't get to hug him "Goodbye." I had a "feeling"......a sensation.....and I thought to myself.....

"What IF something happened to him tonight and I never got to hug him again?"
I wasn't scared....it wasn't fear.
I know it was a prompting and I have felt them many times. Sometimes I am LAX concerning these things and I let them pass and don't take proper action only to regret it later.

This time I knew I needed to do this.....so I did and I got him right before he got into my husband's truck and said....."I need to hug you Luke."

He said....."Mom.....ya'll need to quit being over so protective."

Hummm......I'm so glad I trusted my "GUT" that night. I'm glad we
"covered" our kids before they went to Prom.

When you feel something.....trust it.

In Biblical times.....the "guts" or in nicer terms "the intestines or bowels" were considered to be the "seat of the emotions"......much like the "heart" is today.

Trust the Gut people.

Many times God is "un-nerving us" for a reason.

Ariel told us once we got to the scene of the accident that night....."that she had a funny feeling on Friday about Prom...." Hummmm.....which now makes sense.

My older son has a very "keen" sense of all this....what we like to also call....."Discernment."

I tell him all the time......
"Trust it." Pay attention when you feel this or that.....if you have a "Check" about it..or a"reservation"....
then don't do or say it or go there or just whatever.

Don't give way to fear...but don't ignore it when you feel something going on.
I want my kids.....to seek direction. Many times when they are confused, they call us and consult our opinion or what we feel on whatever they are dealing with.

WE ALL can get "muddled down" in life and we loose our direction.
Sometimes...our inner "compass" can get messed up and we can get lost in this world.

All these things....can be fixed...that's the great thing.

Today the "DUI boy" was put before a Judge here because he has the 8 Criminal warrants against him that he has never addressed and basically has ran from.

We found out tonight..because of those issues alone.....he has been given some "penalties" for lack of the correct phrasing.. it's a sentencing of sorts basically....of ...1 year and 45 days in Parish Prison starting NOW. I guess?

I'll be checking into all this. Have I every learned a lot about our local "Judicial system" in the past couple of days but there is loads more to grasp.

I told my husband...after that last ordeal. I am ON this thing.
I will be learning the system because I haven't a clue how it works...and paying attention to what is going on. I have realized how ignorant I have been about this type of legal process and what happens when it's going on.

I need to tell you another "twist" to this story. But it will have to be at another time. I've been up late every night and I'm exhausted tonight.

I wish you all "Sweet Dreams."

Sunday...

Big sigh....okay we are all tired around here today and I have insomnia or else....
I wouldn't even be doing this and I would be in a nice warm bed.

But I will do a quick "update".....I especially want to say a BIG "Thank you" to everyone who has called or written me either on here or by
e-mail. We appreciate your concern and prayers. It means so much to us!

Today I took Ariel to the E.R. because she "thought" she could get through last night and be fine today which wasn't the case. Which my husband and I knew would happen.

Long story short....she of course has "Severe neck strain and back strain and brusing." She is in a lot of pain and has been in bed ever since we got home from the Emergency Room...only semi-sitting up for me to give her drinks of water.
That's it.

Oh and they put a "neck brace" thing on her and she and I cracked up laughing at how funny it looked and how they told her she had to "move her entire body" when she wanted to look around or whatever.

"The Italian boy"....who was her date....has the exact same thing..and has a hurt knee as well. His Mother took him in as well earlier.
Poor thing..then her oldest daughter went into labor today and now they are ALL at the hospital AGAIN....no rest for the weary but at LEAST this is for happy reasons! She will get a Grand baby out of this trip at least! HA!

But his family and ours are VERY thankful that they are only dealing with these issues and that we aren't vising our kids in the hospital ICU or worse even.
If you know what I am saying.

The lady at the E.R. told Ariel and I that she was "very fortunate" because many people are killed when they are hit on the Interstate at such a high impact as they were hit.

AS far as the young man who was the cause of the accident.......

He was formally charged last night.....with "SECOND offense DWI" AND he already has
"8 OUTSTANDING Bench Warrants" for his arrest that were standing.....so the officer that I spoke to at "Parish Prison" what we call Jail here....told me he is considered a "fugitive from justice" and he HAS to appear before a Judge who will set his "Bail"......and that the boy will have to pay for all his warrants and bail before he can get out.

