Always Learning

I've been reading a wonderful blogging blog http://www.benbarden.com/ .
It is without a doubt the best site I've found to understand blogging. Understand? Yes, I'm finding there is a real art to blogging and this site will help you achieve nirvana.
If you've never visited Ben's site, do yourself a favor when you have the time to luxuriate in what his site has to offer.

I've also been looking into some site design companies after looking at hundreds of blogs through places like entrecard, fuelmyblog, blogrush, blogcatalog, and mybloglog.
There are amazing designs that just beg you to stay and read.
I also ran across an S&M site that took me by surprise, oh yeah, it's tough to shock this old bird but I froze and stared in total disbelief - OMG!!!! I'm not judging lifestyles as I firmly believe in "different strokes for different folks", "what happens behind closed doors in their business", etc but this was (cough-cough-cough) something I just didn't expect on the front page with no prior warning in the title of the blog. And NO I won't give out the site name you dirty girls - heeehehee

I'd love to spend time learning some basic HTML and maybe learn a little more about photography.....see what blogging is doing for me :).

Texas Wildflowers

Everywhere you drive in the great state of Texas you are going to see wildflowers enmass all over the highways and biways, the scenery is gorgeous and my RUDY is so sweet smack dab in the center!

FRUSTRATED

Today is day 186 in my quest to be quit from the chains of cigarettes (really about 2 more weeks but hey, there has to be some date for the sake of those that keep track). I'm mostly thrilled that I've quit but there are times when smoking a cigarette or cigarette(S) is the only thought on my mind (like when I'm trying to get technology to work).

As I have said before, I use Macs, I have a MacBook and DH has an iMac, and I love Apple products, well most of them but yesterday I bought a new Apple Airport Extreme Base Station (it's a router) and I cannot for the life of me get this damn thing to work!! I fiddled with it for more than 3 hours yesterday afternoon and then about another 2 hours this morning only to plug back in my old Linksys just to have my friend the internet back up and running.

Funny thing about this issue is that I set this very item up at my daughter's house with her MacBook just 2 months ago.
Keeps telling me that it can't find an IP Address..........why doesn't it listen when I'm screaming in frustration...."LOOK DUMB-ASS, LOOK"

****EDIT****
Finally got this damn contraption to work with the help of my son via long distance. His love, expertise and undying patience made all the difference. To my DS, you have the depth of my heart for all my life!!
I need to mention my DH cause he's put up with a raving lunatic since I first started messing with this......thank you.

Friday Fillins

1. Some relationships are meant to LAST FOREVER.

2. THE EAGLES is the last concert I saw; it was IN 1974 AND WAS OUTSTANDING

3. Spring should be WARM AND FILLED WITH NEW LIFE BURSTING THROUGH THE EARTH.

4. Oh no! I forgot TO FINISH MAKING OUT OUR TAXES!

5. I've recently started TAKING MORE PHOTOS OF THE TIMES OF MY LIFE.

6. BABY RUDY never fails to make me smile.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to SETTING UP A NEW ROUTER, tomorrow my plans include LAUNDRY & SOME HOUSEWORK and Sunday, I want to BAKE!

What's with Blogger?

Who else is experiencing trouble with their Blogger Blog?
OMG, it loads slow or doesn't load, some of the photos only partially load...........is this growing pains?
I've tried removing some of the crap from my blog in hopes it would allow me to at least use the blog and although it's gotten a little quicker it isn't what it should be.
There were instances while I was out of town and trying to post comments on some of your blogs that I got error messages and it just plain refused to cooperate.

Meeting of the Boyfriend

My daughter is almost 29, lives here in San Antonio (not with us) and is unmarried. She's always been a private person, we've only met a few of the guys she's dated since high school. She's been seeing a fella for a few short months here and she wants us to meet him/he wants to meet us.
Hmmmmmm, what does this mean?
I'm thinking it means that one or both of them is wanting to take this relationship to the next level.

The meeting is happening today at 11:00am for an early lunch.

My husband woke me up much too early this morning fretting about this meeting, worried about what this meeting means - if you knew my daughter you would understand how strange her making these arrangements is.

We know his name, we know his age (7 years our daughter's senior), we know where he hails from, we know the generalities of what he does for a living (he's successful), we know he's divorced (no children), we know they met at the gym, we know how tall he is.
What else do we want to know, what kind of probing questions can we ask without our very private daughter taking offense and getting pissed off?

