HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Didn't post today! Yikes! Was a busy day. Dylan spent the night and in the morning after our showers we picked up Maddie and then went to Walmart to get the finishing touches for the party. Then we came home and cleaned up the house.... cleaned toilets, mirrors, etc.... Maddie tried to be so patient. She played with the dolls and watched Spongebob while Dylan played with Punkin. Finally everyone came.... and Maddie and Dylan were happy! I will write about the party tomorrow and post pics after the kids do.

Needless to say.... I woke up feeling horrible this morning but wouldn't have cancelled for the world. I didn't want to disappoint the kids.... they were looking forward to it.

Want to share with you my favorite gadget! It looks like a Spaghetti server... but it is our back scratcher. It is strong with lots of fingers and works great. Then come dinner time.... (just kidding). Since it is white we all know what it is used for and it never goes in the kitchen. Dylan loves it.

Got one trick or treater tonight. hmmmm. Enjoy your Halloween! xoxo

scary, hairy tunes.....

I took Maddie to Walmart yesterday morning and Karla brought Dylan to me after his conferences. We finished our shopping and he bought some of this webbing. He had a blast putting it up on my front porch and back porch!!!!



My scarecrow guy really does scare! Last time Lauren was here she laughed at me because I got a glimpse of it through the door and it scared me to death! The other night during a wind storm I brought him in because he was banging against the wall. Maddie arrived yesterday and got startled by him numerous times so he is back outside again. lol
While Dylan and I did the spider webs.... Maddie got her exercising on my bike! (Ignore the dust... I really am using it!)
Those kids were such a great help to me yesterday while I was in pain!!! Dylan helped carry all the groceries in, got me some Tylenol, took care of Maddie's needs without being mean to her all the time, and I told him how proud I was of him! That's because he is a "rock star" (which I am sure Karla will post about). Maddie got me water, covered me with a blanket and did some other little things for me. She is so compassionate when and to whom she wants to be.

Speaking of karla's site.... I cannot get my family links to show when they are updated!!!! It works for my Georgia family but not my own! hmmmm. frustrating!

I couldn't help but laugh at Dylan this morning. He slept on Andrews spot. When you see Andrew sleeping there he is totally tucked in and hardly moved all night. Dylan's bed is a wreck! lol!

Maddie wanted my background changed so we're back to this one. She won. I will have this til Sunday morning.... then who knows what. It is fun changing backgrounds and see what others do with theirs!

The kids and I had a good time last night..... I hurt my hip somehow.... muscle spasms in my left buttocks (which Dylan thinks is a hysterical word). Oh, I got him sooo good last night! I changed my ring tone to a doorbell on my cell. He was on the couch and I was in my chair watching Survivor when it went off.... his eyes got huge and he goes "Who could that be????" He was scared! I grabbed my phone and started laughing so hard I could barely talk (good thing it was papa). A little later I called my cell again without him looking. Bigger than life... he looked at the door again! We laughed again!!! Don't know if Maddie had as much fun last night. She would rather have Lauren. We did make a necklace and played with the cat. Got the best garlic roasted chicken for dinner last night. Didn't eat the skin.... but didn't need to because the flavor in the meat was SO GOOD! Got it at Walmart! Made papa taco's because he's been craving them and I think he is tired of chicken right now. He wanted beef.

Thanks all for the congrats on my weight loss. I am so proud of myself. I will continue this... I have my grandkids encouragement now. The grandkids that always say "You're not fat, mam!" Gotta love them.

Enjoy your Friday and may God make it go fast for you so you can start your weekend!!!! xoxo

Weather to Expect:
As you step outside this morning, the first thing you?ll notice is how mild the temperatures are. We'll start out in the 50s with high temperatures in the upper 50s and low 60s this afternoon. A few scattered showers are in the forecast during the day with stormier weather arriving later tonight. Expect another round of heavy rain and strong winds as a cold front moves our way.

Winds start backing off on Saturday but showers will stick around during the day. We start drying out for Saturday night, so the Halloween festivities look fairly dry with only the chance of a shower over your neightborhood.

An early morning shower Sunday, otherwise we'll keep it dry for the second half of the weekend with temperatures running in the mid to low 50s.

Down 7 so far!!!!!

Seven pounds in seven days! That is huge!!! And it hasn't been difficult at all. I know God is helping my attitude and give Him the credit! I hope everyone else is doing as well!!!! Really puts me in a great mood!