I am wondering how his little girlfriend is today and if she is hurting and if she got some help. I don't feel I can call her Mother.
My kids don't know her...but she goes to their school. Hopefully....she's going to be okay and hopefully....she will "wake up" before she is hurt anymore.

As far as the boy goes...I don't know his story and we have only heard not so great things..but he is someones child and for me as a Mother...that makes me sad.
I hope he can get some help.

What does upset me is the fact that NOW he has TWO DWI's and he didn't "get it" after the first one and with 8 "outstanding bench warrants" for his arrest......there seems to be a problem and a pattern.
And he hit my kids. Urrrrr!

This is the SAME thing that is going on with the other young man from New Orleans that was DWI that hit my husband and son Luke two years ago. This kid had 14 Felony counts against him last we heard, and hadn't appeared in court for any of the THREE court dates my husband went to. WE STILL are not finished with that ordeal. And that boy STILL has not been sentenced in that accident either.
But at least he told my husband at the scene that "he was sorry."

This boy last night was mean, and hateful, and nasty. He was so combative and he shouted out something VERY evil to me before he was put in the police car which I didn't even understand at first....then I got it.
That right there showed me how demonic this situation was.

I'll tell you about it later.

What a mess thought to have to go into another process with a drunk driver.

Miss Priss and "The Italian boy" are going to be okay eventually.....achy and out of school for a few days but they have parents and families that love them and are standing with them in their trial.

I'm not sure about these other two kids....there seems to be a world of hurt going on in their lives for whatever the reasons.

But that still gives them no right to be so selfish and hurt others in their process of their own "self destruction"....

But that seems to be the way it works many times doesn't it?

Goodnight.

Prom Tragedy Diverted.......

It's 2:40am and I can't sleep so thought I would just give you a few tiny details until tomorrow sometime. More photos later too.

Luke and Mom....

Not maybe 35 minutes after we left our daughter's date's Mama's house.....we got a call from her and I could tell by the way she said......"Mama" what had happened. I just KNEW it!! They'd been hit by a car and I knew the person had been drunk. I just could feel it.

I let her tell me as my heart was sinking....and as my husband and I scrambled to leave the restaurant we had gone to on a date...our food had just arrived and we had begun eating it when her phone call came and she told me.....


"That they had been hit by a DRUNK DRIVER on the interstate as they were exiting off to go eat with a group of friends."

She told me that this kid that hit them had been "drinking all day" and had bragged to others about it. The driver of that car is a 22 year old guy....... someone my daughter and her date didn't know at all.....but someone apparently "invited" his 16 year old date to come eat with the group of kids that were going to the restaurant that my daughter and her date were going to.

There was to be a group of nearly 20 kids and someone had invited that young girl and her boyfriend. The kids were ALL in separate vehicles. My daughter and her boyfriend were sandwiched in between the drunk kid and some other cars driving in his Mama's Ford Explorer, which was a good thing ...as they approached an exit off of the interstate.

That's when that boy came up on them so fast and then tried to slam on his brakes...our boy saw this and veered off to the shoulder because he knew they would be thrown into the car ahead of them and even though they got out of the lane it was too late....that kid had stopped so hard he lost control of his Yukon and spun at our kids car and rear ended them with the entire SIDE of his Yukon.....crashing out their back door and busting out the back window and sending them flying still. Hit their heads in their car, snapping their necks and being thrown about.
Thank GOD for seat belts.

I'll try to explain more....tomorrow when I can think clearer.

Tonight we found out that this boy was booked into "Parish Prison" which is what we call "JAIL" here.......on his SECOND count of DWI.....and he was "wanted as a fugitive" for a different warrant out for his arrest.

Do you think I am mad or what? Oh yeah.....I have a bit of stuff to vent out......but I have pretty much worked it out.

What I am though...overwhelmingly, is GRATEFUL.....and THANKFUL......and APPRECIATIVE to God for protecting our baby girl and her little boyfriend...who is a very tender hearted young man and we like him alot.

His Mama, along with his older sister and her boyfriend had beat us to the scene and so had our middle son Caleb and one of his friends so thankfully we had some "support" there for us and our kids.

Before we left this scene.....both of our kids cried and cried. My husband embraced them both and let them weep. Because they both were so traumatized by what had happened and by the stuff the belligerent drunken kid was yelling at us all.

The policeman didn't put him in the police car until the very end (over an hour of standing outside with this going on) so it left everyone wide open for this kids bad attitude to continue to spew out.

