Dear Diary

I don't know what prompted me to look up my old blog today but I can see it has not been updated in quite some time. Let me see if I can fill you all in on what has been going on in my part of the world.

-Jarrett went to summer camp and had a great time.
-Mikey moved out when school ended.
-Ricky had the cops called on him several times for punching holes in the walls, breaking the windshield of my car, punching holes in the walls.
-In August, I started talking to an old boyfriend James for 20 hours a day cause he is an over the road truck driver.
-After three weeks of phone calls he came down to Florida and we got married on September 25th.
-The cops were called again for Ricky and we talked to his Dad and he is supposed to go pick him up and take custody of him.
-On the 13th of October we left Florida without Ricky and headed to North Carolina.
-Within four days we both had jobs and Jarrett started school.
-Chase turned five.
-Ricky is staying with Grandma cause Rick can't take care of him.
-Ricky talked Grandma into changing his school to where Mikey goes and he got arested on the first day for fighting.
-He is currently serving ten day suspention and has court on Nov 23rd.

So thats where I have been. I love being Mrs. James Pifer. He is wonderful and without him I would be sitting in a huge house with no electric and abusive kids.

Life is good!

Where has Heather been? I haven't a clue as usual. We have had good days and we have had bad days thats for sure.
I had a pretty good mothers day, saw Star Trek with Jarrett even though he did not really want to go. He ended up liking it anyway.
Also got in some community service hours with Jarrett last Saturday. The mail men picked up donated for at the mail box and then it all got brought to a central location to be sorted and boxed. Thats where jarrett and I come in. we were sorting and boxing the food as it came in. we got there about 11am and stayed until 1pm then chase was getting tired and kept screaming "take me home" which got people starring so we left but only after agreeing that we would come back later. we went home and got someting to eat and then took chase to grandpa's house. then we went back and stayed another three hours till 7:30pm. So Jarrett got in 5 hours for his citizenship in the community merit badge. He still needs 3 more hours which he wants to do at the humane society.
I went on Monday to fill out an application at a uniform shop. wish me luck.
Right now I am waiting for Ricky to come. His curfew is 9pm on school nights and it is now 10:50pm. He's a little late and I have talked to him but he was not ready to leave yet cause they were watching a movie which he apparently had no idea what the name if the movie was. He has done this several times over the past couple of weeks. it is really anoying. His lack of respect for me is out of control. Last night he blew up about his phone again. My brother had to come over to make sure everything was alright. I wish i knew how to get through to him...

My nephew, Joey came over today to play with Chase. I don't know why Chase is only wearing underwear and cowboy boots but they seemed to be having fun doing stunts in the mustang.


They also thought the hammock was a sinking ship.


Jarrett, Chase and I went to visit my brother Kevin at his fire station. Here is Jarrett all decked out and ready to jump on the fire truck.


They even had a smaller uniform for Chase. Although he thought it was cool at first, when Uncle Kevin suggested we get some pictures inside the truck he immediately thought is was stupid and wanted out of it. Then later he was in the back seat and Uncle Kevin jumped into the front, Chase demanded that he don't take him anywhere. He must have thought he was not experienced enough to do the job.


I like to make things that are somewhat made already. I mean like I like when I can see the final product and work toward that. So I spotted this bag at wal-mart that came with iron on stuff. I thought that was perfect for me to do. So here is the front of my bag.


And this is what I put on the back. Its the start of my favorite song in the whole world...God I sound like I'm 12 years old. But I can bet you that If you ever say these words to me I will smile and start to bob my head and sing the rest of the song right then. FYI it's blister in the sun by the violent femmes. Just a coincedence, I was watching some movie previews and I heard my song. Turns out that the movie Rocket Science uses it and another favorite; kiss off. I tried to watch it on the computer, but the vidio thing is not working, so then I went to the library. They have it but when I tried to check it out they told me I owe $66.00 in fees cause they had to replace four movies that I checked out in December of 07. So finally I went to Hollywood video and just rented the darn thing. I also rented Juno. Both are good. Juno had me crying like a baby and Rocket Science had me singing. God I really need help ;)


This is what dinner looks like at my house. The green stuff is spinich. I like it but the boys don't.


