Happy Holidays e-style!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Here we go again....

Wow, what a difference medication can make. Tuesday the little man had his second and final surgery for his sinus area..basically a clean out of the build up of - boogers. But he was able to tolerate the nausea medication, and other than completely freaking out upon waking...thinking his sister was missing, then injured (made the nurses cry) he woke up just fine. AND only one minor throw up...yeah!
Tomorrow we attempt a half day of school, and its his 12th birthday to boot!
By Monday, he will be back into full time days, and I will be off home-school duties, got to love those parents, I just cant do it. I feel absolutely stupid.
Sheldon handled all of it like an old pro, and it was so nice that all four of us went into and out of the surgery process together as a family. It was really important to do this, and we are stronger for the experience. I am thankful we have had minor injuries/illness and grateful for the wonderful nurses who helped us out.
We have finally put up our tree., but do to the week we have had, havent decorated it...might have a chance this weekend.
Rain and thunderstorms rocked the carolinas today, and by friday night we are expecting a big freeze. ugh - things will shut down here for sure.

Bub has had sinus infections since birth…I remember even as a newborn saying he couldn’t breathe thru his nose. At his end of school (last summer) doctor appointment for yet another sinus infection I finally told the physician, hey – headaches, sinus infections – once a month this has got to be allergies…or migraines just like Paige. So the pediatrician ordered allergy testing, and just before summer we found out NO ALLERGIES, not one – and you know we did not get Paige’s diagnosis till age 12….so other than knowing he had an allergy to phenegran, I was stumped. So we tried, 21 days of antibiotics, and no good results.
We then were sent to a pediatric sinus specialist, and they did very extensive Cat Scans, and MRI’s…found out just as school was starting, he has a major jacked up to put it nicely, interior .

His exterior is of course the best little nose of the family, Paige being blessed with my families nose, it’s a long standing joke between the three of us and Sheldon. So, when we went in and watched the virtual tour, and saw not only the jacked tip to top, and the cyst, and the area above his eyebrows – I lost it. The area above his eyebrows has a mass of infection that was like a hidden curve of a road course, and no medication was going to get it out.

We had just started the new school year, football was in full swing, and we were told this was major. The surgeon said, ok lets get through the next few months (first quarter of school, with maintenance medication and hopefully little headaches and drainage) and first available break, we will operate. We chose this break, thinking recovery would be about one weeks time. Well, as time got closer, and headaches and sinus infections continued, I was told differently. Besides the three surgeries today, my note earlier explains, another in two weeks. No travel, no jolting, no head butting – no activity – period for awhile.

Then came the issue of knocking someone out who cannot take the most common nausea medication administered via IV. Phenegran….coming out of the 70 minute triple surgery was a nightmare. Simple enough for most people and kids, unless you cant have the candy coating that keeps you from being physically ill – and you are tiny.
Dr. J our surgeon called this evening and was not happy that bub with little or no movement, was throwing up even a dropper of ice. He has enough fluids in him to sustain him, but throwing up can pull all the stuff up and out of his nose/sinus cavity and forehead. Imagine only one source of air, and not being able to breathe, it gets graphic. Anyway, he called in a milder nausea medication, and since 7pm we have managed to throw it up as well. AND I MEAN NO MOVEMENT, he doesn’t even nod his head….so, besides being grateful for a recheck tomorrow afternoon I thought was truly unnecessary, we are taking tonight one hour at a time.

I have no clue how the debreathement is going to happen in two weeks, since its hard to put him under., will find out tomorrow. Paige, Sheldon and I will be there, as we were today, Paige is such the little mother, and I couldn’t ask for a better step parent. My husband does not do blood and guts, and its funny being in a dangerous position as a stunt man, you’d think he has an Evil Kaneval thought process, but he actually freaks = and he has that White Coat fear, even my best friend who is my dermatologist, will not wear her lab coat around him, its funny. But he has been a fantastic; hold your hand kind of dad. And Clayton is much braver because of Sheldon. Wishing you all a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving, as we have so much to be thankful for, our home, health, family, friends, doctors and nurses who care, and such minor illness's in the big picture we call life - that are fixable!

Silence is Golden?

