tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63776594614967971122024-03-21T19:05:49.473-07:00THINGS THAT AFFECT MY LIFEBrenda Moultriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06067669285620444376noreply@blogger.comBlogger100125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377659461496797112.post-42276991326009397152013-06-17T20:58:00.001-07:002013-06-17T20:58:44.832-07:00In response to someone who had father troubles..MY MOM<div class="UFICommentContent" id=".reactRoot[6144231].[0][1][1]{comment480219022060331_3212745}.[0].[0:1].[0].[0:1].[0].[0:0]" style="background-color: #fafbfb; color: #4e5665; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">
<span id=".reactRoot[6144231].[0][1][1]{comment480219022060331_3212745}.[0].[0:1].[0].[0:1].[0].[0:0].[0][1]"> </span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[6144231].[0][1][1]{comment480219022060331_3212745}.[0].[0:1].[0].[0:1].[0].[0:0].[0][2]">there is not only physical abuse but also mental abuse..my mother was never close to me..I being her only daughter tried until her death 2 years ago to have a relationship..I took it personally at one time but she didn't have a relationship with my two brothers either..she divorced our father for another man and it seems she divorced us too..I had 4 children that never got to know her..oh they saw her when we all showed up at her mothers (who was like a mother to me).but she never had a conversation with my kids or my brothers kids..we all wondered why she hated us so much.for years we were tormented with this..until we decided we had to go on and just be family ourselves..I would send her letters with pictures of my grandchildren and she always sent a 3 line thank you note to me..said she loved the pictures..I would send her cards and gifts every birthday ,mothers day and Christmas and always getting a thank you letter back.nothing else..her husband passed and it got worse....when I was 56 I wrote and told her we were both elderly now..didnt she thing we should do lunch and get to know each other before it was too late..she said let's keep it this way..once I was an empty nester I would wake up in the middle of the night and find myself crying for her..doesn't matter how old you get ..you long for your mother..she is gone now ..and somehow I am at peace..I no longer dwell on seeing her because I know I can't I guess..she dies the way she lived..alone.,.I can't get into the details ,,its sad...I felt bad that I didn't grieve maybe like I should have..but I realized that she was gone from me 40 years ago...I had done all my grieving all those years..I was grieved out..but she taught me one thing without even knowing it..how NOT to be..we never had lunch together ..never went shopping together..I make it a point to do these things with my children while they were growing up and still to this day....sorry didn't mean to hijack this post..just got me going...Kevin I am so happy you are the man you are..and I too am a good person and God Bless my mom.wherever she is</span><span id=".reactRoot[6144231].[0][1][1]{comment480219022060331_3212745}.[0].[0:1].[0].[0:1].[0].[0:0].[0:3]"></span></div>
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Brenda Moultriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06067669285620444376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377659461496797112.post-2047329379778958312013-05-12T18:29:00.000-07:002013-05-14T08:46:27.278-07:00MOTHERS DAY 2013..the best one ever...To some Mothers Day is just that Mothers Day..this year it meant so much more to me than ever...as most know that know me or have read some past blogs of mine that my mother and I didn't have the best relationship...not for the lack of my trying..its just the way she wanted it..she was estranged from me and my two brothers, who are both younger than me..she was in my life until I was 19..then after that it was mainly gone..but every year I would send her flowers for her birthday, flowers for Mothers day , a gift for Christmas..I would keep in touch with letters and pictures of the kids and grandkids..she always wrote a little thank you note ..I wrote letters and asked her if we could meet for lunch..I was in my 50's and she was in her 70's..I thought it was time she got to know me as an adult..before it was too late..it never happened and in December of 2011 my mother passed away..I remember always looking for a card to send her on holidays...Hallmark just didn't make the right kind..they were to mushy and nothing said it like I needed it to be said..she WASN'T there for me , EVER...I can only thank her for giving birth to me , raising me to a certain extent, and for showing me how to sterilize bottles and nipples when my first child was born....<br />
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This year my daughters really told me how they felt..they always got the mushy cards for me ..cause I was always there for them..my mother taught me how NOT to be..that I can also thank her for..heres a few things my daughters wrote to me on facebook..this is a post my daughter Jeanell wrote to me..<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Awwww it felt so wonderful to wake up to so many Happy Mother's Day messages </span><i class="_4-k1 img sp_dymwb8 sx_05ed83" style="background-color: white; background-image: url(https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/yZ/r/UhMLg0EVnbW.png); background-position: 0px -1211px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: auto; color: #37404e; display: inline-block; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; height: 16px; line-height: 18px; vertical-align: -3px; width: 16px;"></i><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> I have to give the biggest Happy Mother's Day wish to the best mama in the world....my mama! The one who has raised me by herself into the woman I am today, the one who is helping me raise my own children because their father chose not too....I couldn't love and appreciate you more </span><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1306018213&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/brenda.d.moultrie?directed_target_id=0" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">Brenda Moultrie</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">...hope ur day is awesome!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #37404e; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">This is a post I posted on Mothers day..