Many Blessings

Omg, I can not believe I have not been on here for soooo long... PIT-TEE-FULLL! Anyway, Hello Yall!

In honor of the most laid back of all holidays, I wanna list some of the things I'm thankful for...

1. My new office! Love being in here! Facebooking, etc. w/ the lil tv on (watching local stuff, even) my GROOOVY green chair (thanks MawMaw), my funky lamp, Elvis (the Beta) twirling around in his toooo small bowl and my BFF's (Colby and Benny) snoring on the floor. It's quickly become my fave place in the house to be!

2. The new windows that Mr. Peyton put in the bathroom and the kitchen! Wow! It's unbelievable the difference a window can make! They are "double hung", what, what! Actually, that means that you can lean them towards you to clean. I didn't know that's what that meant--that's why I'm saying. I certainly am sure you know that! I've never been privy to such high falootin stuff! All the windows here and at the old home place were the oldies, w/ storm windows, from like the 50's! Now my kitchen windows won't look like the sink faucet has a continuous spraying problem!

3. That I have a hubster that can put in new windows and do all kinds of home improvements! He also just cut a hole (if you will) in the living room floor and put a beautiful cast iron grate over it so that the heat from the wood-stove can more evenly disperse upstairs! There's a lot to be said for a Jack of All Trades! xoxo

4. Discovering the tv series on AMC, Mad Men!

5. Having the BEST friend, who pushed me to get on the ball to discover that phenomenal show.

6. Evy having a WHOLE week of doing good on school-work and behavior! He's doing good this week too! Yay! (Wonder if it was the sign I got to put up for him this holiday season that says: "Dear Santa, I can explain..."

7. Ean knowing how to drive and maneuver the tractor so well! I'm quite impressed! He went out the other night in the pouring rain and filled up the bucket w/ wood and did great!

8. Joseph Jackson Birckhead, Jr has not smoked a cigarette since October 4th! HOLLA! Even though there's a rodent in his house that's steadily smoking, inside the house even... ugh!

9. A Good Life!

God is Love--Peace Out

Ahhh!

This was taken at my friend's house in 2006. She raked all the leaves up and Evy, Dylan and Kennedy all jumped and played in them and had a blast! Fall days are the best!

This evening the boys, Mr. Peyton and Mom and Cary and I sat in their side yard with a small crackling fire burning in their little fire pit. The dogs ran around and Atticus jumped up at the sparks, desperately trying to catch them in his mouth. The smell of the fire and the coolness of the evening so put me in a Fall Mood! I so enjoy Fall! Both of the boys birthdays are in the Fall, so we have a lot of celebrating going on starting in September and not ending until around Super Bowl Sunday. It's probably my favorite time of the year, even though Summer is my favorite season... Doesn't make much sense, I know.

So, come on Autumn. I'm calling out to your crispness! I'm ready!

God is Love--Peace Out

A Lion Sleeps...

With much awe, I watched his family put Ted Kennedy to rest yesterday.

I have always been so enthralled with the Kennedy's. I wish I was a Kennedy... Nah, not really, but I would like to have been maybe their neighbor, especially in the true Camelot days. I'm not a democrat and I don't agree with even a smidgen of what those Kennedy men did, still the Kennedy mystique is all encompassing to me! I just can't get enough!

Rest in peace, Senator Kennedy. I wonder who's hand he took into the afterlife? Jack? Bobby? John-John? Joe? Whoever, I'm sure they are all having a wonderful reunion.

God is Love--Peace Out

dogs, dogs and MORE dogs...

As I was uploading the pictures of Colby, I saw this one of Atticus that Ean took! I just had to do a post of this one all by itself!

This is the look we get from ole Atti all the time... That sad, woe is me look! I tend to refer to him as "Sad Sack" cuz those eyes get me everytime! Ean was laying on his bed, which Atti thinks is HIS bed and Ean wouldn't let him up. This is what you get... No wonder Atticus gets his way all the time, huh????

Ahh, I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this dog!!!!!!!!

God is Love--Peace Out

Silly Puppy

LOL! This is Colby's new thing... He jumps up on the chair to the patio table... Then he hops onto the table itself... Then he either sits there or sprawls out... Too hilarious!!!!!!!!!! Well, it's all fun and games till he does it IN THE HOUSE... yikes!

God is Love--Peace Out

The 2nd Grade!

The lil man is now a BIG 2ND GRADER!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think his favorite part about the first day of school... The new duds!

Style on Evy! You Rock!!!!!!!!!!!!

a letter to LCHS

Dear LCHS,

I am writing to you to inform you that my son, Ean Cole Peyton, is now one of your students. I know, another ordinary day for you. As Ean's mother, it is a bittersweet accomplishment. I trust that he'll be fine in your care for the next 4 years, however I'd like to make you abreast of a few things. Please humor me. Thank you.

Ean is my oldest son, my firstborn. He was an only child for almost 7 years. He is extremely smart and extremely sensitive. He's a perfectionist, and a pleaser. He's an old soul who expects great things out of himself and out of those he loves. Ean will be the first to speak highly of someone and the first one I suggest you call on if someone needs a friend. He always pulls for those less fortunate than himself. He has already invited someone eating lunch by herself to sit at "his table". He's the one that I suspect will be voted "BEST ALL AROUND" during his Senior year.

I tell you all of this, in hopes that you will look out for him. I trust that he'll pretty much do the right thing the next 4 years. I trust that he'll try his hardest. I'm certain, as well, that he'll make mistakes and stumble along his path to adulthood. With those stumbles, he'll beat himself up. I will always do my best to reassure him that it's ok to fall sometimes and I'll help him to dust himself off and try again. Ean is what I've always called "too good for his own good" and I feel that I have to look out for him, a little more than most. I guess I'm just asking that you do the same. I know that's highly unlikely, as you have so many students to look out for, and that's ok. I just thought I'd ask...

