Photo Challenge Day 3

A picture of the cast from your favorite show:

We all remember this show! And I love it! The good ol' 80's tv sitcom Cheers! I remember it came on at 9 pm and I used to beg my Grandmother...."PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE! DIANE AND SAM ARE GOING ON A DATE! PLEASE GRANDMA PLEASE!' Eventually she would give in and let me watch it!
Now days I catch it on cable...and will sit for hours watching it!

Photo Challenge Day 2

A Picture of you and someone you have been the closest with the longest.



This one is easy for me. Who else besides my husband? For 20 years, its been nothing but him by my side and me by his!



~Adds

Prince Charles and Princess Di vs Prince William and Kate?

Ok this is grinding my gears! Its all over the media..I'm sure you've seen it? Which couple is better Charles and Di or William and Kate? I've even seen Di vs Kate.
This upsets me..because who are we to judge William's relationship with Kate because of what happened with his parents.
Nobody really knows what happened between Charles and Di...except for them. And chances are we will never know. And that's the way its supposed to be. Who are we as society to judge them at all? No relationship is perfect in every way. But when you take high profile people and splash their personal life all over the media. Its not right. Unlike, the actors and actresses, who worked so hard to become what they are. And knew what they were getting into and chose that kind of life. The Royals,and even the Kennedy's('the American version of the Royals') They didn't choose that life. Charles and William were born into that life. They had no choice. You are high profile from the moment you are conceived. What a life, right?
Princess Di and the future Princess Kate, yes I guess you can say they chose it. Some say that Di married Charles for the 'marriage of convenience' or better known as a 'political marriage'. Again, no one knows why they married. It was what it was.
The marriage happened to produce two wonderful boys, in which, the line will continue. And with that, Di, did whatever she could for her sons. Even if she was unhappy in her marriage. She stayed with it for as long as she could. I feel that yes it probably was a marriage of convenience, but at some point, maybe in the beginning they did love each other. At the end, probably not so much.
As for Kate, I think that she really in love with William. And William her too. The whole world is holding their breath for this wedding. In hopes that, It will last.
But judging, Will and Kate's marriage based on his parents marriage, is like judging my marriage with my husband. We have been married for 16 1/2 years....but together for over 20 years now. Where as my parents were together for maybe 3.

As for the Kate vs. Di thing..Which is the better Princess? Come on. Its like judging Princess Di to Princess Grace of Monaco. You can't do it. Well, You could. But how unfair is it? Different time, different ways.
I remember my mother always saying when she was a little girl she wanted to be Princess Grace, when she grew up. I wanted to be Princess Di, when I grew up. And My little 10 year old Niece..wants to have a 'Cupcake and Tiara' party on Saturday.
I want to say a Princess is a Princess...but again comparing them just because they have the title. Doesn't mean anything.

photo challenge Day 1

A picture of me with 10 facts...

#1: I'm a wife and a mother
#2: I am the baby of 5 Children
#3 But the first to be married
#4 I was raised by my maternal Grandparents
#5 My Paternal Grandfather's name was Carrell Elmer.
#6 My Father and Mother in law's names were Elmer and Carol.(interesting I know)
#7 Some say I look like my Mother
#8 Some say I look like my Father (guess its which one you knew)
#9 I love my husband and boys.
#10 I love my other family too.

~Adds
(just for the fun of it interesting fact #11 Adds has to fix her signature thingy..urgh!)

30 day photo challenge....

Ok I'm bored I have a brain block in which I can't think of anything to blog about. So one of my friends on Facebook started doing this and it looks interesting.

here is the Challenge:
you can start this any day, any time, anywhere





Day 01 - A picture of yourself with ten facts

Day 02 - A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest

Day 03 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show

Day 04 - A picture of your night

Day 05 - A picture of your favorite memory

Day 06 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day

Day 07 - A picture of your most treasured item

Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh

Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most

Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the most ****** up things with

Day 11 - A picture of something you hate

Day 12 - A picture of something you love

Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist

Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without

Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die

Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you

Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently

Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity

Day 19 - A picture and a letter

Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel

Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget

Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at

Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book

Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change

Day 25 - A picture of your day

Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you

Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member

Day 28 - A picture of something you're afraid of

Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile

Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss

Day 31 - A picture of yourself
so here we go!

ok I have to play catch up...

Bad Adds! I have taken what a week off from blogging..and lost count of who I am following...so if I haven't followed you yet will you please do me a huge favor..and post on this comment! That way I will know who I need to follow! Thank you!

