Cheating and Society in general..

Today I was chatting with a couple of the Moms at parent pick up and it got me thinking about some stuff. Also, it reminded me of a few conversations here and there. And some blogs along the way. So all this will be is a simple blog about how I feel on some of these subjects.

Cheating, web cams and spicing it up on a whole. I don't care what people do in nor sometimes out of their bedrooms. As long as it does not affect children along the way. Whether it be someone elses child or your own. Don't let them know what kind of sexual prowess or depravity you prefer. They are young and should never be exposed to this by their parents or parent's of the child's friend.

That being said, we spoke about web cams and things such as Craigslist. Now oddly enough Jim and I had a conversation about the whole web cam thing not long ago. And having spoken with him I honestly don't see it as cheating now. Why? Because there really is no physical contact. Now it could be construed as cheating if you are *doing it* with the same person over and over. And it definitely is cheating if you decide to meet them in person. Maybe some people just enjoy the voyeurism of this act? Maybe some couples choose to mess around on a web cam while others watch as a safe alternative to having anyone else in their homes? I don't know. I don't judge. I do know that many people have done much worse things in order to spice up their lives. And honestly, that is between them, the spouse and God. Simply put.

How would I react if I found out Jim was messing around on a web cam? Well, am I in the other room? Because if I am in the other room, yes, I would be pissed. Because he could just walk in there and say..Hey... But we have a unique situation where there are thousands of miles between us. And I'm not always able to be on the computer when he is. So if he did something now on the computer? I would be mad, but I would get over it. For a few simple reasons..1) I'm not there to do what needs to be done. 2) I would know that whatever happens on cam would be just that, on cam. I know Jim well enough to know that he wouldn't do anything in the first place. He won't even go to his friends house for a party if there are single girls there. Not because he is worried about my thinking he would cheat, but because he worries about how it would be viewed by Army personnel. The Army has a no tolerance ruling about cheating on your spouse. And he has been in long enough to see what happens to those people who get busted for it. That's enough to keep him in line.

One of the Mother's told me today that I am very lax about the subject and this is what it boils down to..I have been cheated on enough in my lifetime to know that you can worry and do everything in your power to try and stop it from happening. But reality is that if the other person wants it to happen, it will happen no matter what you say or do. So what am I doing with my marriage to assure it doesn't happen? I opened up our communication. Jim knows that he can openly speak to me about anything. He knows that I will not judge him. He also knows that I grew up in the 80's so not much shocks me. I worked in gay clubs. I have seen some amazing things, as well as things I prefer to wipe out of my minds eye. I am really open minded. Hence my no nonsense attitude and my ability to speak my mind whether I offend people or not.

I don't think people are afraid of fantasies and fetishes at all. I think everyone has something that they want to try or secretly do, but don't want society to know. Because that is where we all falter. Society tells us that we are not allowed to be open. We can not speak our minds about most things. We can not be open minded or willing to try new things. Or we are outcasts. I only feel a person should be outcast if they are not allowing their children to be children. I'm sure my mother has had sexual prowess's that I am not aware of. She was stoned in the 60's for goodness sake. There are no Saints in this world. Only sinners. Want proof? Check out Craigslist sometime. You would be amazed at how many married men and women are on there looking for something on the side. How do I know about this site? Aside from watching the news, that is where my ex spouse would actually post ads and meet women from when we were together.

But is this something I will approach and openly chat with my mother about? Probably not. Because she is my mother. And there are some things I prefer not to know about her intimate times. As with my children. I will have the door open when the time comes for me to talk with them. I will always keep that door open. However, some things are best learned on your own without instruction from your parents and society.

So I see the world as a non black and white place. I see the world in multi colors. I see sexuality as something that should be strong within the person who is sharing it. And if it is something I disagree with, I will speak my mind. But only if it is a time or place that will affect my children. And as for other peoples children..it is not my place to share things with them. I will encourage them to talk openly to their parents. But I will never do another parents job for them. And know as well that if your child ever spoke to me about these things, I would make sure you knew it was time to talk to your child. As I would hope other parents would let me know.

And that is what makes the world turn. Individuality.

CoCo Key Maybe?

So I have been thinking about taking the boys to an indoor water park called CoCo Key Indoor Water resort. I always try my best to do something with Chase before he has to leave to his father's house for visitation. Mostly because I know as excited as he will be to leave, he won't be happy when he gets home. So I always try to make an easy transition for him.

