HOWDY FOLKS! I JUST WANTED TO TAKE A MINUTE AND TELL YOU ABOUT MY HALLOWEEN WEEKEND...

I ENDED UP GOING ON A (SORTA) SPUR-OF-THE-MOMENT TRIP TO NORMAN, OK. WITH MY MIL... TO? WELL I AM GLAD YOU ASKED... TO THE GRAND MOTHER-IN-LAW'S!

THE START OF THE TRIP THERE WAS THROUGH NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE RAIN... BUCKET-LOADS IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT... UNTIL WE WERE JUST OUTSIDE OF SHREVEPORT, LA. WHEN IT SEEMED WE WERE AT LAST PAST THE CLOUDS... SO I TOOK ADVANTAGE AND QUICKLY SNAPPED OFF A FEW PHOTOS...









WE WENT TO HELP TOE'S GRAMMA WITH A FEW THINGS AROUND THE HOUSE... AMONG THEM... PAINTING (WOOT!) THE SHED...
BEFORE:


WITH A COAT OF PRIMER:


WITH THE PAINT:


I THINK IT IS CUTE!

HERE IS THE MIL IN HER PAINTING CLOTHES, GETTING READY TO GET TO WORK:


DUDLEY CHASED SQUIRRELS WHILE WE PAINTED:


WE WENT TO A HAUNTED HOUSE... IT WAS A SMALL HOME-MADE ONE, BUT THEY DID AN AWESOME JOB!! (YES! THEY WENT ALL OUT!) EVEN WITH A CEMETERY IN FRONT OF THEIR HOUSE AND SINGING PUMPKINS!! (SEE VIDEO!) THEY EVEN LET ME TAKE PHOTOS!! I ASKED BEFORE I TOOK MY CAMERA IN...





THE MIL AND GRAND MIL OUTSIDE OF THE KIDDIE MAZE IN FRONT OF THE HAUNTED HOUSE...


VIDEO OF THE SINGING PUMPKINS:


STROBE LIGHTS INSIDE OF THE HAUNTED HOUSE


FOR THE LOVE OF PETE, THOSE SNAKES LOOK SO REAL!!


THE KIDS EVEN GOT INVOLVED AND WERE JUMPING OUT OF A CASKET AT PEPLE AS THE ROUNDED A CORNER:


THE ENTRY FEE FOR THEIR HAUNTED HOUSE WAS A CAN OF FOOD FOR THE LOCAL FOOD BANK. I THOUGHT IT WAS SO COOL THEY WERE GIVING BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITY!


WHEN WE GOT BACK TO THE HOUSE, THIS LITTLE SPIDER WAS WAITING FOR US... HE WAS THE ONLY TRICK-OR-TREATER WE GOT ALL NIGHT... TOO BAD WE DIDN'T HAVE THE KIND OF CANDY HE LIKED... LOL!!


I CAUGHT THE MIL "ENJOYING" A "CANCER STICK!"


WE WENT FOR A RIDE ON SUNDAY EVENING... I MANAGED TO SNAP A COUPLE OF PICKS BEFORE I GOT CAR SICK... LOL!




FALL WAS IN FULL SWING AND THE WEATHER WAS PERFECT THE WHOLE WEEKEND.
THIS TREE IS SO BEAUTIFUL. (THE SAME ONE IN FRONT OF THE THE SHED.) I LOVE THAT SHADE OF YELLOW ON THE LEAVES:


I ALMOST FORGOT... I TOOK A PHOTO OF THIS FOR MY BOSS... THEY NAMED A STREET AFTER HER! LOL!


IT WAS A FUN WEEKEND AND ON THE DRIVE HOME, WE WATCHED AS ALL OF THE NASCAR DRIVERS HEADED WEST ON I20 TO THEIR NEXT RACE... I AM NOT A FAN AND DIDN'T BOTHER WITH DIGGING OUT THE CAMREA FOR PICS, BUT THE MIL IS A FAN AND KEPT CALLING HOME TO TELL HER HUSBAND WHO'S TRAILERS AND SUCH WERE PASSING US... IT MADE THE TRIP SEEM LESS THAN 12 HOURS. LOL! AND AFTER EVERYTHING... I DIDN'T GET ARRESTED... *SIGH!* MAYBIE NEXT TIME... LOL!

I JUST GOT BACK FROM THE PARK WITH MY NIECES... THEY ARE SO MUCH FUN!