Mom vs. Aunt

So everyone knows that I have seven sons in which I love dearly! But do you know I have some other children in my life that I love too. I have five nieces and one nephew,(2 of the nieces live in Texas in which I hardly get to see) that have a special place in my heart.
Truth be known, I love my sons. I do everything for them. Cooking supper, doing laundry, making beds, helping with homework. (thank goodness we got out of the dirty diaper stage!)Telling funny jokes and stories to entertain them. I get up early in the morning to see them off to school, and then stay up late to make sure everybody is sleeping well. Now I am not complaining in any matter. That's what  a mother does, correct?

But when I'm with my sister and her children. Its funny. We click off our mommy mode, and turn on our auntie mode. We know that the other will watch our kids. We spoil them rotten. For instance, My 'lone nephew' went up and asked his momma for some ice cream. She said no..your going to eat dinner in a few minutes. Now, normally, I would tell him you have to listen to your mother. But out of the corner of my eye..I see her giving all of my sons, an ice cream. Ok, nah, hold on...you just told my nephew he had to wait for his...but your giving my sons some? She said 'Of course, they are my nephews..come on I only have 7?'  Hummmm...yeah I told her..as I walking over to the freezer, grabbing  5 more Ice creams 'Well, I only have one!' I proceeded to give all my nieces one and my nephew two. The girls know that , Billy, gets what he wants..because he is the "lone nephew'.
Now don't get me wrong. Yes, he is the 'lone nephew'. But my nieces also get spoiled. Hair and make up, I stick up for them as only an Aunt could. (Especially, when they have a boy they like) Yes, they have other Aunts and Uncles.(Looking at it...two of them, have no children of their own, meaning they have 13 nieces and nephews. My brother has...8 nephews and 3 nieces. And my other sister, has 7 nephews and 2 nieces. I'm out numbered by far!) But, these children are my only nieces and nephews. I am blessed to be Aunt Adds to six wonderful children.


Until next time~

Its that time of year!

For Kansas Storms! I love them! The thunder and lighting...brings shivers to my spine. I love the sound of it..the look of it. But there is just one down fall....Tornadoes!  Nobody likes tornadoes! I remember.. in 2007, there was a tornado in Greensburg, Kansas that took the whole town.


'The tornado was estimated to be 1.7 miles (2.7 km) in width — wider than the city itself — and traveled for nearly 22 miles (35 km). Ninety-five percent of the city was confirmed to be destroyed, with the other five percent being severely damaged.' (quote from Wikipedia)

To me, this is devestating. The whole town was gone! These people, have gone through one of the worst things that could happen to them..what do they do? Instead of hanging their heads down, and pitting themselves. They pick themselves up, brush off their shoulders, and build a new town. Its a 'green' town.
"The city's power will be supplied by ten 1.25 MW wind-turbines." (Quote from Wikipedia)

This year, Topeka will mark the 45th anniversary of the tornado(s) that tore through downtown.  Between June 2-12, a record 59 tornadoes hit Topeka. I was not born, but I remember hearing about it from my Grandparents.

On June 8,1966, Topeka was hit  by an F5 tornado.

'It started on the southwest side of town, moving northeast, passing over a local landmark named Burnett's Mound. According to a local Native American legend, this mound was thought to protect the city from tornadoes ^[1]. It went on to rip through the city, hitting the downtown area and Washburn University. Total dollar cost was put at $100 million (US$ 677 million in 2011) making it the costliest tornadoes in history.' (quote from Wikipedia)
I remember my Grandmother telling us about it. "We were not here at this time. We were living up in Wisconsin. But I remember hearing about it, and trying to get a hold of your Great-Grandmother. There was no way. The phone lines were down. The only way was to try and get a hold of the police department. And they would tell you that they couldn't just look for one person's family. There was too many missing. To hold on for a couple days, and they will contact you when they can.' She said It took about 3 or 4 days, and finally her sister called her saying everyone was ok.

Could you imagine?  Not hearing from your family, for days.

So 45 years, later...my husband and I bought a house in downtown Topeka. Smart right?  Well, on one hand no...yes a tornado went right down this area..it was along time ago.(This house actually survived the tornado, in fact my Great-Great Aunt lived in it at the time)But on the other hand, you never know when or where one will hit. My husband, when he was my boyfriend, was coming home from school one day. He looked over into a field....HELLO! TORNADO! It went right in front of his truck...


I guess its a part of living in Kansas. You have to listen, watch and run! lol! After all, you don't want to be carried off to Oz!