</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I want to wish all mothers a Happy Mothers Day..especially to my two beautiful daughters Davina Marie..and </span><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=559931491&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/dallasmom1?directed_target_id=0" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">Jeanell Mommysamiracle Moultrie</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> who together gave me 5 beautiful grandbabies..and to Lacey Mancuso who gave me 2 gorgeous grandbabies and the youngest..I love you all more than anything and am thankful for each day I have with you all...you are all the best..Happy Mothers Day my angels</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">comment from my daughter Jeanell..</span><span id=".reactRoot[36].[1][4][1]{comment10201153876151442_6213251}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][1]" style="background-color: #fafbfb; color: #4e5665; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"> </span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[36].[1][4][1]{comment10201153876151442_6213251}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]" style="background-color: #fafbfb; color: #4e5665; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><span id=".reactRoot[36].[1][4][1]{comment10201153876151442_6213251}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[36].[1][4][1]{comment10201153876151442_6213251}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]">Happy Mother's Day mama! Love u a million!!!</span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" style="background-color: #fafbfb; color: #4e5665; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" style="background-color: #fafbfb; color: #4e5665; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">comment from y daughter Davina Marie..</span><span style="background-color: #fafbfb; color: #4e5665; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">I have learned everything i know from my mother and i am so proud to be her daughter and the crazy thing is she didn't have that bond with her mother so she raised us without a blueprint and she did a damn good job.. im knocking on 40's door and yet im not finished being raised.. i still need her wisdom,her encouragement, her guidance.. i couldn't imagine life without her!! Thank You Mom! I love You!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fafbfb; color: #4e5665; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">my comment after theirs..</span><span id=".reactRoot[36].[1][4][1]{comment10201153876151442_6215226}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][1]" style="background-color: #fafbfb; color: #4e5665; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"> </span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[36].[1][4][1]{comment10201153876151442_6215226}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]" style="background-color: #fafbfb; color: #4e5665; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[36].[1][4][1]{comment10201153876151442_6215226}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[36].[1][4][1]{comment10201153876151442_6215226}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]"><span id=".reactRoot[36].[1][4][1]{comment10201153876151442_6215226}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0].[0]">Wow..I am so happy thay my children feel that way about me.we as mothers do the best we can and never expect any thanks..so when we do get it ,it kind of lets us know we did alright and our kids will be okay long after we are gone..that in itself is th</span></span><span id=".reactRoot[36].[1][4][1]{comment10201153876151442_6215226}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3]"><span id=".reactRoot[36].[1][4][1]{comment10201153876151442_6215226}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0"><span id=".reactRoot[36].[1][4][1]{comment10201153876151442_6215226}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[3].0.[0]">e greatest gift of all..I struggled most of my life trying to have a relationship with my mother..I could never say these things to my mom..she was never there for me and wanted it that way..away from my brothers too..she passed away lonely.never really knowing me or my children or grandchildren..I always loved her though..but her mother my mommom was the best role model for me..I miss her immensely..thank you Jeanell and Davina for being who you are.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" style="background-color: #fafbfb; color: #4e5665; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="UFICommentBody"><br /></span></span><span style="color: white; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; line-height: 14px;">this was one of the best Mothers Days ever. I had four of my grandbabies over night. I got to wake up to thier luscious little faces, I hated when they left..they will all be back next weekend..they cry when they have to leave..thats a good thing..love that they love it at grandmoms.I loved it at my grandmoms. First picture is of my oldest daughter Davina she is 38 and the mother of my first and oldest grandchild , my granddaughter Shai'ana who will be 19 in two weeks..she has two other children also..Gabby and Davion..the middle picture is of my grandmother ..me on the right and Davina on the left holding Shai'ana many years ago..my grandmother passed away in 2002 at the age of 90 from a fall..the last picture is my youngest daughter, my baby of them all Jeanell who will be 33 in a few weeks..she is the mother of two of my grandchildren..Dallas and Dellaney..My son Clifton is the father of my two youngest grandbabies Brayden and Jolie..I have an older son robert..who is 41 and has no children..</span></span><br />
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" style="background-color: #fafbfb; color: #4e5665; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="UFICommentBody"><br /></span></span>Brenda Moultriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06067669285620444376noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377659461496797112.post-65649348152094954282013-03-05T04:51:00.002-08:002013-03-05T04:51:15.869-08:00Happy birthday to me..the big 60 Well, I am one day away from my 60th birthday..I was told I was born in a snowstorm..and we are supposed to be getting some snow Tuesday into Wednesday..now I know there are those that don't like snow..but I love snow..I love the beauty of it..the memories as a child and love watching my grandchildren play for hours in it..I for one and hoping for some measurable snow..that would be the perfect birthday present to me..we will see..If not I am sure I will have a great day anyway..being here at my daughters with 3 of my 7 grandchildren is fantastic..I may even go visit 2 others and the other 2 will call I am sure..I do get a lot of attention from my family on my birthday.I try not t make a big deal about it because after all it is just another day on the Gregorian calendar..I am however grateful to be here for my 60th..a year and a half ago I wasn't sure I would be here..after a few health scares..I still have congestive heart failure and still have some weight to lose but I no longer need open heart surgery..I was thinking of having a big bash this year ..not sure yet..the kids want me too..don't really like all the attention..I really don't..but anyway..to all my friends and family..I love you all and hope to be able to see 61....Amen..Brenda Moultriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06067669285620444376noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377659461496797112.post-4343861161197349552013-02-19T05:48:00.000-08:002013-02-19T05:48:51.118-08:00OTHER PEOPLES ANNOYING CHILDREN..