This is my Dad posing with the Easter cake.


And here is Chase posing with the Easter cake...Ya know, maybe I should buy him some clothes or something. He's going to have a hard time when he goes to school and has to keep them on for more that an hour.

So thats some of the stuff I've been doing.

Happy Easter everyone!

FYI...The spider was put to death by shoe.

Last week my Mom invited me and the boys over for Easter. Then she calls me on Friday and lets me know that plans have changed and that I will be doing lunch at my house and only Dad will be coming. Someone has to stay with Grandma and mom doesn't drive anymore so dad is coming. But I needed to come over on Saturday morning to take Mom shopping for food and stuff for baskets. I loved the idea of getting Mom out of the house so I agreed.
So I go out to Moms on Saturday morning and we head out to the craft store Joann's. Mom hangs out in the scrap booking section while I wonder over to the fabrics and get some backing fabric for a project that I want to start on. Next we head over to Party city to find almost nothing left for Easter. I did find an egg tray and a hat for Chase. After that we get some lunch at Arby's and then Mom says she is finished for the day. We were supposed to go to Wal-Mart but I ended up going solo.
I finally finish all my shopping and I head for home at about 4pm. When I got home I hunted for the Easter baskets everywhere. I did finally find them after I remembered I was going to sell them in my yard sale. So I got the baskets all made up and the 120 plastic eggs all filled with candy and put away on top of the fridge.
Jarrett finds his way home and I go round up the other two boys and we end up watching a movie before going to bed. About 3am I woke up and hid the baskets. At 9am Chase wakes up and he finds his basket and he gets the other two boys to find theirs. We then colored five dozen eggs and I start working on getting lunch ready while cleaning up after Chase. I so wish he would not touch and move everything in sight.
Dad comes over and I put him to work on cutting the ham. We had a great lunch and even had cake for desert. I showed him my new toy, the DSi, and we had fun taking pictures with it. It has a feature that lets you know if you're related to the other person. Ricky and I are like 23% related, siblings. Jarrett and I are 12% cousins. Dad and I are 1% and unrelated. I always thought I was adopted, lol. Anyway its fun to play with.
So Dad heads home and the boys are nagging me to take them to gamestop. So we head out and back and thats when I came to the conclusion that someone forgot to hide the plastic eggs for chase to find. Darn it.

Maybe tomorrow...

OMG, this morning Ricky comes running out of the bathroom and calling for me. I ask him whats the matter and he tells me there is a huge spider in the shower. So I look and the thing is the size of my hand, huge! He goes to get a shoe but by the time he gets back the thing hides in the closet where the towels are. That closet is behind the door so you can't even get to it without going into the bathroom. Ugh, what am I going to do?

My washing machine had broken down and would not drain the water about two weeks ago. I had thankfully done the last of the clothes before that happened so I was set for the week. I had the boys take the hoses off and see if there was something stuck but we didn't find anything. So last weekend Jarrett went with me and we did the laundry at the mat. Finally on Friday I called around to see when someone could come out. Sears said in 10 days. Whoa! So I called some other random company and he said he won't come out my way but he knows of another guy who lives out here that could help. Sure enough that guy came out on Friday afternoon and it turns out that there was one of Chase's little socks stuck in the pump. He charged me $75 to pull out a sock but I'm not complaining. I was able to do all my laundry last night and fold it today so we are good again!

