Sorry if you are sick of my posts about this baby bear cub! I am so in love with him! Mei is a great Momma and he is thriving, gaining about a pound a week! They had a "name the cub" contest I entered. The prize is a trip to Washington DC to actually meet HIM!! Oh, boy could you imagine if I win?
Posted by Lisa

My first teddy bear was a panda, her name was Cindy and she had one of those bells thingys inside of her. I had her almost 10 years (she stopped jingle-linging!) but she was so loved she pretty much fell apart. I still have my second teddy bear ever, again, another panda, his name is Charlie and I still love him!
Posted by Lisa

I have loved bears since I was a child. There is just something about them! Look at how cute he is!
Posted by Lisa

Fall

I love this time of year. It is getting cooler so I can cook! I have been making soups, tomato and zucchini over pasta, greens and beans and Mexican food too. There is something about coming home and having food cooking on the stove that makes my husband soooo happy! He walks in smiles and says, "Something smells good!!!"

I made Minestrone soup for the first time last week and it was delicious! (If I do say so myself!)
I had never made it before but figured it couldn't be that hard. I used chicken broth, canned whole tomatoes, green beans, pink and black beans, carrots, zucchini, onion and fresh baby peas. I also found some baby corn that I chopped up and threw in there too. It was very yummy! By the time I had it all together I could not believe how much soup I had! I gave some to my parents, I'm not good at freezing!!!

Not sure what has gotten into me, but I have been thinking about what I want to cook, making sure I have it all in the house and cooking! I used to do ALL the cooking for years and years, but for the last few years my husband has kinda taken over the cooking. I am really enjoying cooking though, I will make chicken soup almost every week now. I remember trying to get my hubby to just eat soup for dinner. He was like, "This is it???" Now I make sure I have fresh bread in the house when I make soup and everyone is full! At Thanksgiving time I can find turkey broth so I will make turkey soup and put chopped spinach in it, oh that is very yummy!

Sundays is football and sauce, a family tradition that has been continued for years.

What have you all been cooking?

I am sitting here having my first cuppa tea and it is almost 5pm! We lost our power today for about 7 hours. Bummer..........when my little boy got off the bus I took him over to my friends house and we walked a trail we have been doing this week. I was so hoping when we got home the power would be back on.......YAY!!!!!! Not sure why but I did hear that over 56,000 people were without power today, we had some strong winds today, they recorded them at 40 to 50 miles per hour.

I have been abit overwhelmed by what is happening in the Gulf Coast. So many thousands of people loosing their homes and all they owned. There were some great stories that came out of this tragedy and I will share a few.

There is a couple in Lancaster Pa that told their family from Louisiana they could come up to stay with them. They were expecting 10 or 15 people, as of today they have 50 people staying in a 4 bedroom home! The people of Lancaster have donated food, and even some have removed properties from the market to donate homes to these families!!! Americans ROCK!

In Mississippi they had a wonderful aquarium right on the Gulf of Mexico. The entire facility was ruined when Katrina came through. The aquarium had 8 dolphins that would perform each day. The dolphins were missing after the storm. Somehow these dolphins made it out to the Gulf and all stayed together. The trainers found them and began feeding them fish, putting antibiotics and vitamins in the the fishes gills. They were able to rescue 4 of the dolphins by making them beach themselves on a floating matt out in the Gulf. A local Holiday Inn let them convert their pool to hold the 4 rescued dolphins for several days. The remaining 4 dolphins (all females) were not in the same place the following day. The workers and veterinarians were very worried about them and searched all day. The next day a boater saw dolphins about 15 miles east of where they had been-- performing tricks out on the Gulf!! They were able to rescue the remaining dolphins and have set up temperary salt water tanks for them. All 8 dolphins were recovered and are doing well.

Kerry Sanders of NBC News is in Louisiana and he noticed about 4 miles away from the Gulf of Mexico a dolphin that was stuck in a small area. The dept of the water was about 5 feet, sorta like a big puddle considering this dolphin was about 500 pounds. The locals were upset, "what about us? We have nothing left and you are worried about that dolphin?" This man had every right to be upset about his situation, but he had a change of heart. We need to help this guy out. The Coast Guard, and Army helped get this big guy in a sling and helicoptered him back out to the Gulf. He swam away and met up with about 4 or 5 other dolphins, safe!