Another thing that puts me in a great mood is "grand children time". I love kids.... especially the ones in this family. lol! I pick up Maddie and we are shopping while Dylan and Karla go to his conference. Then they are coming home with me to spend the night! I am excited! I love children in my home. Toby will be happy too.... he's been kind of mopey and needy this week.

Not so happy with facebook lately. They keep changing things and I don't like what they are doing. Why can't they leave well enough alone? It is messed up now. Maybe I am just getting bored with it. I was hardly on the computer at all yesterday. Watched a movie so I could delete it.... and some house hunters. I had an odd pain in my abdomen all day so I couldn't do too much. Started the day before. Oh well.

That's about all I got right now. I'm closing this post with some of my favorite "October" pictures. Enjoy....

First one is my princess Jordy.... she really is one!

Jared... love those eyes and lips!Kevon loved football.... had to take a picture of this!!! Seriously... who sleeps with a football?
I love Riley's eyes in this picture.... so bright!

Parker and Patrick look like they are wondering why they are dressed this way!
I loved having teens around all the time!!!!
Dylan.... love this expression and those lips!

Joshua and his fuzzy little head... such a character... even back then!

Another one of Kev because I couldn't decide.... I like this one with his blue eyes and messy hair and freckles! He is just starting to loose his baby cheeks and freckles at this age. Turning the corner in his looks. :(
A Halloween picture of Andrew dressed up as Winnie the Pooh... his mom's favorite Disney character. Love this sweet expression
Grand kids loved playing "cushions". We would take all the cushions off the couch and love seat and they would run around on them trying to avoid the "hot lava".... they would get so hot they would end up stripped down to almost nothing. It was so fun. I love this picture because it reminds me of those happy times.... and you can see personality in this .... Dylan playing with my hair, Jordy smiling like "Popeye", Parker not happy to be stopping for his picture to be taken, Andrew sweaty and happy!
No explanation in the next two of Maddie and Lauren..... the expressions are priceless.

Finally.... the 3 girls literally putting their heads together and planning something. So glad I had my camera for this picture. Just wait until they are teens!!!! lol

quiet day....

Shhhh... it is so quiet. All I hear is the clock ticking and me typing. Lanny went back to work today. I will miss him.... but I won't miss Law and Order. I love that show but so much killing and stuff gets to you after a time. He coughed quite a bit again last night but said he was going to work anyway. He said he is feeling better but he could be lying. I can't stop him from doing what he's going to do. He's pretty set in his ways. Loved your comment Karen! Too funny... and true!

I am not believing my luck lately with that bridge! Monday I got to Karla's ok.... then on the way home I got stuck at the bridge (they are running tests on it this week).
Then yesterday on my way to pick up Mary for her doctor appointment it was closed. Now let me explain this picture. I live up that hill across the highway from where this picture was taken. See all the cars backed up the hill? When the bridge opens you have to make a left hand turn off of that hill to get on the bridge. Tons of traffic going both ways is super dangerous. So I usually pass everyone and cross the street, turn around and wait so I only have to turn right and usually someone lets me on pretty quickly.
Yes, I AM a smart cookie. Comes from living here for a couple years. Welllllll.... then coming home last night after Mary and I were done with our day.... bammo, got stuck on the bridge again. But I look at it this way.... at least we have a bridge instead of a ferry and they are just trying to keep us safe. So I can wait. Mary and I had a good time yesterday. Only had 3 minutes to spare for her doctor appointment! And we got lost. I had to call Judy to find out how to get there. I thought I knew where I was going because I took her there before. haha. Of course, Mary wanted to go out to eat after the appointment because she hadn't eaten all day. Went to Shari's and when I ordered I asked for a box with my food and when it arrived I immediately put half my lunch in a box and only ate half. Was proud of myself. And I was full! Mary is so proud of me too. Thanks for the comments Karla, Jasmine, Tracy and Theresa! I appreciate your encouragement and prayers! And you got mine too!!!! You guys are doing great! Are you walking again Karla? Bought batteries yesterday for my exercise bike so I am not just peddling downhill. lol! Should make it a bit harder. Anyway.... after we ate we walked it off at WalMart. She needed to get some groceries.

I am so happy my brother Douglas got on facebook!!! Now if my sis Lolo would jump on... I would be really happy! I love facebook. Have I said that before?

My picture of the day is Karla and Kevon.... it was taken in October of 1978... and the next one was October of 2008! What a difference 30 years makes!



Got this article from people.com....

Kristen Stewart plays the lovestruck Bella Swan in the "Twilight" series.

With "New Moon" ready to rise in theaters November 20, director Chris Weitz wants it known: He is going to try to make you cry.