It's been hectic the last few days. Yesterday was tough because Squeaky has a 100.2 fever most of the evening and through the night. So needless to say Mommy was up a lot through the night making sure he had baby Tylenol. And I also spent a lot of time sleeping underneath my littlest bundle. He sure does snore like his Daddy.

And since I finished off Season 2 of Carnivale..*please pray for a Season 3*..I think I will head off to bed early. I'm still recuperating from the birthday party on Sunday at Monster Golf. And I am over my cold so I started to work out again today. Can we say *sore and tired*?

Optimism.

So we are now getting to the point that we are watching the clock and the calendars. Jim will be home June 15Th. And we will be able to finally be a family again. Chase will probably leave by May 30Th to his father's house for the summer. It seems a little early, but Jim and I had a few longs talks about it. And since school starts so early in Kansas, we saw no issues with withdrawing him a little early. I have not heard anything at all from my ex spouse since I informed him he is never to speak to me again. He can talk to my husband, or my attorney. But never to me ever again. He wants to treat someone like crap, it can be the woman whom he is sleeping with. And I am not her. So there is no reason for him to ever speak to me again. I won't tolerate this anymore.

His games, threats, lies and plots will all fall on deaf ears. Jim won't tolerate it and my attorney will weed through it and then bill him. Simple as that.

But things are looking up finally. We are getting closer and closer to the end of this long haul. I just survived a chilling 3 day cold that I'm still unsure if it was a cold or not. More like 3 days of the chills, sweating, headaches and fever. And then I woke up this morning and it was gone. Poof. Just disappeared.

There is a certain bit of optimism I am hearing in my husband's voice now when he calls. It's soothing. It's nice to hear him actually have a little animation in his voice finally. To have something to look forward too. I can tell he is eager to be home now. And to move onto the next chapter of our lives. And speaking of that, I received a packet in the mail yesterday. It was from the realtor's we have been speaking with. About different houses and what not. But this packet has all kinds of information about attractions and fun stuff around the area. It looks like a ton of fun out there!

OK, time to get my chores done.

Idiots Guide to Ex Husbands.

Today we took a beautiful drive to Augusta Maine. Tomorrow I will post the pictures for everyone to see.

But for right now I need to vent for the world to see!

Today, I texted my ex to remind him that Chase would be there during Easter. So he would remember to get him a basket. Because last year he didn't remember so his sister's threw together one at the last minute for Chase. I know this because Chase told me his was smaller than all the other kids, and didn't have as much stuff. He said he felt unimportant. Now, this text went from that to he bought a new truck and has his pregnant girlfriend *from another man I might add* living in his two bedroom apartment. Now this I could care less about with the exception that I mentioned to Chase that they were living there now. And the first words out of his mouth were *who's room are they sleeping in?* I told him the truth. That these 4 other kids were sleeping in Chase's room. So now he is upset with his father because the last time this happened was when Nicky and Mathew were living there and a bunch of his stuff was broken. Including his Nintendo Ds. I told Chase he needed to continue to share his feelings with his father and that some day he would listen. His comment to that was..well, at least at my house with you I know you will protect my stuff. It's sad to hear that come out of your own child's mouth. It really is.

The straw that broke the camel's back was when he said he was sick of my shit and going to have me arrested and put in jail. Then he would take custody of Chase and I would never see him again. Why? Because years ago while my husband and I were living in Germany, his ex girlfriend Bryanna hacked into his email. And she told me all about it, over the phone. Never once did we email about it. Why was it over the phone? Because she was trying to run up his cell phone bill because she caught him cheating on her. And the best way to do it was to call overseas. And she did a good job. She even made other friends overseas to call. It was a sad moment when he got that phone bill. And he had to pay it all because it was in his name. Anyhow, to continue..now he is saying she has supplied him with emails proving I was the one who hacked into his email.

Any my response? Really? So if this is the case get off your lazy ever loving ass and go to the Police Department and turn my ass in. Because you know what they are going to do? Laugh you right out the front door. Email is so easily manipulated, it's not even funny. All you have to do is hit reply and you can change any one's email to you that way. Humorous, isn't it? So her and I could have emailed about how cute Chase looked one day, and once it is changed and printed..No one would know the difference at all, would they?

So what is my lesson I have learned from all this BS? Not only do I already write down all the texts and emails and phone calls I have with him, I guess I will be contacting the phone company for text records, and having my computer friends go through my hard drive for all the emails.