Respectfully yours,

Angie Peyton****

Answered Prayers

My Dad is doing so much better! When I spoke with him on the phone Sunday he was 99.5% back to himself! He's working some and driving some. He mowed his own grass over the weekend! I'm so happy and so relieved!

This is another chance for me to praise the Good Lord! Dad was very lucky. Dad is a pretty strong man. But, the Good Lord is the ultimate healer!

God is Love--Peace out!

it's just a Family Tradition...

Monster Trucks! Holla! Redneck Hill! Holla! Yep, that's it... I'm sure you were expecting something a lot more sentimental. Maybe you were even expecting a Reunion in the mountains with everyone bringing lovely home-cooked dishes to share with all the loved ones. You might have even thought I was going to blog about a relaxing week long vaca to the beach. Nope... not the Peyton's! Our family tradition is to go to ExpoLand in Fishersville to see the Monster Truck Show!!!!!!! whoop whoop!

God is Love--Peace Out

ROSALIE

SHE'S HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

...longest 2 months of my life!!!!!!!!!!

I love my Chicken!

God is Love--Peace Out

Gotta Lotta Catchin Up To Do...

Wow, it's been tooooo long! So sorry! I have just been super busy and super stressed and let's face it... Super Lazy... ugh! Anyway, I'm gonna try to keep up better! I just love blogging! I love reading everyone's blogs! And it's very therapeutic for me, so I SHOULD do this more!

Ok, First blog today is gonna be about our fabulouso camping trip to The Wilderness Presidential Resort in Spotsy. Mom, the boys and myself packed up the Tundra and headed out for the big adventure! Boy, I really had no idea how much junk you gotta have to survive a few days in a camper trailer... I'm sure we didn't need all the crap we took, but you know--it's better to be safe than sorry...

We went to all the fun pools at the resort and had a lot of fun splashing around and playing in them! I really enjoyed the water jets and mushrooms in 1 pool in particular, as did the boys! It was really nice too, because I spent time in the pool with them. At our pool, I usually socialize with my friends and lay out while the boys swim, so it was quality time with them, which sometimes I don't think I get near enough of. But, do we ever????

The boys had fun riding their bikes. I felt very comfortable allowing them to cruise around the campground area that we were at while Mom and I hung out by the firepit and chatted. I'm pretty certain Evy put about 300 miles on his bike during that trip!

We played mini-golf and I tore it up! HOLLA! lol I even got a hole in one! We took the paddle boats out too. Ean and I paddled...ugh... You find out real quick how outta shape you are when you are peddling a boat around w/ 3 other people in it with you! We tried to beat the heat by going out early one morning to do it, but by 10:00am it felt like it was already 100 degrees! But it was still so much fun! We had a flock of ducks following us and a Momma and Pappa swan and their baby! I still say the guy that rented us the boat had the hots for Mom! lol

Our camper was pretty nice. VERY SMALL, but nice nonetheless! We ate grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches every nite and the boys played X-Box. We did watch a few movies and many episodes of A Family Affair! We had to take super quick showers--as the hot water heater only heated 6 gallons of water at a time!

We had the whole bottom to ourselves except for a sweet woman and her 2 nieces. Evy made friends with the girls and they hung out some. Cerissa and I had fun chatting it up at night and are now friends on Facebook!

I was so proud of Mom! She hung with us like a CHAMP! It's so great to have this close and fun relationship with her now.

Anyho--we are totally looking forward to camping again soon!

God is Love--Peace Out

a little preview...

Camping is fun! Especially when you're NOT in your backyard! Especially when you take Gramma! Espcially, when you're NOT in a tent!

We're Home!

Welcome home! We had a great mini-vaca w/ Gramma at the Wilderness Presidential Resort! Story and pix to come soon!
Happy Wednesday to your home, from ours!

God is Love-Peace Out!

Back to the Same-Ole Grind! yay

With all the drama from the last few days or has it been over a week now, I don't even know anymore, I am fighting the dark passenger, big time! But he will not prevail! I will! holla!



Today, we're pretty much back to normalcy here. Mr. Peyton went back to work after his week off. I felt bad for him, cuz I knew he hated that totally, but I was kinda grateful for it too. I love having him here, don't get me wrong. I was especially happy for him to have a week off and be able to do with his free time whatever he wanted, as that NEVER happens! (we aren't doing a beach vaca, thanks to the Goddess) But, I was ready to get back on track. So, the boys and I slept in a little this am and then I was able to get up and clean the house without too many interruptions. When I was here last week, Mr. P wanted me to sit outside and chat and so forth, so I was totally off any sort of schedule. I'm totally a schedule kinda gal. I've got to stick to something remotely close to one, because I think I may have some sorta adult ADD. I will hop from one thing to the other like a freak and never accomplish anything!



The Schewel's repair man came today to fix the broken recliner on the sectional in the family room. This makes it time #2. The correct parts weren't ordered to fix it, so they couldn't... Imagine that! ugh! At least the nasty little gnome that usually comes wasn't with them! (I told the 2 guys NOT to bring him w/ them when they come next time too) I hope the 3rd time will be the charm...



The boys had dentist appts this afternoon. Great reports were given by Dr. Stone! All of us were soooo pleased! We left there, in the pouring rain, hit the Harry Teet to pick up our groceries and headed home.



Nothing world shattering today--that was a FABULOUS thing!



God is Love--Peace Out

--this was taken at the bay while we were on our mini-vaca w/ Kimmy! I'll be bloggin about that soon!

Happy Birthday on the Table

39 and holding! Big time!