"We've tried our best to deliver on the romantic scenes in the film, and I would like to be able to produce more tears than any movie before, if possible," Weitz told PEOPLE at the Hollywood Film Festival's Hollywood Awards Monday of capturing moments in the "Twilight" saga's love triangle.

"If we could only weigh them with some kind of cubic tear measure!"

Weitz admits delivering the passion, thrills and heartache in the hotly anticipated sequel wasn't easily done.

"I've handled it very badly, because I'm extremely envious of Rob [Pattinson] and Taylor [Lautner]," he said, laughing. "What I've realized is that they have a very tough job -- not just playing the characters that they play, but living lives that are now very much under scrutiny all the time."

He adds, the intense level of attention -- including speculation about cast members' love lives -- was challenging for everyone.

"To be honest, even making the movie is under a tremendous amount of scrutiny now, so that when the cast went back to Vancouver there were cameras everywhere," he said.

"Everyone knows where every set is going to be. It goes with the Internet and all the information is out there all the time, and whenever one of them is spotted it's immediately Twittered."

The director said he had to resort to some extreme measures to avoid the prying eyes of paparazzi and fans while on location. "I can remember trying to barricade some windows by turning tables over so that they couldn't look in at a cast dinner that they we were having," he admitted.

Nevertheless, Weitz thinks the "New Moon" stars are gracefully dealing with the attention. "I think that they handle it very well really. They're smart kids -- I can say that because I'm 40 -- and they've got good heads on their shoulders. So they'll be all right."

As for himself? "The moment this film is out I go away because no one really knows what I look like," he said. "At least that's my plan!"

Hope you all have a great day! Please pray for this odd pain I am having in my lower left portion of my gut.... had it since yesterday. Gotta go shopping this morning. And thats about it! God bless your comings and your goings! xoxo

Lanny, Lanny, Lanny.....

Half the men are babies... the other half think they're doctors. Why is that? I am dealing with that right now. He is not a baby. He is one of the strongest men I know and bounces right back from illness. Papa doesn't seem to think he needs a doctor BECAUSE HE IS ONE!!! His diagnosis is: "I have a cough". I worry. It could be bronchitis or pneumonia. He needs to go in. I have to figure out how to make it his idea. hmmmm. Any suggestions? I know he is pretty sick because usually .... even if he is sick... he'll be outside mowing, washing cars, in his garage... stuff like that. But he has pretty much been in the house in his chair sleeping and coughing off and on .... working on day 4 now. I know you can't help us unless you have a gift of "convincing" or "healing".... but would you please pray for him?

I did get out for a little bit yesterday... needed to take something to Karla's. Played wii with Maddie... she kicked my butt. Apparently I have the "health" or "stamina" or whatever of a 78 year old. nice. Maddie was laughing and shaking her head and hiding her face out of embarrassment for me. lol! Speaking of Maddie.... check out Karla's website.... it is being updated but my blog isn't showing it! She put the funniest picture of Maddie and Dylan. If you know Maddie.... this is typical. ;D Helped Karla rearrange her big room a bit. She had most of it done.... but it was nice to get out of the house. Didn't go to Bible Study, though. Thought I should stay home with him. Almost forgot.... on my way back from Karla's the bridge was closed and I had to wait in this line for over 30 minutes! Then some car cut in line up further and when we started moving a car from "california" cut in front of the truck in front of me. Why did it irratate me SO much???? I still got home ok. haha.

I need to go out today again because I committed to take Mary to her doctor appointment. Maybe I can get him to go to the doctor while we are gone. (Just asked and he said no.)

I am so excited! I have been watching my diet now for 5 days now and started riding my exercise bike... and I know I am not suppose to do this til Friday.... but I weighed myself and have lost 5 pounds so far this week!!!! I know it doesn't seem like alot... but it is the world to me! If you want to jump on the bandwagon.... I would love to hear how you're doing and what you're doing. Did you walk yesterday Lois, Theresa and Tracy? Jasmine.... you can do this, too. I am even feeling better about myself! Add that to your prayers if you would too. Thanks!

This morning the Lord really put something on my heart. He reminded me how easy it is to ignore his Word. How easy it is to ignore His Spirit. How easy it is to ignore His voice. That way we are able to do what we want and think He doesn't see. Living how we want is so much easier. It seems like we only believe He is paying attention to us when we are paying attention to Him. So wrong. Then we wonder why things are going so wrong. When will we learn as a people? My biggest regrets in life are the times I knew I was shutting Him out.