Sad that I have to do this. But funny at the same time.

And after he finally stopped texting, what was my thought?

*OK..deep breathe. Chase is 8 so you only have to deal with this for 10 more years.*

Carnivale and more...

So today I did something way out of stretch for myself. I actually went out and bought a brand new blockbuster video. Yes, I joined the billions of others who just had to have the movie. I'm speaking about Twilight. Now, I have not read the books. But I will be reading them now. Because the movie was fantastic. As well, it made me even more homesick for the Pacific Northwest. Forks Washington is where this movie was filmed. And I can honestly tell you that amidst all that constant rain, and fog..the Pacific Northwest really is breath taking. And this movie did it absolute justice.

Another thing I did *which I am sure Jim is going to kick my ass for* is spend $85.00 on two seasons of an HBO series. I don't know if many people have heard of it, but it's called Carnivale. This is a movie series that is based on the Depression era and the traveling carnies. In just the first two episodes that I watched, I was absolutely hooked. So I decided if I could find it at a good price, I would get them so Jim could see them as well. And I did. About 35 dollars cheaper than if I had bought them new. I am totally not opposed to buying used DVDs as long as they work. So I am eager to rip into these two sets of movies. I really am.

Right now though I am taking myself upstairs and going to bed. Yes, to bed at 8 pm. The boys and I are going over to Aunt Jeanne's early so I can weight in. And from Aunt Jeanne's we are driving to Augusta Maine to see Old Fort Western. http://www.oldfortwestern.org/ It's one of the original forts that the settlers built when they came on over! They are having *Maple Syrup Day*, which will be a lot of fun for Chase. They will actually tap the trees, boil the sap, and show exactly how they made maple syrup in the 1800's. Chase has recently read The Ox Cart Man, and what we will see tomorrow will fall upon this book as well. YAY!!

OK, so off to bed I go. Night all!!

Medicine Cabinets and Humor..

So I took the boys to get their pictures done at Sears the other day. It was a lot of fun, and the girl Mariah that ran the shoot did a fabulous job! I thanked her for being able to handle my two boys who wouldn't sit still for the world. Her only response was that they were angels compared to the 2 year old triplets that had been in before her lunch. I'm glad she had a lunch break before she took on my boys. *chuckle* But the pictures turned out fantastic and I will eventually post them so everyone can see. After I send some special pictures out to various family members.

Chase is having a rough week. I think he is starting to act out because he has a visit coming up in April. I feel he is really trying to get in major trouble so he won't have to go. I wish that he could just speak up to me, and tell me he doesn't want to leave. I would be on the phone with the attorney in a heart beat. A New York minute! Quick as a fox..I think you get the point. But he was doing so well and then all of a sudden he is wetting the bed again and won't pay attention in school. It frustrates me to no end. And I am running out of options as to how to handle it.

But on a humorous note, I cleaned out the bathroom today. When we move, we have a certain weight limit we can not break or we pay for moving the excess and it's not cheap. I mean seriously, it's the Army. Nothing is cheap there! So I decided while I was bathing Squeaky today that I would go through the bathroom cabinets to clean out expired stuff. BTW..did you know that Band Aids and Gauze have expiration dates? I do now..lol Anyhow, to scare you a little bit further I will share with you that I actually had Children's Motrin in a bottle..Bubble Gum flavor, that expired in April of 2002. Now the moral of this story is..seriously do not borrow medicine from me.

I even had a bottle of Tylenol that expired in October of 2003.

Well, now that I am done with that bathroom I will slowly be going through each room of the house and getting rid of stuff we don't really need or use at all. But for now I am going to eagerly away the next ER.

Good Night!!

Life as it happens...

Everyday I wonder what is going to happen with this world.. Will it just magically blow up? Or slowly turn on it's axis until it falls off?

I see everyday someone else hurting. Maybe it is from their choices. Or it was because someone else did not stop and think? Either way, it makes me want to just stay in my house a little more each day.

I have so many friends that I love dearly and just wonder what in the hell they are thinking. Or are they thinking? They jump from relationship to relationship without healing time or even hesitation. How do you love someone else when you don't take the time to love yourself?