Hmmmm---

39 random feelings/happenings/thoughts

1. I got the coolest freakin Montana Silversmith watch from my 3 delicious boys for my birthday! I love it so much--mentioned that I liked it at TS the other day and boom--it magically appeared for my special day! HOLLA

2. Ean, my aspiring chef fixed me the yummiest cake yesterday! It was a white cake with brownie on top w/ cream cheese icing! TO DIE FOR! I must say! Oh yeah, Evy helped!

3. Mom and Cary had us over for a fabuloooosoooo dinner! Her mac salad is the bomb--especially when the veggies in it are fresh from Cary's garden!

4. Instead of a cake, Mom fixed one of my faves--a PUNKIN PIE! Mr. Peyton doesn't like them, so I only get it when Mom fixes it for me! yummmm-ooooo

5. MawMaw called at 8:32am to wish me a happy bday. Needless to say, she left a message!

6. Kimmy came last nite to celebrate 39 years. She brought a squash casserole that was "off the chain" as she says. It had cream cheese and lemon zest in it! OMG!

7. Kimmy gave me a groovy photo collage she bought at the Farmers Market of Gordonsville! I love, love, love it! Now, where to put it????

8. The 1st thing Mr. Peyton said when he got up this morning was HAPPY BIRTHDAY, that's nothing new, but it's still so titillating to hear that after all these years!

9. Still half asleep, crawling into my bed this morning, Evy said Happy Birthday Mommy! ahhh

10. Mr. Peyton's card to me said: An Angel came to me one day --then you open it-- So I married her. I cried...

11. Dee called from Myrtle Beach to wish me a happy bday--today's her day too!

12. I called Dad around 1:00pm to check on him. He didn't remember it was my birthday. It hurt my heart.

13. Karen called and wished me a happy bday.

14. I haven't been to the mailbox--wonder if I have any cards????

14. I finished a quick-read, fun thriller today! I love when I finish a book and like it!

15. Brooke called to say happy bday, even though I forgot hers! I love her!

16. Dad remembered my birthday.

17. I was hoping that the RS would bring Dad to see me on my birthday, but she didn't.

18. Oh, the RS (rodent squirrel) didn't say anything about my birthday. ugh...

19. JoAnne left a message on my cell (why?) to wish me a happy birthday.

20. My great-aunt Ginny called to wish me a "happy birthday on the table"! Ahh, LOVE IT! When I was itty, I guess maybe my 2nd b'day, when everybody came to celebrate, I was so excited because I was having a happy birthday on the table! --it was my cake! lol I love that even though Ginny is my great-aunt and she has an ailing husband, she called me today! Love her!

21. I started getting happy birthday wishes last night!

22. So very many of my wonderful and faithful Facebook buddies sent sweet wishes to me today!

23. Ro Chicken called and made me laugh today! She can always do that! She'll be home in 2 weeks and I can't wait!

24. Ro and I planned a Grey Gardens Emmy party--complete w/ pate', corn and my stuffed raccoon! HOLLA! fun, fun, fun! lol

25. Debbie helped to bring me out of my funk last nite! Her and Barry have a way of doing that!

26. I called to check on Dad this evening. Found out he was thinking his "bar buddies" were coming down to see him tonite. They didn't show. Guess that's why Squirrel didn't bother to bring him here.

27. I was sort-of hoping that Joy would send me an email or something about my birthday. I was sort-of certain that wouldn't happen. Still kinda wished.

28. Walking back into the house, after having dinner at Mom's, my house smelled scrumptious! Nothing makes me happier than my house smelling good!

29. Ean and I had a short, but kinda deep conversation about friends today. I'm amazed at how clearly he sees things for as young as he is.

30. My dear husband gave me a foot massage, complete with scented lotion this afternoon. Talk about B-L-I-S-S!

31. I am so very blessed.

32. Thank you Lord, for 39 wonderful years!

33. Thank you Lord, for Mr. Peyton. He is truly my soul-mate and best friend. I don't know what I did to deserve such a wonderful man, but please know that I DO NOT take it/him for granted!

34. Thank you Lord, for Ean Cole. He is such a dream child! Please protect him, Lord, from the harshness of this world. He's a gentle soul and I think may need a little extra protection.

35. Thank you Lord, for Evan Caine. He has brought so much joy to our lives. Please protect his wild spirit. It's one of his most endearing qualities!

36. Please Lord, if it's your will, let me have about 39 more years! I promise to make the most of them!

37. I can't believe I'm almost 40! oh my...

38. I'm blogging tonite--man talk about cheap and good therapy! love it!

39. God is Love--Peace Out

Rodent Wednesday

Wednesday and Thursday were very funky days for me... My dark passenger was riding with me both days... A friend of mine blogged about her dark passenger and so I'm stealing her phrase, I hope she doesn't mind!

