Saturday, December 30, 2006

Yack Yack Yack

You have to get this picture in your head. I'm at work, We share the bathroom with our customers. So Here I am on the toilet doing my thing when I hear a voice next to me talking.
Woman to friend: He is driving me crazy. He snores and I can't sleep, and when I nudge him he hits out at me and rolls over.
I don't know what to do she says. He doesn't want to even touch me any more...
I don't understand it. I ask him what is wrong and he won't talk about it..


I suddenly realize this woman is sitting on the toilet talking to her friend about her sex life. I start to rattle the toilet paper roll to make my presence known...She keeps talking, I flush the toilet...She keeps talking. I go to the sink and run water..She keeps talking..I leave the room thinking. Is nothing private?

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Thank You

I just wanted to say thank you to my blog friends who have stopped by both here and at the ceranfamily.blogspot.com site and left messages. It means a lot to me to know that there are so many warm and caring people out there
With that said I will move along in my post. I think it is time to leave the sadness of this week and look forward to a new year.
May you all be blessed with health, happiness, and most of all love in the new year

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Friday, December 29, 2006

follow up

Multiple charges filed in Ceran family deaths

Man facing 3 counts of auto homicide in Christmas Eve crash

By Pat Reavy
Deseret Morning News
The man accused of killing a mother and two of her children in a drunken-driving accident Christmas Eve was charged Thursday.
Photo courtesy of Ceran family Caleb, 12, Ian, 15, and Julianna Ceran, 7, bottom, and Gary, Clarissa, 19, and Cheryl, top.
Carlos Rodolfo Prieto, 24, was charged in 3rd District Court with three counts of automobile homicide, all third-degree felonies; two counts of driving under the influence and causing serious bodily injury, also third-degree felonies; a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence and causing bodily injury; and one count of not having a driver's license, also a misdemeanor.
The three charges of driving under the influence and causing bodily injury relate to the Ceran family members who survived but were injured. The degree of each charge relates to the severity of injury of each victim.
Prieto is being held in the Salt Lake County Jail on a no-bail immigration detainer and on $500,000 bail for the automobile homicide charges.
Salt Lake County Jail records initially reported this was Prieto's third DUI arrest. But Murray police, who investigated the crash, now say they cannot find any previous DUI incidents for Prieto and believe that an encoding error at the jail caused the confusion. Prieto was charged in 2004 with speeding and driving without a license and was ordered to pay a fine.
In this latest encounter, he is accused of running a red light at the intersection of 700 West and 5400 South early Sunday morning, smashing into a car carrying six members of the Ceran family who were returning to their Cedar Hills home following a Christmas party at the Hale Centre Theatre.
Cheryl Ceran and her 15-year-old son, Ian, and 7-year-old daughter, Julianna, were killed. Her husband, Gary Ceran, and two other children, 19-year-old Clarissa and 12-year Caleb, were hospitalized but survived.
Clarissa, the last family member in the hospital who was initially feared to have a serious spinal injury, was released Wednesday afternoon to continue her recovery and physical therapy at home.
Prieto told police he had had five beers before driving, according to court documents. He had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath, slurred speech and failed a field sobriety test, court documents state.
Preliminary test results on Prieto's blood showed his blood-alcohol content was over the legal limit of .08, according to court records. He was also driving on an expired license.
At the mobile home in West Valley City where Prieto lived, family members said Thursday they knew he was in jail, but when asked whether they had talked to Prieto since his incarceration or any other details about what happened, a woman who said she was Prieto's sister-in-law said she did not speak English. When news reporters brought an interpreter to the home to ask more questions, the family did not answer the door, although several children and an adult could be seen looking through the window.
Neighbors said the family had been living there for less than a year. None of the neighbors interviewed said they knew the family very well but said it appeared a number of extended family members and children lived in the mobile home.
One neighbor said she saw a red truck parked in front of the house on occasion. Prieto was driving a red pickup the night of the accident.
Gary Ceran played the role of Bob Cratchit at the Hale Centre Theatre in West Valley City. Shortly after the accident, the theater announced two benefit performances of "See How They Run" to raise money for the Ceran family.
Both of those benefit shows scheduled to run today sold out so quickly that a third benefit performance has been announced for Saturday.
Those wishing to donate to the Ceran family can go to the Web site www.ceranfamilyfund.com.
Carlos Rodolfo Prieto Funeral services for Cheryl, Ian and Julianna Ceran are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at the Cedar Hills Stake Center, 3950 W. Cedar Hills Drive. Viewings are set for 7 to 9 p.m. today and 9:30 to 10:40 a.m. Saturday, also at the stake center. All three events are open to the public. Burial is to follow at a grave site in West Valley City

If you would like to read any of the stories you can do so hereCeran Family
Also I know none of you here in blog land know these people but I have set up a blog page for commentsMemorial Page and I think it would be sweet of anyone reading this to drop them a note just to let them know you heard about what happened and wish them well. If you do visit the site and for some reason mention you read about it here, please use my name as Pat and do NOT refer back to this url..I prefer to keep it private
Thanks

