Momma of 5

Nothing to Fear

2012-02-10T11:30:00.001-07:00

There's nothing to fear --- you're as good as the best,
As strong as the mightiest, too.
You can win in every battle or test;
For there's no one just like you.
There's only one you in the world today;
So nobody else, you see,
Can do your work in as fine a way:
You're the only you there'll be !

So face the world, and all life is yours
To conquer and love and live:
And you'll find the happiness that endures
In just the measure you give;
There's nothing too good for you to possess,
Nor heights where you cannot go:
Your power is more than belief or guess ---
It is something you have to know.

There is nothing to fear --- you can and you will.
For you are the invincible you.
Set your foot on the highest hill ---
There's nothing you cannot do.

-- Author Unknown

Lost Minds in Canada

2012-02-07T00:38:00.000-07:00

It's official.

Winter has been unkind to American's living in Canada. As for Keith, the lone Canadian, he has no excuse.

He just lost it, because.

Spring. Beautiful Spring.

C'mon!!

Cassidy and Keith...bonding?

Here it is. I joined them. I was always such a follower.

That was our fun.
I slept thru the super bowl.
When the Cowboys aren't in it, who cares?!

Blessings from the frigid frozen north~

Letter to God

2012-02-05T03:10:00.001-07:00

A man worked in a post office. His job was to process all mail that had illegible addresses. One day a letter came to his desk, addressed in shaky handwriting to God. He thought, "I better open this one and see what it's all about." So he opened it and it read: "Dear God, I am a 83 year old widow living on a very small pension. Yesterday someone stole my purse. It had a hundred dollars in it which was all the money I had until my next pension check."

"Next Sunday is Mother's Day, and I had invited my last two friends over for dinner. Without that money, I have nothing to buy food with." "I have no family to turn to, and you are my only hope. Can you please help me?" The postal worker was touched, and went around showing the letter to all the others. Each of them dug into his wallet and came up with a few dollars. By the time he made the rounds, he had collected 96 dollars, which they put into an envelope and sent over to her.

The rest of the day, all the workers felt a warm glow thinking of the nice thing they had done. Mother's Day came and went, and a few days later came another letter from the old lady to God. All the workers gathered around while the letter was opened. It read, "Dear God, How can I ever thank you enough for what you did for me?" "Because of your generosity, I was able to fix a lovely dinner for my friends. We had a very nice day, and I told my friends of your wonderful gift. " "By the way, there was 4 dollars missing. It was no doubt those thieving bastards at the post office!!!!!!

Blessings from the happy frigid frozen north~

One of those days...

2012-02-03T16:13:00.001-07:00

BLT Pasta Salad...mmm

2012-01-31T23:38:00.001-07:00

BLT Pasta Salad

12 ounce corkscrew shaped pasta
1/2 cup milk
12 ounces lean bacon
3 medium ripe tomatoes, cut into chunks
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
1 clove garlic, minced
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup mayo (i used 1/4 cup mayo and 1/4 cup greek yogurt)
1/4 cup sour cream
4 tablespoons chopped chives
5 heads Bibb lettuce, quartered, or 5 cups chopped romaine hearts
Directions
Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water as the label directs. Drain and toss with the milk in a large bowl; set aside.
Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crisp. Drain on paper towels. Discard all but 3 tablespoons drippings from the pan. Add the tomatoes, thyme and garlic to the pan and toss until warmed through; season with salt and pepper. Crumble the bacon into bite-size pieces; set aside 1/4 cup for garnish. Toss the remaining bacon and the tomato mixture with the pasta.
Mix the mayonnaise, sour cream and 3 tablespoons chives with the pasta until evenly combined. Season with salt and pepper. Add the lettuce; toss again to coat. Garnish with the reserved bacon and the remaining 1 tablespoon chives. Serve at room temperature.

Yummy's

2012-01-30T21:45:00.002-07:00

Dip Strawberries in Yogurt & Freeze, and You Get This Amazing Snack!

Family Love Time

2012-01-29T13:54:00.000-07:00

My "little" brother Cody and his beautiful family.

Cody & Gina "the looker"

Foster "Head" Nephew

Juliet "only girl" Niece

Roman "mini Cody" Nephew

Phoenix "bringing up the rear" Nephew

All the Kids

Perfectly Loved Family

Nectar of the Gods

2012-01-28T13:20:00.000-07:00

Caffeine is my shepherd; I shall not doze.
It maketh me to wake in green pastures:
It leadeth me beyond the sleeping masses.
It restoreth my buzz:
It leadeth me in the paths of consciousness for its name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of addiction,
I will fear no Equal:
For thou art with me; thy cream and thy sugar they comfort me.
Thou preparest a carafe before me in the presence of The Starbucks:
Thou anointest my day with pep; my mug runneth over.
Surely richness and taste shall follow me all the days of my life:
And I will dwell in the House of Mochas forever.
~Author Unknown

You haven't had enough coffee until you can thread a sewing machine while it's running.
~Jeff Bezos

Ok...You get it, right? I.love coffee. I need coffee. It needs me. (This is what all "addicts" say isn't it?)
When I was young I couldn't stand coffee. Tasted like ground, bitter dung or something to that effect. Then I had children and I learned to drink it not because of the taste but because I needed my eyelids to stay open at inhuman hours.Times 5 kids. It's a wonder I still know my name. Wait...what is my name?
Now I am middle aged, going to be a first time grandmother in a few months, and I love coffee. That's how addiction rears it's ugly head.
To that ugly head I offer a CHEERS...with my coffee cup!

It's snowing today. Yesterday it had rained and melted the previous snow but now it's snowing again. It is just wet, dreary and frigid outside. Guess what I'm going to do?
Coffee.
Blog.
Pinterest.
Bake my chicken for dinner.
COFFEE.

Notice the trend?

I hope wherever you are the love of Christ surrounds you and keeps your soul warm, today and always.

Whatever you do....have a coffee for goodness sakes!

Blessings from the frigid frozen north~

Somebodies~

2012-01-27T23:53:00.000-07:00

Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle~christian larson

Blessings from the frigid frozen north~

Life's Little Musings

2012-01-26T11:54:00.000-07:00

Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.

Life is sexually transmitted.

Health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.

Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day; teach a person to use the Internet
and they won't bother you for weeks.

Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing...

Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.

Why does a slight tax increase cost you two hundred dollars and a substantial tax cut
saves you thirty cents?

In the 60's people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird and
people take Prozac to make it normal.

Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realize that
it bears a very close resemblance to the first.

You've read about all those Terrorists most of them came here legally, but they hung
around on these expired visas, some for as long as 10-15 years. Now, compare that to
Blockbuster; you are two days late with a video and those people are all over you. I
think we should put Blockbuster in charge of Immigration & Homeland Security.

One thing remains the same, God is still on the throne. He loves us beyond what our foolish
little brains can comprehend.

Breathe in....breathe out.

Know that you are Blessed~

Yummy

2012-01-25T18:15:00.000-07:00

I have never posted a recipe before but hey, since when do I go with the flow?~
Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

2 Portobello mushrooms
Balsamic vinegar
1 T olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 of an onion, chopped
1 yellow pepper, roasted and chopped
2 Roma tomatoes, chopped
2 cups of fresh spinach
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
Italian seasoning (I use a blend from Emeril)
Mozzerella cheese

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Remove the stem and gills from the mushroom. I use a spoon to scoop them out.
2. Brush the mushrooms with balsamic vinegar.
3. Heat olive oil in a small saute pan. Add the onions and garlic. Cook until tender. Add in peppers. Cook until tender.
4. Add in tomatoes and spinach. Cook until spinach wilted and “cooked.”
5. Divide the filling and stuff the mushrooms.
6. Sprinkle breadcrumbs on the top and add Italian seasoning. Top with cheese.
7. Place on a baking sheet and bake for about ten minutes or until the cheese is melted.

Yummola! Enjoy :-)

Life in the land of monoply money

2012-01-21T15:19:00.000-07:00

It's been 2 1\2 months since I moved to Canada and I've been adjusting, of sorts.
The first adjustment would be the obvious, weather. Moving from Phoenix to Toronto is a bit of a shock, to say the least. The first few weeks I was cold at all times. I walked around INDOORS with 3 pairs of socks on and I was completely frozen still. I sent my birth mom and email responding to her "so how do you like the cold" email. Simply said, "I haven't felt my tush or my feet since I've been here. My boogers froze, while still in my nose."
I'm eloquent if anything.
One Sunday we were at a Bible Study at church and I had been so cold already. I see the Pastor Cecil stand up and walk to the outside door of the room, pushes it open and props it with something. Bible study was still going on. I turned to Keith and said, "Pastor is going to meet Jesus! He just opened the door like it's hot in here or something!" Pretty sure my voice was heard, hard to hold back when you think you're freezing to death, INDOORS. I shivered the rest of the time. I'm bringing my own heater from now on. They can pay for the electricity. Pastor Cecil asked me after, "oh , were you cold?". "Umm, yea. I wanted you to die when you opened the door". He laughs, throws head back and tells me I need to get used to it. This is Canada.
He still needs to go meet Jesus. Maybe the next pastor will be human.
Sigh.
After being a single parent and essentially alone for so many years adjusting to living with the male of the species has at times been joyously fullfilling and at times hair pulling frustrating.
A lot of the frustration is not due to him or us. Mostly having had to wake up everyday worrying about work, kids, bills, etc..for years left me little time to enjoy or experience "regular" life. Whatever regular is.
Having grown up with no examples of normal left me wondering what the heck that really was?
Normal is ok, I think.
I've just been in a state of decompressing.
He works, He worries, He has the responsibilites. Due to my immigration status, I do not have permission to work here yet. That's just about driving me bonkers!
He does everything and I'm a stay at home woman, which is odd. Very Odd. He's nothing but good to me. Always puts me first and asks if I need anything. Takes my jacket off and shoes off for me even at home. That's also odd. He wants to cuddle, all the time. He's very demonstrative with his affections.I feel special and I'm warming up to the idea of that. Big time.
With all the great things He is and He does for me, honestly, he's the messiest person alive! Beautifully, wonderfully made and messy. He can walk thru a room and there's a trail. If He ever got lost He could be found, easily. I spend a lot of time cleaning after him, which I do with love.
Most days.
As long as I've had coffee.
So somedays I am a crabby patty. I am not ashamed. I am me.
I've spent the last 25 years raising 5 kids, 3 of them messy Sons so I should be used to it.
I can never not clean up. I am a bit OCD. Ok. I am a lot OCD. Everything has a place and if it's not in it, my brain self implodes until I fix it.
Keith tells me "you don't have to clean".
Oh but I do. I would be more mental if I didn't.
This is small stuff, in the bigger realm of life. The happiness that has eluded me for all my life more than compensates for the "small stuff".
Sometimes he will immediately throw a shirt down on the bedroom floor knowing I just cleaned there. I look him in the eyes and laugh put my hands on his face and tell him, "you're lucky I love you!" He laughs too. "I'm lucky you love me too or I think I'd be dead by now".
Love is a funny thing.
Canada itself is way different. The streets and shops are all completely clean, neat and orderly. You don't see litter or pot holes in the streets. Amazingly clean all the time. At the same token, I haven't found most Canadians to be friendly. No one speaks here! Well, except for me. I have no shame. I say "Hi" to people and hold doors and wave at small kids looking at me. No one is going to die people if you say "hi" or "thank you" when a door is held for you.
I swear.
We do call the Canadian money monoply money. Each denomination is a different color. I always feel like yelling out "park place" when I pay for something. I haven't done it yet, but it may occure. One dollar is not a bill, it's a coin. Different.
I may be the first American deported for being overly friendly in Canada. Psssht...I'm a trail blazer, what can I say.
Keith laughs. He loves me. He thinks I'm an "angel". He's love drunk or something but I am surely enjoying it.
Thankfully Canada is not forever. It's just a stepping stone to get back to Texas. I seem to do things in a round-a-bout way, but eventually I get there.
Thanks for listening to me ramble. I will start being more vigilant about actually taking the time to write about life in Canada.
Rest assured it will be after the "piles" are cleaned up.
May God Bless and Keep you All.
~kimberly

Die Frosty...die!

