A Day of Remembrance

I had a wonderful Memorial Weekend! I relaxed & enjoyed myself. I slept late, watched tv, and cooked healthy food. I house/dog sat for Kenny & Karla. It was 4 dogs and me. It was pure chaos. The dogs loved running around the house and back yard. It was blissful they could all blow off some energy! If Pongo was not trying to hump Phoebe, he was being fussed at for trying to hump Phoebe. Pongo is like the little old creepy man at the retirement home who tries to hump any female that comes along.

On Friday, I found out I actually do have a real back problem that is causing my back/leg pain. For years, I always thought my back pain was from my weight, but the Doctor said "Nope, it is heredity". So, it's not because I am a Fat Girl that I have back problems, it's simply b/c my back is going to fall off soon! I have to go see a specialist soon, maybe he can save my back! Praise God for giving me a great Doctor who is patient with me. My a1c test came back great.......6 months ago it was a 7.1, and now it is a 5.6. 6.0 or less is in normal blood sugar range! Go Tammy Go!

Memorial Day has always been a great day of remembrance for me. After Sept. 11th, I feel honored to have such Great Men and Women in America who are willing to die so I may have freedom. On Sept. 11th, we lost so many Great People in the Twin Towers. I recently read a book written by Marian Fontana who lost her husband Dave Fontana in one of the Towers. Dave was a Firefighter in NY. Marian wrote about her life as a widow, and how Sept. 11th changed her life forever. I praise God everyday for Marian's Husband, Dave, and the many men like him. How many people did he save to only die himself? How many lives were touched by Dave's hand? (Marian, Thanks so much for a beautiful book. I will truly treasure your words all the days of my life. Thanks for standing up for what you believe in, and showing women every where we can make a difference. Thanks for becoming the President of the 9/11 Widows and Victim's Family Association. I am truly proud of you.) How many lives were touched by Sept. 11th? How many lives will never be the same b/c of Sept. 11th? How many children were affected by Sept. 11th?

How many lives are touched my the war going on now? How many of our loved ones are fighting so we can have freedom? I am a member of a small church in my community, and we even have people in the war zones right now who are loved by a member of our church. I keep reading about the war, and all the great obstacles our military faces each day. We are all touched by the war, we may not know it, but every life has been touched.
I am Honored to call myself an American. I am HONORED to be a part of our countries past, and I am Graced with the opportunity to see our country grow. I am not saying America is perfect. I am saying we are truly blessed to be part of the Greatest Nation on Earth who has thousands of Men and Women who are willing to fight for our lives, freedom, happiness, and families. Lord, Bless, Guide, & Protect our Military, Government officials, and their families left behind. Give them Strength, Comfort, and Peace.

God Bless.

Garage Sales, Pigs, and Kids!

I had a good weekend. I went to Garage Sales with Heather (I had a great time Heather---Thanks)! I found a cute little coffee table. I love it! Heather and I started out with great weather, but by the time we finished it was HOT......real Hot. By the time I got home, I was finished with the Texas Summer.....and it's NOT even summer yet! What am I going to do when temperatures reach 100 degrees?! I will definitely melt! Luke was with us a better part of the morning.....Luke was so good.......We had him in and out of the car several times, and he did great! Good Job Luke! I am glad you like your new desk! Learn lots! Your Mom is a great shopper!
Saturday night, I went to the Bugh's house for a Pig Roast. It was great! I had a really great time with the kids.......especially Camden! Sharon, I think you guys should start renting Camden out! When I first arrived at the Pig Roast, Camden ran up and hugged me, I knew at that moment my heart already melted for this child. Whatever he wanted that evening, if Mom and Dad said no, he could have asked me, and I would have giving him the world! "Camden......you want how many cookies??? Okay, Let's go get you those dozen.......and do you want soda too?"

Hugs & Kisses to Luke and Camden!

Two Scares of a Lifetime in One Day!