I have a mental list of questions that would exhaust even a professional speaker but this isn't a professional speaker, this is my grown daughter's boyfriend - what kind of questions can I get away with?

Of course I'll report back on the meeting this afternoon with a post edit :).

We're back home from meeting the boyfriend.
They are custom made for one another and a great match (or so it seems at this stage).
We were worried that they wanted to meet up with us to tell us they were going to get married or something, not happening, not now at least.
We liked him very much. Like our daughter, he's military (she was in for 5 years and he's still in but a reservist), they were/are both MSC Officers. He referees college basketball on the side but is a manager for a medical sales company (our daughter is in medical device sales). He's tall, athletic build, handsome, and of course of latin decent, she only likes men with a latin flair.
He's a Republican, she's Non-Partisan but calls herself a Democrat. She likes to try new things, he likes things set in stone, they are helping one another appreciate the other's preferences.

I think this man is a keeper. For now I think she believes the same thing, I hope this relationship is good for both of them but only time will tell.
Sorry, no photos yet, thought it might scare the bejesus out of him if I whipped out a camera and starting shooting photos, I was prepared to tell him it was a precaution if anything happened to our daughter while she was with him.

13 Questions

1. Do you fart in front of your husband/boyfriend/significant other?
I sure do and funny thing is I'm not ashamed. Guess this is what being married 31+ years will do.

2. Do you snore?
I don't but his snoring is loud enough to wake the dead.

3. Do you drive with a lead foot?
Are you trying to say there's another way to drive?

4. Are you a breakfast eater?
I was growing up and then I wasn't as a young adult and now as a senior, yes, definitely.

5. Do you prefer a bath or shower?
I like both, showers if I'm dirty, sweaty, but baths when I want to unwind and relax.

6. Scents - what scent relaxes you and what scent invigorates you?
Lavender and musky scents relax me, and citrus scents invigorate me.

7. Do you love the sex or the foreplay?
I'm a lover of both, I need both.

8. Do you color your hair?
I started about 4 years ago and colored it occassionally but now I'm probably 85% gray and I need to color every 3-4 weeks.

9. Are you a morning or night person?
I'm a night person, the world is quiet, the phone doesn't ring, there is nothing that "has" to be done.

10. If you could be another living creature, what creature would that be?
I'd be a butterfly, their color, grace, they float through the air and feed on nectar.

11. If you could live anywhere, where would that be?
In an oasis in the desert.

12. What car do you drive?
1996 Infinite I-30

13. Do you like talking on the telephone?
No!

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The Price I Paid

Today we're in Houston visiting with our Son and his family. What a beautiful day, air is cool and sun is warm. Our daughter came into Houston on Saturday to visit with her new nephew for the first time....



I wonder how long it will be until I get a grandchild from her (she is almost 29).

And here are some new photos of Rudy (you just knew I'd get to this).



Mother and Son are doing great and I'm so overjoyed at how much attention my Son is giving his Son.......makes you realize that EVERYTHING was worth the price paid.
I was young when my husband and I married, and I was pregnant 5 months later, I got out of the Army (I had been in 4 years and in those days they didn't let pregnant females stay) and the rest is history. I had a college education coming to me from Uncle Sam but 10 years passed and after a few courses and no degree in site, the benefit ended and I was still raising my family. I'll admit that there were a few times when I was pretty down, hated myself and hated my husband (never really hated my kids, I knew it wasn't their fault).
I'll get more into this another time but the moral of this story is.........The price I paid was cheap for what I ended up with, a lifetime partner and two children that are healthy, happy, educated, well adjusted adults. THEY were my education, I just didn't understand at the time that sometimes the school of hard knocks is the best school to get your education.

I almost forgot....Rudy woke up today without his umbilical cord!! Mommy & Daddy had already arranged for professional photographer, did pre-baby photos and now doing all the baby photos - artful poses.

Rudy's First Easter Basket

I know he's only 2.5 weeks old right now but it is his first Easter and the Easter Bunny made a stop at my house today so that I could bring Rudy his first basket from his Nana and Grandpa.
No candy, well just a little, I have a "thing" with Pez and I couldn't help but include a cute little yellow chick and a stick of pez amongst all the color.



Everything makes sounds, sings to him, jiggles and bounces and of course there is every color of the rainbow!
We are also including a book about chicks or bunnies and we'll pick that up this evening.
We leave tomorrow bright and early.
I'll make sure to take plenty of photos while we're there, I know y'all are just so excited about being bored with my Grandson.