2012-01-20T13:57:00.000-07:00

...this is what I think of winter in Canada.

TEXAS BRING ME HOME!!!

Snow January 19 2012

2012-01-19T11:53:00.000-07:00

Snow storm Mississauga, Ontario Canada
January 19 2012

Winter Storm warning...snow began to fall an hour ago.
It looks so beautiful, yet it is so cold.
Enjoy!

Meanwhile in Canada...

2012-01-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

It’s winter in Canada
And the gentle breezes blow
Seventy miles an hour
At twenty-five below.
Oh, how I love Canada
When the snow’s up to your butt
You take a breath of winter
And your nose gets frozen shut.
Yes, the weather here is wonderful
So I guess I’ll hang around
I could never leave Canada
‘Cause I’m frozen to the ground.

Blessings from the freakin'frigid frozen north~

Keith's "a new year with the angels" post

2012-01-15T09:55:00.004-07:00

One of these days I"m actually going to write my side of moving to Canada. At the present moment however I will defer to Keith's commical view on us moving.
Remember as you read this that Keith is a lifelong bachelor and has never had children. So his take on things is humorous to say the least.
Things I would have never given a second thought to he finds amusing.
Amazing.

Whelp, I'm going to copy/past his blog entry and go put on another pot o' coffee. It was -18 overnight. Not a whole lot better now other than the sun is shining.

Enjoy Keith's post!

" A New Year's with the Angels" (His name for us...we are soooo not angels!)

Been a great 2011 ...2012 should prove to be even better. New job at a great place strictly maaging a great new place. Hopefully things will go well enough that we can all move forward into a great postion for the future. This years goals will include getting a car , moving to a nice new place , getting the angels situated and comfy with school and work. That said , i ll now mention the great things i ve learned about living with the two angels.

1. Kimberly is an amazing cook -- so nice coming home to a hot meal -- the pickins have been slim and non traditional so far but man that girl can make something gooooood outta nuthin at all.

2. Never wake or attempt to wake the angels when they are out cold. This either wont work or will be met with various styles of grunts and groans. You may even get hit by accident ( at least it may be an accident) Just dont do it unless the house is on fire ..and even then , make sure the fire is unstoppable.

3. A teenage girl can subsist solely on junk food. Cassie will eat every bite of every sugary item there is no matter what or where. Nothing need be cooked , just processed and covered in sugar or form of sugar and put in a pretty bag with big letters. Add mountain dew and you have just satisfied cass for a week or more.

4. Tickling Kimberly will result in a very loud blood curdling scream but is completely worth it ... its downright funny ..i ll be doing more of it if i live through it .

5. American girls are not big on hockey ... but will watch it with me ..sigh..love

6. Facebook is something the angels should do for a living. Mesmerized for hours since there is so little to do , I thank facebook deeply for providing at least that form of entertainment for them while i work.

7. Did I mention they do sleep very well.. if not , i ll mention it again..it must be some sort of sport...good job ladies.

8. The makeup and hair must be perfect before seeing anyone or anything ..but they are surprisingly quick at the process...its like watching a reality show behind the scenes episode.

9. Watching mom and daughter laugh together is one of my favorite things..its something i ve not been a witness to at home ever so its kinda cool...when the contrary occurs , which it must inevitably , not so much fun..i usually end up elsewhere.

10. Kimberly is one clean individual..very clean...man how annoying i must be lol ...i m a walking mess most of the time and dont even realize it...now ..I realize it

11. TV stinks just as bad in the US as it does here ..the shows are generally the same , but junk reality fills the air among dozens of daily crap shows that the angels are subject to in the absence of anything else to do in this cold weather...the one plus for Kimberly is Little House and the Waltons and of course ....Netflix.

12. And finally ..with more to follow later of course ... i ve learned that we can all live and learn and laugh together at just about anything ...noone will die during disagreements , and life will go on just fine if there are any. So far not much more than a slammed door or two has occurred and we do more laughing and talking than anything ...and that makes me happy ..I love my angels. BTW, snow is a whole heckuva lot more fun and tolerable when you are around two people who think its pretty , just another reason the angels rule!!!

2012-01-11T13:00:00.002-07:00

There's no other way to say this. I'm still trying to wrap my head around it.A picture is a thousand words...

My Brother and His Artwork!

2012-01-10T06:51:00.003-07:00

So very proud of my little brother. So very Blessed to be his sister!http://artlovemagic.wordpress.com/2011/02/22/artist-spotlight-cody-phillips/

~Do You Believe~

2012-01-10T02:05:00.001-07:00

There was this Christian lady that had to do a lot of traveling for her business, so she did a lot of flying. Flying made her nervous, so she always took her Bible along with her to read and it helped relax her.

One time, she was sitting next to a man. When he saw her pull out her Bible, he gave a little chuckle and went back to what he was doing.

After awhile, he turned to her and asked, "You don't really believe all that stuff in there do you?"

The lady replied, "Of course I do. It is the Bible."

He said, "Well, what about that guy that was swallowed by that whale?"

She replied, "Oh, Jonah. Yes, I believe that, it is in the Bible."

He asked, "Well, how do you suppose he survived all that time inside the whale?"

The lady said, "Well, I don't really know. I guess when I get to heaven, I will ask him."

"What if he isn't in heaven?" the man asked sarcastically.

"Then you can ask him." replied the lady.

Bada-Bum!

Blessings from the frigid frozen north~

Lucado, My favorite

2012-01-04T22:53:00.002-07:00

“When my daughter was a toddler, I used to take her to a park not far from our apartment. One day as she was playing in a sandbox, an ice-cream salesman approached us. I purchased her a treat, and when I turned to give it to her, I saw her mouth was full of sand. Where I had intended to put a delicacy, she had put dirt.

Did I love her with dirt in her mouth? Absolutely. Was she any less of my daughter with dirt in her mouth? Of course not. Was I going to allow her to keep the dirt in her mouth? No way. I loved her right where she was, but I refused to leave her there. I carried her over to the water fountain and washed out her mouth. Why? Because I love her.

God does the same for us. He holds us over the fountain. "Spit out the dirt, honey," our Father urges. "I've got something better for you." And so he cleanses us of filth; immorality, dishonesty, prejudice, bitterness, greed. We don't enjoy the cleansing; sometimes we even opt for the dirt over the ice cream. "I can eat dirt if I want to!" we pout and proclaim. Which is true—we can. But if we do, the loss is ours. God has a better offer.”
― Max Lucado, Just Like Jesus

Blessings from the frigid frozen north~

The Benefits of Growing Older

2012-01-02T17:27:00.002-07:00

1. Kidnappers are not very interested in you.
2. In a hostage situation, you are likely to be released first.
3. It's harder and harder for sexual harassment charges to stick.
4. No one expects you to run into a burning building.
5. People no longer view you as a hypochondriac.
6. Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off.
7. Your joints are more accurate meteorologists than the National Weather Service.
8. There's nothing left to learn the hard way.
9. Things you buy now won't wear out.
10. You enjoy hearing about other people's operations.
11. You get into a heated argument about pension plans.
12. You have a party and the neighbors don't even realize it.
13. You no longer think of speed limits as a challenge.
14. You quit trying to hold your stomach in, no matter who walks into the room.
15. You sing along with elevator music.
16. Your eyes won't get much worse.
17. Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either.
18. Your supply of brain cells is finally down to a manageable size

New Years and New Resolutions~

2011-12-31T19:24:00.004-07:00

My New Years Resolutions...
1. Stop drinking orange juice after I just brushed my teeth.
2. Stop licking frozen flag poles.
3.Only eat white snow
4. Keep it to myself that I have trouble with authority when I'm being interviewed.
5.Spend less than $1825 for coffee at Starbucks this year
6.Switch my username to “password” and my password to “username” to make each a lot harder for hackers to figure out 7.Watch less T.V…. in standard definition
8.Lose weight by hiding it someone you'll never find it.
9.Never pull away from the gasoline pump ... with the hose still in the tank (darn those cell phone calls).

I wish you all peace, grace and love and the Happiest of Happy New years! Remember we're all getting older so not so many of these left(at least w/out wearing depends) so make it count!
Blessings from the frigid frozen north~

My Last Picture from 2011...sigh. Made it!

This is my story (Part 1)

2011-12-29T18:27:00.000-07:00

Ben Breedlove 1993-2011
He taught us all to "believe in God and Angels".
He went home on Christmas. May God Bless and keep him.

"One Month and Christmas with the Angels"

2011-12-26T13:08:00.005-07:00

I love such a sweet man. Oh, he's also quite the gifted writer and expresses himself eloquently and beautifully. The following is what he wrote on his blog so I am reposting because...because I love his words. Perfect.

"One month and Christmas with the Angels" by Keith Tilley

It's been about a month and a half since the angels have arrived onto Canadian soil and straight into my life. What an adventure it has been so far .. from the day they arrived to this very moment, Christmas Eve. A story more than five years in the making , each minute has been something great and wholly enjoyable for me... I can only hope the angels feel likewise.
Day 1 was unbelieveable. Full of stress from worrying about all sorts of semantical planning , there were a number of strange happenstances due to the last minute nature of it all. But they got here, to our new home safe and sound and totally exhausted. They were so tired at the airport and so sleepy on the ride home I thought they would never wake up ...I wasn't quite sure if they were worn out or completely depressed by the cold weather... I was a bit worried to say the least. Eventually though , 3 days later , like the resurrection of our Lord ,they finally arose from the deadness of this very silent suburb and began to come to life.
Much was spent to get to this point , so as a result the new place had nothing...not even a fork! Money was tight and things were going to be difficult to obtain. But thanks to the help of some incredible friends and family, things got done. Jenn jenns helped get some stuff over here , Michele made it all happen with and influx of much needed help , and my sis came to the rescue that Saturday with dishes and blankets and all sorts of goodies and other help , to get us to a state of normal. I had given up most of my stuff when I attempted to go to Arizona, leaving me with very little to have ready for my angels , but things came in over the next little while to make existence a little more pleasant for them. Many many thanks to those who helped out ..it means more to me than you ll ever know to see my angels taken care of and at least happy to be here. Good people are not that difficult to find in this city and that was proven in a big way during this time of need..help i will never forget.
The poor girls started out just frozen to death. No winter jackets , no winter socks , no winter shoes for either of them and really nowhere to go and nothing to do outside of the internet since there wasnt even a tv yet lol ..oh my poor angels ..how they endured two weeks without tv i ll never know , but they never became irritable or annoyed and were always good about it.

