tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15144525656457524052012-01-20T16:13:27.923-08:00When the summer sun goes down in the western sky...when the kids are all out of steam...when the dogs lay beside the creaky ole backporch rocker...and all you can hear are the chirps of the crickets and all you can see are the lightning bugs flickering...LightningBughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09897417238035965445noreply@blogger.comBlogger301100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514452565645752405.post-31003997634245601482012-01-20T16:12:00.000-08:002012-01-20T16:13:27.933-08:00

Anger Diary Issue:  The School “Drop Off Line” People, people, people…say it with me…”Drop off line.”  Does it say “Park and walk my kid in the school line?”  NOOO.  If you need to walk your kid in the school, then you need to pull into a PARKING SPOT and park your car and walk your kid in the school.  When I pull up to the school and there are car(s) sitting in front of the door with nobody

LightningBughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09897417238035965445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514452565645752405.post-68826681407459450412012-01-11T06:09:00.000-08:002012-01-11T06:29:28.915-08:00

Anger Diary Issue:  Pessimism.   Webster's defines pessimism as an inclination to emphasize adverse aspects, conditions, and possibilities or to expect the worst possible outcome. Don't do that people.   With that said, the truth of the matter is that bad trumps good in our minds.   To create more good, don't attempt to create more good...attempt to remove one negative from your path.

LightningBughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09897417238035965445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514452565645752405.post-39273871436538616762012-01-09T12:45:00.001-08:002012-01-09T13:42:41.750-08:00

Anger Diary Issue:  Store Rewards Cards WHY????  Who was the first store to decide to rip people off by only making sales available to those who carry the stupid MVP/Plus/ExtraCare/etc. cards???  Who has a wallet or a keychain big enough to carry that crap?  It’s not only just an exclusion of sales to non-card-carrying people, now it’s a way to bombard your inbox with spam from every store you

LightningBughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09897417238035965445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514452565645752405.post-67930695874035773872011-04-09T07:18:00.000-07:002011-04-09T07:18:07.271-07:00

I have a million things that I should be doing right now, but I need to write about last night’s experience while it’s still very fresh in my mind. Last night I loaded up my kids and one extra one and we headed to Greenbrier East High School for a Habitat for Humanity basketball game.  It was the ABA WV Blazers team and a team put together from several WV high school girls basketball

LightningBughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09897417238035965445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514452565645752405.post-72326685433650006042011-03-27T22:00:00.000-07:002011-03-28T19:06:34.895-07:00

Five more weeks of school!  I can’t believe I have come this far.  Of course I have a LONG road ahead of me, but I am forging along and keeping one eye on the prize and the other eye on the three classes at a time I will take to attain this much desired teaching profession.  I am still trying to get the balancing act down.  I wonder if I will ever truly be able to do the balancing thing?  I am

LightningBughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09897417238035965445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514452565645752405.post-57204241171553861672010-03-16T06:27:00.001-07:002010-03-16T07:29:50.105-07:00

This is a quote from the final episode of the sitcom, “8 Simple Rules” which starred John Ritter up until his death… Cate: [reading Paul's last article] Okay readers, today we're having a little pop quiz, it's multiple choice, so sharpen your number 2 pencils and put your thinking caps on. Ready? Here's a quote: "Dad, you're an idiot." Now, contestants, this was said to me because of which of

LightningBughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09897417238035965445noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514452565645752405.post-39514631882752694572010-03-02T08:19:00.000-08:002010-03-02T08:21:07.806-08:00

Confessions of a Scatter-brained mom of 3...Forgive me Father, for I have sinned…It has been…oh good grief…I can’t even keep track of whether I showered or not on a daily basis…like I could possibly remember how many days it’s been since my last confession.1. I’ve been driving what I refer to as “the short bus” this week. Actually it’s just my Town & Country, but when I fill it with kids to

LightningBughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09897417238035965445noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514452565645752405.post-48106522719074478272009-11-17T18:37:00.000-08:002009-11-17T18:38:28.809-08:00

In addition to the serious thins I am thankful for…(Jesus Christ, My family, kids, hub, my pets, my health, my friends, having all my needs met…)I have listed and additional 20 things that make my life much more enjoyable!Things I am Thankful For:1. White composite filling material for my teeth. I have a bazillion fillings, but I can fool people into thinking I have perfect teeth!2. Instant

LightningBughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09897417238035965445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514452565645752405.post-42444264336054356942009-11-09T06:50:00.000-08:002009-11-09T06:51:42.701-08:00

Post Marley & Me Reflections…Saturday night the kids went on sleepovers and I finally got a chance to stake my claim to the television. I rented Marley & Me. If you haven’t read the book or watched the movie…stop reading right here and go do that and then get back to my blog…it’ll be in my notes.I had heard how this movie was going to make me cry. That’s a given for pretty much any movie for me

LightningBughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09897417238035965445noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514452565645752405.post-36089659828913534652009-10-13T20:09:00.000-07:002009-10-13T20:15:48.210-07:00