IT is maddening when someone else.....nearly takes your kids out of this world by their own selfishness and foolishness and when they are not the LEAST bit remorseful for doing so.

This boy was not sorry for his actions I promise you. He exhibited that to me at one point......and proceeded to call me out and cuss at me and use his favorite word... that must be most of his main vocabulary I guess.......the infamous "F" word.

It was a long saga and very emotional.....and it's not over. Miss Priss and her date are hurting big time now....and will be going to go get checked out tomorrow.

Two years ago.....our son Luke and my husband were hit by a drunk driver from New Orleans that had ran a red light and plowed into them. Three more feet and Luke would not be with us tonight.
This was another young guy in his 20's......just doing his own thing. He's never come to trail on this yet and besides this accident....he has 14 counts of "felonies" against him.

Oh yea, I am mad.
Because I hate this sick feeling in my stomach....and I hate it when people think they can infringe their bad behavior on my family..... And nearly kill them.

But it wasn't their "time" to go.......and we know this.....because we had prayed tonight for God's divine protection over all our children...and their dates with them.
And it took place. And we are BLESSED and this isn't going to rob our joy or our kids night.......it's robbing my sleep a bit.....but that isn't much considering that I will sleeping "in late" tomorrow in my cozy bed......while that boy is trying to sleep in Parish Prison.

One question.

Where are those kids parents???? They didn't even call their parents the entire time we were all waiting there. Do they know what happened? I guess they will hear someway.
The young girl was taken home by a police officer. What is to become of that little thing?
God have mercy. Because like I told that boy....."I'm a merciful person....but you have NONE of my mercy right now for what you nearly did to my daughter and her boyfriend.....you had NO right to drive drunk and hit them."

To which I got the ......"F you, F, you" over and over and and him coming after me like he was going to punch me or something......to which I then reminded him......."you are going to jail tonight buddy...." and he was dead set that he wasn't. He really believed he was not going to jail. And I told him......"oh yes you are man and you will be staying ALL NIGHT."This ticked him off but I could tell he didn't believe it at all.

I got more profanity out of that...but.......what do you expect. That boy was in bad shape and I couldn't help looking at his face and wondering what his story was......why did he have so much pain in his life? He was lost as a goose in a snowstorm and his eyes told many tales.....he was absolutely tormented.

I don't know who he is....only his name.....I don't know what his issues are...but for now I will pray for him.

Once the officer started to put him in the police car......he yelled something evil and hateful over the police car and my Son and Ariel's date went crazy and charged over to the police car to get at him.....but fortunate for them he was already shoved into the back seat of the police car.....so that was a good thing.

This is how I know he wasn't sorry, amongst other things......I'll tell you what he said tomorrow.
It's time to try to sleep now. If I can.
More photos and news tomorrow.....

I needed this tonight.......

The last few days my husband and I have been on one of life's "emotional roller coaster" of sorts. It's not anything I feel I can express right now, but trust me.....it's been a tad upsetting.

What I can tell you though, is that we have "peace."

Which is a good thing believe me....when you have peace....you've got alot.

Not related to any of that ..."Miss Priss" just left to go spend the night at her BFF's house so that they could have some "girl time" before they start to prepare probably all day long for tomorrow nights "Junior/Senior Prom."

That was something to watch her go out the door, sniff, sniff, with all her Prom attire and bags of makeup and stuff she needs to get "fixed up"....ugh. Sad.
Our sweet baby girl is growing up. :~(
It's okay though....that's how life works.

We will catch back up with her tomorrow in order to take photos of her and her date
"The Italian" at his family's house, then run back home to take photos of our son and his date at OUR house. Yikes!
Photos will be forthcoming. HA!

I came into the office after she left and...tired as I am, thought I would just catch up on a couple of blogs I've been missing checking in on this week. I heard a song randomly playing on Ms. Charlotte's blog....I'd never heard it before but recognized the singer....and it was "Michael W. Smith," his voice is so recognizable.
Not to mention, I LOVE Michael W. Smith's music.

It always is encouraging and uplifting no matter who you are.

OF COURSE, I then decided to look up that song on U-Tube....and upon watching it, it absolutely went deep into my spirit and soothed me. Not that I am in distress because I'm not, but it doesn't hurt to allow some "healing balm" such as this to be applied every to yourself ever once in a while.