A teenage girl without any friends in a new city ... this cannot be. She managed to find some friends however and has been able to go have sleepovers and rides to the infamous Square One mall. Jade gave her a real nice jacket and I bought her some ugg style boots , so she is able to manage the cold ...she does so well considering what an amazing dramatic change this all must be..i m completely amazed with how she s doing. Having her around is such a joy for me , she is just the total daughter I never had. We laugh a little , joke a little , talk a little , watch a little tv together , and never once does she complain..she just talks occasionally about going back to Arizona to see her home friends and family which is obviously normal..but she never complains..she is a great joy to me and I m so happy my Kimberly brought her along to this crazy cold northern reach of the universe. I do believe she has broken the child napping olympic record however ..this girl can nap with the best of em. I swear there are bears outside just shaking their heads wondering how it is she can sleep more than them lol. She s a great daughter, couldn't have made a better one myself.
A Texas girl without heat is like a pizza without cheese. My kimberly has been asked about the weather a bazillion times , and a bazillion times the answer is " i m freakin frozen!" I never had a jacket ready for her and she was sadly stuck with a hoodie as a jacket and thin socks and not much else. Every part of her shook whenever she left the confines of the warm house. Where I was warm or hot , she was still cold with toes tingling and most of her other body parts not able to move. We are still working on getting her fully equipped for the winter. Sadly , there is not much for my Kimberly to do and is stuck home every day while I head to work and leave her all alone. I miss her when I m at work , and dream about having an unlimited amount of funds to be able to take her wherever her heart desires..which would likely be anywhere over 32 F temps lol. It's tough knowing that your girl who you love so much is bored and lonely at home everyday and there is very little you can do to change it. I look forward to the day when these first few months are over and we are more able to lead more normal everyday lives like everyone else. On the plus side , she has been able to get some much needed rest and a little time off from the years of drama and craziness she has left behind to begin anew with me here.
Me and Kimberly laugh a lot and have lot of good times. Nothing makes me happier than seeing her smile. It's all I really ever want to do is make my girl smile. I know one day when things have straightened out , she will be doing a lot of that. Like her daughter , there is no complaining in her ..she accepts all of this without a word and even though I know she is going squirrely , she still looks at me with love in her eyes and tells me she doesnt care as long as we re together ....and that is what it's all about. The hugs we share are fantastic and warm and beautiful. Seeing her in the morning when I go to work is a joy I ve never experienced before and it makes me incredibly happy. She does everything for me , encourages me , talks to me , watches sports with me ...in short ..she fulfills me completely ..the way it should be. I love my Kimberly , she is clearly mine and created for me.. not a thing can change that, she is the best there is.
It's been a very humble beginning ..many things i wish i could provide are simply not within my grasp yet ..but they will be soon , and when they are, and we begin to live out the Canadian/American dream , we will always have these beginnings to look back on and to realize just how incredibly blessed we are , and how able we all are to get by on so little knowing we all love each other. It's a wonderful Christmas because we were all together laughing , tickling , singing and smiling together...no extras , just the necessities of life and a couple of wonderful Christmas angels to make me smile. I hope it never ends ...Merry Christmas everyone, I know mine will be.

My Oldest Son

2011-12-24T15:03:00.003-07:00

Here's a picture of my oldest Son Kristopher(25) with his lovely scruff! I love it. Of course He's handsome either way, not that I'm biased or anything.
Much.

Many Christmas Blessings to you and yours~

My thoughts about moving to Canada..

2011-12-23T10:52:00.004-07:00

First of all, I went outside for 5 minutes and my boogers froze, while still in my nose. I know this isn't a pretty thing to talk about but it's now posing new challenges for my daily beauty regimen. Is there booger cover up??
Honestly.

My Kids

2011-12-22T14:16:00.002-07:00

PC Santa

2011-12-20T05:43:00.000-07:00

Memo from Santa:

I regret to inform you that, effective immediately, I will no longer serve Georgia, Florida, West Virginia, Virginia, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas or Alabama on Christmas Eve.

Due to the overwhelming current population of the earth, my contract was renegotiated by North American Fairies and Elves Local 209. As part of the new and better contract, I also get longer breaks for milk and cookies so keep that in mind. However, I'm certain that your children will be in good hands with your local replacement, who happens to be my third cousin, Bubba Claus. His side of the family is from the South Pole. He shares my goal of delivering toys to all the good boys and girls; however, there are a few differences between us.

Differences such as:

1. There is no danger of the Grinch stealing your presents from Bubba Claus. He has a gun rack on his sleigh and a bumper sticker that reads:
"These toys insured by Smith and Wesson."

2. Instead of milk and cookies, Bubba Claus prefers that children leave RC cola and pork rinds (or a Moon Pie) on the fireplace. And Bubba doesn't smoke a pipe. He dips a little snuff, so please have an empty spit can handy.

3. Bubba Claus' sleigh is pulled by floppy-eared, flyin' coon dogs instead of reindeer. I made the mistake of loaning him a couple of my reindeer one time, and Blitzen's head now overlooks Bubba's fireplace.

4. You won't hear "On Comet, on Cupid, on Donner, and Blitzen..." when Bubba Claus arrives. Instead, you'll hear, "On Earnhardt, on Andretti, on Martin and Petty."

5. "Ho, Ho, Ho" has been replaced by "Yee Haw" And you also are likely to hear Bubba's elves respond, "I her'd dat"

6. As required by Southern highway laws, Bubba Claus' sleigh does have a Yosemite Sam safety triangle on the back with the words "Back Off."

7. The usual Christmas movie classics such as "Miracle on 34th Street" and "It's a Wonderful Life" will not be shown in your negotiated viewing area. Instead, you'll see "Boss Hogg Saves Christmas" and "Smokey and the Bandit IV" featuring Burt Reynolds as Bubba Claus and dozens of state patrol cars crashing into each other.

8. Bubba's Christmas Motto, "Git 'er Done", has developed into a local favorite in recent years. And finally,

9. Bubba Claus doesn't wear a belt, so if I were you, I'd make sure the wife and the kids turn the other way when he bends over to put presents under the tree. It's his own way of expressing his anti-drug message, "Say No To Crack".

Sincerely Yours,

Santa Claus

Christmas Phunny~

2011-12-19T06:52:00.001-07:00

Southern Medical Terms

2011-12-17T22:55:00.000-07:00

Benign..................... What you be after you be eight.
Bacteria................... Back door to cafeteria
Barium..................... What doctors do when patients die.
Cesarean Section........... A neighborhood in Rome.
Catscan.................... Searching for Kitty.
Cauterize.................. Made eye contact with her.
Colic...................... A sheep dog.
Coma....................... A punctuation mark.
D&C........................ Where Washington is.
Dilate..................... To live long.
Enema...................... Not a friend.
Fester..................... Quicker than someone else.
Fibula..................... A small lie.
Genital.................... Non-Jewish person.
G.I.Series................. World Series of military baseball.
Hangnail................... What you hang your coat on.
Impotent................... Distinguished, well known.
Labor Pain................. Getting hurt at work.
Medical Staff.............. A Doctor's cane.
Morbid..................... A higher offer than I bid.
Nitrates................... Cheaper than day rates.
Node........................I knew it.
Outpatient................. A person who has fainted.
Pelvis..................... Second cousin to Elvis.
Post Operative............. A letter carrier.
Recovery Room.............. Place to do upholstery.
Secretion.................. Hiding something
Seizure.................... Roman emperor.
Tablet..................... A small table.
Terminal Illness........... Getting sick at the airport.
Tumor...................... More than one.
Varicose................... Near by/close by

Merry Christmas Ya'll!

Yea, that cold in the friggin' frigid north!

2011-12-17T11:17:00.001-07:00

Happy Thoughts~

2011-12-15T07:40:00.001-07:00

Christmas gift suggestions:
To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.
~Oren Arnold

Santa Wisdom from a middle aged broad

2011-12-14T06:47:00.002-07:00

All I Needed to Know AboutLife I learned from Santa

Encourage people to believe in you.

Always remember who's naughty and who's nice.

Don't pout.

It's as much fun to give as it is to receive.

Some days it's ok to feel a little chubby.

Make your presents known.

Always ask for a little bit more than what you really want.

Bright red can make anyone look good.

Wear a wide belt and no-one will notice how many pounds you've gained.

If you only show up once a year, everyone will think you're very important.

Whenever you're at a loss for words, say:
"HO, HO, HO!"

Christmas Songs For Shrinks

2011-12-07T17:09:00.000-07:00

Schizophrenia: Do You Hear What I Hear

Multiple Personality: We Three Queens Disoriented Are!

Narcissism: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing About Me!

Dementia: I Think I'll Be Home For Christmas

Paranoia: Santa Claus Is Coming To Town To Get Me

Personality Disorder: You Better Watch Out, I'm Going to Cry, I'm Going to Pout, then maybe I'll tell you why!

Obsessive Compulsive: Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell Swing, Jingle Bell Swing, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell Rock, Jingle Bell Rock

Passive Aggressive: On the First Day of Christmas My True Love Gave to Me (then took away)

Blessings from the frigid frozen north~

First Canadian Snow

2011-12-07T16:39:00.002-07:00

December 5, 2011

We've gotten a couple of light snows at night thus far. They melt in the day time as it gets up to a balmy 35 degrees. I've heard the best, or worst is yet to come. January all Canadians hate winter.

We shall see!

Enjoy snow pictures from our home in the frigid frozen north~

Escaped

2011-11-22T13:33:00.002-07:00

I have had my blog shut down for awhile as I was making major changes. One of them being moving to Canada.

I'm here!

It's cold.

Keith's here....

I'm happy.

As I gain the courage to venture out into the frozen tundra I will take pictures and write more.
For now, there is no more "stupid desert". Yay!
Things are different to say the least but I've always had a spirit of adventure and welcome changes. Sometimes I get stuck in a rut of everyday life, going the same places and doing the same things.
Change is good.

Blessings from the antithesis of the stupid desert~

Quotes to Ponder

2011-10-25T21:29:00.001-07:00

You can accept or reject how you are treated by other people. You can heal the wounds of your past but you will continue to bleed. Open the wounds, let them bleed, let the hurt spill out and make peace with them. Then you can find peace for youself~Iyanla Vanzant

They Grow Quick

2011-10-20T13:00:00.001-07:00

...was just yesterday~

Home

2011-10-06T07:41:00.000-07:00

Texas...always was home. Can't wait to smell the fresh Texas air again.

My Girls

2011-10-03T08:39:00.002-07:00

My daughters

My Baby Boy

2011-09-24T03:36:00.003-07:00

Happy 20th Birthday to my youngest Son, Dakota....soo proud of that Son of mine!

A Funny for your Thoughts

2011-08-21T22:46:00.001-07:00

A Woman, a Beach, a Bottle and a Genie
A despondent woman was walking along the beach when she saw a bottle on the sand. She picked it up and pulled out the cork. Whoosh! A big puff of smoke appeared.

"You have released me from my prison," the genie told her. "To show my thanks, I grant you three wishes. But take care, for with each wish, your mate will receive double of whatever you request."

"Why?" the woman asked. "That bum left me for another woman."

"That is how it is written," replied the genie.

The woman shrugged and then asked for a million dollars. There was a flash of light, and a million dollars appeared at her feet. At the same instant, in a far-off place, her wayward husband looked down to see twice that amount at his feet.

"And your second wish?"

"Genie, I want the world's most expensive diamond necklace." Another flash of light, and the woman was holding the precious treasure. And, in that distant place, her husband was looking for a gem broker to buy his latest bonanza.

"Genie, is it really true that my husband has two million dollars and more jewels that I do, and that he gets double of whatever I wish for?"

The genie said it was indeed true.

"Okay, genie, I'm ready for my last wish," the woman said. "Scare me half to death."

Prayers for James

2011-07-27T23:33:00.003-07:00

Please include Kara and Mathew, parents of sweet baby James, in your prayers. Baby James died at only 8 months of age from cancer. No parent should have to bury their child, but many do.
Please visit his blog and leave some love for his parents.

www.jamescamdensikes.blogspot.com

Another angel has his wings. Fly High James.

Summer Days in the Stupid Desert

2011-06-19T20:27:00.004-07:00

After working today and my kids wishing me "happy father's day" ( i'm the mom and the dad) the kids went swimming, and posing for pictures.
Took two kids to Yogurtini...mmm.
Now the Lil Bits is mopping my floor.
Good Day.
Happy Father's day to all the Dad's!