Friday Fillins for March 21, 2008

1. EVERYDAY I'M ALIVE is so exciting!
2. Strawberry fields FOREVER.
3. ICE CREAM sounds like it would taste delicious!
4. Why does BEING A GRANDPARENT make me feel so good?!
5. GREECE is something I've always wanted to see.
6. It's sad when SOMEONE, SOMETHING, SOMEPLACE SPECIAL HAS LEFT MY LIFE.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to HAVING NEW GLASSES, tomorrow my plans include SPENDING TIME ON MY PATIO IN THE SPRINGTIME SUNSHINE and Sunday, I want to DRIVE TO HOUSTON TO BE THE EASTER BUNNY FOR MY GRANDSON RUDY

How Many of ME?

I got this from my friend at LIFE RUSHES BY

HowManyOfMe.com

There are 570 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

There are 619,481 with my first name. 79th most popular first name.

There are 279,374 with my last name. 86th most popular last name.

I knew there were plenty with my full name cause I get calls for that deadbeat all the time - she doesn't pay her bills (from the sounds of it, not any bills).

13 Things I Never Want To Do

1. Be Young Again - I don't believe there is any way this would happen even if I wanted it (heheee)

2. Smoke

3. Live without my children or husband or grandchildren

4. Drive a real small car (because I'd be mowed down by all the monstrous large vehicles on the road). I drive a full sized sedan.

5. Have someone make decisions about my life for me. If I'm the one living with the consequences then I'm making the decisions.

6. Live in a big city with all it's crime, traffic, and pollution.

7. Live without a computer or worse yet, live with dial up internet.

8. Be surgically enhanced, I'm okay with what I got at birth.

9. Live on the coast and worry about the devastation of hurricanes. I love the coastline and I love the sea and I think I'd even love living on some islands in the Caribbean but not during hurricane season.

10. Live in a house where 9 people shared 1 bathroom. I grew up in a house where that was the case (and people wonder why my bladder is so strong), hmmmmm.

11. Be a crime victim. The personal violation lasts forever.

12. To get sick or get so old that I depended on my children to do everyday life tasks for me.

13. Be on a sinking cruiseship.

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Sex & Margaritas

The last few years, we've asked our grown children to give us gift certificates instead of buying us something we may not use. We've gotten gift certificates for everything from airlines to gourmet restaurants. Today we took one of the gift certificates to a Mexican Restaurant, Rosario's in the Arts District of downtown, it's a restaurant we haven't been to - anyway, we went right after the official lunch time (around 1:30ish) and we were promptly seated up against a floor to ceiling window (about 22ft ceilings) that looked out on a busy city corner. Food was fabulous and the Margaritas made me want to come home and screw - OMG, did I just say that?!!! Don't like being bombed but love the buzz.
Normally I'm not a drinker and alcohol just doesn't taste good to me but since I've quit smoking, Margaritas taste lots better.

The Five Secrets You Must Discover Before You Die

This article was so thought provoking that I thought I would share.
I hope this article brings you a better life.





The Five Secrets You Must Discover Before You Dieby John Izzo, Ph.D.
Author of The Five Secrets You Must Discover Before You Die

What are the secrets to happiness and meaning? Why do some people find a deep sense of purpose while they are here and die with few regrets while others end their lives bitter and disappointed?


About two years ago I set out to answer that question by asking several thousand people to identify the one person they knew who had lived a long life and found true happiness. It seemed to me that each of us knows at least one person who achieved true success. After receiving over 1,000 nominations, I interviewed 235 people from the age of 59-106 (who had over 18,000 years of life experience) asking them to reflect back on their lives: What brought happiness? What gave meaning? What did they regret? What did they wish they had learned sooner? What did not matter in the end?

These “wise elders” were an incredibly diverse group ranging from a town barber to CEO’s, from poets to native chiefs, Holocaust survivors to war veterans, and represented all the major religions and cultures of our society. My goal was not to interview famous people but to identify ordinary people who had found extraordinary happiness. What I discovered were five clear themes of what it means to live a happy and meaningful life (and to die with a smile on your face). In my new book, The Five Secrets You Must Discover before You Die, I share the five true paths to finding meaning in life and show how we can live these secrets.

