I have a story to share with you dear blogfriends.........
My Momma and Daddy came by the house last night to bring me some blueberries and just to visit. They do that occasionally.
Momma asked me "Did you work with a woman named Sandy at Crying Cow Bank?" I said that I had. She was a nice lady.
My cousin Jill was friends with Sandy also. They spent alot of time together.
Jill had dinner with my sister over the week-end and she told my sister the story that I am about to relate to you, that my Momma told me.

Last week Jill received a phone call. It was a local call, with Caller ID she did not recognize the name. Still, she answered it. The woman on the other end said "Is your name Jill?" Jill said it was. The woman continued "You don't know me and please do not think I am crazy but I am a psychic. I don't do readings or anything or make any money at it. I just have visions sometimes and there are almost always spirits nearby and sometimes they make contact with me."

The woman related that she had a spirit that had been visiting her for a few days without making any contact, just pacing back and forth. (that would unnerve the HELL out of me personally). She finally asked the spirit if she could help her. The spirit gave her Jill's number and asked her to contact her friend named Jill. She had a message for her "I'm sorry that you had to be the one to find me but I had to do what I had to do". She couldn't rest until she found a way to let Jill know that.

See Sandy committed suicide in May and Jill was the one who found her when she went to check on her. Sandy had taken care of her invalid mother for years until her death and she was all alone family-wise. She had MS and her health was deteriorating at an alarming rate and she was at the end of her rope. She lay down on her bed and shot herself in the chest. Her little dog was with her (I hate that) but thankfully Jill took the dog with her. I can't imagine the trauma that poor little animal went through. The whole thing just breaks my heart.

This woman said she did not know Sandy or Jill IRL. In fact when Sandy died, as she had no family there was no funeral, no obituary, the general public did not even know.
Is that not just FREAKY?
I have had an encounter or two (besides the prior house/boogeyman scenario) so I am a believer. Are you a believer or not?

My girl CHEEKY is um, 29 today so I want to give her a great big shout out. She just got back from bacation of riding roller coaster's so she's probably pretty tired but i'm sure she'll have a wonderful day!!!!! Love you honey!

No, I didn't cut my hair this is how I looked last year. Amazing how much difference a few inches of hair and a flat iron can do. The only problem is in the summer the humidity will make my hair curl right back up so not worth the bother!!! Actually though this summer has not been bad heat wise (shhhh don't tell the Weath God's k?) This was the first time I was able to coax her hair into piggy tails. I was so excited! Now her pigtails hang down past her shoulders. I loved this polka dot outfit she had too. My baby is growing up too fast.
I just put in for vacation the week of Labor Day. We'll see if my !@#$% boss gives it to me. He can be such a pill sometimes and this week especially as we have auditors coming in. Oh well I was going to rent a house I found for REAL cheap at Oak Island,NC again and I don't have to have the deposit until 7-27 so i'm sure he'll get back to me by then. I hope so. I haven't even told Stacy yet because he can't take another full week anyway and at least he's off that Monday for a holiday so...... i'm just waiting until I see if I get the time off or not. Cross your fingers for me.

I had a very happy Childhood.
I was born in Williamsport, PA. Our first house I remember was a red brick three story "row house" (you yankees probably know what i'm talking about) on Wilson Street.
This was in the area of town called "East End" - where my Daddy grew up.
When I was about 3-4 we moved to a much nicer neighborhood called "Newberry" into a big old victorian house built in the 1800's.
It was on the corner of Diamond Street and Linn Street.
There were beautiful old stained glass windows, the doorknobs were ornate and heavy and the keys were the big skeleton keys.
This is my favorite house, the one I still dream about sometimes and the one I somehow wish.... I wish...... I guess I wish I could go back to that time once again. Just for a little while. Silly isn't it?
It had a detached double garage out back, an attic and a cellar and what was called a "summer kitchen" seperate from the house in case of fire. We used that for a play area though because by then there was a kitchen in the house. As well as a diningroom, livingroom, TV room, Sewing room, and upstairs five big bedrooms and a bathroom with a huge clawfoot tub and the kind of drain that had a stopper on a chain. I used to be sort of scared I would somehow get sucked down it. I was a silly kid. My siblings didn't help matters any by singing the "Alice" song. Anybody know that one? The ending goes "Oh my goodness, oh my soul, there goes Alice down the hole glug~glug~glug~" LOL
Dad was the head of Pepsi Cola and with five kids who never wanted for anything he had to be making some money *grin* but I never thought about that.
Never knew "rich" or "poor" just that I was a happy, happy kid.
The playground was a block away.
In the winter the blacktop was flooded and we could all go iceskating. My best friend Lori McDermott lived across the street from the playground on Pearl Street.
I went to Jackson Elementary School (still in existence and use) about six blocks away and we walked to school. Usually in big groups.
Our route took us past the James V. Brown Library and on Thursdays I would stop for "Story Hour". A magical time for me and what i'm sure fanned the fires of my love of books (along with my Mother).