Actually, I was fine until I got a call from my Aunt JoAnne. As you know, I love this woman so very much and have been so close to her for soon long. Needless to say, if something's off with our relationship, it really bums me out. Anyho, she called me to "tell me some things before I went down to my Dad's". Ok, no biggie--or so I thought. A prelude to this story is that we (we meaning myself, Mr. Peyton, Ean, JoAnne, John David and Barry) were extremely upset that while Dad was stroking out, his live in girlfriend of more than 15 years left and went to pet-sit for her daughter in Richmond. Squirrel, as Dad so sickeningly refers to her as, is a very odd duck...opps, and odd rodent? Isn't that what a squirrel is? None of us have been overly fond of the infamous Squirrel. She's not a mean-spirited person (I don't think) but she's definitely weird! I think the icing on the squirrel feeder came when she moved out, bought a house in Richmond, lived there until my Dad almost finished building his house, then sold the place in Richmond and moved back in with him, professing her undying love for him... I've never trusted her again and quite frankly, seen her true colors. My Aunt and Uncles and I have had many conversations about this rodent, and are all on the same page about her, but have bitten our tongues. Actually, Dad and I have talked about my distrust of her, but he says (and I quote) "I'm staying true to my Squirrel"... BARF! Ok, prelude over, JoAnne proceeds to lecture, if you will, me on it not being the right time to say something to Squirrel about not being there for my Dad. It was a blow, I must say, but not earth shattering. I told JoAnne not to worry, mum was the word, while I couldn't help but think what does JoAnne think? Does she think I'm going to go down there and cause a huge scene? Especially as sick as Dad is? I've kept too quiet for 15 years, where is this coming from? So, we continue to chat, she called me from work mind you. Jody (short for JoAnne, duh) has only called me from work like 4 times in my whole life! Three of those times have been death situations... This dawned on me too...
"Gale (the Squirrel's proper name) doesn't know where you stand, she is worried because she knows the tension between yall, she doesn't want to step on your toes, but rightfully so, she's really worried about Jack's finances and stuff" Jody sheepishly begins. "You know, she can't do any of the paper work, because you are the next of kin and with them not getting married she has no legal rights. Angie, I know you're really put out with her for not coming back while your Dad was in the hospital and all, and I am too, but I do think she's worried about your Dad and I do think she's worried about you. I told her that yall should sit down and have a heart to heart talk" Jody added, a little too fast for my liking. "Well Jody, I don't understand, really, what you're getting at" I say, feeling an odd sinking in my stomach. JoAnne is our peacemaker, if you will. JoAnne is now the mother hen of our clan. JoAnne also tells each of us what she wants us to hear...until she's mad, I will add. All that being said, I've always thought Jody and I had no secrets. I thought she told me everything, good or bad, whether I wanted to hear it or not. Suddenly, I was feeling like maybe I didn't really know how she truly felt about things--mainly, me.
"Well, Gale's worried, basically, that you hold everything in your hands".
"Has she said that, what in the world, all I'm worried about right now is my Dad and she's already let him go without his meds for 1 nite and her and I both need to be concerned with his health. This other stuff is going to have to wait" I say, with a trembling voice.
"That's just it, it can't wait Angie. You know Gale can't take care of the things that need to be done, hell your Dad does her checkbook for her, YOU'RE going to have to do all this stuff Angie. Gale says she'll get a job in September to help bring in some money, but until then YOU'LL have to get him signed up for disability, etc."... JoAnne goes on.
I listen to my aunt ramble on about all the stuff I need to do and take care of. Of course, I've thought about these things, but again, Dad's health is at the top of my list of priorities right now. Furthermore, when did Jody become this advocate for the Squirrel? Jody ended the ramble on a note to the sound of "I really feel sorry for Gale right now, I just think yall really need to talk".

Poor Mr. Peyton was the first sounding board. To my surprise, he was more upset than I was!

About an hour and 1/2 later, I get to the farm to check on Dad. The squirrel greets me with a hug (sickening sweet) and Dad is this hollow stranger that I've been introduced to since Saturday. Squirrel quickly tells me under her breath that she's got some stuff to talk to me about. I bet you do. I begin to follow up with some drs that Dad talked to and made 2 appts for him. I bring up the financial aid papers that I filled out for him for the hospital bills and that kinda opens up Pandora's Box. "While we're on this subject, I want to tell you what I want" the hollow stranger that's shuffling around in my Dad's body slowly says. "You know Gale's behind the 8 ball, because we never got married and I need to look out for her". (ugh, behind the 8 ball, he totally regurgitated that from the rodent squirrel and never got married--duh!)
"Well Dad, I just assumed when Gale moved back after you built your house, she had life time rights" I got a little dig in.
"Yeah, that's what I want"
"Well, of course... I just can't believe you or anybody else would think I'd think or do anything different" I croak. Tears were stinging the back of my throat, hopefully it didn't show in my eyes. Although as out of it as Dad is, he wouldn't have noticed anyway. The rodent doesn't know me well enough to know if I was ready to burst into tears or not.
"Well, you're my contact and person, so I want you to know this and make sure she's taken care of"
"Of course Dad"
The conversation turns to other things, calls that need to be made, etc., all by me of course and I amble through. The entire time, I'm glaring at the rodent, wondering what all she's saying to my Dad. Where is all this coming from? I mean, of course he loves her and wants to make sure she's not thrown out on her butt (yeah, he said that too), but what are they saying? Have I ever given them a reason to think I'd do such a cruel thing? Yesterday I couldn't say NO, I HAVEN'T GIVEN THEM A REASON TO THINK THAT, today (Friday) I can! I can't believe my Dad didn't even say, I know you wouldn't Hoot Owl, I'm just voicing my wishes. I felt crushed.

Later on in the visit, Squirrel told me something that I didn't know. Something that made JoAnne's call kinda make sense. Squirrel Rodent told me that her, Dad and JoAnne talked "way before your Dad got sick" about if anything happened to him, what would Squirrel do. She has since talked to JoAnne (and Dad) and the plan is that if my Dad happens to die before a car hits the squirrel, JoAnne and the Squirrel will become roomies, at the farm and split the costs 50/50. "It's a win-win" the Squirrel grins, like rodent in a trash can full of yesterday's leftover meatloaf. Hmmm....

So, now I feel like Jody's call was as much for HER benefit as it was Rodent's. If I were to upset RS (rodent squirrel), then her marvy situation of getting away from her deadbeat boyfriend (of like 100 years) would be screwed. Hmmmm... funny, I have NEVER heard about this plan. Don't get me wrong, it's great if my aunt were to move into my Dad's house after he passed away (God forbid), but why have I been left "behind the 8 ball" about all this? Especially since JoAnne is so concerned w/ me being the one in charge of everything. See where I'm going with this?

