Friday, September 29, 2006

In the beginning-Part 4: Final Episode

Candy and I didn't work out. We were practically inseparable when at K-state. Then I got married and moved, she had a son then moved where I was. I think in those few years we were apart, we both did some growing. In other words, we no longer saw eye-to-eye. I ended up letting her go and hiring a replacement. Chuck came back w/ an honorable discharge a few months later. He knew of the difficulties between Candy and I, so he hurried back to be w/ me.

Luckily Chuck's unit hadn't left New Jersey yet...However they were loading up to go to Iraq the day Chuck left base. I am happy he's back safely. He changed his MO to Transportation Specialist when he joined the reserves...that is the main thing the Taliban are focusing on, those poor truck drivers. There have been a lot of death due to this war. Several of those lives lost, my husband knew personally. Chuck said most of the guys in his barracks didn't really understand nor agree w/ this war. I may not agree w/ this war, but that does not mean I don't support our troops!!

Once Chuck came back at the end of April and enrolled into school starting the fall semester. We decided to stay in the apartment until we both graduated in '03.

Monday, September 18, 2006

About me

Well for starters, I am a nice and understanding person. Who, unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it) has been...and even still going...thru a lot. But, thanks to my friends and family I have learned to deal with it, to look on the brighter side of things. See, I am in a wheelchair...have been since I was 17 years of age. I suffer from a nueromuscular disease...related to muscular dystrophy...wich caused my scholiosis since I was 11. When 17, I not only became more dependant on a wheelchair for mobility, but I was also found to have diabetes. It really sucks, but...what most people don't realize is I'm a person too. Ok, on to other things, I have been married since I was 23. Have no children, but really really want 'em. I absolutely adore children and have always wanted to work around 'em...when 4 or 5 I wanted to be a babysitter for the movie star's children. Now, I have a Bachelor's in Child Development so I definately can work around kids! But, as of today and my physical limitations, I am home bound and on the computer alot. When not online I am playing my Sims2 PC game.

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Part. 3

In March of 2001, Chuck joined the reserves. Then everyone knows (or at least, should know) what happened in Sept. Yep, that is the infamous day the Twin Towers fell. We all knew Chuck would be activated any day, since Bush...I REALLY do not like him, he's a war hungry mongrel, who has basically let his own country suffer while he focuses all his attention overseas. Oh sure, he said there are more job opportunities. Yeah....McDonald's! Michigan has the highest unemployment in the nation and I am having a very hard time finding Chuck a job. Well anyways, Bush declared war. Our military is super small, so the reserves and national guard were needed.

Chuck got the call in Feb. of '02. We had a weekend to decide what to do about school and also look for help for me. I found an accessible apartment on campus and my friend, Candy (I have known her since K-State and have even brought her to camp a couple times, she and her son moved to MI and in w/my brother-in-law a few years after my move) volunteered to live w/ me while Chuck was gone.

Chuck flew to NJ (that is where they did some outpost stuff before being sent to Iraq) on that following Tues. My dad and brother drove up fro Kansas to help me, Candy, and her 4 year old son move. This was a solution so I could stay in school, but also so I could get away from the mom (Sharon) for a little bit. Which was a nice break, but while Chuck was gone, she never even called me...not even to see how I was doing. She used to call me all the time in KS! She'd rather be buddy-buddy w/ chuck's ex-girlfriend than w/ his current wife. Chuck's dad would call or stop in every so often tho. So maybe she thought that counted?

More to come...

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Fun Meme

1. Your Middle Name:

2. Age:

3. Single or Taken:

4. Favorite Movie:

5. Favorite Song:

6. Favorite Band/Artist:

7. Dirty or Clean:

8. Tattoos and/or Piercings:

HERE COMES THE FUN ... ... ...