Three full days and counting, total laryngitis - the family is thrilled, my vocal cords strained to the max. I really think they are not coming back. Bubbys offered me a dry erase board to communicate, I have been home 'resting' my voice. Couldn't be worse timing as I have one week and counting prior to the little mans surgery, and 110 calls to make, follow up on orders, prescriptions and stocking up for staying in for a week. By the time Christmas gets here, I will be ready to board a flight for anywhere! Anyway, lots of condolences to make, Mitch Byrd lost his battle with cancer, my cousin from Bedford Indiana, Debbi passed, two separate grandparents of my friend Heathers have passed in the last week, prayers to everyone fighting illness and deaths in the family. Its been a long hard year, God has much more for us to see, do and handle and we will do it all with prayer.

Joined a wonderful new group of givers...check out the website, and you will understand my blog
http://29gifts.org



I gave to myself first, but enjoying a restful morning - not rushing out the door with mascara in one hand and a spare chapstick just in case...but left with plenty of time ( nap could replace lack of sleep later) to have a cup of java, and read through the sunday ads. Then off to church, enjoyed the service - was inspired and blessed to attend. One round trip later, and by the second service I was back again with my 11 yr old assistant. See one of our close friends called and her sister and brother in law, were being recognized as new members of our church, after completing a course called Equiping the Saints. But they were scheduled during that particular service to work the KDG age room, so my son and I showed up ( we are certified care givers in that class) and relieved them of their duties, so that they could go and be congratulated on the time and commitment they put forth to become members. It was truly a blessing, as my other friends (their relatives and parents, who werent members of our church) came to the service to cheer them on. 24 kids, crafts, prayer lessons, snacks and bathroom breaks, DONE...we are back home, sitting on our back porch with the sun shinning in our faces, glorified for the beauty of what God has blessed us with and relaxing in quiet of his creation. Day ONE, conquered ....geared up for day TWO :)

Homecoming & Football

The Cornhuskers are 6-0, my little man's team has only been scored against one time...this looks like another season for us to be in the Championship, praying for good weather, and great games.

Homecoming for the Sophomore in our house was postponed due to bad weather, however as it is in the south, it was gorgeous out last night, but predictions of bad weather halted the fun. And the show (game) must go on, so the kids are at the rescheduled game and dance tonight. Her braces come off! on November 4th ELECTION DAY !!!

Friends of ours are dearly in our hearts and prayers, as they are battling the remnants of a cancerous tumor, and have moved into hospice in Huntersville. We pray for the Byrd family daily, I plan on visiting tomorrow afternoon.

Have a safe and blessed week, pray for our friends, pray for the economy, and pray for this country as we select a new leader.

baby its COLD outside...

Little chilly for the southern states, the panic that sets in around here when there is a possible frost is really funny. I wish my camera repair was done, I seen some amazing photo opportunities on the drive in, the fog was amazing.
I had my lovely niece Leah over last night, and took her to school this morning, Got to LOVE the dedication of her marvelous mommy Ronda for driving her to and from school for all these years - she is now a freshman in High School, at the same private school she started Kindergarten in. That car pool lineup is military, those kids file out like little soldiers, and of course, being the new driver on the block - I wanted a kiss and hug, and you know kinda dallied along- oh well, only once in a while do you get the chance to do this - so I had fun. Made my morning kick start, as if the load of clean clothes on the lazy boy didn't already shock me into Monday Madness. I have the house complete, a strange back ache (dull) that has been there all day, the fur baby has followed my every move..and I am ready to sit in the chair for an hr before I have to take Paige to work, and Bubby to football. = I LOVE MY MONDAYS....

October in the South...