I HAD THE CUTEST CHAT WITH THE OLDEST:

N: "I WANT YOU TO COME HOME WITH ME!"
ME: "I CAN'T UNCLE THOMAS WILL BE SAD IF I DON'T COME HOME!"
N: "HE'S NOT CRYING!"

LOL!! SHE IS TOO CUTE SOMETIMES! I TOOK A FEW PHOTOS OF THEM PLAYING ON THE SLIDE... I HAD TO USE MY CELL PHONE SINCE I FORGOT MY CAMERA AT HOME! LOL!

SOMETIMES IT IS EASY TO LOSE SIGHT OF THINGS... LIFE COMES AT YOU HARD AND FAST AND YOU OFTEN FORGET JUST WHAT YOU HAVE...

SOME PEOPLE AREN'T SO LUCKY. SOME PEOPLE HAVE DUMPED THEIR WHOLE LIFE'S GOALS AND VALUES ON THEIR KIDS. THEY EXPECT “SALLY” OR “JUNIOR” TO ACHIEVE ALL OF THE GREAT THINGS THEY NEVER DID. “YOU MUST BE THE NEXT GREAT COMPOSER!” OR “YOU MUST GET INTO YALE BECAUSE I NEVER DID!” THEY SAY TO THEIR KIDS... KIDS WHO HAVE GOALS AND DREAMS OF THEIR OWN. KIDS WHO WILL FOREVER FEEL TRAPPED BETWEEN THEIR OWN GOALS AND DREAMS THAT SEEM EVER UNATTAINABLE AND THEIR PARENT'S OVER-BEARING WISHES AND DEMANDS ON THEM. THEY ARE IN A BAD SITUATION... THESE KIDS HAVE BEEN MADE TO FEEL THAT ANYTHING LESS THAN REACHING THESE EXPECTATIONS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. THEY MARCH TOWARDS THEIR PARENT'S WISHES INSPITE OF THEMSELVES. FOR ASKING FOR THEIR FREEDOM WOULD HURT MOM AND DAD AND THEY COULD NOT LIVE WITH THEMSELVES AFTERWARDS... SO THE KID JUST SUFFERS IN MISERY AND SNEAKS BEHIND THEIR PARENTS' BACKS TO DO THE THINGS THEY REALLY WANT.

SOME PEOPLE THINK THAT GROWING UP IN FOSTER CARE GAVE ME A LACK OF RESPECT FOR AUTHORITY. I DISAGREE. I RESPECT EVERYONE. WITHIN REASON. I AM FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE PARENTS WHO HAVE DONE THEIR BEST TO PREPARE ME FOR THE WORLD. THEY HAVE SPENT SO MUCH TIME TELLING ME THAT NO MATTER HOW BAD I WANT IT TO, THE WORLD DOES NOT REVOLVE AROUND ME. THEY HAVE LET ME KNOW THAT THOUGH THEY WOULD LOVE TO SEE ME GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE AND HAVE A FAMILY AND LIVE THE “AMERICAN DREAM” THEY HAVE ALSO LET ME KNOW THAT IT IS MY LIFE AND I HAVE TO MAKE MY OWN MISTAKES AND LEARN THE LESSONS OF LIFE. THEY DO THIS BECAUSE THEY LOVE ME AND THEY KNOW THAT I NEED TO LEARN THESE LESSONS BECAUSE THEY CAN'T ALWAYS BE THERE FOR ME. THEY WOULD BE SETTING ME UP FOR FAILURE IF THEY WERE TO TRY TO HERD ME INTO SOME FANTASY DREAMS AND GOALS THEY HAD FOR ME.

IT IS NOT DISRESPECTFUL TO LIVE YOUR OWN LIFE ON YOUR OWN TERMS. IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU DON'T LOVE YOUR KID IF YOU DON'T BULLY THEM INTO A LIFESTYLE THAT YOU THINK IS BEST FOR THEM. AT SOME POINT, YOU HAVE TO LET GO AND LET THEM TRY TO FLY ON THEIR OWN AND TRUST THAT YOU HAVE TAUGHT THEM THE THINGS THEY NEED TO KNOW AND THAT THEY WILL FLY BACK HOME WHEN THEY CAN'T FLY ANYWHERE ELSE! IT IS PART OF LIFE. NO PERSON WANTS TO LIVE IN A CAGE. IF YOU ARE TRYING TO MAKE A PERSON INTO SOMETHING YOU WANT THEM TO BE AND THEY DON'T WANT IT... IT IS THE SAME AS FORCING THEM INTO A CAGE. THE OLD ADDAGE “IF YOU LOVE IT SET IT FREE...” IS SO TRUE!

