Meet Lane Robert Pollard.............my new nephew

Lane Robert Pollard, DOB: 10-27-10

Kale, Chelsey and Lane.

Awwww, Kale giving his little brother some love.

Chelsey was loving getting to hold the baby.

Saturday, Chesley and I traveled to Greenview, IL to visit my newphew Lane as well as Kale. It was a great day and we got to spend alot of time with the kids and Gina. Jason had to work but did get home in time for supper to spend a little time with us before we headed back to MO.

Saving a few pennies..................

So a 2 liter bottle of soda contains 67.6 ounces and a can of soda contains 12 ounces. This 2 liter bottle of Gerbes brand Diet Dr. K ( generic for Diet Dr. Pepper...............I'm a pepper, he's a pepper, she's a pepper, we're a pepper, wouldn't you like to be a pepper too...)

Ok, now aren't you glad you'll have that little jingle in your head for the next hour or so, lol.

So, my point was this...............this 2 liter bottle only costs 80 cents. I get 5.63 cans of 12 ounce soda out of this one bottle. Each can of soda out of the vending machine costs me 50 cents, which to equal the amount of soda in the bottle would cost $ 2.81.

I know, I know, it's not the real thing, it's not Dr. Pepper, but it's really close and where it's close and nobody is going to notice, not even my taste buds..................I am all for saving the bucks.

Rain Boots

Woooo, look at them pretty boots. Got a last minute call Monday night from Chelsey that said, "I gotta have a pair of rain boots for a field trip on Wednesday." Thank goodness I am close to retail heaven every day..................not that I exercise the habit, but at least I can run during my lunch and get things when the need arises.

This ain't a song for the brokenhearted
No silent prayer for the faith departed
And I ain't gonna be a face in the crowd
You're gonna hear my voice when I shout it out loud.

It's my life
It's now or never
I ain't gonna live forever
I just wanna live while I'm alive

(It's my life)
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said, "I did it my way"
I just wanna live while I'm alive
'Cause it's my life

This is for the ones who stood their ground
For Tommy and Gina who never backed down
Tomorrow's getting harder, make no mistake
Luck ain't even lucky, gotta make your own breaks

It's my life
Its' now or never
I ain't gonna life forever
I just wanna live while I'm alive

(It's my life)
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said, "I did it my way"
I just wanna live while I'm alive
'Cause it's my life

You better stand tall
When they're calling you out
Dont' bend, don't break
Baby, don't back down

It's my life
It's now or never
'Cause I ain't gonna live forever
I just wanna live while I'm alive

(It's my life)
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said, "I did it my way"
I just wanna live while I'm alive

(It's my life)
And it's now or never
I aint' gonna live forever
I just wanna live while I'm alive

(It's my life)
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said, "I did it my way"
I just wanna live while I'm alive
'Cause it's my life!

That's Alot of Miles...............

I've always joked that I have wheels on my "A$$"....................and as proof, my car turned over 190,000 miles this morning. I hadn't really been paying attention and just happened to look down this morning right before Centralia and there it was: 190,000............wow!

I know most of you think I am crazy commuting as far to work as far as I do..............believe me, when that alarm goes off at 5 am I am thinking the same thing. But we do what we have to do and that is just one's of lifes compromises.

So, here's to you, Miss 2002 Saturn SL2.............................I hope you're like the Energizer Bunny, that you keep a licking and keep on ticking.

Old Threshers

Old Threshers Sept. 18, 2010 - It had been a beautiful day until low and behold about 6 pm it cut loose and rained a gully washer. Very frustrating as the Rhett Atkins concert was that night. Well, a little mud isn't going to stop Shelby County from having a good ole time. The guys fired up the engines, scraped off the top layer of mud, threw down some straw and we had ourselves a concert.
A little mud didn't stop Shelby County from having a concert. They just scraped off the top layer and threw down some straw.

Rhett Atkins in concert.

Mine and Jen's boots.

Thanks Rusty, for letting us use your camper to stay out of the rain and warm up a little.

What a fashionista!!