For the last several months, everytime I stand for long periods of time my left upper thigh aches, and gets a little numb......Do you know the feeling when your foot falls to sleep and you think you have hundred tiny little needles in your foot?.......and you know the feeling immediately after the needles when your foot is waking up, but it is not completely "up" yet............well, that's what my thigh feels like when I stand for long periods of time. Yesterday, my thigh was numb, as well as a part of my left arm, and part of my left leg. So, I started doing some research on the internet, and totally freaked myself out with my self-diagnosis........In my poor little mind, I was having a full stroke! Well, I drive myself to my friend, Deb's house........so Deb could drive me to the doctors office. Here's a question for you........Why did I drive myself to Deb's house when I thought I was having a stroke? Another stupid moment in my life. Deb and I get to the doctor. Ms. Doctor does a full exam........asking questions, testing my knowledge of today's events, making sure I was aware of life around me, testing my arms & legs, visual test, sound test, and several blood test. Ms. Doctor does not think I was having a stroke (PRAISE to you Lord)......She thinks the reason my left arm & lower leg ached yesterday was caused by fatigue...........She thinks the pain in my thigh is caused by a pinched nerve in my back............However, she can not confirm what is really wrong until I have a MRI on my lower back.

Last night, I am watching the Will & Grace finale. I was relaxed, comfy on the sofa, and enjoying the time to myself when all of the sudden I hear a crash coming from the bathroom. My first reaction/thought was I have to get the dogs out of the house b/c there is someone in my bathroom going to kill us. My next thought was I way to comfy & I am in my pj's, and if someone was in my home waiting to kill me, they would have the fight of their lifetime. My dogs prance to the bathroom to find out what's going on.......and as they were by the bathroom door we heard another crash. I have never seen Phoebe so scared, she ran so fast with her tail in between her legs, jumped on the sofa with me, and she was shaking so much! I finally got brave enough to pick Phoebe up, and we walk to the bathroom. The closer I got to the bathroom the more freaked she got.......I put Phoebe down, and she ran the opposite away. I opened the bathroom door, and my shower curtain rod fell down! I assume the rod fell half way the first time, and completely the second time! No "Stranger Danger" in my house!!!!

Praise to you Lord Jesus for saving my life twice in one day! ;)

Pokeno

Last night, I went to Pokeno at Heather's house! I had a great time! I came home with 3 gifts! It was Great! Heather--Thanks so much for hosting! I am really enjoying meeting so many great women! Praise God for Godly FUN women. I am looking forward to next Month!

Houston or Bust

I drove to Houston over the weekend! My cousin, Tina, graduated from Nursing School! I had a good time. My Parents and PawPaw were in Houston too! It was great to see my family! My Mom and I did not agrue all weekend! Praise God! It was great spending time with everyone! I drove to Houston on Friday. Tina got "pinned" on Friday night, we all went to dinner at Outback Steakhouse, and then back to Tina's house to relax. Saturday, we ate breakfast, shopped so Tina could get everything ready for her graduation Party (the only complaint I had about the weekend was Tina should have completed her "party" shopping so her company (My Parents, PawPaw, and I) should not have had to travel all over Houston for 5 hours shopping for supplies). I had breakfast with my Mom on Mother's Day. It was the first Mother's Day we spent with each other in years. It was Great to hug & kiss her on Mother's Day! She's a great Mom! My first Mother's day without MawMaw was actually okay! I praised and thanked God for MawMaw, and after I finished praying I was okay! Prayer works wonders! I drove back to Dallas on Sunday.........I then went to Kenny's Mom's house to spend some time with my Dallas Family! Sunday was a great day!

Tina and I are so much alike it's eerie at times, but then again we are SO different. Tina listens to Hip-Hop, R& B, Rap, and Soul music. I listen to Christian Rock, Country, Jazz, Blues, Techo, Rave, Easy Listening, and some classical. Since it was Tina's Party, she played the music she likes (which is how the party should be)........By the time I left her Party, I was READY to leave! I can not stand to listen to LOUD music I do not like. It was good to see Tina have a great time with her friends! She deserves to be happy the day of her Party! Tina is a great nurse. God, I ask Blessings and Guidance for Tina as she enters into the Nursing World!

At my company we are hosting a convention this week, so as a perk the office did not open until 9:30am! It was great getting so much done this morning! I could really get use to working 9:30am until 4pm!

I have so much to do this week.........I am really looking forward to Wednesday & Thursday nights.........I have two girls nights in one week! Dinner with my Sorority Sisters on Wednesday, and Pokeno on Thursday!

God Bless!

Mother's Day

What has been your Favorite Mother's day?
Does your Husband get you something special for Mother's day?