I thought you might like a joke:
Although I have three sons, it was always my daughter who helped me with chores around the house.
One day we decided to install ceiling fans in the bedrooms. We thought it would take about an hour, but the task turned into an all-day job.
"Thanks, Sweetie," I said gratefully when we were finished.
"No problem," she replied as she put away the tools. "Just think of me as the son you never had."

I laughed so hard when I read this..... just ticked me.

Hope you have a great day today! xoxo

Our exciting weekend continues.....

This is a verse I need to remember right now as I change some things in my life! Still doing good on the eating and start really getting into the walking today with my friends. I am excited to change my life, health, and weight! I really am! I'm seeing I'm at the end of the road and if I take the left it is early death.... if I go to the right I see my family and grandbabies grow up! Which would you choose? I have to go right so I may as well embrace it and get excited! I know it will be hard, frustrating, and a long trip.... but I know it will be worth it and little losses every week mean little gains in my life line! Right? Thanks to those that support me. I know some don't understand the need for support..... maybe you've never needed it in anything. Support from the Lord, family and friends is what keeps me going.

This picture is of the KEVONATOR taken 10-26-91. Pretty scary huh? It was actually Kevon's last year of playing peewee football, I think. This picture was taken 18 years ago. That is so hard to fathom. Seems like only a few years ago. Kind of makes me sad.
Well.... we had such a great and lazy weekend we decided to extend it a day. Actually... Lanny's cough is keeping him home. But later he has WalMart and I have Bible Study so we'll have to dress and go out in this nasty weather. It is raining pretty hard right now.

So all weekend Toby slept and played with his toys.... (when the cat wasn't terrorizing him)Papa slept in his chair.....

The cat slept..... (when she wasn't bugging Toby). She is yawning... looks mean! Like she's yelling at me to stop taking pictures!And I played on my computer... when I wasn't doing laundry and taking care of papa. Made sure he actually rested as much as he could stand this weekend!
Only the pics of the animals were taken this weekend. As I said.... we really didn't get dressed and we didn't go around taking pictures of each other. We really weren't that bored! lol
This morning I woke up and papa was in our bath so I went to the kids and my cat scared me to death. Usually when I go in she runs in behind me crying and thinking it's "our" time to bond. I heard her make her purring/meow noise like she always does and there she was! Silly cat.
I know you may be wondering why I have a bread box in my bathroom. There is no food in there. I'm not that bad. The grand kids toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss and stuff are in there. Would have taken a pic to show you.... but we don't want to disturb the queen.
Today is Karen's birthday! Karen is Lanny's cousins daughter and one of my favorite people! She always has a smile and a kind word to say! Love you Karen, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Can you tell I had no grandbabies this weekend? :( So you get to look at my babies instead. If you've been trying to call our home phone.... it is still out. Two days now. Heather called my cell yesterday and said I was to decide her destiny. I immediately said "Stay married and you can't get rid of your kids." She laughed but told me that wasn't it. The choice was have her and the kids come for Halloween this weekend or wait until our anniversary dinner in November with all the family.... and Don will be coming, too. So I asked what the kids would prefer.... and she said Dad coming with them. That was my choice too.... so I am glad she said that! Sadly, we won't see them this weekend.... but she promised to send me lots of pictures! Thankfully they will be coming for the dinner our kids are hosting at Tara's for our 25th wedding anniversary next month! That makes us really happy!

Well.... finally ran out of pumpkins and things to write..... so I hope you have a wonderful day and God bless you and yours and keep you safe this week! xoxo

Weather to Expect:
A cold storm is moving through Western Washington today bringing steady rain around the sound this morning and snow up in the mountains this afternoon.
Showers and mountain snow continue for tomorrow with highs holding in the low 50s. Wednesday looks to be our driest day this week with morning low clouds and fog.
Rain returns Wednesday night and will continue through the second half of the work week. High temperatures are holding in the 50s for Thursday and Friday.

That darn cat.....