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Thursday, December 28, 2006

Checking in

I thought I better check in before they send out the blog police for me ha ha.
Sorry I haven't posted since Monday but frankly I needed a few days after hearing the news of my husband's brothers family to just let it all sink in. Not only was the man driving without a license, and drunk, he is an illegal immigrant and does not have papers to be in this country. It makes me sick. I just finished reading the fourth day of front page news for the Salt Lake City Utah papers talking about this tragedy. I have seen my brother in law on TV (via the Internet) forgiving the man who crashed into them and shook my head in awe at how he can do this. I am not as a forgiving person. I have questioned how fragile life is, and ask myself if there is really a plan for each of us. Is there a lesson in all of it? I have thought over and over, what if just one more person had been in line in front of the family as they checked out that night. Would those few seconds of delay changed the moment of impact. What if the city had changed just a few more seconds on the traffic light. Would they had got the red light instead of the green, and perhaps watched this drunk driver speed down the road while they sat safely at the intersection. What if they had not attended the party at all and been safe at home in there bed. Would something else have happened that night to claim there lives. Do you believe that when it is your time to die, do you die regardless of where and how it happens?
So many thoughts have run through my head over it all.
All I know is that this family seemed to be loved by everyone. One article stated that over FIVE HUNDRED people visited my niece in ONE day while she was in the hospital. FIVE HUNDRED...Most of them total strangers who just wanted to go by and say how sorry they were. I am proud of the loving people who have reached out to them Business have donated proceeds from sales, trust funds have been set up. Love is truly and amazing thing. Tonight I am grateful that they have such an out pouring of it.

If you would like to read any of the stories you can do so hereCeran Family
Also I know none of you here in blog land know these people but I have set up a blog page for commentsMemorial Page and I think it would be sweet of anyone reading this to drop them a note just to let them know you heard about what happened and wish them well. If you do visit the site and for some reason mention you read about it here, please use my name as Pat and do NOT refer back to this url..I prefer to keep it private
Thanks

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Monday, December 25, 2006

Six good reasons not to drink and drive

Six good reasons not to drink and drive.

From left to right, My brother in law Gary, his daughter Clarissa, son Caleb, who were hurt. Wife Cheryl who was killed. Son Ian killed, daughter Julieanna killed.

Please please do not drink and drive. When you do real people with real families die




MURRAY — A mother and two children from Cedar Hills, Utah County, were killed early Sunday when their car was struck by a pickup truck that police said ran a red light. Carlos Rodolfo Prieto Police say the truck's 24-year-old driver was intoxicated.
Cheryl L. Ceran, 47, and her 15-year-old son, Ian Ceran, were pronounced dead at the scene of the 2:24 a.m. crash, at the intersection of 5400 South and 700 West, said Murray Police Sgt. Paul Christiansen.
Ceran's 7-year-old daughter, Julinna Ceran, was flown by helicopter to Primary Children's Medical Center, where she later died.
Three members of the Ceran family survived the collision. The husband, 45-year-old Gary J. Ceran, sustained minor injuries. The couple's 12-year-old son, Caleb Ceran, and 18-year-old daughter, Clarissa Ceran, also suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
A friend said the family had just stopped at Wal-Mart for some late-night Christmas shopping after attending the cast party for the Hale Centre Theatre's production of "A Christmas Carol" in West Valley City. Gary Ceran played the role of Bob Cratchit in the production, and both Caleb and Clarissa had smaller roles in the play.
"It has completely demolished everyone's Christmas," Sally Dietlein, Hale Centre Theatre executive producer, told the Deseret Morning News Sunday. "The real tough part of this is, before the events of last night, they had already lost five children to various illnesses, so this is something that is almost more than you can even think is possible. So from 11 (in the family), there are now only three.
"The understanding the (surviving) kids tend to have is that the mother was needed to take care of the other children in heaven."
Cheryl Ceran was driving the family's passenger car eastbound on 5400 South. They were about a half mile from the entrance to southbound I-15, which would take them home to Cedar Hills. The pickup truck was headed northbound on 700 West when it ran the red light and hit the Mercury, Christiansen said.
The driver of the 1997 pickup, Carlos Rodolfo Prieto, 24, was not seriously hurt.
Christiansen said he was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on three felony counts of vehicular homicide and was expected to be also charged with three misdemeanors — driving under the influence, driving without a license and running a red light.
Murray police detective Kenny Bass said Prieto has no known criminal record. His place of residence was unknown at press time Sunday night.
Dietlein said she was told the three family members who died were sitting in the front seat and the three survivors were in the back seat.
"The car kind of collapsed around Clarissa and caused a lot of stress to her legs, (but) as we understand it there is nothing broken there, just probably some trauma. She has been in a lot of pain. They had to really work to get her out of" the vehicle, she said.
"Gary, the father, is up, he's out of the hospital and he's working to take care of the two other kids, who are in two different hospitals. And as of today, they (Clarissa and Caleb) are going to be fine."
In the Hale Centre Theatre's production, Clarissa played the role of Elizabeth, one of the young girls from Ebenezer Scrooge's past. Caleb played Scrooge as a young boy and also doubled as a Cratchit child.
"The nurses at Primary Children's were in tears today," said Dietlein, who visited with the survivors Sunday. "The doctor who had to explain to the father what had happened (to 7-year-old Julinna) said it was the hardest thing she'd ever had to do.
Dietlein said the Cerans do not have any family members who live in Utah. But she said Caleb told her that his uncle, his father's brother, had flown in from California on Sunday to help Gary Ceran pick up the pieces of what has been a challenging life.
"They have a strong network of friends," Dietlein said, adding that she is sure some sort of fund will be set up to help the three surviving family members.
"This family has been through a tremendous amount of heartache," she said.
Dietlein said Clarissa told her Sunday that she had never known anyone more mature for his age than her 15-year-old brother, Ian. Indeed, all of the Ceran children are mature beyond their years because of the hardships they have endured, Dietlein said.
Dietlein said Gary Ceran worked for a long time as an accountant for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but is now working for a private company. She said Cheryl Ceran had been homeschooling Caleb.
The family previously lived in South Jordan before moving to Utah County.