Well its midway through the month, we have started the fall habit of sweatshirts and flipflops...we are truly southern now!Last night we parked people in our race shop lot for the 600 Race.,attendance was half of what last years fall NASCAR race was here in Charlotte. But I was glad to make some money to put back, normally I use parking money to fatten up on extra fun items, but this time I bulked up on accounts, like the kids lunch money, shoes, advertising for my business and prepaid one of my bills for November.I am just about as scared as everyone else with regards to this upcoming election...I dont recall an elelction that hasnt involved a Bush or a Clinton, my politics in years have been laxed to say theleast, I vaguley remember the Reagan or even much of the Jimmy Carter years. Now that I am at midlife., I have 40+ years of worrying/retirement/college/savings/and worry about the kid's future,and what this government will do to their choices and lifestyles.On the lighter side, and green $$ - My dh's last two commercials have been airing regularly, I saw the commercial where (laughingaloud is ok ) he is a man of color driving a semi with a casserole dish on it for the T-Mobile coming to your home town ad....very funny, but politically they (the union) had to have a man of color driving throughsmall town America waving as he hauls this big a** semi through the old historic town (no walmarts/cvs/walgreens/strabucks corners) very southern old timey...then his new Sprint commerical for the live NASCAR broadcast was on, about 1015p, might have been earlier in the race, but thats when I finally got to pay attention....the grocery clerk is in a grocery store stocking shelves...and turns on his cellphone to catch the race...that is real cars, real drivers, and real groceries coming off the shelves, Sheldon is the driver of the blue car, Steve K his buddy and instructor is the guy doing the donuts, in the refridgerated section....so that was really exciting to see...and that will go into savings as well.I know now how much (and we dont count on it, its bonus - like winning the Publishers Clearing House, or getting a really goodscratch off ticket now and then ) people make as stunt drivers, and extras in the commercial/film industry and it about makes me sick...Sheldon is paid like number 8 out of number 10 on a list of 1-10...can you imagine what actors/teenagers/and voice people make that are numbered 1 or 4 on the list? Its flippin unreal, sign me up anyday, as you can tell I will talk till I have no voice, smile whileI use extra soft soapy bubble bath, or scoop the poop when walking my dog to get that little bonus check every few weeks!!!

happy fall y'all

its been a few weeks since my flu bug came and went, we had to dear ones pass, Paige has a sister set of friends (one is a sophomore and one is a senior-she rides to school with them everyday) and their mommy passed away from an aneurysm at age 46 suddenly, then heaven also took a dear fur friend of ours -almost 9yrs old - bully dog, Steph and Blake's mastiff. We pray for all daily. The economy has all with the blues, I am trying to be upbeat, worry constantly about my parents, my kids, my in laws - one of which is technically our responsibility due to his illness. Its very scary, I pray daily, find any inspiration and hold on to it for dear life, and try to laugh as often as possible :) I have found you tube to be a huge source of silliness, and inspiration at the same time. I attended my monthly MOM2MOM Monday meeting yesterday, got a great group of women at my designated table, shared food/fun/encouragement/entertainment/and more food- there you have it in a cheese ball - and a major sugar rush on pumpkin pie! I still have not taken my digital camera to the repair shop which is not here locally, so photos have been at a stand still...I have taken some photos scanned them, and reprinted for some wall groupings on the upstairs hallway, its looking really nice. Well much to say, and little time to get it all in, the gorgeous teenager is at the job, little football player is talking my ear off while I type, and the phone is ringing, we have one more little linebacker to pick up for the ride share to practice - did I mention the dog needs walked....

Bug Smug...shoo fly shoo

What a week! I have had a "bird flu" so to speak, and its flying through my system like the birds flying south for the winter. Its after Midnight on friday, and I cannot believe I am still up after one dose of NyQuil. But, emails needed to be read, Paige's crisp new RED tee for her first day at work tomorrow is tossing in the dryer, and the little man has a football game high noon. Its been a fall like week after a rainy start, and its been spring cleaning for me. Even with the sniffles, I put on my big girl pink crocs and trudged through. I had a good chat with my mom, we are missing Annetta whose birthday was Thursday, and her one year passing is upcoming in November, and I miss her terribly, I cannot begin to imagine how my mom is feeling, her best friend of over 50yrs. I hope that all my friends and family, with today's busy schedules, deadlines to meet, kids to feed, and chores to accomplish still feel as connected to one another and our family as we did during those 'honeymoon' days of friendships. I try to keep in touch with everyone, as obvious as the blog on my face, tomorrow is no guarantee. I jokingly told my girly friend bobbi as in "not bobbi brown", that I hope I didn't catch the bird flu and kick off and die right here and now, she said I better not or she'd kick my a** and then kill me...well better said than I thought. Anyway, have a great weekend, enjoy the sunshine and breezes...and smells of bbq's in the south.

silly sybil - pretty in pink...