Chase and I went to the beach last week. It's a beach called Clam Pass. It's owned by parks and recreation but there is a huge hotel right by it and they provide golf cart rides down the mile or so of boardwalk. The hotel also rents out boats and has a cafe and restrooms right near the beach.
So Chase is playing in the water and we walk down to the pass, where the fresh water empties into the gulf. I was only wearing my one piece bathing suit and beach shoes cause we were in the water most of the time.
Chase decides he needs to use the bathroom and so we head up that way. Noone was in line and we got right in so Chase is in one stall and I'm in the other cause I can't go near a bathroom with out having to pee. I soon realise that there are girls outside waiting and I hear that Chase is done. So What does he do, he peeks under my door and tells the lady waiting in line that his mommy does not have any clothes on and is going potty.
Nice. I mean for the most part I was covered up, even though it was a one piece down to my knees, I had pulled the bust part up to cover myself, but when he said that I realised that the cracks inbetween the walls and door of the stall I was in were very wide to say the least. OK now picture this: fat woman in little bathroom stall pulling up a wet bathing suit and trying to be descrete and hurry at the same time cause the girls outside are engaging in embarassing conversation with four year old son. I'll get over it I'm sure.

So today you got spider, wahing machine and beach. Nice mix I think!

I have pictures!

So here is Chase in the car. I think I'm at a stop light!???




This is Jarrett on Christmas morning. He just opened his new water bottle for camping. He just got to use it this weekend when he went to the camporee with scouts. Ricky and him thought it was a great event and Jarrett got tapped out for OA so thats cool.



This is Chase on Christmas morning.



Oh, here's the tree on Christmas morning.



Now I will show you some of the things I do to keep busy. Please know that I do not consider myself artistic or creative in any way. I just like to make things.

So first we have Chase's changing table that My Dad and I built while I was pregnant with him.
(and by him I mean Chase, not my Dad.) It used to be white with some zoo=y type stick-ons. Now I have repainted it yellow and green and painted a scene on the inside. So here's the back wall...



And here's where he plays with micro machines. It has two parking lots (told you I'm not artistic) and a long curvy loop of a road. He LOVES this thing.



Ok, now we have a bag that I made for chase. He picked out the fabric at the craft store and I used the same pattern as the brown bag below.



This was the first of my sewing items to make. It came printed on a yard of canvas type material. So I just had to cut out the pattern and follow the instructions. However on the pirate one for Chase (above) I had to change things around a little cause the pirates would have been sideways.!



This train bank came as a kit from the scout shop. Chase and I worked together on this one but I ended up doing the final paint job.



My Turkey. God I love this thing. I can not believe that I made this. Again it was cut out the pattern and add some batting and rocks (for weight) and follow the instructions. I want to make another one! But I feel kinda funny with two birds.



This is Betty, my sewing machine. Lucy (My ex-mother-in-law i guess) gave this to me. Not that it is a hand me down or anything...her husband found it in the dumpster where he works and they asked if I wanted it. Took me a while to figure her out but Betty and I are good friends now. (although that bitch could have told me that I put in the wrong needle when two of them broke today) (and by bitch I mean Betty the sewing machine, not Lucy).



This weekend I went to the craft store and was browsing the books when I see a book about roving wool or something. I kinda scan through it and thought wow that's neat, whatever it is. Well I paid for the items I had and then asked the lady at the counter where they kept the wool for felting stuff. I had no idea what I was talking about but apparently she did and she pointed me back toward the yarns and wool. A couple of bucks later I was able to make this... (its a cat not a squirel)



And this butterfly...Well anyway you take wool, felt and a special pin and fuse the two fabrics together so there is no glue or sewing. I attempted to make Chase a monkey but it looks more like a black voo doo doll right now.



And finally I made this apron. I was so excited that I made a flounce that I was singing that word all morning. Its quite a funny word if you ask me.

She looks great in my kitchen doesn't she?



I look just like her huh? ROFLMAO! See the flounce at the bottom?

Ok thats enough for now...

I can see in that last picture that Chase has left the milk out so I better get.

Oh and see the ice cream container on top of the fridge? That has a real snake in it. The boys caught it outside the other day. I think I will have them let it go this afternoon.

Wow where has the time gone? I haven't a clue.

