Summer Slurpin'

Everybody loves popsicles and its a sure sign of summertime slurpin' and hot afternoons are here!

Quick update

Ken will be having surgery this week on his shoulder. Pray the doctors can repair the shoulder and not have to replace it. He has been blessed but it has taken awhile...he is finally talking but his troat is sore probably from the vent he was on for a few day...Julie and her dad are finally seeing a good change in him and he is finally talking like "Ken". Pray he continues to improve and pray he will make a full recovery. His accident was almost 4 weeks ago and its been a hard journey for them all.

Steve is still doing about the same...he has been off sedation a week today and has yet to wake up...he is still on the vent and the doctors are talking about sending him somewhere that will be able to be more aggressive with weaning him off the vent. This is still a scary time for Steve and his family, PRAY for them...they need some encouragement...and I pray they will learn to put their faith in God b/c I beleive if its God's will, Steve will recover from this accident. He is still in Greenville at the moment and Vicky is still staying in Greenville. Ryan will have to leave and return to his post in Alabama on Sunday, he is in the coast guard. Jessica will graduate from high school in a couple of weeks...this family needs PRAYER folks, don;t wait to pray tonight when you go to bed, pray NOW. Vicky is still holding up as well as she can but will have to deal with many battles in the future regardless of the outcome.

Happy Anniversary to US!

Its hard to beleive I have been married for 8 years today! Its been hard and its been fun...and its been scary and full of questions...but we still love each other and we are still learning how to make a marriage work even after 8 years!
When we got married someone told me the first year was the hardest...whoever it was LIED! Every year is hard...and in every marriage, it takes WORK!
Having children just adds to the "work" load....there are times when you can't talk, times when you don't want to talk, and times when you are too exhausted to talk...but you have to KEEP talking or else.

I love you Dad!

Dear Lord...

Dear Lord...its been 4 days and a few hours since my last blog...LOL!

I know you all thought I had lost my computer or my mind one but NOT so fast...I am here!

It was a wonderFUL weekend I should say. After being in Chapel Hill for Dad's chemo on Friday we came home and off they went: mom, dad, and Bentlee to the river. My mom and dad have a permanent site camper in Hertford and thats where they spend most of their weekends during the warm weather. My dad keeps threatening to sell the house and move down there when he retires...mom is not so keen on the idea, LOL! Dad is doing great I should say...he was very tired most of the weekend but managed to catch a load of fish and some ZZZZZ's as well. Bentlee had a blast and insisted on spending one more night with Mem and Poppy last night! I picked her up and carried her straight to school so I haven't seen much of her since last week. It was a nice break for us all but I did miss her. The pictures above were taken at the river when Bentlee was 2 or 3 years old.

While Wade worked all weekend, I got to spend lots of quality time with my Rylee, which I rarely do and we had a nice time at home. We slept in, took naps, did some laundry, cleaned the house a little, washed one of the cars, went to church, took ANOTHER nap Sunday afternoon(LOL!), and spent the day with Wade yesterday in Greenville.

I can't WAIT for another 3 day weekend!

Blogging

I know you all know this but I love this blogging thing! I know I don;t post everyday but I get tired of posting all this doom & gloom over the past few weeks...I needed something funny to blog. I just read Mandy's blog on pressing 1 for English, I could almost feel her frustration b/c I completely relate but I laughed HARD! It just tickled me that she blogged that! I needed that laugh this morning Mandy, thanks!

I love being on touch with all my blogger friends...that may otherwise be strangers. I love hearing about the cats in California, the horses in Ashley's Grove, the birthdays, the learners permits, the haircuts and beach trips, and scrapbook pages completed...it just thrills me each day to read these blogs.

Thanks for touching my life my dear computer friends!

PS I will update on my hospital friends later...really, no new news to report yet.

Ken

Ken is not doing so well. His shoulder is in bad shape..they put pins and plates in it two weeks ago and the Xrays this week showed its still "busted up"...his bladder is still not well...Julie and her dad are "down", it seems each day brings more bad news. They need to be lifted up...this is a trying time for them.
I was hoping after I visited last time that he would be in a regular room when I was able to go back. I was going to visit today but I am not so sure I will be able to. I am off to Norfolk with Bentlee and of course I can not take her to his ICU room, nor would I if I could. Julie will be there today so maybe I can at least go up and see him for a second.