Dr. Phil has been helping people and highlighting a place in in the LA area called Dream Center. They have been housing many evacuees since the storm hit. Now they are giving away homes and finding jobs for people in California!

The government has really dropped the ball in this whole mess, local, state and federal, BUT the American People are helping, donating money, working to clear roads, and helping to pick up the pieces! This nation is filled with the best people on Earth!

NFL Week 3 Atlanta 24 Buffalo 16 I have a feeling it's going to be a long season!
Posted by Lisa

Bad Luck Outfit

A few years ago I bought an outfit to go to my husband's Christmas party. It is a beautiful three piece suit. A sleeveless top with matching skirt and jacket. It is very pretty and it was very expensive. I was excited to wear it that night, we get to the downtown Hyatt for a rizty party, I had one drink, and all of a sudden I go dizzy!!! I could not eat, I felt like I was going to be sick, so we left. I have never worn the outfit again. It is very dressy.

So we have a wedding reception to go to tonight. I was kinda dreading it, but decided I could wear my snazzy outfit. I bought a sweet little pair of a slipper style embroidered flats to go with it. I can wear my rhinestone jewelry with this outfit as they are very flashy.

We get to the reception (late in fact) and I get a call. My son had hurt his eye earlier today. Something flew into his eye and I think he scrathed it. I can hear him bawling, crying, weeping loudly on the phone, can you come home Mom? My eye hurts!!!!

So now I am back home, he was just playing video games! No longer crying, no longer weeping, just hanging out....fine. I am glad he is OK, but I am wondering if my beautiful outfit is bad luck?

Posted by Lisa

I'm loosing my grip
like sands thru clenched fingers
or as a hourglass flows

no ability to stop it
or tip it over
no strength to care

like the water that falls from my eyes
watering my soul
drowning in pain
will there ever be a garden of peace?

A Secret

When I had my second child, I felt like I lost my mind! Now I am being completely honest with you....It felt like my whole life was turned upside down. My first born was almost 5 years old when I gave birth again. I was so out of the whole diaper bag, car seat carrier, change of clothes needed at all times mode! I remember being so overwhelmed and crazed!

No one rarely speaks of this, these feeling of inadequate and helplessness because mother are supposed to be selfless angels. I was so beside myself in my own mind, very stressed out. I now can see that yes, maybe I did experience some kind of post pardon depression, but at the time, I had no idea.

I was an avid sewing, crafter and whatever struck my fancy. I used to design my own clothes, changing patterns and using pieces of this one with that. I would even make up my own patterns too! After my second child was born....it's been 10 years since I have sewn!!!!!! I am telling you- something happened to my brain! I didn't have the patience to figure out measurements, or the time to even sit and sew. It was a passion of mine that I had done for about 8 or 9 years, but I had to let it go. The thing is, I didn't even feel bad about it, I had changed, but it did puzzle me! I remember the exact time I realized this, I was sitting at my machine, I heard the kids screaming about something? I just got up, I said in mind, I can't do this and I never went back to it!!!!!!

Slowly, I have tried to get my shit together, but still feel like I am not fully the same person since I had my second child. My husband had wanted a third child, and has never really let it go. As recently as this spring he was still asking about having a baby! I could never agree to it though, I feel like I have my hands full as it is!

NFL Week 2 Buffalo 3 Tampa Bay 19 OUCH!!
Posted by Lisa

One Small Step.....

I saw this story on Real Sports with Bryant Gumbell last year. I recently saw a follow up and am glad to see it resolved!

Bridgit Koebke and Kendall French have been partners for 12 years. Bridgit paid $18,000 to become a member of Bernardo Heights Country Club in San Diego in 1987. These woman both loved to play golf and Bridgit wanted Kendall to be able to play golf with her each week. The problem was, Kendal was not a member and did not qualify because of the law, they can not become spouses. Bernardo Country Club allows spouses to golf for free.