1. Do we know each other in real life?

2. What’s your philosophy on life?

3. Would you have my back in a fight?

4. Would you keep a secret from me if you thought it was in my best interest?

5. What is your favorite memory of us?

6. Would you give me a kidney?

7. Tell me one odd/interesting fact about you:

8. Would you take care of me when I'm sick?

9. Can we get together and make a cake?

10. Have you heard any rumors of me lately?

11. Do you/have you talk(ed) crap about me?

12. Do you think I'm a good person?

13. Would you drive across country with me?

14. Do you think I'm attractive?

15. If you could change anything about me, would you?

16. What do you wear to sleep?

17. Would you come over for no reason just to hang out?

18. Would you go on a date with me if I asked you?

19. If I only had one day to live, what would we do together?

20. Will you repost this in your blog for me to answer for you (or email it to me if you don't have a blog)?

Sunday, September 10, 2006

Part 2

OK, I left off enrolling into a University after getting an associates. In the spring of 2000, I started attending Central Michigan University. I majored in psychology and minored in child Development at first, but in one of my required classes called for observations of a pre-school class that was on campus. There were student teachers in the classes I observed...which I thought would be such fun! I found out in order to be a student teacher u needed to major in Child Development, well I couldn't pass stats (I took it 3 times and it's a requirements for psych majors) so I decided to major in C>D. and minor in Psych.

We still lived w/ his parents at this time. I so wanted out, his mom was driving me crazy!
She would nit-pick about everything! She was constantly upset with her husband (Chuck's dad). Not fighting, just the daily scowls and talking behind his back. Sharon would always complain about what a b**** her sister-in-law is and how she can't stand her. Yet she would go stay w/ them for a week or so every few months.

I noticed the dad would do just about anything to keep her happy...it occurred to me that I was also giving in to her every whimper. She wanted the dad to get rid of his motorcycle when the boys were young, he did. She suddenly got interested in going camping...and not in a tent, but an RV...so he bought a pop-up. She wanted an RV w/ its own bathroom, he traded the one they had in, and bought her a fifth wheel w/ a bathroom. And so on...

More to come...

Saturday, September 09, 2006

In the beginning-Part 1

I was unable to find the blogs about what happened w/ my in-laws...mainly probs w/ my mother-in-law...on myspace. So these next few blogs will not be copied from another blog, I will have to write them from my own memory. Here's what happened:

My husband, Chuck, and I met in '96, and married in '97. At the beginning he thought it was so cool that his parents were still together...cause now-a-days that's a rare commodity...and better yet, so were mine. He is originally from Michigan so 6 months later (after his army commitment was over) we moved to MI so he could go to college. When we got here, we moved in w/ his parents. Of course, he told me it was only temporary...OK, I can handle that...Although we didn't move out until 6 yrs later, temporary my @$$!...But that's a whole other story. He enrolled into a community college a couple miles from his parents, so that's why we moved in w/ them.

I never really liked his mom at the start...even the very first time we met! I just felt really uncomfortable and uneasy around her. It may be due to the fact that on our first encounter she told me hairstyle reminds her of that pic of My Lil Dutch boy (Paint). My ear had gotten so infected from piercing my cartilage, I had to have surgery to remove the dead cartilage. So I had my hair cut. So I kinda took her comment as an insult, since in her next breath she was saying what a goofy looking kid he is. I didn't confront her tho, kept it to myself. But that is not something you do upon first meeting them.

We moved into their walkout basement and his dad turned it into a mini-apartment (the only thing missing was a kitchen) for us. Chuck went to college, his dad worked, and I was stuck w/ his mom all day. I then started college the next semester...partly because I wanted to finish what I started at KSU, and partly because I wanted to get away from his mom.

I graduated in 1 semester w/ an Associates. During the summer, Chuck transferred to a university and started going there in the fall, as I looked for a job and stayed home w/ his mom for the following year. I was unable to find work w/ just an associates, so I started doing volunteer work at a preschool. I decided to be a preschool teacher and go to the university too.

Labor Day

I didn't want to write until my new chair was here, so I could be more comfy when I wrote. Well, as u prob guessed, I am still waiting! GRRR....starting to piss me off!! Even called 2 wks ago and said it'll be another week. Well I tell u if I still have no chair or even heard from them by the end of the week, I will start calling them EVERYDAY til it's done.