Now, I can not say anything about marriage and how long you should date someone before making that commitment. But what I can say is this, make sure you really know them. Make sure you really want it to be forever. Don't marry someone because it makes them happy. Marry them because it makes you both happy. Stop and imagine your life without them 1, 5, 12 years down the road. Can you? Jim and I were only together for a few months when we got married. But we have outlasted some of the stronger marriages I know already.

But I just see it over and over and over. Most of them have relationships before they even start divorces. What does that say about the future of that relationship? It says that they have no qualms about moving on before they have even attempted to fix what is there.

And good lord, stop and look at your children and how you are affecting them. Or your friends children when you come over and criticize the person you brought into their lives and then turned around and told them that they won't be around anymore. It's not right to take that leap with someone, and then expect everyone else to hate them. Because chances are that you messed things up as well but haven't told the entire truth.

My Mom always told me two things..It takes two to tango and if your gut says they have cheated then it's probably true.

So people stop and smell the roses. Life is not that bad when you are alone. Life is entirely what you make of it. Take it, mold it and live it.

Troubles...

In paradise. I am watching all my friends marriages around me slowly crumble to the ground. It's frustrating to see, and the problems they are having really are not as big as they make them seem. But such is life, right?

I'm tired tonight..the boys have a picture appointment tomorrow so we all need some beauty sleep...:)

Nighty!

Ugh! Sleep already!!

It's been a hectic past two days so far. I've been really working hard on the weight loss thing. I took Squeaky for a walk yesterday while the weather was nicer. It was nice. We walked a little over a mile..I swear the whole walk was uphill the entire distance. So today my calves and thighs are killing me. So I will work out my waist area and arms.

I've ventured into a fun endeavor here recently. Today I went out in the misty rain and saw Trinity Church out in Brooklyn. It was creepy and the hair stood up on my arms. Only because of the history of the church. I will investigate more and post pictures for everyone soon.

Right now I am going to go do my workout and then take a hot shower. I have a few things to ponder in my head as well, so expect a big blog tomorrow.

Poor tired baby..

Poor pooped little kid. He has been so busy growing up and bieng a big kid he just couldn't keep his eyes open long enough for dinner. Today he graduated from formula to whole milk. So I am helping his body adjust by doing half and half until we use up the last few cans. It's sad how big he is getting and how quickly. He is definately his Daddy's son.

I'm tired as ever today because for whatever reason last night he woke up every hour or two. And I'm not one who can just fall back to sleep when I am woken up. So I am crabby and really tired now. Just like he is in the picture.

Jim called me today. He will be home here in CT on June 15th. We are still waiting to see what is happening with the new school district Chase will be attending. But it is looking like he will be going to his father's house in early June. And then I start going through and cleaning out what we don't need. Garbage be gone! I will go through each room and probably make about 50 trips or so to the Salvation Army. Just to make sure we don't go over our weight quota.

Ok, I'm going to bed because I just can't think straight.

Updates!

Hi there Everyone~

So here it is, update time! Things are going well for the Meston-Kelley family as we prepare for a new move. This time we are heading FT Leavenworth Kansas! We are all excited about this move because Jim will finally be joining us. And the best part is, he won't be deploying this time! After 4 long years, our family will finally be complete and together! We all know how damn excited that makes me! And especially Chase. I will honestly say that this deployment has been absolutely the hardest on him. But he knows Jim will be home really soon and even has it marked on his calendar. His only disappointment is that he won't be able to see him until he gets back from his father's house for a visit over the summer. But he is looking forward to the trip to the new home. And decorating his new bedroom. And being with little brother again! Chase has really come a long way this year. His academics are still struggling according to what his teacher tells me. But this is against the CT guidelines and from what I personally see he really is not that far off. His biggest challenge is when his father does not work with him over the long summer vacation. It really shows when he comes home to myself. His reading is the challenge. I shared that if he reads at least one book a day for his visit, he should be OK. I even went out and prepared him with workbooks for Math, Reading and a few other subjects. I hope he actually uses them!
Sebastian~ He is by far the clown of the family right now. Littlest man turned one on March 5Th. Then on the 6Th we had his 1 year Dr. Appointment where he received some shots he was not happy about. Not happy at all. Here is the irony of this entire visit. They poked his finger with a lancet and he was fine. They bled the finger until they had a vial halfway full and he was fine. *That blood goes to the state to be tested for lead poisoning.* But when it came time to get the actual shots he fell apart. Two quick pokes and he was done!! But he freaked out until Mommy got him dressed and we started to walk out of the room. And then he was smiling and laughing like nothing ever happened..Bi Polar for Babies? Anyone got a guide? He is a very mellow little guy, but when he gets going..Oh man! Dad is going to be a busy man when he gets home! I keep telling him that..but I think he thinks it will be all smooth...Muahahaha Man does he have a surprise coming! I attached a couple of my favorite pictures of Chase and Sebastian to this email so you guys can see how big they are getting. My babies are not babies anymore. Ugh!