The first secret I learned from these interviews is Be true to yourself. Each one of us is on a unique human journey and the path to true happiness is to be true to ourselves. This means knowing what brings us happiness and focusing our life on what matters to us. It means reflecting on a regular basis as to whether our life fits our soul. In our daily lives it means knowing what brings us joy and ensuring that we fill our life with the right elements. It also means following our unique destiny. One of the people I interviewed was a Latino woman who talked about the importance of following our “destina.” The idea is that each of us has a path that is most true to us, which is not so much a destination as a way we are meant to be in the world. For example, I am a teacher and philosopher by nature and when I stay close to that path I experience true joy.

Being true to self often means drowning out other voices that would ask us to live their dreams instead of ours. Ron, a gifted chiropractor, told me the story of how he planned to become a medical doctor but when he visited a chiropractor shortly before starting medical school he discovered a profession that connected to his true self. “Others told me I was crazy but I knew it was my path.” He told me that to follow your heart you must have the “discipline to listen and the courage to follow.” This means asking if the life we are living is true to our deepest sense of self and it sometimes requires a step of courage to follow our soul. Are you being true to yourself right now?

The second secret I learned is to Leave No Regrets. It seems to me that what we fear most as we age is not death, but rather to come to the end of our life feeling that we never truly lived. The saddest words ever spoken at the end of life are “I wish I had…” Tom, a native healer, told me that the great fear at the end of life is “the great incompleteness; that you did not do what you came here to do.” One of the most interesting things I discovered in talking to 235 wise people is that almost no one regretted risks they took that did not work out and most said they wished they had risked more. When I asked these people about major crossroads in their lives, many of them talked about taking risks-sometimes large and sometimes small-which wound up bringing great happiness. One of the keys to moving towards what we want instead of what we fear is to focus on the best possible result and not the worst. Are you going for what you truly want in your life or acting with fear?

Become Love was the third secret I learned from these people. Not surprisingly, the greatest source of happiness for people and the largest place of regret had to do with people. What I discovered is that those who made people a priority in their lives and who developed deep personal relationships found true happiness. Many of them told me that “things” rarely brought true joy whereas family and friends brought lasting happiness. One way to focus on relationships is to get intentional goals for our personal relationships just like we do in our careers.

Yet the most interesting thing I uncovered is that being a loving person, the choice to give love, is even more important in determining happiness than getting it. These people talked to me about the importance of choosing love and kindness as your way in the world. They taught me that when we choose to be a loving person we find a deep sense of meaning in life.

The fourth secret was to Live the Moment. One of the most common things people told me was how fast life goes by and how important it is to enjoy each moment. One woman told me “when you are young you think sixty years is an incredibly long time but when you get there you realize it was only a moment.” Among the secrets they shared were how important it is to live in the present, to fully enjoy whatever experience you are having (and not to wish you were somewhere else), and to live with gratitude focusing on what you are grateful for rather than what you don’t have. They told me that we have no power over the past and little power over the future. Many of them said that whenever you find yourself saying “I will be happy when or I will be happy if” that it is important to remember that happiness is a choice we make inside. One woman told me: “You have to stop judging your life and start living your life. Stop keeping score trying to decide if you are winning. Instead live each day fully and stay in the moment.” Are you living with gratitude right now, focusing on enjoying your life rather than judging it?

The fifth and final secret was to Give More Than You Take. When I asked people what gave their life the greatest meaning, people told me again and again people that being of service and knowing that you made things better because you were here was by far the greatest source of meaning. I learned that whether in career or personal life, that it is what we give not what we take that gives life meaning. Many of them also reminded me that we have little control over what we get from the world every day (whether people will love us, whether we will win the lottery, etc.) but we have complete control over what we give to the world (whether we choose to be kind, charitable, and to give to others). These people reminded me that everything we take from the world dies with us, but everything we give to the world gets recycled. A wise woman named Susan told me that “when we are young we cry for ourselves but as we age we learn to cry for the world.” Indeed all the spiritual traditions remind us that true happiness comes from focusing on being of service and in the process joy finds us. Are you focused on giving or getting each day?

What I also discovered is that it is not enough to know the secrets, we must live them. One man told me “many of us know what is important but it is not enough to know, you have to put these things into practice.” These people taught me a great deal about how to live the secrets as well and I share many of their techniques in the book. One of my favorites was sixty-four year old Joel who told me about how he reminds himself each day to live the moment. “When I wake up the first thing I do is say a prayer thanking God and the universe that I get to live one more day and I pray that I will treat it as a gift. At night, just before I go to bed, I have a time of meditation and remember all the things that I am grateful for that day and ask for one more day.”

