As you all know I am not computer savvy. My daughter is and lucky for me she is here, and she helped me, put two pictures on my blog. (I only have 1 CD with pictures)

The first picture is of my sis Lori & me. She is on the left and I am the one in the dress (as usual).

The last picture is (from left to right) my husband Paul-David, My Pop and my baby brother David.

You hear so much about them...now you can see them. I love seeing everyone's pictures on their blogs.

Well have to go see the State of the Union address. Goodnight Blog Buddies! :O)

I am the Champion :)

Stayed up until almost two this morning playing scrabble in the bed with my husband, the underdog. He tried to pull some good ones...like the word HAXE, have you ever heard of such a word? Nope!

Anyway, I kicked his booty. The final score was 170-249 and the victorious feeling is still within me.

I have not posted in a week. My only daughter is here visiting. We have been catching up. I will post more in a day or two. Take Care Blog Buddies and have a great week!

Back in the Saddle...

I am back in the workforce...Kind of!

My baby brother David bought three commercial properties, close to downtown Conroe and asked me to be in charge of Management.

Basically what I do is collect rent from his office space leasor's. Advertise for more prospective businesses to lease space and Pay the bills (with his money not mine :)! Hire people to do the up keep.

I like it so far because I work around my schedule as well as the Twin's schedule and it is not very time consuming....the extra money will be nice too!

Update regarding my sister Lori: My father and brother joined her last weekend for the Family session, they reported back that she is very happy. I spoke to her last night. They have her in classes 11 hours a day, she is recovering and learning new ways to think, act and deal with life. I think this facility is making an impact on her life. I want to thank each and everyone of you for your heartfelt prayers! You are blessing to me ...all of you :O)

Let's Dribble

Tomorrow the Twin's begin their very first basketball season. They will practice two hours tomorrow and their first game begins on Saturday. They are ecstatic! My husband joins in their elation :O) He loves the game and played it during his high school years.

I on the other hand know absolutely nothing about this game...as you all know I am a die hard baseball freak! I can get out there and give anyone a run for their money with a game of HORSE, other than that I am ignorant of the rules and plays.

I just hope basketball season does NOT overlap the onset of baseball season. The Twin's have 5 years experience under their belts in the game of baseball and they're mighty darn good at it...if I must say so myself!

We just finished our first and LAST season of football. The Twin's piped up and said " You know Mom, we know just about every sport...except golf! When are you gonna let us learn the game of golf?" Oh goodness gracious give me a break!

Critter thoughts

I've been thinking alot about life, the hand we are dealt and the paths we go down, the turns we make and the dead end roads that we sometimes stay on for way too long.

As I have gotten older, I have come to understand many things that were confusing in my youth. I know that mistakes can make you wiser, especially if you take the time to learn from them. I know that harsh words, spoken in haste or a moment of anger, can never be retrieved. I know that there is NO differential status quo in drugs, whatever your drug of choice is. A pot smoker is no higher class than a crack addict...it is simply addiction.

I know that a dead tree will not bear fruit and I believe people are like trees. I think people place little value on their roles in the family. I think it is most important that people strive to be a good role model, not only for your children, but your nephews, nieces, your childrens friends and even your own friends. Everyone needs someone to look up to. I think people either contribute or contaminate.

No matter how much I love someone, I forbid them to pollute or contaminate my children or myself. Years ago, I would just allow it or accept that it was the way it was. Today I know that I have a choice in which scenery my life plays out on.
We affect generations to come with the decisions that we make today.

I know that even though life is hard, God wants us to be a winner and not a whiner. It is during the tough times of life that we find out what we're really made of.

Don't worry about the things you cannot change. I struggle with this statement or should I say I really worry about things that I have no control over. I want to worry less and smile more. Don't You?

Well lets do it!!

Prayer for Those Abused by Drugs
Most loving God,
we ask your blessing upon allwho suffer from addiction.
Strengthen them to reach out for help.
Enable them to take the first step to recovery.
Bless them with the persistence to persevere in the fight to be free.
Give courage and hope to their families,drawing them close together in the power of your love,which alone can transform our living.
Amen.

Cowboy in the Jungle...threw the rope! A meme of 4's

**Cowboy Greg lassos me into this meme** :O)

Four jobs you have had in your life:
Receptionist-for Pat Anderson Properties, Montgomery TX ,even though the name has changed, clicking the link above will show you the exact office I worked in. This was a part-time endeavor, I also had a fulltime job in the same subdivison.

Computer Data Tech/Clerk-OK Utility Service, I did alot of data entry here. This office was also located inside April Sound Subdivision, I wore many hats at this job and I stayed for many, many years. I thoroughly enjoyed it. They were bought out by the next company I worked for.

Office Manager-Hays Utility Company- I stayed here for a little over five years and boy that was too damn long!

Paramount Insurance Repair Service-My family owns this business. They have offices all over the United States. I worked for them in South Carolina, when Hurricane Hugo hit. Its hard to work and travel all over with small children. I wish I was in a position to do it though. The last time I worked for them was in 2003 when Flood Allison, hit Houston ...I was a Job Shack Queen (yes that is what we call it) My baby brother is very successful here.

