Jeremy's 2nd Tattoo

This was done this past Tuesday.  Tattoo artist is Ronald aka Monster.

Not long after he started,  Jeremy passed out!  That was freaky!  I was peeling garlic, looking at him... and he was jerking forward... I thought he was messing around and thought, "Why would he be doing that knowing it can mess up his tattoo? ".  Ronald looked at me and back at him and then Jeremy started falling forward slowly...  I got to him before he hit the table and sat him back up.  The whole time, his eyes are open and he has a blank stare.

I hold his head in my hands and start calling his name.  He didn't respond for a little while.  Ronald said he squirted some water on the back of his neck and that's when he started coming around.

I gave him water, made him a quick sandwich, and he ate a banana.

He said he felt light-headed right before,  he felt his belly,  thought he had to fart.  Doesn't remember any of it, of course.

He felt fine aafterwards and got this whole thing done in one sitting. 

Ronald and his girlfriend, Stephanie, left around 11 p.m.

I cooked a chicken and sausage gumbo over brown rice.  They liked it and had seconds. :-D

New Happenings

Ok...
So, two weeks ago, Ursula got braces on her top teeth.  Brought her in for a check-up today and everything's great!  Orthodontist said she can't stop wearing the splint/retainer on her bottom teeth because that top tooth has jumped over the front bottom one now :D  However, in the van, Ursula said she will continue wearing it because it hurts her to bite down when she's not wearing it.  I bring her back in 4 weeks - April 29th.

Calista's drawing a lot (naturally) in her sketch pads.  She started writing lyrics now :)  I had her watch a little Ukulele tutorial videos on YouTube... I mean, we have that Ukulele, a Violin, and an Electric Guitar that is just sitting around!  My kids need to learn to play!  LOL  But, I didn't know she had started writing lyrics prior to having her watch the videos... So, that was a bonus :)

Wyatt... he's doing fine :)  Just have to keep those lips hydrated!  Man!  If I'm not on him about putting lip stuff on, his poor lips get so chapped!  He fights with our little neighbor, Chase.  Chase is a year younger but just as big; probably weighs a little more than Wyatt.  They play well sometimes but usually it ends up with them being mad at each other.  Wyatt plays better with our other neighbor, Sarah, who's also a year younger; even though he used to say she was just annoying... LOL  Yeah, his words...

Ok... I'll update myself last...

Aimee... oh gosh... Aimee is in the local jail in Paulding County for being in contempt of court. :(  She'll be there for 30 days or less.  She can't bond out.  She has to agree to do a psychological evaluation before she can leave.  And it's with the same doctor who did Hal's; I guess that won't go over very well.  Because of her not behaving in court, Hal has the children on the weekends.  Not full time because the child protective services want to take it slow.  The children are all in public school too.  Roman's in 9th (I think), Soleil's in 8th (the only one in her correct grade), Jasper's in 4th, and Eliana's in 1st.  Should Aimee get out (which could be within 2 wks), she isn't allowed to see her kids until the next court date; which is in beginning of May!  OH!  And her house is going on the auction block in the meantime!  She wants Angele to help her with the paperwork do keep it off while she's in jail!

Angele has been going up to Georgia, to go to court with Aimee.  I feel badly that she's the only one going but, she's the only one available... we all have kids :-/  She and Shane found a house to rent in Thibodaux; so, I guess they'll be moving soon.  Thankfully!  They were all living in the Raceland house with Dad!  Her & Shane, Cherie & her 3 kids, Jared and his 4 kids when it was his turn to have them... WAY too many for one small house!

Cherie... Cherie just called me the other day to tell me she's getting married next month!!!  Yep!  Her 3rd marriage; 2nd guy.  She's marrying the guy she was living with in Georgia, Richard.  He's coming down here for Easter vacation and they'll get married on that Saturday.  She'll stay in Louisiana until after school is over and then move up there with him.  Racquelle will stay and graduate from Central.

Jared... not sure about what's going on with him besides that he has been going out drinking on the weekends and having either Cherie or Racquelle pick him up to go home.  Cherie said he's made a profile on PlentyofFish... :-/  And rutted up the yard really badly trying to get unstuck. 

Dad quit his job.  Said he just wasn't into it anymore.  Said it took time away from Dancing and Romancing... LOL  Has a girlfriend... forgot her name.

Mom... she's still mom.  Trying to convince her to move into that high rise in Houma.  The monthly rent goes according to your income; it would be so much cheaper for her to live there than in the house in Montegut that's in bad disrepair :(  I love that house... but, my uncle and his kids left it in shambles :(  It's so sad :(

Jeremy... he's always complaining about something hurting.  We figured out that he can't handle dairy; so, that's out.  Right now, he's saying it hurts where his butt ends and his leg begins.  Says he can't run even if he wanted to.  Along with whatever's going on in his gut... said he feels something there; an obstruction; won't go check it out.

And finally... me...  Yesterday and today, I've been spotting... it shouldn't be time for my period because I just had it 2 weeks ago.  I looked it up and it said it could be ovulation bleeding (which I don't usually have) or perhaps even implantation bleeding... which would be crazy and totally unplanned... guess we'll have to see what happens in the next couple weeks.  But, it almost looks like I'm about to start my period again!  Could it be the start of menopause?  Oh gosh... already???