Dakota 19, Cheyenne 18, Cassidy 14 3/4 (Zachy was at work)

The Ring...almost time

2011-06-13T23:16:00.001-07:00

Loving from Darkness~

2011-06-12T22:37:00.001-07:00

The hardships we face,
the troubles we live
are dramas unfolding
telling the story
of our souls.

Every small choice,
every direction
creates a grand movement
through the cosmos
of being.

Light in the darkness
tends to be the exception
rather than the rule,
so rare
and far away
when we look out
on all we can see.

But some lights
shine so intensely
we can see them glowing
from the other side
of the observable universe.

Any heart
that can flood the void
with so much light
can surely drive emptiness away
with only one burst.

Any heart
that can drink darkness
and consume all light
can surely burn brightly
one day again.

Any heart
is a perfect reflection
of the center
at the heart
of the all.

Freedom is not free~

2011-05-30T16:29:00.002-07:00

I watched the flag pass by one day.
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young Marine saluted it,
and then he stood at ease.
I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
He'd stand out in any crowd.
I thought how many men like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil?
How many mothers' tears?
How many pilots' planes shot down?
How many died at sea?
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, freedom isn't free.

I heard the sound of taps one night,
when everything was still
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That taps had meant "Amen,"
When a flag had draped a coffin
Of a brother or a friend.
I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.

I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington..
No freedom isn't free.

~Copyright 1981 By KellyStrong

Aging in the stupid desert~

2011-05-22T19:45:00.001-07:00

...and the beat goes on.
Blessings from the stupid desert~

Grandpa rip

2011-05-18T21:05:00.000-07:00

Something my daughter Cheyenne made for her GramPa, my father...very beautiful. He's already smiling Princess...already smiling!

Sad Heart

2011-05-15T15:20:00.004-07:00

Somedays I just miss him. I miss what wasn't. I miss what will never be. I miss the phone calls. I miss him saying "baby" to me. I didn't grow up being called "baby" by anyone.

I still think the phone is gonna ring and he'll be on the other end. Unless there's phones in heaven it isn't going to happen.

So, I'm just looking at pictures of him instead. At least I know what He looked like.

I'll be able to spot him in heaven easier.

Open Again

2011-05-10T21:28:00.005-07:00

After some time I decided to open the blog back up. Even though I am monitoring who visits I have come to the conclusion that you can't change everybody.
When you put your life out in the "land of public scrutiny"...well, you have to expect some idiots. That I happen to KNOW one who just wants to be a perv, well I'll let God take that one. I'm still watching and reporting to those who need to know.

Now onto better things.

I L O V E my new job! I do home health care and I absolutely adore the people God has brought into my life. I'm glad I waited to go into nursing until I was old enough to appreciate the magnitude of my impact on others lives. Their impact is much more noticed. People have so much kindness to share with me. I'm totally honored they allow me to come into their homes and know them.

What can I say? I am Blessed beyond measure.

Whilst I'm meandering my way thru mid life my kids are growing older, wiser. I can't believe my youngest is almost 15! Almost there, the finish line is in sight after doing this "mother" thing for the last 25 years.

Sigh. YES!
My Son Zachary started a new job 4 months ago and is already manager. Quite the work ethic that Son of mine. He greets me the same everytime He comes in the door, "Hello my most beautiful Mommy"...gotta love that!
Cheyenne is 18 and out of the house. She's a live in nanny for a friend of ours. She calls or messages me to tell me "those kids drive me crazy Mom! How did you ever do it with 5 of us??" Muahahaaa...I got mad mothering skills woman!
My Girls(harder to get pics of the boys but since the girls always do their own self pictures it's easier to share)...and here they are.
Cheyenne Keely 18 yrs old

Cassidy Eve, almost 15

Blessings from the sTuPiD desert~

jess driving in the stupid desert

2011-04-24T01:08:00.000-07:00

Perverts Never Die...although they should

2011-04-22T21:07:00.007-07:00

As you may have noticed I shut my blog down for a week. I think that no matter how old I get, people will always shock and disappoint me.

Reason...

A few years ago my daughters began attending an "assemblies of God" church with childhood friends. We are not now, nor will ever be assemblies of God but the church had so many programs for young teenagers I thought it would be beneficial for them. Plus, it occupied a lot of time. Being a single mother you frequently wonder about those hours that they have unsupervised while you are working. Keeping their time occupied seems to be the best solution for a lot of that worry.

So they went 3 times a week to different youth activities, christian concerts with the church. I immediately began to have concerns with the "youth pastor" and his wife. Mostly with the youth pastor. His two daughters were my oldest daughter's friend since elementary school. I couldn't put my finger on it at the begining, just a mother's intuition.

That soon became tangible worry. He would call my daughter's and ask to take them for ice cream or to go for a drive. At first glance this doesn't seem suspect. However, He would DEMAND that only ONE of my daughter's go. He was alone, his wife nor either of his daughters with. I instantly put my foot down and told the girls no.

At first my girls were mad. They didn't see the emminent danger so I over looked their anger. He began YELLING at them as if He was their own parent. I assure everyone I made it blatently clear when I talked to him, he was NOT their parent nor was He ever to raise his voice to my children. He chuckled and ignored me.

I was invited over to their home as they wanted to throw a birthday bash for one of my daughters. I went. I observed. This "youth pastor" actually thinks He's God.
He treated his "wife" as if she was hired help. When she would say something contrary to what he said, he would glare at her and she would put her head down and not talk. A broken woman. I know this look.

After this things began to change dramatically. He tried to rally my own daughter's against me since I was not allowing Him to have "private" time with them anymore. They could only attend the main service with other kids and he could not come and pick them up by himself in his car.

At this point my older daughter began to pick up on things...and she told me she felt uncomfortable around him. She showed me her myspace where He had written under one of her pictures "beautiful legs". I told her to stay away from him. She was hesitant because she knew she would loose her childhood friends in the church.

I had a myspace account so that I could keep an eye on my kids so I sent a "bulletin" to him and all the friends on my kids pages. I told them he was being inappropriate with girls(other girls in the church would call me to say he was that way with them.) Interestingly enough, most of the girls He was "seeking" were from single parent families.
I wrote all of this for all the teenagers in the church to see and hopefully some other parents might see it too.
Instead this "youth pastor" posted a scathing letter calling me satan and that I was trying to destroy "his" church.
Funny...his name isn't anywhere on a building?
I called to speak to him but would get passed immediately to voice mail. I told him, "this is satan. If you touch, call or come anywhere near any of my children. Destroying "your" church will be the least of your worries."
The wife I spoke to once, she only had criticism of my baby daughter, who was 11 yrs old at the time because she didn't speak "in tongues" and was therefore NOT a true child of God.
I told her , your husband is evil. He likes little girls. My daughter's "tongues" shouldn't even be on your radar. You'd better watch your daughters.
Of course my daughters were forbidden to attend that church. I tried in vain to speak to the head pastor of the churc but he never returned my phone call. Althought in retrospect he might not have believed me since the youth pastor spread the rumor that my family was "evil" since I am a single parent. That I have issues ...ok, I have issues. That's never been in dispute. I certainly have issues with perverts around my kids!
What we imagine would happen, did. The other kids in the church turned on my daughters, bullying them and tormenting them in school.
My daughter's were having a hard time seeing any "plus" in knowing Jesus.

Time has passed, wounds have healed. God always takes that which satan intended for evil and works for HIS good. And He has.

The youth pastor molested his own daughter, saw that coming. Ran from the law to another state, to hide like a slithering snake does. His wife divorced him, how she grew a spine is only a testament to the power of God. The daughter he molested is in misssions work in south america and the older one attends college here and lives on her own.

My daughters are friends with all the "church" girls, who now of course see that we were right about David, yes, THAT'S HIS NAME. He made them feel "weird " too.

Soo, DAVID, stop coming to my blog to gawk and lust after any of my children. I have a tracker and it tracks the IP and maps the location of every visitor...down to the top of the house. You've been visiting this blog and you keep looking at pictures from one of my daughter's birthday pool party from last year. YEA, I see you. I took those pictures down.
I follow every click when you're here. I see exactly what posts, pictures, etc..you're watching. You're watching pictures I posted of my daughters.
Still a pervert huh David? One a pervert..always a pervert. God Help the young girls of California. I see that you come here up to 10 time a day, schmuck.

Only YOU could be a 46 yr old man staring at pictures of young girls in bathing suits having fun with friends and make it totally filthy.
FILTHY, is what you are and will always be. You're a disgusting excuse for a man and God is also watching you.
I am saving the mapping records for this blog and I will pursue charges. Since you've already prooved you're a perverted criminal against your own daughter it won't take much to have the authorites to nab you.
I can pass on this information to your new church family in Wildomar, California. Cornerstone Community Church. Do they know they have a wolf in the midst of them?
I had copied all the comments you made on young girls pictures on myspace...I can forward them? You're not afraid of anything, right?
Perhaps your employer International Rectifier would like to know what kind of human being they are paying a salary too? I would be more than happy to fill them in. As I told you, I see every IP that comes here as well as a map with location on it. Some of my actualy friends visit while using a laptop in a vehicle..the map shows the vehicle and cross streets.
I mean business.
I told you then, and I tell you now DAVID....don't mess with my family .

Go Back into the hole from where you came.

♥My Girls♥

2011-04-10T20:49:00.004-07:00

Cheyenne(18 yrs) and Cassidy (14 yrs)...sisters 4eva.
♥♥My Girls♥♥

April 10 2011

Just Chey...

Looking in the mirror realizing that at 98 lbs she might be a bit too skinny...she doesn't listen to Mom but the mirror says it all. She's still beautiful!

Journey - When You Love a Woman

2011-04-09T14:32:00.000-07:00

Steve Perry Journey...good listening for a cold rainy day in the stupid desert~

~I've learned...~

2011-04-05T07:31:00.006-07:00

I've learned....
that the best classroom in the world
is at the feet of an elderly person.

I've learned....
that when you're in love, it shows.

I've learned....
that just one person saying to me,
"You've made my day!" makes my day.

I've learned....
that having a child fall asleep in your
arms is one of the most peaceful
feelings in the world.

I've learned....
that being kind is more important than
being right.

I've learned....
that you should never say no to a
gift from a child.

I've learned....
that I can always pray for someone when
I don't have the strength to help him
in some other way.

I've learned....
that no matter how serious your life
requires you to be, everyone needs a
friend to act goofy with.

I've learned....
that sometimes all a person needs is a
hand to hold and a heart to understand.

I've learned....
that life is like a roll of toilet paper.
The closer it gets to the end, the
faster it goes.

I've learned....
that we should be glad God doesn't
give us everything we ask for.

I've learned....
that money doesn't buy class.

I've learned....
that it's those small daily happenings
that make life so spectacular.

I've learned....
that under everyone's hard shell is
someone who wants to be appreciated
and loved.

I've learned....
that the Lord didn't do it all in one
day. What makes me think I can?

I've learned....
that to ignore the facts does not
change the facts.

I've learned....
that when you plan to get even with
someone, you are only letting that
person continue to hurt you.

I've learned....
that love, not time, heals all wounds.

I've learned....
that the easiest way for me to grow as
a person is to surround myself with
people smarter than I am.

I've learned....
that everyone you meet deserves to
be greeted with a smile.

I've learned....
that no one is perfect until you fall.

I've learned....
that life is tough, but I'm tougher.

I've learned....
that opportunities are never lost;
someone will take the ones you miss.

I've learned....
that when you harbor bitterness,
happiness will dock elsewhere.

I've learned....
that one should keep his words both
soft and tender, because tomorrow
he may have to eat them.

I've learned....
that a smile is an inexpensive way to
improve your looks.

