My dear Bella bug...

It is starting to get warm and summer is coming. There is so much you want to do and that I want for you to. School is about to be out. You are 9 now. You have so much fun playing with your friend Eva Caroline. You two have been very best friends since we moved here. You both were just toddlers then. It has been such a joy for you two to grow up together. Why does it scare me so? This GROWING UP THING. I know I have to let go and let you live in this world.
I don't have to like it though.

I am so protective of you. I get mad when I am sick and can't watch you play or go to your school functions. I want photos and things to remember everything. My brain doesn't work like it used to. I want to remember all of it. We did so much to get you here I want to cherish every moment. Ya that is why you have so many scrapbooks kid. I kinda love you and stuff.

I knew these days would come. You getting older. Wanting to play outside You wanting to go roam the neighborhood. I just am not that mom. I guess I watch too much "Law and Order" but Bad things happen in this world. I protect your eyes from it and you think Oh it wont happen to me and that is fine. I DON'T want it to happen to you. I guess that is why I just want you close to me. I know things could still happen regardless but at least I would be there to take off my shoe and attempt to beat them down or do somethingg. In your eyes that is all mama would have to do to take care of any situation.

With being 9 comes more eyerolling on your part and more responsibilities that we have given you. You are a good kid. You make good grades. My job is to keep you focused. You are a lot like me that way. You get easily sidetracked by "oh look something shiny." You like to daydream. You believe in the good in everyone and you have a tender heart. Those are wonderful qualities that I will do my best to protect. They also are qualities that can cause a lot of heart break. I used to have a very tender heart as well. Maybe that is why I am so protective of you now. So give mom and break and think for a second she has a reason. She has seen things. BEEN THROUGH a lot of things. NOT SO PLEASANT things. she loves you hey I SHARE MY CHOCOLATE WITH YOU KID! (reluctantly but I do.)

What I want you to know most more than anything. Is how much you are loved no matter what the case. No matter how often you roll your eyes. That your daddy and I have been there and I probably have done it. It gets confusing I know but that is why the good lord gave you to us. For us to try to help you muddle through it. You have a wonderful army of people around you that love you so much and care. That you can always come to FOR ANYTHING. NO MATTER WHAT IT IS. I hope you will always know that if it is today or 30 years from now. I just wish you weren't in such a hurry to grow up. It goes so fast. You will always be my Bella bug. You will just have to come to terms with that one. I see you rolling your eyes! xoxoxoxox mom...

A Scrapbook page and LuLu siting! OH FUN FRIDAY!

For my photo of the day yesterday I chose to do it in layout fashion :) since I botched my layout a day challenge in February so bad (shingles and horrific MS flare guhgroannnn) I am scrapping up a storm now. We were to photograph a car.Well I could go out to the garage and just, well ya take a picture of the car but I thought BOoooooorrrrriing,  and I can't just do Boring! This is meee we are talking about. SO, I had these fantastic photos and had previously started a layout at a crop. Hmmm, I thought what a great opportunity to use both. It was already dark though so I knew a good photo of the layout was out of the question, AND since Bella had to be up at the hind crack of dawn to be at the school for filming cool schools, (her school was on the news this morning as the Cool School feature of the week YAY! Go Cottage Hill Christian Academy Warriors!!) I knew it would be TODAY. So there ya go. THE FULL MEAL DEAL MORE THAN YOU ASKED FOR in a great big run on sentence :) I decided to go with the layout of the cars since it was something that I knew Bella bug would really like although it would be a day late. (sorry)  You get 2 photos of the day today BUT, not to fret, Bella helped with photo of the day today. So see if you get smiles.

Punch Bug!

So this is my Photo of YESTERDAY the day. Every thing on there is from Fancy Pants EXCEPT the little stickers in the bottom right hand corner that has slug bug the star and  the yellow car That is American Crafts and the  round chip board  sticker at the left top That is We R Memory Keepers. The Letters are Thickers from American Crafts. All edges are inked with Ranger (Tim Holtz) Distress Stains.
The Journaling says: "You and your daddy like to play Punch Bug" all the time. Any time we go any where you are on the look out racking up points for punching. ~ 2012"


Today's photo of the day subject is sunglasses. I had a little help setting up this photo. You may recognize our model. She is cuddly, she is cute, she is a fashion icon in the Jones home. She is LuLu! (Bella's Build -a Bear errr ughm Lamb?)

LuLu Making her Fashion Statement  with a little help from Bella!

LuLu has been drug all over so her nose has gotten kinda rough there. She loves her Cinderella dress the most according to Bella. She is stylin' in her pink Sunglasses. She tried to get Guido to wear them but he didn't want any part of that. (smart Guido!)
Hope you all are having a great Friday. I am thinking the Bug will have an early night since she was up so early today (PLEASE?!?!)