Thats how I have one of my dearest friends listed in my phone directory...I was meant to meet her, and God placed her in my path for many reasons. The first time I 'encountered' her, my fiance and I were attending a couples class at his church. She sat in the front (wearing pink and being very lively) , and somehow managed to get under my skin...but I thought she was just very comfortable in her skin, so she was known for her input within EVERY discussion.
After our class, I noticed her getting into a van with her husband, and the logo in bright pink was a familiar MaryKay pink logo. I thought to myself, of course, she's one of those pink lipstick ladies.
A few months later, (I was now married to the fiance/husband) my son and I had decided to 'run' walk a fundraiser marathon for the same church. Well our Pastor's wife was standing close by with their new son, whom had been in the hospital as a premi for 100 days...and he was hard to get ahold of, and I desperately wanted to hug that baby...as I was reaching into the little man's stroller to grasp a hold of him, the silly "MaryKay lady" as I called her from church in the front row grabbed my hand and said "good god look at the size of that ring".....therefore no baby hugs for me.
In May a few weeks later, I received a note in the mail from 'our' church, that I had been assigned a roommate for our womens encounter....and you guessed it THE MARYKAY pink lady had a name. Sybil...I thought God Help me, you have placed this woman in the same Executive Suite as me, I was supposed to relax and have a god like encounter.
Well I did, and he placed her in my room for a reason. I was meant to meet my now best buddy Silly Sybil as she has enlightened my life in so many ways. I might not have day to day enteraction with her, as she has 2 elementary aged and one just potty trained at home, and my kids are at the other end of the education with high school and middle school., but I adore her either way. I can always count on her to answer the call, and she is the best friend I could every imagine having...and in pink.
This past week I called her with a friend in need, a young lady who had been in a abusive home life for a long as she could remember, she was a highschool friend of my daughters last year. My daughter had come to me several times with concerns about abuse this child was receiving at the hands of her own family. I was torn, being a somewhat newlywed with a husband that travels, and primary caregiver for my ill fatherinlaw., it was not going to be something I could ease into our family dinner conversation. And my daughter seems to collect strays...she has a heart of gold, and is always the bandaid to heal the hurt. So, when her friend contacted her with no where to go, and fear in her heart...my heart led me to Sybil. I had her on my mind for days, actually because we both belong to the same mom's group she invited me to a year ago, and I was excited because I knew we would have one monday a month together for the whole school year - kid free! I called her, and immediately felt at ease. She said Girl I have been there and I can help. And she did just that...I have tremendous faith and love for her...and just wanted to let y'all know...PINK is now my color!

fall is upon us....

wow, I actually seen a guy in

our neighborhood among the other lawn crazy individuals, already mowing and baggin leaves! It seems like fall is right around the corner, but I am just beginning to enjoy the lazy days of summer, with a good book, huge cup of BoJangles Sweet Tea., and thanks to the return to school blues all the neighborhood kids have---a peaceful community pool. Dont get me wrong, the neighborhood kids are great, but good god almighty what the hell happened to nap time., especially when their momma is napping poolside, and I have to re-read the same damn paragraph 10 times to remember what chapter I am on in my book. UGH, I have turned into that "woman in that hat and sunscreen" now I finally see my husbands argument that its not about the kids anymore as to whether or not we install an in ground pool, with hot tub this fall...its peace of mind. My kids don't mind, at all going to the community pool to cause havoc down the street, even with the threat of the neighborhood Watch association with its eye in the sky, new technology, they still would rather hang out with their friends than under the watch full eye, and rules of mom and pop....so be it!
Yahoo for back to school and the changing of the colors, mom will have a peaceful reading spot, provided the falling leaves do not cause too much disturbance in my tidy little back yard oasis, and I am all ready for the change!!! Bring on the color, and many books from my beloved friends at paperbackswap.com I have begun a pen pal/reading friendship that will lead me into the dull cold winter months, with warmth and a smile., from ear to ear and hip to expanding hip - hugs from Kim

knee deep in weeds.....

What a weekend, my dream Monday consist of waking without an alarm clock around 8a, driving to Massage Envy for an hour long massage, leaving to stroll like a wet noodle over for a cup a java, same parking lot mind you, then tip toe over to the Pedi spa, for a relaxing spa pedicure/mani combo ~ but no, I forgot I have no nails to mani, it was a weekend of weeds for me, I really believe I was dreaming weeds when I went to bed on Saturday night before 9pm!