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Sunday, December 24, 2006

Sad, Sad News

It is with a heavy heart that Christmas Eve once again has stuck tragedy for someone we love. My husbands Sister in law, niece, and newphew were killed in Salt Lake City Utah this morning by a drunk driver. His brother and two other children riding in the car were hurt. Please please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. We don't have all the details yet, but it is bad.

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I'm making a list and checking it twice


Yeah! I made it. I am off work until Tues. I can not believe how much money people spent this year on gifts for there pets. It mind boggled me to think that it seemed so normal to people to shell out fifty, sixty, or even over a hundred dollars for dog treats and toys. I certainly don't have that kind of money to spend on a dog(cat, bird, fish etc) I kept thinking to myself, why aren't you at the mall buying real presents. I also thought You are all stupid because the dog does not know what day of the week it is and on Tues all of this stuff is going to be half price. Ok, ok, I confess, I do have a stocking for my dog, but I spent maybe ten bucks on toys and treats, nothing like the people we have had in. I also have to give the stupid person of the year award to a lady that came in today. She asked me a price for a dog bone. I quoted her one and she said good. That she had $20.00 to spend on her dog and that was all she had because SHE LIVES IN HER VAN!. I thought you are kidding me. Nope she was serious. She lives in her van and she was in a pricey pet store spending twenty bucks on a DOG. I just shook my head. Tis the season I suppose.

On that note I wamt tell everyone to
I am not going to be blogging any more until at lest sometime Monday Evening. Tomorrow morning I have to get my laundry done and in the afternoon we will be heading to my mom's house where all my family will meet for dinner and a gift exchange. Then on Christmas morning I will be at my daughters house for my grandson to open his Santa. In the afternoon we will be having Christmas dinner with my ex, then I plan on taking a nap! Take care everyone.

Hugs and warm wishes to all of you.

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Friday, December 22, 2006

Daddy's Hands

(Daddy's Hands..Holly Dunn)

I remember Daddy´s hands, folded silently in prayer
And reaching out to hold me, when I had a nightmare.
You could read quite a story, in the callouses and lines.
Years of work and worry had left their mark behind.
I remember Daddy´s hands, how they held my Mama tight,
And patted my back, for something done right.
There are things that I´ve forgotten, that I loved about the man,
But I´ll always remember the love in Daddy´s hands.

Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was cryin´.
Daddy´s hands, were hard as steel when I´d done wrong.
Daddy´s hands, weren´t always gentle
But I´ve come to understand.
There was always love in Daddy´s hands.

I remember Daddy´s hands, working 'til they bled.
Sacrificed unselfishly, just to keep us all fed.
If I could do things over, I´d live my life again.
And never take for granted the love in Daddy´s hands.

Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was cryin´.
Daddy´s hands, were hard as steel when I´d done wrong.
Daddy´s hands, weren´t always gentle
But I´ve come to understand.
There was always love in Daddy´s hands.

Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was cryin´.
Daddy´s hands, were hard as steel when I´d done wrong.
Daddy´s hands, weren´t always gentle
But I´ve come to understand.
There was always love .....
In Daddy´s hands.