P.O.T.D. and A Paper Posies Layout

It seems I am always catching up. Have been busy so I am catching up on my photos of the day. Had them on my camera just haven't uploaded them to my computer. (have to use my desktop computer to do all that not my laptop long story and can be a big process some days) ANYYYYWAYYY. Here are my updated photos of the day and I did a layout today.
Something RED:

Something Loud: Oh I could have done SOOO MUCH for this one but I but my Nemesis:

Fork:

I used the literal as it was in Mexican Lasagna!!

A sign: Disclaimer (I just took a group of these signs I am not promoting or NOT not promoting any of these said candidates on these signs, it is just a photo at the election place of a bunch of signs I didn't even notice the names on them before I took the photo. It is just for the photo of the day spirit of photography so if you have to complain about it, THEN, call ya mama cause I do not wanna hear it Thank you!) AND YES I voted! :)

ALL the campaign signs there were tonsss of them.

Clouds: OK there are 2 of these photos Bella liked one I liked the other so I used both:

 

SO now I am all caught back up. I got my kit from Paper Posies. Thought I would catch up on some of my scrapbooking. These are some pictures from a while back but they always make me laugh. Using pastels when I scrapbook is always a difficult task. I know I have heard a lot of others say the same thing. So I tried very hard to not say forget it and just add other stuff. I stuck with the kit. The only thing I added extra is the chipboard letters the tiny letter stickers  some inks  staples that's about it. EVERYTHING else is from THIS MONTHS Paper Posies kit. So see. It is easy to make it work.
Even though her shirt is not pastel colors It blended with the other colors. (the backgrounds.) just pick up one color (the yellow) then the brown  then play off the pink I usually try for 3 colors from t he photo to  blend  this one was the pink the yellow the brown to high light. As you see it wasn't the exact shade as in the photo but it was enough to blend and make it work.  Pastel tone papers  along with Brights in photos will create BALANCE on your layout. just a tip for you.

She Just Can't Resist

You can click on the layout to see it larger. The journaling reads: I am sure the staff at Old Navy cringe when they see us walk in. You absolutely LOVE the "people" at the front.  You will not leave them alone.  You talk to them as if they are real. The little girl and the dog are your favorites. ~2011

I added ruffles to the circle and the edge of the paper by tearing off strips then spraying water on it (after I inked the edges) crinkling it up then gathering it up under the edges in layers.  I know it kinda looks like a mess. It looks better in real life. Hard to see in the Photo. The butterfly is not as dark now either that is a wooden butterfly so the ink  has absorbed into it. It is sooo pretty. Is more of a mauve brown color and the edges are darker.  Hard to get the true photo of it. But I think you get the idea. 

P.O.T.D. 5 p.m. and more

So I am just gonna catch up. Had stuff to do yesterday and felt crappy so didn't upload my pics but I have them :) So I have a few and an updated layout.

So The challenge for Photo of the Day was to take a photo at 5 p.m. I took 2 one of the tv (showing it was 5 pm)
Also a picture of a not so happy Bella doing her homework. (mean mama made her write her multiplication tables over)

Ya she has those expressive eyes (dunno where she gets that from?)

Here is the next one something that I have worn... (didn't say when)

         

This photo is kinda blurry but, I chose to leave it that way.  Haven't worn these boots in a while. Wore them to my wedding. HA! Typical me!  Don't think my left leg would fit in those jeans.  This used to at one time be my everyday apparel.  Now, not so much. Have traded it for t shirts.. boxers and  left that behind.  I will wear these boots again. I have a promise that they will be on my feet when I leave this earth. (please don't let them put any ruffley crapp on me.)  When it all comes down to it in the end... this is just me. who I am. who I have always been and will be.  Just a little more blurry now. (and with a bigger butt)

Todays photo was sup to be out your window. Well one of the views I love I have already shown HERE  out my kitchen window. So I won't bore you again with that.

Finished this page (finally) I know Im slow and indecisive. I added stickles to everything so it had to dry. I know its hard to see but its all over those  PRIMA flowers, and the butter fly, and the paper and the little hearts those are American Crafts comma's upside down. The letters are really brown I just added stickles to them in pink so ya ALLLL that had to dry and little fingers had to stay away. I tore up some of the PRIMA Vine flowers (2 packs) and made the embellishment at the top and the Butterfly(Maya road? chipboard,)  antenna,  Used the other Prima flower vine as a base and added another pack of Prima flowers. bling it out big... all kinda of ribbon I cheated and nope didn't sew YOU KNOW I DON'T sew. That is glue babbbeeey! GO ME!  Tim Holtz distress inks all over, S.C. sticker cut in half and YA THAT is NIKKI SIVILS Frog Prince Paper. .  I just jazzed it up with stickles for Bellas 3rd grade Medieval feast photos. 
Based out on Bazzil Cardstock no less


(Photo taken by me @ chca)

P.O.T.D. Smile Well Thats a smiley Dog If I ever did see one...