We had a nice visit with my brother Kevin and his wonderful family on Christmas eve at his house. In past years the kids were always excited to go to Kevins for christmas eve cause there were always plenty of presents for everyone. This year it was decided that there would be no gift exchanges. Most of the kids are over 13 and know why that tradition has come to a stop. Even the two youngest boys in the family (who are my Chase at 4 years old and Kevin's son Joey at five) had a great time at the party anyway. Joey picked out a puzzle for Chase and Chase could not wait to give Joey his present. I did make candy baskets for all the kids though. And Kevin and Rita gave my boys some cash. I guess we are finding it hard to break tradition. lol

New years was busy because of taking down christmas decorations and such. But I slept through the actual event cause the boys put on a movie and wern't watching the time. 5 minutes after 12 we had our own little countdown from 10 even though Ricky thought it was dumb. I gave the boys a new years kiss and went to bed.

The fish named Little that Chase got at the snow fest has since past on to greener pastures, errr maybe bluer waters? He was a trooper non the less. Chase always "dumped" food in his bowl and I think the changing of water every other day was too much stress. Chase loved that fish named Little, he really did!

My car is almost not drivable. There is something seriously wrong with the transmission. At times the car is fine but mostly it will not go over 35 miles per hour. Which has become a problem since the closest store is 15 minutes away. I need to get it looked at soon but I am waiting for some money to come in first.

Some brighter news is that I have not talked to the ex for several months and I think it has had a very positive effect on my future outlook. I love not listening to him and his opinions!

Just checked to see if any new pis are on the camera but there are none so I spared you that much at least! lol

Ya I know, more pictures of the kids. Deal with it!

This is Chase at the mall. This is Jarrett doing his science fair project. I had the wonderful idea to make him cut onions and make him cry. His project was to find out which of eight defenses actually work. So out of: having a fan blow on your face, a piece of bread in your mouth (shown below), freezing it, boiling it, wearing goggles, no protection at all, and running water over the onion. Which one do you think is the best defense? It's the running water! There is my cooking tip for the day.
For those of you not on my Christmas card list, here is the picture of the family that we sent this year. Of course I cropped out the messy floor before I sent them. This is Ricky, Mikey, Jarrett, Chase and Heather. This was the 28th picture taken...some of them had full moons and missing people but we all agreed on this one finally.
I have been asking the boys what they want for Christmas for weeks now and Chase has always told me he wants a little dump truck. Thats it, just a little dump truck. Well, Chase and my Dad go for walks around the block when Chase visits them. Chase is very friendly with all the neighbors and will even help them out when they ask. Well, one of the ladies bought him a Christmas gift, the dump truck and a small snowman. So very nice of her. He was so excited he wanted to go home right then to play with it. These are pictures from the next morning. Whats funny is Chase hates to get dirty and he got plenty dirty while playing with the dump truck.


Just a side note: Mikey is a kid that got kicked out of his house for fighting with his brother Timmy and so now he moved in with us. We have known him and his family for a long time, like eight years. Ricky and Mikey's brother Timmy made their first communion together and before that their mom Beth knew two of my brothers and didn't even know they were brothers. (She worked for my s-i-l's moms flower shop and she did girlscouts with my other brothers daughter.)
When I lost my job, the ex could not figure out where I went. He went to my friend Angies house and asked her if she had seen me. She told him no. Then the next day his buddy Danny and his son (also Danny) show up at my parents house looking for me. What a coincidence huh? They convinced Mom to call me so I talked to Little Danny for a few and took down his number and told him I would call him later. That was on the 6th and I did not call him. I just figured that he was going to tell Rick-the ex.
So on the 16th they show up at moms again. She calls me while they are there and I tell Little Danny that I would call them on Wednesday. So on Wednesday I go to Target and my car is not running right. I call Little Danny and see if they want to chat. He says ok and I proceed to wait around for freaking ever for them. Chase was getting ansy so we made our way home. They show up at Moms seven hours later and ask what happened. WTF.

