Good Night Sleep Peppered With Strange Dreams

So, for the past two nights I have slept extremely well. To most people this may not seem blog worthy. For me, a raging insomniac, being able to sleep even part of the night without help, i.e. Benadryl or other things ;) is almost unheard of . However, there is one caveat to my restful sleep. STRANGE DREAMS. Only two nights of strange dreams....but....notice only two nights of restful sleep. Sunday night consisted of, what felt like a 6 hour dream but was probably 27 seconds, me trying to get to a home health patient. My patient was not in distress or anything.....I just could not get there to hair lip the Pope. It was one thing after another, my GPS would not work, I was physically unable to dial my phone, strange phone calls, road blocks....you name it, it made an appearance. I woke up after 7 hours of sleep absolutely exhausted. I felt as if I had been running all night.
Last night was more physical. The same haunting dreams of home health but more realistic. I literally popped out of bed around midnight thinking I had fallen asleep at someone else's home. It was down right eerie. It took me about three minutes to gain composure and realize I had not abandoned my family for the night because I had passed out at a patient's house. I realized I was in my bed....in my room. BUT, wow it felt real. Please don't construe this as me not enjoying that aspect of my job. I love home health but for some reason, unbeknownst to me, it is plaguing my every thought. I cannot decide which is worse, 1. Getting a good night of sleep with strange dreams abounding, or 2. Tossing and turning all night with nary bit of sleep. I axe you (ha ha), why can I not have a good night of sleep without all the drama?

The Weekend

Well another three day weekend has come and gone. Gobbled up with the same voracious appetite it always has. It was a good weekend despite the speed it passed. Friday we went swimming followed by absolutely nothing (fine by me). Saturday my mom came up and we all had a fabulous time. Mom bought Michael this great book called 'The Paper Airplane Book'. It has 20 different types of paper airplanes you can make. The nice thing about it are the papers are included in the book, each model has a unique painting on it, and the lines are marked and numbered to tell you where to fold to make different ones. He has had a ball and I have a graveyard of paper airplanes all over the house.
Later Saturday night, I went to Cherly's house to officially celebrate her new home. The house is beautiful and will offer her and her two boys PLENTY of room to move around. Boxes were everywhere, clothes on the floor, the ashtray/cigarettes on the outside table from the previous owner (Yuck)......but we did not care. We sat out on the deck (after we moved the ashtray), ate appetizers I brought from Cheddar's and drank a glass of wine. I don't know what the deal is with this 5 hour thing but once again.....I arrived at 7 p.m. and sitting out on the deck FIVE hours later....I decided it was time to go home. The conversation was great and we talked about just about everything under the sun. Lots of laughing, trying to solve the World's problems, the meaning of love, do we believe in soul mates, we need to stop being even the slightest bit shallow, and on and on it went. The only thing we were not aloud to talk about was anything negative! We did well.
Sunday, I finally got my boys to Sunday school. Marshall officially is out of the nursery. He was so cute sitting as his little table with his hands folded in front of him and actually listening! It was strange. We are going to make a valiant effort to stay more devoted to this type of Sunday routine. We left church and went to Lowe's. I have this strange itch to paint our bedroom. My husband and mom both think I am crazy. It is not that I can't paint well it is the fact of the bedroom being over 300 sq. ft with 9 ft ceilings. They think I should feel the task is more daunting than I actually do. I don't care....I am doing it. One wall a day....then I have to figure out how I am going to pain the upper part of the ceiling. Not quite for sure how I am going to do that since we don't have the appropriate ladders and what not to reach that high! I guess I can rent something.
Anyway, we went home....changed clothes...and went to the pool. GUESS WHAT, Marshall is officially swimming without floaties attached to his biceps. He is not swimming far and we still have to have an eagle eye on him BUT he is doing it. With his head under water. We are thrilled.
We got home and Marshall took a nap. It was a short one because his girlfriend came over for a play date. They fought more than they played but isn't that how it goes with most long term couples? They have been an item for two years, now!
Well, that is my exciting weekend. Once again, I know you all are jealous of my jet setting life style! Only so few can be privileged! HA HA HA

Friday Fill Ins

I had the best night of sleep last night and feel refreshed this morning. I was lucky to wake up right before a huge thunderstorm. I so enjoyed listening to it and lying there even when my boys jumped in the bed with us. Then I realized the sprinklers had come on this morning....dangit....what a waste of water. Oh well, I am sure the grass could use it. So, I have a three day weekend that I plan on enjoying immensely AND I have no out of town trips planned. It will be nice to hang out in the big town of Cookeville all weekend. Have a great one!