So, how was everyone's Labor Day weekend? Mine was uneventful...except Saturday, chuck went to his works dumping well (for those of u who don't know, Chuck drives a transport truck for liquid...mostly oil...transportation services) and brought me and Bebe along with him. He usually doesn't invite me to tag along, but he did this time. Him and his brother cut down a tree while me and my sis-in-law chatted and walked our dogs. Then Ken invited us for pizza. So Saturday was fun.

So, did everyone watch the telethon yesterday? Chuck and I did. But, I don't know, I just can't seem to get in that same excited mood as I used to feel 5 yrs ago...I thought 1) because I no longer live in Kansas, or 2) because I am kind of upset with MDA for dropping me and leaving me out of things once I turned 21. I may not be a dough eyed, freckle faced little girl anymore, but I'm still alive dammit! And still need your help! The following is from my friend (& fellow camper) Gina's blog. I feel the same way Gina!

It occured to me this morning just how odd life can be.For years Labor Day Week-end meant one thing.Telethon.Now that word Telethon didn't stand for what you think.It didn't really mean... Raise lots of money for Jerry's Kids.Not to me atleast.

Sure,It meant, I'd work my butt off to raise that money to help the best way I could.The difference is the motivation.Telethon meant I got to go to KAKE,Stay up ALL Night,See all of my best camp friends,Relive that one week in the summer when EVERYTHING was perfect.We'd talk about it the whole two months between camp & telethon.Then we'd gather in the studio to watch camp clips, or stories of our friends lives... I'd feel touched.

Now when I watch it as the Adult they pushed away.I watch those same clips without those warm feelings of the previous camp.Instead of warm and touched, I feel sick.Not because I'm not a part of it but, because I can truly see threw it.MDA started out as a good organization but, somewhere along the way...The lost it.Every plea was about a cure.A cure would be great for the future but, What about those of us who already live with it day to day?MDA should remember those who have MD and buyWheelchairs, Ramps, Lifts and other assitive devices intead of focusing soley on Research.


That's only half of my whole rant...The other can be summed up in one word. If you know me you'll understand.MDA needs to lose the PITY plea.Sick...Sick...Sick

Originally posted on Monday, August 28, 2006

Right on, Andy Rooney!
Good for him!!!

Surprised CBS let him get away with this even though he's right

AMEN ANDY ROONEY!
Right on, Andy Rooney!

Andy Rooney said on "60 Minutes" a few weeks back:*I don't think being a minority makes you a victim of anything except numbers.-The only things I can think of that are truly discriminatory are things like the United Negro College Fund, Jet Magazine, Black Entertainment Television, and Miss Black America.-Try to have things like the UnitedCaucasianCollege Fund, Cloud Magazine, White Entertainment Television, or Miss White America; and see what happens...Jesse Jackson will be knocking down your door.


*Guns do not make you a killer.-I think killing makes you a killer.-You can kill someone with a baseball bat or a car, but no one is trying to ban you from driving to the ball game.


*I believe they are called the Boy Scouts for a reason, that is why there are no girls allowed.-Girls belong in the Girl Scouts! ARE YOU LISTENING MARTHA BURKE?


*I think th1at if you feel homosexuality is wrong, it is not a phobia, it is an opinion.


*I have the right "NOT" to be tolerant of others because they are different, weird, or tick me off.-When 70%of the people who get arrested are black, in cities where70% of the population is black, that is not racial profiling, it is the Law of Probability.

*I think the police should have every right to shoot your sorry ass if you threaten them after they tell you to stop.-If you can't understand the word "freeze" or "stop" in English, see the above lines.-I don't think just because you were not born in this country, you are qualified for any special loan programs, government sponsored bank loans or tax breaks, etc., so you can open a hotel, coffee shop, trinket store, or any other business.