Album Lyrics: Holly Dunn






My daddy love to play the guitar. He espically loved country music. Alan Jackson was his favorite. He loved baseball, and the Atlanta Braves were his team. He loved his church and God and in his last years he played with a group of his friends at church. When daddy was young his dream was to be a country singer. He played with a the local boys in town and they were on the radio playing live on the weekends. They took off once for Nashville where they made a demo record. I heard it once when I was a little girl. It was one of those old 16 1/2 speed plastic records. I think his oldest sister has it deep in a closet some where.
Daddy gave up his dream to be a country star when he married my momma. His love for her and us kids took over. I think about that sometimes and know that he made sacrifices for us, yet I never heard him complain. Daddy joined the Marines, and then the Navy, where he put in 20 years. When he retired he went to work as a maintenance man at a local hotel. My sister Michelle was born just as he was getting out of the military. Daddy stayed there until he reached 65 when he once again retired. Daddy loved nature. He planted a garden for years out in the back yard. His roses were the talk of the neighborhood. Daddy was loved by everyone. Especially my mom and us kids. Once when I was a little girl I remember my daddy and I riding on a merry go round at the park in San Diego CA. Round and round we would go, and my daddy would reach out and try to grab the brass ring to win me a prize. He got it once, and I remember him being proud. I don't remember what he won that day, but it doesn't matter. What matters is the happy memory it left on my young heart.
I remember running out to find daddy in his garden the day I found out I was carrying his first grandchild. With both my son and daughter and with my brothers daughter the love continued on from us kids into his grandkids.
Daddy health went down hill fast the last few years before we lost him. We knew he was not well,but I don't think any of us realized just how soon we would lose him
My daddy left this world two years ago today. I was with him when he took his last breath. As crazy as it might sound, it was a beautiful moment and one I am so glad that I was able to share with him. He gave me life, and I was there for him in his death. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of him. He never got to see his great grandchildren, but they will know him. I will make sure of that. I miss you daddy and love you with all my heart. Christmas will never be the same without you. Your smile and your gentle ways are missed more than you will ever know. We buried my daddy in the snow on that cold Christmas Eve two years ago.Summer came, and then winter again, and then spring and now once again it is winter. It is hard to believe that two years have passed. This year the weather is suppose to be warm and if God/Goddess allows it we will all gather at my mom's to have dinner, and gifts for the younger kids. I know that somehow, my daddy will be looking down on us. Life does go on, it is the way it is suppose to be...
And so the Wheel turns...

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Thursday, December 21, 2006

My Yule Gift



I recieved a beautiful Yule Gift today. My daughter in law didn't realize it was Yule when she sent these photos of my beautiful grand daugther. I have never got to hold this beautiful little girl. Her mommy and my son are not together and she is on the west coast and I am on the east cost. My heart breaks and I long to hold her in my arms. I only get photos about once or twice a year, but today was a good day.
Blessed Yule Everyone

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Blessed Yule

For all my Pagan friends..




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I hate beta blogger

I hate beta blogger. I have messed up my entire blog with it,when I changed templates. Now that Christmas is almost here I wanted to change back to the plain one that they offer until I find something else I like. I can't change the settings now. Grrr
I opened a blog at wordpress, but it won't let me transfer the beta blog to it, so If I go with it I have to hand move every entry I have. That is over 400 and all my photos will have to be reloaded and I will lose all my comments. Maybe I should just start reading a good book and forget about blogging GRRRRRR
(I have temporarily removed the link to the wordpress blog until I have time to see how trouble it is going to be to move everything. If you read an earlier post with the url, you can still view me there I am just not listing it for a day or so)

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Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Making a change

Would everyone hate me if I move this blog back to wordpress?
I am thinking of changing it back again. This beta blogger is kicking my butt. I think wordpress might have been easier after all.
I will let you know if I change it so everyone can update the url

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Monday, December 18, 2006

From A-Z

I've seen this around the blogs and thought I would try it.


A. Airplanes, I don't like to fly and would rather spend weeks in car if I had to choose.
B. Birds. I have one, a love bird
C. Cody, my grandson and the light of my life
D. Dog, I have one named Lucy
E. Evening, My favorite time of day
F. Family, the thing I cherish the most
G. Grandmother, I love being one
H. House, the thing I really want
I. Icicle, Something I don't see often where I live
J. J is for Jason my only son
K. Kitten, I have two
L. Laila, the grand daughter I long to see
M. Michelle, my sister,
N. Niece, I only have one
O. Orange, my favorite fruit
P. Patty, that would be me
Q. Quiet, something I never seem to get enough of
R. Rebecca, my beautiful daughter
S. Spaghetti, My favorite meal
T. TV. I watch very few shows, I mostly keep it on for the noise
U. Umbrella, mine is always in the car when it rains
V. Vehicle, My husband needs a new one
W. Water, you can reach a body of it just about anywhere in my area in less than ten minutes
X. X marks the spot. If I ever try to find buried treasure those are the words I will look for
Y. Yellow, a color I rarely wear
Z. Zoo, I enjoy going to see the animals

Whew that was harder than it looks

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More Xmas Quiz

You Are Donner

The most loveable and sweet reindeer, you're also a total dork!

Why You're Naughty: You keep (accidentally) tripping the other reindeer while flying.

Why You're Nice: You're always smiling, even if you've fallen flat on your horns.






You Are a Snowman



Friendly and fun, you enjoy bringing holiday cheer to everyone you know!

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How much have you changed in 10 years

I stole this from my sister Michelle

How much have YOU changed in 10 years?
*In December 1996….

How old were you?
43

Where did you go to school?
No Where

Where did you work?
A Hallmark Store

Where did you live?
Knoxville Tennessee

Where did you hang out?
Around the house

How was your hair?
short and brown

Did you wear glasses?
Yes

Who was your best friend(s)?
Sharon and Becky

Who was your regular-person crush?
John

How many tattoos did you have?
0

How many piercings did you have?
including ears? 2

What car did you drive?
A van

What was your worst fear?
Being Stuck for the rest of my life in Knoxville

Had you been arrested?
No

Had your heart been broken?
Yes

**HA HA HA!!! LETS SEE WHAT YOU ARE NOW !!!!!**

IN December 2006…..