My dark passenger rode back to Southern Comfort with me, jabbering away the whole time. Damn him... He was with me the rest of the day and all night and all day Thursday. I could do nothing but flounder around the house in a haze. He was there, distracting me from everything. I hate that Dark Passenger! I really do. But you know, I can't blame it all on him.

God is Love--Peace Out

luck...

Today, sitting on my Dad's front porch I bit my tongue. While doing so, I had an epiphany. I am a very lucky gal!

I've never been the person to win a door prize. Never won at games and such--closest I'll ever come is 2nd. Dumb, freaky things happen to me constantly! I've always said that my life is like a daggone episode of Senfield! Seriously--it's uncanny how off the wall crap happens to me!

So, while we were talking about my Dad NOT winning the lottery ($1000.00 a week for life--and boy do I wish he would have won especially after what he's been thru) I almost said what I always say "With my luck, you can forget it"...

As soon as the thought came into my mind, I got a mini-slide show of the past few days as well. I saw the prayers answered that Evy was safe and ok at VA Beach and I saw (literally) my prayers answered that my Dad would be ok. I smiled, I'm sure a big ole cheesy smile when I realized this evening, for the 1st time in my life, just how dang LUCKY I am! My Lord has answered so very many of my prayers, a lot of which were desperate prayers (ie--the 2 above) and what does that make me? Blessed...Lucky--for sure!!!!!!!!!!

I will never, ever again say that if it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all. Never! I promise!

My father suffered a pretty bad stroke. I've been with him for days and I'm too tired to fill you in on all of it right now, but I will. For right now, I just wanna wallow in my luckiness!

God is Love--Peace Out

Butterflies!

Butterflies have always been fascinating to me. I love em! I love their quiet beauty. I love that they always put a smile on my face and mostly everyone who sees them smile too. I love that they are free and fleeting. I also love that the butterfly is a representation of our Lord's love! So, when my cousin Tonya (who I refer to as Tilly) started going to a butterfly farm in Harrisonburg, I was all over it! She's invited me a couple of years to come with her and this year was the first that we got to go. It will definitely be on the agenda for many more years to come! The nursery/greenhouse they are housed in is beautiful enough, but then to see hundreds of colorful, graceful butterflies too, ahhh--bliss! As usual, Evan was the butterfly master--they LOVED him! (We dipped our fingers into sugar water so they'd land on us) Evan seemed to have a way (guess cuz he's so sweet) with the lovely creatures and he had them all over him! Ean even had one land on his butt! We all had a good laugh about that one! It was a great time! Shoot, everytime I'm with Tilly and her babies, it's a good time! The butterflies just made it over the top! Foohh Sho!

God is Love--Peace Out

VA Beach

Ahhhhhh! The beach! My heart and soul is never as free as it is when I'm smelling the sweet, salty air, with my feet in the sand at any beach! This year, even though it was only for a day and 1/2, my heart and soul were free! Well, except that is, just before it just about stopped... my heart that is...

Kim (my sister, who's not really my sister--not even kin to me actually--ok, her Mom and my Dad were married for about 11 years, Kim and I met when she was 6 and I was 9 and we grew up together, so instead of going into the whole spiel, we just keep it as we're sisters) and I made plans a few weeks ago to take the boys to Va Beach. Kim lived there for a while, so she's obviously very familiar with it, as of course, I'm not (we always vacation in Nags Head, NC). Ean and I went to see her when she lived there a long time ago and I went with a friend, again, a long time ago. Since we aren't going on a family vaca, so to say, the boys and I wanted/needed to get to the beach. Long story short--we went! lol

I actually drove to the beach! HUGE deal there, as I don't drive anywhere other than my usual haunts! I was kinda proud of myself, actually! Did pretty good! HOLLA! We went straight to the boardwalk and hit the sand! It was awesome! Even though the weather was kinda overcast, it was wonderful! The boys played and had a blast! Kim and I chilled out in our chairs, taking it all in

We checked into our room and then we hit the pool! After that, we walked to the bay and the boys had a blast finding all the treasures that were washing up onto the beach from the bay waters! It was very lovely there, it was getting late in the afternoon and the sun was giving everything an orange glow! I was in a trance! Man, the waters do my soul sooooo good!

For dinner Monday nite we went to a great pizza joint called Doughboys! Delish! And the waiter being a lil hottie, made our meal even MORE enjoyable! lol