*We did not go to the aid of certain foreign countries and risk our lives in wars to defend their freedoms, so that decades later they could come over here and tell us our constitution is a living document; and open to their interpretations.

*I don't hate the rich I don't pity the poor.

*I know pro wrestling is fake, but so are movies and television.-That doesn't stop you from watching them.

*I think Bill Gates has every right to keep every penny he made and continue to make more.-If it ticks you off, go and invent the next operating system that's better, and put your name on the building.

*It doesn't take a whole villageto raise a child right,but it does take a parent to stand up to the kid; and smack their little behinds when necessary, and say "NO!"

*I think tattoos and piercing are fine if you want them, but please don't pretend they are a political statement -And, please, stay home until that new lip ring heals. I don't want to look at your ugly infected mouth as you serve me French fries!

*I am sick of "Political Correctness."-I know a lot of black people, and not a single one of them was born in Africa;so how can they be "African-Americans"?-Besides, Africais a continent.I don't go around saying I am a European-American because my great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather was from Europe.

*I am proud to be from America and nowhere else -And if you don't like my point of view, tough...

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG, OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC, FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTYAND JUSTICE FOR ALL!

I was asked to send this on if I agree or delete if I don't. It is said that 86%of Americans believe in God. Therefore I have a very hard time understanding why there is such a problem in having "In God We Trust"on our money and having"God" in the Pledge of Allegiance.Why don't we just tell the 14%to Shut Up and BE QUIET!!!

Friday, September 08, 2006

Originally posted on Tuesday, August 15, 2006

An awesome weekend
Am back from my vacation...but wish I weren't. I actually came back Sunnday, but I have been sooooo tired! I am just now feeling more like myself...2 days later!!


I had such a good time, even tho I didn't know everyone there. Chuck's dad had the Taylor Family Reunion (it was w/ the dad's aunt & uncles & cousins & etc.) at a campground. This reunion was the whole weekend, but the actual reunion wasn't until Saturday. so u didn't have to stay if u didn't want.

This campground has a choice of lots or cabins to rent. The owner is really really nice. He even built everything himself, including the log cabins! He has done a wonderful job so far, and is even building more!

The cabins are real nice. Reminds me of Little House On the Prairie. Same basic setup with a loft w/ 2 beds above the main bed. Only they had a mini-fridge, microwave, crock-pot, cofee pot & toaster, so electricity basically. My nephew stayed w/ us and slept in the loft...I wonder how they did it way back when, every move the person makes in the loft echoes for the person in the bed below!

Originally posted on Thursday, August 10, 2006

Should we or shouldn't we?
Chuck and I were looking at the new ramp the other day and discussing some stuff we need to get done on the outside. We eventually would like to put in some gravel on our driveway, instead of our current dirt one. The problem...and question....is whether we should get it surveyed or not. We are unsure of where our yard begins or ends, there are 3 poles about a hundred feet from each other in the front and we don't know ones belong to us. Our driveway is circular and if the middle pole marks the end corner of our yard, we'd loose the 2nd driveway. The cabin next door is so old...it still requires use of an outhouse for crying out loud!!...and run down...the roof's about to collapse!! Chuck is afraid, whoever owns the property will put in a modular and have it surveyed. So, should we take the risk and gravel the driveways and continue to fix our yard to our satisfaction...which we might lose 2 grand on, or take our chances and pay 500 and have it surveyed and put in public record?

Thursday, September 07, 2006

Originally posted on Tuesday, August 08, 2006

A day of mourning
This morning at 5:15, my dog Chelsea passed away.


She started wimpering real bad last night and got even worse as the night wore on. We don't know from what for sure, she died on her way to the vet's...the nurse said it may be due to internal bleeding.

At first she was snuggled real close, but wouldn't move when Chuck came to bed. He flipped on the light and noticed her tummy was swollen. I felt it and it was real swollen and her breathing was so shallow. We started discussing taking her to the vet, she must have known we were talking about her cuz her tail started wagging. That got my hopes up, I figured she had a tummy ache of some sort. However she was too weak to move anything else, so Chuck carried her out to the living room couch to prevent her having an accident w/ me in the bed. After a bit, she got her strength back and walked to the bedroom and layed on the floor. Chuck said he was gonna take her to the vet once they open...at 6. He then came to bed too.