Weekend Plans & Question of the day

I had a great weekend. Friday night, I went to dinner with the Harpers......and back to their house to discuss VBS. I am excited to help decorate for VBS. Heather and I are going to have a good time decorating! Saturday, I worked at Sonic as a fundraiser for my Sorority! Sunday was church most of the day! All in All, it was a great weekend! I really enjoyed myself catching up with old friends..............

Question of the day: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Hopes & Dreams

When you were a child:

What did you want to do when you grew up?

Did you want kids?

Did you dream about your wedding day? If so, was your wedding day everything you hoped for?

What type of career did you want?

Texas Heat

Before I moved to Texas, no one warned me about the Texas HEAT! If I knew then what I know now, I would have moved to a State where the temperature was comfortable all year long! The closer Summer approaches the more I dread the Hot Weather.
When I got home after work yesterday, I walked the dogs......It was getting pretty warm...Thank Goodness the wind was blowing. I re-potted a plant and swept the patio! By the time I was finished, I felt way to hot to do anything else! Simply, it's not going to be a pretty summer for me! I am guessing from June 15th to Sept. 1st I am going to be the AC.
It's funny, but the older I get the more I love being outside, but the more I hate like the heat. Since I am so fair complexed, I burn so easily, the heat and sun completely wear me down......I love being in the pool......So, if you are looking for me........Come and Find me in the Pool!

Weekends are never long enough.

My "New" Life style change can be difficult at times, and can be extremely easy at times. The longer I go on the cea-how program it becomes easier, but I do have difficult moments. Last Night after I had dinner, I could have eaten a whole chocolate cake accompanied with a whole gallon of chocolate ice cream! Instead of my chocolate feast, I had a little cup of sugar-free jello! It sure did not do the trick, but at least it helped with my sweet tooth!

My Saturday was getting my oil changed, walking the dogs, laundry, getting "beautiful" to start my day, walmart, horse races, racing back home to change to go to a banquet, taking the dogs out, finally arriving at the banquet a little late, going out for dessert (but I only had water) with friends after the banquet, driving home from my friends house, walking the dogs, and sleep at about Midnight!

My Sunday was walking the dogs, getting "beautiful" to start my day, drive to church at 8:30a, Sunday School at 9:30am, helping with a baptizism, the sermon, running to get lunch, a meeting at church on VBS at 12:30p, took the dogs out, finish the laundry, napping for an hour, driving to church, the sermon, grocery store, home, cooked dinner, watched TV, took the dogs out, and sleep at about Midnight.

NO wonder I am exhausted everyday, and NO wonder why I never think I rest on the weekends!

This coming weekend I am resting, watching movies, and cleaning up! This week is even going to be pretty slow.........I am looking forward to a little down time!


God Bless!

Child Slavery.......What we should know....

At work, every January my team has a competition to see who can lose the most weight.....whoever loses what they say they will lose goes to the BIG LOSER Luncheon. Since I lost 27 lbs, I went to Lunch on Monday with all the Losers! It was a great lunch!
Tuesday, we had an off site lunch meeting.

Wednesday, we had our Women's quarterly luncheon...............The speaker at the Women's luncheon spoke on a topic most of us are unfamiliar about........The topic was on Sex Slaves/Child Trafficking. The average child who is abducted into sexual slavery is between 11 and 13......it's mostly girls who are abducted. The children are abducted all over the world, even right in our backwards. The abductors are using several different approaches to take our children away from us. The abductors tell some of the children they will have better lives away from their families, they will become famous, etc. One of the biggest way a child is abducted is via the internet. Pop-up adds for Porn sites come up constantly when children are researching or playing on the internet. Parents, I urge you to closely monitor ALL of your child's activity on the computer. Please don't be a friend to your child, PARENT them.......Make it a point to know their friends, the Parents of their friends, all of your Child's passwords on the computer for email, blogs, games, etc. Please never divulge too much information on the internet. The information someone has on you or your child means they are ONE step closer to finding you. If you would like more information on human trafficking please go to www.sharedhope.org.