I am wilted to the bone, and could really use a ME day, but duty calls, I have appointments to keep, kids to haul, a house to prepare for the market, a father-in-law to medicate, homes to clean, practice to sweat through and sales to make...sometimes I think I might wake up to smell the coffee brewing, only to find if I didn't prepare it the night before I MUST BE DREAMING

AND they go back to school in one week, now that is ONE MONDAY I will plan for me...and the doggie dog., did I mention I also gave him a haircut, looks alot better than the bushes I destroyed - thank goodness. Have a blessed week, and spend each day like there is no tomorrow, because there is no guarantee there will be.

BACK TO SCHOOL!

Training for me, at CELEBRATION 2008, held in Atlanta Georgia. Second annual event, and my second year in attendance. We had a wonderful uplifting/recharging training experience and my outlook/drive/determination to be #1 on the stage next year has been renewed. The kids are counting the days until school starts, we have been spending alot of time indoors due to the unbearable heat, and revisiting the good old DVD library. Other than chick flicks, and Monday movie madness, we have managed to keep both kids and our fur puppy entertained and out of the heat.

I cannot believe it is back to school already, we just returned from vacation, and I am planning next summers family get together daily ! Extra good news for my Indiana family, the rain has subsided and the floods are not as bad. My bff Mellen and her family are unpacked and moved into their new home in the suburbs of Avon, congratulations and love to them as they begin new memories in their new home.

I have become slightly more organized in my scheduling, I spent a few days while my honey was out of town, power pitching. If it was a pack rat item, or piece of clothing, I pitched/donated or shredded. It felt so good, like loosing 20lbs, only in my dreams. Happy summertime heat to all, and please keep in touch xoxoxox

Kim

CRASH BANG BOOM...

the thunder and lightening may have hit the Carolina's harder than we imagined, that or just dumb luck on my part. Our new computer monitor is so snazzy, and I argued with the kids for an entire evening that it was the same size as our old one, only to find out later that evening with a little giggle from my honey, that he pulled a switcheroo on me, the monitor is larger than the one I thought we were buying, he had the salesperson at BBuy swap boxes when I was elsewhere in the store shopping. All in fun, I really am grateful for the new monitor, and savy brotherinlaw that came over and cleaned up my sluggish system, that was just bleeding memory and catching any bug that blew our way....sluggish system, bleeding memory - sounds like me without my to-do list, I am attempting to keep motivated. After hearing my honey get up and ready for work, my feet hit the floor running, and I was out the door by 7a, like normal people., doggie strapped in for the ride to his shampoo appointment, list in hand, coffee loaded and by noon when I finally stopped, I finished my book club selection, Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas and had myself a good sweaty cry behind my Foster Grants poolside. So the evening is finally over, storms blew through again, and our crepe myrtles (sp) made a gorgeous snowy picture as the winds whipped through, it truly was like seeing Christmas in July,. :) kim

catching lightening bugs...

ok, we have been blessed with loads of sunshine, and afternoon thunderstorms, and household disasters - garage door opener - fried over the fourth, computer monitor - sizzles when you start it up, and screen goes black, lamp in family room- base broke and the lamp now has osteoporosis.
I have found the worst of the household disasters in my bathroom mirror. YES my tummy and thighs, enter the tankini - yes ladies, that Lands End wonder suit, the one that makes you feel as if you still have what you had 20 years ago, nice tight tummy and slender but curvy thighs...however I now have the dreaded tankini tummy - and with the skirt, newly dimpled thighs. The tankini is the kill all of what not to do after 40., once you are in that you have the feeling that you can let it all hang out, and without the constant sucking in exercise you used to do when wearing a real bikini, your tummy muscles take a dive, wide load ahead. So I now have the dreaded inner tube middle and cottage cheese thighs. Instead of spending hours on the couch with a DVD marathon running on our nice 50 some odd inch TV , I need to get out and walk, but its so hot, I sweat before I make it out of the shower to grab a towel, whats a 40+ something wife going to do??? hum, back to the nice air conditioned gym, membership we kept just in case, is now JUST DO IT, in my book - you only have one life to live, and that is how the cookie crumbles, god I hope it wasnt a double stuff Oreo. Now I am hungry....love kim

THE BEACH....