Chelsey and I.
Chelsey, Randi and Jessie Mae. Don't you just love my daughters outfit.......camo, shorts and boots. She cracks me up.

My son..................

Ok, so I was driving home from work two nights ago, close to home and my son calls. He said what are you doing. I say the same thing every time he calls me like this, driving home. He says, do you go to the doctor for a sprained ankle. My question to him is who needs to go to the doctor to which he responds I do.

Evidently, he was at a friends house, tryin to be an acrobat on the trampoline, did a back flip and landed on the ground. Of course it's 5 pm and the local doctor office is closed. So of course I tell him we will evaluate when I get home and see him.

Must not have been too painful as he didn't stroll in for a couple hours later, but it was a little swollen and he claimed it "really hurt". So the following morning he wanted to know if I had called the doctor yet. It was 7 am. Hum, no, I had not. Too early. Dad wasn't quite as sypathetic as I had been................advice to son..............wrap it up, suck it up and go to school. LOL.

Don't think he liked it very well, but he could walk on it. Granted, I know it had to hurt, most sprains do and alot of the time the doctor will tell you a sprain hurts worse than a brake. He was walking on it so I think we are in the clear of anything serious. I guess he just wanted a little TLC from his mom.

Me and Jen

I have one of the greatest BFF's in the whole world..............and I am sure anybody that knows her would agree. We've had a lot of fun over the summer and even back a few years ago as this Halloween Photo displays.
Halloween - October 2006 maybe? Not sure, my memory escapes me on the date of this one.

Old Thresher's - Sept. 2010 - why not a bathroom shot? I mean, even at 40 something, we still go to the bathroom in pairs, lol.

This was taken over Labor Day when we went to the Junction one night with some other friends.

Old Thresher's September 2010 - Rhett Atkins concert - trying to stay dry since it rained in Rusty's camper.
Old Settler's - July 2010 - this was a fun night. Geez, I would give anything to have her height.

Kuff's Benefit - Shelbina - another fun night with friends.

paying tribute

On September 14, 2010, a lovely young lady became an angel in gods heaven. Christy Maubach must be the most heavenly angel.........as you read all the posts that have been made in her remembrance and heard people speak so highly of her existence.

Tonight, it was all I could do to hold back the tears as my daughter and several of her friends visited Christy's grave sight as her birthday is Thursday, Oct. 7. She would have been 18. The girls took roses, with homemade cards and decorated cupcakes with purple writing on them as that as I understand was her favorite color.

I wasn't aware that any of the girls knew Christy that well as my daughter is only in the 7th grade and she was a senior. I guess that is one of the advantages to living in a small town, being acquianted with all that surround you. My daughter has rarely known death............until the day this beautiful girl was taken to live with the angels. It pains me to know she grieves. I know there are many friends and relatives alike who mourn her loss and hope that time will heal their hearts.

~RIP~

Recent Home Projects New Completion

So nearing the end of the summer, I finally started finishing some home interior projects which had been on the back burner for waaaaaaaaaay to long. Let's just say part of the reason for the delay was my job, the other.......well, I sometimes procrastinate.So in the bathroom, a shelf was installed since I don't have much counter space. In Chelsey's room, we hung up shelves above her bed and across the room as well as the circles. She continues to add to the shelves.

Just The Way You Are..................

Oh her eyes, her eyes
Make the stars look like they're not shining
Her hair, her hair
Falls perfectly without her trying

She's so beautiful
And I tell her every day

Yeah I know, I know
When I compliment her
She won't believe me
And it's so, its so
Sad to think she don't see what I see

But every time she asks me do I look okay
I say.....When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing
Just the way your are
And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for awhile
Cause girl you're amazing
Just the way you are

Her nails, her nails
I could kiss them all day if she'd let me
Her laugh, her laugh
She hates but I think its so sexy

She's so beautiful
And I tell her every day

Oh you know, you know, you know
I'd never ask you to change
If perfect is what you're seaching for
Then just stay the same

So don't even bother asking
If you look okay
You know I'll say

When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for a while
Cause girl you're amazing
Just the way you are

The way you are
The way you are
Girl you're amazing
Just the way you are

When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile,
The whole worlds stops and stares for awhile
Cause girl you're amazing
Just the way you are.