Bridgit petitioned Bernardo with a new policy. They agreed with her thoughts, the only thing was they changed what she had written to spouses of opposite sex. This enraged these woman, they had not started out as activist, they just wanted to play golf together and not have to pay the $75 fee to be a guest of members for a round of golf. They were also limited to only 6 rounds per year. The process started and they began a lawsuit. They were shut down the first few times but did not give up! It went to the Supreme Court in California and WON!

Kendall will now be able to play golf at any time with Bridgit for free! It took several years but these woman never gave up! A civil lawsuit is still pending, they are sueing the Club for discrimination, I will be following the case due in court in October and give you updates!

Bravo to these woman! Standing up for what is right and fair! Never giving up for they believed in, even when their case was thrown out of court the first few times!

An Essential Piece

A few weeks ago before school started I took Calla over to her new school so she could decorate and get her locker organized. We had a hard time even getting the thing opened, but finally was able to with the help of a teacher!!!!!!

While she was putting in her locker shelves and putting up her pictures on the inside door, I started talking to her about her decision to quit chorus. Now the girl has been in NY State's Solo Festival plus All County Mixed Chorus, it is her "thing" So this new school has 80 minutes blocks for each session, so that only leaves a choice of two electives. One being her Spanish, and one Chorus. She wanted to drop chorus and take child development. I was pretty much against dropping chorus, and when I told her, your father and I have discussed this and think you should just stay with chorus this year, you'll have plenty of time to take child development in the future. She got upset with me, and said, It's MY decision!!! I tried to explain to her, no we are the parents and it is not up to you!!!!!! Now this is going on in the hallway, while we were at her locker! All of a sudden the Vice Principal came out of a room (he had heard the whole thing!)
he asked her, is everything alright here? We don't like grouches!!!! I'm going to be keeping my eye on you!!!! I laughed and told him the situation! He agreed with me, and told her about how great the music teacher is at the Ninth Grade Academy. She stayed with chorus and is thrilled, she loves her teacher!!!

So now, she tells me the VP has started a bet with her, everytime he see's her she must smile at him or she owes him a dollar!!! He gave her a pencil today that said, An Essential Piece on it! If she owes him nothing by the end of the school year, he will owe her a sub sandwich!!!

This makes me soooo happy to know that he has connected with her!!!! Her friends say, "here comes your boyfriend, you better smile!!!"

No Shit

Well Bush has come out with it. I take responsibility for the delay in the relief help for the Gulf Coast region. Oh my! Really? You think it's your fault?

Aren't you the one who assured the nation you would keep us safe?

Aren't you the one who appointed your friend, Mike Brown (with no emergency experience) to be the director of FEMA? (Federal Emergency Management Agency)

Aren't you the one who safely toured the storm area from Air Force One?

Aren't you the one who waited 5 days before you even went to the area?

Oh my! So glad you have admitted you are responsible, we have known all along!

Look at how much he has grown! If you would like to see him, go to the panda cams @ Giant Pandas - National Zoo FONZ
Posted by Lisa

We Are The Titans! Football Season Has Stared for Ricky!!! GO TITANS!!!
Posted by Lisa

Mighty Mighty Titans!
Posted by Lisa

September 11th

It is the day, the day that changed us forever. The day that we watched in horror and cried til there were no more tears. The day that we realized that we are vulnerable. The day the world embraced us and mourned with us. The day that evil reigned and terror filled our beings. The day that heros were made and lost. We must never forget.

Opening Day! Houston 7 Buffalo 22 GO BILLS!!!
Posted by Lisa

Saving Myself

I took advice from Sarah at the The Rose and decied I must do something to help! I visted nola.com and read all the messages from people.

I scrolled through the hundreds of names of people being sought by their loved ones and then went to the red cross site and cnn.com. I can't believe it but I helped!!! A woman in Miami was looking for her neice who fled New Orleans. I found the woman listed on the self registration, she was safe and staying at a VFW in Northern Lousiania. I emailed the woman and sent her the link to her nieces information. I was sky high!!!

Then I made myself the most awesome T-Shirt that I absolutely love!!! It made me so happy I wore it yesterday and still have it on now! I will get a picture of me in it soon and post it!