The next day we checked out of our room and hit the beach (oceanside) again! The weather was super sunny and HOT! The boys fled to the water--Ean bobbing in the waves and Evy boogie boarding and making friends! The water was taking Evy, especially, down shore, so we kept telling him to come up to us, be mindful of where we were, etc. Our parking meter was quickly running out of time, so Ean came up with us to dry off. I decided to give Evy 5 more minutes of boogie boarding fun with his new buddy, Zachary. Ean was talking to me, I took my eyes off of Evan for 20 seconds (at the most). When I looked back to where he was, he was NOT THERE ANYMORE. The beach was very crowded, so I didn't panic right away. I got up, walked to where Zachary was and asked him where Evy was. Zachary didn't know. I began to call for Evan--no answer. I began to pace up and down the beach, scanning every child. I scanned the water for him, for his boogie board. No Evan. Ean had gotten up and come to the edge of the water, I looked up at him and he motioned for me to come to him. "Have you found him?" I asked, Ean shook his head no. I then flew into PANIC MODE. I screamed to him to start searching and I ran thru the crowds of people to the lifeguard station. "I can't find my little boy, he's 7" I croaked. The young, pretty lifeguard went into action immediately! She asked me his name, etc. I answered her questions and ran back to the water, screaming his name and praying to Jesus to let my baby be alright. All I could think was that he was drowning out in the water. OMG--that was the worst feeling of my life, EVER!!!!!!!!!!! There were people, caring and concerned parents (I'm sure) coming up to me, saying things. I don't recall what they were saying, asking his name I guess, I don't know if I even answered those sweet folks. All I could do was run up and down the beach, SCREAMING his name and searching frantically. Then the cute little lifeguard came down to me. "Ma'am, I need you to go stand by my station, because IF we find him, I need to know where to find you". That's when it hit me. When she said IF, I almost went to my knees. I almost vomited. But I didn't go back to the lifeguard station. I couldn't. How could I go stand somewhere and wait for someone else to find my baby. I don't really remember those few seconds/minutes. The next thing I remember is the lifeguard coming back telling me that they found him--he was 2 lifeguard stations up, he had found a man and told him that he couldn't find his Mom and that WONDERFUL man took him straight to another lifeguard. I thanked Jesus, then thanked the lifeguard and began to run to the station that housed my son! A middle-aged Hispanic woman grabbed my arm (this one I DO remember) and asked me my child's name. "His name is Evan, but they found him and he's ok" I yelled to her as I ran. I saw her put her hand to her heart and mouth "Thank God" as I kicked up sand all the way to Evan. When I saw him, I thanked God again. I didn't know if I wanted to hug him or spank him... I hugged him. Then I asked him why he was there! He said the water took him down, and when get got out, it was so crowded that he couldn't see/find us! I told him again, that's why we were telling him to stay close as he could. I was shaking, happy, sick, thankful and mad. I wouldn't let him take his hand out of mine. Needless to say, we packed up for the day.

As we were washing the sand off of our feet, I'm still holding his hand mind you, Evan tells me that he's embarrassed... I guess his mother running around like a lunatic looking for her child that she thought was either drowning or kidnapped just wasn't very cool for him...

God is Love--Peace Out

Picture of the Week

Yeah, Yeah, I know I'm a little behind on this one, but it's been mad crazy around here! This is for last week and I'll do another for this week! I'm sorry!

This is little Evy, on top of Allen's truck on the 4th of July (by the way, HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY AMERICA). We have a little cheesy tradition for the country's birthday. We always go to Taco Bell on Pantops Mountain, take our super delicious tacos, burritos and/or nachos up to State Farm Blvd. and set up our chairs to watch the McIntire fireworks show. It's not a grand party, but it's something we've always done and always really enjoyed and looked forward to! Mom has gone with us the last 2 years and she loves it as well!

This year was exceptionally nice, because the weather was kinda cool and the night was lovely. The fireworks display was better than last year, which was bittersweet because rumor has it that this will be the last year for the McIntire show. Unbelievable...that show has been happening for the folks of Charlottesville and the surrounding areas for as long as I can remember. It's a shame, especially since Mr. Thomas Jefferson, was born here and resided here. My gosh, Charlottesville's claim to fame pretty much IS TJ... ugh... Anyho, Imma keep my fingers crossed that Charlottesville will remember it's roots and continue to show it's country a fabulous light display next year and many more years to come!

God is Love--Peace Out

quote, unquote...

I have always been intrigued by Jim Morrison of The Doors. The Lizard King... I read a book about him when I was in college and ever since, I have felt a kinship, if you will, to him. I think he was a truly talented man, in many forms of art. I also think it was a very troubled man.

Anyway, I was surfing around a little last nite on the net and for some reason was lead to google him. I read a few things, then found this quote of his:

I see myself as an intelligent, sensitive human being, with a soul of a clown with forces me to blow it at any moment.

I was stunned. I know my mouth was gaped open. My heart kinda hurt. I almost cried. It was as though I was regurgitating my own words. Uncanny... freaky, even.

I've never been the smartest student or whatever, but I've always felt somewhat intelligent. Maybe even felt more intelligent than the majority of my family and friends. I certainly don't mean to say that in a boastful manner, because it's not in a book sense way of intelligence, it's in a ways of the world intelligence. Trust me, I would rather be book smart--unfortunately the hard knocks of life have made me intelligent, way beyond my years. Sometimes I feel that I don't really have an outlet for the things I'd like to talk about, discuss, debate. Maybe I'm not intelligent at all, maybe just weird... Wonder if Jim thought that too...

I am sensitive. I have no doubts at all about that.

Soul of a clown, wow! That's the part that I think got me the most! The most intimate of friends and family know that I call myself the Sad Clown. That's the actual tattoo that I wanted, but Allen made me feel real stupid about it when he said that he didn't get it. I'm always smiling on the outside. On the inside, well, not always smiling. My whole life I've fit this description. Even as a very young child, I learned to smile, act out, laugh, especially when I was crying on the inside. Now that life is pretty much on an even keel, I don't have to fake the smile as much. I don't have to force the laughter. Those come naturally, thanks to my blessings and my Lord. I still cry on the inside sometimes. Sometimes it's worse now, simply because I feel that I don't have those reasons to cry on the inside. Now I understand the chemical imbalances, the anxiety attacks, where before I was terrified of them--terrified I was losing my mind. I still felt though, that I wasn't too far gone, because I could slip into the clown mode when needed. I held onto some hope, because I thought if I was too far gone I wouldn't have been able to.

All the world's a stage, as Mr. Shakespeare said and now I don't mind playing Sad Clown as much. It's me, it's brought me this far.

God is Love--Peace Out

Ok, so every once in a while I'll post on here a great book that I wanna suggest to you. Earlier I said, The Life of Pi. Now I wanna suggest to you, especially if you're a dog lover, The Art of Racing in the Rain. It's by Garth Stein and it is absolutely wonderful! Add this to your summer reading list!