1. She had a great joy within her and made everyone feel special about themselves.

2. My faith and perseverance is by my side, always.

3. I know this: I will be forever grateful (but need reminding at times) for all my blessings in my life. Especially the health of my family. BLESSED.

4. I have a ridiculous obsession with electronics and gadgets still.

5. These words apply to me: Don't bother with what other people think about you. Only you can define yourself.

6. The storm front rolled in with its heavy lightening and rumbling thunder but above it all the sun was shining.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to swimming and fixing a great home cooked meal for my little man's homecoming, tomorrow my plans include seeing my mom and running some errands and Sunday, I want to take Michael to BAM to spend some gift card money on his summer reading list.

I Am Too Old For This

I had the privilege to partake in a long overdue Girl's Night Out last night for Michelle's birthday. I have yet to understand how time can go so fast when we get together. I sat down at the table around 7 p.m., ordered something to drink, ordered my usual (shrimp and grits with a side of fried okra), listening to some live music on the lanai, ate and the next thing I knew.....it was midnight. Holy crap, Mike's last words as I left the house kept going through my mind, "Remember you have to work tomorrow".
I promise I had great intentions to not make it a late night. But time slipped away and the next thing I knew....it was today! Needless to say, I was saying some interesting things when the alarm clock went off that would embarrass Howard Stern. Now, as I am relaxing in my chaise lounge on the patio....I can barely keep my eyes open. I am TOO OLD FOR THIS! After last night, my nickname became Malibu Barbie. I cannot decide if I should be flattered or insulted!!
Marshall is raising you know what, Michael is building his Lego jet ski/truck combo right on top of me, my father -in-law is over having Mike try different types of mustard and I am highly overstimulated. I just want to be left alone for the night, veg out on the couch and have QUIET. I really don't think that is too much to ask. Thank the Good Lord I have a three day weekend coming. Here are some pics of all of us at Crawdaddy's. Remember, if you are ever in the big town of Cookeville or only live an hour or so away, it is well worth the drive. Let the weekend kiss my on the mouth! On a complete sidebar, what is the deal with all the celebrity deaths the past couple of days....Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson ( I don't know if I believe that one or not. This is the next Elvis sighting....no one will be convinced he is dead, phenomenon.)
Me and my closest friend, Cheryl
Me and my great friend, Kristie
Some of our gang!
Michelle S. and Michelle H. (B-day girl)

Mid Week Update

Wow, I cannot believe we are half way through the week already. My Wednesday and Thursday are going to be just as busy so it looks like this little lady may not be working at all on Friday! FINE WITH ME! Anyway, the weekend went well and too fast as usual. We went to a birthday party/family reunion in Williamson County. There were many people attending who had not seen me since I was in an infant carrier! I guess I have changed a little physically but my attitude probably hasn't! So, the house where it was held was beautiful. 30+ acres, massive home, huge pond, swimming pool....heaven. I would love to live out in the country with a lot of land one day but I just cannot seem to let go of my convenient drive times. I have included some pics of the house (with the backside of my big butt, Marshall and my Dad going up the steps) and the boys by the pond. I would describe it as God's Country.
Tomorrow is Girl's Night Out. It has been too long since we have all gathered together. We are celebrating Michelle's birthday even though she says we are just 'getting together'. Don't share the limelight girl.....bask in the glory of the spotlight, center stage. It is my party, where are the presents! ha ha....she is not that type of person so that won't happen. I am personally looking forward to seeing the group AND we are going to Crawdaddy's which is one of my favorite restaurants. I will venture to say, it is in the top five best restaurants I have had the pleasure to eat at. To prepare for the event, I got a spray tan today!! Since I plan on wearing a halter top, I did not want to glow in the pale moon light with all the bare skin showing.
Well, that is my exciting life update! Are you so jealous that you do not live a life like mine?! NOT. On a completely opposite note....Michael is at church camp in North Carolina until Friday. It is so weird not having him around the house. The funny thing is.....Marshall has not asked about Michael and Michael has not asked about Marshall. I think they both deserve the break.

