Today my son will marry the love of his life, his best friend…
his high school sweetheart. They had not spoken in 8 years
and were reunited on Facebook.

If you love someone, set them free. If they come back
they’re yours…if they don’t they never were.
~Richard Bach

Congratulations to my son and his beautiful bride…my daughter in law! ♥
I love you both,

Blast from the past…
Originally posted October 2009
(ya, I so meant to post this last week!)

I was going to pop on here and just share a few creative Halloween recipes I found, but you know that’s not going to happen. I got a little sad looking at all the festive goodies and now I need to vent. Vent first, then the fun stuff.
I totally miss Trick or Treating.
I’m not going to lie.
If I thought I could get away with it this year, I’d be sporting a $19.95 K-Mart Special costume with pillowcase in hand (king size) and hitting up every damn house within a square mile of me. Actually, I’m not sure what part of Halloween appeals to me more, a) the candy b) showing up to school or a party in the best flipping costume (obviously we all know if I’m getting a K-Mart Blue Light Special this year, the priority is candy) there.
I’m not going to lie.
Sometimes these were hand-me-down costumes my sister had worn the year prior, nevertheless they were probably my idea to begin with. Who would not want to dress as a “Fig” handing out Fig Newtons whilst singing, “It’s rich and chewy gooey on the inside, golden flakey cakey on the outside….it’s the big Fig Newton, here comes the tricky part, it’s the big Fig Newton, ok one more time, it’s the…” Ingenious. Right? Another year I rocked “Big Bird”
I’m not going to lie.
I was actually a chicken, but a few everybody thought I was Big Bird so we’ll just go with that. Personally, I have never known Big Bird to wear big puffy yellow bloomers, yellow tights, yellow shower cap, short beak and strategically placed feathers, walking around bocking. But that’s just me…just saying. Elly May Clampett (this is the real Elly) was another big hit for me. Don’t act like you are to young to know who she was! She was the animal loving, chimp toting daughter on “The Beverly Hillbillies” Well, I love animals AND we do have a lot of the same characteristics, I was a dead ringer! Nice, I also came across this picture of what she looks like now. This brings us to (RELAX! I’m almost done. Remember. I’m. Venting.) the year of “Pixie Lake” a.k.a. the hooker.
I’m not going to lie.
It scared me that I had so much fun putting that get-up together. It scared me that I had the clothes to put that get-up together. Pixie was a short lived character, her “Trick or Treat” ideals were not acceptable.. Last but not least was Mary. Much to my surprise, I pretty much owned Halloween that year. “you are so creative…” “oh my gosh, I would have never thought…” “honey, come here, you’ve gotta see this…” “brilliant idea…” I know…even I was shocked.
I’m not going to lie.
As much as I’d like to take credit for being the master of all disguises, carefully planning each and every detail, I literally had an hour to figure out a costume. That’s not even enough time to go get a K-Mart Blue Light Special. I think Mary might have even been my favorite….there was just something about her.
I’m done venting, but I’m not going to lie
I totally miss Trick or Treating.

Look all all these creative goodies!!!!

Candy Corn Pudding Butterscotch pudding on the bottom, vanilla (dyed with yellow food coloring) in the middle, whipped topping on top. (you can make this kid friendly by using clear plastic tumblers.) Paper Jewels

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Apple Bites Just quarter and core an apple, cut a wedge from the skin side of each quarter, then press slivered almonds in place for teeth.
Family Fun

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Melon Brain Remove the green rind from a small seedless watermelon exposing the inner white rind. Carve narrow channels with a sharp paring knife to expose the pink fruit beneath the rind.
Family Fun

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Breadstick Mummy Dogs Made with Pillsbury Breadstick dough and hot dogs. Using mustard or ketchup for the eye. Visit Picky Palate for detailed directions!

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Adam’s Scary Apples Make red and black candy apples, finish them off with spooky twigs instead of sticks. Matt from mattbites.com will walk you through this process step by step

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Wormy Ice Cubes All you need are gummy worms or other creepy crawler candy, ice cube trays and fruit punch. Stick ‘em in a drink! (*note- I am making these with or without kids…maybe even year round)
Food Network

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Creepy Crawly Brownie Bite Spiders Cut fresh baked brownies, roll into balls. Cover in chocolate candy coating and decorate with licorice, raspberry candy and sprinkles. Visit Paula Deen’s Recipes to learn how! (NOT recommended for those who are Arachnophobic)

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Spaghetti and Eyeballs Perfect meal for the little monsters ones any time of year. Make your own or visit parentingteens.about.com to get their recipe for Spaghetti and Meatballs. Use green olives stuffed with pimentos for the eyes.

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* updated Vampire Bloody Lollipops I know it’s after the fact, but I just came across these and had to add them. There’s next year, right? Head over to Tissuepapers and get step by step directions to make these delightful looking treats!

