And Here They Are...

Still officially banned from computer, but shoulders are finally beginning to show improvement! Good News! I don't have to shoot myself! Christmas is fast approaching, so thought I would take a moment to share.

My, hasn't the munchkin grown! She is almost nine months now. She is now mobile and so are we. She is doing great and so is Drama Queen.

As you can see from the second photo, Blondie has done it! The day has finally arrived! We are finally finisihed paying tuition and she is an unemployed college graduate!!! Yipppee! Now she is headed off to the Windy City with 'the boyfriend' and officially begin an adult life. Imagine, her leaving me for that guy. Good thing we like him! Pretty nice ice sculpture too, if I do say so myself. I know you will all agree... right?

I have also included a little clip of "the band" on a bit of an off morning during the summer. It was 10am on a Saturday. Dweeb can be heard, but not really seen. He is on the keyboards. The second video is of a blues band he played with for a short time. Their schedule was colliding with the rock bands, so one had to be dropped. But, once again Dweeb is better heard than seen. I hope to have much better video this week when they play a Christmas Party. Music has become Dweeb's life now. Keeps it interesting here!

Holy Cow! I nearly forgot! Dweeb and I paid a visit to the Texas Tornado. He has that name for a good reason. He is a little mad man on a mission to become a GREAT skateboarder. So of course, Grandma and Grandpa had to get the nearly 5 year old a Spongebob Skateboard, right? Right. They tell me he rides it everyday. Keep your eye on the X games...

I hope all is well with everyone and I hope to get around to visit over the holiday break! I can't wait! I miss you all!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF YOU!

I've Been Banned

Sorry it's been so long since post or visits. I have been banned from using my computer in any way. I'm cheating now because it's driving me crazy! I have a 'frozen right shoulder'. Yep, frozen solid in June. I can use it a bit now after weeks of physical therapy, but far from being okay yet. I do basically nothing except watch people wait on me. It has proven to be one of the most frustrating positions I have been in so far.

All is great in Jayhawk Country. Blondie is in love and graduates from KU in December, Drama Queen is here with Nadia and doing GREAT, Dweeb is now in TWO bands (rock band and blues band). Hopefully in near future will post music from them.

Anyway, I'll be back as soon as I get the okay from the doctor and physical therapists. Hope everyone is doing well! I miss you all!

It's Official...

Yesterday made it official. I am now a half century old and everyone made sure to remind of that fact. Signs in the yard and cute little phone calls. Well... except from my Texas Tornado who arrives Saturday at noon. He called to say "Happy Birthday Grandma!" "You're 21 today, right?" Of course I agreed with him wholeheartedly. What a sweetie. Can't wait to get my hands on that four year old! It was a day of laying around and ignoring the mark of the day for the most part. Blondie brought me a birthday cake and DQ took care of something for me which I dare not share on this blog for fear of family lurkers. hehe. The weekend will be packed with two gigs on Saturday, and gee... who knows what may happen on Sunday (rolling eyes). I will fill you in next week since it's such a big secret.

Another niece arrives tomorrow at 1 pm. Yes another baby in the family. Can't seem to get enough of those in our family. This is my middle sis' 7th. Yeah... her oldest leaves for college in August. Can we all say together.... OOPS! I will be at the hospital to photograph the arrival and meeting all the sibs. This will be a challenge people.

BTW: Malathionman? I'll keep you posted on the myth of 50 year old women. AND I may break out the TP tee shirt this weekend for the special occasion and will get a pic definitely of that. I'm so scared to wear it! Don't want to screw up that beauty!

And another month passes....

Well, much has been going on around this place. A week ago I trekked back to Arkansas to load up DQ and Nadia and move them back home. It just didn't work out for her there. We are all trying to adjust to the changes around here now. Nadia is so frickin' adorable I can hardly stand it. I will be taking pics of her soon to post. I'm not sure what is in store now for DQ. Time will tell.

Top picture of myself with three of my sisters at Dweeb's latest gig. Lil Sis looks like she had a few before she got there. Baby Sis is next to me and the other sitting sister is the great artist of the family. The second picture, of course, the band. The third picture is just nice. Beautiful bloom from late May.

Dweeb is adjusting to so much time on his hands. His music has jumped to the top of the list. His band is playing quite a few gigs. Everyone loves them, so it's not just me! That is always good to know. Dweeb has been playing solo also. Needless to say, this keeps me running. Loading... unloading... making sure I'm present at every performance. Got to admit, it is fun! For those that live in the area, the band will be playing in downtown Overland Park next to the Farmer's Market Saturday, June 23rd from 10am until noon. That night they will be Spivey's on 87th Street. The bands name is 'Confusion' (rather fitting for this group). Come out if can!