Someone once told me “if you want to live a happy life; ask someone who has lived one.” This past year I had the privilege to sit at the feet of 235 of the wisest people I have ever met and I was amazed how clear they were on what mattered, what didn’t matter, and how each of us can create a life of meaning and happiness.

What does it mean to be an IN-LAW?

Technically IN-LAW means "Relative by marriage", but what does it mean or should it mean?
As an IN-LAW, how do you want to be treated?
Do you treat your IN-LAWS differently than your blood family?

I'm asking this question because after 5 years of marriage, I still don't feel like my DIL and I are in a good place. I'm not the only family member to feel this way but I'll refer to myself (I) in this post because it's coming from me.
I am not saying that this feeling is entirely caused by her (what she says/does, etc), I'm certain that I'm also a contributor.
What I do know is that I want this to stop, it's creepy and uncomfortable, and the situation will only grow in intensity over the years. I always wanted my son's wife, my DIL to just be my daughter (as I will someday want from my daughter's husband).

As a MIL, I want to be treated like she would treat her own Mother. I don't want to be called by my first name, I grew up during a time when this would be considered disrespectful. I could never, not ever, consider calling my IN-LAWS by their first names. Even my husband's Aunts & Uncles, I call by their title of Aunt or Uncle. Is this old fashioned, do you call your IN-LAWS by their first names?

Because so many of you are young women (cough-cough), I'd love to hear what you have to say on the subject matter of IN-LAWS. I wouldn't mind hearing from the rest of my aging beauty buddies either.

Bragging Rights

I'm sorry to bore you all silly with photos of the new little man in my life but I just have to.
I especially love this photo as it shows how very little Rudy is



Then these are kisses that only a Mama can give her child - they are getting ready to leave the hospital.



And his first time in the backyard with parents that are hypnotized by his presence.



And what in the heck is that big blue thing stuck in his mouth? Pacifiers didn't look like that when my son was a baby - and I didn't let him use a pacifier anyway



And now it's time to do one of the tasks I do best......



Thanks for tolerating my Grandma's bragging but she's never been a Grandma before and I think she likes it!!!

What about Toilet Paper

I was reading Suburbqueen and she had a very funny post about toilet paper and funny enough I had plenty to say about the topic (I have to laugh now as it seems funny to the point of being queer).
What do you look for in Toilet Paper? Will the cheapest work for your BUTT or does your TOUSCH deserve/scream for something in the designer realm? Do you use colored or patterned or does plain ole white do the trick? Patterns, Ripples, Cushioned, Lotioned, Single Ply, Double or Triple Plyed? Now about your Toilet Paper Roller, is it plain, scented, multiple, single?
Is your Toilet a short one, a tall one, white, colored? How many do you have in your home?

Hey wait a minute, can you believe that TOILET PAPER has so many choices to be made, that there is an entire industry devoted solely to your BUTT?

In actuality, Toilet Paper is quite important to me. I really do like the stuff with lotion although it doesn't do a real good job wiping. The rougher stuff on the other hand is more effective but definitely cannot be used all the time for fear of being rubbed raw. I like the ripples more than cushioned, and definitely more than just paper. I like double or triple ply and don't like single ply at all since your fingers go right through it when it's wet - oh gross!! Pooh-Pooh on the finger is URGGGGGG (see me running to vomit).
We have the high toilets and we have 4 of them although one is located outside in the pool house (hmmmm, I guess technically it may be considered indoor), and they are all off-white in color.
No scents for me, the scent that a bathroom radiates is enough by itself thank you very much :):):).

In case you are new to my blog or didn't pay attention in earlier posts, I have a phobia about public restrooms (just can not use them).

Share your TOILET STORIES, inquiring minds really do want to know............

Unseasonable Weather but my favorite season of the year

Is anyone else having insane weather in their neck of the woods?
It's 95 degrees here right now! This is crazy weird weather and scary to think we have so damaged our environment that we get 95 degrees in March!!! This kind of heat isn't suppose to endure for long, I believe that seasonable temps in the 70's return tomorrow but Woweeee!
Everything and I mean everything is blooming and turning green and sprouting up from the earth, bees and wasps are everywhere and I even saw a hummingbird earlier. I'd like to spend some quality time in my garden but the leaves have yet to fall from the Live Oak Trees that overhang my entire patio and garden and it will be a mess for a few weeks before I dare plant tender young plants that will get raked up if planted now.
Don't you love all the new life that comes forth in the spring, all the promise of beauty? In South Texas we relish the spring, fall and winter because summer is a bitch.