Chemo treatment #3

Just an update on my dad....Chemo treatment #3 is Friday! Please pray he will be lucky again and God will bring him gracefully through this treatment also. Dad has been so blessed and I truly beleive you all have had a hand in this...keep him lifted up. Thanks again for all your emails, calls, prayers, etc.
Mom is very sick and concerned she will make dad sick. She has a bad sinus/cold something. I hope she gets better soon.

Praise Report!

Steve had his brain monitor removed today, which is what is used to determine the pressure we have been watching so closely! The doctors would not have removed that if they did not feel like his pressure had not stabilized. PRAISE GOD! And he is responding somewhat to the nurses...KEEP PRAYING FOLKS!

Steve

Well, I have put this post off long enough...I could not bring myself to blog Friday...I felt like I had "cobwebs" in my head and just could not think of what to say.
So...Thursday afternoon around 5:25pm, Steve was in a 4-wheeler accident. Wade, "Rat", and Steve had been riding since 1pm, they pulled out of a path onto the road and headed up to a driveway. Steve was in the back and nobody really knows what happened...I have heard lots of other stories...No, he did not get hit by a car, nor did he hit a pole...no one will ever know so lets leave it at that.
I will not give you all the details but basically, Steve was not breathing when Rat and Wade got to him, rescue was called, he was transported to RCH, and then airlifted to Pitt Memorial.
After arriving at PMH, he had a hole drilled in his head to releive the pressure on his brain. The pressure has fluctuated all weekend anywhere from 7 to 30-some...and finally stabalized last night. We are waiting for the end of the "critical" period before we will know what happens next. He is in a coma, has a broken collar bone, shoulder, arm, and ribs. Once the pressure remains stabile further testing on his brain can be done. His blood pressure and vitals are good and his lungs are clear.The doctor did say he would be heavily sedated for 2-3 weeks.
I went back to the hospital yesterday and Vicky was in good spirits...I am so very concerned about both of them and I wish I could fix this.
Mr. Steve and "Mickey", as Bentlee calls them, are very dear friends of ours...Vicky and Steve work with me, Steve and Wade ride 4-wheelers together regularly, they love our girls almost as much as we do...and there's just a strong friendship there.
This is a tragic accident and one I hope will show us all that we are not promised tomorrow...we are not promised our health...Vicky told me yesterday she felt like she was having an out-of-body experience...I can only imagine.
As of this morning...his pressure was still low and they were expecting the doctor to come in around 2pm. The ICU unit is very strict on visitation in Greenville. I beleive there are 4 times a day for 15 minutes.
Depending on how Steve is today and tonight, Ryan (their son) and Vicky are going to get a hotel room and alternate staying at the hospital. Jessica had to come home this week for school.
I will do my best to keep you posted on his status.If you would like to do something for Steve and Vicky, PRAY to the Lord above to heal Steve and keep Vicky and the children strong! You can send cards to their home address which is in the phone book. I have a feeling it will be many days before they come home for good but Jessica is back and forth.
There are alot of details surrounding this story but I am not going to list everything...just lift Steve and Vicky up to the Lord and ask him to help carry them through this ordeal.

Ken update

Ken had to have emergency surgery on his bladder late Friday night. The doctors had been watching it b/c they were afraid it was still leaking. So, he is talking "out of his head" again...not making any sense, almost like someone talking in their sleep. Julie says she thinks it was a blessing in disguise happening now before he recovers fully.

However, last I talked to her yesterday or this morning, can't remember which, his bladder was still leaking! They are saying again that hopefully it will heal on its on.

Continue to pray for Julie and the others...just when it seemed Ken was coming around last week, here is another set back.

HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY "Fattie"!

Saturday, May 17th, Michele turned 30! She is a dear friend of mine and is a little afraid of turning 30...but everybody has to do it!

BTW, I call her "Fattie" because she is always complaining about being FAT! If you know Michele, for her to say this is OH SO ridiculous! I tell her I wish I could be as "fat" as she is...LOL!

I chose this picture because she complained the SDV pics were awful of her!

