CHRISTMAS CAROLS FOR ALL THE COLORFUL PEOPLE IN MY LIFE.

* 1. Schizophrenia --- Do You Hear What I Hear?

* 2. Multiple Personality Disorder --- We Three Kings Disoriented Are

* 3. Dementia --- I Think I'll be Home for Christmas

* 4. Narcissistic --- Hark the Herald Angels Sing About Me

* 5. Manic --- Deck the Halls and Walls and House and Lawn and Streets and Stores and Office and Town and Cars and Buses and Trucks and Trees and.....

* 6. Paranoid --- Santa Claus is Coming to Town to Get Me

* 7. Borderline Personality Disorder --- Thoughts of Roasting on an Open Fire

* 8. Personality Disorder --- You Better Watch Out, I'm Gonna Cry, I'm Gonna Pout, Maybe I'll Tell You Why

* 9. Attention Deficit Disorder --- Silent night, Holy oooh look at the Froggy - can I have a chocolate, why is France so far away?

* 10. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder -- - Jingle Bells,! Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle,Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells , Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells

"Be kinder than necessary for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle"

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For Pete's sake would someone slow down the rest of this year. It's speeding by at a rate that makes it impossible to accomplish everything I intended too.

I got the call yesterday. Not the call.........but a call. I have my first meeting Thursday at Bowling Green. The first step in getting a precious little one who needs love. Fingers crossed that this is a speedy process so I can get "the call".

The kids have made their Santa list. Peyton wants a t.v and Playstation 3. Easy enough. Eli never makes a list. Having to think and make a list of things he's like to have have never been his strong suit. That is just to hard of a decision. Santa always has to wing it with him.......and 98% of the time it's a huge FAIL! But, this year Santa thinks he has what this little hoarder will love forever. A metal detector!! Silly to you for a 9 year old child but I am almost sure this will make his wheels turn at super speeds and also require me to fill lots of holes in my yard. Wonder if it comes with a load of top soil?

Zackary has listed many, many, many things. Hulk Fist, computer, iPod, Transformers, ect. He is easy peasy to buy for. Santa has never had any problems pleasing this kiddo.

Evyn. He has never really understood Christmas in the past, but this year will be FUN!! We always take turns at Christmas. Each child opens one gift at a time while the others watch and I can take pictures and not miss one moment. Normally Evyn sits back and watches everyone open their gifts, wait till they are not looking, then slip it somewhere where we can't find it for 3 months. This year, I think he will be looking forward to his turn to open a gift. He will be 3 in January. I think he will be able to figure out the whole idea of ripping off paper this year without help. Which brings me to a question. Does Santa wrap gifts at your house? He always does here. I can recall one year as a child that Santa did not wrap gifts. It was traumatic for me. I mean, that was half the fun. I think I would prefer that now, as a adult. I hate unwrapping gifts. I hate receiving gifts. I hate surprises. When did I become so boring? I think it steams back to not wanting eyes on me, or maybe it's because I hate the mess that paper makes. That's the best part of letting the kids open one gift at a time......I can stuff wrapping paper in the garbage before it starts to make me break out in a OCD sweat.

I read Fb post everyday about how people are spazzing about getting Christmas shopping done. I don't have to worry about that. Years ago our family made set rules. No one is to receive gifts except the kids in the family. And it works for us. We get together eat, laugh and be merry. No worries about gifts and money and pleasing people. No worries about things not fitting or being broken. It makes Christmas so much more relaxing and fun.

What are your Christmas Traditions? Do you exchange gifts? Draw names? Or do like us and only buy for the kiddos?