Her whines started becoming more frequent and then 2 high-pitched yowls. Chuck gets up, see's her breathing become so irregular, calls vet for an emergency visit, gets me up and carries Chels out to the car. As he's carrying her she is so limp...like a ragdoll...he says "I don't think she'll make it." She didn't...she died in his arms on the way to the car.

RIP my baby girl!!!



Originally posted on Wednesday, August 09, 2006

And they lived happily ever after
On July 13, I wrote:


My father-in-law and his girlfriend r now engaged!! I am happy for them, she seems like a nice and understanding person. Even my sister-in-law agrees, but our husbands don't. We figure it's because she's not their mom. However, they still treat her w/ respect and r nice to her, which is good. I do not know when the wedding is for sure yet, don't think they know either.


But I wrote this today:

I found out yesterday that Maggie and my father-in-law are getting married Tuesday. The wedding will be in Roscommon, about a 45 minute drive from here. I am not sure if I'll make it or not, since Chuck may need to answer phones since he has been working as temporary secretary. I hope we make it!

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Originally posted on Monday, August 07, 2006

Here's one written July 23.....

I am so happy, and kind of relieved, with my husband right now! Chuck has decided to finish the ramp. We bought this house in Nov.2004 (about a year and eight mnths ago), and since it's a fixer-upper anyway, we all figured we'd try to make it accessible. Since there was a step between the cabin side and the addition side in the house, Ken made a nice ramp inside while Chuck and his dad built a ramp leading from the front door to the porch. They moved me in and then the three guys started on the bigger ramp, the one going from the porch to the ground. Well, the snow started so they quit half way to the end. They were supposed to finiish it by spring, but didn't. They all decided to put up a new roof and blow insulation into our attic instead.

I was not happy w/ this decision....I wanted to be able to get off the porch dammitt!...but of course, kept my opinion to myself. I've had to call 911 for assistance on a couple occasions because I flipped off the ramp. I, of course, told my husband what happened, but I swear it went in one ear and out the other.

We put in a fence to keep our dogs in....after we had to pick our lab from the pound, they ran off and Chelsea was caught as Bebe ran home!...earlier this summer. Then today, Chuck finished the ramp. I didn't even have to ask! He did it all by himself too....he's usually the one standing around w/ a beer in his hand watching his dad and brother do all the work.

He did a good job, I am so proud of him!!!

Originally posted on Friday, August 04, 2006

I decided to start a blog on here too, however most of them will be copied from MySpace and pasted here. Hope u don't mind.

As most of u know, I have been trying to get me a new chair. We started the process sometime in May, and they have finally started building it! This time I am getting what I asked for, tired of these crappy standard floor models. This chair will have a back that is formed around my scoliosis and is cushioned...the one I have now is flat and my back starts hurtiing SO bad after awhile, that I start to cry and need a pillow behind me. The feet will raise, so now I can put my feet up when I read or watch tv. The back also reclines, so naps here I come. My dad calls it a lazy-boy with wheels!!!!

Yay, it's finally August and Friday to boot! Chuck's(my husband) family reunion is the weekend of the 12th. His dad and Maggie (his fiancee) are having it at a campground. So Chuck and I get a cabin the 11-13. Our kids, Chelsea and Bebe are coming too, so that'll be fun!!...hopefully they won't decide to run off or bark at ppl.

Until next time.......

Originally posted on Monday, July 24, 2006

My first blog
I usually keep blogs on Myspace...the site is down or else I'd copy and paste the URL, I'll have to try some other time. To be perfectly honest, I only registered so I could leave my friend, Stacie, a comment. :)

My URL
Ok, as promised, My URLhttp://www.myspace.com/smileyone1975

My Heroes

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