I've learned....
that I can't choose how I feel, but I
can choose what I do about it.

I've learned....
that when your newly born child
holds your little finger in his little
fist, that you're hooked for life.

I've learned....
that everyone wants to live on top of
the mountain, but all the happiness
and growth occurs while you're climbing it.

I have also learned....
that I have a wealth of good friends...and my life would be
a terrible place to live without them.....

I've learned that the desert is indeed still stupid and I am indeed still in it...but I shall bloom where I am planted...even if it kills us all!

Blessings from the stupid desert~

It's official...I'm Ancient!

2011-03-31T21:47:00.003-07:00

April 1, 1986 @ 2:03 A.M.
Plano General Hospital, Plano, Texas
After 76 hrs of NATURAL childbirth....

My Son Kristopher was born

Happy 25th Birthday To My Son~

Some of us await answers for incidents at Ariz. group homes

2011-03-31T16:12:00.000-07:00

Finally what we all fought for and sacrificed our careers for comes to light. Perhaps people will actually start CARING...perhaps. It's too late for Sweet Lori but not for all the rest who cannot speak for themselves.

Some of us await answers for incidents at Ariz. group homes

~Do You Believe~

2011-03-30T06:37:00.002-07:00

~Rules for Living~

2011-03-26T04:32:00.004-07:00

Give people more than they expect.
Memorize your favorite poem.
Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have, or sleep all you want.
When you say, "I love you," mean it.
When you say, "I'm sorry," look the person in the eye.
Never laugh at anyone's dreams.
Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.
Don't judge people by their relatives.
Talk slow but think quick.
When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"
Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

Say "Bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.
When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; Responsibility for all your actions.
Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.
Marry someone you love to talk to. As you get older, conversational skills will be as important as any other.
Spend some time alone.
Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
Read more books and watch less TV.
Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll get to enjoy it a second time.

Trust in God but lock your car.
A loving atmosphere in your home is so important. Do all you can to create a tranquil, harmonious home.
In disagreements with loved ones, deal with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.
Read between the lines.
Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.
Pray -- there's immeasurable power in it.
Never interrupt when you are being flattered.
Mind your own business.
Don't trust a lover who doesn't close his/her eyes when you kiss them.
Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.
If you make a lot of money, put it to use helping others while you are living. That is wealth's greatest satisfaction.
Learn the rules then break some.
Remember that the best relationship is one where your love for each other is greater than your need for each other.

Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
Remember that your character is your destiny,

and NEVER move to the desert...it's stuuuuupid.

Blessings~

My Most Infamous Facebook Status...and responses

2011-03-24T21:00:00.006-07:00

*Note...most of my FB friends I grew up with and went to high school with...and they are quite imaginative and colorful.

MY FB STATUS:CHALLENGE

You and I end up in a police car together(in the stupid desert): Using only 4 words, what would you say to me? Note: if you comment you must copy and paste this as your status, so I may comment on yours as well. Be a good sport and play along...4 words are harder than you think!(Todd Gregory made me do this~ be nice, I've never been in a police car!!)
*RESPONSES* ALL of THEM!

·Nathan Fox taxpayer money at work!
3 hours ago · LikeUnlike

Kimberly Phillips Barillas rofl! ^5
3 hours ago · LikeUnlike

Tina D. Borden Alexander Think we'll get starbucks?
3 hours ago · LikeUnlike

Kimberly Phillips Barillas ♥♥♥♥Tina♥♥♥♥
3 hours ago · LikeUnlike

Cara Woods Hinson Let's do it again!!
3 hours ago · LikeUnlike · 1 personLoading...

Tina D. Borden Alexander LOL! Nice!
3 hours ago · LikeUnlike

Kimberly Phillips Barillas CARA! lol GLutton for punishment...with handcuffs?? pfft
3 hours ago · LikeUnlike

Cara Woods Hinson I'm crazy for a man in uniform! LOL
3 hours ago · LikeUnlike

Kimberly Phillips Barillas <---has a thing for firefighters...I understand.
3 hours ago · LikeUnlike

Cara Woods Hinson Hmmm I'm thinking I need to buy hubby's a uniform, meow
3 hours ago · UnlikeLike · 1 personLoading...

Kimberly Phillips Barillas I've asked Keith to wear big yellow britches with suspenders...He won't go for it.
3 hours ago · LikeUnlike

Stewart Pebworth I love female criminals!
3 hours ago · LikeUnlike

Darren Crook ROFL!
3 hours ago · LikeUnlike

Kimberly Phillips Barillas lol Stewart
3 hours ago · LikeUnlike

Darren Crook They finally caught us....
3 hours ago · LikeUnlike

Stewart Pebworth You be on top! ...Oh God...please forgive me for that one! :)
3 hours ago · LikeUnlike

Cara Woods Hinson :O
3 hours ago · LikeUnlike

Kimberly Phillips Barillas ....no words. lol
3 hours ago · LikeUnlike

Julio Delgado Texas!!!! Here we come!!!!!!!! (I have warrant there!! Woohoo!! Kiddin!!! J/k
3 hours ago · LikeUnlike

Kimberly Phillips Barillas LOl Julio..dangit..I wish I did. I'd MAKE them come arrest me.
3 hours ago · LikeUnlike

Julio Delgado I kno...thats why i said it...hope u find your calling...Texas is waiting..we need u!!! ; )
3 hours ago · LikeUnlike

Kimberly Phillips Barillas I need Texas!!
3 hours ago · LikeUnlike

Stewart Pebworth Can't die a virgin!!!! LOL!!
3 hours ago · LikeUnlike

Kimberly Phillips Barillas (mom of 5...I cant say that.) lol Stewart
3 hours ago · LikeUnlike

Stewart Pebworth I know, but it is funny! ;-)
3 hours ago · UnlikeLike · 1 personLoading...

Cara Woods Hinson "That cop is cute" ;)
3 hours ago · UnlikeLike · 1 personLoading...

Mark Rowlett Lets kick his ass!!!
3 hours ago · LikeUnlike

Daniel Aptekar You come here Often?
2 hours ago · UnlikeLike · 1 personLoading...

Darren Crook Snozzberries taste like snozzberries!
2 hours ago · LikeUnlike

Darren Crook *extra points if you get both references*
2 hours ago · LikeUnlike

Mike Soltau Told you not to
2 hours ago · UnlikeLike · 1 personLoading...

Darren Crook and my personal favourite.....(to cops)You need Jesus, heathens!
2 hours ago · UnlikeLike · 1 personLoading...

Kimberly Phillips Barillas Darren...snozzberries?? lol @Mike....you did it, not me!
2 hours ago · LikeUnlike

Mike Soltau Yeah 30 years ago maybe
2 hours ago · LikeUnlike

Kimberly Phillips Barillas I prolly did it...I just look innocent. :0)
2 hours ago · LikeUnlike

Jay McGinnis Like my Mullet, baby?
2 hours ago · LikeUnlike

Kimberly Phillips Barillas roflol Jay!! hubba hubba
2 hours ago · LikeUnlike

Mike Soltau You got a fatty?
2 hours ago · LikeUnlike

Kristopher Barillas "I don't know her" Those would be my four words! An i would scramble for a can of spray tan and be like see I'm mexican!
2 hours ago · UnlikeLike · 1 personLoading...

Mike Soltau Yo no hablo engles
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Kimberly Phillips Barillas Mike....IM ashamed to hear "fatty" from you! lol
2 hours ago · LikeUnlike

Starla Whitley Burt Orange- not your color!
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Kimberly Phillips Barillas rofl Starla!!!!!!
2 hours ago · LikeUnlike

Mike Soltau Why because it's so passe? I haven't rolled one in nearly 20 years
2 hours ago · LikeUnlike

Kimberly Phillips Barillas Lol Mike...you're a character.
2 hours ago · LikeUnlike

Daniel Aptekar Time to start Rollin one Mike.... 20 years too damn long.
about an hour ago · LikeUnlike

Mike Soltau Well I have a brother in law who wants to blow one every time I see him, but two hits and I'm pretty useless for the day.
about an hour ago · LikeUnlike

Jennifer Harvey Nichols Wasn't that a blast?
about an hour ago · LikeUnlike

Kimberly Phillips Barillas Lol Jennifer...you'd enjoy it??!
about an hour ago · LikeUnlike

Russ Spears "that wasnt your pool?!!!"
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Kimberly Phillips Barillas rofl Russ!
33 minutes ago · LikeUnlike

Russ Spears "the...the.they ta..ta..tazed m...m..me bbbbro"
32 minutes ago · LikeUnlike

Kimberly Phillips Barillas lol....niiiiiiiiiiice.
32 minutes ago · LikeUnlike

Russ Spears "Pedro offers you protection"
26 minutes ago · LikeUnlike

Russ Spears "i hope thats puke"
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Kimberly Phillips Barillas OMGosh....lol. Have you ingested large amts of caffeine and/or sugar tonight Russ? You're on a roll! lol
26 minutes ago · LikeUnlike

Russ Spears "where exactly is .........dooooowntown?"
24 minutes ago · LikeUnlike

Russ Spears "huh...no door handles?"
23 minutes ago · LikeUnlike

Russ Spears "show em your boobs!"
23 minutes ago · LikeUnlike

Kimberly Phillips Barillas lol....choking on pepsi. stoooop
23 minutes ago · LikeUnlike

Kimberly Phillips Barillas roflllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll ....lollllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
22 minutes ago · LikeUnlike

Kimberly Phillips Barillas *Show 'em yours Russ.
22 minutes ago · LikeUnlike

Russ Spears "the jails got cable ...."
20 minutes ago · UnlikeLike · 1 personLoading...

Kimberly Phillips Barillas I'm in!!
20 minutes ago · LikeUnlike

Russ Spears "just pretend were related"
17 minutes ago · LikeUnlike

Kimberly Phillips Barillas Russ...you've done this before haven't you??!
17 minutes ago · LikeUnlike

Russ Spears Four words are hard..
16 minutes ago · LikeUnlike

Russ Spears "#@#%* @()*&^ %$$%# Cops !!"
15 minutes ago · LikeUnlike

Russ Spears thats it .. im done
14 minutes ago · LikeUnlike

Russ Spears "sooo... tomorrow looks iffy"
13 minutes ago · LikeUnlike

Russ Spears "fat one .......KISSED ME !!!!""
12 minutes ago · LikeUnlike

Russ Spears "stupid freaking ankle bracelet"
11 minutes ago · LikeUnlike

Russ Spears "Im sorry Im sorry"
11 minutes ago · LikeUnlike

Russ Spears "Soooo NOW YOUR MAD???"
11 minutes ago · LikeUnlike

Russ Spears "it wasnt my stuff"
10 minutes ago · LikeUnlike

Russ Spears "PLEASE DONT FACEBOOK THIS!!!!!"
8 minutes ago · LikeUnlike

Kimberly Phillips Barillas lol....oh my. "you kissed the fat one?"
8 minutes ago · LikeUnlike

Russ Spears ‎"it wasn't MY HORSE!!"
44 minutes ago · LikeUnlike

Shannon Layman ‎"Thought you were 18"
3 minutes ago · UnlikeLike · 1 personLoading...

Shannon Layman Don't drop the soap!!!
3 minutes ago · LikeUnlike

Kimberly Phillips Barillas lol...ewww?!
2 minutes ago · LikeUnlike

Shannon Layman Your cell or mine?
about a minute ago · LikeUnlike

Kimberly Phillips Barillas lol. Impressive! Seems as if all the guys took this and ran with it! Good Job!

This is the craziness of Facebook....and the people I grew up with and went to school with! YAY~

~God won't ask...

2011-03-22T19:23:00.004-07:00

God won't ask what kind of car you drove.
He'll ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation.