Jim is doing as well as he can right now. He is basically stuck via the Army in Germany until he reports June 10Th to Leavenworth. Our ultimate plan right now is he will take leave a few weeks after he gets there to come to CT and pack up baby and I. This will happen after Chase leaves for his visitation to Oregon. Oregon friends, please keep an eye on him for me. Thank you!! From that point we will have the movers come in, pack up the house and off we will go. We are finally going to take that little honey moon we haven't had. Down the coast through Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia. Up through Tennessee to Graceland. Down through Mississippi and into Louisiana to see the Castillo's! Then back up through Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri until we arrive in Leavenworth Kansas! We are planning a couple weeks to do this. I'm really excited about this trip because when it is finished I will only have Hawaii, Alaska, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, North and South Dakota and Montana left to visit. And then I will have seen the entire United States. And will have the shot glasses to prove it! Come on Tonia...lol Send my shot glass from Florida...*wink* We are also planning a trip down to Florida as a full family to go to Disneyworld, or maybe we will take a cruise. I'm not sure which one yet. We have not gone into the specifics of that one yet. I'm proud I have been able to travel this much in my life.

Jim has made a few trips cross country as well, but not with kids..lol. Another wonderful surprise for him!

When the time come to pick up Chase from Oregon, the three of us will fly out to pick up the PT Cruiser as well. We have already made a promise to go up and see Reedy at FT Lewis and I am looking forward to that! If we are lucky, Boyd will be there as well so the 3 amigos will be back together again even if only for a little bit! We will pick Chase up and take another road trip to Kansas. This time we will head down through California to spend a day at Universal Studios and maybe Disneyland as well. Or maybe we will take them to Legoland. It's out there too! I'm thinking Legoland would be a lot of fun! Into San Francisco to take Jim to the Wharf...:) Down to El Cajon to see Jim's Uncles who were banished from CT years ago..lol And then across to Arizona to see Jim's Aunt Denise and the Grand Canyon. It will be nice to finally meet her! Maybe up through Utah, across Colorado and into Kansas again to our new home.

And as for myself. I am just looking forward to having my husband home. And going back to college. I am planning to start attending as soon as we get back from picking up Chase. It's high time I get my degree done and start financially contributing to my family. I put a lot into my kids and husband right now with this deployment, but it will be nice to release some of the responsibility to my husband.

And I will continue with what I am doing. A little over a month ago I joined a weight loss challenge here. And I have kicked ass. I'm noticing an hour glass figure slowly coming back, but my biggest thing is I am now down over 10 pounds. Which is a difference in itself when I put my clothes on. And I have more to lose. My ultimate goal is to get back to my pre Chase weight of 150. And you all know me. I am hella determined and will get it done. I applaud Jim as well who is over there in Germany starving to death as he tries to figure out portion sizes as well.

OK, that's pretty much all for right now. I need to go corral and torture my kiddos..

I love you all, and thank each of you individually for the special love and support you have given me over the years. Thank you!!!

Just a quick..

Note to let everyone know we are doing great. Just hectic right now as Squeaky turns the big 1 tomorrow. I'm not looking forward to it. I went out today and picked up a small helium tank and am planning a big surprise for the boys in the morning. I will post pictures. I promise. His birthday party itself is on Friday at 5 pm. It will be fun, yet sad at the same time. And there will be more pictures to post then as well.

Ok, off to work out now.

YAY...Mom's Home!

So the last few days have been pretty rough on myself. My Mom was much sicker than we had originally thought so they admitted her to the hospital. To better summarize what happened, here is a copy of the email she sent me *with her permission of course*.


HI EVERYONE,

OK JUST LETTING YOU ALL KNOW ITS BEEN A LONG WEEKEND. AS MOST KNOW, I HAVE BEEN BATTLING HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND BEEN ON UP TO 3 MEDS. TO TREAT IT. APPT. WITH DR. ON THURS REVEALED MY POTASSIUM THRU THE ROOF & B/P OVER 200. I WAS SCHEDULED FOR A BLOOD TEST & ULTRASOUND OF MY KIDNEYS AND UPPER ABDOMINAL ON FRI. AM. GOT CALL FROM DR.. HAD TO BE AT HIS OFFICE AT 3:30 PM.