Update on Ken

Just wanted to update you all on Ken...he is doing a little better each day I beleive. He is still in ICU, he is breathing a little better, and opening his eyes. Julie says he is talking but very hard to understand. She is still encouraging everyone to wait on visiting just because he is not "Ken" yet.
We still have hopes each day that he will be moved to a regular room and everyone can start visiting. After my visit with him last week I understand why its best to wait...I visited on his worst day and it gave me a bad feeling. Julie says he is looking much better now. I know some of you are concerned that he has not really "come around" and he is still in ICU but the nurse said it is best that he is sedated and comfortable for the time being.
Again, we have to remember that Ken is phyically strong and STRONG headed...I beleive he will get through this but its gonna take time and its gonna take alot of prayer and encouragement. Please keep he and his family on your prayer list. Julie and Kenny, their dad, are traveling almost everyday to see him and Melissa is going as often as she can. She has not taken the kids but she will when the time is right, mothers know best and I think she is doing the right thing. Chase is giving her a bit of a problem but what child wouldn't...just keep them all lifted up as they deal with this accident and during their travels to the hospital.
Lastly, someone has posted my blog address on RaceRap.com and for those of you checking my blog for Ken updates, I am not updating everyday but you are welcome anytime. And I can bet you, #43 WILL RACE AGAIN! I will let you all know where you can send cards, etc. after I talk to Julie again.

The "Twins" 30th birthday

All the Mayle's refer to Wade and Elliott as "the twins" and they are...but I could tell them apart in the dark.



Here is Wade (bottom photo)at Bentlee's First Birthday party..and several pounds lighter, LOL!
And here is Elliott (top photo) at Bentlee's First Birthday party!
Not sure which twin is older...

HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY to my hubbie!

Today is Wade's 30th birthday...along with his twin brother Elliott. So, I planned a surprise birthday party for him this past Saturday night...but it wasn't much of a surprise! Wade got a new John Deere lawnmower a few weeks ago and LOVES it! I planned the party, got Doneille to make a John Deere cake, and the John Deere lawn mower is exactly what gave away the surprise.

Wade started his 7 days off on Friday and I strongly insisted he cut the grass. I knew he would procrastinate and not want to cut the grass Friday and I had planned the party in the yard at the house. I never push him to cut the grass...unless you remember the goat sign I placed in the yard several years ago (LOL!)...another story for another day. He kept asking me why I was pushing him to cut it and I kept telling him to just do it! SO, he knew I was up to something.

The party went well, he was not SO surprised but we had a good time. And it was the thought that counts, right~

Happy Birthday Wilbur!

Happy Birthday Jerry!

Today is Jerry's birthday, my father-in-law. Jerry and I used to spend alot of time together and we have alot in common. We are both soft in our heart, share the same passion for family time, love our flower beds and our pictures....we used to walk each others yard and chat about different flowers or what would grow where, what wouldn't grow, what we "killed", and so on...we enjoy each others company and have had many memorable moments...when I was pregnant with Bentlee I had no one to shop with the day after Thanksgiving. I was in Franklin, he was in Emporia, and for some reason we ended up calling each other and meeting to finish our shopping. We had so much fun that day. This is just one of many good times we have had together. Before Wade and I were dating I would stay at their house most weekends because I lived 50 minutes away. Jerry, Alycia (Elliott's wife), and I would get up early, drink coffee, smoke countless cigarettes and chat about whatever...I will never forget those times. I could go on but my point is, since I have had children and my life goes "90mph down I95 everyday" we don't get to spend that time together anymore. Even when the family gets together, it always seems hurried and everyone has someplace else to be. Its unfortunate but I still love him and I wish we will have those times again one day. These days we have resorted to email or a 10 minute phone conversation.
Today, I wish you a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jerry! I love you and pray we will have more time together one day.
Oh yeah, this picture was taken almost a year ago and Jerry is over 33 pounds LIGHTER! Thats another passion we share, EATING! LOL!

Happy Mothers Day Mom!

I know I will get lots of arguments but I have to say, my mom is the BEST mom ever...anywhere around. She was a "mean mom" as Pastor Joe phrased it in the sermon yesterday but I respect her SOOOO much for it now. And she is an even better "Mem". Bentlee and Rylee call her "Mem" and they think the world of her!
I hope I can be as pretty and sassy as my mom when I am her age (not that she is old, LOL!).