You might be a Mom…If you have ever lifted a child over your head only to have formula cover every inch of your scalp.If you have received the dreaded “Your child has head lice letter” from the school nurse and then proceeded to the drugstore in a disguise to buy the treatment shampoo.If you have ever been embarrassed in the Cracker Barrel bathroom stall when a proud 3 year old announces, “Mom, I

LightningBughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09897417238035965445noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514452565645752405.post-54060983583546917532009-09-17T05:02:00.000-07:002009-09-17T05:06:28.822-07:00

So a week or so ago I decided I wanted to move out in the country. Like WAAAY out in the country. I started scouring through realtor.com for houses and property in Sweet Springs, Union, Gap Mills...all of those places where you can only get to deliberately--you never just stumble upon them by chance.I think it was that first tinge of Fall in the air that had me feeling nostalgic, for lack of a

LightningBughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09897417238035965445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514452565645752405.post-26877448146630575892009-08-26T14:30:00.000-07:002009-09-08T07:53:13.680-07:00

I didn't mean to do it MommySaid the child so smallWill I remember the broken glassOr the tears that would then fall?Will I look back and rememberDirty fingerprints on the doorBack when my big boyWas just a tiny four?Will I remember making mudpiesIn the sandbox right out backOr will this be a memoryThat I will find I lack?Will I remember the tiny handsThat tried to pour the tea?Or will my

LightningBughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09897417238035965445noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514452565645752405.post-81580283360273867792009-08-19T15:29:00.000-07:002009-08-19T15:37:51.285-07:00

Amanda’s famous “I have a dream speech”…in regards to the “attic situation”I have a dream….That one day the contents of my attic will be purged and neatly organized into clear plastic storage containers.That the age appropriate clothing will be clearly marked so I will no longer have to fumble through unmarked trash bags full of 10 years worth of children’s clothing with every season change.I

LightningBughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09897417238035965445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514452565645752405.post-55116918216582240782009-08-18T19:07:00.000-07:002009-08-18T20:38:32.259-07:00

I love houses. I have no discrimination when it comes to real estate. This drives my Dad and my husband absolutely crazy and has caused us to find ourselves in a couple of pickles in the beginning of married life.After renting for a short time, we started house hunting and I fell in love with every single house I ever stepped into. One house had asbestos siding and I assured Kevin that we could

LightningBughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09897417238035965445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514452565645752405.post-41425448714602703612009-08-14T20:01:00.000-07:002009-08-13T21:03:44.731-07:00

August 10, 2009Memoirs from fun-filled King’s Dominion trip…We departed Potts Creek Road for King’s Dominion at 7:45, only 45 minutes behind schedule, which is a good morning at the Griffith House. We had our kids in the mini-van and Kevin’s folks had their other two grandsons (our nephews) in their truck and we were off! I remember stopping in Cliftondale Park for gas and most everything after

LightningBughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09897417238035965445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514452565645752405.post-31998335254312147792009-08-14T05:38:00.000-07:002009-08-13T21:04:31.910-07:00

August 11, 2009Today Natalie had her tonsils and adenoids removed. She had really huge tonsils, and the orthodontist recommended having them removed to prevent any speech problems and help alleviate strep throat and help her to stop snoring. Everything went great and I look for her to make a speedy recovery and be able to return to school next Wednesday. She has to take off an extra week before

LightningBughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09897417238035965445noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514452565645752405.post-72400727039613883512009-08-13T20:38:00.000-07:002009-08-13T20:42:52.393-07:00

May 6, 2009A day in the life of me...I normally get up at 5:22...that's when the alarm goes off. I'm not sure why I don't set it for 5:20 or 5:25...that's just too conventional I suppose. Anyway, I get up with Kevin and stumble into the kitchen and if I'm lucky, I have remembered to load the coffee maker the night before, and perhaps I even had the sense to program it because then I can have a

LightningBughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09897417238035965445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514452565645752405.post-39195846233792877212009-08-13T20:36:00.000-07:002009-08-13T20:38:40.280-07:00

May 7, 2009This morning while I was having my coffee I was thinking about motherhood and the trials and triumphs and I relived the last very quick 10 ½ years in my mind. What made me cringe? My biting kids. Yes, if any of you have children that bite, or have ever bitten, you will feel my pain. That is tough. I have said it over and over again, I would rather be the mom of the kid who has been

LightningBughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09897417238035965445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514452565645752405.post-16575291506045073022009-08-13T20:29:00.000-07:002009-08-13T20:31:41.706-07:00

If I knew then what I know now, my marriage vows would’ve went a little something like this:I take you to be my Clyde and I your Bonnie--partners in crime, willing accomplices. We will have alibis from this day forward.I expect you to love me when I’m on top of the world and in the darkest cave, through PMS, drunken stupors, and tender moments.I need you to accept the fact that I’m probably never

LightningBughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09897417238035965445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514452565645752405.post-3339923674074369222009-08-13T20:26:00.000-07:002009-08-13T20:28:47.104-07:00

Mother's Day just doesn't do it for me. I know that must sound like I'm some kind of terrible mother (and maybe I am), but I'm just not crazy about Mother's Day.I'm not sure if I can fully put my finger on what it is...perhaps a couple of things. For one thing, when I wake up in the morning, I will have this feeling that I will have to be "on" all day. Well what if I wake up with a headache or

LightningBughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09897417238035965445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514452565645752405.post-72065894067964383142009-08-13T20:18:00.000-07:002009-08-13T20:22:46.877-07:00

Happy Mother’s Day from the adopted child…I do not know youHave you seen me?In a crowd of peopleWould we be able to seeThat we are connectedIn some cosmic wayBy something we would doOr something that we would say?How old are you?Are you even still alive?Maybe you are fiftyOr maybe fifty-five?Is your hair dark as coalOr maybe laced with gray?Do you remember back thirty-twoYears ago this day?The

LightningBughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09897417238035965445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514452565645752405.post-50627898863767692672009-08-13T20:15:00.000-07:002009-08-13T20:18:25.606-07:00

Well, today is Monday (for any of you that suffer from some kind of syndrome that wouldn't allow you to know what day today is).I have two days left until the 3 Doors Down concert that I have been looking forward to for many weeks now. The best part of the entire thing...well, who am I kidding? The best part will be 3DD, but in a close second will be me getting to be with my three best friends

LightningBughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09897417238035965445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514452565645752405.post-68203642153570190982009-08-13T20:14:00.000-07:002009-08-13T20:15:51.274-07:00

This was a great weekend! Saturday was one of those days that went on forever...but not in a bad way. Kevin said it was really long too--but not in a bad way either. So strange these days for days off to feel like they are long, right? I remember being a kid and being bored a lot--an only child thing maybe...or maybe just the times...no internet...no Wii...no cell phones...just my bike, a

LightningBughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09897417238035965445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514452565645752405.post-13331821869408614822009-08-13T20:12:00.000-07:002009-08-13T20:13:55.519-07:00

Today I got up with Kevin and made his lunch for work and then went back to bed! Lastnight I was too tired to sleep I think. I was definately too tired to go downstairs and do laundry, but when I went to bed, I was wide awake, so I went in the living room and watched Southern Belles. Anybody watch that? I think I could get hooked on it. (I'm a dork, I know) Anyhoo, I stayed up til midnight

LightningBughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09897417238035965445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514452565645752405.post-4811683453778152542009-08-13T20:10:00.000-07:002009-08-13T20:11:43.753-07:00

Today Riley has SOL testing. Yesterday he said, "Mom, I have my SOLs tomorrow so I need a good night's sleep and I need you to cook me a good breakfast." Kevin said, (pretending to be me) "Ok Riley, you want Hot Fudge Sundae or Smores Pop Tart?" HaHa. I do have a breakfast cooking blockage here lately. Funny that I am a morning person but hate cooking breakfast in the mornings.I am somewhat

LightningBughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09897417238035965445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514452565645752405.post-24566053021305950402009-08-13T20:09:00.000-07:002009-08-13T20:10:03.251-07:00

Yesterday was possibly the best day I've had in a year. I'm serious. Nothing sensational happened--I just spent the 90 degree day out by the pool, reading a little, watching the kids swim a little. It was just terrific.What makes a great day anyway?For me it was going outside yesterday morning with my coffee and hearing the spring birds sing their lovely song... logging in a few hours of work and

LightningBughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09897417238035965445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514452565645752405.post-22186717016466637502009-08-13T20:05:00.000-07:002009-08-13T20:08:42.040-07:00

My Dad and I met on June 17, 1977. I was born on June 14, 1977 and brought to a one-bedroom garage apartment on Parrish Street to meet my parents three days later. I think it was love at first sight for both of us. My dad used to tell me how my crib was at the foot of mom and dad’s bed and for the first days of my life, he would lie at the foot of the bed and watch me sleep and sit there and cry,

LightningBughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09897417238035965445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514452565645752405.post-52626262194448638532009-08-13T20:02:00.000-07:002009-08-13T20:05:53.201-07:00

My precious Wyatt is 4 years old today! So cliche to go on and on about how the time flies and how they grow up so quickly. Now we know how our own parents must've felt at each milestone...4th birthday...sending us off to Kindergarten...our 13th bday...our driver's license...high school graduation...and what must've been just a little more than the blink of an eye, we were gone and out on our

LightningBughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09897417238035965445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514452565645752405.post-60208498582659696832009-08-13T19:55:00.000-07:002009-08-13T20:02:22.848-07:00

Goodbye Beach…Tomorrow morning we will pull out of the driveway of our Kitty Hawk cottage and wave goodbye to a only seven short days of our lives. We have all spent a week at the beach in the summer…some of us are annual visitors. The salty air, the sound of the waves crashing on the shore, the flat tidewater land…I love the beach from the time I cross out of the Piedmont region of Virginia and

LightningBughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09897417238035965445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1514452565645752405.post-61417484843081189292009-08-13T19:51:00.000-07:002009-08-13T19:52:52.333-07:00

I have been SOOOO extrememly tired this week! I have been up early to let the bathroom guy in to work each day this week and tried to entertain the children so he could work without 3 little ones observing his every move! The bathroom is now complete and I will post pics later today. I love it! I have never had such a new and pretty room in my life and it's quite a treat! Many thanks to my

LightningBughttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09897417238035965445noreply@blogger.com0