He is just the happiest smiliest dog ever. Love our Guido. He is so awesome.

ohhh dats da spot riht dar....

His Girl

He was being so silly

Photo A Day... Her Bedside

Well I guess  you can see what a few of my girls favorite things are just by looking beside her bed. Actually it is a relief you can see the floor. She has been doing really well with it actually.She is doing better, We all are.  When mom is doing better everyone does better. When mom is feeling yuck everything well.. goes to yuck you get the picture.
Today was a good day. SUNNY absolutely GGGGGEEE- GORGEOUS DAY. Cool outside. NICE. I cleaned through our DVD and VCR collection of movies. OH MY WOW. HOW LONG that had needed to have been done!  Also did 2 window sills got the ick out you know what I am talking about? That ew that gets down in the track  when you have crepe myrtles and shrubs in front of your windows? pollen and ick. Am I the only one that gets freaky about that stuff? I don't want to open my windows in the fall and spring and see Window Eww.  BUT it is a daunting task. I can't be up and doing for long to do that. SO, I do them a few at a time, Vacuum clean scrub, clean the screens. Today was good beautiful day for it. I got TWO DONE but You have to realize they were really ew because they were on the side with the shrubs with those lil berry things. So ya. OK ya I'm rambling on.
I was just glad to be feeling well enough to do something. John always KNOWS I feel better when I say OK this house is DISGUSTING how do we live in this filth. (He also hates it when I feel that good and decide we need to clean our house because we can no longer live in this disgusting pig sty) I said we can either clean it or just move. So Clean it we are.

HEY I got 2 windows done, That is accomplishment for me! AND all the DVD's and VCR tapes gone through sorted and reput in the cabinet (with my adoring child's help although It was fought with a few whines but she did help willingly for a good long while till it started resembling that thing called WORK)

SO here is my Photo of the day. BELLA'S Bedside.

The wooden horse was mine when I was younger. Her Aunt Liz refurbished it when she (Bella)  was a baby and made it look more like a live carousel horse. (ya I cried) My daddy made that horse. So it is like she has her papaw Bob there along side her. The Red hat is from Nana Faye, Her guitar,  her huggy bear that is hugging a cat or some kinda critter, her gramma bunny that smells like chocolate, Hello kitty clock, A  Hawaii snow globe I think it is a Hawaii one I dunno,(she has a bunch of snow globes)  That is Lu lu chillin' on the bed, That is her back pack Aunt Cyn sent her she keeps her books stashed that she wants to read at night time and her kindle fire, ipod, Ds and stuff  Uncle Windale Aunt Karen and Aunt Liz spoil her with in so she can sneak and read when she is supposed to be sleeping (YA, like we don't know) Mardi Gras beads and Necklace  and Bunny ears? (no clue)  on the horse... No idea. Yup .. That's my child. love her.
That bed belonged to my, I dunno, HOW many Greats... grandparents. handed down. Wrought iron but my father had sandblasted and redone it. So pretty.

So what is beside your Bed? I think she might find this funny some day. If not she will at least have a photo to show her future therapist.

Photo a day 2 oh ya and 3

Ya ok so Im doin a 2 fer Yesterday was kinda wild so Im getting yesterday and today up today. I am just happy I am doing it! I was VERY ill during L.o.a.d. and I was able to do 1 page. BUT I am so proud of that ONE page.

Ya the photo was kinda crooked. The layout is straight. HEY I HAD SHINGLES all around up on my head and ears I was doing good to take a picture of the layout better yet scrap anything! I didn't post it in the gallery though. Kinda embarrassed because I only got to do ONE page for L.O.A.D.

WHICH BRINGS ME THOUGH... to todays PHOTO OF well yesterday <blush> yayaya

I KNOW yesttterday but whatever. The topic was FRUIT. (was gonna take a picture of my neighbor but thought nah saving that for one of the other subjects) SO, I decided to do a PLAY ON WORDS errr Pictures.
See if you can Figure it out.

Should be pretty easy for you to get....
Our topic for today is :
OUR NEIGHBOR HOOD...
The light I really wanted was yesterday afternoon. It was so pretty but it was also VERY windy. I didn't get the photos I wanted then.
I think I did capture a little of what I think is quaint  about our neighborhood without having to wander off.