WE HAD SO MUCH FUN IN THE SUN !!! AND SOME HOW A GOOD FAIRY CAME INTO MY COMPUTERS HARD DRIVE, AND RESTORED MY EMAIL ADDRESSES, MY INBOX FOLDERS, AND SAVED FILES.....AND AS SOON AS I CAN GET MY REAR IN GEAR AND RELOAD MY INK I WILL PRINT EVERYTHING AS A BACK UP...YOU NEVER KNOW WITH THESE COMPUTERS..

ON A LIGHTER NOTE, I HAVE UPLOADED BEACH PICTURES, MY LITTLE MANS FIFTH GRADE GRADUATION CEREMONY, MADE PHOTO ALBUMS ONLINE AND STARTED TO RE-PACK FOR THE 4TH....AND I HOPE TO HAVE TIME TO FIND THE FLOOR BOARDS OF MY LITTLE SUV, I HAVE NUMEROUS FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT UNLOAD THEIR PRE-READ MAGAZINES ON ME SO I CAN USE THE CLIPPINGS FOR MY OBESSSION WITH DECOPAGE/ART/JOURNAL PICTURE FRAME MAKING. THE SAD NEWS IS ...I CLIP CLIP CLIP AND THEN I DONT WANT TO USE THE CLIPPINGS, LIKE I AM SAVING THEM FOR WHO KNOWS WHAT PASTE PROJECT, BUT ONCE I START PASTING, I AM ON THE HUNT FOR MORE CLIPPINGS....WEIRD BUT TRUE.

BACK TO REAL LIFE AND LAUNDRY AND YARD WORK I HAVE TONS OF WEEDS TO PULL AND ONE MORE FLAT TO PLANT...I WILL POST PHOTOS SOON. HAVE A BLESSED FOURTH OF JULY!!!!

email sshhheeezmail.....my system is down

again!!! I have decided to completely ditch my email account, hopefully keep the screen name itself and start over. We had a local phone company broadband that was purchased during a merger...new company, overseas employees - disaster. So, I am finally logging on to update on our weekend getaway to the mountains, summer beach trip '08...and finally our 5th graders graduation to middle school, our freshman has become a sophmore and unemployed all in the same week. She decided the 'mall' was not cool to be in during the blistering hot Carolina summers, so we are on the hunt for her summer sitting jobs. Not old enough to drive, and under age per Carolina rules till mid July. Anyway, I am so glad to be home, and ready to dive into summer time at home with the kids on the days I am able to spend with them. Photos to share soon, and shopping for new email provider as well :)

Burnt Offerings

Leave it to my household to become so crazy, that we forgot dinner in the oven, ONCE AGAIN.

After reassuring all, that its just the smell of burnt food that nauseates mommy, not that I am beyond mad - I just spent the last 4 hours power cleaning, because that's what I DO BEST...ugh!

My dh is working, so I use my free time, being the busy bee I am, eating on the run, cleaning on the run, planting, caring and counseling on the run....gas at $4 a gallon, not bad compared to one 12oz cup of sugarfreesoyvanilla latte on the run, make that a gallon and I could go for days....anyway, burnt offerings aside, the proof is in the photo - pizza bagels are toasty at 400* for say 40 minutes - live and learn, and smile until tomorrow!

Sweet Sixteen !

This summer (JULY) Paige will be turning sweet sixteen, and we figured several months ago we better get on the bandwagon and ask her what her idea was for her party ‘theme’ and when we should schedule the big event.

First she decided May, two months early because she wanted to include her friends from school before summer vacation, jobs & holidays took them on the road.
So, we tried to schedule as best as we could around racing, within two series, NASCAR, ARCA and upcoming last minute commercials, and one very important movie we had already been notified would begin filming in early June. Ok, DONE DEAL, May 24th, Saturday night at my husbands shop (Fast Track Racing on Moorehead Road) 7PM to Midnight,.

That was easy enough, it’s a great location for tons of kids, we can control the traffic and all they really want to do is have a great place to dance.

Then we were blindsided by this beautiful blonde as she continued her request… not for a shinny convertible ( was a thought ) nor the amount of food and party favors she would have but her idea was to turn this party into a fundraiser…You could have knocked me over.

She has always been a child who is a giver, within church and charity organizations and she has since a very early age been a Domestic Violence Awareness advocate, and secondly had a very giving heart with the needs of Autism after a teacher in the 4th grade explained it to her.