How old are you?
53

Where do you work?
A Pet Supply Store

Where do you live?
Newport News, Va

Where do you hang out?
Home, or My daughters house


Do you wear glasses?
Yes

How is your hair?
Medium length, browish color with lots of grey if I don't dye it


Who are your best friends?
My dog and cats ha ha


Still talk to any of your old friends?
All the time in my head and in my heart..Both of them have passed away

Who is your current interest?
Dean

How many tattoos?
1

How many piercings do you have?
double holes in my ears

What kind of car do you drive?
Hyundi

What is your biggest fear?
growing old

Have you been arrested since, if so, how many times?
No

Has your heart been broken since then?
Yes

Single/Taken/Married/Divorced/Bitter
divorced and remarried

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Sunday, December 17, 2006

Helpless

Why are men so helpless? I just don't get it. When we have son's we raise them right don't we? We teach them little things like how to put a dish in the sink, and throw socks in the hamper. Then why can't they think for themselves? I just don't get it. I like to think I taught my son those things. I'm sure when my husbands mother was alive she liked to think she did. Then why is it my husband is so helpless? Take today for example, he gets up and announces he is going shopping for my Christmas present.(Note here that I am finished and he is just now when we are broke starting.)
He had asked me to tell him a few things I wanted.(Never mind that he lives with me and should come up with something on his own). Ok, so I list four or five inexpensive things and where he can find them. On the top of my list was a small deep fryer. I list the store and the price. I tell him I had been in that store this morning and that they only had one left and it was up on the top shelf in the overstock area. I also tell him that was not neccessarly the thing I wanted. That it was just something on the list for him to think about. Soooo he leaves, and not ten minutes later my phone rings. Its the husband. Honey I'm at the store, didn't you tell me that they only had one of those deep fryers left..
I saw red. I was so hurt and so upset that
1. He just revealed to me what he was buying me for Christmas
2. That he can't think for himself
3 That he is a MAN!

I give up. I swear he has to be the most stupid person on earth. I told him to just come home, that I didn't want the damn deep fryer. That why would he call me and tell me what he got me and take the joy away. I didn't give him time to answer me. I hung up on him.
He didn't call back, and he hasn't come home. I guess that means I get the second thing on the list..
Can you tell I am having ONE OF THOSE DAYS!

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Grrrr

I woke up this morning to find that my cats had been in the window. Knocked down TWO plants. Dirt was everywhere, even in the dogs kennel..gee it's a good thing her butt was in the bed with us!(That is sarcasm in case you didn't catch it). To top it off it looks like "someone"(insert dog, or cat here)knocked the food and water dishes all over the kitchen. (Of course I was hoping that enough water got on the dirty dishes left in the sink to clean them but it didn't)My house is a wreck. My bank account is close to nothing, but at lest I'm finished shopping. Almost everything is wrapped, although it doesn't matter because the dang CATS won't stay out of them. I had to take everything from under the tree and put it in the corner of my bedroom.
My husband has been down with his back for over a week now. I've been trying to find time for days to steam clean my carpets. My apartment is to small and I hate living in it. I know I shouldn't compain. At lest everyone is simi-ok this season. Two years ago this week my dad was in the hosptial sick and died on the 22. One year ago we were moving I had given away all my animals and my daughter and my grandson's daddy split up. This year she has a great new boyfriend, I have an apartment even if it is small, I have new animals (can some call me crazy please). My husband and I are working. I have a beautiful grandson, and life goes on....

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Saturday, December 16, 2006

Santa Paws

I haven't mentioned it before but several weeks ago I signed up at a website for my dog and cats to be "Secret Paws". The idea is I sent a gift for a pet and someone sends to mine. Since I have two cats and a dog, I have three names and should get three gifts in return. Lucy my pug was the first to get her. Look at all the awesome dog goodies.



Go to ImageShack® to Create your own Slideshow

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Friday, December 15, 2006

It figures

Don't you just love it when you pick out the a toy, and it is the kind that that makes noise. Of course you play with the one on the shelf to see how it works, then reach for the one just BEHIND it because you want to make sure you get one that works. After all the one you have in your hand has been played with so many times it might not work right. THEN....when you get home and get ready to wrap the toy you turn it on...just to make sure it works ok...after all it should because it was BEHIND the one you had in your hand which worked perfectly fine..and it is BROKEN..Damn damn damn....lol...I have to go back to WALAMRT!!
This is not going to be a good day

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Thursday, December 14, 2006

Getting Crafty

Cinnamon Ornaments
Makes: 10

Note: These are NOT edible! I am sharing this recipe because they make wonderful gifts. They also would make your house smell heavenly if you make these for your tree.
1 c Applesauce
1 oz Cinnamon
1 oz Ground cloves
1 oz Ground nutmeg
1 oz Ground ginger
Cinnamon for cutting board

Combine ingredients to make a stiff dough. Roll out on board dusted with ground cinnamon. Cut with cookie cutters of your choice. Put hole in top for string. Lay out flat to dry. Turn over every 12 hours until completely dry

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Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Snowflakes

My sister Michelle sent this link to me in my email. It is a lot of fun and you make your own Snowflake Once you create it you view your flake falling along with others people have made. You can do more than one and I was like a little kid trying to see if I could make a perfect flake. Of course all snowflakes are beautiful and no two are alike.
(Also If you want you can send a donation to the Salvation Army at this site but its not required).