Mobile is the AZALEA capital of the south.
Our neighborhood comes alive bursting with color it seems like down here we have the greenest grass, the prettiest trees, the flowers bloom huge,  I can't explain it. it isn't like it was back home.
Everything is just... pretty.
flowers all over the place. stuff blooming all the time. maybe its the tropical air. (Don't get me wrong there are things about back home that are beautiful too!! Different beautiful)

One of the things that makes me smile. I see this when I look out my window in the kitchen. Mr. Dupont. He is in his 90's LOVELY man. Love him so. In his electric wheel chair going to check his mail admiring the beauitful scenery of our neighborhood, calling for the kitties (yes our ferocious beasts)  waving to the girrrl (me or my daughter or diane  any of us that may be outside loooking to see that he makes it back ok) Love that man!
They have the most gorgeous back yard. David and Diane took some GORGEOUS photos of Bella when she was around 3 in their backyard. The most gorgeous photos I have ever seen. I will have to link you to their website. They are amazing photographers here in Mobile. (I am blessed to call them our neighbors)

This is our backyard. See how biggg those azaleas are. Now I did kinda cheat on this a little. I took these photos yesterday. I was afraid the storm was going to take the blooms off. I wanted you all to see how beautiful they were already. They have been lit up since Feb. So early this year. Amazing. That is Fraidy Cat down there chillin. They love to run and play up under all those. They jump out at each other and up into that dog wood tree. They run up into Bella's play house and across to the shed. It is such a fun time to sit and just watch them run and play and chase each other. Don't walk by though or you might get got! (by a kitty)

I wanted to go down to the other end and take a photo coming back the other direction. It is much prettier. You get the idea though. We have rolling hills, coming back the other direction you can see going up the hill the flowers blooming better. Maybe this afternoon. The light will be better. Things are blooming so it is so pretty. I want to take a picture of the entrance. Oh my it is so  pretty with all the azaleas. They have worked soooo hard on it. The temperature has really dropped. We were 80 degrees yesterday, now it is 56, Can really feel it. But I am not going to complain at all. it was as if God put his arms around us and every thing went up.  Our thoughts and prayers remain with everyone. This has been horrific. We continue to pray for them weather is so scary and I DO RESPECT the weather.

So did you figure out the photo??
When life gives you lemons... make.... well Lemonade or whatever you wanna make.
Ya kinda corny but I had some lemons and I had fruity pebbles so those were my choices.
:)
Hope you have a blessed Saturday. (both of you that read my blog haha)

ps what do you think of the white background? dunno what happened but the green got lost but Im kinda diggin it. thoughts?

Growing up too soon...

My sweet Bella,
You are growing up much too fast to suit me. So much has been happening in your little life around you.  Scary things.in the world , How do we explain this cruel world to you. We as parents struggle so hard with giving information to you so you will know more how to handle things than we did, but then we are faced with our babies dealing with adult situations and growing up too early. I just want you to be 8.

 You have so much to deal with in your life already you shouldn't have to have all the rest of the crapp that this world is dealing out, ya know. You seem to deal with it like a champ though, I have to tell you.
I fear some day you will need to discuss all this with your counselor and say yup back in 2012.... or whatever they call them when you hit 40 and have little kids running around of your own making your hair need "highlights."


You are wise beyond your 8 years. Although, you are quick to let me know You are almost 9. You worry. ALOT. about everyone, especially me. I try to keep you from doing that. I hide I guess you say, maybe too much from you, about what is going on.  Which makes your mind wonder the worse. Maybe I should explain more about what this is. Shingles scare you more than anything. My shots terrify you. I have tried to explain them that they are no big deal but you see the repercussions.To and 8 year old a shot is horrible and upchucking and a horrific rash well... ya.  How do I get it to make sense to you when We can't make it make sense to us?

You are very intelligent. I know when you are scared and worried.  It shows in your school work. It shows in your behavior. I try to make up for it extra when I feel better. No amount of time, hugs, kisses or words can take it away I know. Maybe that's why I scrapbook so much for you. Just to be sure you know?
You are growing up. You don't need me to buckle your shoes any more. I made this realization today. It hit my heart. You are growing up so fast. Im so very proud of you.I hope you know that.  You are such a smart girl. A brave girl. You make good decisions. You are so helpful and kind. You have such a beautiful heart. I don't want ANYONE to change that. You do have your spunky side too. I like that too. You are funny. Very quick witted. You make me proud to be your mom.