Sometimes you just get tired....in body, mind and soul.
I needed this.
I thought....some of you may need it as well.

Plus...IF you like Bagpipes(like I do).....you might want to check out his "This Is Your Time" video....you'll love the lyrics.
This video will impact you.

It's a tribute to "Cassie Bernall" who was murdered in the Columbine Massacre.
Ummm......you might want to grab a kleenex (or two or three) before you watch it.

Stiches-for-Tea

April 6 - April 12
Stitches-for-Tea
This week the "Gracious Hospitality" TEA BLOG-A-THON is focusing on "Sharing any kind of stitching that is somehow related to "Tea." May it be...."sewing, embroidery, knitting, crochet, tatting, quilting, etc." Just as long as it is "hand done" rather than factory made.

I along with many women all over the world have a nice, little "horde of antique and semi-antique linens" of all types.

Especially in the realm of doilies, dresser runners, potholders, crocheted table covers, pillowcases, etc...

Things my GreatGrandmother, My Grandmother's, my Mother, had made.....some items my Great, Great Aunt Rosa from Louisiana Mo. made before she died.

She had donated them to be sold at the church Bazaar at her Baptist church and my Great Aunt on my other side went to the same church. Once she saw the few things "Aunt Rosa" had made there, she "snatched" them up at the and sent themm to me with a typewritten note that said....."She does great work to be almost 90 years old."
That was when I was first married.

Things like that are PRICELESS to me now.

But most of those things I own don't have "Tea pots or Tea Cups" of any sort on them......

However I do have this one special thing.

My Step Mother who lives in Illinois, had her friend "Judy" who does beautiful "Needlepoint" work.....make me this cute piece of needlepoint last year for Christmas.

Once Judy was finished, they traveled across the river to my hometown of Hannibal Missouri, where there is this wonderful quilt/craft store called the "Hickory Stick".

They do custom framing as well and she had it framed to size.

The really neat thing about this Needlepoint piece is that it has "Tea Charms" added to it in between the letters.....there are 7 of them.

Two different Teapots, a Clock, a Spoon, a Teabag, a Teacup and Saucer, and a Sugar bowl.

I was THRILLED when I opened it for Christmas. It is SO cute and unique and it is now another "special handmade memory."

I have it in my office where it serves as a constant reminder to me that it is always......
"TEA TIME!"

Saturday Surprise!

(sorry the camera did weird things to my shirt)


I was sitting at my computer this morning having a bit of a good breakfast...
WHOOPS....I meant this...and writing an e-mail to Julie at "Celtic Lady" when my front doorbell rang.

I could see the mailman's truck outside on the street so I knew it had to be a package...but I was baffled as to what he could be bringing since since I haven't ordered anything online lately.

Once opening the door.....I see it is a package from "K.J."
at "Eye-dyllic." Who is all the way in sunny Southern California.
She's cute isn't she? This is her and her little boy.

She had written me the other day to tell me she was sending me a package but it sure came faster than I expected....it was a "Priority box."
So I peeked into it......CUUUTE!..."pink styrofoam peanuts" and whatever the "precious cargo" is...it's wrapped in brown tissue paper. Cool....I love pink and brown together.

Hummmm.....so I unwrap the "surprise" and "WOW"K.J. has been reading my posts and remembered that I said earlier that...."I love paper napkins" and did she EVER send me some cute ones...and several packages of them.
Okay, so we have a total of SIX packages of various cute paper napkins....a nice cello package of tea tied with a neat black ribbon...a COASTER...

This I am loving this because did you notice earlier what I sit my tea mug on?
A paper napkin.

I do this every day when working at my desk...I always put my teacup and saucer or tea mug on one.... odd habit I know but it catches any "drips." HA!

Now however, I can use this sweet little coaster.
Great ideal K.J.!!!
And last but not least....a package of "sticky notes"....I am into sticky notes too and there is NO way she could have known this!

These are SPECIAL ones too because they say....."This Pad has been Clinicially Proven to prevent senior moments.....not to be taken internally!" HA~HA!

Funnny.......hey wait a minute....K.J. how old do you think I am?? I mean I am only..ummm..ummm..never mind I forgot how old I am...HA! Not really I'm just joking I'm 29 as usual. HA!

My friend always says that. She wrote this in a book she gave me one year for my birthday....."Happy Birthday to Joyce on her 29th birthday!"