I look forward to spending spring time outside without a cigarette in hand (haven't done that in 36 years).

More Photos of Rudy

I cannot resist posting more photos of my new little man!



MY Son with HIS Son

This is the very best of life!
AND, I'M STILL NOT SMOKING!!!!

Friday Fillins for March 14, 2008

1. Contact may cause your heart to stop.
2. The parties hereto do mutually agree to exactly what I want.
3. Disney parks on both coasts.
4. SEX sounds really good right about now!
5. I positively love my new Grand Son.
6. A good night's sleep always makes me smile :-)
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to pictures of my Grand Son being brought home, tomorrow my plans include housecleaning and cooking and Sunday, I want to shop for plants!

A Grandma's Brain

I'm figuring I need to use my brain for something besides being a Grandma. The only thing I need to be a Grandma is a heart with a never ending supply of love, arms that can always give hugs (even when he will sometimes screw up), a bank account to give him anything his heart desires, and recipes for every kind of food he will ever love to eat.

I can't keep my mind on anything for very long, it keeps jumping back to RUDY. I spoke with my son (Rudy's Daddy) earlier and we discussed the need for making certain that all photos and video was backed up and protected - this would be one pissed Grandma should something happen to the history of this little man's life.

He reminded me that Rudy was having his circumcision done today which he was going to video tape (ummmmm, I don't know if I want to witness that) and he would be making a video of Rudy's departure tomorrow from the hospital and his arrival home.
It's pretty difficult to be 3 hours away from the love of your life.

Next weekend is Easter and this bunny wants to hippity hop all the way to Houston - yes, again!
I sure wish I could bring Rudy a chick or bunny but well I don't think either of them would survive with 2 bulldogs and a pug - :(.

My daughter told me today that she and her new man are headed to Houston to see Rudy next weekend and if we'd like to meet Jen's man then we need to go to Houston.......the reasons are a mounting but the only reason to really go is RUDY!

Another day without a cigarette and I'm glad I'm not smoking anymore (even though there are still times when I think one would taste good)...........ick no, I'm not a smoker anymore and Rudy would call me a stinky Grandma and that just isn't going to happen.

13 Things about Rudy (my new Grand Son)

1. Rudy is healthy
2. Rudy smells heavenly
3. Rudy is Beautiful
4. Rudy is really named after my husband, my son, and nicknamed after his great grandfather
5. That we all live in the same state
6. That we were able to be there for Rudy's birth.
7. I'm Rudy's Grandma
8. Rudy is my first Grand Child
9. Rudy has a family that loves him dearly
10. That my son is a Daddy
11. That having Rudy in my life is like winning the lottery
12. That Rudy has a Mom & Dad that will love and care for him
13. That Rudy is going to be spoiled rotten!!!

I'm Home

We got home safe and sound less than an hour ago and talked about this new little man in our lives the entire drive home.
Here are photos taken today before we left (he is still less than a day old here) and isn't he gorgeous!!



This man is the best looking man I've ever had in my life and I love him with all my might!!!
No doubt we will wear a groove in the road from San Antonio to Houston cause this little guy is going to know his Nana and Grandpa no doubt about it.

While we were in Houston, the Livestock & Rodeo was going on and next year for Rudy's first birthday, we'll buy him his first pair of cowboy boots and his first cowboy hat - Ride 'Em Rudy!!!
What does precious mean to you?

Another day without smoking and maybe one of the most significant, I was so happy that my new man couldn't smell those nasty assed cigarettes all over me and I could hug and kiss him all over without spoiling that wonderful baby scent.
Another cigarette will never, not ever go into this mouth!
I'M IN LOVE!!!

Our New Addition

Well after a long day with the induction not doing diddly, they decided to do a C-Section.
Our baby Grand Son Rudy was born today at 5:27pm CST weighing in at 12lbs 12.2oz and 19.5 inches long (we aren't tall people). He's precious (see for yourself) and naked and only about 15 minutes old




Here are other photos as the evening wore on of our family




I cried like a silly old woman and now I'm crying because I look like my mother (waaaaaaaaa).