Bentlee's First year of dance is over

On Saturday Bentlee had her very first dance recital! She did fantastic along with the other girls in her class... I think she had the best "shake" but I was only watching her so I couldn't really tell, LOL! She had no stage fright or anything, got right up there and did her thing. Wade and I were so proud.
Bentlee has really enjoyed her first year of dance...and I have to admit, we really were hoping it would improve her "grace", but we weren't that fortunate, LOL! Bentlee will miss it this summer, she looks forward to "dance day" each week.
Maybe she will be an actress someday because she doesn't have stage fright, she already has the "drama" part down, now we just need the grace.....hahahaaaa!

The prayer of a child

This email pertains to my friend that was in the wreck. I received this from Ken's wife , they are separated and according to Melissa, "there is alway an underlying love for the man of your children, regardless of the circumstances"....this is very touching.

The email read...
"Many of you may have already heard about the horrible accident my husband was in on Sunday and some of you may not have. Ken was in a motorcycle accident on Sunday and is in the hospital and I had to tell the children about his condition yesterday and I have never been so nervous to talk to my own children about anything. I had been to see Ken earlier that day and I was a basket case so I was expecting the worst I guess, but children surprise you with their strength. Chase has done really well, but he is a lot like his Daddy and holds a lot in (tough guy syndrome is what I like to call it). I will be going to see Ken again tomorrow and I thought I would type up the prayer that Chase said the night I told him about what happened to his Daddy and that his Daddy was in the hospital hurt. I think when he finished saying his prayers, I just sat there for a second with tears streaming down my face because I had never seen or heard that side of Chase and I knew then that God had a plan for something good to come out of this accident for Ken and Chase. Please read the attached prayer and keep Ken in your prayers."

A CHILD'S PRAYER
By Chase Rountree
(and Abby)
Dear God.
Please make my Daddy better.
Be with him and make him stop hurting.
Make him better so me and my Momma and Abby can go and see him.
Hold his hand and make him better.
because I love him so much.
Amen

"Since I told Chase his Daddy had been in accident and had been hurt, Chase has prayed
this prayer every night before he goes to bed. Sometimes your children will amaze you
and lift you up and I hope that is what this prayer does for Ken because he has so much to keep him moving forward toward getting better."

I couldn't copy and paste the picture of Chase and Abby at the bottom of the prayer but you still get the "picture".
Pray for them all.

Laugh or Cry?

WEll.....I went to the hospital to visit my friend and he was not doing well. He had been heavily sedated through yesterday morning and had not "come around". He was agitated and groggy. I spoke to him a couple of times and he opened his eyes but did not say anything. He had a 6 hour operation on Monday so I guess I shouldn't have expected him to be "good"...I just felt so sorry for him, I don't wish anyone to be in his condition. I am not sure what else to say except I sure hope he turned around during the night...pray for him please...

So, I left the hospital and this is where my day got interesting...there was an accident in the midtown tunnel, I was not sure how to get out by the downtown tunnel so I called work and got two guys on the phone that helped me maneuver to where I needed to be...one and a half hours LATER, I made it to the downtown tunnel...it was AWFUL and I heard on the radio "very unusual for traffic to be this backed up in this area"...go figure, my luck.

I made it back to Chesapeake, got ALL of my gifts bought and in the car, stopped at one last store and was going to make my way over to Chick-Fil-A and head home...I pulled out of my parking space, got another 200 yards or so and my car "died"! My faithful Honda Civic! my sweet ol' Honda with loads of Goldfish crumbs in the backseat...my dirty ol' Honda! I love that car, not the room, but I love the way it drives on country roads and takes $36 to fill it up (used to be $19 ;o( )...it was 7pm and I am in Chesapeake, by myself (which is not unusual)...BROKE down...no AAA and no idea what to do. I broke the news to Wade, called my dad to see if his trailor would hold my car, and NO DOUBT...my Dad insisted on coming to get me! He was in the bed, remember yesterday was his first "down day"...I begged him not to come but didn't get anywhere...he promised me mom would drive and he would rest. NOPE! He drove all the way there and home. Once they got there I asked two guys at the Gator bar (I was in between Outback and the Gator bar if any of you are familiar with the area) to help us get it on the trailor, we grabbed a bite to eat, and we were Carolina bound!