Here is one of the first toys I remember playing with as a wee one. The Fisher Price Jalopy.
Another favorite, the Fisher Price Little People. If you remember the proper names for some of the family members were Patty (the redhaired girl), Mike (the brother) and Butch (the dog). I only remember those because that is my name, my brother's name and my Dad's nickname and when I was a kid it got kinda mixed up in my head LOL I somehow thought they were named for us.
This was the last babydoll my Mom bought for me. Rub-A-Dub Dolly. I think I was 9. Hey I played with Barbies up until I was 12 or 13. Childhood was alot more innocent then and it wasn't anything weird but today........ kids practically think they should be getting married at that age, sad to say :(
Ah the Big Wheel. We played on these things and literally wore holes in those plastic tires. Me and the neighborhood boys Ronnie and Shane Polson. We would ride them in the parking lot of Ascension Catholic Church and the mean old lady who lived next to the Church (Mrs. Gentz of whom i've spoken before) would try to run us off. I remember her one time smacking Ronnie's Dad, Ronnie Sr. across the face when he went to tell her to leave us kids alone! Yikes!
Then we moved down to South Carolina and life changed........ a lot. At first I never thought I would get used to it. We lived in the VERY rural Mars Bluff area with my Grandparents, Aunt and her three kids (that house was really big too) then when we moved into Florence on Cedar Street, I found my niche once again.
That was a real neighborhood (albeit one without sidewalks and no city buses) and I made friends and still see some of those people today.
Life can take some funny twists and turns can't it?
I often wonder what Madison's childhood memories will be.

Last night we had grilled cheddar brats Yummm......... slathered with mustard on a soft bun! Some grilled corn with parmesan cheese Paula Deen's way - so-o-o-o-o salty/sweet!
A big ol' slice of cold watermelon. Watermelon to me always looks like a smile

Stacy is putting the second coat of paint on the entranceway. I have to get the proper batteries for my camera because I am just itching to take pictures. Also maybe I can capture some FUG at the racetrack this week. I haven't posted any, since, well that freak in FL was emailing me but who is going to let a debbie downer spoil their fun? Not me!

Well I was going to at least give you a preview of the awesome entranceway but i'm going to have to get the proper batteries for my camera. Just regular ol' double A's aren't getting it. Even the lithium kind. It's already dead. So........ you will just have to wait. Maybe by then the second coat will be on and there will be some semblance of order again.... Maybe.

After work I have to go to school and take the Placement Test (you know math, english for the oldsters who haven't been to school in decades LOL). I also have to talk to the Financial Aide peeps. I think it will go well. I already know i'm going to limit myself to one or two nights a week. Seriously maybe only one. I don't want to get too much on my plate nor neglect my family. There's no rush. At least i'm doing it. Or I will be.

I am going to stop by the Farmer's Market (it's right between home and school) and get some watermelon and corn. I had both on the 4th of July and they were excellent. Nothing like a cold slice of watermelon. Nothing. Stacy puts salt on his, I don't. How about you?

I also want to try Grant's suggestion of the Paula Deen version of grilled corn. Mine was a wee bit over-done and I want Stac to try Paula's time of 10 minutes and see how that turns out.

Anyway work didn't go nearly as bad as i'd feared yesterday either. Boss was in a really mellow mood which is VERY unlike him coming off vacation. A little birdie told me they "think" he may be on the trail of another job. We'll see. Anyway have a great Tuesday!