OKAY, I ADMIT IT... I CAN BE MEAN... IT IS JUST IN MY NATURE. IT IS TYPICALLY JUST JOKING KIND OF MEAN. NOT REALLY TO HURT PEOPLE. LIKE PUSHING THE CAT OFF OF THE BED WHEN SHE IS OBVIOUSLY COMFORTABLE. IT IS JUST FOR FUN AND WHILE KINDA MEAN, IT DOES NOT HURT HER. BUT I NEVER THINK OF MYSELF AS TRULY MEAN. THE KIND OF MEAN THAT GOES OUT OF ONE'S WAY TO CAUSE PAIN TO OTHERS. EMOTIONAL OR OTHERWISE.

THIS CAME ABOUT BECAUSE I AM EXCITED THAT WAL-MART IN WIGGINS HAS BOUGHT NEW SHOPPING CARTS. THEY ARE METAL AND MUCH LIKE THE ONES OF MY CHILDHOOD. THEY HAVE THE RUST-PROOF COATING ON THEM AND ARE A BIT LARGER, BUT OTHERWISE, MUCH THE SAME. WHEN THEY WENT TO THE OLD PLASTIC ONES, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE MADE SO THAT CHILDREN COULD NOT HURT THEIR HANDS AND FINGERS IN THE METAL BARS AND THE METAL PARTS. THIS ANNOYED ME. (SHOCKER, RIGHT?) IT IS NOT THAT I WANT KIDS TO HURT THEIR FINGERS, BUT I LOOK AT CHILDHOOD BOO-BOOS AS CHARACTER BUILDING AND LEARNING EXPERIENCE.

ALONG THAT VEIN: I DO NOT AGREE WITH CHILD-PROOFING A LIVING SPACE. CHILDREN NEED TO GET HURT TO LEARN SOMETIMES. YOU REMEMBER NOT TO TOUCH THE STOVE AFTER BURNING YOURSELF. ONLY THE STUPID KIDS KEEP DOING WHAT HURTS THEM. THAT IS HOW WE TELL THE STUPID KIDS FROM THE SMART ONES.
"WHAT IS WRONG WITH JOHNNY'S HAND?"
"HE DIDN'T LEARN THAT THE SHOPPING CARTS WILL PINCH HIM!"
"OKAY. WELL, NO WONDER HE NEVER BECAME A ROCKET SCIENTIST!"
IF YOUR CHILD IS SO DUMB THEY PULL THE LAMP CORD AND THE LAMP FALLS ON THEM, THEY DESERVE THE PAIN!

MY BROTHER AND I WILL BOTH TELL YOU THAT WE DID NOT HAVE THE BEST CHILDHOOD EVER, BUT THE ONE THING WE BOTH THINK WAS THE BEST PART WAS GETTING HURT. IT WAS FUN FOR US TO FALL OUT OF TREES, SKIN OUR KNEES, AND GET INTO FIGHTS. IT IS A PART OF GROWING UP. SURE, THERE WAS PAIN, BUT IT WAS TEMPORARY. WE HAVE SCARS, BUT WE ALSO HAVE STORIES TO TELL ABOUT TREE HOUSES, GO KARTS, BIKE RIDES DOWN DUSTY DIRT ROADS WITHOUT KNEE PADS OR HELMETS! WE LEARNED ABOUT BROTHER AND SISTER BONDING. WE LEARNED THAT WE NEED EACH OTHER AND THAT WE ARE NOT INVINCIBLE. THERE WERE BLACK EYES AND STITCHES, BUT WE LIVED. WE LEARNED TO USE TOOLS AND TO FIX THINGS. WE LEARNED. THAT IS THE KEY! ARE THERE OTHER WAYS TO LEARN THESE LESSONS? I AM SURE THERE ARE, BUT IF YOUR KID IS OVER SEVEN AND HAS NEVER HAD A SKINNED KNEE AND A STORY ABOUT A BIKE WRECK, THEN YOU HAVE SHELTERED THEM TOO MUCH!