God won't ask the square footage of your house.
He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.

God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet.
He'll ask how many you helped to clothe.

God won't ask what your highest salary was.
He'll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.

God won't ask what your job title was.
He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.

God won't ask how many friends you had.
He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.

God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived.
He'll ask how you treated your neighbors.

God won't ask about the color of your skin.
He'll ask about the content of your character.

He will ask why did you waste so much time in the stupid desert....I'm working on my response.

BLessings from the stupid desert~

4HIM - He Never Changes

2011-03-21T08:18:00.000-07:00

He's given me the desires of my heart and joy immeasurable...He NEVER changes!

Blessings from the stupid desert~

age is marching upon my face~

2011-03-21T00:38:00.001-07:00

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Beautiful Scarred Hearts♥

2011-03-19T01:54:00.004-07:00

The more hurt and pain you have gone thru in life, the stronger and more
beautiful your heart will be.....

One day a young man was standing in the middle of the town proclaiming that he had the most beautiful heart in the whole valley.

A large crowd gathered and they all admired his heart for it was perfect. There was not a mark or a flaw in it. Yes, they all agreed it truly was the most beautiful heart they had ever seen. The young man was very proud and boasted more loudly about his beautiful heart.

Suddenly, an old man appeared at the front of the crowd and said, "Why your heart is not nearly as beautiful as mine." The crowd and the young man looked at the old man's heart. It was beating strongly, but full of scars, it had places where pieces had been removed and other pieces put in, but they didn't fit quite right and there were several jagged edges. In fact, in some places there were deep gouges where whole pieces missing.

The people stared. How can he say his heart is more beautiful?? they thought. The young man looked at the old man's heart and saw its state and laughed. "You must be joking," he said. "Compare your heart with mine, mine is perfect and yours is a mess of scars and tears."

"Yes," said the old man, "Yours is perfect looking but I would never trade with you. You see, every scar represents a person to whom I have given my love - I tear out a piece of my heart and give it to them, and often they give me a piece of their heart which fits into the empty place in my heart, but because the pieces aren't exact, I have some rough edges, which I cherish, because they remind me of the love we shared. Sometimes I have given pieces of my heart away, and the other person hasn't returned a piece of his heart to me. These are the empty gouges - giving love is taking a chance. Although these gouges are painful, they stay open, reminding me of the love I have for these people too, and I hope someday they may return and fill the space I have waiting. So now do you see what true beauty is?"

The young man stood silently with tears running down his cheeks. He walked up to the old man, reached into his perfect young and beautiful heart, and ripped a piece out. He offered it to the old man with trembling hands.

The old man took his offering, placed it in his heart and then took a piece from his old scarred heart and placed it in the wound in the young man's heart. It fit, but not perfectly, as there were some jagged edges.

The young man looked at his heart, not perfect anymore but more beautiful than ever, since love from the old man's heart flowed into his.

They embraced and walked away side by side.

May we all love, no matter the price. God Bless our scarred hearts.

Blessings from the stupid desert~

She's so cool

2011-03-18T04:47:00.001-07:00

My Lil Bits

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The Canadian Tenors - The Prayer

2011-03-17T22:23:00.000-07:00

~The Last Call-~

2011-03-16T04:29:00.009-07:00

I find myself up before the sun and when that happens it's usually because I have some things on my mind (when I can find it).
I have been contemplating the last time I talked to my Father, not knowing it was going to be the last time. My father and I just found one another a year and a half ago. I longed my entire life to know where I came from. I had to wait until I was older and didn't go looking for my parents out of anger because that would have been unproductive.
Earlier blog posts detail all that but to condense here, two weeks after I found him he discovered He had parotid cancer. That's cancer of the salivary gland, very rare. He told me then before He went thru horrendous, disfiguring surgery and 13 weeks of chemotherapy and radiation that he was only doing it for me. So we could get to know one another.
He did well. Called me weekly, sometimes daily just to say "Hi Baby" or "I love you Baby". I so looked forward to talking to him on the phone. We finished each other's sentences, laughed at the same time. We both have the same extremely dry, off center sense of humor.
Thanksgiving 2010 He called to tell me the cancer was back, in his lungs this time. He chuckled it off saying He was going to get over the pneumonia he had and fight it again. I didn't hear from him again until Christmas, very briefly. "I love you Baby".

January 16, 2011....I had a message on my machine from his sister Sue telling me He was in the hospital in dallas, that He loved me and to call him back.
I called. He was serious. He was sick. He coughed most of our conversation, sounded tired and not his usual easy going self. There were no jokes, no chuckling. No finishing one another's sentence.

He also hadn't told me he was going to die.

Dad "Hi baby, I'm not feeling very well. They got me in the VA here in Dallas again. I can't seem to shake the pneumonia"
Me-"Dad, the cancer came back in your lungs? You said before they were just spots or just the pneumonia"
Dad-"Baby, it's cancer. It's in my lungs. I just haven't felt good for awhile now. I can't seem to make myself eat. I know I need to but I just can't."
Me-"You're sicker than you told me dad. What are they doing for you? Where's Betty(his wife) or the kids?
Dad-"I told her to go on back to Missouri and go back to work. Nothing she can do. How's my grandbabies? tell me about them.....(He named each one and made me tell him individually how/what they were doing)
Me-"Dad,you know you don't have to go thru all this nonsense for me anymore, doncha? You can tell the Doctors what you want, and what you don't want them to do. They can help you that way and give you things to help. I don't wanna be the reason for your suffering."
Dad-"I know. Don't you worry about that Baby. The Dr and I are having a talk on Wednesday when He gets the test results in and I'm going to baby".
Me-"No one walks in your shoes Daddy, no one lays in that hospital bed with you or feels what you have to feel. If you are done, I'm ok with that. I'm gonna miss you but I'm happy God answered my prayers to know who my Daddy is. I'm happy that you and I have made nice happy memories even if it has been by mail and phone."
Dad-"I love you baby"
Me-"I love you too Daddy. I wished I had loved you all my life but I think I did in my heart since I always wanted to find out who you were so bad."
Dad-This is where he asked me some personal questions, no jokes, no humor. Then He made me make him a promise...and that promise is between He and I, and God. SOrry, but I keep that for me.
Dad-"I wish you could come see me" (he's NEVER asked me to, He knows how hard it would be getting away from the kids)
Me-"I wish I could too daddy. If you get better I might but now, you're bouncing around from Missouri, to Dallas and I don't know where'd you'd be or when right now and Betty(his wife who doesn't care for me and kept me away from him, and him away from me as much as she could) isn't going to invite me to stay with you all in Missouri."
Dad-"Betty ain't gonna do nothing to you anymore baby, now that she knows I'm dying she's leaving it alone."

*First time He said he was dying, ever*

Me-"Daddy, are you gonna do chemo, etc...again? "
Dad-"I might, I just don't feel like eating anymore. I lost 30 lbs since Christmas but I can't eat anymore"
Me-"When people get really sick Dad, their bodies do that naturally. They just shut down. Your body's tired, rightfully so. You can't force it"
Dad-"I'll know more Wednesday baby. I need to go, having a hard time breathing and I need to rest a bit. I'll call you back on wednesday after I talk to the Doctor. Tell those babies I love 'em and I am so proud of them. Tell them to take care of their Momma. I love you baby, don't you forget that. I'm so sorry."
Me-"Don't be sorry Daddy, nothing to be sorry for. Your my daddy and I'm not angry with you. I'm Blessed to have been your daughter and to have found you."
Dad-"Bye Baby. Doncha forget that promise."
There was no phone call on Wednesday. I waited.
January 22,2011
I received an email from one of his other kids telling me He had died. He had called one of his sons to drive him home to Missouri from the hospital in dallas. They had driven all night, in snow and ice and made it to their house in Jackson. 45 minutes later....My Father met Jesus.
He just went to sleep and left his earthly body that was ravaged with cancer and tired...that's how I'd wanna go if I had a choice.
Later his sister Sue must have called too for I found on my answering machine her message.."Kimberly, this is Pat, Chuck's sister. I'm sorry to tell you he died. He loved you."
I just finally erased her messages off the machine, hard to do.
I wish now I had said a whole plethora of other things to him. I hope I said the important things. I know I must have let the "nurse" come out in me but hey, I am what I am.
I know over the last year and a half, I said just about everything and anything that came to my mind. As did my Father. We shared a lot of jokes, innuendos and one liners. We shared tears too. My Dad's mostly since I'm not a big cry-er.
The first time He talked to me on the phone after I had found him via his other children on facebook....He said, "Kimberly Dawn, this is your Dad and I'm so very sorry"...and He began to sob.

He didn't make excuses for not being my father for 44 years or for not being there or for ANYTHING.

He didn't blame my mother.

He manned up.

And He cried.

I was hooked.

He was my Daddy.

Charles E. Eaves Oct 23 1938-Jan 22 2011

I know someday we'll meet again....well, for us it won't be "again". It will be the first,and the best. I still keep half expecting the phone to ring and hearing him on the other end but I have to remind myself He's gone.

Remind me to tell you the hummingbird story.

Until then, Blessings from the stupid desert~

A Different Kind of Prayer

2011-03-13T23:21:00.001-07:00

Heavenly Father,
Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in
traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day
and was rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the
laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children.

Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young
man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college
student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of
not getting his student loans for next semester.

Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in
the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to
addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.

Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow
through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are
savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she
got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping
together.

Heavenly Father,
remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us,
the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those
we hold dear. Open our hearts not just to those who are close to us
but to all humanity.

Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive.

Bless us with patience, empathy and love.(and lead us out of the stupid desert!)

And all God's children said....AMEN!!!!!!

~A little sumtin'~

2011-03-09T17:55:00.002-07:00

~Blessings from the stupid desert

My babies when they WERE still babies♥

2011-03-08T14:40:00.000-07:00

Sign o' the times~

2011-03-07T19:22:00.000-07:00

Mountain Lions Can't Stand the Stupid Desert Either~

2011-03-06T18:39:00.003-07:00

Blessings from the stupid desert~

Top 10 Reasons God Created Eve~

2011-03-02T19:22:00.003-07:00

10. God was worried that Adam would frequently become lost in the garden because he would not ask for directions.

9. God knew that one day Adam would require someone to locate and hand him the remote.

8. God knew Adam would never go out and buy himself a new fig leaf when his wore out and would therefore need Eve to buy one for him.

7. God knew Adam would never be able to make a doctor's, dentist's or haircut appointment by himself.

6. God knew Adam would never remember which night to put the garbage on the curb.

5. God knew if the world was to be populated, men would never be able to handle the pain and discomfort of childbearing.

4. God knew that as the keeper of the garden, Adam would never remember where he left his tools.

3. God knew that Adam would need someone to blame his troubles on when he was caught hiding in the garden.

2. The Bible says, " It is not good for man to be alone."

And finally, the Number 1 reason why God created Eve..........

Drumroll...

1. When God finished the creation of Adam, He stepped back, scratched his head and said, "I can do better than that."

WE LOVE OUR MEN....most of us...on a good day....mostly.
OK FINE...I LOVE MINE!
NEENERS~
Blessings from the stupid desert~

A Letter to My Past

2011-02-28T23:59:00.000-07:00

To the Chaos that was my childhood/early life:

Did you think you had gotten away before I could answer you? Don't try, you can't get away with anything anymore. You have NO hold on my life, my heart, my soul or my Being.

You thought you would control my fate but OH, how you underestimated me!

Did you think that all the people you sent to hurt me then, would really carry with me for this long? You over estimate yourself. Those who hurt me, with hands, fists and calloused hearts, didn't know just how strong they would make me.

When I had to dig myself out of a wall, or the carpet, I didnt' give up. I kept going until YOU gave up.