Don't get too excited (Shell) but the above pic is my entranceway with that UGLY pheasant wallpaper all but gone. Painting may commence as early as this week! I tried to find the paint sample but could only find one with multiple colors showing. The color I picked was Grenadine - a bright poppy red. I think it will make a GREAT background for my pictures. I plan to hang lots of family photos. I love to see family photos displayed in a home. So interesting! There was no way to display anything with that wallpaper as background.

The week-end was relaxing. We had a nice 4th, the Racetrack was PACKED (Chelle, did y'all get to go?). Our friend Stormin' Norm (formerly Big Norm but he's had gastric bypass) was announcing and he spotlighted Stacy when he saw us coming in hehe.... MY BIL Wayne won both of the Late Model Races and his nephew little Rick was involved in a wreck on the back straight-away, the car JUMPED the concrete retaining wall (there is a high chain link fence that protects the infield). OMG my heart was in my throat until I knew Rick was okay. He's just turned 17 and i've known him since he was little so he's still a little kid to me. There was some drama behind that wreck but let's just say if the bitch that I think wrecked him did it on purpose she's got some payback coming. Stacy is still not in the car he is supposed to drive. Hopefully next week and there will be pics. I've got regular AA batteries in my camera right now but they aren't doing the job very well. Better than nothing though.

We bought Maddie a little 8 ft (round) pool and it's about a foot and a half deep. Big enough for us all three to get in but I usually just lay out and Stacy is her favorite play-mate. I've GOT to get some pictures of the big goof in the pool with her. He is so patient and they are so funny.

Tomorrow will be Church (why do I want to be a slacker already and stay home? Shame on me!) and I might run to Belk's when they open. I am also contemplating taking Madison to see the movie about the robot, the name escapes me. She's never been to the movies and I think she would like it.

Anyway enough here. I might not get to visit many blogs Monday at work. Boss will be back and on a tear as he usually is when he's been gone. We've got an issue that he has to look at and refer to legal and i'm sure he'll have to get a few digs in on me regarding it *sigh* Lately I really do hate my job. I love the paycheck though *snort*

P.S. I wrote this post Saturday night in case you couldn't tell!

Although you all know i'd love to be spending my 4th at a Beach somewhere (Sullivans, IOP, Folly, Surfside, Garden City, Oak Island oh just any ol' Beach would be fine & dandy!)

I am most thankful to be with my loved ones, Stacy and Madison and Reilly.

What I plan on doing today:

* Sleep as late as I want (which will probably be all of 9:00 if that long but hey when you have to be to work at 7 a.m. that's pretty good!)

* Eat some good corn on the cob with real butter and salt on it. Yummmmm!!!!!!!!

* Eat some cold Watermelon

* Eat something cooked on the grill - not sure what yet.

* Lay out and get some more sun (yeah age spots, wrinkles I really need THAT)

* Go to the races and cheer on my favorite driver(s). With any luck Stacy might even get to drive.

* See some really pretty fancy Fireworks that aren't TOO loud LOL

Yep that sounds like a plan to me.

Anybody have good plans (except for Cheryl at http://lifewithcherylwray.blogspot.com/ who ALWAYS has great plans pardon the link I no longer know how to do it where the name is hi-lited).

We are going to the races and they always have GREAT fireworks. I am looking forward to that.
I do wish we were having a cook-out with a few people and lots of different yummilicious food. Unfortunately that won't be happening as i'm not that great of a cook. We'll just grill something, probably have some corn on the cob and call it a day. I can't complain though - many people won't even have it THAT good!

So...... are you a fan of fireworks or no? Being one of the few states left where fireworks are still legal we usually buy them at Christmas and the 4th of July. I am a chicken and don't like to light them (leaving that to the menfolk) but I do love the ones that shoot up into the air and burst into brilliant sparkles of color. I think they are festival balls or something like that. The bigger the better! I have always been terrified of firecrackers though... and cherry bombs. Which are now illegal.

Boy this is an interesting post, I am seriously half asleep myself already! LOL Happy Early 4th in case I don't get a post set up to go tonight!