This is the laziest weekend ever. We haven't gotten dressed all weekend and it's been so nice. We need to go get bread but we're too lazy. We don't need no stinkin' bread anyway. Just did up the laundry and washed the bedding today. Papa isn't feeling that good today. He actually took some of his cough syrup. He doesn't take medicine. Going to bake some chicken today. I am doing very good on my eating. Only having Cheerios's for breakfast instead of bacon and eggs. May have some oatmeal a few days next week. Feeling positive about it so far. Lois is going to start with me on Monday. I love support. Tracy and Theresa are going to walk with me, too. Well.... none of them are technically walking with me because they are too far away.... but we're going to support each other every day! Anyone else want to join.... come aboard!
Our frig in the garage broke down. Luckily papa found out so our milk and stuff didn't go bad! Whatever you do.... SAVE THE MILK! As a Norwegian.... I like white food/drink. Although I have cut way back this week! Had a beautiful sky this morning... it was purple and pink and over the water it was foggy. Did I get a picture? No. It never comes out as nice as it looks. I need a better camera to really capture God's beauty.
Speaking of God's beauty.... He has healed Maddie! Thought she'd be down for the week, but her fever broke yesterday and she got to go to dinner and the carnival (see Karla's blog)! I love God Sightings!
Today is Patty's birthday! She is Pastor Jake's wife and one of my good friends! She is a labor/delivery nurse and ready to retire this week! She is kind and a very good friend. Hope her birthday is wonderful.... like her!!!!
On a cranky note... my phone has been out since yesterday! I'm glad I have a cell phone! And I am happy my computer is working! It was down for awhile yesterday too.
Are you all as cold as I am? I can't remember going through this adjustment the other years! It is also getting darker and gloomier. That is why God made the leaves so bright and beautiful! To offset the uckiness of the fall. I turn lights on early because I hate the dark. I mean... I really hate it. I'm scared of it too. I have night-blindness to boot. I count on papa's cat vision if we are somewhere dark!
Well... just a bunch of bla-bla-bla....hope you found it fascinating! ;D
Here is proof of how my dog is afraid of the cat and why..... I am posting it for proof and for Dylan. Have a great rest of the day.

this and that and the other thing.....

Forgot to post this morning! yikes. Let's see if I can briefly catch up.... Maddie came from school soooo sick yesterday with a fever, achy bones, and her voice was cracking bad. She stayed that way all night and thru prayer she began feeling better! Her fever broke, she started playing and wanted a shower, and her voice got better! Right now she is out to dinner with the family for her grandpa's birthday! Praise God!!!! Talked to Ryan and he is feeling better too. Wasn't so much yesterday. Riley had a game today and won! Lois and Rick (sis and bro) are over visiting mom this weekend. Lois's father-in-law died today. I always called him Papa Culton.... he was so nice to me. Haven't seen him in years. Lanny took it easy today. His legs must have really been bothering him because it was sunny out today and he stayed inside most of the day! We did clean off the back deck which took 15 minutes. Don and Heather signed the papers on their new home yesterday. They will be doing some work on it before moving in.... it's an old farmhouse. So cool!!! I love it! Congrats to them!

That's about it! Had a good day today being with papa. Hope you all enjoyed your day! xoxo

Take the good, ya take the bad, ya take them both and there ya have....

I am sad..... just found out Soupy Sales died. He was 83 years old..... I used to watch his kids program when I was little.


This is us the first half of the night. Except one is a dog and one is a cat. Anyone else have these issues? It's our own fault. They are spoiled and we love them too much.
This was them during the day yesterday. Toby was up by papa's pillows. ewwww. He doesn't mind. Washing sheets and bedding today. I would love to get a new comforter... but not as long as I have these two. That cat is so weird. As soon as a turn the bathroom light on she comes running in and has to be with me..... no matter what is going on in there. So I make sure she is outside during my showers. This morning she woke me up crying at 4:30... then got on my bed. I was awake so I got up. She followed me to the bathroom. What a brat. But I love her. She is better after she gets her "grand kids" fix. She loves the kids here. That's why we have them over. (lol)

Can you tell I don't have much to say? I am very depressed and trying not to show it. I tipped the scale last night and cried. I am starting again today to seriously get my health back. I just keep sliding downhill and can't seem to stop. I keep reaching out for help or accountability... but no hands come out. I really need help. I know I have to do it on my own... I just need someone to push me all the time. I don't know if people are just busy.... or they don't have faith that I can do it.... and aren't going to waste their time. I can't wait. I cried to Papa last night to help me. I'm slowly killing myself. And I am getting scared.

Wow.... my fingers just took over the keyboard. Didn't mean to do that... now I am crying. I need a laugh. Pity party officially over. Everyone go home.
How about some things that make me smile:


My Grandchildren happy and laughing.....

Good jokes.....

House....

Weather:
A wet and breezy day with morning rain turning to afternoon showers.
Mostly a dry and cloudy day Saturday with some morning fog and highs in the middle 50s.
Sunday morning starts cloudy with a chance of rain, increasing in the afternoon. Highs remain in the mid 50s.
Monday is showery with a chance of snow in the mountain passes. \
The shower threat eases in Seattle Tuesday, increasing again midweek.