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Santa Hat.
Rough draft.
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Latest creation. I knitted the first for myself as practice before I made Kileys hat and scarf. Todays project....a Santa hat.
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I do brag that I am the polar opposite of a hoarder. But there are some exemptions. Baby clothes that all four boys wore, nannys (aka pacifiers), pictures, hair and teeth before I realized they rot and turn black after 13 years or so are just a few of these.
While doing some major house cleaning today I came across Eli's 9th birthday candle and threw it away.......four times.
Secondly I came across a bottle of Evyn's that had been lost under my bed. Now thus just isn't any bottle. I have never kept any bottles that belonged to the other kids. This is the last bottle that will ever be in my house belonging to one of my babies. That is unless of course Danny succeeds in convincing me I'm not to old and my body won't break in two if I attempt it again.
I could not bare the thought of throwing these things away. It hurt my heart. So I am doing the next best thing.....take a picture, blog them and keep them forever without stomping on my OCD nerve. Woo goo. Win win.
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Thanksgiving at Mom's.......just as it should be. We spent the entire day. Eli brought his guitar and Brent played it while we sang along with every Elvis song on my iPod after we all foundered on Mom's huge meal.

Danny and I revealed our news today to the family so I guess it's now safe to reveal it to you all. We are now foster parents. I am ready to get this training started so we can hurry up and begin this next journey. I feel if I can't complete college right now and get my degree to help children, then this is the next best thing. Possibly even better, and more in need. My heart is full at the thought. A big ole thanks to my foster parent friends who helped us make this choice.

Tomorrow we will start Christmas Decorating. Christmas will be here again this year. I'm ready. Sorda. Maybe.

I hope today was full of great food and lots of knitting and Elvis for you all as well.

So, here's the dealeo with the neighbors.
Two years ago in Feb. they moved in. No big deal. At the time I was happy to see the old house occupied. Maybe the yard would be kept up better. When a house is as close as this one is it makes the surrounding homes look crappy too if it's not kept up. That's my OCD talking.

Shortly after they moved in I began getting phone calls. Previous landlords they had had found their new residence and felt obligated to contact me as well. The older gentleman was a convicted offender. The registry proved it. Not only that but they had also had some problems with the young man, his son, as well.  He had made some threats to previous landlords who evicted them. to the point one family in Edmonton had to go under some sort of protection because he "had a plan" to kill her and her family and went to his therapist with this plan. Yes, therapist. the young man is Schizophrenic.

That label does not scare me. Let me make that clear! As long as people take their meds as they should and have never had any violent rages or thought patterns, normally they never will. But, this young man had the history of it.

I sorda took him under my wing these last couple years. I developed a soft spot for him which his parents clearly picked up on. They sent him to my house for any thing and everything they ran out of. Sugar, Tide, lawn mower gas, cigarettes, coffee, dog food, rides to town, rides to the bank, rides to Mcdonalds, ect. I rarely ever told him no. He was 24 at the time he moved in next door but had the mental set of a child Eli's age. There was nothing more he loved then to toss the football in the yard with my children. I allowed it but never took my eyes off anyone. I know the parents took advantage of my kindness to their son. When I did decline to give him rides or give them gas I couldn't help but be a little scared in the back of my mind that he would get irritated with me and snap. his past showed him a bit unpredictable. Many times I didn't sleep for fear I had made him mad.

And then comes the disappearance of our sweet Willa. For three years she never left this yard. She was skiddish of anyone other than us. The lady came over one day and ask me if I had any like her for sale because someone she worked with wanted one. I did not. Three days later we let her out to potty and never saw her again. I am 98% sure they stole her and sold her. It was the only answer that made sense.

I made several calls during this two years to try and silently have them evicted. I never wanted to make it known it was me wanting them gone for fear of the young man and upsetting him. Nothing ever panned out and their landlord could care less about me or my family as long as the 450$ was coming in each month. I have never been so disgusted with one man in my entire life as I am him.

And now, just when I had began to give up on ever living and resting in peace they inform us the wife has ask for a divorce and he and his son were moving out of state as soon as the RV was running. What did we do??       You can bet your arse we helped them fix that dam RV!!!