Baby Rudy seems to have a wonderful disposition, very calm and peaceful (I'm not sure where this came from but I'm thrilled). To hold that new little soul in my arms was pure heaven!!
Well folks it's really late (12:30am) and I need some sleep cause we are driving back home tomorrow after another visit at the hospital.

Mommy is doing very well too - amazing what they do with C-Sections today vs 30 years ago when both of my children were born by C's.

I'm hoping today is the day

It's a little after 8am and both the Grandmas-to-be (of which I'm one) and the one Grandpa-to-be are getting ready to head back to the hospital for what we hope will be the birth of our Grand Son Rudy. Haven't heard from my son this morning but they were suppose to start the induction at the 7am hour. Although we are all hoping Rudy's arrival is more sooner than later, we all understand that babies arrive in "Their" time and not ours.
Being here has been a little bit of a challenge as my son and DIL have three dogs of their own and then we have our poodle Winston with us and my DIL's brother is also leaving their Chihuahua Besita here at the house too while they visit for the day..........OMG the hair, it's too much for me to live with! I love their dogs (mine doesn't shed) but I could not live with the hair. My favorite clothes color is black as it goes with everything "except" dog hair and I cannot wear black while I'm visiting. My DIL's Mom and I both believe that something is going to give with these dogs once they bring home the baby as the dogs behave as though they are boss, supreme masters.

Hopefully I will have Rudy's first photos to share later tonight.
Thank you for your support while we wait.

Starting another day SMOKE FREE.

Update on Grandbaby

Still no baby but we are in Houston and waiting. DIL has been given a few doses of Cervidil and if this doesn't do the trick then they will induce and starting Pictocin in the morning.

I'm still smoke free but all this anticipation makes it tough :)!!

McCain, Clinton, Obama - What does it take to be President of the United States?

This election is shaping up to be the most exciting in history. What does it take to be President? What does experience mean and does anyone running have experience? What about the new commercial - answering the phone at 3:00am, what does this mean to you? Does military experience, gender or ethnic/race background matter, should it matter?

I probably have as much to say about this topic as I do anything else in life right now.
I for one think we are fortunate to be experiencing this, a woman and a black man running head to head for President of the United States! Wow!!!

I like McCain's background but I think this country needs something new, different, this country needs what the Democratic Party is offering right now.
I don't consider myself a party person, I vote for the candidate and not the party (I think the party system is ridiculous).

Hillary Clinton is a tremendous candidate for president and even more impressive because she is the first woman to take on the historically male position. Her credentials are impressive for anyone running for the position. She is qualified.

Now we come to Barrack Obama. Barrack is a young man, not much experience in politics, bright, charismatic, and has vision.

There are many issues in the Middle East, the majority having to do with Muslims. Muslim men do not respect women. How could Hillary Clinton be effective as President with so much at stake in the Middle East?

Answering the telephone at 3:00am?
None of them will be answering the telephone, their cabinet will be doing that. Come on, give me a break!

Who is your candidate for President?

Friday Fillins for March 7, 2008

1. Ahhhh, it's so nice to be a non-smoker.
2. One of my favorite things on my desk or bureau is My MacBook.
3. Japanese Cherry Blossom Tree.
4. A Cruise Ship Balcony is my favorite place to sit and read.
5. Seafood and Poultry is delicious!
6. I love to watch Jack Nicholson in movies.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to reading, tomorrow my plans include shopping and Sunday, I want to Drive to Houston!

No Baby Today....or tomorrow

I'm sad to report that the hospital sent my DIL home today, they are busy in L&D and since her delivery is considered elective right now (pre-eclampsia), they cannot keep her and said to return on Sunday to start the ceridil (softening the cervix) and then tomorrow they were suppose to induce, guess this will all start on Sunday - :(

I was thinking this could happen because of the weather front making it's way through Texas right now, we finally got measurable precipitation here and the storm was headed to Houston.  Anyway, am I the only person that knows that babies are born when weather systems are moving through?  My son is an anesthesiologist and made a comment "Oh Mom, I must have been on vacation when they taught that course on Hokus Pokus" - yeah, whatever!!

Some wives tales actually happen.

Anyway, we'll be headed to Houston later this weekend it appears.

13 Things to do in San Antonio

1. Riverwalk
What an awesome place to find a place to sit down and watch all the tourist with a Margarita in hand.

2. San Antonio Missions (not the sports team)
These are located in different places throughout San Antonio and have gorgeous architecture.