I Have No Idea What To Name This!

Ok, now that is over and done. Let us move on to the blog at hand. I was thumbing through or left mouse buttoning through some of the pics on the camera card and came upon these little nuggets. Since this is my child not yours......you will not find this as "cute, endearing, and entertaining" as I do. Rightly so. What I do ask is that you look at the pics of Marshall and his "lady friend" Callie. That includes watching the entire video of Marshall driving her around in his 'ride'. Both of my boys seem to be good drivers....let us hope that carries on into their adolescent age and my insurance rates stay down. For your viewing pleasure, or boredom depending on who you are........I introduce to you, Marshall and Callie. Please forgive the redneck yell 1/4 way through the video. Marshall had something in his mouth and I did not want him to choke on it. I was just not in the mood to perform the Heimlich! Oh, the word of the day is Juxtapose. I love this word too but hard to work into a sentence.

"Luv me"
'Girl Drives'
'Girl Crashes'

Friday Fill Ins

WooooHooooo! It is FRIDAY.....I am so happy it is here! I only have to work until 10:30 this morning...then....let the weekend activities commence. I am going to add my favorite word of the day everytime I blog. Today's word was heard this morning on the Golf Channel. Quagmire. I love that word. It is fun to say and fun to spell. I am going to try and fit it into a conversation today. Alright, enough non-sense.....off we go.


1. All children alarm their parents, if only because you are ever expecting them to do the right thing! HA HA!

2. Show me a good loser and I will show you a person who is a damn good actor/actress!

3. (I have no idea how to fill this in) is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs at one time. I could not imagine doing this.

4. To bad that all the people who know how to run the country are busy sitting on their porches all day not working and smoking/drinking!

5. I have yet to hear a man ask for advice on how to combine mowing the yard and doing the dishes!

6. It is impossible to think of any good meal, no matter how plain or elegant, without some sort of meat product or some type of potato/rice product in it.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to cooling off from being out by the pool in the heat all day while eating pizza, tomorrow my plans include going to a family reunion/birthday party in Williamson County, and Sunday, I want to read a good book, swim...just whatever!

I Am A Muse To Somebody....SCARY!

I just had to post this picture.....I am sitting at the kitchen bar getting together an exercise routine for my cousin. It was taking me forever to get the before and after pictures for it so she would understand exactly how to do each of the exercises. In hindsight, I should have had Michael take pictures of me doing the exercises...that would have been a lot simpler. Maybe next time.
Seriously digressing, the next thing I know.....I hear a loud thud followed by a crash. The thud was Marshall plopping 'his' computer onto the bar and the crash was my favorite Tyler Candle making a nose dive into the sink after being catapulted by 'his ' computer! Wow, candles can have quite the airtime. Anyway, thought I would would share the picture of my youngest trying to be just like his Mommy! SCARY, let's just hope he will work as hard as his Mom and not live off the governement!