So the lady is staying here along with some 18 year old gal and her 19 year old boyfriend. I'm not happy about the age of the newest neighbors but I'm not scared of pissing them off either!!! Some weird activity goes on over there. That's all I will say about them for now.

I can't help but be a worried for the young man. I kinda fell like I have took care of him for a couple years now. All the running I done, fed him and even mowed for him on those 100+ degree days so he wouldn't have to push mow their yard. Best I can tell his Dad (the molester) used him as a slave. It was disheartening to hear him scream and cuss him all hours of the day and night. But, thankfully this terrible nightmare is almost over for us. My kids can go back to playing in their yard without me over them constantly and I can sleep easier.

Pot has now been legalized and Hostess go bankrupt. Come on America?! Maybe the world is ending in three weeks as the Mayans predicted. ;)

We are now the owner of a cat. Let me rephrase....Zac is the owner of a cat. A indoor cat. Cute little Persian/Himalayan with big ole blue eyes. I am learning to share my space with her since she and Zac have this weird connection that kinda creeps me out a little. But, if she don't learn to hit the litter box she will quickly become a barn cat! She is so quirky and finicky and weird about people. She and Zac came from the same pod!! So for now I'm dealing with her bad potty habits in hopes they improve. She has 72 hours to learn some aim.

Week three and the truck is still down. Makes it impossible for me to go see Twilight so I'm staying off FB in case someone gives it away. I'd be better off to give it a week or so and maybe the crowd will dwindle off some.

Fall Festival came and went. I painted and painted and painted. Makes me sad that it was the last NME Festival. One more reason I would not be too upset if the Mayans are not yanking our chain.  The Chamber of Commerce are selling NME Christmas ornaments. I hope to grab one before they are gone for each of the boys who attended there to put up and keep.

Next week will be a two day week for the kiddos. Yay. If  I have not surfaced before this time next week......better check Western State.

This makes me smile and teary eyed. What did I do to deserve such a great young man to call my son?! Fall Formal came and went and I'm honored I for to spend the evening with Peyton and Kiley.
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From day one my pick on The Voice was Cody Belew. He says he likes to add a little "bang bang" in his preformances. Indeed he does!!!! Celo picked him last night to be one of three for the finals. And this my friends........is why!!!!! HAVE MERCY!!!!

Eli has been bugging the p#ss outa me about this new found friend of his coming over. I met this child and his mother a few weeks ago. Cute pair. He told me who his Daddy was and I stored that info away for another time to think about.

Once we were home I began to ponder over this child and if it was a good idea for him to visit with us. You know how us Momma's are. Always scared they will forget to brush their teeth, forget to wash their butt and behind their ears, or bring home someone who does not share the same morals as we try to instill in our own.

In the privacy of our own home I discussed this child with Danny when no one was listening.....so I thought. I asked Danny "Wonder why _______ has a different last name from his Daddy." Of course in this county it's not a surprise. I already was pretty sure of the answer but it was simply a thought while debating if this child was a safe choice as a friend.

Days after this private talk with Danny we came into contact with said kiddo and his Momma again. Eli and ______ were talking and playing within earshot of me when I heard Eli say "I don't know if Momma is gonna let you  come over because she don't understand why you have a different last name then your Daddy".  Oh Holy Mother of God!!!!!!!!

Without missing a beat that boy tapped on me with his little finger. I was so embarrassed to turn around. I really wanted to crawl under something, anything, and die!

With the strongest southern slang I have ever heard from a 9 year old in all my days he said  and I quote " ohhh my naaaaame be diff-ernt cause my Daddy gave up his riiiiiiiiights."

Lesson for the day: When having a conversation that only Danny and me need to be involved in we now text it back and forth or wait till dark and even still walk way out in the field and whisper. Even if we think we are alone.