Boy did it ever feel like my birthday today...

Isn't it GRAND to get a package in the mail for no apparent reason other than someone very sweet, and KIND, is thinking of you and takes the
"time, effort and expense" just to
BLESS YOU??


Thank you K.J...your awesome!

This was me.......

"Hope ever tells us tomorrow will be better."
- Tibullus-

This was me yesterday....very weak, in severe pain, achy all over....and swollen ~UGH~
Regardless of the fact that even after "upping" all that I could med wise...
I still wasn't much better all the way until late evening.

I laid in bed most of the day and read "Jane Eyre" which helped me progress through it nicely. I usually just read a bit of whatever book I am in at the moment each night.

The humidity was (and still is) WAY up and the weather was gloomy and bad for the most part of the day. Which probably was why I was the way I was......today is a bit better for me but the humidity is still very high.

When I finally got out of bed today I had a phone call on my answering machine from a lady calling from a "research" group asking to talk to me.
I apparently have been "referred" by my R.A. Specialist to "participate in a group study on Biological drugs for
Rheumatoid Arthritis."
I haven't called them back yet because I need to think and pray on this one a bit.

Yet on these types of days I want to scream......"yes, give me whatever you got."
I really just want to be healed and finally "fixed" of this you know? And get my normal life back.

I haven't said much about it all lately because I feel so fortunate really......
Because I am not always like this and so many other people have such worse battles than I do.

In some ways though I feel I need to use my voice to helpraise awareness to this thing because so many others, including children suffer with it....yet in other ways....
I don't want it to have any "glory."
Not in my life at least.

I was at a dinner the other night with some ladies and two of them just happen to do volunter work with a "R.A. summer camp for children" here in our local area.

They were telling me of several very sad cases of children with this debilitating disease. They spoke of a TWO year old that has just been diagnosed. I was so sad to hear that.
I mean it's one thing to be an adult and it's another to be a small child that can't even communicate. That grieves my heart because I have and do feel the pain involved I wouldn't want a child to have to deal with it.

Health woes are not fun. But I haven't given up hope.
Winston Churchill:
"The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity.
The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."

I'm believing for the best.......not just for me.
But also for all of you and yours...... no matter WHAT your battle may be.

Don't give up hoping.

"Decor~a~ TEA"........March 30 ~ April 5

I'm going to continue along with the ladies who are in uniting along with
Ms. "La Tea Dah" and her "Gracious Hospitality" "Blog a Thon" this week.

This weeks assignment is basically to exhibit and show examples of how one might use "Tea related items in your decor."
I will be showing just a few examples of mine.

Starting off in my office.....
I usually keep this Tea set up on a shelf for display but thought I would bring it down to show you. It was called a "Museum reproduction" that I bought a few years ago. I not sure what if was "reproduced" after but I liked it. On the tops of the lids....for handles are roses with stems. Cute.

This is a special "Tea Shelf" I designed and had my husband build for me several years back. I then stained it and painted it.
It's just the perfect size for holding Teapots and Teacups and other odd Tea related items.

It's not really deep nor wide so it fits into our hallway very nicely.
A few years ago I saw this old copper Teapot at a flea market for a little bit of nothing so I bought it and wondered...."What can I do with this??" My sister suggested that I have a floral arrangement put into it. So I did. I took it to the florist and picked out what I wanted and they went to work and I've had it on top of my little Tea Shelf ever since.

I was given this Tea Cup Picture years ago by friends when we were moving out of town and it has been a very precious memory to me.

Sadly though I hadn't been displaying for several years now because the matting was in a "mauve" and that color as well as "pinks" and "country blues" have been "OUT" decor wise down here for several years now.
So I had stuffed it somewhere and just came across it again a few weeks ago.

I recently took to be "re-matted" in something a bit updated and I just got it back the other day and I love the new look of it. It's still beautiful and fits in color wise once more.
The saying under the Tea Cup is this........
"Times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord" Acts 3:19
I believe that to be true. So it is a beautiful reminder.

I'm glad to have that special Tea Cup picture back on display.
I had another one re-matted at the same time but we will save some of the other things I have for another days chat because I didn't even go into my bedroom which is FULL of Tea Decor things......I LOVE this stuff.
Can you tell?

Thanks for coming to visit!
Leave a comment and I will come to see you as well.
Cheers!