My poor old Honda now sits in the yard waiting for the guy to come and check it out! Thank goodness we have three vehicles between the two of us! But I want my HONDA back! And I am sure I will get it, but whats it gonna cost!?

If you have a set of AWESOME parents like I do, you can relate, but I cried after we got the car loaded...my mom and dad to the rescue again! What will I ever do without them...Dad assured me I was lucky and he is right, I broke down in a parking lot, not on the side of the road and I was safe. And I need to add, the lady driving the parking lot security truck was very nice and came by to check on me a few times.

So, I wasn't sure whether I wanted to laugh or cry. I think I did a little of both ;o) so, here's another day in the life of ME! Don;t you wish you were me these days? LOL!

GIFTS in the month of MAY!

Like Wendy, I have SO much going on this month...

Dad's Birthday
Nurse's Week
Teacher Appreciation Week
Bentlee's dance recital
Mother's Day
Jerry's Birthday (father in law)
Wade & Elliott's birthday (yes, husband has an identical twin)
Michele's birthday
Haircut fundraiser at church for dad
Dalton's birthday
2 more parties
and My 8th wedding anniversary!

AAAAAHHHHHH! I need money! ;o)

Updates

Melissa Swank is being buried tomorrow. From what I have been told, she did die of some sort of cardio pulmonary something (heart and lung problem)....sorry to be so vague but as I said before, my medical terminology is not great. The funeral is at 3pm at the Methodist Church near their house. The viewing is from 12:30-2:30pm at the church. We can only imagine the pain her family is going through, remember them tomorrow during that difficult time...and many days after.

My friend had a long surgery yesterday, had his bladder, shoulder, and pelvis repaired and what not. I am going to see him today. He may or may not know I am there but I need to go and support them. Please keep him, his children, and his family lifted up.

My dad started his "bad days" today, 5th through the 14th days after chemo are the "bad days". He is very tired and his thinking is not so clear but thats okay, he will come around. He claims he is going fishing this weekend and there is no doubt in my mind, he will!

Just in case any of you need to know, its National Nurse's Week and National Teachers Week! My mom is the best nurse and my kids teachers are the best also! Let them know how much you appreciate them this week...like Machel says, she spends more time with Rylee (and did with Bentlee) than Wade and I do!

Update on my friend in the accident

My friend is in bad shape, it seems he has a bladder injury and is in surgery to repair that this afternoon. He still has not had his shoulder and pelvis operated on, there was a delay on Monday. Overall, he is better and his pain is somewhat under control but he has a long road of recovery ahead of him.

I am asking you all to pray for him and pray for his sister. She is the "backbone" of that family and she is deeply concerned about how she is going to manage everything considering the long recovery. She is going to need lots of prayer...as some of you may know, the equal victim is the family in alot of cases...its just as hard on the family as it is on him.

I wish I could reach out and help but I am not in the position to do so...all I can do is pray and I need for you all to pray. This family is weighing on my mind heavy...like I said before, I have known them for years, grew up with him from Kindergarten through 12th grade, I was there the day they buried their mom, my husband and I were friends with he and his wife, and I have befriended his sister the past couple of years.

I know I have alot of prayer concerns but I have witnessed what prayer can do and I know I have to put my faith in the man upstairs. I pray today that this family will pull through and net them closer together.

Be sure and read Melissa's comment on this post b/c I failed to mention the children...and she is right, its going to be difficult on his children as well.

WANTED

WANTED!

Two GROWN men, last seen in Target Saturday night around 10pm

Target location: Rocky Mount, NC

unknown dog food spill on Isle 9

one possible dissabled/disoriented male wearing grey John Deere shirt

one highly intoxicated male that can't feel his lips, has a constant "spitting or blowing" sound

If you've seen these two males loitering outside Target please call,

1-800-URSTUPID

Okay, Jamie, Tina, Wade, and myself took an overdue CHILDLESS trip to Rocky Mount Saturday and ate at Ichiban....all three (not me) had been drinking since noon or after,

drank heavily in the restaurant, and acted THE FOOL in Target. I dropped them all off at the door, parked the car, proceeded into Target, only to catch a glimpse of a motorized cart with Jamie driving headed into the bathing suit section...I found the FOOLS and I am not sure what

happened next. Or I am not at liberty to say for fear of being contacted by

the RM police department....LOL!

