God Speed Private Stringer

Today Private Kent Stringer arrives at Ft.Liberty in Bagdad. While I've known him less than a year, I enjoy hearing him laugh and talk. He's one of the kids that you want your own to hang around-very polite, hardworking, and proud to be an American soldier. I won't argue politics with you,but I won't hesitate to ask you for a favor...Please take time out to pray that this young man and thousands just like him come home quickly and safely. God Speed-Kent.

Not my litttle boy, Always my son

Happy 18th Birthday Paul. He came into the world at 8:20 in the morning. At 18 months, he took apart an outlet and told me it would bite. At 4, he was a daredevil on a bike. At 5, he could pick his weight in peaches. I miss this little boy that would wash his bicycle and tonka trucks.Now, he works 40 hours a week.He changes his own oil. I'll never forget watching him swim a mile or rapel a couple hundred feet or help feed orphans or go to Governor's school.Paul, baby, I'm so glad you've shared so much of your life.Have a happy birthday.

Thought for the day

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...It's about learning to dance in the rain.

You might be a red neck if

Being from Arkansas, I thought I had seen all of the "Red neck" jokes, but someone sent some I hadn't seen (and one that's just classical) so you might be a red neck if
The Blue Book Value of your truck goes up and down depending on how much gas is in it.
You've been married 3 times and still have the same in-laws.
Someone in your family died after saying "Hey, ya'll watch this"
You lit a match and blew your house right off its wheels.
You think Dom Perignon is a Mafia leader.
and the classic-
You think the last words of the"Star-Spangled Banner" are "Gentlemen, start your engines"

Happy 23rd Anniversary Mike

Today Mike and I have been married for 23 years in spite of the fact that I filed for divorce a million years ago-Dec.17th. At one time, we calmly decided that we could never make each other happy and that is was best that we go our separate ways. We both said this and meant it. We weren't screaming or yelling and the lawyers were nowhere in sight. It wasn't said in anger or hate, and we agreed that this was the best thing to do. With so many, many disagreements-this was the one that we agreed on.Divorce is hell-pure and simple hell. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.And no matter how hard it is, I share the blame because I agreed that it is over. I won't pay for this one mistake for the rest of my life. Enjoy your life.Enjoy your future. My life is mine now.

Job Perk

Every morning when I go to work, I cross the 440 bridge. Today when I looked across the Arkansas River the sun was just coming up really good and shone across the water. It was really a beautiful sight-of course, this sight is much prettier on a Friday than a Monday.

Smells...

This weekend is also the Greek Food Festival in Little Rock. I love the smell of meat cooking-we're not just talking hamburgers here. I love the Baklava, and I love not finding a really skinny belly dancer after ingesting the meat and Baklava.

Saturday, May 17th

I know it's not time to tell you what I'm doing this weekend, but Chalupa and I are very excited about C.A.R.E.'s annual Paws on the Pavement.Check it out and come if you can!
www.careforanimals.org

Mother's Day Shopping...for Mom

The day before Mother's Day and I need to go shopping. It's not that I don't think about this before hand, but that I'm having trouble finding just the right gift.My sisters will call and ask what I'm getting mom but in their minds they've already figured out the perfect considerate gift that mom will totally love.They're incredible at this-both of them.I think I missed out on that gene.I've come up with a hundred ideas and tossed everyone.
I want something that says I'm glad you're my mom, I'm glad you're still here, I appreciate all that you do for me AND my kids.
Speaking of kids, I think a lot about being a mother at this time of year. This year it's been a little depressing-my kids are so grown up...the only thing that they need me for is gas money.They really take care of themselves and it seems like they live their own lives.Don't get me wrong-I'm proud that they're adults and that they can take care of themselves...kinda the whole idea of parenting, but I miss my babies. Then I wonder if MY mom feels the same way.
So mom-I will always need you.
I don't ever want to imagine my life without you. Somewhere along the line, I stopped loving you for wiping my nose and started loving you for the friend that you are. You've always been there for me even before I had the brains to ask.You've always supported my decisions-even the ones that you didn't go for yourself(remember the whole breastfeeding).Mom would call me to remind me how many bottles I had in the refrigerator so she could keep my kids without any problems. I can't tell you the times we've laughed over something stupid or just cried together(I get the crying gene from her). I don't call her everyday-I should. I don't tell her I love her enough, but I love her with a fierceness that can't be explained with any words.Now to find the gift that says that....wish me luck.

What the h-e-double hockey sticks

Last night coming home from a softball game, I passed gas stations (no the "S" is not a mistake) that had gas for $3.35 a gallon. Several stations...so my mood was improving. This morning the gas station across the street said $3.65 and so does every station I have seen today. What happened in the five hours that I slept that made gas go up thirty cents a gallon? Now I'm pretty tired, but I really don't want to take a nap.

Aunts-the Antique version

In case you're from another planet, Mother's Day is this Sunday. I've always loved this holiday just because it reminds me not to take my mother for granted.When I was growing up, people at church would wear white roses if their mother was already gone. So it's a special day-and I know we have a lot of holidays-but what about one for Aunts?
When I was growing up, My favorite Aunt was my great-great Aunt Elsie. I didn't get to spend a lot of time with her-she lived several states away. She wasn't rich in material goods, and I don't think she ever remembered my birthday.BUT I knew her voice instantly on the phone. She always wanted to hear what a child had to say-and now that I understand "fixed"incomes -I wonder how she mananged to afford all of those calls. She sent boxes of surprises for no reason at all. She wrote letters when she took a notion and even to time to send a separate note inside for the kids. I miss her voice, the stories about her (she took care of old people when she was 80), and just knowing that I might get a chance to see her.She wasn't my mom but I think about her especially in May. My condolences go out to the Schuller Family for losing one of their own special Aunts-rest in peace Zella.

Just in case

Just in case you're up late tonight or early in the morning-there's a meteor shower. Something to do with Eta Aquarids. So enjoy...the next one isn't due until August.

Mom's favorite

This is the last one today and my favorite so far.

more of cute couple

A real computer geek could probably post three or four pictures on one blog, but it took me a week to post these so I'll just take it one step at a time. Just enjoy the picture and see how cute my son is.

Prom

So is this just the cutest couple? This is Paul Schuller and Jee Young Kim at the Old Mill before Central High's Senior Prom on April 26, 2008.