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My family’s got talent.
Not me.
My 3rd cousin.
Not even kidding.
Rachel Crow on The X Factor.

Watch.
Listen.
Vote!

As fun as it is to take time to write about life,
sometimes it really is much more important
…to just live it!!!

Be back soon. Swear!

…continued part 1, part 2 and part 3

Part 4
When I arrived home the following day, a banner that read ‘Welcome Home Filthy’ was hanging above our front door.

I had received a phone call that afternoon while driving home from picking my youngest son up from school. I was instructed when and where we could pick up ‘our’ cat. Our efforts had not gone unnoticed, nor had our tears been cried in vain. As we drove to pick her up, we laughed, we cried and we sped (a little) (just saying’.) After I reimbursed HER for the vet bills, SHE handed me a box. As I opened it I saw a familiar black ball of fur and two big gold eyes looking at me…she was shaking uncontrollably. As my son started petting her I picked her up and held her close to my chest, she was confused and terrified. I whispered “Filthy McNasty, we’re going home.” Her whole body went limp as she clung on to me. As she lay in my son’s lap on our way home neither of us said a word, (aside from the 83 phone calls I made) because a- were just so happy to have our princess back. b- I was trying to figure out a way to explain to my bank I used the money for my car payment as cat ransom. Either way, it was a phenomenal day. Our whole silence, (aside from the 83 phone calls I made) embrace the moment thing was soon interrupted by a phone call.
“Hi Heidi, I spoke to you last week about your cat.”
“Yes?”
“I am so sorry, I have tried everything…I have contacted everyone…there is nothing that can be done. You signed your cat over…”
Blah, blah, blah liar.
(Smirking while staring into those big gold eyes) “Well thank you for all your efforts, some things are just meant to be.”
“Yes they are, I’m sure she’ll be well taken care of.”
“I am positive of that, thank you!”
“You bet.”
See ya dude-that-has-no-clue!

It took Filthy and Rex about .04 seconds to get reacquainted and Filthy about .05 seconds to reclaim her bed.

After having to fend for herself for so long, having oral medication administer via her ears, recovering from being so sick…and surviving a kidnapping, it was clear this little girl had a will to survive. No longer did she have to worry. She was loved, had a permanent home and a family to keep her safe…kinda.

Don’t judge…there’s a story behind it.

to be continued…

I saw this at the groomers yesterday and had to copy it….

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful. You are my world.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.

3. Place your trust in me. It’s crucial for my well-being.

4. Don’t be angry with me for long and don’t lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment. I only have you.

5. Talk to me. Even if I don’t understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.

7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you and yet, I choose not to bite you.

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I’m not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old and weak.

9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too will grow old.

10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can’t bear to watch. Don’t make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there…because I love you!

I think every pet owner need to read this at least once!

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*psssst….part 4 of Don’t Judge…There’s A Story Behind It → coming soon!!!

Remember last week I did a post entitled, Snagged At Sea? Included in it were details of my encounter with a shark Pitbull. A freak accident that involved his tooth, my thigh, a trip to E.R. and stitches. There are a few people that think I’m a freak as well (o.k. maybe that’s not such a news flash!) because 2 days later ‘Paulie’ a.k.a. the shark Pitbull and I started our 5 day bonding session, alone. I had already committed to dog sitting him and never had second thoughts about following through with that commitment. It wasn’t a malicious act, I have known him since he was a puppy and I knew we’d be just fine, (well, I did pray really hard that we would be…just sayin’) and we were.

Here are a few pictures that I took with my cell phone, there are about 4,261 more but we’ll just start with these. Your welcome!

As I sit on the pool steps (because I can’t get my stitches wet) Paulie joins me, gently resting his paw on my hand as if he were saying, friends? My heart may have skipped a beat.
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Another day while relaxing on a lounge chair, (did I mention I couldn’t go into the pool because of my stitches?) I was sleeping on my tummy and opened my eyes to this. He was standing at my head, resting his next to mine. Precious, I know. He had a ball in his mouth and was waiting patiently.
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After a few days I was finally able to down size from a body cast to a bandage. (I’m totally kidding) (kinda) This is something Paulie did every morning, although he seemed particularly interested on this day. My guess is because it was more accessible sans cast. He is checking my shark bite sore. Awww…Paulie!

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I knew he meant no harm and did not intentionally hurt me, and these past few days only confirmed that. There was never a moment I questioned his next move or felt uneasy. I think he actually went above and beyond to show his remorse, and he succeeded. (How many sharks can you say that about?) Although I obviously would have preferred to forgo being ‘snagged,’ I can’t think of a happier ending!
I get my stitches out tomorrow, and soon there will be little or no evidence of the shark attack encounter. However, the memories, lessons, trust and bond will remain infinitely!

(Did I mention, as of tomorrow I can go back in the pool?)

*Update- within weeks after this incident, I returned back…to live! Paulie is the best roommate ever!!!