You have always been independent. From the get go. The first look on your face when you came out was one of "OK where am I and lets get this show started." You are so much like me there. Maybe that is why I am so protective of you in some aspects. I don't want you to make the same mistakes I did. Daddy and I also try to filter away the things that are damaging. I didn't have that luxury.  Maybe thats why we are so particular on the school you go to, the people you hang around, The things you do.. If we seem overly crazy on that JUST KNOW there is a reason. There is a method to the madness baby. It stems from the fact we love you and want the best for you.

I have been down some roads and made a lot of mistakes, have had a lot happen, seen many things,   I do not want you to make those mistakes. I plowed those roads I experienced them. I don't want you to. SO I put up the great big "DANGER DANGER SIGNS" so you won't go there. NOT because I don't want to be mean no wire hangers mom or for you to not have any fun, but, I don't want you to experience the heart break, the pain, the disappointment. Yes I want to protect you. Its mothers instinct.  
Did these experiences make me stronger? yes, Did I learn things from them, OHHHH yes, I can tell you a lot of things that DON'T work... But, I would much rather you learn from my mistakes and the mistakes of others than having to learn from the experience it yourself..the hard way. But if your anything like me you are probably going to have to take some of those bumps just to find out for yourself. KNOW your mama will be right here. waiting for you. Ready to listen and beat the bad guy with her shoe. dry your tears, whatever it takes.
So My sweet Bella.. all of 8 years old.. growing up way too fast.. my sassy little mini me. Slow down... Don't be so closed off that you miss the point,  open minds will open hearts,  and just pass by that road  there thats so bumpy that has been down by all of us. . Your mother has already been down that road. It is dark, it might look like it is lots of fun, (and at times ya it kinda was) but in the end... trust me. The one on the right... is the smart decision. Not because I said it was.. Because I lived it and have the battle wounds, scars, memories, and ya Im sure there are photos out there somewhere to prove it.
I love you baby....

THEY ARE GROWING "UP"

never forget.... you can always come home no matter what.
mama.

Today I am HAPPY... WHY NANCY you ask? WHY ARE YOU SO HAPPY TODAY? Well I am glad you did I am going to tell you hehe. Have had a lot going on. Bella is growing like a pasture weed she is getting sooo tall. Dunno what I am gonna do with that kid. Put a brick on her head? This growin' up stuff? I don't like it. Nope not one bit. Doesn't matter she will always be MY BABY even when she is 60. The weather here has been so strange. Kinda freakish here for January to say the least. I mean 70's come on really? I am not complaining. I just won't be shocked when in March it is 20 and we are all sick and saying "Boy, this sure is unusual weather for March, usually it is in the 70's" I will have to refer back to this post then. Hard to even pretend anymore I just gave up today and put on t shirt and my flip flops and said whatever. If you live down here.. you may as well. So we have had some good news in our family. I will post her post so I don't mess it up: Britney::"The doctor finally called me!! And it is good news, not the BEST ever, but still good!! My blood work came back lower than it was in October which is a good thing!! So she wants to look at it again in 6 weeks and see if the growth gets any bigger and if the blood work changes.. So I go back at the end of February! I strongly believe in the power of prayer!! Thank you all so very much!! :)" WONDERFUL NEWS. We STILL NEED to keep praying for her over the next 6 weeks and the dr's PLEASE. Thank you all so very much. For the ones that do not remember or aren't familiar Britney is my cousin Steve and Jan's youngest daughter. Jan is the very talented one that scrapbooked and sews all those amazing things you see on facebook all the time. YAAAA herrr now you remember. Wanted to remind you guys that L.O.A.D. Starts up FEB the 1. so there is still time to sign up! If you are unfamiliar that is LAYOUT A DAY where you make a scrapbook page a day and we are doing it for FEB. Hopefully I will get to do it this time without fail. I will get you the link to sign up for that. My insurance is finally paying for my meds again (YAHOOOO) so I am back on my REBIF interferon for MS so let the good times roll (not) actually it makes you feel pretty crappy but that outweighs not being able to swallow or breathe or walk or stand without balance. The other downfall .. the stinkin shingles. I immediately started breakin out. So on the list tomorrow call about refill of those meds geesh. more meds more meds more medsssss AHHHHHH!! Bella bug has been fighting a battle of sickies this week. she has croupy cough sinus drainage and yucky tummy (upchucks)I know sorry for sharing. She made it through school yesterday when I just knew we would get a call. She is a trooper. She said her throat felt like yuck but she didn't want to miss because they were out Monday. (what logic for an 8 year old?) She said they had a lot of school to cover ha ha. Other good news (least she thought so and I have to agree!) WE HAD THIS FOR SUPPER!!!