Kittle-Cat

I'm kinda upset tonite. Our kitty, Skittles, is under the weather... Well, I shouldn't say our kitty, he's really Ean's cat. Ean has always been a cat-lover! When he was 3, he wore me down and I caved (after seeing a mouse in our basement) and agreed to let him have a kitty. In a conversation with my cousin Tonya, I mentioned this. Tonya is the one to talk to about getting pets! She's helped me find not only Skittles but:

Kota--Mr. Peyton and my 1st dog together. He was a cinnamon colored pure-bred Chow Chow. He was the cutest puppy we've ever owned! He was definitely a 1 man dog and despite our best efforts to socialize him, he stayed true to the typical Chow personality. He was a sweetheart though and a big chicken! lol--scared to death of thunderstorms! He died less than a week after we had Evan, at 13 years old.

Tucker--MY BABY! My 1st baby! Ahhhh, Tucky D! He was my 1st Peke, and the apple of my eye! Tonya even helped me with his AKC registration, naming him Peyton's Tucker Boy. I will be forever thankful to Tonya for leading me his way, as he greatly enriched and blessed our lives for 13 years. (13 seems to be our UNLUCKY number)

I have to also give Tonya the props for Atticus too... Mr. Peyton and I wanted a Lab for years. Tonya had 2 prior to her Chocolate, Mocha, whom I absolutely fell in love with, thru pictures Tonya shared with me of her as a puppy. This and Dietz (one of my client's black Labs who was the sweetest goofball I'd ever met) pushed me over the edge and we made the plunge for Atti Christmas Eve about 5 years ago. Atticus is truly an amazing, wonderful dog. And the most beautiful chocolate Lab in the whole world! His personality (and eyes) will turn even the biggest animal-hater into a pile of mush! Thankfully, he's still with us, I don't even wanna think about the 13 year mark...

But back to Skittles... Tonya called me a couple of days after our conversation saying to me that she knew a guy that had some Himalayan-mixed kittens, that (quote) "I use for target practice, if the dogs don't get 'em". Yeah, nice huh... I often picture a toothless hillbilly in ratty bib overalls sitting on his porch, spitting Red-Man thru pickets shooting his sawed-off shotgun at defenseless kittens. Now that's a real man... ugh!!!!!!! So, needless to say, Tonya goes and gets all the kittens! I told her to save the cutest for us! One friday nite, after Mr. P gets off from work, with an over the top excited Ean in tow, we head across Afton mountain to Staunton to pick up this kitten.

I'll admit, when I get there, I was kinda disappointed. Tonya had told me that this kitten looked like Gizmo from The Gremlins. She said that he had a lot of Persian and/or Himalayan in him. I didn't see any of it... I know, I know, that's not important, but I was not a cat person at all at this time. I was getting this cat strictly for Ean (uh, and the mouse problem too, I won't lie). The least that could come from my graciousness, could be a pretty kitten. This kitten was skinny and not really cute at all. He did have blue eyes, that were crazed looking, but kinda pretty, but I figured he'd outgrow them. And as if his looks weren't bad enough, he was a SPAZ! Gosh, I don't even know if spaz covers it. Tonya had to run around the porch a few times to finally catch him, then he hissed and spit at her, while she informed us that he'd bitten her quite a few times in the couple of days since she'd rescued him. Nice...I thought. But, Ean was gone--hook, line and sinker! He couldn't have cared less that this mangy little thing was hissing and it's fur was sticking porcupine like all over it's body! All he knew was that this was a kitty, his own pet, that he'd been pining for, for a long time! (Especially to a 3 year old) So, into our mini-van we climb, yowling kitten and all and over the mountain we trek back to Orange.

Immediately, as soon as the drive home that nite, I could tell Skittles wasn't fond of me. Heck, who am I kidding, Skittles pretty much hated me. Still to this day, I'm his absolute least fave here. Anyway, the next day Skittles (who coined his name from Ean's fave candy at the time), hid and scampered all day. He ended up hiding underneath our hutch in the dining room and it took us a couple of hours to find him, then get him out. I must say, I was regretting my push-overness. But, Ean in all his youthful glory, was one proud cat owner! About a week after getting Skittles, we went to the beach for a week. He was alone, in his new home. Something miraculous happened this week--he decided we weren't that bad. Well, I guess Ean, Mr. Peyton and Tucker weren't that bad, he still hated me. We came home to a cat transformed. I was truly expecting to come home to a cat--4 feet up, but he greeted us with meows and rubs. Almost scaring me, I was expecting this demon cat to be fooling us into some sort of surprise death trap, but from our first day back from vacation after having him about 2 weeks, he was King of the House! He tolerated Ean and all his over-loving and began a tremendous keen-ness for Mr. Peyton! He still, to this day loves Daddy! And then came Evan, I remember the day we brought Evan home, Tucker and Skittles peering over into his Moses basket and us chuckling and snapping pics. Skittles, in his typical aloof way, didn't pay much attention to Evan at all, until about the past 2 years. Skittles prefers to sleep with Evy. If Evy's spending the nite at Gramma's, Skittles will meow in the hall, waiting for his bed-buddy. If it's time to go to sleep, and Evy's not already in the bed, Skittles will meow, "It's time, brother", and he's content, once they are both snug in Evy's bed. It's uncanny how he likes Evy, and typical that he still dislikes me! I tell him that I know he doesn't like me, but I like him anyway. I like him because he's turned into this beautiful lion of a cat! He's got long grey hair and he's kept those magnificent blue eyes! I like him because he's a "mean kitty" as I always call him. He's got a personality unlike any pet I've had. He's mean and bossy, making sure all the dogs (even Atti, who out weighs him by at least 110 pounds) know he's the King of this domain. He's funny, loving banana peels and soft dog treats. He's sweet, in still tolerating Ean's "over loving" and his loyal-ness to his master (Ean). I love him because he's made Ean very happy. I love him because he loves us. Yeah, I think he loves me, he may not like me, but he loves me...I think...