I DON'T FIND IT SURPRISING THAT OUT OF THE PEOPLE I KNOW, THE ONES WHO ARE THE HARDEST WORKERS IN MY GENERATION ARE THE ONES WHO HAVE HAD SKINNED KNEES, THE ONES WHO HAVE SCARS (EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL!) AND THE ONES WHO HAVE HAD A FEW STITCHES. THEY HAVE LEARNED THAT GETTING YOUR HANDS DIRTY IS NOT THE END OF THE WORLD. THEY HAVE LEARNED THAT FUN CAN TAKE MANY FORMS. THEY HAVE LEARNED THAT A LITTLE BIT OF WORK WON'T KILL THEM.

DO I THINK YOU CAN THROW YOUR KIDS OUT AT SUNRISE AND CALL THEM BACK IN AT SUNSET? NO. IT IS UNSAFE IN THIS DAY AND AGE. BUT YOU CAN LET THEM MAKE MUD PIES AND BUILD FORTS IN THE BACK YARD. YOU CAN LET THEM RIDE THEIR BIKE WITHOUT A HELMET ONCE IN A WHILE. PERHAPS THEY WILL LEARN TO STAY ON MORE!

CHILDREN TODAY ARE TOO PROTECTED. IF A PARENT SHOWS UP AT THE EMERGENCY ROOM WITH A KID AND A SKINNED KNEE, THE AUTHORITIES ARE CALLED! (THIS HAPPENED TO A FRIEND OF MINE!!) AND THEY ARE INVESTIGATED. THIS IS INSANE! THE KID FELL, IT HAPPENS! ARE THEIR ABUSIVE PARENTS? YES! BUT TO ASSUME THAT EVERY PARENT IS ABUSIVE BECAUSE THEY DON'T WRAP THEIR CHILD IN BUBBLE WRAP AND LOCK THEM IN A CLOSET WITH A CHILD-PROOF DOOR KNOB IS INSANE!!

I REFUSE TO CHILD-PROOF MY HOME. MY NEICES COME OVER AND THE LAMP CORD IS NOT ZIP-TIED TO THE TABLE, THE CABINET DOORS ARE ARE NOT FASTENED WITH THOSE STUPID LOCKS, THERE ARE NO CHILD GATES OR ANY VALUABLES BEING PUT AWAY ON HIGHER SHELVES. THEY KNOW BETTER THAN TO GO INTO CABINETS AND TO PLAY WITH THINGS THAT ARE NOT THEIRS. I FULLY BELIEVE THAT IF YOU TEACH A CHILD THAT CABINETS ARE NOT PLAY LAND AND THINGS ON SHELVES ARE NOT TO BE TOUCHED, THEY WILL NOT MESS WITH THEM. AND IF THEY DO, THEY WILL BE PUNISHED BY A SMASHED FINGER OR A BUMP ON THE HEAD. IT WILL TEACH THEM NOT TO PLAY WHERE THEY DON'T BELONG.

AT LEAST I KNOW MY BROTHER CAN TAKE MY NEICES INTO A PERSON'S HOME AND THEY WILL NOT BREAK A VALUABLE COLLECTABLE THAT HE CAN NOT AFFORD TO REPLACE! AND IF THAT MEANS I AM MEAN, THEN I GUESS CALL ME A MEANIE...

YESTERDAY, THE BROTHER, THE SISTER -IN- LAW AND THE NIECES CAME FOR A VISIT... WE HEADED TO THE PARK AND PLAYED IN THE RAIN... THEN IN THE MUD... THEN WE ALL WENT HOME FOR HOT SHOWERS... IT WAS A TON OF FUN... I WILL LET MOST OF THE PICS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES...
















SHE WAS SOOOO PROUD OF HERSELF FOR CLIMBING UP THAT ALL BY HERSELF!!












I LOVE THIS PHOTO OF ALEXIS!!



WE PLAYED IN THE SPRINKLERS OF THE BALL FIELD. THERE ARE NOT PHOTOS OF THAT SINCE I WAS ALSO IN THE SPRINKLERS... IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!!

THEN THERE WAS MUD...


THOMAS WAS USING THE WATER HOSE TO MAKE EVEN MORE MUD THAN THE RAIN HAD MADE... THEN WE LATER USED IT TO HOSE OFF THE MUD...