(this is not MY PICTURE IT IS THIS PINNERS PICTURE THAT I LOVINGLY BORROWED ALONG WITH THE RECIPE THAT I AM SHARING WITH FULL CREDIT TO THEMMMM WITH YOU) THis recipe is sooooo gooooood. Only thing we did not do is use the fresh basil or the olive oil we just cooked it in our pan without oil. I added 2 more cans of diced red tomatoes and used more chicken stock (it wasn't very soupy) also we used crushed up lasagna noodles instead of these noodles and it was FANTASTIC!!!! HERE IS THE LINK (click on the word link) or just follow this recipe with the alterations above) Lasagna Soup INGREDIENTS for the soup: 2 tsp. olive oil 1-1/2 lbs. Italian sausage 3 c. chopped onions 4 garlic cloves, minced 2 tsp. dried oregano 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes 2 T. tomato paste 1 28-oz. can fire roasted diced tomatoes 2 bay leaves 6 c. chicken stock 8 oz. mafalda or fusilli pasta 1/2 c. finely chopped fresh basil leaves salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste for the cheesy yum: 8 oz. ricotta 1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 tsp. salt pinch of freshly ground pepper 2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese PREPARATION Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add sausage, breaking up into bite sized pieces, and brown for about 5 minutes. Add onions and cook until softened, about 6 minutes. Add garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute. Add tomato paste and stir well to incorporate. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the tomato paste turns a rusty brown color. Add diced tomatoes, bay leaves, and chicken stock. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Add uncooked pasta and cook until al dente. Do not over cook or let soup simmer for a long period of time at this point, as the pasta will get mushy and absorb all the soup broth. You may even want to consider cooking the noodles separately, and then adding some to individual bowls before ladling the soup over them. This would be an especially smart move if you are anticipating any leftovers. Right before serving, stir in the basil and season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the cheesy yum. In a small bowl, combine the ricotta, Parmesan, salt, and pepper. To serve, place a dollop of the cheesy yum in each soup bowl, sprinkle some of the mozzarella on top and ladle the hot soup over the cheese. Servings: 8 Source: adapted from 300 Sensational Soups by Carla Snyder and Meredith Deeds, as seen in the February-April 2011 edition of At Home with Kowalski's magazine Printed from: a farmgirl's dabbles (www.afarmgirlsdabbles.com) It got the SEAL OF APPROVAL from all of the Jones family. So anyway hope you all have had a wonderful week. Talk sooooon....

Happy New Year

Hope everyone had a Happy FUN and SAFE New year. We had soooo much fun. I told you in the previous post that we were going to Tammy and Jims with Tara and Greg with the kids. Oh it was such fun. We gathered up all these fun dress up things and took silly pictures.

We ate goood fooood. Had lots of conversation. Lots of laughter fun music it was awful foggy so foggy you couldn't really see the fireworks but we knew they were there.

It felt good to be able to go. I don't get to do that often. Since I am not taking the interferon right now (thanks to the insurance company) I thought ok we will venture out... and I felt better. I am so glad we went. It was so fun. Bella had fun too. Got to meet Veronica.She is a lot of fun.

Tammy and Jims house is so beautiful. They are such fun people also. Even though I have decided they can never come to my house unless she is helping me decorate, then well, ok maybe. Because o m gosh WOW. I fell in LOVE with their back porch patio and yard. OH it is so pretty. Like something out of a magazine. Bella had a good time keeping those boys in line.

They were so cute and so funny. Bella was fussing at us for keeping her out so late. It was so past her bedtime. We told her well Its New years and this is a special occasion you know we don't do this often at all dear. She said I KNOW. I am just tired. SO FUNNY felt kinda role reversal there huh child? John woke her up this morning and made her come get in bed with us and watch cartoons. FUNNY HUH? she is usually the one diving in bed with us waking US UP! Funny the things we treasure. Sunday early morning in pjs watching cartoons. Then today we had to WAKE HER UP and MAKE HER come watch cartoons with us. sigh... our baby is growing up! I see it now...us going and waking up our teenager... "COME GET IN BED WITH US AND WATCH CARTOOONS! NOW!" "awww dad seriously??? IM 17!" "I don't care! Its a tradition." "UGHHHHHH" ::deep sigh with eye roll for drama:: "fineeee! Just quit yelling!" ::stomp stomp stomp:: Ya that is our angel. That is sorta how this morning went but she is 8.