Don't' know how much more I can take
I have my house
I still have my job
My family is safe
We have milk in the fridge

Feeling guilty
at how horrible I feel
helpless
drained
numb
wanted to stop watching
decided I must to save myself
from entering the pit

Watching my story today
ABC broke in
Michael Brown removed
Resume Padded
More Lies

We are the only ones who can keep you safe
Bush and Cheney's campaign
Kerry can not do it
Scare tatics worked
More lies
More deceit
More bullshit

Growing Pains

On Tuesday night I realized I didn't have all of Ricky's school supplies. I ran out to Office Depot and did so well! Find almost everything he needed. When I got back I called him down from upstairs,

"Come on buddy, I need your help"

He comes downstairs, "what's up Mom?" I told him I had all of his supplies and we needed to label everything. So we finished up and got his backpack ready, I told him, "OK now you have to get in the shower and get in bed, I'll have to wake you up at 7am tomorrow."

"WHY?" he asked me......"uuu you have school tomorrow."

That shocked look on his face and then the tears came......"Oh little man, didn't you know?"

"Well, I knew summer was coming to an end, I just didn't know it was today"

So he got in the shower and we got him into bed, the next morning, more tears before going out for the bus.

"Ricky, what's wrong? You have the same teacher and everyone in your class will be the same from last year." I comforted him and he got on the bus.

Yesterday when he came home from school the first thing he said to me was,

"Mom, I need boxers, and I need boxers today so I can wear them tomorrow"

"Why, what's going on?"

"I have gym tomorrow, ya know 5th grade gym, you have to change your clothes and tighty whiteys WILL NOT WORK!!!! "

I took him over to Target and got him his boxers and deodorant, one moment a small boy, the next a young man.

My comments levels have gone way down.....I know people are busy with school starting and their lives, but it makes me wonder if what I have said has offended. I don't mind, be offended, maybe it will change you, maybe it will make you think and this nation can get back to what it supposed to be.

A nation of the people, for the people.

I just finished watching Oprah and am numb. We all can be so upset with FEMA, yes, I agree. We can all be upset with Bush, yes, I agree. But more importantly I think we need to wake up America. I know the American people have huge hearts, they rise to help in any kind of disaster- make it natural or manmade. I applauld our giving, or responding, but why must it take something like this to shed light on how fucked up this nation is?

In 2000 we could say that, oh well we didn't elect him, the Supreme Court did. Shying away from our responsibilities, I am very guilty of this. But now, we have re-elected him, we have let him put idiots into important authorities. We have let him spend our money on a senseless war, taking away our ability to help our people here at home. We have stuck our head in the sand long enough. Stand up, make your voice be heard. Demand answers, demand the people responsible to be held accountable.

When we will this nation become

pro-active instead of re-active?

Cover Your Ears

On Friday night we were at Saralynn's working to get the basement done. I had just finished cooking and feeding everyone. Most nights I am helping Rick put the drywall up on the ceiling or cooking, I figure either one is helping! So we had just finished up and I was cleaning up the kitchen and got a phone call from my sister.

"How long would it take you to get to my house?"

"Not too long, why, what is going on?"

"A bug just flew into Al's (her husband) ear!"

"WHAT??"

"We are trying to pack up the van to go to Pennsylvania tomorrow, and a bug just flew into Al's ear, I can see it in there, but I am so freaked out, I can't get it out."

"I think you are going to have to take him the the emergency room, I'm on my way."

"Alright so if we leave, you are coming to watch the kids?"

"Yes, I'm on my way, I'll come right now"

So I rush over to her house, they had already left. Al's daughter 13, and Suzanne's son 10 years old and baby boy 1 (sleeping) were there. They went to a 24 hour clinic open at a local hospital. They waited to see a doctor but they were unable to get the bug out. They could see and hear it, it was still alive and buzzing in his ear!!!! OMG!!! A nurse asked him, would you like me to put a drop of lanacaine in there, it will kill the bug. YES PLEASE!

