.

12 Years Missing

2009-09-15T10:05:00.002-05:00

I know where I was 12 years ago today. I was rushing back to Michigan to be at my dad's bedside. 12 years ago today my dad had a stroke and it was the last time I would ever see him. I thought over time it would get easier but it doesn't. The thing I hate most is that my children can't know him the way I did. I wish my children would have known their "Papa". For he was the greatest EVER!

Best time I remember was the nights my mom played cards. My dad would say to me, have plans tonight pennie, why dad? well mom is playing cards and I was thinking Steak and Ale. Plans got cancelled or pushed back and off I would go. Just me and him. Sometimes even on a friday night I would end up at the mall with my dad, I never cared what my friends thought because that was my dad. The best dad in the whole world!

I miss you yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Another Semester Started

2009-08-28T19:46:00.002-05:00

Back to school :) I'm really looking forward to this semester. I'm taking A&P which is a hard class but I feel very confident about it. I'm glad I have a study partner and I'm also looking into getting a tutor to help me out.

In the Spring all I have left to take is A&P2, Human Growth and Developement and Sociology. I'm so excited. I'm going to apply to the nursing program in Nov. and I will know by Feb. if I got in. Keep your fingers crossed!

Wonderful Motorcycle Vacation

2009-08-11T10:37:00.009-05:00

We started out heading to Jim/Tina house in Robinson IL, spent the night and headed with them to "The Dragon's Tail" in eastern Tennessee.

They took off the next morning and we found our campground to stay at. It was for "two" wheels only. It was beautiful. We stayed there for 4 days. It was called Cherekee Motorcycle Resort. Awesome place to stay - for two wheels only!

We traveled all over the Smoky Mountains.

We did the "Dragons Tail" OMG it was scary!!! but it was also breath taking! 312 Curves in 11 Miles . . . some never make it . . . we did!

On Wednesday we headed over east toward Memphis, we stopped and stayed at a state park for the night, on Thursday we headed to Memphis. We arrived in Memphis to meet up with Bill/Robin. Memphis was a fun city but I think I liked the laid back no city stress of the mountains.

Here we are down on BEALE Street, the main street in Memphis it has like over 20 bars in 3 blocks and music being played on every corner!

Finally in a store

2009-07-28T18:35:00.004-05:00

I'm super excited, finally my ExtremeYarn is in a store. Locally here in Ottawa, its called Maad About Sewing . Now I will be able to reach more people who love to knit and crochet just like me.

Oh what a Relief . . . the heat that is

2009-06-29T12:31:00.003-05:00

I'm so glad the humidity is gone, I don't mind 80's with zero humidity but 80's with humidity and feeling like its 100 degress is not my cup of tea! LMAO Today I'm totally relaxing, I'm crocheting with Helcinda on the back deck and slowly doing blanket, sheets etc and drapping them around the deck to air dry. Its beautiful OUT! Love it!!!

Tuesday Helcinda and I are going out for dinner and to the show to see My Sisters Keeper. I have been looking forward to seeing this movie. We are planning on having dinner at Chili's and catching a show ALONE! No children. WOOH WHO!

Happy Fathers Day

2009-06-21T15:30:00.002-05:00

Happy Fathers Day to my hubby, family members, and friends -
you too dad, I'm always thinking about you and wishing you were here :)

Can things get any worse???

2009-06-21T15:26:00.002-05:00

Well today we had planned a canoe trip with 4 other families - we always like to do something memorable when our niece is here to visit (Helcinda - lol). Well the canoe rental place called this am and cancelled due to unsafe water levels . . . from all the rain the current is too strong and unsafe. Sooooo we planned a cookout for later this afternoon and to swim . . . . well its rained all DAY since the phone call. THEN TO TOP IT OFF - the refrigator stops working at some time, all my salads, lunch meat for the week, watermelon, steaks, hamburger and hotdogs for today RUINED! Complete "hot" and "melted" - the repair man is here but is appearing unable to figure out the problem . . . . HELP! Of course all my groceries for the week was in the fridge and money is an issue! Never fails always something always.

HELCINDA from Davisburg "yaaah"

2009-06-15T23:20:00.007-05:00

This week we are graced with the presents of HELCINDA from Davisburg. She cooks, cleans, laundry, and tends to children "yaaah". She has a great personality and we will continue to have her here until the children drive her crazy like the rest of us.

BITCHOLOGY

2009-05-25T19:31:00.002-05:00

BITCHOLOGY

When I stand up for myself and my beliefs, they call me a bitch.

When I stand up for those I love, they call me a bitch.

When I speak my mind, think my own thoughts
or do things my own way, they call me a bitch.

