One morning I get into work and I have an email form my husband, in remarks it said MY WIFE.  I was expecting to open up some joke that he had sent me, all it said was I Love You!

This is so unlike my husband, I was so taken by this one little moment in time that I started to cry.

Upon calling him and saying thank you, he asks for what and I say for the email, he simply said, "Well you know I do"

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

Growing up, I always wanted a cat.  My mom not being a cat lover - it was never going to happen, so I had a pretend cat and 4 kittens.  These pets/friends went EVERYWHERE with me in a wicker basket.

One year 1974-1975, we went on vacation to Six Flags in St Louis, MO.  We were getting ready in the hotel room one morning and I had set them on the edge of the bed, so I knew where they were.  Well my dad had to put on his shoes, and he sat right on them - me witenssing the WHOLE thing.  I was devasted and to the day my grandmother died she always remembered the time I came home from St Louis and told her about "daddy killing my cats".

It sounds tragic, but reading about imaginary friends, I have read that when it is time for them to go and we are ready - we let go, so I guess I did - IN A BIG WAY!

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

It is funny now, however when I was younger - it was not funny to me anyway.

I do not know if any of you remember, but there was a doll out when my mom was little- so you are talking 1940-1950 that was all made out of material, one end had a white head and arms , and when you flipped dress over, it was black head and arms.

Anytime my brothers and sister (me being baby - 7,8,9 yrs difference in us) did not want me around- they would flip the doll - I would freak and go running.  They got in trouble everytime, but thought it was the funniest thing.

To this day, I would like to know what happened to that doll, my mom does not even knwo where it is - cause I would LOVE to have it now!

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

I have always said that people need to be tested before becoming parents. All boys and girls should automatically be put on birth control measures that is full proof and reversible and then when proven they can be fit parents, then we can reverse it.

I tried to adopt a kitten from Petsmart for my daughter one time, and since I only wanted one, and did not have another cat already at home, they would NOT let me adopt one.  However, people like this can have a baby, and have something like this happen - the sadder thing, is the child service center will give the child back with the saying "It is better for a child to be with it's natural parents."

Poor baby!

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

I go through that everytime my in-laws are here from IL.  They disregard how we raise our kids and do as they please - now that is fine with my husband, but if my mother was to do it - OH MY GOSH would the world explode.

From my experience a child is the product of its enviroment and knows, enen as young as Simon, who and what he can get away with.  After they leave, it will be an adjustment, but not for long.

My kids try it after the in-laws leave, but not for long.

Good Luck - keep us posted!

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

When I was about 9 or 10, my oldest brother was out of high school, working and still living at home.  Well, since he was not going to college, my parents started charging him rent.

I was so nervous, summer coming and all, I went over to my grandparents one day and asked if my Grandpa could drive me to the local paper so I could get a paper route.

My Grandpa, of course asked me why, my response was "I need a job, mom and dad are going to make me pay rent like Mark since I will be out of school soon."

I have never seen my Grandpa laugh so hard, my parents were mortified.

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

1.  Sixteen Candles is my all time favortie.

 What girl who grew up in the 80's could not relate with Sam . . ..

2.  Sweet Home Alabama

Cheesy - Cheesy I know, but gotta love it when the romance wins out!

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

Soapnet is the best thing e...

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

It is an amazing stadium - been to a game and the Rolling Stones concert there.

Great Pics!

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

I to was one of THOSE girls - but the thing there - half the stuff my mom said no, and if she wouldn't have my dad sure would have!

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

Best Moment:

Winter 1979!

The BIG one hit my hometown, Galesburg, IL.  Lived next to the Catholic School and with the drifts, the snow was as tall as the buildinig!  We dug a tunnel into the door area and had the hugest - neatest fort ever!

Coldest Moment:

Winter 1996  - the year I moved to FL. Between the temp and the wind chill, I drove away from my parents house with it being -55 degrees.

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

I have heard this, never tried it, I am very head strong against it.

My husband has a brother that is product of fetal alcohol sydrome and would never have taken that chance.  However I know one, is not suppose to hurt, but I just did not want that chance.

I know my so called mother-in-law drank like a fish when pregnant with him, however no one has ever determined this, but they have no explanation either for his facial deformaties, outlandish behavior, etc. I was the "bad" in law when I asked about this when pregnant with my first.  One ? doctors ask is about deformaties running in families - I had to know.  My mother-in-law (husband'ds step mother) finally told me this was her thought why also, but again father-in-law would never admit to it either.

Still to this day - after over 10 years, have only seen my husband's real mother twice - and still drinking like a fish!  We do not want that enviroment around our kids.

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau

Keri - thank you for sharing and THANK you for the job you do!  It takes a special person to be able to go in do there job - no matter how hard and not take personal until later!

People who drink and drive do not think about anyone but themselves - saying it will NEVER happen to me! 

In my younger days, pre kids - I admit I was one of those people, being from a small town.  However, I was lucky enough to work as a 911 operator, and all my guys would come in check on me, if I had a good (bad) night  - they would take me home.  I love each and everyone of them for it, as I do not know if I would be here without them. 

Now with kids, we rarely go out because me thinking of the other person and what if they hit us like the poem says - I want to be there for my kids!

We will be out on New Year's Eve - in LA at the Orangedrop.  However, we are going as guest of a band that is performing and will be riding in limos provided.  And even though there will be a DD, I will still only drink a few, maybe the toast at midnight.

Now that I am older it is not "as fun" and it takes longer to recoup the next day!  I have more fun with a soda and watching the other's make a complete #$$ out of themselves.

Hope you have a slow night, however I know it will be busy - try to catch some ZZZ's when you can!

Denise
"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame"
-Henry David Thoreau