Peace be with you........In God's Grace I stand,
Tammy

Girl's Night IN

On Saturday, we had a Girls Night In while the Guys went out! The Girls had a great time! I really did not want to the Girls Night In, b/c I did not want to deal with all the kids running around and causing havoc. To my surprise, I had a GREAT time! It was great holding Allison or Abigail, and playing with the big kids! When Jillian came running up to me just to give me a hug and kiss, it was joyous! When I hold a newborn, it brings such peace to my life. I look forward to the day I have my children. Honesty, I fear having children b/c they do not stay newborns forever. I have come up with a solution to my little fear! Once my children are eating solid foods, and are beginning the toddler stage, I am shipping to the Biel family. They already have 5 kids.........what's a couple more, right?!????!!

The Facts of Life......

It's amazing how quickly life passes before you.......It's amazing when a smell takes you back to the Good Ole Days! I used White Rain hairspray this morning for the first time in years. My Grandparents have always used White Rain. My MawMaw always said it was the best hair spray.
I keep remembering my childhood, and all the time I spent with my Grandparents. I have a picture of my Grandparents on my computer I see everyday. It was taken on 02/27/04. Who would have ever thought 2 years later we would have been at my MawMaw's funeral? This morning I was remembering all the great times I had with MawMaw. She was truly a great Lady........She was also a little on the crazy side, but then again I think that's where my Mom and I get it from! ;)

Praise God for Grandparents.

I hate it......

Here's a list of things I dislike/hate:

I hate going to the dentist.

I hate driving in the city (people do not know how to drive).

I hate being so fair complexed that I burn everytime I am in the sun.

I hate when people where socks & sandals together.

I hate it when people where black shocks while wearing shorts!

I hate when people dominate the conversation (b/c I want to dominate it).

I hate when people judge me before they know me.

I hate being on a diet.

I hate feeling lost.

I hate feeling needy.

I hate needles.

I hate having to budget my money.

I hate dating.

I hate living in Dallas when the temperatures are over 95 degrees.

I hate when I fall asleep in church.

I hate it when people think they are better than me.

I hate when people compare themselves to me.

I hate that I compare myself to people.

I hate taking out the trash, and doing yard work.

I hate that it took me 2 years to figure out how to use the TV, DVD, and VCR player together.

I hate not being able to pick up the phone to call an old friend.

I hate when I see my ex.

I hate when I feel like I have no time to myself.

I hate mornings.

I hate over-committing myself.

I hate when bad food (normally the great tasting food) is always the worst food for you.

I hate when the good food for you is so much more expensive than the bad food.

I hate that I am single.

I hate picking up dog poop.

I hate rude people.

I hate it when I do something stupid in my car and get caught doing it (i.e. I love dancing or singing in my car, but everytime I seem to get my groove on I feel someone staring at me---BUSTED again).

I hate shopping at Christmas time.

I hate when I have to ask someone for directions a hundred times before I actually remember how to get to their home.

I hate trying on clothes.

I hate laundry.

I hate when I start projects at home, but never seem to finish them.

I hate when I have blonde moments!

I Love it..........

Here's a list of things I Love:


I love my birthday.

I love making people laugh.

I love Saturday and Sunday Mornings when I can read a book, drink coffee or hot tea, and have country music playing in the background

I love driving on road trips.......I love road trips.

I love getting home in the afternoon from work to see my dogs after a long day at the office.

I love people watching (people are so weird).

I love having a clean house.

I love the Moment of Silence at church before one of my Pastors prays.

I love being in invited to events.

I love planning events.

I love going to Estate Sales or garage sales.

I love Christmas.

I love the guitar, sax, and the piano.

I love being outside when the weather is beautiful.

I love hearing a child's laughter.

I love watching children grow so quickly.

I love traveling.

I love sleeping when it's raining outside.

I love reading.

I love TV.

I love cooking (when I have time).

I love having girl's nights out.

I love talking to my family, and visiting them.

I love tulips.

I love talking about the "old days" when my responsiblities were so much less.

I love making new memories with my friends & family.

I love meeting new people.

I love MEN!

I love having crushs.

I love being single.

I love holding a newborn.

I love the beach and the mountains.

I love book club.

I love a great glass of wine.

I love losing weight.

I love watching movies.

I love shopping.

I love dating.

I love taking pictures.

I love having a direct view of the sand volleyball court, and the pool from my apartment.

I love the colors purple, forest green, pink, and black.

I love my cute little apartment.

I love flirting.

I love my red curly hair.

I love being fair complexed.

I love my church.

I love ice cream.