To the mouth-breathing, waddling, ass-kissing bitch who is passive/aggressively training (I use this term loosely) me on one of your job functions. Please know that I am totally ON to you. Nice in front of boss, snarky when we're alone. I'd stomp a mudhole in your ass - except it might actually be an improvement.

To My Boss: We have known each other for almost 20 years and I never really realized what a narcissistic asshole you are. Wonders never cease! How your wonderful SO Tim puts up with you, is a mystery to many.

To My Precious Momma. I worry about you. I know you have health problems but you have GOT to stop wallowing in self pity. It's not healthy. It's not good for you. I miss the strong woman who kicked breast cancer's ass - twice. Where did she go??? How can I get her back???

To someone who I will not mention out of fear that someone close to you may read my blog. You think you are the smartest thing to ever walk this earth. She thinks you are sexy and handsome. You are both out of your m-f-ing minds. You are the most boring, egotistical, misogynistic man I have ever met and trust me, whether she admits it or not she was just looking for security but she bit off more than she can chew now. I hope she wises up and dumps your ass - and soon.
P.S. The way you try to grab me hugging and trying to kiss me makes me want to HURL. I wish one day I would hurl - directly on you. You are creepy.

Whew that felt better getting all of that negative crap out! Nothing like a good PSA once in awhile huh guys?

I'm late - but i'm here. I was late for work and it just put my day "off" already. Thankfully so far no one has commented on it but they are sneaky around here. *shrug* Oh well it is extremely rare that i'm late so....... que sera` sera`!

Things I am Thankful For:

My Husband - Even though he probably thinks otherwise this morning, I am. He is a very "take care" kind of guy. We are lucky.

My Babygirl- She is headstrong, she is a handful but she makes me laugh and smile and I wouldn't know what in the world to do without her.

Reilly- He is just the best dog. Everyone told us when we had Madison he would take a backseat but nothing really changed. He still gets his playtime when she goes to sleep and they are really becoming buddies now that she is growing up.

My Parents - Although I get frustrated with them in regards to the fact that they are not "storybook grandparents who want to keep Maddie every week-end" they do love her to pieces and they have been there for me and Stacy more times than I can count and they always give good advice.

My Family and In-Laws - We all have our moments but I could do worse - a whole lot worse.

My Blog Buddies - Y'all are here day in and day out listening to me vent, doing so many nice things and entertaining me on what is usually a boring day.

The Fact that My Boss is out this whole week. Blessed peace and quiet. No nagging or paranoia. I love it!

Okay i've rambled on enough. I did get to go to the beach for a couple of days and i'll have some pics soon. I had to finally break down and buy a new battery for my camera but i'm not sure if I screwed up and threw the new one away and kept the old one - that remains to be seen. I've charged it now we'll see how long it lasts!

Yep I hope to getting a little more sand between my toes this week-end. No those are not my dirty looking feet LOL I stole that pic from Google Images.

A day at the Beach is better than a day NOT at the Beach in my book *grin* Next week being 4th of July on Friday will be VERY quiet at work Thank God. I can use "quiet" at work.

Wishing you all a sand-between-your-toes kinda week-end!

I REALLY love this auto-publish feature. It allows me to go ahead and do posts so I don't break my weekly schedule.
Of course I can't always do it but I can now so... without further ado .....

Thursday's post is about books I had as a child and I had to give them to my younger cousin (who was NOT even a reader) and they all burned up in a housefire.

I need to really work on trying to replace them.

I've got some replaced (Complete Little House series, Through Fairie Halls, Norman Rockwell's Christmas book to name a few) but here is my wish list *sigh* and i'm sure some i'll never ever ever replace................

The old Bobbsey Twins books I had my Mom's when she was a girl. More current ones just aren't the same..................


Some of my favorite poetry of all time... every child should read this and I WILL be getting it even a new version would be okay with this one.
I loved the Donna Parker books, again I think my Mom or older sister's read these also..
I am currently re-reading Mary Poppins borrowed from the library and realize I want my own copy!
Trixie Belden ........ she was right up there with Nancy Drew for cool girl detectives but somehow I liked her books even better. Again there may be a current version (as there is for Nancy) but NOT the same. I also had my Mother's old Nancy Drew books.