OBVIOUSLY, we stay around our kids so much its hard for us to act like ADULTS!

We made it back to Northampton Co. but I am not sure how...and I was DRIVING!

(NO<>crazy upon my return!)

Tina, have you figured out how to turn the "child" locks on? We're gonna need them when we go again!

Jamie was feeling "well" yesterday morning but he was a "little sore". I can't imagine WHY...

He only fell down twice, behind Starvin Marvin' and in his own driveway! SORE?

Wade's question yesterday morning was, "where did all those beer cans come from in the yard?"

Will we ever grow up? Probably not enough~ we had a great time acting the fool though

(my jaws are still sore from laughing and smiling!)

Two prayer request

I lived in Union all my life until I moved to Conway eight years ago. The Swanks have also lived in Union as long as I can remember. They have three daughters, all my age and younger. The middle daughter, Melissa, passed away this weekend. I have not heard the official report but I heard congestive heart failure? I was not close to these girls, their mom managed the cafeteria at my school, my mom and dad knew their mom and dad, and we attended the same parties during our high school years. But anyTIME someone this age passes away it hits home and makes us realize once again, how short life could be. This girl never married and never experienced having children...she has missed so much in life. This is also another time that makes you question God and his plans...but again, we have to realize that God needed Melissa no matter how hard it is to accept. My prayer is Melissa is in heaven...and I pray comfort upon her family. I can only imagine the loss they are feeling...

My long time friend from high school was in a bad motorcyle accident late yesterday afternoon. He is in Norfolk with a broken shoulder and crushed pelvis. I am not sure of the details of the accident but I just know he is LUCKY! I pray this accident will somehow change his life. He has always been somewhat "wild and crazy", likes to have a good time, races cars in his spare time, and I need for you all to pray he will have a full recovery. He has a long road of healing ahead. I will keep you posted but as of this morning, he is having surgery on his shoulder, possibly putting in a rod, and I am sure the next step will be repairing his pelvis. Pray that God will use this to accident to change his life. I got this same call about this same guy about 13 years ago, he was in a bad car wreck, luckily he fully recovered from that and I sure hope he will do the same this time. He has been on the road to "disaster" for some time and something surely needs to slow his life down.

Please add these to your prayer list.

PRAISE report!

I have fantastic news about Dad! He had the chemo treatment Friday, did very well again, came home and went straight to church to help with the Youth Rally on Saturday, spent the day at the Youth Rally Saturday, got home around 11pm that night, and had a BIRTHDAY yesterday! Wade, myself, and the girls went to visit yesterday afternoon and he was just BUSY, steady doing something in the yard, raking leaves, etc, and just being his busy old self. Thats my dad!

Mom is concerned because he won't slow down but mom needs to realize that staying busy is just what keeps him going. My dad and I definately have the same blood running through our veins....staying busy also keeps me going! Mom is no one to talk either, she is also doing something herself all the time, LOL!

Now for the PRAISE report....the doctor told Dad Friday the cancer is not in his bone marrow! Thats the best news we've heard all weekend, I will post later about other bad news among our friends. With the cancer not in his bone marrow his chances of going into remission are much higher...and dad was just esctatic with his news! Dad told me he was definately going to beat this now and I replied, "Dad, we knew that from the beginning, I never doubted you would beat this". Praise GOD!

A few things...

Don't forget dad is getting his second chemo treatment today...pray he will have as good a recovery as last time please.

Brittany, my 16 year old neice, was in a car wreck yesterday. She ran off the road, flipped the car twice and is VERY lucky! She has a few scrapes and I am sure she will have some bruising. Pray for my sister, she is having a hard time with Brittany...we all know what it was like to be 16 and so very blind...Pray Brittany will make better choices in life.

As most of you know, I have been doing Weight Watchers since January...13 weeks now. I have lost 20.6 pounds and proud of it...if any of you struggle with your weight you know how hard it is. I have always struggled with my weight and am a classic yo-yo dieter. This time I decided it would be a lifestyle change for me. But the past few weeks I have fallen off the wagon so to speak...last night I weighed in and had my first gain, 1.4 pounds! I was so dissapointed in myself, so I am back on the wagon, swearing off high fat sweets, Mountain Dew, and McDonalds (other than salads!)! I have been pretty dissatrous so I should have known but....oh well. Got to do better and thats why I continue to pay and weigh every week, it keeps me in line. Answering to those scales does something to me mentally. My father in law has done so VERY well and I am so proud of him...I think he last told me he had lost 33 pounds and he has been doing it about 2-3 weeks less than me...give him a hand! He loves sweets more than I do and nothing makes us happier than to eat a good meal and follow with a good dessert...gotta have a low fat dessert from now on!