They had to go to another hospital with a ear, nose and throat doctor who was on call. They waited another two hours and when the ENT exammed him he announced, I don't see a bug!!! Uuuuu, we've been dealing with this for almost 5 hours now, there is a BUG in my ear!!! Well, I guess I can flush it out. (Oh thanks asshole!) Sure enough they inserted a small tube into his ear, put some water in and when they sucked it out, there came the bug! It was a small tan moth.

While I was there, I'd go out to smoke and saw about 20 of these small moths.....I was so freaked out I was standing outside with my hands over my ears!!!!!!!!

Old Habits Die Hard

Well I was so proud of myself. I felt like I had seperated my parents in my owm mind. My father is a difficult man, he is pretty miserable most of the time. About 6 weeks ago he really hurt me and I like I always do, I didn't call him on it, just pulled myself away from him and limited my contact with him. In the past I would lump my mother in there too, even though she had not done or said anything to upset me. I thought I had it all worked out though, they are seperate people Lisa, she has not hurt you, don't pull away from her.....not until Sunday when I was talking on the phone with her did I realize that I have fallen back into my old ways.

OMG Lisa Where have you been? I haven't talked to you or seen you in , OMG I don't even know how long??? Can you bring the kids out on Monday to see me? I don't think I've seen Calla all summer?

So I went and brought my kids and flowers!!! Sorry Mom, remember who you are married too!

Kayne West

Did anyone see it? On NBC Friday night a relief concert for victims of Katrina and Kayne decided he should speak out and tell his side of the story.

"I don't like the way this media in this country portray black people, if you are black you are looting, if you are white you have find food"

This did happen on the AP wire, photographs of African Americans with statements underneath saying "Looters" And in the same hour photographs of white people who "found" food.

"They have given them (the army) permission to shoot us"

This is also true, as we have heard of people being shot this weekend by the relief troops sent to New Orleans.
Now I have mixed emotions of Kayne West doing this in a forum where you are supposed to be helping victims by asking people for money. But I think it needed to be said, this nation is so torn apart because of race, I do not know if we will ever get past it.

"George Bush doesn't like Black people."

Yes, the fact of his works and administration points to the fact that George Bush does indeed not like black people, just like he doesn't like gay and lesbian people and anyone who does not fit into his cult like mindsets.
Would it of been better for Kayne West to write a song about his feelings, yes! Would it of been better for him to just say what was written on the prompter so Mike Meyers could follow and not look stupid, yes! But the fact remains that these are important issues that need to be addressed in this nation and Kayne was brave enough to say it.

Oh and one more thing........while trying to find the transcript to Kayne's off the cuff speech I read alot of people's comments like "who the hell is this guy?" Wake up people, he was just on the cover of Time Magazine's August 29th issue!

My emotions are so jumbled
How could this happen
With many warnings
Help wanted
Levees not strong enough
All in the city knew
Requested assistance
Denied

What has this nation come too
When cities are left
Cities filled with our people
Left to fend on their own
Left on roofs
Left dead in the streets

So easy to blame the government
But is it not us
Who are supposed to keep them in check
Our humanity lost
Washed away like the water
That poured from the sky

OH MY GOSH!!!

I just came back from running some errands and getting gas. I could not believe my eyes when I saw at my local gas station prices.......I always just get the lower grade gas 87% as it is the cheapest. I just about died when I saw it was $3.29 a gallon.

$3.29 per gallon 87%

$3.49 per gallon 90%

$3.69 per gallon for 97%

I put in $25 and it barely went above half a tank, I used to be able to fill the entire tank for about $26-$28. My job is killing me right now with the price of gas, I get only an gas allaowance of $30 a week, I have been putting in double that!!! I am so freaked out right now, I cried when I left the station.

What are all of you paying for gas?

My Favortie Childhood Memories

I have been tagged by Sarah and Dianna so I decided I should do this!


My 5 Favorite Childhoos Memories

1. My Gramma calling me Dolly (she called all the girls this!)
2. Spending days and night at my Gramma's cottage on Silver Lake
3. Birthday parties with all my cousins there (my birthdays and theirs!)
4. Vacationing in Ocean City NJ (right on the beach!)
5. Starting my teddy bear collection (I still have it going!)

Now I am supposed to ask others to do the same.....
Karen and Julie you can give yours!!!