Baby Sis and I have decided to make the leap with photography. The business cards have arrived and a website in the works for our business. It's pretty scary because I know how important photos, especially of babies and children, are to the parents and I don't want to screw that up! The website we are working on is nothing great, but it's a start. When we actually start making a profit, guess I'll have to give Catholic Mom a ring! The website for now is at ablesphotography.photosite.com You all can give me feedback on the pics. I will be adding more over the summer after I do the jobs scheduled so far.

Blondie is working full time this summer. First time having a real full time job is killing her. She has decided having a degree is good after working five days a week for next to nothing. One more semester and her degree will be in hand! Woo Hoo!

I screwed up my shoulder and not sure what is wrong. MRI showed nothing. Problem is being on the computer KILLS it. So I must now hit the heating pad. This is the month the big 5-0 hits and I'm feeling it!

Where Does The Time Go!

Wow. Guess I've been missing in action. Life has been keeping me very busy. I thought life would slow down once the girls got older, but the opposite seems to have happened. DQ had a beautiful baby girl the end of March! Her name is Nadia. She is an angel. DQ was with us for a month and then went back to Arkansas. It doesn't look like Arkansas is going to work as we had all hoped. The people running the Maternity Home don't really know what they are doing. It is really too bad because a place like that is so desperately needed. They have no idea how to relate to or deal with girls in the situation DQ is dealing with now. It's frustrating because we cannot say anything now for fear they will put DQ and Nadia out on the street. It really is a sad situation down there.

Anyway, Blondie is a senior at KU, but will not graduate for another semester. She is doing fabulous and working her tail off. We are not sure where she will end up after graduation, but she would really like to move to Dallas. I guess we'll see about that. I'm not sure how I'll handle it if she moves further than 20 minutes from me. I'm trying to prepare myself now.

So much has been going on with hubby also. They have quite a few 'gigs' for the summer already booked! They are a great bar band, but sorry, nothing to share yet. I hope to take pictures at the next appearance. Dweeb actually had two jobs for pretty much our entire married life. Full time doc and part time administrative. Recently the administrative job he held was discontinued. Yikes was my first reaction. But, for the first time since he was a college student, he is not working 6-7 days a week. It's almost as if he is semi-retired now! It will be interesting to see if he starts walking circles around the house soon. His music is blooming though, with the extra time! He deserves the break for sure.

Okay, also included here are pics. Picture of little Nadia and the trips and Jack (all are growing like little weeds!)

Thank you all for your comments and emails! It's so nice to know I was missed! I will try to get around when I have time to actually surf the net. Holy cow, can't forget! My Texas Tornado (who is a star T Ball player now) is coming for a few days to visit in June!

Here We Go Again!

No pictures today, but there will be more soon! Tomorrow is the day. Drama Queen will be delivering her baby girl bright and early. It's all scheduled. She is doing wonderful. She is healthy. Baby is healthy. All is well. We discovered from her medical records she delivered five weeks early with little Reece. Yikes. That was really early. This time, she is only five DAYS early. All should be just fine! Name you ask? That has been the most stressful. She has about five picked out and is all a dither about what it should be. I told her when she looked into her daughter's eyes, she will know. She wasn't convinced. Back up plan? She will call me and I will submit the names into a hat and draw one. Great story to tell her when she grows up.

I will be heading down south Friday to pick those two up and bring them back here for a few weeks. Give them a chance to get to know each other and let the entire family meet the new member of the family. Maybe our Texas Tornado will pay us a visit too!

Stay tuned! I shall update as soon as I know the details.

JAYHAWKS LOSE ON STEVE MCQUEEN'S BIRTHDAY

You read that correctly. I know it's difficult to believe, but the Jayhawks had a difficult night. Their shooting was off and UCLA was very on. There you have it. The Jayhawk season is over. The Elite Eight is nothing to sneeze at considering the last two seasons, but it ain't the Final Four. Bright side? Brandon? Will you stick around next year... please? All of you? Please give us one more year with all of you together? That would be great!!! This was the first year this team was all together and look what they accomplished. Next year.... UNSTOPPABLE!

