The Story of My Life

Well, gnome or leprechaun??? As I posted, previously, our family has always been creative, game-playing, prankstery and fun. (Well, some of us....) And a little crazy, but that is another post entirely. That fun factor has included a gnome factor as well. I think this is a gnome, just dressed for St. Patrick's Day already. Anyways, I do not know who left him for me, nor why.(Although I do have 2 prime suspects....who blame each other...) Perhaps he is a good luck charm for our new home. Perhaps he will go on an excursion to explore Helena to search out more gnomes. Isn't it ironic that I would end up moving to the gnome capital of the world??? ....See map- borrowed from Hewy's gnome friendly blog . This is another gnome game that was recently started. After my daughter's birthday party, Lucky was perched in my guest bathroom on the sink, nicely sitting on a folded piece of toilet paper. No note, no nothing. So, Lucky is watching over my yard, awaiting St. Patrick's ...

The Journey January 2008/Print 1 of Pathways Collection A Tribute to my Heritage 9 More to Follow Limited Edition Generations Lithograph Now accepting Orders. Available in Fine Art Finishes and Gallery Wraps. Numbered Print/Limited quantity Available 8X10 or 16X2o Print 16X20 Gallery Wrap 16X20 Framed Print on Canvas Notecards –Bookmarks–Puzzles http://www.charnitasxpressions.com/ Family Heirloom Portraits You may also order your custom prints using your family heirlooms. ((This series is being created with my family heirlooms in creative settings especially for our family. Designed to decorate my heirloom/geneaology/antique room. The hat was my Grandad's that he gave my son before he passed away. The Heavenly Highway Hymnal was my great-grandathers,my PaPaws- complete with his signature in pencil on the front cover.))

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away . Memory is a child walking along a seashore. You never can tell what small pebble it will pick up and store away among its treasured things. ~Pierce Harris, Atlanta Journal Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. ~Elizabeth Stone (With my first post of the day being gloomy, I did not feel completed until I found a happy note on which to end my blogging song of the day.Photography by me...)

I have said before that I was scared of the world our children will be living in. I really didn't mean in a technological sense..... Technology and the modern life are wonderful. I am a huge computer geek- all things "techie" and I agree that it makes our life more productive and fun. I know there are many dark sides to the Internet, but have recently witnessed some things first hand that really have disturbed me. They were such serious situations involving the inter-tangling of technology and feelings and lives... So I wanted to put out a few words of caution to the parents out there whose children spend hours on the Internet- not looking at porn, just doing the normal my space, instant messaging thing. We know not to let our children out of our sight in public places. We feel that they are safe in our homes, we walk by and look over their shoulder, see no profanity or nudity and assume all is OK. But they are out of our sight and in a world full of people, just as it we...

A Fun Valentine Swap..... Click the above link for more info..... What is your idea of a romantic Valentine’s Day? At a warm beach destination (see favorite spots....), soaking up sun- relaxing dinner- quiet time together when we can actually talk to each other. In reality, what is your Valentine’s Day really like? Just like every other busy day with 2 kids- except for I get a card. If you could have a lifetime supply of your favorite sweet indulgence, what would it be? Herhsey's Chocolate (with Almonds) Is there any sweet treat you absolutely do not like? No, but I prefer chocolate to any thing else in the world. If you fell into a pool of chocolate, how would you get out? Inhale!!!!! Lick!!!! Enjoy.

I am really not a very political person. I am not really sure if I am a Republican . I took a quiz that said I was a Libertarian. I read a poll by the American Family people and I know I am not a Democrat. Watching the state of the union address was really strange, because I usually do not do it. I like George W. Bush. I liked him more several years ago, but you know, he really does not govern our land all by himself. I think he has made hard choices in spite of the bad situations-- what he feels are good, honest choices. No, I do not agree with everything in our nation, but overall, I am OK with what he has done with what he was given. I think every American president will be disliked by, unapproved of , and disagreed with by half of the people. Is he glossing over the real issues- probably. Was it all abunch of fluff to make his points before a new person is elected.....probably. I am probably very conservative compared to most. I am a Christian. I have never really referred to mysel...

You Gotta Love The Circus!!! And the $12.00 SnowCones in Tiger Glasses. Yes, it is all over her. Sally liked the clowns, but was scared of the tigers and trapeze artists. Fred liked it all- except the fact that his $7 in his wallet would not buy him anything else. Cotton Candy was $12.00, too! 7 Motorcycles going fast in the huge ball, tigers standing and waving.....Amazing stuff.