Until next time~

Rasslin'

Okay, so we all know Wrestling of these days. Crazy, nasty talking, not mother approved, fight causing, low entertainment value..the list could go on and on.
But do you remember Texas Rasslin'? The men and women of the WCCW? The Von-Erichs?
We Absolutely  L-O-V-E-D  them! I found this song on you tube. And just had to share.
~Adds

It was 19...something

We should all remember before it was 20 something...I do. I remember it was yesterday.  I remember going to school for the first time..In 1979. I was 4 scared to death! Days when you could walk to school and your mother just let you. Not worried about you disappearing.
The 80's..Remember the Atari and the balley basic. Oh that was just the greatest. Like this song..I had the pac man pattern memorized. My mother was just happy to let me play it, and you didn't hear..go outside..read a book...do something..besides playing those games!
Then, the 90's. The high school years. Days of skipping school to hang out with my boyfriend(my mother never knew..because I could do her signature to the 'T'.)
Fun times..I did a lot of stuff, that no I would never let my boys do. At least, I hope they never try. But do you think as parents, we have learned from our past mistakes? Sure it was fun...but do we want our kids to do what we did?  Truth be known, if my son ever skipped school. #1 the school would call me, if I didn't call him out.  Do you think our parents let us get away with stuff...being the times? Are we more protective than our parents?
Until next time..
~

Silly brothers...

So I made cupcakes today...and proceeded to give them one a piece. Then I went upstairs and I hear Joshy,3, talking to Dusty, 12.

Joshy: 'Dusty! Dusty! DUS-TY!'
Dusty: "Yes, Joshua?'
Joshy: 'Will you please give me another cupcake?'
Dusty: 'Shouldn't we ask Mommy?'
Joshy: 'Nope, if she gets mad..we will blame Ti-Kie(Frankie)..but she won't get mad!'
Dusty :'Ok, do you want Cream cheese on it?'
Joshy:' Dusty it's not Cheese...it's Ice cream!'
Dusty: 'Ok, so do you want Ice cream on it?'
Joshy: 'Yes...my love you Dusty!'
Dusty: 'I love you too Joshy!'


Now what mother after hearing that would get mad?

Family Heritage: What It means to you?

So recently, My brother and I were working on Family History. Tracing it as far back as we could go on all sides. We found it interesting that we are related to Daniel Boone, Abe Lincoln..a King of Scotland, and Hannah Dustin(also has a spelling of Hannah Duston). We also learned a lot about the old ways. For instance, we found out that our great great grandmother was married to her first cousin....when our Grandmother found out, needless to say she wasn't so pleased. She actually didn't believe us at first saying 'My grandmother wouldn't lie to us.' We responded with 'But your grandchildren would?" She bluntly said 'YES!'  So we left it at that....

When doing my Husband's family, we found it interesting, that on both sides of his father's. We couldn't find anything past his grandparents. We knew his Grandfather Roberts came from France, but looking up in the French portion of Genealogy.com we couldn't find anything.
I asked Ray's dad, why this was? He said 'I don't know, I guess there is old family secrets he wanted to leave there.'

I almost think that the older generation, wishes the younger generations would leave it along. Yes, its very cool that your are a cousin to Abe Lincoln, and your related to Hannah Dustin..and that your the 6th Great grandchild to Daniel Boone. But we lived without knowing that why can't you?

As for the Boys, I told them..that you are related to Daniel Boone..(7th great grandchild). They immediately went to school and told their teachers. They think its awesome. :)
So I'm wondering ' Do you know anything about your family history? Or do you care?'

Thank you!

I would like to take the time to thank all of my new followers! :) You all are great!

Joey and Mom

                   Joey decided mom needed to wear his glasses! :)

Ever mother does it....

You know when you get tired of doing the full meals of , Roast beef, Mashed potatoes, a veggie of some sort, and a dessert. For six days a week, I cook and cook and cook and cook. Three meals a day! (not complaining..just stating) So one day a week, usually when Hubby is home..we will have a simple supper. Usually planned by the boys. Like last week, we had 'we take after Uncle Brad(my brother who loves Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches)night' So the boys all had about five or six sandwiches with carrot sticks on the side. We have done 'a breakfast supper', having pancakes the works. Of course, the famous pizza night, but instead of buying the pizza..we make buy the crust and let them make their own little pizzas of their choice. My oldest, created a Broccoli and Cheese pizza. :)
So Again ending this post with a question...What do you do for the "simple supper night'?
~until next time....

Birth Order..does it affect your personality?