What does this have to do with Steve McQueen? Well, it's his birthday! Dweeb and I travelled to Slater, MO (his hometown) for the festivities to celebrate. Much memorabilia, Steve McQueen movies, tour, car show, his motorcycles, etc. In attendance were his widow Barbara McQueen (still gorgeous), his best friend and trainer Pat Johnson, and his stunt double Loren Janes. Many personal stories about Steve were shared with everyone. He was not only Mr. Cool (not to mention hot), he was just a great guy. I had a better picture, but knowing so many of you are so YOUNG you may not KNOW who Steve McQueen is (which is a sin), I posted this picture because you have probably seen his face. If you don't know, at the time of his death in 1980 at age 50 he was the highest paid actor in the world, he raced motorcycles and is in the motorcycle hall of fame, and he raced cars (the movie "Cars" named the main car Lightening McQueen after him)

So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEVE MCQUEEN! We miss you!

Oh yeah.... GO UCLA!

Rock Chalk Baby!

Tornado Warnings Have Begun

It seems spring is trying to push it's way into the midwest, but winter just won't let go. Tonight the severe thunderstorms began. Tornado warnings have begun to the south and are headed our direction. They should arrive in the next hour or so. Unfortunately right behind that is more SNOW! GIVE ME A BREAK WITH THE FRIGGIN' SNOW! I am so sick of winter I want to slit my wrists. It won't be much snow, but it's snow none the less. *sigh*

Rusty and Blondie are doing great now that they have their car back all shiny and like new again. The wreck did some serious damage to the car, but now it's like having a new car! (especially since the body shop was so sweet and cleaned the inside of the car also! I actually saw the floor!) I know Blondie is looking forward to Spring Break which is coming soon. She is a poor college student, so she and her friends are going to park themselves down south at a friend's parents home and mooch off of them for the week. They are psyched to get out of town.

DQ... still pregnant. She's feeling it now. One month to go people! That little girl will be here soon. DQ is doing well other than being miserable (those with kids know what I'm talking about). Baby has moved down and DQ is doing some serious waddling now. We are all trying to get things together to make sure she has what she needs. After she delivers, she will probably spend a few weeks here with us while recovering. (really us girls here in town just want to hold the baby. hehehehe)

Dweeb's big gig is this Saturday at Callahan's Bar and Grill. I hope they are ready. They haven't been able to practice much due to illnesses and business trips, but I'm sure it will all fall into place I'm sure. I'm psyched for sure!!

And me. My life is with those babes and Jack. I can't really call them babes now. They will be two years old in a week! How does that happen? The triplets are little people. Jack will be 4 in three weeks! Just like my Texas Tornado who turned 4 a week ago. I have a break from this week. I do believe Baby Sis and her hubby have lost their minds. They took four kids under the age of 4 to DISNEYWORLD FOR A WEEK!!! They are nuts. Of course, not totally insane. They forced Lil Sis to go along and then coerced Chicago Sis and her hub that it would be fun if they joined them down there for vacation. Suckers. hahaha. I'm sure they are having a blast in the warm weather of Orlando, Florida. I don't know. I just keep thinking FOUR KIDS UNDER THE AGE OF FOUR AT DISNEYWORLD and I laugh.

Other than that, you know what I'm doing.... JAYHAWKS ARE ROCKING THE HOUSE PEOPLE!!! They are awesome right now! I've been watching college b ball getting ready for March Madness!

Picture of the day!

Rusty is just too cute!!! Seems I've been missing lately. I'll try to get around tomorrow and see what you all have been up to lately.

Finally...

It only took me over twenty years to get him to actually take some time and do this, but we accomplished it yesterday. We got four songs on track. It's not perfect, as we are still learning the equipment and we have to pace this so Dweeb doesn't throw the track recorder off the deck in frustration. But I have four songs loaded up and ready to share. The first is Billy Joel and I'm missing New York lately (probably more vacation than anything else), so he is loaded first. This is a picture of the Brooklyn Bridge (for those who don't know). We cross it at least once on foot every trip headed to Brooklyn Heights from Manhattan.

Dweeb is going to also start playing around town a bit on his own. He also made this CD of sample songs because a place on the Plaza wants to hear him as they get ready to book for summer outdoor entertainment. Not bad for a guy who taught himself everything. He had two guitar lessons as a kid. Things are moving pretty fast all of a sudden and I hope he doesn't stress himself out. The band will probably have 2-3 events a month by then (hopefully not more). Oh yeah, he does have his JOB! Can't forget that for awhile.

Anyway, the recording is not perfect, done in a couple of hours, but you get the idea. I hope you enjoy it. I will change the song in a couple of days.

We Weren't Lyin'

He finally did it. Dweeb finally knows he is a great musician. The girls (Blondie, DQ, and myself) have been telling him for years he is great, but he didn't believe it. I believe I mentioned he is now in a band. They have been practicing up a storm... at our house. Good thing I love music. They really sound very good. Dweeb plays keyboards, little guitar, sax, flute, vocals. The demo has been made and this week we began shuffling around to the local establishments promoting. I know once people hear them, they will catch on locally and they will have more gigs than they can handle.