Is that person out there that would make you feel that way? To comfort your insecurities with letting you know, that there is nothing they would change.

Not a good week.................

Monday, brake issues with my car...................which doesn't make me happy cause I took it in the 3rd week of August as I knew I would once again be commutting to have it all checked out, had 2 new tires but on, the front moved to the back so the tires were off to check the brakes good and supposedly they were "OKAY".................thinking somebody failed at this one.

So, I took my van to work yesterday................the check engine light is on..............oh freakin JOY.

And, I have a rental house with a broken gas line.........................

SUCKS TO BE ME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Fitting Song.....................

Sissy's Song

Why did she have to go
So young I just don't know why
Things happen half the time
Without reason without rhyme
Lovely, sweet young woman
Daughter, wife and mother
Makes no sense to me
I just have to believe

She flew up to Heaven on the wings of Angels
By the clouds and the stars and passed where no one sees
And she walks with Jesus and her loved ones waiting
Don't worry 'bout me

Loved ones she left behind
Just trying to survive
And understand the why
Feeling so lost inside
Anger shot straight at God
Then asking for his Love
Empty with disbelief
Just hoping that maybe

She flew up to Heaven on the wings of Angels
By the clouds and the stars and passed where no one sees
And she walks with Jesus and her loved ones waiting
And I know she's smiling saying
Don't worry 'bout me

It's hard to say goodbye
Her picture in my mind
They'll always be times I'll cherish
And I won't cry 'cause

She flew up to Heaven on the wings of Angels
By the clouds and the stars and pased where no one sees
And she walks with Jesus and her loved ones waiting
And I know she's smiling saying
Don't worry 'bout me
Don't worry 'bout me
Don't worry 'bout me

In Memory..................

In Memory: Christy Maubach ~ October 7, 1992 to September 14, 2010

Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget.

The above words are on the memorial shirts for the beloved friend Christy Maubach, who tragically lost her life today in an auto accident. It took only hours for the members of her senior class to organize a candle light vigil tonight which was held at the Shelbina Lake in which a slide show was presented, remembering Christy, along with music and prayer.

God received in his family today, a beautiful angel. Sometimes we don't understand how a young life, full of vibrance, beauty, grace, generosity and spirit can be taken from us...........we are left to cope with the loneliness of missing them. Find comfort in one another and in their memory.

Rest in peace beautiful child.

1st Day of School August 18, 2010

Chase, sophomore, age 15. Chelsey, 7th grade, age 12 1/2.

Chase, standing about 5'11".

Chelsey, about 5'3". Just darned near as tall as I am, which doesn't take much, since I got short changed when god was passing out height, lol.

Ginger and I

Trying to catch some of the late summer rays at Susan's pool and I this is what I dealt with........a big lug of a dog............hard to catch the sun with this thing on your lap :)

Awwww.............but such a sweetheart, I just love her.

Me and my gal pal Jennifer ready to head out for a Saturday night of the band "Split Decision".

Dancing the night away at the Kuffs benefit.

2010 Summer Vacation

Chelsey, Chase and I before the Cardinal game which was a scorching HOT. Heat index that day was a low 115.

Six Flags the day before the Cardinal game. My son, the lover of photos, not.

My babies...........not babies anymore.

For You Kathleen.............

So, so glad to be back.

Middle School Semi-Formal Dance

Last Friday night, Chelsey attended the Middle School Semi-Formal Dance. She went up and Cameron did her hair. I thought she looked just adorable.

Me Coaching

Yes folks, there you have it.........my best side, lol. (a special thanks to the picture taker, NOT!)

I apparently was giving some kind of directive.

See, see, see!!!!!

Now, right here!!!

Oh, really?

Ya don't say?!?!

Yep, I'm thinkin so.

#36, Go Chelsey Brooke Gaines.