I've been having chronic lower back pain... when I sneeze, it hurts!  So, I've been doing crunches and back exercises to strengthen my core... to help alleviate this pain! 

Washing Machine

So, we bought a brand-new Frigidaire front loader Electrolux from Lowe's about 2/3 years ago... and thankfully, we've kept the warranty on it!!!  I've called for the repairman at least 5 times!  Finally,  I call again to get another service order and talk to this chic named Ebony :-)  She looked at our warranty records and put in a request for us to get a brand-new replacement!!!

I think it's awesome that of all the appliances we've bought over the years,  this is the ONLY time we bought the extended warranty!!!

What's wrong with the machine?  Well, it's been leaking this whole time (well, since the first call for the repairman)!  He's replaced the motor twice already as well as other parts and still,  it leaks :-(  Now the door is trying fall off!  I have to lift it to close it and there's something rattling inside of it.

I think this may be the reason we get another extended warranty for future purchases!

Icicles in March!

So, yeah... how weird... it was cold enough the night before last to freeze the water into icicles... on everything outside!   Yes, really pretty... but how strange...

Weight; AGAIN... :-/

Ok... I didn't do the 3 day fast from the first blog of this year... last half that time... just wasn't into it...

Today is Wednesday... What I've started doing since this past Monday was using our work out bench!  LOL  Imagine that!  I have 70 lbs  on the top part... doing leg raises while on my back with that and pushing it up with my arms as well.  Doing these 2 exercises periodically throughout the day.  Doing about 20 reps each time... oh yeah, doing calf exercises in between reps.

I weigh like 155lbs right now!!! argh!!!  I HATE being fat!!!  The summer before last, I had gotten down to the low 130's and I felt GREAT!!!  LOVED being that weight!  Was so happy with myself!  What happened from then to now???  I've NO idea... it's so irritating.  I hate my weight fluctuations!  I guess it's all a part of getting older and my body slowing down... argh

I'm also taking HydroxyCut Hardcore Elite.  I have 2 bottles; bought BOGO from Vitacost.com.  What I've noticed is that I'm having a harder time going & staying asleep using it...

Mary Kay

So, I indulged and bought a skin care set from her (at her cost) :-D. I need to do more to try to make my skin as youthful as I can!
I started the regiment Sunday night, when I got home from Raceland and I've been doing it twice a day and will try to continue until it's gone :-D

Snow!

So it snowed last night!  By the time the kids went outside, it was ice :-/
But they still played a little bit... would come in every so often to warm up :-)

Fasting Once More

Well, I've decided that I'll start the new year off with a 3-day water fast.

Gosh how I detest fasting!  I hate not eating when there's good smelling food around!

I'm on day 2.  And today is Friday... Our usual pizza night!  Argh!

However, I started today at 147 lbs... I had gone up to 153 lbs over the holidays!  So, that's encouraging :-)

When my fast is over, I'll eat small portions of food.  Also, I'll try to do some sort of regular exercise daily.  Xbox One has some free 10 min exercise thingies I can easily do... just have to do them.  Ten minutes isn't a long time... just have to wear two bras so that they aren't bouncing around uncomfortably!

New Year's Eve

First off, tonight will mark me and Jeremy's first kiss; the prelude to our furture together;  17 years now!!!

Seventeen years!  That's a LONG time!  Hahaha

So much has happened in those years... 3 kids... almost ended it.., but, here we are!  Still together and content :-)

Secondly,  resolutions.

Yes, I'm doing the typical one; LOSE WEIGHT and KEEP IT OFF!!!

I will start it off by doing a 3-day fast... ans then trying to keep up a regular work-out/exercise schedule!!!

I'm like 148 lbs.  I want to get back to135 lbs; to start out with!  Ultimate goal is 125 lbs... but, I know that's a stretch.

Stockings

So, we let the kids have their stockings last night :-)

Let's just say that the best parts were the CANDY and bouncing putty (both from The Dollar Tree)!  Need to keep that in mind for next year... :-)

They want to open one present tonight and 2 tomorrow and the rest on Wednesday (which is Christmas Day); guess we'll see...

Jeremy just asked if I wanted to sell Zelda for $200... I'm like... why and to whom?  His friend's wife or something like that... I was like,  well, we kind of like her... even though she's a tad bit fiesty... He said it was cool and we didn't need to sale her.  Plus, the kids would be upset...

Foster Care

Well, my 4 nieces and nephews have been in foster care since before the weekend.   Soleil has been able to text when she has wifi.  She and Eliana are together with a mom named Lisa Williams.  She said Roman and Jasper are together with a family that has 5 other kids!

Today, Aimee gets to see them all and they get a psychological exam.

Aimee has agreed to enroll them in school... online, private, or even public (for now, anyways).

I'll update when I know more.

Some Messed Up Sh$t

This morning, my sister's 4 children are being flown back to GA and taken into foster care :( :( :(

How & why?  I don't even know... I'm not sure of all the details.