It's now time to expand that damn song list. You know what I'm talking about. THE bar list. The same old songs you hear everytime you go out to a bar with live music with a cover band. If I hear Mustang Sally, Walking On Sunshine, Johnny Be Good, etc one more time, I'll scream! Let's get some good rock-n-roll out there that people want to hear!

Dweeb is downstairs now. He is going to teach the band some Jethro Tull, Traffic, Pink Floyd, etc. Then they will stand apart from the average cover band.

Now, how was Dweeb finally convinced he is so good at piano and guitar and vocals? He tried out for another band. He had no intention of joining this other band. The other band had recorded. Recorded original music in Nashville and been on a little mini tour and was known regionally. Dweeb wanted to know if he was good enough to make this band. If they liked him, he knew he was a good musician. Well, of course they liked him. They LOVED him! They wanted him to come back. They got all excited. And he had to refuse them. Us girls shook our heads at him. He just had this big grin on his face. He now knows weren't lying.

An Update On Drama Queen

So much has happened since I last gave an official update on my oldest daughter who is due to give birth this spring to a baby girl. DQ is doing well and looking well. We have been on quite the roller coaster ride the last couple of months. She moved to a maternity home in another state to remove herself from her triggers and try to put her life together. She decided she was going to place her daughter for adoption. She wants the very best for her child. DQ was told before she moved to this state that if she chose adoption, the father's signature on the paperwork is not necessary. We knew he would fight it, because in his mind you keep your children whether you are fit to raise them or not (and we know what happened when he had custody of my grandson). So this was good news for my daughter.

In November, DQ was told a blood test indicated the baby most likely had a chromosomal disorder called Trisomy 18. This is fatal over 90% within the first year of life. We were devastated. So the wait began for the amniocentesis and results from that test which are more accurate and could tell us for sure whether the baby had this disorder. We were told the baby had only a 4% chance to NOT have this disorder. Well, after waiting over two weeks and making it through Christmas, we finally called the clinic to discover the test was negative. Supposedly everything is fine. We are hesitantly relieved. Not totally convinced and scared to death they will retract their findings at any time.

We are now into January and the due date is creeping up. DQ chose a young couple that she pretty much fell in love with to adopt her baby. The next step would be for her to actually meet them, etc. She informed the director of her choice only to be told that that folder was put in the stack by mistake and that the couple had not completed the process yet. They would not be ready by birth to adopt. (too many hoops and redtape to jump through). DQ was devastated again! There were supposedly only about 9 couples who wanted a bi-racial baby and the others she was not happy with at all for various reasons (remember, we know what we are doing in this area). I couldn't believe there were only 9 couples. I know of three in my own neighborhood who want to adopt that little girl now, but they can't because DQ would lose her support system in the other state. We had this problem with another agency years ago and since then when adoption was involved in any manner with any person we knew, it was private. No agencies. Anyway... this whole paragraph is a moot point due to the fact their lawyer had to be fired for LYING! The father DOES have to sign papers for adoption!

So... DQ is in a situation where she must grow up, stay straight, and raise her daughter. She was so upset and so frightened at first. So much has been thrown at her in the last two and a half months her head is spinning. She has stayed strong. I'm very proud of her. I'm afraid I would have gone ballistic on someone at this point. Everything is working out the way it is supposed to be. Here it is in nutshell ... at least today.

DQ will deliver in the spring. The maternity home has a home for her and the baby to live in on/near the compound where she lives now. Hopefully, she will work there while she continues school and gets her degree. There is a couple who are giving her every baby item she could possibly need because they have just found out they cannot have children. How generous is that? How difficult for them. DQ will return the items or we will store them because I have a feeling God will bless them with a child from somewhere after their generosity.

My daughter is receiving so much help, friendship, support, and love from the people she has met in Arkansas. She has even met one of Dweeb's cousins he didn't know he had! How about that! It is truly a blessing she found this support system. I miss her and am looking forward to driving down there to see her.

LITTLE RUSTY

Meet little Rusty! My new grandpuppy. Blondie is the proud mommy of this critter. We searched high and low for this adorable little bundle of fur and found him patiently waiting in the corner of a little cage of a pet store a week ago.

Blondie has wanted a 'little' dog for about four years now and I've pretty much poo-pooed the idea knowing how the first years of college are spent. She was still adamant about wanting her pooch this year. She is a senior and will be attacking the corporate world within the year, so I relented and agreed it was time.