We had another reason to celebrate today well besides it being New Years. It was also MY BIRTHDAY! YAY ME! YES I was born on NEW YEARS DAY. oh before you start saying OHHH COOOL. don't its not really. It kinda stunk as a kid. Most of my friends were not home. They were out of town during Christmas Break. It was always cold, Several birthdays I remember having the flu, Cheap people that always say "OH YA, this is your christmas present AND YOUR birthday present" OK well same goes for you I don't care IF your birthday is in June! gonna wrap your present in Christmas paper too :P~~ hehe. Doesn't bother me as much now at 42 as it did when I was 6. yes years of therapy gotten me through, Thank you to the fine staff and support system we contribute cash to. So MY SWEET baby girl. Brings me THIS:

oh my gosh! IS THAT NOT THE CUUUUTEST BROWNIE CUP CAKE EVER???? she and her daddy made those for me. SHE MADE THE LITTLE BANNER ON TOP ALLLL BY HERSELF! my baby! so love that girl. I would like to congratulate (AND THANK) AUBURN FOR WINNING THE CHICK FIL A BOWL! WARRRRRRRRRR EAGLE!!! AWESOME GAME!!! I didn't get to post much on fb or chat yall through it. The battery on my phone was dead. I am sure yall were probably happy about that hahahaha. We played babies today actually we played Miss Melissa beauty shop. WE worked on her babies hair. See they needed some help. Her dolls were a big hot mess. Whoopie would have said whew lawd when she saw jojo. She looked like she had some deeeeep down dreads that needed work. And kitkat needed... Well she just needed somethin. So I was lookin on pinterest and omg you can find anything on there. LITERALLY I think you could find out how to print money. They have literally everything on pinterest. LOVE IT! SO I found the recipe for how to make those American girl dolls and well any baby dolls hair look like new again. (WHO KNEW) instead of sending them back to the doll hospital (pricey and you have to be without your baby for 2 whole weeeks oh the horror) So I figured WHY NOT! I mean what worse could happen. She already looked like she walked straight out of a cave with that hairdo. All she needed was a bone through her nose and she would have looked like captain cavemans wife.

I don't think they have a captain cave man American girl doll. This one was close. So I proceeded. (worse case scenario... have to send it to doll hospital and that was what we were having to do anyway) SOOO I started and what do you know got one section done! BOOO YAH!

pretty soon I had it all brushing through easily. Bella was amazed and thought I was just super mom with magic skillz (and she should! Cuz I am)

So ya we spent a relaxing day at home today. We were all worn out from last night but IT was so much fun and I thank Tammy and Jim for having us over. It was fun to get to go somewhere I don't get out often. I would like to get out more some when I feel like it. Is good for the soul. So did you all eat your black eye peas today? Do you eat any special foods or have any special traditions for New years day? WE ate black eye peas and pork tenderloin for supper tonight with rice. Hope it brings us some good luck this year (since last year pretty much el suck o'd) I pray you have a wonderful 2012 that your family have health happiness, love,lots of laughter, Joy, peace and gratitude also , the ability to recognize each. Happy 2012 Lets make this a WONDERFUL YEAR!!!!!

2011 so thats the end of that...

This year has flown by. We often say that but this year has. It has been a strange year. Things have felt "off" hard to explain. Like something is freakishly wrong in the universe. Time just seems to be going so fast. My kiddo is growing up so fast. Some days I wish I could just freeze time and live in the moment for ever. I know not possible. We have had some fun times this year, some sad times along with difficult times as everyone has, A lot of changes taken place. So many things different. We lost some family members that were very special to us. I don't deal with death that well at all, I know no one deals with it great but since my dad I really have to prepare for funerals. Ya I'm a mental case. but you knew that. So maybe that is what is so "off" both of them being close with my dad brought back a lot of pain and memories I do not like. It was good to see family that I have not seen in a while. Sad the reasons. Bella started a new school this year. 3rd Grade. UGH! hard to imagine. I KNOW.

She was so excited to be a cheerleader. She carried on the family tradition of the McCrary girls before her (me and Kasi were both cheerleaders GO DRAGONS!!) So it was just fitting that she wanted to. I was surprised since she is so timid when she is first around people. She didn't know anyone at this school but she went in like she knew them all and joined the cheer squad. I was so proud of her. By the time school started she had a few friends already.

She did a great Job. She had to miss one game because she had to have her baby teeth take out and the wires put in. That was tough on her. She missed almost a week of school. The anesthesia was rough on her. BUT she was a trooper and did well. Her 8th Birthday she didn't want a big party this year. She missed her bff Bailey so much. Sooooo she wanted her to come spend the night and them have a party. Soooooooooooo

ya look at the clock they were still goin strong! John and I... not so much. Since she didnt want to have a birthday party. We went to see RIO then to Cheeburger Cheeburger (one of her favorite places to eat) and she got LULU

SHE LOVES LULU. She goes everywhere with her just about if not her then her American Girl doll does. She is all about The matchy outfits and stuff. (it gets crazy sometimes)

How can this not make you smile in the morning? We had a nice Easter She hunted eggs with Eva Caroline and We made cards with Grandma

Had a scary flare in May with Multiple Sclerosis. It messed with my swallowing as well as chest and right side. As soon as the steroids were in I could swallow better but lost my voice. was so strange. THEN I had weird side effects from the steroids got terrible yeast inf even in my eyes. was horrible took loong time to get through. Seems every May I end up in hospital. Am really really scared this year since insurance is being a butt and I am off my meds. VERY scared what will happen. I also discovered I DESPISE GREEN JELLO!