The man who touched a little girl didn't define who she would turn out to be, He only reiterrated the definition of who she never wanted to be.

That was not love, I know better.

The woman who slapped, cursed and told me every day of my young life that I was ugly, a nothing and that I would never be anything, she lied.

She had the tongue of a serpent and the heart of a stone.

Strong hands that could have loved and nurtured and sent me on my way in life instead turned to anger and resentment. She didn't insure me a good, happy life or even one that resembled nice.

She did make sure that I do know what happy is now. That I am finally able to allow happy. That I am learning to RECEIVE happy from others, and in turn learning how to give also.

She lost. I've made sure.

For the others who this little girl crossed paths with and you did nothing, or turned a blind eye to her when she was in her deepest hour of need, don't worry.

For a time she learned to never look to others, never even would she ask someone for help lest she be turned down yet again. She learned to stand on her own two feet.

She grew , and she grew strong.

She thirsts to know better, do better and be better every minute of her life.

To those who said they "loved me", but their version of love was simply a version of either lust or self fulfillment, you didn't love me.

I have learned what love is.

Oh what you missed not knowing what love was. I had plenty to give and would have done so in the highest.

If only you'd known what love was....

My Jesus has showed me, without strings and without breaking my heart.

To all those shut doors who's deafening indifference was heart wrenching, She's deaf to you now.

She learned how to open doors for herself, and the ones she couldnt, she allowed God to.

To that which conspired to make sure that a little girl, forgotten by everyone would amount to nothing....didnt' work.

I'm something, nothing special, but I AM something.Not the nobody you'd hope I'd be.

I've raised children on my own, not a dime from the one who should have helped.Not even churches want to help a single woman with 5 kids. They turned away too.

That's ok.

It taught my children valuable lessons . Just because you have the title "dad" doesn't make you one.

They've seen strong, they've watched struggle. They learned too.

So my dear past, it is with NO REGRETS that I tell you...you lost. Not only did you loose, you inadvertently taught 5 kids how to SHINE!

Now, I love. I love with great passion and a zest to BE loved.

The one's who love me, really do love me.

I've just climbed a small mountain, at my age, it's huge. I'm not through yet.

Just sit back , down there at the bottom where I've left you, and watch me.

It'll just make you sick.

I'll be smiling.

Pepto??

Bible Phunnies

2011-02-27T20:57:00.004-07:00

What children say....

The first book of the Bible is Guinessis, in which Adam & Eve were created from an apple tree.

Noah's wife was called Joan of Ark.

Lot's wife was a pillar of salt by day and a ball of fire by night.

Samson slayed the Philistines with the axe of the Apostles.

Unleavened bread is bread made without ingredients.

Moses went to the top of Mt. Cyanide to get the 10 commandments.

The 7th commandment is 'Thou shalt not admit adultery.'

Joshua let the Hebrew in the battle of Geritol.

David fought the Finkelsteins, a race of people who lived in Biblical times.

Solomon has 300 wives and 700 porcupines.

Jesus was born because Mary had an immaculate contraption.

The people who followed Jesus were called the 13 decibels.

The Epistles were the wives of the Apostles.

One of the opossums was St. Matthew.

Paul preached holy acrimony, which is another name for marriage.

A Godly person should have only one wife. This is called monotony.

( I heard some of you men shout AMEN...you know you did. God knows too. Shame...shame...shame)

May God's grace and blessings be abundant~from the stupid desert(DUH!!)

Winter Storm in the Stupid Desert~feb 27 2011~

2011-02-27T18:22:00.001-07:00

♥That Peace Inside♥

2011-02-22T12:42:00.001-07:00

Looking deep within to find that place of peace
Opening up your heart to expose nothing but the truth
Vulnerable feelings flow as you find out more and more
Every day a challenge as another layer removed

Lying to your self in past that everything is fine
Oblivious for years the damage caused deep inside
Voids filled with empty promises and broken dreams
Empty spaces filled with substance that masks the pain

Living day to day but afraid to go deep inside
Of all the hurts and pain you wish to just ignore
Vivid images, emotions all overwhelming and raw
Effects from all the years of constant disregard

Laying on the mat breathing as I feel
One emotion after another flows through my veins
Very intense feelings all rapidly released
Every time I stand mix feelings of exhaustion and exhilaration

Love your self finally has meaning
Owning your destiny finally makes sense
Voids finally fulfilled with feelings of acceptance
Each day is a journey of seeking our inner peace

look...rainbow in the stupid desert~

2011-02-20T17:40:00.001-07:00

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my bd present...he's just spoiling me now!

2011-02-16T23:30:00.001-07:00

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birthdaay flowers

2011-02-16T12:42:00.001-07:00

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Another Year Older

2011-02-15T02:41:00.001-07:00

44 years ago today a little 4 1/2 pound girl was born in the promised land(Dallas).
Today, she resides in the stupid desert.
Older.
Wiser.
Spunkier.
Blessed.

That is all....carry on!!

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear ... 1 John 4:18

2011-02-13T03:18:00.003-07:00

Our love
makes every good day
seem better yet.
Our love
makes all memories
too precious to forget.

Our love
can lighten any day
and help dissolve each care.
Our love
makes our heart and soul
the most perfect pair.

With our love
we'll stay together
through happiness and tears.
And our love
will be its own reward
as we go through the years.

Though time
may bring its changes
it will find us closer still.
This love of ours
will grow in strength
as true love always will.

And the fondest dream
we always share
each time becomes more true,
for I know
I always love you
and you'll always love me too.

Happy Valentine's Day to Him that holds my heart in his hands everyday.
I love you Sweetness, today and even more tomorrow.

Letter to Senator Gray

2011-02-07T15:33:00.001-07:00

February 7, 2011

Senator Linda Gray
State of Arizona

Dear Senator Gray,

My name is Kimberly Barillas and I was an employee for The Centers for Habilitation (TCH) from April 7,2008 until January 28, 2011. TCH was the day program for the residents of Campbell Group home. Our location was a second home directly behind the group home. You walk out of their back door and take ten steps and there we were. The residents were with us Monday -Friday from 8:30 am until 3:30 pm.
I was contacted by Brenda Wilson and Kathy Foster who are/were parents of Campbell Group Home concerning the poor treatment of the residents of the group home by staff and especially by nursing during the time I worked there.
There was constant conflict between TCH and the group home concerning this. Because our location was so far away from our main offices, which are located in Tempe, our employer wasn’t involved nor did they express any interest in being involved in helping us. We witnessed outright abuse and reported them. I , myself, contacted Adult Protective Services to report them. I did do this anonymously as I did not want to loose my job but felt a moral and legal obligation to say something. Repeatedly APS would come to do the reports , examine wounds/injuries themselves and ask us questions. All of those investigations would come back as unfounded even though there were clear, measurable injuries. The house would report to them as not knowing how they happened even though some sympathetic staff would tell us, on the side, how they happened.
Due to the constant conflict with the group home and lack or willingness of our employer to do anything we began keeping logs of incidents and conversations. Not knowing of course that anything would ever come of them it helped us to put things down in writing.
When Lori De Woody (Brenda Wilson’s daughter) died on January 26, 2010 our frustration grew. You cannot work with this population of human beings and not become attached to them and to their families. They are precious human beings who only need love and nourishment to thrive. The rest of the human race should be so easy to accommodate.
I have the original logs that TCH employees kept and I will transcribe them to a word document so that you and anyone else who is interested can read them.
I would like to add that personally speaking, I believe that nursing is where the issues are and will remain. They “hide” illnesses to us and the parents. They have denied that anyone was ill with contagious illnesses when in reality they were being treated by physicians for them. The state nurse, Connie Thompson tells the charge nurse what to do, say, etc…to parents and staff. Or in most cases what NOT to say. If, a parent or guardian called us while their child was at the day program and asked us how their child was and we answered, State Nursing would proclaim that TCH was “diagnosing” the individuals and purposely trying to anger the parents/guardians against nursing. When in reality, all we did was report general symptoms such as eating/not eating, voiding/not voiding, etc…This was an ongoing complaint against myself and fellow employees of TCH from Connie Thompson.
Residents have had contagious pneumonia, ring worm, upper respiratory infections and valley fever that was not disclosed to any of their caretakers. I personally had during the time I worked there, pneumonia 3 times and bronchitis 4 times. I apparently brought it home to my children as two of my children also have had pneumonia multiple times also. We have never had pneumonia or bronchitus before my tenure at the Day Program at Campbell House. I received a “write up” for being ill with pneumonia/bronchitis for two weeks. When I returned to work I brought Dr’s notes excusing my absence due to my illness. Now knowing that the state nurse, Connie Thompson’s husband was on my company’s board of directors, I believe it was just another form of harassment against me for speaking up.
I’m hopeful that someone finally hears the truths that the state have tried viciously to hide about what truly life is like for t hose beautiful human beings who are entrusted to our care. Someone has a duty to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. I believe God puts us all on certain paths for a reason. I pray He has you on our path to help the helpless. I have seen two residents of the group home die. Deaths I believe were preventable and inhumane. Pointing fingers at one another doesn’t fix the problems. Someone needs to actually identify and SOLVE the issues before anymore residents of Campbell Group Home pass away needlessly.
Should you need to contact me I am more than willing to speak with you. Please know that I have been the “victim”, as it were of harassment by Connie Thompson directly. Her husband , Mark Thompson is on TCH’s board of directors and it was thru him that she tried time after time to report me for things I had to prove that I did not do or say. I do NOT wish any undue or further harassment from the state. Vicki Kronnebetter has also verbally harassed me while I was working. They do not like people who speak up against them. I would prefer to speak with you or anyone else without them knowing or being present if at all possible.

Thank you for taking the time to listen to those of us who speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.

Sincerely,

Kimberly D. Barillas

A Fight in the Stupid Desert

2011-02-07T13:07:00.002-07:00

So, I am officially not working at the group home anymore. It sadens my heart to no end. However, I'm still in a fight along with the parents of patients who have either died, almost died or have been removed from there. We are fighting a big battle with the state of Arizona. Corruption in the system that goes all the way to the top.
This article was published in New Times about our lovely state nursing supervisor. How she managed to retain her nurses license is beyond me. I can loose mine if I get a ticket. Apparently murder is no big deal to her.

It is to me.

It is to those who died.

It is to those of us who care.

It is to a God who is mightier than any state or evil person or entity.

So the battle begins.

Here's the link to the newspaper article on Connie, who tried in vain to get me fired. Her husband is on the board of directors of my former employer. Didn't work. God had my back. Still does.

http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2004-03-25/news/blast-from-the-past/

Pray for those who cannot speak for themselves. Those people I cared for who are profoundly and physically disabled and cannot speak for themselves.

Happy 18 Birthday to my Daughter Cheyenne~

2011-02-01T18:54:00.001-07:00

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

Bye Father I never met~

2011-01-23T19:10:00.004-07:00

Email I received from a half sister today....

Kimberly,
Dad passed away yesterday. The second round of cancer and pneumonia were too much for him. He hadn't been eating much for several weeks. He was at the VA in Dallas. Friday he wanted urgently to get back here to Jackson MO where we have been living with my baby brother Chuck to help with his girls. Dad passed away about 45 minutes after they arrived home from Texas. Obviously he knew he didn't have much time left.He wanted to be with his wife and kids. And several of his grandkids.

I'm sorry to tell you this via email.

Donna

RIP Charles Earnest Eaves....died jan 22 2011

I hate cancer, I hate the world and I hate death. I wish I had met you daddy...talking to you on the phone was prolly the greatest joy in my life. I wish I had known or seen you. You'll live in my heart until we meet again~

Kenny Chesney - Somewhere With You (Walmart Soundcheck)

2011-01-22T22:39:00.000-07:00

I'm not a big country fan but I really love this....very mesmerizing.