Four movies you could watch over and over:
Saturday Night Fever !!
Driving Miss Daisy
Steel Magnolias
Shawshank Redemption

Four places you've lived: Basically I have only lived in ONE place my whole life – TEXAS! I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Houston, Texas -Born and Raised!
Charleston, South Carolina
Rio Grande Valey, Texas
Corpus Christi, Texas

Four TV shows you love to watch:
Everybody Loves Raymond
20/20
60 Minutes
Dr. Phil

Four places you've been on vacation:
New York, NY
New Orleans-The French Quarter
San Antonio, TX -River Walk
Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Four websites you visit daily:
http://martinisforone.blogspot.com/ Diane's adventures mesmerize me http://davidsdailytalkandblog.blogspot.com/ This is one swell fella
http://bugsbutt.blogspot.com/ I am addicted to his humor
http://trivialtiffairs.blogspot.com My daughter :)

Four of your favorite foods:
Honey Roasted Almonds- everyday!
COFFEE-with hazlenut creamer
A good thick Steak -rare
Shrimp

Four places you'd rather be right now:
Tennessee
Kentucky
New York City
North Carolina

Four Bloggers you are tagging:
Diane Mandy http://dianesdaily.blogspot.com (one hip chick)
David http://davidsdailytalkandblog.blogspot.com (funny guy)
Michelle http://gnumann.blogspot.com/ (fellow Texan- Queen of Nice)
Ivy http://thisshitismadnotes.blogspot.com/ (a dandy Texas Gal!)

Even tough cookies....crumble

My lil sister is one tough cookie, she stands tall even though she is a little bitty thing. She is petite like my Mother.

I am the tall long legged one, almost as tall as my brothers. All of my siblings were blessed with blond (almost white) hair and blue eyes. I got the brown all the way around.

Lori was the tomboy who liked to kick ass. If you crossed her, she would just haul off and pop you in the jaw. Never mind she is a little bitty thing, still buys her clothes in the junior department and wears a size zero or two at the most. Her first response to any trouble is to kick ass. I have seen her take on more than one person...usually a girl her age and then the girl's angry mother.

She does not fight like that anymore, but she is still tough. But the cookie has crumbled and I walk the floors worried about my baby sissy.

She holds everything inside and rarely lets herself become vulnerable. She hides stuff. And for the past few years she disapears. No one hears from her for days.
She disapeared two days after Christmas and 4 days later called crying frantically for help.

I thank God above for keeping her alive. I curse crack cocaine.

Today she is entering a treatment facility. She wants help and needs it. I hope and pray that Jolimar is the right place for her. She is 37 years old and can not keep going down this path. Thankfully, God allows us the ability to make U-turns.

I wondered (and still do) if posting about this is the right thing to do. I would never want to hurt her or invade her privacy. I know that God has some angels out here in blogland that not only give support when needed, but also pray, and she needs it.

Mama Hen

Mama & Daddy had four children, girl, boy, girl and boy...I am the oldest. I am the reason they were married in the first place. And I was the happiest one when they divorced.

I was 10 years old. Dad won custody of my sister and me. Back in those days ( I'm not ancient) if a woman was having an affair or shacking up (as it was called) then a man had grounds to fight and possibly win. My Dad wanted all of his children, but he bargained with Mom and told her that he did not want his girls to grow up seeing things that were morally incorrect.

Dad was straight as arrow and loved very few things...his Mama, his Daddy, his children, our Mother and Jim Beam. Some things never change.

Mom liked to party. Usually 6 nights a week, so most of the time we would fend for ourselves. My parents were young and dumb when it came to parenting skills. I do not blame them or hold a grudge. I really think I learned alot from their mistakes.

I became the Mama Hen to my siblings. I cleaned, cooked and even drove my own car, at the age of 13, to do the grocery shopping. I did not stick around long though. I pulled up stakes at the age of 15 and ran away, all over the country. I eventually ended my journey in Las Vegas, made a phone call and let the folks know that I was fine and would return on my own terms, meaning not under their thumb or their rules.

After I left home, my parents tried to get their act together where the rest of the children were concerned.

The original reason for this post is my little sister Lori Sue. I love her with all my heart! I will try to complete this tomorrow. Bear with me.

To be continued....

I know....I am a slacker! I have let my blog posts go by the wayside. Today I will get back into to the swing of things and check out the blog world.

I am curious to see what has been going on in all of your live's. Throughout the day, I WILL peruse all my favorite blog jaunts and let ya know that I am still here.

I am curious to see if everyone is posting about their New Year's resolutions...I usually do not make any. But there are two things that I am going to do different in 2006. I need to eat healthier, more rabbit food such as veggies and fruit. Second I want to get rid of some of my stuff.

I have too much of everything! Too many shoes, dishes, photos, knick-knacks....you name it and I probably have at least 10 maybe 50 or more of it. I am not joking here.

Here is an old fact... I woke up hearing noises about 3 am, it was my sister in law tip-toeing around in my home. I was alarmed and thought that she may be ill or in need of something. I asked her "Are you okay??"
Yes she replied I just wanted to look at everything, you have so much stuff! I thought of offering her a dust rag to use while she went around checking it all out.

People like to come over and when they do they walk around and just look. Some think I have talent as a decorator....NOpe I just keep it and add to it. But frankly it is impossible to keep everything dusted, vacuumed and polished. Somehow, Someway ,I have to do something about all the excess.

My husband could take care of this problem in just one day, because he is experienced in discarding mine and the Twins things. He likes to get rid of stuff, just not.... his stuff. I mean does anyone really need to save 4 years worth of Fishing Magazines?? And how many tackle boxes and fishing poles does one man need??

Officially beginning soon, I am putting my HOUSE on a diet!