SUSAN DROPPED OFF THE KIDS AND WHITNEY PLAYED IN THE MUD WITH THE GIRLS...




WHITNEY DOES A DIVE INTO THE MUD...




ALEXIS TAKES A TURN...






SO CUTE... EVEN WHEN COVERED IN MUD!!

IT WAS AN AWESOME TIME... EVEN RIDING HOME IN THE BACK OF THE TRUCK WAS WORTH THE PRICE TO PAY... LIFE IS TOO SHORT, SO SOMETIMES, YOU HAVE TO DANCE IN THE RAIN AND SLING A LITTLE MUD!! I HOPE YOU ARE ALL OUT ENJOYING LIFE AND EVEN THE MUD AND RAIN...

A FEW OF DAD'S FAVORITE SONGS:







I MADE A JOKE ABOUT THE FUNNY THINGS I WOULD SEND MY DAD ON HIS BIRTHDAY... A CASKET FULL OF FLOWERS, AN OLD BUS TIRE, OR EVEN A GIANT, CHOCOLATE TOMBSTONE LIKE THE ONE LINDZIE GOT FOR HER BIRTHDAY LAST YEAR... I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT HE WOULD THINK THEY WERE FUNNY AND GET A GOOD LAUGH.

MY DAD IS AN AWESOME MAN. HE HAS NEVER FAILED TO GIVE ME ADVICE OR A POINT IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION WHEN I NEEDED IT. HE CAN MAKE YOU LAUGH TILL YOU NEARLY PEE YOUR PANTS. HE IS OFTEN DOWNRIGHT SILLY, BUT YOU STILL CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF IT. HE SEEMS TO HAVE A VERY POSITIVE OUTLOOK ON LIFE THAT IS NEARLY CONTAGIOUS. YOU JUST CAN'T HELP BUT FEEL LIKE THINGS ARE GOING TO BE OKAY WHEN HE IS AROUND. HE IS A MAN WHO IS KIND AND GENEROUS AND LOVING. (PEOPLE SAY THAT ABOUT A LOT OF MEN, BUT IN THIS CASE, IT IS REALLY TRUE!!) HE HAS A WAY OF GETTING THINGS DONE. HE ALSO GETS SOME SORT OF JOY OUT OF PUSHING PEOPLE'S BUTTONS. IT IS ALMOST TOO FUNNY TO WATCH HIM MESS WITH PEOPLE. HE HAS A WAY WITH PEOPLE IN GENERAL. HE CAN MAKE FRIENDS WITH A DRAGON AND SELL ICE TO AN ESKIMO IF HE WANTED TO. HE REMAINS THE ONLY PERSON I KNOW THAT WAS BANNED FROM EBAY! LOL! HE IS A JACK OF ALL TRADES. HE IS AN AWESOME PAINTER, WONDERFUL CRAFTSMAN, AND THE BEST DEE-JAY THAT RADIO HAS EVER KNOWN! HE IS ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING PEOPLE I KNOW. I SECRETLY THINK HE IS SUPERMAN.

SO, DAD...


I LOVE YOU!



I WISH YOU THE BEST BECAUSE YOU ARE THE BEST DAD IN THE WORLD!



MAY YOU HAVE A VERY WONDERFUL DAY!

WITH HUGS AND LOADS OF LOVE: ME!! (OH, AND THE NAPPY HEADED BOY TOO!) LOL!

STOLEN FROM DAESHII

Directions:
Write a note completing the 36 sentences starting with “I’ve come to realize…” I'm not going to tag any of you, but if you're reading this and it sounds interesting, please do. I'd love to see your answers.


1. I've come to realize that my chest-size ...
IS NOT IMPORTANT!

2. I've come to realize that my job(s) ...
SHOULD BE REWARDING AND ENJOYABLE EVEN IF IT IS NOT THE BEST PAYING.

3. I've come to realize that when I'm driving ...
I AM A NERVOUS WRECK (NO PUN INTENDED!) IF THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE IN THE TRUCK WITH ME!

4. I've come to realize that I need ...
TO BE CREATIVE.

5. I've come to realize that I have lost ...
VERY LITTLE IN MY LIFE.

6. I've come to realize that I hate it when ...
PEOPLE ARE UNWILLING TO LEARN AND TO GROW.

7. I've come to realize that if I'm drunk …
(I DON'T GET DRUNK!)

8. I've come to realize that money ...
IS A FACT OF LIFE, BUT DOES CORRUPT PEOPLE EASILY!

9. I've come to realize that certain people ...
WILL NEVER CHANGE. NO MATTER WHAT I SAY OR DO, SO I HAVE TO LOVE THEM THE WAY THEY ARE OR NOT AT ALL!