3. Six Flags Fiesta Texas
I'm not really an amusement park kinda gal but this is a pretty amusement park.

4. SeaWorld
Great waterpark and the shows are good but I have some issues with these beautiful mammals being in pools in captivity.

5. The Alamo
Little bitty building actually but it's a landmark that's easily identifiable.

6. Tower of the Americas
This was built for the Worlds Fair in 1968.

7. The Witte Museum
Just a museum with a variety of interest for a variety of ages.

8. Schlitterbahn Waterpark
This is a waterpark unlike any I've ever experienced!!

9. San Antonio Zoo
Small cozy zoo with a friendly feel.

10. Natural Bridge Caverns

11. La Cantera - this is a multi-dimensional environment

12. The San Antonio Spurs
WORLD CLASS BASKETBALL TEAM!!!!!

13. The Food - TexMex at it's very best!!

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All this chatter about smoking

EVERYONE is talking about having a tough go with their quit right now and I know a few people that have take a detour and have snuck a drag or more (no not me) - is it spring, is this what fresh air and sunshine and warmer weather is going to do???? Please tell me it aint so!!!!!!
After reading everyone's trials and tribulations I decided instead of smoking, I would go to the nearest Baskin Robbins for my weakness - Jamoca Almond Fudge - haven't had any since I first quit almost 6 months ago (figured if I started using this as a crutch, I would blow up big as a house).
I'm crushed, absolutely heart broken - there was no satisfaction whatsoever to my beloved double scoop of Jamoca Almond Fudge!! I have to tell you that I didn't even like it anymore, yes I finished it but I was so disappointed at not getting enjoyment - Whaaaaaaaaa!!! Do I need to start smoking again? Has Quitting completely ruined my palate?

Mile Marker

I got my email from Chantix telling me that today is my 6 month mark, that I started taking Chantix 6 months ago today - OMG!!! So I must have been really wrong with my quit date because I was only taking Chantix for 3 days when I quit smoking all together.
This means that when my GrandSon Rudy is born on Friday that I will also celebrate 6 months without a cigarette hanging from my mouth, ruining my health, and making me stink like a full wet ashtray.
This is a huge personal success for me.
Again, I want to thank all my quit buddies out there in Chantix land for aiding me in achieving this success!! Y'all are spectacular!!

Tagged to tell you

I was tagged by dear Maggie

THE RULES: 
1. Once you are tagged, link back to the person who tagged you. 
2. Post THE RULES on your blog. 
3. Post 7 weird or random facts about yourself on your blog. 
4. Tag 7 people and link to them. 
5. Comment on their blog to let them know they have been tagged.

1.  I hate wearing a bra

2.  Just like Maggie, I cannot sleep with socks on regardless of the cold (I say that living in the south)

3.  Since I quit smoking, I hum all the time (without knowing it and it annoys my dear husband something awful)

4.  Just seeing the Vietnam Memorial makes me cry uncontrollably

5.  I love deep sleep like falling into a black hole

6.  I need to have meat in my diet in order to feel satisfied

7.  I've started fearing driving (I used to love driving long distances), even up the street to the grocery store.

I'm not tagging Jocie, Jonna, Karen, Kim, 

Home safe and sound

We are home from Houston (for a few days at least) and it's oh so nice to be back where it's your home. I love seeing my grown children and all but............there's still no place like home!
My dear sweet kitty was awaiting our arrival (she's a stray that wandered into our lives 2 years ago and hasn't left).



I have dinner already cooking on the stove and I'm about ready to start a load of clothes - another trip to the Big H comes in a few days when we welcome our first Grandbaby into this world.
We have a few errands to run this week, a little bit of light cleaning, a number of loads of laundry and then it will be time to repack.

Consider yourselves forewarned about the grandchild photos - haha.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend.
Here's to the start of a new week WITHOUT SMOKING - Here-Here!!!

Baby Shower in Houston

We came to Houston to see our son and his wife along with attending a baby shower given by my DIL's closest college girlfriends. The shower was at the Junior League of Houston and was very nice, below were the luncheon selections:




Last night this was my son and his animal crew, sound asleep.

I didn't think about wanting a cigarette today but I sure thought about wanting to smoke on our drive in yesterday - traffic was horrible, it was opening night for the rodeo and in addition to it being the last day of the month, payday for most everyone, a Friday, it was also Leap Year Day. IH-10 was more like a parking lot than freeway in one of the largest cities in the country.