TESTS FOUND I HAD ONLY 1 KIDNEY FUNCTIONING AT 40 % CAPACITY, THE OTHER HAD ATROPHIED, THERE FOR NOT WORKING AT ALL. I WAS ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY. LUCKY ME! THEY FOUND AFTER TRYING 8 TIMES TO RUN IV IT WASN'T WORKING. MY VEINS WERE NOT COOPERATING & DEHYDRATED. FINALLY A DR. FROM ER TRAUMA UNIT WAS GOING TO PUT IN A PIC. BUT HE WAS ABLE ON 2ND TRY TO GET IV INTO MY NECK, BELOW R EAR. UGG. WHAT FUN I HAD. I NOW DRINK WATER AND I LEAK.

AS YOU ALL KNOW, YOU GET NO REST IN HOSPITAL. THEY GAVE ME LIQUID TO DRINK WHICH CAUSES YOU TO EVACUATE ALL POTASSIUM FROM SYSTEM BY POOPING. WITH IV IN NECK AND HOOKED UP TO DRIP, AND B/P CUP ON ONE ARM, THEY THEN CAME IN AND PUT LITTLE VELCRO PADS ON MY ANKLES AND HOOKED THEM TO AN AIR PUMP, WHICH PUMPS THEM UP ALTERNATELY ONE AT A TIME TO KEEP ME FROM GETTING BLOOD CLOTS IN LEGS. OK NOW HOW IN THE HECK DO THEY EXPECT YOU TO GET TO TOILET. BELIEVE ME, YOU ARE NEVER TOO OLD TO POOP THE BED. OK THE ANKLE PADS WENT. MAJOR JOB JUST TO GO TO TOILET, AND DRAG ALL THAT STUFF WITH YOU. LOL

HAD SURGERY SAT AFTERNOON THE 28TH. THEY PUT STENT INTO RENAL ARTERY GOING FROM STOMACH INTO KIDNEY. SUCH FUN, I HAD TO REMAIN AWAKE THRU IT ALL. ALL WENT WELL. BACK TO ROOM. B/P DROPPED IMMEDIATELY TO 100/68. WAHOO. NO MORE HEADACHE.

WHILE I WAS OUT HAVING SO MUCH FUN, THEY MOVED IN A ROOM MATE. SHE WAS HAVING HALLUCINATIONS. YELLING ABOUT ALIENS, AND TELLING PEOPLE TO GET OUT OF THE ROOM AT THE TOP OF HER VOICE. THIS WENT ON ALL NIGHT. I WAS OFFERED EAR PLUGS, BUT NOT MUCH HELP. WELL I MADE IT THRU NIGHT WITH LITTLE REST. FEELING MUCH BETTER, BUT WEAK I WAS ABLE TO GO HOME ON SUN. MAR. 1ST. HAD A WONDERFUL FULL NIGHT SLEEP AND FEEL GREAT NOW.


Now of course you all know I did not sleep well. I try not to, but I was expecting the worst. I was expecting the call from Dr. C telling me to go to the hospital to get tested as a kidney match. When it comes right down to it, honestly, I would be the only daughter that could donate. My older sister has so many health issues that they wouldn't even look at her. Especially with the heart problems. She wouldn't be able to survive a kidney removal surgery. And the youngest sister has been clean for over 3 years now. But they wouldn't accept her as a donor because of the past usage issues.


But now she is home, sore yet in one piece. And I am happy about it. Worried, but happy. And still prepared. If I get that call, I will move faster than lightning.

Now , onto another subject. It freaking snowed again last night. And I don't mean a little bit. I'm talking *Oh Holy Snow*. Below is a picture of our back porch after I opened the screen door. The snow is so high I scraped it off the top onto the actual porch itself. Ulo, our neighbor had shoveled enough space so Chasers can get out the back porch and down the stairs to play in the back yard. That shows how deep it is. And to step on the back porch from our door it is about a 4 inch step down. Yeah. It snowed a lot here. And I'm sick of it.



OK, I need to get off here now. I have noticed how quiet it is in the other room where the boys are playing.