I was reading an article about the placement of children and how it affects one's personality. I found it very interesting in applying this to my own birth order and the order of my siblings. I am the youngest of five. I have one older half brother..and two older half sisters and one full blooded sister. The quotes I am using come from the page:
http://www.education.com/magazine/article/Ed_First_Born_Only_How/

So looking at my brother who is the oldest. He is very stubborn, he is very smart and successful.  He has to have everything perfect. He is set in his ways...the ways we all were taught.

Alfred Adler, states that.. 'the eldest children are socially dominant, highly intellectual, and extremely conscientious. Unfortunately, they’re also less open to new ideas, and prone to perfectionism and people pleasing – the result of losing both parents’ undivided attention at an early age, and working throughout their lives to get it back.'

As for the two half sisters and my full blooded sister, they get along with everyone. If two are in a fight, the other one will be the 'peace maker'. They are very business like they are very strict with money. My eldest sister is a wonderful artist. My middle sister is very business like...very good at math. My full blooded sister..very smart. She loves to read English literature...in which the rest of us can't stand.


Adler says for middle siblings : ' Middle children, sandwiched between older and younger siblings, often develop a competitive nature – making them natural entrepreneurs later in life. They tend to be the most diplomatic and flexible members of the family and often, eager for parental praise, develop musical or academic gifts.'


And of course me..being the baby. Everyone says that I am spoiled. That if I don't get my own way..I will sit and pitch a fit until I get my way. And if you don't give me my way..I won't speak to you until you do.(I don't see that I am spoiled by my siblings, or even by my Mother..this is according to what my siblings have said)  I love my family, I love to have get bbq's and entertain. I also love to see my siblings happy. If they are unhappy, I will do everything I can to help them in anyway they need it.

Adler states about the youngest :
'Youngest children, according to birth order theory, tend to be dependent and selfish – as they’re used to others providing for them. But despite the negatives, they’re also quite often the life of the party – fun, confident, and comfortable entertaining others.'


When looking at this, I can see that all of us have these traits. My brother, being the only boy, is very spoiled. When we are all together, he will sit on the couch, and beg us to get him a sandwich. So instead of one sandwich he will get four.
All of my sisters, are very intelligent. They also have to be perfect..not only in the way they keep their houses but the way they keep themselves.  We all are very fun, very considerate of others, in daily life we try to succeed at everything we do.
So I am wondering, Do you think birth order affects your and your siblings personality? Or do you all have the same Traits..maybe one has more than the other but you both have them?
Until next time~

Obsessed?

Why as women do we obsess about the way we look? I mean we diet,

we dye our hair, we poke and praude at our bodies to look almost perfect.

We put on make up to look better, starve ourselves, spend thousand on surgeries, products and basically mutilate ourselves to make us look younger.

And for what? For a man, for society in general? Or is it for ourselves? Are we so obsessed with being perfect that we will mutilate our bodies?  Whatever happened to growing old gracefully? We are watching reality shows about loosing weight. Buying into scams for weight loss programs. Women are getting their breast enlarged or maybe getting them reduced. Tummy tucks, liposuction, collagen,face lifts,laser surgery,butt implants..the list goes on and on!But if God wanted us to be perfect, wouldn't he have made us that way? We all have our faults. I don't know ,but I have never been the one to do any of the major stuff. I do not diet,I hardly ever put on makeup. I do the normal everyday stuff. I shower,brush my teeth,wash my hair. Then I pull it back in the ponytail and go on with my day.Heck, I have these large thighs, and wrinkles around my eyes, and stretch marks from having my boys. But I'm not spending loads and loads of money to look perfect and then have to redo it in five to ten years. Maybe God made us this way to show that we are not perfect. That we have fallen from grace. That we need to live our lives the in the best way to eventually be perfect. But that's another blog. I guess my question is.....Do you or would you ever have surgery to alter yourself to make you look better? Or are you happy the way you were made?

Hippty Hoppity Easter's on its way!

Do you remember being a child and know that the Easter Bunny was on his way? The Easter Bunny, unlike Santa, brings Easter eggs and candy..even if you are bad or good. He's a Tricky little fellow who hides eggs all over the house and maybe gives a toy or two.

Remember running down the stairs to find a basket full of goodies?  Before having breakfast, you tried eating as many as you could.....before your parents told you to stop because you would 'make yourself sick...'

Then if the Easter basket full of candy wasn't enough! That silly Easter bunny had hidden eggs all over the house or even outside.

I remember those days. But now that I am older it seems to me that yes, Easter for the kids are still about the Easter Bunny, the candy and the beloved Egg hunt. But for me its about.... going to church with your family . Teaching my boys the 'true' meaning of Easter. A value that will live on forever.......