My Black Belt man did an awesome job at his testing today. He always does..... I was so proud of him. Such strength and confidence. I am so thankful for him.

Bloggers are playing a game! A fun way to learn about each other. I was tagged by Leigh and I am tagging someone else. 1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE ? Yes, 2 people. My mother was a teacher. I was named after 2 of her favorite students,Charlene/Juanita- the year I was born. 2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Last night 3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Of course, I have teacher handwriting. 4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? turkey 5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? 2 6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Yes, I am a loyal friend. 7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? quite a bit 8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes, althoug I am missing other parts. 9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? NO WAY! I am afraid of heights. 10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Special K Red Berries 11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? I do not have a single pair that tie....is that weird? And believe me I have lots of shoes...... 12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Yes, mentally, spiritually but not phys...

After a several month long quest, I got GREAT seats to the Atlanta Bon Jovi Concert!!!!! Talk about making my Friday!!!!!! Making my year!!!! May 1st !!!! I plan on making a day of if, wearing leather and doing the whole groupie thing! Taking the camera in hopes of amazing shots..... And a special thanks to my wonderful husband for buying me the tickets. I know it is just to get me to hush about it, but who cares the reason. Happy, Happy, Happy Friday!!! Is who you think you are, who you want to be???? UPDATE....UPDATE...... I Pre-bought with My wonderful husbands AmEx, not 4, but 8 tickets, with the explaination to him that I would sell 4 to make money. Well......I thought. What better way to celebrate my 40th year alive than with my 7 favorite people to share Bon Jovi with.I called upon my best friends in life...... The Queen, The Coach, The Shrink, My Roomie/Cousin, My old Rick Springfield groupie, my favorite sis and my favorite neice. In no particular order, except for the Queen m...

Friday Favorite Spot Snorkeling and Diving Grand Cayman Island I LOVE the water!!! I think I could be a pirate and move here. This was our 2nd trip to Grand Cayman and this time we took the chilldren- who adored it as much as we did. Sun, Umbrella Drinks, shopping, pirate adventures, Hard Rock Cafe, amazing tropical fish in sparkling blue water. Ok. I will stop now. Five For Friday 1. Count your blessings and tell your children you love them... Maybe your spouse too. Make plans to attend a church of your choice with the ones you love this Sunday. Count your blessings again.--- I know this is actually 3. 2. Take 15 minutes alone and quiet to reflect on your life. I am sure it will turn out better than you think. If it does, say a prayer of thanksgiving. If it doesn't, think about how you can change things to make them better. 3. Write 3 funny things in your children's baby book or scrapbook. We forget way too quickly. 4. Look up your favorite song lyrics online. Print them out....

Just as I was getting into the blog, I have been sick. I suffer from a yucky disease known as Crohn's ....and it is no fun. It reared its ugly head over the last several weeks - actually months. I have been fairly blessed- for many with the disease are in far worse shape than I. I was diagnosed with the disease 15 years ago. I have had one surgery in 1997 and suffered very little since then. After the birth of my daughter in 2004, I began to get a little sicker and it has progressed ever so slightly since. I must say how blessed I feel that I was able to have 2 amazingly healthy pregnancies and be mostly healthy to raise my miracles. I have been hospitalized several times since August, had my gall bladder out, was on liquids for 4 weeks and a day surgery to open a blockage in my intestines. While I have to say I loved the weight loss--- the method was not my preferred. I had a healthy Christmas and ate lots after the procedure..... Just had a slight set back over the weekend. Saw m...

The Gnome was found by a fellow blogger with a gnome obsession. Oh Well..... I am not as upset as Leigh.

Well, my family acquiesced to my obsessive desires and went on a Helena Gnome Hunt with me today after church. If you do not know what i am talking about....check out my fellow Helena blogger's creatitivity at No Sleep in Helena. At our wonderful Sunday lunch out, I told them all about the hunt ingeniously created by Hewy, the lost gnome and my intention for a family outing as soon as we were done with our meal. We hurried home, changed clothes, looked at the video and all the pictures for clues and headed out. Even Daddy went, which is a rare occasion for him to partake in my foolishness...... Sally kept calling it our hunt for Santa Clause. Fred, my son, complained because he wanted to go play with friends. He was shamed into coming. But as soon as we got there, his inborn obsessive-compulsive, competitve nature kicked in and he was hooked. To beat it all, the reluctant participant Fred found a 5 Dollar BILL!!! He was kicking leaves and getting into mud as all boys do when affor...