There was another girl detective that I LOVED too, ooh.... I can't remember her name. She called her parents by their first names and had a best friend who had alot of siblings. I remember one book had her and her friend going to Blueberry ____, ME and they thought they discovered a coven of witches. Oh hell i'll be trying to remember this all week-end now!

There you go........ maybe i'm just nostalgic for my childhood right now.

Anyone else used to read Cricket Magazine for children back in the early to mid 70's? I loved loved loved it. It featured Old Cricket and Ladybug and oh, I don't know who else. Maybe it originated in England or maybe i'm just getting myself confused with their version of football called Cricket *giggle*

I won't be at work today or the rest of the week but I will be accessing blogs today but then MIA Thursday and Friday but i'll get caught up maybe over the week-end! I feel like I JUST got caught up LOL Here is my beach baby in the surf.
She is NOT afraid of the water at all. A fact which i'm not sure tickles me or dismays me
She is just as happy sitting in the sand digging or hunting for shells though
She really loved having Gavin there. They really miss not seeing each other everyday
They were working on some sand-filled project here!
I sure did enjoy my beach stay as you can see. Trying to plan to go back again maybe in September when the prices go down. It is still plenty warm and the water is still warm too. I hope it comes to fruition. We'll see!

** I have NO idea why these pics are so small, i've got them on "large"! *shrug*

Madison and her cousin Juliana eating Ice Cream - yep the Ice Cream Man even visits on Islands! How cool is THAT?! When we were kids it was Mr. Softee - who was your IC Man?

Ya don't mess with dese gangsta bitches with their fronts

Grillz Girlz

Who can't smile at Spongebob Ice Cream?

P.S. I am NOT fishing for compliments but I look like a dried up old hag with my hair pulled back. Ack. Note to self keep hair fluffy and full - 80's hair rulz for me especially!

Still super busy at work and unable to get around to blogs yet. I WILL get caught up. I promise. I hope to have a quiet week-end. I wish I was at the beach but how does that little nursery rhyme go? If wishes were horses.... beggars would ride :)

Anyway I wish you all a wonderful fun-filled week-end and i'll hopefully have my blog groove back on Monday.

Oh yeah....... i'm totally over the baby fever too! Just the thought of going through all the infant/toddler things again......... just when Madison can do many things for herself. Well I was just having "a moment" there. I'm over it now! I scared myself there for a minute or two though LOL

As several of you know I sent out an email bragging that I got all of my financial aide stuff in for school before the deadline. Now some might be thinking "big deal" but for me it's a HUGE deal.

My name is Patti and I am a procrastinator. A MAJOR procrastinator. I am also a chronically late person except for stuff that is work-related. If it is work I am all over it but other than that.. a total slug.

Anyway I am very proud and happy i've got my FA stuff in and also already had the transcripts from the two colleges I attended sent. I found out that I don't qualify for a PELL Grant (no big surprise there) but there is a special Teaching Grant just starting for 2008-2009 that I expect to qualify for. Cross your fingers for me okay?

I've really got to get in the swing of being a student again, OMG it's been almost 20 years. Hmmmm maybe i'll get a little plaid skirt, mary janes, do my hair in pigtails and then "forget my homework" and Mr. Stacy my teacher can spank me for being a bad girl *wink* *wink*

One of my dearest blog friends is currently pregnant and I am totally thrilled for her and love hearing what she's going through, thinking, feeling etc. Love it. Another blogger whom I consider a friend as well recently had a baby and i'm dying to send a gift. Looking at the video of her bringing the baby home from the hospital, the excitement of her other child over the new one, her sweet little family. It's bringing on baby fever. People i'll be 42 this year. My eggs are probably comparable to the ones they feed astronauts on the space shuttle. Still I am thinking i'd love to have a little boy to match my Princess. I know the timing would suck, my job is up in the air. Why am I even contemplating this? Stacy would probably faint dead away if I even voiced it so i'm writing it here. Somebody stop me before I do something totally crazy!