Being a bitch means I won't compromise what's in my heart.
It means I live my life MY way.
It means I won't allow anyone to step on me.

When I refuse to tolerate injustice and
speak against it, I am defined as a bitch.

The same thing happens when I take time for
myself instead of being everyone's maid, or when I act a little selfish.

It means I have the courage and strength to allow myself to be who I truly am and won't become anyone else's idea of what they think I 'should' be...

I am outspoken, opinionated and determined. I want what I want and there is nothing wrong with that!
So try to stomp on me, just try to douse my inner flame, try to squash every ounce of beauty I hold within me.
You won't succeed.

And if that makes me a bitch ,so be it.
I embrace the title and am proud to bear it.

B - Babe
I - In
T - Total
C - Control of
H - Herself

B = Beautiful
I = Intelligent
T = Talented
C = Charming
H = Hell of a Woman

B = Beautiful
I = Individual
T = That
C = Can
H = Handle 'anything'

Before and After

2009-05-23T14:51:00.005-05:00

We had to have our two front trees cut down after the snow/ice storm in April. Here are the before and after pics. I think it makes the house look super plain. I plan on putting up new privacy fence and we are going to move it up on our lot - kindof where the trees were.

Summer is HERE!

2009-05-20T13:56:00.001-05:00

I did pretty well this semester, A - Engligh II, B - Microbiology, and C - Human Structure and Function. I'm happy :) This summer I'm only taking an online class, Human Growth and Development. I plan on working my 3 -12's and working on the house, yard, and spending time with the children - OH and riding of course!

End of April already ? ? ?

2009-04-30T14:59:00.001-05:00

I'm being to think that as you age time speeds up. I can't believe its April 30th - I turned in my term/research paper today - WHEW! I'm so looking forward to a break from school I have been going strong for the past 18 months. I'm taking an online class this summer but I won't have to drive over there everyday. This fall will be hectic for me but I think I'm more prepared now. Happy May Day everyone :)

Todays my Birthday !!!!

2009-04-28T18:44:00.002-05:00

What a great day I have had. The phone calls, texts, emails and walk by's. My DH made me a great dinner, steak, sweet potatoe, carrots, and brussel sprouts - Fruit salad for dessert later YUMMY!

I'm so excited my Structure and Function teacher emailed me back and i got a 88% on my test last week WOOH-WHO! I'm super excited about this!!!

Enough is Enough

2009-04-25T08:03:00.003-05:00

I'm so excited - I decided last week that enough is enough. I started walking and watching what I eat. I re-joined TOPS and at my first weigh in I lost 8.5 pounds WHOO-WHO! I was so excited, I really didn't change much just my portion size and no snacking after dinner. I'm happy to say that something inside me clicked and I'm tired of being overweight and I know I can do it. No surgeries for me. I'm going to make my 35th year a losing one!!!

OMG

2009-04-23T10:14:00.001-05:00

I can't believe it! I got a 81% on my microbiology test! That is great for me . . . it was super hard. Maybe I'm actually getting it . . . lol. I only have one more test and one more lab and my goal is to study hard and come out with a B in the class. I have a 79% now and that is to close for me. I CAN DO IT!

Now back to my research paper . . . 12-15 pages. I have 9 done :) I'm working on the historical section.

Enjoy this great weekend - its suppose to be in the mid-70's. I have no class on Friday so I'm going to work on my garden. I want to get the ground ready to plant. I plan on having tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, onions, herbs, etc.

Fall Registration Done

2009-04-20T11:14:00.002-05:00

Today I signed up for my fall classes. I'm gonna take, Anatomy and Physiology, Creative Writing, Intro. to Sociology, The Art of Film, in addition I did an 8 week Introduction to Chemistry. BUSY BUSY BUSY. I like my class schedule, Monday AM for an hour, All day Tuesday and Thursday. Thats it.

Boys Will Be Boys

2009-04-18T16:06:00.003-05:00

Hubby and son are off to see an areana football game tonight . . . I won tickets over the radio. I think it will be fun for them. Male bonding at its best I'm sure.

Day two of my lifestyle change. I have done great. When I woke up I had an egg and half with veggies omlet, after my ride I had some strawberries and banana's. Tonight I will grad a sub from Subway this way I can eat around 8 and then again around 3 or 4 this am.