The Evolution Of Coincedence

I am so on the fence in regards to fate and coincidence.....as Rava would say...."There are no big coincidences and small coincidences, just coincidences" (Seinfeld)
I will have to disagree. I believe there are degrees of coincidences and the method in which they evolve to bring one to the end of a journey can be interesting to say the least. Almost in a way that one could not detect until they reached they end of that destination. I know this sounds all Confucius and once you read the following text you might think...'Wow, what a huge disappointment for such an opener.' Before you read further..this is not an entry of unrequited love, kismet, winning the lottery, etc.........It is just an entry of people helping other people like they are supposed to not for any other reason.
I rarely drive to my mom's place on Saturdays. Only because it is a pain to pack up the boys and all their accoutrements and drive 60 miles west. My Mom usually makes the journey every other Saturday so I don't have to...that is just the kind of Mom she is. (Take note, she is not retired so she works all week and selflessly gives her Saturday to us) Anyway, I am looking at the calender in the pantry and realize she will go three weeks without seeing the boys if we don't make a journey to Hermitage. Since I don't have the heart to neglect her of her grandbabbies that long, I decide to visit her on Saturday (1st coincidence). On Saturday, I was packing up the car and Michael asked if I would load up his Razor Scooter so he could ride it down to the pool (2nd coincidence because he has never asked to do this). You see, my mom lives in a condominium and they have a pool but it is about 1/10th of a mile from my parent's place. Back to the story......we usually have so much crap to take (toys, towels, cooler stocked with drinks and snacks, the kids) the thought of walking down to the pool is almost laughable. Not from a trifling standpoint but from a necessity standpoint.
We walk out of mom's place with the intention in my mind to follow Michael with the Tahoe as he rides his scooter and we shuttle the rest of our fare. Well, Mom decides we could use the walk and we conjure up a plan to get us and all of our crap down there....not to mention Marshall has his 3 wheeled SpongeBob scooter that he gives up riding half way there so I have to carry it, too. (3rd Coincidence). We stay at the pool for about 2 hours and Marshall is showing his usual signs of fatigue and we pack up and decide to tackle the arduous trek back to Mom's place.
All of our stuff in hand....up the hill we go. (Downhill to the pool, uphill back) We are 3/4 of the way back and for some reason I glance to my left.....no specific reason...AND....understand the space between the garages of each condo are approximately 3.5 feet wide. For once Marshall is not commandeering all of my attention (4th coincidence) and what do I see. I notice an 80 something year old lady with a flushed face and scared look down on the grass. I told Mom to hold on, put all my things down and walked over there. She told me she fell a while ago and has not been able to stand back up. She was grasping a metal column supporting her covered walkway like it would some how save her. She tried to stand up as soon as I walked over and I insisted on checking out her hips before I helped her to her feet. After doing the usual, I felt she had not broken any bones and I got her to her feet. I told her that I did not mean to intrude but I insisted on walking her into her home and sitting her down by a phone. She stumbled a couple of times on the way in and I sat her down. She stated she was fine and told me to lock the door on my way out. So that is my story. How long that lady would have say there....who knows. She had already been there for quite some time because her face was all red even though she was in the shade.
I know you all think I am crazy....but I truly feel all of these things led up to me helping her only because I NEVER do any of them. How long would that poor lady have sat there in the grass and heat of the day before someone found her. In retrospect, I should have gone back and checked her vitals but hindsight is 20/20. I think I am going to ask my Mom to go by her place and make sure she is OK. So, that is my story of the evolution of coincidence. Sorry if is was a disappointment but I was so glad I ran upon her.

Channeling M. Stewart Again

Well, as most of you know, I am not much of nor claim to be an epicurean. Therefore, when I do go out of the norm to make something other than the usual fare....I like to share it. Well, this week it happened to be Raspberry Lemon Bars....here is the recipe....simple, simple simple.


2 Six ounce raspberry packages
12 squares of graham crackers, crushed
2 Tbsp of butter or margarine
2 Packages of cream cheese
1 jar of marshmallow cream
1 Tbsp of lemon juice

Reserve 12 raspberries for garnish. Mix crumbs and butter together; press firmly into bottom of 9-inch square baking pan (square is spelled 'sqare' on the box, ha ha) Refrigerate crust while making filling.
Beat (nicely) cream cheese, marshmallow creme and lemon juice with electric mixer on medium until light and fluffy. (I don't know about you but my mixer has numbers not descriptors of speed, too fancy for me!) Stir in raspberries; spoon into crust. Refrigerate 4 hours. Cut into 20 bars to server. Top each with a raspberry!

There you have it....so, so simple...it would have to be for me to even attempt it. Not that I am afraid of cooking, I just have other things I would rather be doing!

Hey Crystal, I do want that sausage and potato recipe...it sounds yummy. Please email it if you have the chance....abregenzer@hotmail.com

Friday Fill Ins

TGIF....I am so glad it is the weekend. I have been very busy at work this week so I am looking forward to my 1/2 day today and spending the rest of it at the pool. Hopefully the weather will let me enjoy my day!


1. I grew up thinking a man would never ask me to marry him.

2. www.fridayfillins.blogspot.com was the last website I was at before coming here, of course!

3. Why don't you slow down a little and imbibe what life has to offer instead of running through it with blinders on. (This is me talking to me!)

4. Reading during a thunderstorm helps me relax.

5. Thanks for the memories.

6. I find body odor and a dirty house very off-putting.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to swimming and grilling something, tomorrow my plans include going to my mom's house and lounging by the pool and Sunday, I want to I have no idea!