The search intensified a week and a half ago. We drove from pet store to pet store. We called breeders in the newspapers. We looked at dog, after dog, after dog. Some were absolutely adorable! But they were just not the right one. Some were just plain psycho with their front paws spinning 100mph and their heads turning 360 degrees as they yipped while holding them. Those poor puppies are probably still in the cages waiting to be taken home somewhere. They were crazy! In the midst of the crazies, there was little Rusty just laying there. He was looking at them like they were crazy. They didn't seem to bother him at all. He just layed there. That looked like our kind of dog. Great temperament so far! Blondie picked him up and immediately called him "Rusty".

Well, Rusty didn't come home with us immediately. We had to search the rest of the day to make sure. No other dog during the search on any day was named while being held except this one. That pretty much told us that Rusty was ours. We made the call to the pet store and said we were on our way back. Good thing! Someone else nearly bought him! NO WAY! RUSTY IS OURS!

Now, about that pet store. You all know Blondie and her taste in designer apparel. She succeeded in finding a pet store just for Rusty with designer apparel! Land of Paws is the most awesome pet store I've ever seen in my life. They only have dogs. They only cater to dogs. IT DOESN'T SMELL! They have a doggie bakery. They sell KU JAYHAWK gear (huge plus). Rusty already has an argyle sweater and KU Jersey. For spring he will wear his black muscle tee that touts BITCHES (Picture of a heart) ME because, as Blondie and her friends say, Rusty is a Bad Ass. This pet store even has Juicy Couture dog beds. I've never seen anything like this place. Miranda, I know you can appreciate this place.

Blondie and Rusty will be in town in the next couple of days so I plan on treating Rusty to a 'treat' at the Doggie Bakery. I know.... I'm a sucker.

Fair Humiliation

Okay Chris, you were correct that I did not post a fair picture. This is the picture my sister was speaking of in the comments. Anyone else use such an ancient hair dryer in their life time?? Enjoy, because you may never see such a photo again. I apologize for frightening anyone on a Monday like this.

I'm glad you are all enjoying this spectacle. It is also very clear now why I dislike my mother and I did not date until I left home. Torture I tell you! *cue the violins please....*

To Be Fair

Lil Sis has a point. I should be fair and post a picture of me when I was little. I searched around and finally found one that didn't show me in a perfect light. Just look at those bangs! Mom should never have been allowed to own a pair of scissors. Pretty cute huh? I'm wondering why my hair didn't stay that red past the age of 45.

Okay sis, there you go. Picture posted.

I'm still laughing...

No particular reason for posting this picture. Just came across this picture again of Lil Sis and Baby Sis and I can't stop laughing. What dorks. I just love them to death. Aren't those boots just to die for????

Out with the old, In with the new...

The year 2006 is history now. Thank goodness. I was beginning to wonder if it was ever going to be over. Last year was such a year of sadness, change, confusion, and soul searching for me I became exhausted! I am ready to start over now. How about you?

I feel great things are in store for 2007. I get the distinct impression I am not the only one who went through so much crap in 2006. I know a few of you out there went through periods of time you began to question your own sanity also.

Family issues were big this past year in my life. I finally gave up. I can't make everyone happy including my mother. She is the way she is. I can't change the way she behaves. I refuse to fall prey to her crap anymore. I wont instigate the fights, but if she throws anything my way, I will toss right back. No more guilt trips my way baby.

The loss of Reece was devastating at first. I now realize he was brought into this world for a purpose. That was to save his mother. Between him and his not yet born sister, they are literally saving her life. Our little angel is working mini miracles in heaven right now.

Regarding my unborn granddaughter. I've not said much. We thought she had a good chance of having a chromosomal defect known as Trisomy 18. Translation: She was going to die. Yeah... great news, huh? Over Christmas, we heard the tests came out negative, but we are still not convinced. So stay tuned. But as of now, our little girl seems to be okay! Due to arrive in March. Drama Queen will not be returning home again except for a short visit. She is starting a new life in her new state. This is GREAT news.

I have a million things I'm going to occupy my life with now that I have accepted the fact my children have basically abandoned me by growing up and don't need me as much now. Jerk kids. Dweebs band has been trying to record tid bits to get gigs and when I get my hands on it I'll put it in the player. They are sounding really good and having a blast.

So, there is the update in an extreme nutshell and as I said in the beginning....

Great things are coming in 2007! And you???

Party Like It's 2007

We survived. If you have children. If you love children. If you love being around children.

The Great Wolf Lodge is for you. I'm not really sure what I am doing here.