Chase being goofy about the gingerbread man and lady that we made.
Tho outside of the house.
My wonderful palm tree all lighted up...I'm so proud of myself!
The tree and many many stockings. And yes, we have a star and an angel on top of the tree. Cause thats what Chase wanted.
The tissue paper wreath that we made this year cause I remember how pretty the one was that I made in 2nd grade.
This is my stocking that I made from scratch for the four of us like three years ago.
This is Chase petting a goat at the snow fest today.
Look it does snow in Florida. See!
Chase just threw a snowball!
He made it to the top!
A raindeer, elf, snowman, and Chase holding his new fish named "Little".
Chase riding in a horse drawn sleigh!

Today was the Snow-fest here in town. It always snows here the first Saturday of December! There are so many people that come that they have you park at the high school and they bus you over. You can make ornaments and sit with santa for a picture. They also have carnival rides and tons of fair food. This year Chase thought his time in the snow was a little too short.

On a side note they started this event when I was 12 years old and I have pictures of me in the snow too! Although it used to be a way smaller event.

Jarrett is camping this weekend with the scouts. Just a one nighter but thats good enough for them. They are panning for artifacts on the Peace River so that should keep them pretty busy.

Wow, where have I been...I don't really know to be honest.

I have decorated my house for Christmas. The tree is up and it has tinsel and ornaments on it. I even did a palm tree that is outside. Which I will take pictures of soon...

I decorated a hotel in Marco for Christmas.

I decorated two separate residences for Christmas. One of which was entirely santa clauses on the tree ranging from 6 feet tall to 3 inches tall, on the tree. Very santa clausy!

I got laid off.

I made a wreath out of tissue paper just like I did in 2nd grade and it looks fan-freaking-tastic if you ask me.

I painted some cute masks for Chase to play with, a kitten, an elf, and a puppy all with santa hats on.

Tonight I need to help Jarrett with a science fair project, and find the courage to tell the boys that I'm not working. Eek!

Wish me luck.

See I told you I would do it. Oh ye of little faith...

This is my Mom and Dad's mailbox.


I snapped this picture so I could send it up to my aunt in NH just for fun.

















The next day it looked like this. So I had to snap another picture to send up to her. It kinda scared me cause I thought I was seeing things.













Next we have Chase at the Swamp Buggy Parade. The kids always get lots of candy and coolie cups at this event. Chase is holding up an airplane and wearing beads that he got. And of course the pumpkin is full of candy and advertisements.

The swamp buggy races were started right here where we live. at the end of the race weekend the winning driver and the Swamp Buggy Queen jump into the mud pit together. Always a good time!



Here is Chase with his birthday cake for his 4th birthday. I let him pick out the cake, can you tell? He is so proud of his pumpkin cake.














Here is my nephew Joey, a friend Michelle and Chase being pulled in a wagon for trick-or-treating. This was their second go round when Uncle Kevin took them.











This is really funny...for Chase that is. One day he pointed to this sun beam on the floor of the kitchen and called it a toothbrush. So here is the picture of the big toothbrush. Also one day I was getting out of the shower and Chase was on my bed and he called me over and showed me some dust flying through the sunbeams. I was amazed that he slowed down enough to notice it. A minute later he was jumping on the bed again being a boy.



This is what my yard sale looked like before everyone came and took stuff. Do you like my huge dinosaur?







After the yard sale Jarrett and my nephew Nick (not Nicholas) were having fun counting the money!!!















And finally this is Chase with his birthday present from his Dad that his Pappy dropped off. He was very happy to get a Thomas the train play set.














One thing I don't have pictures of is Rachel and the girls. They came down the day I was having the yard sale a visited a bit at the house. Then we got together again for a great seafood dinner and we didn't even have to change tables this time! I am so thankful that we had kept in touch over these long years.

This weekend we are having a hot dog sale fund raiser and a pancake breakfast for the scouts.
Oh and I talked to my friend DeeAnn and she misses me too. Her and her son left the troop just after summer camp and I have not gotten to talk to her.

Ok thats enough for now...