10. I've come to realize that I'll always …
FEEL MUCH YOUNGER THAN I AM... AND THAT IS A GOOD THING!

11. I've come to realize that my sibling(s) ...
HAVE TO LEAD THEIR OWN LIVES, BUT I DO NOT HAVE TO BE A PART OF IT IF I DON'T LIKE WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

12. I've come to realize that my mom ...
IS THE PERSON WHO GAVE ME A LIFE, NOT THE PERSON WHO GAVE BIRTH TO ME!

13. I've come to realize that my cell phone ...
IS A FUN WAY TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THE PEOPLE I WANT TO TALK TO!

14. I've come to realize that when I woke up this morning...
I HAD A CAT HEAD BUTING ME AND BITING MY HAND FOR ATTENTION...

15. I've come to realize that last night before I went to sleep...
THAT I AM LUCKY TO HAVE TOE... NOT A NEW REALIZATION, BUT ONE I THINK OF EVERY NIGHT!

16. I've come to realize that right now I am thinking...
THAT I SHOULD GET UP AND PACK AND CLEAN THE HOUSE RATHER THAN PLAY ONLINE... PROCRASTINATORS UNITE!! ...TOMORROW!!

17. I've come to realize that my dad...
IS A VERY COOL GUY! (AGAIN, NOT A NEW REALIZATION... LOL!!)

18. I've come to realize that when I get on Facebook...
I LIKE SEEING WHAT EVERYONE IS UP TO AND KNOWING ABOUT THEIR LIVES. KNOWING THAT THEY ARE DOING FUN AND EXCITING THINGS.

19. I've come to realize that today...
IS GOING TO BE A LONG ONE BECAUSE I AM WAITING FOR MY WEEKEND WITH MY PARENTS!!

20. I've come to realize that tonight...
WE WILL WATCH MOVIES, EAT MEATLOAF, AND HANG OUT WITH FRIENDS. WE ARE SO LUCKY!!

21. I've come to realize that tomorrow...
I WILL BE HANGING OUT WITH MY PARENTS!! WOOT!!

22. I've come to realize that I really want to...
COMPLETE COLLEGE! (NEED MONEY!!)

23. I've come to realize that the person who is most likely to repost this is...
NO ONE... I DUNNO... IT IS HIT OR MISS WITH THESE THINGS... LOL!!

24. I've come to realize that life...
IS A ROLLER COASTER. THERE ARE TWISTS, TURNS, UP HILLS, AND DOWN HILLS AND LOADS OF PASSENGERS ON THE SAME RIDE. YOU CAN EITHER TOSS UP YOUR COOKIES AND BE MISERABLE, OR THROW YOUR HANDS UP, SCREAM AND ENJOY THE RIDE... IT IS REALLY UP TO YOU. THE ONLY QUESTION IS... WHO WOULD YOU RATHER RIDE BE SIDE? THE GUY WHO IS BARFING OR THE GUY WHO IS SMILING? WHO EVER YOU WOULD RATHER RIDE BESIDE, THAT IS THE PERSON YOU SHOULD BE...

25. I've come to realize that this weekend...
IS GOING TO BE ALL TOO SHORT... BUT LOADS OF FUN!!

26. I've realized the best music to listen to when I am upset...
GUNS -N- ROSES... JUST SOMETHING THAT I NOTICED WHEN I WAS A KID... G-N-R ALWAYS SEEMED TO MAKE ME FEEL BETTER... LOL!!

27. I've come to realize that my friends...
ARE THE FAMILY I CHOOSE... THEY ARE MY "REAL" BROTHERS AND SISTERS. THEY ARE THERE FOR ME WHEN I AM DOWN AND OUT AND THERE TO JAM WITH ME WHEN TIMES ARE GOOD... THE REST OF THE WORLD CAN TAKE A HIKE! LOL!!