Most fantastic games ever!! Zackary scored 6 points and did not cry when the game was over and it was time to watch the older gals play.
Eli player his little heart out. No meltdowns and a steal!!! he played most of the third quarter. The way he handled himself and the ball tonight was like a different child compared to last week. He LOVED it! Danny was a extremely proud Pop.....even more so then I was. He has really put a lot of hours and coaching into Eli since last week and it showed. The ride home was wild. It reminded me of bus rides home from away games when I was a kid. We blared the radio and sang all the way home. The party is still going on here. At the moment music is screaming from Eli's room. Black Betty. Along with a giggling.

I am completely and utterly sick about games tonight. Danny has worked with Eli several days teaching him plays and getting him use to the ball. We have played together a few times as a family and they have been some of the most fun we have ever had together. Eli is improving and can handle the ball rather well. We cut him no slack since the the other team will not either. But, I am still worried sick. I want it to go well and he needs it to go well. Fingers crossed.

The boys and I are now back into the swing of things with doggies. I have  missed it so much and now we have it back. Sorda. We are helping a friend now that she has a huge public work load. Cleaning, feeding, pictures, ads, ect. It has been a pleasure to get back to the things I loved and back to chores for the boys since they are always wanting something these days.

I have started on my second weighted blanket but can't sew anymore till I get more jeans. I'm begging, don't toss them away, donate them.

This weekend coming up has been my first free weekend in sometime. I have no photographs to take......at least none that will generate a income. Peyton's Fall Formal is this weekend and I will be doing photographs for him and several of his friends. I am excited for him. We went shopping at Bowling Green a couple days ago and hooked him up with some spiffy threads. (That's the kid lingo now, right?)

Election Day is tomorrow. It also, has me sick. I have not expressed my views this go round. I learned many years ago to keep my mouth shut and let my fingers do to the talking when I go vote tomorrow.

Mom decided she was having Thanksgiving at her house this year and I couldn't be happier. Thanksgiving at The Crack last year was awful. I will be having Christmas here again.  It went well and I enjoyed it. I found pictures from the meal I cooked last year with help from my fantastic sister in law and mother in law. I thought i would post them and it would help get me in the Holiday spirit. Enjoy.

Finished weighted blanket. I am so excited to deliver this to the precious gal it belongs to. I hope it eases her anxiety and makes her show off that wonderful smile more.
I have a waiting list started. Remember....keep the jean donations coming so I can continue to make these free and help our anxious, Autistic, Bipolar, ADD and ADHD kids. They are proven to help our babies that have a variety of alphabet soup on their medical record.
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Games for Eli and Zackary started tonight. Zackary has not had a practice yet but Eli had one last week. We predicted Zac would melt down when in a gym full of screaming adults, kids and a buzzer. WRONG! These kids never cease to surprise me.
Zackary done wonderful. Took charge and played his little heart out. I watched the clock in anticipation to see what his response would be. Nadda nothing. Not a single jump, flinch or fingers stuck in his ears!!
Eli on the other hand was over whelmed and broke down. The coach started hollering plays and Eli froze and cried.
So, here's my issue with tonight.......It's the adults job to encourage children and teach them. Eli was in the game only a few seconds before he was benched. No second chances. At the end of the game we spoke with the coach and he informed us this age was to competitive to mess around with. In other words, they are there to win, not teach and build confidence? I am hoping a few more practices and games will build Eli's confidence and he will gain some self worth. Isn't that the purpose of games? This won't happen on a bench. I was reminded of a story a few years back and the video that went along with it and just wanted to come home and show it to Eli and share it with you all. Enjoy.

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I forgot to take a picture of the finished throw I kintted Danny, but found one of it near completion.
After a few messages between the lady in Minnesota that makes the weighted blankets I realized she already has loads and loads of jean donations and really didn't have room for more since her story was made public. I decided to attempt them myself. I posted a few pictures of my journey with the first one. I also can continue to make these free with donations. They are such a wonderful thing and will calm our anxious/sensory/Bipolar/ ADHD/ Aspergers/Autistic babies. If you are unsure please Google the benefits and keep the jeans coming.
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