LEAF blower man vacuuming the shrubs... Yall really didn't think I was serious did you? I know hard to see because of screen on window but look close. THAT IS A SHOP VAC! THIS IS MY BEDROOM window. YOU SEEE how close that is. YES its LOUD! WHen your sick and have shingles in and on your ear it makes the nerve make everything hurt and that sound and the leafblower vibrate everything and not in a good way. the sound and the vibration o m g. you cannot escape it. I have wanted to just DIEEEEEE on many occasions. People often wonder why I get so grouchy and irritable. THIS is alot of the problem. TRY waking up to this at 7 am and NOT get a single day off. (IT HAS gotten a lot BETTER I HAVE TO ADMIT) he waits till 8 30 some days now. Fourth of July Johns parents were here. Lala was so cute.

Was a peaceful restful time. ahhhhhh!

We spend alot of time with Tara and Gregg on some holidays. They are good friends of ours. We usually do Halloween and New Years with them. It has kinda become a tradition so to speak... well sometimes New years Depends what is going on. We have added more people as the years have gone by to the crew at the get togethers we have a lot of fun and the kids enjoy it. We get to be silly and not worry about anything since we are right here in our little neighborhood.

Tara with sonny and cher singing I GOT YOU BABE! Bella and Eva Caroline went to the Fall Festival at St.Elmo Baptist Church. We all had a great time.

For Johns Birthday we went to Cheeburger Cheeburger. John ate the BIG ONE and got his picture up on the wall.

For our anniversary we went to our Favorite place The Japanese resteraunt!!

Afterwards we had to stop at Marble Slab for some dessert! Guess who had that idea!!

Bellas Third grade teacher (she is so awesome) Mrs. Overman did the coolest thing. The had a Renaissance medieval Feast. It was so coool. The girls talked about saving your love and kisses and being princesses of God. The boys talked about saving their love and kisses and being Knights of God. They worked on self esteem, purity, and are laying the ground work for the future. What an amazing day this was. Im such a sap I teared up during the speech Mrs. Overman gave. I wish I had it recorded so I could put the words down for Bella.

Greg was our court Jester. how cute is this?

Had a few bad weeks the beginning of Dec. Insurance company is messing with my interferon and it ran out so I had to cold turkey just stop taking it. So you can imagine. It did horrid things to my body. A lot of symptoms were messing with me. I still am having a lot of tiredness and mind fog. Am trying to play a few games (words with friends) to try to help with thinking but it is just showing me what I don't know I think. haha. My dr is trying very hard to convince them that I NEED this medication. Not the others. (Due to where my lesions are on my brain stem and the progression of my symptoms) I still have good days and bad days. Winter is better Summer is horrific. Heat melts me. I cant walk when I get hot I cant swallow I cant breathe. still get those horrific Hiccups that then make my chest contract and squeeze that feels like you are having a heart attack but you aren't and you have to take slow deep breaths and push in on your rib cage and take muscle relaxers to get it to stop if you can swallow at all during it. Makes your heart beat weird. no rhyme or reason to it. It just happens. Sometimes for a few seconds sometimes minutes. But mostly things are good and have been doing better since its cooler after I got over the sudden withdraw of the meds. Shingles aren't as bad. Still kinda leary. Christmas Kinda snuck up on us this year. Bella did her traditional pink tree in her room.

Bella got a letter from Santa! She was soooo excited. I loved hearing her read it. Just watching her facial expressions and hearing her little voice pronounce all the words. I wished I had video'd it. Yes I got teary eyed.

Bella and Brayden (her boy)playing the Kinect. SOOOOO CUTE!!!

Those are all the photos pretty much, I have on my laptop and Im sure you are asking "Holy wow Nancy. How many pictures are you going to put on this post?" WEll I haven't updated in some time. So was catching you up. JOhn is working and fighting with the insurance co. on my behalf and is my biggest support and advocate. I am grateful for him. Without him I wouldn't be alive today. That's the honest truth. He pushed and pushed to help find out what was wrong with me to get answers when no one would listen. HE KNOWS what we go through. So it gets frustrating listening to things sometimes. I hope you all had a fabulous 2011 and 2012 is even better for you. If I can get on my desktop there may be better or more photos of 2011 so Check back.