I love a great bowl of gumbo.

I love popeyes fried chicken.

I love Pizza.

I love when I can trust someone.

I love that my Parents are both Christians.

I love it when my Faith in Christ Jesus grows everyday!

I love blogging.

About me....

Accent -- Everyone else has an accent......I do not have one!
Booze of choice -- Bourbon
Chore I hate -- Laundry
Dog or cat? – Dogs
Essential electronics --Remote Control
Favorite cologne -- Rapture by Victoria Secrets.
Gold or silver? -- Gold!
Insomnia? -- Not ususally
Job title -- Ruler of the Underworld
Kids? --Do 4 legged kids count?
Living arrangement -- Rent a cute little apartment
Most admired trait -- My hair or my Laugh
Overnight hospital stays -- 2 times when I was an infant
Phobia -- Death
Quote --4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13
Siblings -- 1 brother.
Time I wake up -- 5 to 5:30a.
Unusual talent/skill -- Do I have talents?
Vegetable I refuse to eat -- brussel sprouts, beets, collard or mustard greens (Gross).
Worst habit -- Watching too much TV
Yummy foods I make -- Gumbo
Zodiac sign -- Aquarius

Easter Fun!

Easter weekend was so fun-filled & exciting I wish I could have one more day off! Friday, I went to Dallas Blooms with my friends Deb & Robert! The day was Gorgeous......it was the perfect day......not too hot & not too cold! Deb, Robert and I sat down for about an hour just enjoying each other company, taking in the scenery, and people watching! I just love people watching at public events! People are so very strange, I love them all! Saturday, I went to my Church's Easter Egg Hunt! My friends who organized the Hunt did an amazing job! We even had people who are not members of our church come to the Hunt! It was great seeing new faces. The children really had lots of fun! Sunday was Easter! Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. Thanks for your amazing gift! I Love & Honor you always! I went to Church on Sunday. Pastor Bruce preached on Hope! Bruce's sermon was wonderful! After church, I went over to the Biel House for lunch & games! I had an amazing time at the Biel's! I learned how to play a new game.......It's called Farkel. Doesn't the word Farkel sound absolutely dirty?! It was a really fun game!
I pray every one had a Happy Easter!

Friendships & Dating

How do you tell a friend you are interested in you want to be more than friends? I have thought about this for weeks now, and I can not seem to come up with an answer that does not make me look like a teenager or just a complete idiot! HELP!

Hoppy Easter!

The Easter Weekend is one of my favorite weekends. It's a great time to reflect on the amazing Gift God gave to me. Praise to God for asking his only Son to die such a horrible death so I may have eternal life! Glory to God in Heaven, and Peace to his Children on Earth!

My weekend is going to be filled with lots of great things! Tonight, the men in my church are acting out "The Living Last Supper". I love this performance. It's a little long, but at times it truly brings me to tears. I am actually doing the make-up for the play tonight. I wonder how many of the men I can actually make look like a woman!
Tomorrow, I am going to the Dallas Blooms at the Arboretum! It's one of my favorite events to attend in Dallas.
Sunday afternoon, I am going over to the Biel's house to spend Easter Sunday with my "adopted" family in Dallas. We are going to eat, and play games. One of my favorite things to do is play Mexican train or chicken foot with the crazy Biel's.

I pray everyone has a great Easter Weekend!

God Bless!

Is Today really Monday?

My weekend was great. Friday night, I went to dinner with some friends. After dinner, I went home and took a long needed bath. It was blissful, and so relaxing! Saturday night, the girls and I had a girl's night out! We painted pottery, and went to dinner.....It was a great night, and I can not wait to do it again soon. I remember when my nights would consist of going out to a club, and drinking and dancing the night away. I loved those days. If I actually had friends who still went clubbing I would go.......but most of my friends are married with children, or in committed relationships . What I need is a great Single Friend, and a Great Gay Friend who still likes to "go out". OR What I actually want is Boyfriend for myself! Any takers? I will be taking applications Sunday thru Saturday 9am until 10pm. Please send any Single Males my Way.

I can not believe Easter is this Sunday! It seems like Christmas was only yesterday! I am off on Good Friday.......I maybe going to the Ft. Worth Zoo. I love going to the zoo.
Since Easter is Sunday, does your family have any special traditions for Easter?