It started because my sister finally kicked this guy out of her house that wouldn't pay rent (in like years...)... so, he moves to Florida and called CPS on my sister and her family!

And, because my sister doesn't live the conventional ways, she ends up in court!  They went to court yesterday, and the judge wouldn't listen to anything (sister even had a lawyer she paid $3000 for!!!).  The judge just rubber stamped and passed judgement... I don't even know what the exact judgement was... I just know there's another court date in January and I'm guessing the kids will be in the foster system at least until then...

The oldest of those 4 (the oldest of them is married; 5 kids altogether) is 16... then, 13, 10, and 7 yrs old.

What worries me the most is the state taking these kids and bringing them "up to date" on their vaccinations... because they are unvaccinated... and if they give these kids ALL of them at once, it could be deadly!!!  :( :( :(

My second grave concern is any of them getting sexually or physically abused :(( :(( :((

Man... our whole family is sickened by this turn of events.

6 More Random Things

1. I still hula hoop
2. I was called names as a child, such as shrimp, midget, wolf, and sandfly
3. I want to travel the world
4. I used to go out dancing with my sister, Cherie, about 3 nights a week in Houma and New Orleans - great times!
5. I've been to 13 other states besides Louisiana; walked across the border to Mexico and went on two cruises to The Bahamas
6. My favorite XBox360 game is Skyrim.  My favorite Wii game(s) is Just Dance.   My favorite PC game is The Sims 3

10 Random Things

1. I want to be a vampire; seriously, I do!  LOL  And I've been wanting that from way before Twilight, Vampire Diaries, etc... like over 20 yrs now... LOL
2. I want to have twins
3. I've always liked that I was the only one with green eyes out of my 4 blue-eyed siblings :D
4. I hate cantaloupe 
5. I haven't had a best friend/BFF/bestie (besides my siblings) since high school
6. I miss working sometimes
7. I love documentaries
8. Ursula, my middle child, is so much like me when I was a child; it's crazy
9. I love to dance & sing
10. I know the lyrics to literally 1000's of songs

6 Random Things

6 random things you probably don't know about me:

1. I had an unassisted birth (all 3 births were unmedicated and natural).
2. breastfed for 10 yrs straight
3. still keep a blog
4. was a vegetarian for over 8 yrs
5. used to get lots of punish work, recesses taken away, and even detention in elementary school (even though I was an A/B student) - mostly due to my mouth and bad attitude... 
6. I graduated in the top 10% of my class but didn't attend college

Wow! Last Week's Progress

Check out Friday!!!  LOL.  That was the first day of the Voodoo Fest in New Orleans! 

Fasting, 2nd round; third day

So, my last meal was Sunday night, around 7-8 pm.
Right now, it's Wednesday, lunch time!  And yes!  I'm famished!  LOL
But, am I really hungry?  Or is it just the habit of eating that's getting to me?
Went to Wal-Mart after my walk this morning... and wow, it smells like heaven!  LOL  There's a Subway right when you walk in!!!
I want to make it all the way through tonight... well, until tomorrow morning!  I'm down to 144lbs!!!  Woohoo!  So, that's 6-8 lbs loss... depends because my weight had been fluctuating between 150-152lbs... see why I want to continue???  ha ha ha
No, it's not easy... however, it's not as hard as it was last time/the first time I fasted.
I'm thinking that if I can get through 3 days, get down to around 140 and continue with my walking, and decrease portion size, I should be able to at least hold steady there; if not lose more!  Wouldn't that be wonderful???  Yes, yes, it would!
So, yeah, I went walk (2 miles), went to Wal-Mart, and tonight, it's Trick-or-Treating since it's supposed to rain tomorrow (which is Oct. 31st).  So, all this on a really empty stomach!  And yes!  I will stash some candy away!  LOL

Friday is the day!!!  Jeremy & I leave Friday to go to New Orleans for the weekend long Voodoo Experience!  woohoo!  So excited!  We're be there with my sister, Angele, & her husband, Shane :)

Fasting

Went all day without food yesterday!  Not really too hard, either!  Just had to resist tasting food as I cooked for my family!
This morning I'm down 4 to 6 lbs!  I'm 146!  Woohoo!  I say 4-6 lbs because my weight fluctuated between 150-152 recen2.

Let's Try This Again...

So, I'm going to try to fast again... had nothing to eat since last night's dinner.
Incentive?  To lose these 10 lbs I've accumulated!
We are leaving Friday morning to go to New Orleans for the weekend!  VOODOO FEST!!!  woohoo!  I'd like to be a little bit smaller by that time... even 5 lbs would be good!
I've been walking 5 days a week, about 3 miles a day, for over a month now!  And the weight isn't going anywhere! :(
My back still aches :(
Oh, I did drink a mug of coffee this morning... does that count as food?  oh well... it's a liquid, right?  I've only water since.
I just have to do this.  I barely fit any of my clothes properly!  argh!  I also started doing arm work outs as well as crunches last week after my walk.  I'm hoping all that works!

Puppies

Only two out of eight puppies left!