28. I've come to realize that this year...
IS GOING TOO FAST. IT FEELS LIKE JUST YESTERDAY WAS NEW YEAR'S EVE!! LOL!!

29. I've come to realize that my ex...
IT STILL AFRAID OF TOE AND I WILL NEVER KNOW THE REAL REASON WHY... LOL!!

30. I've come to realize that maybe I should...
JUST DO WHAT I WANT TO DO AND SAY TO HECK WITH WHAT EVERYONE ELSE THINKS!

31. I've come to realize that I love...
CAN COME FROM THE STRANGEST SOURCES SOMETIMES!!

32. I've come to realize that I don't understand...
PEOPLE WHO CLAIM TO CARE ABOUT SOMEONE, BUT DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO HURT THEM...

33. I've come to realize my past...
HAPPENED FOR A REASON... I MAY NOT SEE IT ALL NOW, OR EVEN TOMORROW, BUT ONE DAY IT WILL ALL MAKE SENSE... AND I WOULDN'T HAVE HAD MANY OF MY JOYS IF I HAD NOT HAD A FEW SORROWS FIRST.

34. I've come to realize that parties...
ARE OVER-RATED SOMETIMES... THE BEST TIMES ARE WHEN A FEW OF MY FRIENDS AND I GOT TOGETHER AND HAD FUN AND NEVER PUT A LABEL ON IT...

35. I've come to realize that I'm totally terrified...
OF NOT EVER ACHIEVING ANY OF MY DREAMS...

36. I've come to realize that my life...
IS FAR FROM "NORMAL" AND COULD BE A LIFETIME MOVIE! LOL!!

THIS CAME ON THE TAIL END OF A REALLY LONG EMAIL THAT I WON'T SHARE HERE, BUT I THOUGHT THE POEM WAS FUNNY/TRUE ENOUGH TO PASS ALONG... SO HERE GOES:

Tax his land,
Tax his bed,
Tax the table
At which he's fed.

Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes
Are the rule.

Tax his work,
Tax his pay,
He works for peanuts
Anyway!
Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.
Tax his ties,
Tax his shirt,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.

Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he
Tries to think.

Tax his cigars,
Tax his beers,
If he cries
Tax his tears.

Tax all he has
Then let him know
That you won't be done
Till he has no dough.

When he screams and hollers;
Then tax him some more,
Tax him till
He's good and sore.
Then tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in
Which he's laid.

Put these words
Upon his tomb,
'Taxes drove me
to my doom...'

When he's gone,
Do not relax,
Its time to apply
The inheritance tax.

TAKEN FROM BUDDLY47

I TAGGED TWO PEOPLE... BUDDLY47 AND AI_SHITEMO HIM, BECAUSE HE IS WHERE I GOT THIS LITTLE GEM, AND HER BECAUSE I AM REALLY INTERESTED IN HER ANSWERS... OTHERWISE... IF YOU ARE READING THIS, CONSIDER YOURSELF TAGGED.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Using only SONG NAMES from ONE ARTIST, cleverly answer these questions (Wikipedia is your friend). Pass it on to 25 people and include me. Try not to repeat a song title. It's a lot harder than you think. So is tagging 25 people.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Pick Your Artist:
THE BEATLES
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Are you male or female?
GIRL

Describe yourself:
HONEY PIE

How do you feel about yourself?
RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!

Describe where you currently live:
OCTOPUS'S GARDEN

If you could be anywhere, where would you be?
PENNY LANE

Your favorite form of transportation:
MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR

Your best friend(s) is/are:
MEAN MR. MUSTARD

Your favorite color is:
MAXWELL'S SILVER HAMMER

What's the weather like?
HERE COMES THE SUN

Favorite Time of Day:
GOOD NIGHT

If your life was a TV show, what would it be called?
HAPPINESS IS A WARM GUN

What is life to you?
HELTER SKELTER

What is the best advice you have to give?
JOHNNY B. GOODE

If you could change your name, what wouldit be?
HEY JUDE

Your favorite food is:
STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER

Thought for the Day:
LET IT BE

How I would like to die:
FREE AS A BIRD

My soul's present condition:
GOOD DAY SUNSHINE

My motto:
I'M HAPPY JUST TO DANCE WITH YOU!

I DON'T REALLY FEEL LIKE A LOT OF COMMENTARY ON THESE... I TOOK A DRIVE THROUGH MY OLD NEIGHBORHOOD... HERE ARE A FEW SNAPS OF THE AREA... PEACEFUL...









HOPE YOU ALL ARE HAVING A WONDERFUL DAY!!