~My Aging Eyes~

2011-01-17T01:16:00.002-07:00

Arizona Mourns~

2011-01-12T19:33:00.001-07:00

Christina Taylor Green,

John M. Roll,

Gabe Zimmerman,

Phyllis Schneck,

Dorwin Stoddard,

Dorothy Morris

...in honor of your memories and love to your families...

Tonight only,

The Desert is not stupid,

Blessings and Peace~

Dear Mr. God

2011-01-10T02:50:00.000-07:00

We are all "letters to God"....Blessings~

January in review: See our Arizona storm photo slideshow

2011-01-09T18:52:00.000-07:00

Our crazy weather in the stupid desert~

January in review: See our Arizona storm photo slideshow

~Did You Know~ by me

2011-01-02T22:31:00.000-07:00

Once there was a child borne of nothing
unloved, unwanted & forgettable.
This child was spat on, denied & forgotten about
by all the people of this world.
This child grew, mostly on her own accord,
unattended, unremembered & scared.
This child had many families & yet never belonged to one.
never had a name or a likeness like her own.
This child was hit when life was to much for others,
yet no one saw this child, whose life was too hard for her,
unbelieving, unattentive and embarrassed were the adults in her life
they didn't like this child.
This child cried every night,
asking God for someone to love her
prayed for food, prayed for Jesus, prayed for Love.
unanswered, unimportant were her prayers to God.
Prayers are not for children who need love.
This child craved love, begging for it in every way
unattainable, unimaginable
that she might be loved.
Could it be that love was not meant to be for her?
and this child gave up,
tired of talking to God...
so very tired.
This child became an adult, a woman
althought it was a miracle she grew
unbelieveable that you can grow without love
it was so.
ANd the child had children whome she could love
believable, loved & wanted
were her children.
Yes, the child was finally heard by God.
This child, this child of God
had love all along...
when the child cried, He cried & held me
kept me warm.
when the child was hurt from the fists that hit her
He gave me His arms of protection,
to run to.
when the child prayed for a family of her own
to love her..
He invited me into His,
and loves me
unconditionally, intentionally & forever.
This child knows,
God answers prayers.

Ok, who did it???!

2010-12-30T21:43:00.003-07:00

Well hello world....

I'd like to know who thought it would be humourous to send their winter to OUR stupid desert???

*taps foot with arms crossed

Anyone wanna own up?

Ah huh.

Yellow Bellied Chicken Weiners....

Here's a picture from Phoenix today. Take note of the date...must be written prophetically somewhere this is the begining of the end.

It snowed in the stupid desert today, after raining and hailing all night.

(It is a bit beautiful...if it wasn't so dadgum cold!)

Self Trivia~pass it along

2010-12-23T09:46:00.002-07:00

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?

Dunno, I was orphaned but found my birth parents recently. My name is pretty common from the 70's

2. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING

Yeppers. I spent days and hours growing up trying different ways to write.

3. HAVE KIDS?

Silly question. I have 5.

4.IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?

Prolly. My life is always NON dull.

5.DO YOU USE SARCASM ?

IT's the only way to go!

6. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?

Nopers.

7.WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?

Not in a million years and 10 lifetimes....I'm allergic to stupidity.

8.WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?

Honey Nut Cheerios/Honey Bunches of O's

9.DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES BEFORE YOU TAKE THEM OFF?

You're suppose too??? Wow, who knew?(sarcasm much?)

10.WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?

Chunky Monkey

11.WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?

I'm a "hand" person..yes, I know that's weird.

12. RED OR PINK?

RED....love RED!

13.WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF ?

My stubborness....it's the thing of legends. Not that I'm bragging.

14.WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST ?

Mimi and GrandSam....world's greatest "grandparents" even though I'm not related by blood.

15.WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?

White , Black & berry colored Nike's

16.WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?

Mac N Cheese w/tuna and peas

17.WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?

The people I care for making noises, as they always do. ( I care for adults w/profound physical/mental disabilities)

18.IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?

Berry Red

19.WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?

My Daughter Cheyenne

20. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?

Football....as long as the Cowboys are playing.

21.HAIR COLOR?

Brown/Black

22.Eye Color

Brown

23.FAVORITE FOOD?

Raw Oysters/Hamburger

24.SCARY OR HAPPY ENDINGS?

Happy(so unrealistic)

25.SUMMER OR WINTER?

WInter....I live in the stupid desert. It's NICE when it isn't 115.

26.HUGS OR KISSES?

I dislike hugs especially pretentious hugs from people who hardly know you. Kisses by default

27.FAVORITE DESSERT?

I'm not a "sweets" kinda girl

28.SOMETHING RANDOM FROM YOUR BUCKET LIST?

Spend a summer in Italian countryside

29.FAVORITE SOUND?

Rain

30.ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?

Beatles, Mick Jagger is one butt ugly dude...and that's his singing.

31.WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?

The stupid desert where I live now....sooo can't wait to move back home.

32.WHERE WERE YOU BORN ?

Dallas, Texas. The Promised Land.

33.

Mirror Image

2010-12-21T23:07:00.002-07:00

On Christmas Eve, Nathan thought it would be nice to buy his wife a little gift for the next day. Always short of money, he thought long and hard about what that present might be.

Unable to decide, Nathan entered Nordstroms and in the cosmetics section he asked the girl, 'How about some perfume?' She showed him a bottle costing $75.

'Too expensive,' muttered Nathan.

The young lady returned with a smaller bottle for $50. 'Oh dear,' Nathan groused, 'still far too much.'

Growing rather annoyed at Nathan's meanness, the sales girl brought out a tiny $10 bottle and offered it to him.

Nathan became really agitated, 'What I mean', he whined, 'is I'd like to see something really cheap.'

So the sales girl handed him a mirror.

.... Happy Holiday Blessings from the stupid desert~

The "giving" spirit

2010-12-15T22:59:00.000-07:00

A man in his 40's bought a new BMW and was out on the interstate for a nice evening drive. The top was down, the breeze was blowing through what was left of his hair and he decided to open her up.
As the needle jumped up to 80 mph, he suddenly saw flashing red and blue lights behind him.
"There's no way they can catch a BMW," he thought to himself and opened her up further. The needle hit 90, 100.... Then the reality of the situation hit him. "What the hell am I doing?" he thought and pulled over.
The cop came up to him, took his license without a word and examined it and the car.
"It's been a long day, this is the end of my shift and it's Friday the 13th. I don't feel like more paperwork, so if you can give me an excuse for your driving that I haven't heard before, you can go."
The guy thinks for a second and says, "Last week my wife ran off with a cop. I was afraid you were trying to give her back."
"Have a nice weekend," said the officer.

Blessings from the stupid desert~

~Kimberly's Phunnies~

2010-12-10T21:15:00.002-07:00

Tell a man there are 300 billion stars in the sky and he will believe you, tell him his work out bench is wet and he will have to touch it to make sure

In memory of John Lennon who died 30 years ago today. Did you know the only vegetable he ate was broccoli? I'm happy he finally decided to give peas a chance.

Chuck Norris was invited to a birthday party. He dared one kid to suck all the helium of the balloons. This kid is now known as Justin Beiber

Here's the best advice of the day: If you call a psychic and they don't greet you by name, HANG UP!!!

Son, when I was your age, our video game controllers were hard wired to the console. And Mario had to walk uphill both ways to the castle.

I propose we add a new day to the week and call it "Someday," just think of all the awesome stuff that would happen on it

I don't speed.....I drive with purpose!

Alarm clocks. Because every morning should begin with a heart attack.

Dear Santa, Can we talk about this? I'm so sick and tired being on that list. I'm just having fun

When the cable goes out, I like to sit down and do some writing. ...Usually a check to the cable company.

If someone calls you a freak just thank them. Nothing throws people off like a proud, polite freak

I'm excited for Christmas. What other time of the year can you sit around a dead tree and eat candy out of socks?

Dear Santa, I was framed.

Change your FB profile picture by December 12th to your favorite moon of the planet Jupiter to help fight childhood obesity amongst cats. Copy and paste to spread the word.

What's another word for synonym?

I think the best thing about being in the house of a hoarder is that you can take stuff home with you and they would never even notice.

Update on my diet....its December and so far this year I've lost 12 months!! I would like to thank the website I found that allows me to purchase Cadbury mini eggs year round!!

Whoever keeps shaking the snowglobe.... "STOP!"

Whoever said "nothing is impossible" has obviously never seen me doing nothing.

My Sweet Baby Brother and His Family

2010-12-09T20:04:00.002-07:00

My Little Brother Cody and his beautiful wife Gina and kids. Foster is the oldest, then Juliet, then Roman(my brother's twin!) and Baby Phoenix.

2010

Memory Lane w/my kids in pictures over the years

2010-12-05T21:43:00.020-07:00

< Christmas 1999

~Cassidy Eve~ 3 1/2 yrs old

~Cassidy Eve~ 15 mos old 1997

~Cassidy Eve~

~Cassidy Eve~ 1996

~Cheyenne Keely~ February 2, 1993

~Cheyenne Keely,
10 mos old, Sept 1993

Cheyenne Keely 2003 10 yrs old

Vacation in Coronado 2000, Cheyenne 7 yrs old

Cheyenne Keely 2005 12 yrs old

Kristopher Andres 14 yrs old 1998

Kristopher 1990 4 yrs old

Zachy 9, Dakota 8, Cheyenne 7 and Cassidy 3....1999ish

Momma of 5

Nothing to Fear

Lost Minds in Canada

Letter to God

One of those days...

BLT Pasta Salad...mmm

Yummy's

Family Love Time

Nectar of the Gods

Somebodies~

Life's Little Musings

Yummy

Life in the land of monoply money

Die Frosty...die!

Snow January 19 2012

Meanwhile in Canada...

Keith's "a new year with the angels" post

My Brother and His Artwork!

~Do You Believe~

Lucado, My favorite

The Benefits of Growing Older

New Years and New Resolutions~

This is my story (Part 1)

"One Month and Christmas with the Angels"

My Oldest Son

My thoughts about moving to Canada..

My Kids

PC Santa

Christmas Phunny~

Southern Medical Terms

Yea, that cold in the friggin' frigid north!

Happy Thoughts~

Santa Wisdom from a middle aged broad

**Christmas Songs For Shrinks**

First Canadian Snow

Escaped

Quotes to Ponder

They Grow Quick

Home

My Girls

My Baby Boy

A Funny for your Thoughts

Prayers for James

Summer Days in the Stupid Desert

The Ring...almost time

Loving from Darkness~

Freedom is not free~

Aging in the stupid desert~

Grandpa rip

Sad Heart

Open Again

jess driving in the stupid desert

Perverts Never Die...although they should

♥My Girls♥

Journey - When You Love a Woman

~I've learned...~

It's official...I'm Ancient!

Some of us await answers for incidents at Ariz. group homes

~Do You Believe~

~Rules for Living~

My Most Infamous Facebook Status...and responses

~God won't ask...

4HIM - He Never Changes

age is marching upon my face~

Beautiful Scarred Hearts♥

She's so cool

The Canadian Tenors - The Prayer

~The Last Call-~

A Different Kind of Prayer

~A little sumtin'~

My babies when they WERE still babies♥

Sign o' the times~

Mountain Lions Can't Stand the Stupid Desert Either~

Top 10 Reasons God Created Eve~

A Letter to My Past

Bible Phunnies

Winter Storm in the Stupid Desert~feb 27 2011~

♥That Peace Inside♥

look...rainbow in the stupid desert~

my bd present...he's just spoiling me now!

Christmas Songs For Shrinks