She had recently read about a family with SIX autistic children, way out in Utah. We found the article she had read by googling online People magazine, and any blog spot we could find., and found them.

After visiting their website, and deciding this was the family we needed to help, the process began. Their blog is www.autismbites.com and our party theme is “Take a Bite out of Autism”, we designed invites that serve as Tickets and requested a minimal donation to attend the party. She is going to have food, fun, photos, dancing and has prepared a presentation to explain to the kids the needs that this family has. She asked for no gifts, just big hearts that want to help. So far we have printed and distributed 250 invites/tickets…and she wants more – ugh I am praying for easy snacks and drinks!

**updated....5/25/08 we had a very great party, and her surprise photo prop thanks to her dad, was a Car of Tomorrow painted just for her party....the kids got a huge kick out of the car, and each had their photo taken with it as a thank you gift card, which Paige will be mailing out to all of them on Tuesday. Pretty much everyone asked to hear it rumble and wondered if she could drive it throught the parking lot --- NOT A CHANCE kids it was just for looks. Anyway, going to prepare a photo gift book to send to the Kirton family tomorrow to let them know about Paige's party and let them know how much money she raised for their family!

Happy Race Week

Time for the 600, and Paige's special Sweet Sixteen fundraiser to help an Autistic family of six. I think I am physically and mentally worn out, and its not even mid week. We are prepared as we can be, and hopefully the event is wonderful and she raises alot of money. Today we spent a great afternoon working up the cake decor, making tee shirts and I am still trying to upload photos for her little video profile. Shel has arranged a special surprise backdrop for her photo booth, and its not hers to keep - but keeping with the fact that we are holding this party in his race shop, we have a nice caroftomorrow display for the kids to stand near for photos. I am grateful the weather looks like a blessing as well, considering I could be sleeping over in the shop, in order to be there bright and early Sunday morning to park cars....ugh. I hope to have a slide show of photos to post after the event, and want to wish you all a safe and happy memorial weekend! This might be my last chance to post for awhile.....busy busy busy !

Kitchen Krazy

TODAYS THOUGHTS, Kitchen redo, I sent out an SOS for some help - I have a clean slate beautiful white kitchen, and for once in my life I have a decorating disfunction...I cannot find a theme or color selection. I had too much time on my hands and google offered a mind boggling aray of ideas, too many of which decorated around Roosters/Pigs or Apples. Not to offend anyone, but been there done that, and the roosters were ugly to me back then. So I have endless options of nothing, and aparently too much time on my hands. The weather has changed back to cooler spring time temps - and I am caught up for now with my landscaping work. I'd rather swallow a fork that go through a major remodel, so I am thinking slap some color on the walls, change knobs and put something over that plain backsplash ... any suggestions send me a note :) hugs from me!

Thank goodness its friday, phone calls, housework and yard work is almost complete, the only 'work' we have this weekend is god's work and touch ups - I feel relieved that we have no major commitments, other than a fun filled outing for a special 4 yr olds birthday party on Saturday, but hey its a doll baby of a little girl - so I coudlnt resist...I will be taking photos of the attendee's for their little goodie bags, imagine that..Anyway - a special mothers day wish to all my subsitute moms and girlfriends, fur mommies and best buds - I LOVE YOU all, and enjoy the weekend you deserve!
love kimmy

super Tuesday in Indiana and North Carolina has me sitting on pins and needles...will she or wont she, how is the Mrs going to pull it off? My darling husband (dh) has actually stated verbally but not publicly that she might just make sense for once.
Anyway we had a very successful weekend in our professional areas, and now are focusing in again on the household - 3 weeks and counting until the official Sweet Sixteen party, and I am running behind. I cannot imagine how it will all come together but I might have to do some power working when my mind is at its best, which is late at night. I hope this post finds you all well and happy - enjoying another day of blessed sunshine and beautiful blooms.

Hullabalooza !

This is a fun word to use in conversation, and it's perfect if you need an unusual synonym for "noise" or "commotion"

which is always going on in our house, therefore the oooza affect describes us.

A blended family of one formerly single settled succesfull man, one strung out struggling single mom of two kids, a dog, two cats and a guinea pig (RIP).

what else can we say, well we will blog away and we hope you enjoy viewing!