For those of you that are really bored on Friday! LOL!

Well, I have blogged it all I guess...not really but do you seriously want to hear about my new washer and dryer? Too funny! I am SO proud...but I have to tell you, if you have not purchased a washer and dryer lately, get your pocketbook ready, they are high as gas! My old one's are oversized (4.2 cubic) and I did not want to lose my capacity so in order to do that, the price tag went pretty darn high, and no, I did not get the front load...nor did I price them!

I did THREE loads of laundry last night in three hours, that is a record. I have to admit, I did not research before purchasing so yesterday I read reveiws on the models we purchased and I got scared! Some said it wouldn't do this and you can't do that but I had NO problems. Yeah, it takes some getting used to considering they are digital and have presets but pretty much everything can be adjusted. And I was afraid I would have to use the expensive HE Tide (High Energy is what it stands for I think?) but the manual says nothing about it. I stood over the washer for several minutes at the time watching it cycle through! So, everybody wants me to post my "interesting" life, here is another night in the life of me, watching clothes wash, too boring! LOL!

They were supposed to be delivered around lunch yesterday and I was going to post yesterday afternoon, sorry about that, not my fault. I figured as much as I paid for them, might as well blog them and share them, huh! ;o)

Who cares about my laundry, right Joyce ;o) ???? LOL!!! (Joyce (Wendi and Judi's mom) and I got a good laugh about Gary and Thursday being laundry day for him, his fluffing and folding!)

Dad hasn't missed a beat so far

Just wanted to let you all know Dad hasn't missed a beat so far...I called him at work this morning and he was "too busy to talk"! Well, my, my...can't even talk to your daughter! LOL! He is preparing for a shutdown of some sort and he is ALL into his work and very serious about his planning.

As most of you know, its time to pull out the "praying" caps and get it going...tomorrow is treatment #2. Each treatement is "supposed" to get worse but they don't know my dad! He is already talking about joining Wade and a few of our friends Saturday night at the Japanese restaurant...GO DAD!

He is bald as I stated earlier in the week and I still have not seen him! I have been busy and so has he. On top of work being busy and making invitations, our washing machine started leaking water on Sunday, and worse on Tuesday, so I have been stressed over that, I will have an update on that later today...stay tuned....

there's more to come on Shelley and Such today!

"Got your praying cap?"

Later~

"MayleOuts"

Okay, I have had 5 people ask me about blogging this morning and I find this pretty hilarious! Is my life just that interesting, is it my writing style, or are you just that bored at work? Probably the later but okay...I am flattered I must say! LOL!

I have been busy this week working here and on some birthday invitations. I figure I will start sharing my invitations with you all. Most of you know how much I enjoy doing this sort of thing and I am always willing to make for others. This invitation is created for Princess Jayonna. Jayonna is in Bentlee's class at school. She is a really sweet, well dressed, well mannered, prissy girl and very tall! She will turn 5 in May, not sure of her exact birth date. Like most girls her age, she loves Princess stuff! This invitation is a vellum overlay on white cardstock. I wanted to add some glitter/Stickles but it does in fact make the vellum wrinkle too much. Guess I will have to hold the glitter on these Princess invites. I tied a pretty pink bow at the top to make it even more girly. They are the size of a half sheet of printer paper. I am waiting on approval from her mom before I make the rest. The pictures never do this sort of thing justice, they turned out well. I have to admit I have fiddled around with different papers, printers, text color, etc on this one alot! And if you know me, I am not settling for "okay", I need to somewhat love what I produce! If you are interested in custom invitations email me at snbmayle@hotmail.com, I can pretty much do whatever providing the clipart is available for a character invite. I also do wedding programs, baby annoucements, and party favors. Let me know what you need, my prices are reasonable as well. I have given my little hobby a name, "MayleOuts"! Kinda cool, huh?!