Until next time,

I love this song...

It reminds me of my sweet husband of 16 1/2 years. He's still the one and only...

~Adds

I love this Quote....

“There comes a time when you have to stand up and shout:This is me d*mn it! I look the way I look, think the way I think, feel the way I feel, love the way I love! I am a whole complex package. Take me or leave me. Accept me or walk away! Do not try to make me feel like less of a person, just because I don't fit your idea of who I should be & don't try to change me to fit your mold. If I need to change, I alone will make that decision.When you are strong enough to love yourself 100%, good & bad you will be amazed at the opportunities that life presents you.”
Copyright © 2000 ~Stacey Charter

 It says exactly what every women has at one point in their life has felt and probably want to say this...but how many of us really do....

The mother's how come list.....

How come everytime I turn on the hair dryer or the vacuum I hear the phone ring?

How come whenever I am in a rush I get stuck behind someone driving 20mph?

How come I can never find my children but as soon as I am on the phone they are either crying, fighting, climbing all over me or asking me dozens of questions?

How come after I put my children to bed and spend an hour cleaning up I finally settle on the couch for "me time" and they either start crying or want some water?

How come every time I am late I hit every red light?

How come when i switch lanes in traffic the lane that I get into goes slower all of the sudden?

How come there is never a cop around when you see someone breaking the law but they pull YOU over for no reason at all? (routine stopping)

How come an ice cold beer goes down like water when you only have time for one, but then goes down like crushed glass when you've got all day and night to drink?

How come the only station that you want to watch on television is the station that is having technical difficulties?

How come the birds only crap on my car the same day I wash it?

How come the line i get into at the department store ends up having pricing difficulties with the people in front of me and ends up taking 15 extra minutes?

How come the government takes months to send you money they owe you but just days to send you a bill that you owe them?

How come nobody I know is online when I have time to sit and chat and EVERYONE is on when I don't have time?

How come the clothes I buy look so much better in the changing room at the store?

How come I only feel like shopping when I don't have the money to spend?

How come when I am sick I am still expected to cook supper,do the laundry, and clean. But when my husband is sick he's a baby and can't help do anything?
~Adds

Wonders

“The past is behind, learn from it.
The future is ahead, prepare for it.
The present is here, live it.”

 Eyemadreamer Thomas S. Monson quotes


Do you believe that this is quote is true?
When  we learn from the past, and do everything we can do in the present, do we make a better future?
Teaching our children, what we did in our younger days...and at the time...we did not know was wrong, asking them not to make the same mistake, protecting our children. But really what are we doing? Exactly, what this quote says.
So in reality, how far could one take this? Could we say the government should learn from the past? Yes. Could we say the churches we attend could learn from this? They do..really. Could you say that every parent in the world..somehow uses this quote..in day to day life? Absolutely....in some form. Just like in the example I stated above. In my last post...I said something about my oldest son wanting to join the Air Force. My husband and I never even considered such an option. So when he said this, I took him over to see my grandfather. He told Frank, about the dangers but then also the pros. And told him to make the decision wisely because...once your in ..your in for a long time. (of course Frank is only 14...so it will be awhile) But it was the right choice in taking him over to my grandfather.
Until later
~Adds

Treasured memories

                                   My boys and I



Sweet memories! Something to always remember! My oldest son will be 14 on Monday. And I'm wondering what happend to my baby? He's taller than I am, still growing like a weed. He's starting to make plans of what he wants to do when he's out of school. And as hard as I try, I can't believe he's as old as he is, that one day he will move away. Kinda makes me sad. He asked me one day 'Mom, What are you going to do if I decide to go into the Air Force?' I laughed and said "Follow you..I will join too!' He said 'Mom, but the cut off is like 35 and you will be 36 ...' I cut him off and said 'I know Frank. You know what will really happen? No, matter what you decide to do..military or not. I will always be proud of you and I will always love you.' He smiled and said 'I know mom!'

I try to tell my boys that every day. No matter what you do, no matter how you decide to live your life. Know that your parents will always love you and be proud of you. In a lot of families, children do not hear that.  
I hope when you read this, you will find your child. And tell him/her that you do love them. Tell them everyday. Because they may already know...but sometimes they need to hear it.
Until next time keep smiling !
~Adds

so

I haven't been doing this a lot lately. We didn't have a computer for over 3 years. So , tomorrow when you sipping your coffee come by and check out what I have done with this. :D
~Adds