The Official Birthday Party

What happens when you get 10 boys ages 8-10 together + Star Wars + Water Fun + Lots and Lots of sugar........................UTTER CHAOS. It is over and done...Michael's ninth birthday party. I still have not figured out why I set myself up for things like this. I guess I am going to add that unanswered question to my small bank of frequently asked yet unanswered questions.
One can normally expect 50% of invited people to RSVP, at least that is what the 'etiquette' books trend toward. As usual, I tend to buck the system...inadvertently, of course. We invited 13 boys and 10 responded. OMG Kids started to arrive a little before 4 0'clock which was no big deal. Add more and more kids and calamity ensued. I do find it curious from a psychological standpoint the energy which is given, received and multiplied between young boys in a "pack" situation!! It is evolutionary, eruptive and....I have no idea what else. Add water balloons and light sabers.....LOOK OUT. I have nothing more to say about it except......my 10th and last visit to the rec room at 12:30 a. m. with my final warning of "Quit running around the pool table and jumping off the couch. I don't care if you guys stay up until the sun rises as long as you do it quietly! They were on one side of the top floor and we were on the other and I could hear and thought I could feel the pound of every foot step.
We had a few games which included 1. Pin the Ty-Fighter (sp?) on the Death Star, water balloon fight (with the help of my mother...we filled 200 of those puppies with water), and balloon stomp. They had grilled hot dogs with chips for dinner, followed my Birthday Cake, followed by S'mores with GIANT marshmallows after it was dark.
Allegedly, three boys stayed up all night with the rest in bed by 3:00 a.m. BUT guess what...several of them were up by SIX IN THE MORNING! I was exhausted but the boys were running strong. By 7:00 a.m. they were all sitting outside again eating the two dozen pancakes I made. Let me tell you, there is nothing like cooking that many pancakes first thing in the morning. If you have never had that experience, I highly recommend it. Heavy sarcasm here!
So, that is the party in a nutshell. I have included a few, several, couple pictures but the majority of them can be viewed on Facebook.

Friday Fill Ins

1. I love and truly appreciate my home.

2. My favorite thing for dinner lately has been, don't laugh, the Taco Salad I had last night.

3. The dog said, "I would really like some bacon" but all I heard was bark! bark! bark!

4. A nice long walk is enjoyable if you have good company or good music.

5. This country could really use some good news.

6. When all is said and done, it truly is the little things that matter.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to finishing the final preparations for Michael's birthday party, tomorrow my plans include trying not to strangle any of the eight out of control boys which will be spending the night at said party and Sunday, I want to make a boat load of pancakes for those same boys, send them home all hyped up on sugar and RECOVER!

BOYS

I have nothing to say for the evening except for this.....my boys are sitting on the couch and Michael (9) is apparently having a problem with flatulence. Anyway, he is making Marshall (2.5) smell them. Marshall keeps saying...."Ewwww, that is Yucky!"
My life ROCKS!!

The Official Unofficial Birthday Party

I cannot believe that as of 2:29 p.m. this afternoon, my eldest son turned 9 years old. This is his last single digit birthday and I am a little depressed. Thankfully, he has been little trouble since his introduction to this World (unlike you know who). Other than the usual hiccup with rearing a child, he has been a God send! There was not a lot of fanfare tonight for a couple of reasons or a few reasons or several reasons...whatever the definition 1. Michael had flag football tonight until 7pm so a lot of pomp and circumstance was not in the cards for tonight. 2. Michael is having a big Star Wars sleepover Saturday night ( I am sooo excited, I just love parties) therefore that is the "actual day" of the festivities. Not to downplay anything because it is all a big deal....this is all I have as a memory token until Saturday. Michael was able to open some gifts this evening, at his request. He received some dough (money, sweet), 3-D chalk, Star Wars paraphernalia, and a HUGE bag of gigantic marshmallows from the Paul Bunyan store in Minnesota. These puppies are HUGE. I would say equal to 3-4 normal people sized. I promise you, nothing compared to the likes of this you have witnessed. I am saving them for the sleepover so the boys can make them in conjunction with the whole s'mores thing. Don't worry....minimal pics on my blog and maximum pics on Facebook once it is all said and done. Be sure to tune in....
On a totally different subject...I received another award...this time from my cyber friend Crystal. I will be sure to comment on that tomorrow.