I have two test this week, one on Tuesday the other on Wednesday night. Then I have my term paper due on Thursday. I have 9 of the 15 pages complete - YUK. I like the author and he is very interesting but very repetiative. Have a great Saturday :)

New Beginnings

2009-04-16T14:20:00.010-05:00

Today started out crazy as usual here. I grabbed a Fiber One bar and a bottle of water. I headed off to drop of children and then over to the college. What a day my first class only lasted 20 minutes and my Noon class was cancelled. So off to home I headed. I ate leftover chinese food and decided I would walk downtown and around downtown. I walked for an hour and fifteen minutes. I feel good. I really want to get some of this weight off. I found a picture of me way back when and I want that again :) Or at least close to that.

I decided last spring to have the by-pass surgery after going through the pre-program with my insurance company I decided against it. I LOVE FOOD. I have to learn to eat, exercise, and think. No surgery will change the fact that food is a part of life. Maybe in the beginning losing 100+ pounds would be great but what happens 3, 5, 7 years down the road when I can eat normal again??? I don't want to end up back here. I decided that I will make time for me! to walk every day or at least every other day. I will THINK about what I put into my mouth and make better decisions.

Also I decided to place this picture around . . . remembering what it was like and see me that way again EVERYDAY and achieve it.

Tonight I had a large homemade salad with egg salad on top it was good. I added red onion, mushrooms, cucumbers and green pepper to it. Plus a banana for dessert :) I'm really liking the Propel packets that you add to water. I love propel but its so expensive now I found an alternative. Anyway to drink water works!

Red Covered Bridge

2009-03-23T17:04:00.001-05:00

Cyrano's Steak - Comedy - Bowling Birthday Party

2009-03-23T16:18:00.004-05:00

On Saturday I planned a little get together with a few friends. We started at Prime Quarter and worked our way to comedy club and finally ended with bowling. What a great time we had. We had 10 people at dinner, 20 at comedy club and ended with 6 bowlers. Let the show begin . . .

These Boots aren't Made for Walking . . . There made for RIDIN!

2009-03-09T19:11:00.004-05:00

Check them out! My new Harley boots! YA babe :) I love umm.

I will look like such the hottie with my new boots on the back of my "hot" bike! LOL - I can't wait to learn how to ride. Then I'll be riding my own bike.

No State for us . . .

2009-03-08T11:24:00.002-05:00

After a long day of sectionals, we didn't make it on to State. That is ok - he did really well and I'm super proud of him for making it that far! We did have 2 make it to state this year from the squad - CONGRATS!

I got it!

2009-03-05T16:09:00.005-06:00

I bought my new camera on Monday! WOOH-WHO! I'm so excited - I love it. I'm really impressed at the quality of the pictures. Today its like 65 degrees here so of course I had to take a few pictures of the hubby; here are a few of my favorite pics so far. . .

And yes that is my hubby on our 2009 Ultra Classic Harley Davidson!

I never thought in a million years that I would ever own a Harley but let me tell you I'm really tired of not purchasing something because of the cost. Live for now! Who knows what tomorrow brings and I realized that if you have it, it will get paid and YOU WILL HAVE FUN! There is nothing like riding! NOTHING!

See you on the road . . . . . . . . .

Ready

2009-02-27T18:06:00.007-06:00

I worked my first night last night - it was fine. I accomplished some good knitting! Tonight I plan on studying and working some more on my July Felted Bag.

I placed some items on ebay a few days ago and low and behold I sold them and made back almost what I spent! WOO-HOO. I think I'm going to join Heritage Makers . I want a canon powershot digital . . . I can't wait to get this. I have a few more items to sell off first then I will be ready to get my new small digital camera. What I like about this one is the size, about the same size as my cell phone. Here is a picture of the camera and a little blub about it.

Canon - PowerShot 10.0-Megapixel Digital ELPH Camera - Silver
Model: SD790 IS - 3x optical/4x digital/12x total zoom; 3" PureColor LCD II TFT-LCD monitor; DIGIC III image processor; slim, lightweight design; PictBridge direct-print capability

Best Buy has the camera on sale this week, only $179- not bad but of course I don't have enought funds to purchase it and it only goes on sale about every 3-4 months. SOOOOOO . . . . I will be waiting from a distance lol. SOON!

Stupid is as a stupid Does

2009-02-26T15:12:00.003-06:00

WTF! I can't believe in over 2 years I haven't overdrafted my checking account. Oh and not just by 20 or 30 bucks no! not me, I paid something online and totally forgot I paid it $460 bill! OH SHIT! then I wrote out a check and that bounced too. WTF!!! I have been doing sooooo wellllllll for the past 2 years and then for once this week, I bounced BIG TIME. Maybe it was the stress of 2 yes 2 big test, starting a new job, oh and other crap. But I guess CRAP happens and I will get back on my scheduling of paying bills and NOT do this again!

So Pennie's tip for the day?! WRITE DOWN EVERYTHING!