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Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Gone to the dogs

Something tells me Lucy was not impressed!

Christmas Myspace Dividers



Christmas Myspace Dividers

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Monday, December 11, 2006

Which Tarot Card Are You?

Most of the time I find these little quiz's silly, but this one seems to fit me.



You are The Empress


Beauty, happiness, pleasure, success, luxury, dissipation.


The Empress is associated with Venus, the feminine planet, so it represents,
beauty, charm, pleasure, luxury, and delight. You may be good at home
decorating, art or anything to do with making things beautiful.


The Empress is a creator, be it creation of life, of romance, of art or business. While the Magician is the primal spark, the idea made real, and the High Priestess is the one who gives the idea a form, the Empress is the womb where it gestates and grows till it is ready to be born. This is why her symbol is Venus, goddess of beautiful things as well as love. Even so, the Empress is more Demeter, goddess of abundance, then sensual Venus. She is the giver of Earthly gifts, yet at the same time, she can, in anger withhold, as Demeter did when her daughter, Persephone, was kidnapped. In fury and grief, she kept the Earth barren till her child was returned to her.


What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

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Sunday, December 10, 2006

Do you believe in the magic?




Eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York's Sun, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial Sept. 21, 1897. The work of veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church has since become history's most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or whole in dozens of languages in books, movies, and other editorials, and on posters and stamps.


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"DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old.
"Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
"Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.'
"Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

"VIRGINIA O'HANLON.
"115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET."


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VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except [what] they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measure by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! How dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest man that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding. No Santa Claus! Thank GOD! He lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

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Saturday, December 9, 2006

Dear Santa

Christmas Dividers




Dear Santa
I want it all!!!
(My grandson and Santa)

Christmas Dividers

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Friday, December 8, 2006

Christmas Page

I had a beautiful Christmas page sent to me in my morning email. If you have dial up you probably don't want to bother trying this page as it is graphic intense, but if you can view it, it is worth wild.
Christmas Magic

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Local News



I found this in my morning news today. I had to chuckle. My husband and stood outside the Governors house last summer when we took the Ghost tour. We kept hoping he would come outside since the guard at the gate told us he was home. I guess maybe he was to busy on the phone ha ha. (photo taken last summer)



Mr. Governor, it’s the ghost again
By CHRISTINA NUCKOLS, The Virginian-Pilot
© December 8, 2006




If there’s a paranormal “Do Not Call” registry out there, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine would like to sign up.

The governor told radio listeners Thursday that the ghost who supposedly has haunted the 193-year-old executive mansion in Richmond for more than a century seems to have taken up telemarketing.

“The telephone will ring once in the private quarters that we have at a very inconvenient time. It rings once, pick it up, there’s nobody there,” Kaine said on his monthly radio call-in show. “It’s always at the exact same moment.”



Legend has it the Gray Lady took up residence in the executive mansion in the 1800s after dying in a carriage accident as she was returning from a party at the governor’s home.

“The story is, she came back to the mansion because that was where she had her last happy moments in life,” said Amy Bridge, director of the executive mansion, the oldest continuously occupied governor’s residence in the United States.

Kaine wouldn’t reveal the precise timing of the calls to avoid “copy-cat poltergeists,” but spokesman Kevin Hall said they occur just after midnight on the same day of the week. Bridge said former Gov. Mark Warner also received the spooky phone calls.

Realizing that his listeners might be unnerved to hear about their governor’s supernatural adventures, Kaine assured them he has never seen the Gray Lady.

“I could have just really unwound my whole term as governor by launching into a description of my communing with the spirits,” he said.

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Bah Hum Bug

I really hate the holidays. For the last few years every Christmas someone I know has passed away. Last year it was my mom's neighbor who I had known since I was 12. She died on Christmas Eve, the year before my dad on Dec. 22, the year before that my mom's brother (forget the date but it was at Christmas). Now I hear of another family member who is not doing well. My Aunt in South Carolina is in the hospital in intensive care. She is bleeding from her lungs. She had heart surgery last week and they seem to think this is a complication from that. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. Also I am not sure how many of you read Roc Rebel Granny, but her latest post is about her daughter Carol who is dying of cancer. She doesn't have much time left. It may be a matter of days or at the most weeks. Please remember her also. Such sadness at what should be a joyous season

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Thursday, December 7, 2006

Adding Two Recipes

I am adding two new recipe's to my recipes blog. I also wanted to share them here, since so many people cook special things for the holidays. These came in my morning email from my Aunt in Richmond VA. She is an excellent cook, so I am sure they are both very good.




Franklin Pecan Cake

1 pound butter, no substitutions (margarine

is not rich enough to give it the flavor

needed)
2 cups sugar
6 eggs, beaten
4 cups flour, divided
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 pound candied cherries, cut in half
1 pound candied pineapple, diced
1 pound pecans, broken in small pieces, not

chopped

Cream butter and sugar; add beaten eggs.

Add 3 cups of the flour, sifted with baking

powder and salt. Mix remaining flour with

cherries, pineapple and nuts. Add vanilla.

Batter will be very thick.

Pour into a tube pan that has been lined with

lightly greased parchment paper. Bake at

250 degrees for three hours. Let the cake

cool in pan for about 15 minutes. Invert onto

rack.