Well, I have lived in Alabama all my life (except for the aforementioned vacation for several years to Florida)--- and snow is a rare occasion. Only every 15 years or so do we get any to accumulate. My son went to sleep with the radar pulled up on his computer and was so excited. Determined to wait up for the snow. He awoke early to find NO SNOW. He was so disappointed. He continued to read the radar and came back and said we were covered in blue and a big blob was still out there. He is a meterologist!!!! As accurate as any when it comes to Alabama snow. Pretty soon snow was falling hard and continued to do so for awhile. Long enough for me to get some great Snow shots. Now is is just past noon and the fun and the snow is over....gone as quickly as it came. It was beautiful while it lasted, and like most good things in life- was gone too quickly. Alabama Sleds----- We have plenty of beach stuff.... so these boys found a hill and put it to use! Life passes by too fast..... just like th...

I THINK YOU'RE THE FATHER OF ONE OF MY KIDS... A guy goes to the supermarket and notices an attractive woman waving at him. She says hello. He's rather taken back because he can't place where he knows her from. So he says, "Do you know me?" To which she replies, "I think you're the father of one of my kids." Now his mind travels back to the only time he has ever been unfaithful to his wife and says, "My God, are you the stripper from my bachelor party that I made love to on the pool table with all my buddies watching while your partner whipped my butt with wet celery???" She looks into his eyes and says calmly, "No, I'm your son's teacher."

I love Fridays ! The excitement of having made it through one more week. The remnants of high school excitement when you get ready for your big night of fun with your friends or your sweetheart. Spelling tests, Pep-rallies and ballgames, sleep-overs.... skating rinks, hanging out at the parking lot, parties.....rolling yards....mischief...... When you are grown up, Fridays are more of a winding down than a cranking up! Relaxing..... No homework, no bedtimes, no baths even... watching movies, eating pizza.... Eating out, staying up late, anticipating to sleep in. So today, remember the reckless fun you used to have and be thankful for the peaceful excitement you have now. Enjoy your family now without forgetting all the crazy Friday nights it took you to make it this far. Five for Friday 1. Contact an old friend and reminisce. 2. Contact a new friend and get to know him/her a little better. 3. Listen to some music from high school. ( I intend to hear John Bon Jovi all day....old and ne...

The birthday party post got me started thinking about the "Al's Pizza." My husband is a much better cook than me--not just pizza, but all things. (Let's just say that I can make anything...as long as it is on the computer. My kitchen skills are terrible, and have not improved in the 18 years we have been married.) But, he says he didn't marry me for my cooking! Thank goodness. So he is passing the gift of his culinary skills on to my children. The restaurant was a dream of my husband's....and he usually follows through with his ideas rather quickly....one of the things I love about him. Where most people just think about things for a long, long time....my husband does them in record speed. So, behold, he wanted to own his own pizza place. He cooked pizza for months, ordered samples shipped via FedEx in dry ice from his favorite Chicago places. We even visited Chicago to try it in person. It was all good to me, but he was perfecting the recipe. Finally he made ...

I have been thinking about my blog and what to write. I, of course, started with my children. Sally just turned 4 and we had her party this weeke nd. Here is the birthday girl... then and now. My how time flies. We had a huge party with family and friends and she wanted to have it at home. Believe me it is the last time we will have a party at home. We had 2 cakes- a huge Star Mountain Dora one- chocolate. Then a regular sheet cake, white with strawberry filling, exactly as the birthday princess ordered. All her neighborhood and lifelong friends came as well as her cousins and aunts. Auntie Marci made Sally the cutest birthday dress and she was so excited....up at 6AM. PawPaw was smart and waited until after the party and came for dinner. Most of the family hung around for dinner- Tortuga's . ( In case you didn't know, the pizza is the best we have found here). Well the best, except for my husband's. AlabamaAl, originally from Chicago, has PERFECTED the Chicago style pizza ...

I have been inspired by some local bloggers to begin my own. I have been a stay home mom since we moved here and I have learned so much about our community by the local bloggers. I decided to start my own. I will tell about our day to day life- my 2 children- Fred, who is 8- a black belt in TKD and a Sk8ter boy, and Sally, the 4 year old drama queen, I mean princess. My husband, Alabama Al, has called them those nicknames their whole lives. I am getting together photographs, rather sorting through thousands to choose some- to post soon. I do portraits and have a photography business...or had one in Florida where we lived- and hope to begin one here in my new home.