Kittle Cat has been sniffing and sneezing for a couple of weeks. He's been shaking his head, as if he's got mites. I got some OTC drops for his (and Atti's) ears and we put those in a couple of nites ago--to HIS dismay, I may LOUDLY add. Well, he's been pretty lethargic for the past 2 days. I didn't think a whole lot of it, until this evening when I noticed I hadn't really seen him all day. Ean found him sleeping outside by the front porch and brought him onto the carport where I was reading. I could almost tell, just by his fur, that he wasn't up to par. Skittles is very particular about his appearance, and has always, always kept himself in pristine condition--well, he was looking a little scruffy. Then when Ean turned him around to face me as I cooed at him, I saw his eye. It looks almost like he's blind out of it. It's swollen underneath. I don't know if he's gotten into a fight with the neighborhood alley cats or if God forbid, he's gotten hit by something. Anyway, I'm worried, as is Ean. I will call the vet, first thing in the morning and hopefully get him in, ASAP!

Please pray that "ole mean kitty" will be ok!

God is Love--Peace Out

Picture of the week

Ok, this should be fun! I've decided to dedicate to my blog, one day a week, as PICTURE OF THE WEEK day... I'm going to pick a picture out of the masses and post it and write a little something about it. Sooooo, here goes

This is Evy in the ER at the Martha Jefferson Hospital. He had swallowed a penny. The saga goes as follows:

Ean started his 1st day of 6th grade at Louisa County Middle School. I was very jittery about this new stage in his life. Not because he was starting middle school, but because of the bus ride he will endure the rest of his school days. He was boarding the school bus at 6:40am that morning and not getting off that un-airconditioned bus until 4:20pm. That's a long day for my little guy. And if that wasn't bad enough, it's the same route I took from 6th grade on, and it wasn't that long ago that I don't remember all the trouble we stirred up to and fro. Gladly enough, Ean survived his 1st day of middle school and actually enjoyed the bus, the driver and the ride! Thank you God!

Allen was into his 4th or so week of training for Embarq, in Wake Forest, North Carolina. He would be gone for 12 weeks... Even though he was able to come home on weekends, that didn't lighten the load or help with the daily goings on here... I had chatted with him about 4:30pm, when he got back to the hotel from class.

It was about 8:00pm and I was on the patio, chatting on the phone. Out runs Evan, eyes bugging out of his head, look of horror on his face, crying hysterically.

"What's wrong"? I practically scream.

"I got a penny stuck in my throat", he is barely understandable. He's sweating, drooling and just plain out freaking! I couldn't believe what I was hearing or seeing! I pick him up and take him into the kitchen and try water, maybe it'll go down. Nope. I try a small crust of bread, I remember getting choked on an ice cube when I was 8 and did the bread thing and it worked. Not this time. I quick call Mom, she runs over. Evan is totally panicking now. I call 911, they tell me to take him myself to the ER because by the time the squad gets here, I could have him up there already. So, out we go...

I tried and tried to get in touch with Allen in NC. I know, there was NOTHING he could do, but I needed to hear his voice. I needed to hear him tell me our baby boy was going to be ok. I couldn't get him. I ended up calling one of his co-worker's spouse to tell her to tell Allen to call me. I knew they were all out together eating. Needless to say, by this point I was ballistic! When he called, and said they were at a Chinese restaurant in Raleigh I lost it! I know he couldn't help it, but I just felt so alone and needless to say, SCARED to death! As I was pretty much cussing him out, into the ER entrance we skidded.

I got out and went to the carseat to get Evy. His shirt was soaked from drool, he had said NOTHING all the way to the hospital. He was terrified, as were Mom and I! Mom parked the truck as I ran in with him whimpering in my arms. In triage, they asked all the regular questions, then took his blood pressure, then ushered us VERY swiftly into a room in the ER.

I had put Evan down so the nurse could check him over and then she went out to get the doctor. As Evan climbed onto the bed...He looked up at me and said the sweetest (and 1st words since he swallowed the penny). "Mommy, that penny went down into my tummy"... Mom and I both, finally breathed! As he was climbing into the bed and was flipping over from his knees onto his backside, I guess he jarred himself enough to jar the penny out of his throat! Sure enough, the doctor x-rayed him and there it was, big as life, in his tummy!

Whew...what an evening! The doctor said it would pass... I couldn't help but think of the old saying--THIS TOO SHALL PASS. I thanked God for all His marvelous and plentiful blessings on my family and most importantly for saving my precious baby boy! Then I called Allen and told him the good news...and apologized...

God is Love--Peace Out

Father's Day

">OMG! I can't believe I didn't even mention Father's Day or Fu-Fu or anything about it in my last post! It took me a couple of days to write it and by now it's very early Thursday morning, so Sunday seems like a month ago! Anyway, Allen's Father's Day gift for at least the next 3 years is the GODDESS! But Ean and Evy fixed him breakfast on Sunday morning and we all got him cards. We had celebrated w/ my Dad the weekend before, but I did call him and told him that I love him and I hoped he had a wonderful day! Allen enjoyed playing on the Goddess and then like I said in my prior blog, we went to Mark and T's for WAFFLE NITE. We all enjoy that, Mark fixes yummy waffles and we all bring a bunch of toppings and just eat like pigs! Loads of fun (and calories)!

Happy June

What is one to say about June, the time of perfect young summer, the fulfillment of the promise of the earlier months, and with as yet, no sign to remind one that its fresh, young beauty will ever fade.
--Gertrude Jekyll