The flavor can be enhanced by pouring 1/2

cup of wine or sherry over cake while still

warm.




Cranberry White Chocolate Shortbread **

2 cups (4 sticks) butter, softened (don't substitute the butter or the cookie will be ruined)
1 cup sugar
4 cups flour
1 pkg. White Chocolate chips
1-1/2 cups dried cranberries
½ cup chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 350°F. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add flour; mix well.
Stir in chopped chocolate, cranberries, and nuts. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough, 2 inches apart, onto un-greased baking sheets. Flatten each ball of dough slightly.

Bake 10 to 14 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool 5 minutes on baking sheets.
Remove to wire racks; cool completely.

Makes: About 4 dozen cookies or 48 servings, 1 cookie each.

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* Both of these recipes makes a lot. The cake can be baked in two loaf pans instead of the tube pan and it makes two full loafs. I sometimes make ½ the recipe for just one loaf. Either way, it will take the full 3 hours to bake and about that long to cool. Slice it thin to serve.

** The cookie recipe makes a lot and I sometimes make only half of it but, when I do, we don't have enough cookies…..these things are s-o-o-o good; Bet You Can't Eat Just One!


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Wednesday, December 6, 2006

Unanswered Questions

1.Ever wonder about those people who spend $2.00 apiece on those little bottles of Evian water? Try spelling Evian backwards: NAIVE

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2. Isn't making a smoking section in a restaurant like making a peeing section in a swimming pool?

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3.OK..... so if the Jacksonville Jaguars are known as the "Jags" and theTampaBay Buccaneers are known as the "Bucs," what does that make the Tennessee Titans?


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4.If 4 out of 5 people SUFFER from diarrhea...does that mean that one enjoys it?

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5. There are three religious truths:
a. Jews do not recognize Jesus as the Messiah.
b. Protestants do not recognize the Pope as the leader of the Christian faith.
c. Baptists do not recognize each other in the liquor store or at Hooters.

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6. If people from Poland are called Poles, why aren't people from Holland called Holes

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8. If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled?

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9. Why do croutons come in airtight packages? Aren't they just stale bread to begin with?

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10. Why is a person who plays the piano called a pianist but a person who drives a racecar is not called a racist?

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11. Why isn't the number 11 pronounced onety one?

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12 If lawyers are disbarred and clergymen defrocked, doesn't it follow that electricians can be delighted, musicians denoted, cowboys deranged, models deposed, tree surgeons debarked, and dry cleaners depressed?

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13. If Fed Ex and UPS were to merge, would they call it Fed UP?

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14. Do Lipton Tea employees take coffee breaks?

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15. What hair color do they put on the driver's licenses of bald men?

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16. I was thinking about how people seem to read the Bible a whole lot more as they get older; then it dawned on me .....they're cramming for their final exam.

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17. I thought about how mothers feed their babies with tiny little spoons and forks, so I wondered what do Chinese mothers use? toothpicks?

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18. Why do they put pictures of criminals up in the Post Office? What are we supposed to do, write to them? Why don't they just put their pictures on the postage stamps so the mailmen can look for them while they deliver the mail?

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19 If it's true that we are here to help others, then what exactly are the others here for?

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20. You never really learn to swear until you learn to drive.

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21. Ever wonder what the speed of lightning would be if it didn't zigzag?

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22. If a cow laughed, would milk come out of her nose?

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23. Whatever happened to Preparations A through G?


As income tax time approaches, did you ever notice: When you put the two words "The" and "IRS" together it spells
"THEIRS"?

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Tuesday, December 5, 2006

Cherry Nut Cake

I mentioned awhile back that I was posting my favorite recipes Here Since it is almost Christmas I thought this might be a good cake to bake so I wanted to share it on my main blog

Cherry Nut Cake

2 1/4 c. flour
1 1/2 c sugar
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 c chopped walnuts
1/2 c shortening
1/3 c cherry juice
1/2 c milk
16 cherries, cut
1/2-3/4 c egg whites (4 large eggs)

Preheat oven to 375º combine all ingredients except egg whites; beat with spoon for 2 minutes. Add egg whites (unbeaten). Beat 2 more minutes. Do not over beat.
Bake for 20-25 minutes in two 8" round cake pans. Cool on wire racks. frost with white frosting. Garnish with walnuts and cherries

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The last few days

It's been an uneventful few days. (Thankfully!) I've had off since Saturday, and I have got lazy. Saturday of course was spent with my husband. We had the entire day alone. We started off with breakfast at...
Yep you guessed it McDonald's. From there we jumped in the car and went to Petersburg. (I've already posted photos from the cemetery, and the trip along the way.). When we first got there we went to the visitor center Which is set up in this old home.


Next we walked around a bit visiting some antique stores
I love to browse and spent time looking in this window


Finally before leaving I bought these for the tree..I am not sure how old they were but I liked them.