Here is Madison moments after she was born. There were complications, she wasn't breathing and had to go in an incubator and also receive oxygen. VERY scary time there!
I loved love LOVED this little duckie onesie. It was hands down my favorite.
God I wish I could lose weight and be this size again. I like my hair too. Doesn't Mad look like a little doll baby. Honestly? I could eat her up with a spoon.
I love this one of her, with her little widows peak (we teasingly called her Eddie Munster). She looks so bright-eyed like she knew all about everything even back then.
Okay somebody stop me here before I do something CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Me and my sisters-in-law (Stacy's sisters). We get along so good. The camera lens was slightly fogged but I still love this pic! Outside of the Oak Island Lighthouse. Stacy, Me & Mad. This might be our Christmas Card '08
My little Princess outside the lighthouse. You couldn't go inside though.
My Madison when she was I think getting her nails done or something :)
Me and Chandler (my would-be son) everyone always mistakes he and Madison for brother and sister. He's Stacy's middle nephew

Three little upside down monkeys, Madison, Brittany & Gavin!
One of the medium sized crabs Chandler caught. I would hold the tiny ones but that is IT!
Everyone having fun catching fiddler crabs, what some call ghost crabs!
A gorgeous view of the sunset over the Inlet behind the house

My dirty dog of a husband snuck in and took this pic. Do I ALWAYS sleep with my mouth open. Gawd!
Mommy & Madison got their hair did in matching french braids. Look at the light/dark contrast
Me and my baby girl. I don't know what kind of look she is giving but look at my honker nose! Eeeeek!!!!!!!!!!! I look like Gonzo's older sister!
The ocean view from the front porch of the house. Where you caught the best breezes. Aaaah...
Lord willing MAYBE I can visit some blogs tomorrow. I may have to just wait until the week-end to get caught up. The boss is riding.my.ass BIG time. Big.Time. I am sort of hoping Stacy & Mad go to Summerville and I have the house to myself. After the hullaballoo of last week plus Aunt Flo etc. I just need some "me" time to read and i've got a few good books until next Saturday. Bliss! Nothing like a good book and i've read a few good ones lately. I promise I WILL get caught up on the blogs sometime soon and thank you for sticking by me and all the nice comments about how you missed me. I just want to especially give Daisy and Manblogger a big ol' HUG!

Well (surprise ~ surprise!) Blogger is being a big fat bitch and won't let me download any of my pics but i'll give you a run-down on some things I learned on the Vacay to Oak Island, NC. (my first trip ever to an NC beach)

1) I love the Beach even more than I possibly thought I did before.

2) This house and location and Beach itself was WAY better than the Isle Of Palms. WAY better. The prices cheaper on everything too.

3) I want to go back to the Beach as soon as possible.
I don't care if it's for a night or two nights or three nights.
I.Want.To.Go.Back.
IOP is acceptable as is Myrtle or any beach except the Lake does NOT count.

4) I learned some ugly truths about my family (and a few about myself). I was disappointed by a few people that I never thought would disappoint me (when will I EVER learn?)

5) I was quite hurt that the hubs never tried any romantic overtures, by the time we finally did anything that even closely qualified as "alone time" it was Friday night and it was a quick trip to the corner store (for beer) and a walk on the Pier and by that time I was so hurt and pissed that I didn't even feel like holding hands. Oh well it ended well though.

6) I learned my Pop takes amazing care of my animals and will let my dog sleep in the bed with him ON HIS PILLOW and spoil him way rotten. He will also try to unsuccessfully kidnap him. :)

7) I learned that there is no "perfect" vacation but I am VERY blessed and thankful to have the opportunity to spend the week I just did. Very.

8) I also learned that the Beach just isn't the same without Miss Cheeky and Miss Bella. There wasn't even a Low Country Boil :( Girls, you WERE missed.

I missed you all more than I can say and i'd rather take a baseball bat to the solar plexus than be at work today. That's all i'm going to say about that! Hope I get caught up in the next couple of days with you all! Happy Monday!

Don't expect to have any internet so talk amongst yourselves and i'll be back online maybe Saturday night June14th or Sunday June 15th! Time to relax, rejuvenate and drink some stoli/cran!