On our way home we stopped for dinner at the The Virginia Diner

After we ate we headed back home where were stopped at the movies and saw Deja Vu with Denzel Washington. If you haven't seen this movie yet, you should put it on your list of have to see. It was worth it.
Anyway that was my Saturday. Sunday was laundry day as usual, and yesterday my daughter and I took my grandson to see Santa and have his picture made. (Photo to follow when I have time to scan)
Today I went back to bed (something I rarely do) and slept till NOON!! When I finally drug my lazy self out of bed I took the dog with me to pick up a prescription and then to the park. We went on a short hike and then it was home. This afternoon I am cooking cabbage and plan on making sweet potatoes and meat loaf to go with it.
Tomorrow is back to the real world and work. Yuck

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Sunday, December 3, 2006

A Trip To Petersburg VA

Yesterday Dean and I visited BLANDFORD CEMETERY in Petersburg Virginia
All the photos below were taken by me. I spent about an hour walking around and was somewhat overwhelmed at the number of graves. I know this is suppose to be a happy time of year, and Halloween might have been better to visit graveyards, but I wanted to share the following information and my photos. I hope you emjoy them as much as I enjoyed taking them

(The following information came from the Internet)

The cemetery adjacent to Blandford Church has been used as a burial ground since the early eighteenth century. The oldest marked grave dates from 1702. Among the more noted individuals buried within the cemetery is one foreigner, Major General William Phillips, British citizen and commander of the British troops during the April 25, 1781 "Battle of Petersburg." Phillips died on May 13, 1781 in Petersburg following a fever that was most likely malaria or typhus. A memorial stone, erected by the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1914, stands adjacent to Blandford Church, marking the general location of Phillips' secret burial, done at the direction of his deputy commander, Brigadier General Benedict Arnold. For more information on Petersburg's Revolutionary War history, follow the link on the left.

In June 1866, the first Memorial Day was celebrated in honor of the 30,000 Confederate soldiers buried on Memorial Hill inside the burial ground. For more information about Petersburg's Civil War history follow the link on the left.

The cemetery's gravestones, sculptures, and tombs represent a diverse array of eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth century styles of funerary art. In addition, some plots feature exquisite examples of nineteenth century decorative iron fences. A walking tour, highlighting some of the monuments and burial sites in close vicinity of the Church is incorporated into the Church tour, weather permitting. More extensive cemetery tours are offered throughout the year, including a Halloween evening tour on October 31. Check the Calendar for additional information.

Begin your tour of Historic Blandford Church and Cemetery at the Blandford Visitors' Reception Center, 111 Rochelle Lane, Petersburg, VA 23803, (804) 733-2396. The reception center features a display of artifacts associated with the history of the Cemetery and Church as well as a gift shop.

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Saturday, December 2, 2006

Do Ya Think?

My Husband and I spent a wonderful day together today. We decided this morning to take a day trip to Petersburg VA. This is the first thing we saw along the way. Do ya think maybe this family has watched National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation one time to many? Awww trailer trash at its best never fails to amuse me!
(Click Photo to enlarge)





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For My Husband

Happy Anniversary Sweetheart I love you!



You Had Me From Hello

One word, that's all was said,
Something in your voice called me, turned my head.
Your smile captured me, you were in my future as far as I could see.
And I dont know how it happened, but it happens still.
You ask me if I love you, if I always will.........

Well, you had me from "Hello"
I felt love start to grow the moment I looked into your eyes,
You won me, it was over from the start.
You completely stole my heart, and now you won't let go.
I never even had a chance you know?
You had me from "Hello"

Inside I built a wall so high around my heart, I thought I'd never fall.
One touch, you brought it down
Bricks of my defenses scattered on the ground
And I swore to me that I wasn't going to love again
The last time was the last time I'd let someone in

Well, you had me from "Hello"
I felt love start to grow the moment I looked into your eyes,
You won me, it was over from the start.
You completely stole my heart, and now you wont let go.
I never even had a chance you know?
You had me from "Hello"

Thats all you said
Something in your voice calls me, turns my head
You had me from "Hello"
You had me from "Hello"
I've loved you from "Hello"

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Friday, December 1, 2006

Once Again The Wheel Has Turned (December)

I can't believe how fast the days are flying. Wasn't it the 4th of July just last week? I took the dog for a walk this morning and remembered it is time for my wheel of the year photos again. I wish I could get the exact spot and angle every time I photograph around my apartment building, but it seems every month I see something a bit different so I just go with my feelings.
I hope you will look at my archives. It amazes me how fast things change.(I uploaded the photos smaller this time so click on them to enlarge)







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Eat Your Heart Out

Here is the Hampton Roads outlook from the Weather Service:


Today: Partly sunny with record highs in the lower 80s and a slight chance of showers this morning. Mostly cloudy and windy with a 50 percent chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms this afternoon with south winds at 20 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph.


Tonight: Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers in the evening, then mostly clear after midnight. It will be much cooler with lows in the mid-40s and southwest winds at 20 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph, becoming west at 10 to 15 mph after midnight.


Saturday: Sunny and much cooler with a high in the mid-50s and northwest winds at 10 to 15 mph. The overnight low should be in the mid-40s.


Sunday: Partly sunny with a high in the lower 50s and an overnight low in the upper 40s with a chance of showers developing.


Monday: Partly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers and a high in the mid-40s and an overnight low in the lower 30s.


Tuesday: Mostly clear with a high in the upper 40s.

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