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Okay let me start out by saying that I love children...most children..well I guess I LOVE them all just don't LIKE some..I have four of my own, 2 daughters and 2 sons..boy girl boy girl..okay great..I have seven grandchildren which are the lights of my life..everyone of them is well mannered, well behaved..rarely do the brothers and sisters fight each other..of course there are occasions where that"s not true..saying all this to get to my point..I have been staying here with my daughter for over a month now..for no other reason than because my house is so big and lonely and I am a great help to her and she is a great help to me..she is a single parent ..although her childrens father comes around occassionally to take them for new sneakers or to take them to lego land or a place called Dave and Busters which is an large glorified Chuck E. Cheese..that's a whole other blog and story in itself..so on with my rant..each morning around 7:45 my daughters friends children come to my daughters house because their mom has to go to work and Jeanell (my daughter) takes her kids and her friends kids to school a little after 8...and like I said I LOVE children..I would even go so far as to say I LOVE these two..a girl which is the oldest(9) and this annoying little boy (6)..the minute they walk through the door it starts..my grandchildren are just rolling out of their beds and these other two are already at it..they constantly fight..no matter what the sister says the brother has to dispute it..If she said the sky is blue he would dispute that..his little voice is so irritating to make matters even worse...their mother knows they act like this because one will tell on the other..and they get butt whoopings..not beatings..but they get whoopings and get grounded and things taken from them..I know this..they are warned to be on their best behavior when they come to my daughters house in the morning..their grandmother is in Texas and they miss her immensely..so I try to give them some grandmotherly love..I try to talk to them about how God gave them each other and they shouldn't fight so much and love one another..I told them that when they do that whether home or at my daughters house that they set the mood for the day.....do they hear me ? YES..do they care? apparently not because 3 minutes later they are arguing over something else..right now at home they are on punishment for arguing..no tv for a week..the little boy told me I don't know whey ..we didn't fight at all last night..I said but you are on punishment for arguing the night before ..so you shouldn't have argued last night..I try I swear I do..I give them examples and life lessons I learned along the way..but ya know what I can't save the world..but my daughter can stop them from coming to her home in the morning and getting her kids days started on the wrong foot..her kids are always telling them to stop and its just not a good way to wake up and start your day..so off th school they just went and the house is quiet..and I am waiting for my daughter to bring me my hot tea from wither WAWA or Dunkin donuts and a breakfast sandwhich..that's what I want today and damn I deserve it..well folks until tomorrow...another day..yikes..okay summer is almost here..lolBrenda Moultriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06067669285620444376noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377659461496797112.post-90423634905333857372013-02-04T04:05:00.001-08:002013-02-04T04:05:55.173-08:00My 60th year..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I told my kids I would love to have some kind of party to celebrate my 60th birthday coming up soon..I'm not really one to have parties for my birthdays..my brother and I always had a double party at my grandmoms when we were growing up since we are 5 days away..he is march 1 and I am March 6..I am 5 days short of 2 years older than him..as we got older we would sometimes still celebrate together..than about 15 years ago our relationship got a bit estranged and we are just now finding our way back..not sure for how long..hes hard to get along with or hard to understand sometimes..Anyway..I usually just got o dinner with one or two of my kids..I have four..but this year I want all four and their significant others (well only one has a steady significant other and all the grandkids..would really like to get some old friends together that I used to work with before I had to leave because of arthritis..still talk to some on facebook ,,even a few by phone..would be great to get together..maybe I will..there's a Chinese buffet place near us in Philadelphia and they do an all you can eat kind of party in a room they have..large beautiful room..will help you decorate and you can invite 50 people ..it costs about 10 a person..that's not bad for the room and all you can eat..but i would call and see if I can have where I invite like 25..don't want 50..I will keep you posted on what we or I decide on..I am grateful to be turning 60..kind of proud actually that I made it this far after 2 years of going through health issues..some life threatening..my father passed away 3 months after his 60th birthday..the women in the family way outlive the men..so I hope I carry suit on that one..we will see..I look forward to my 60th..Brenda Moultriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06067669285620444376noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377659461496797112.post-15255312122621682752013-01-15T04:33:00.005-08:002013-01-15T04:33:56.613-08:00I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES EVEN MORE NOW..Yesterday in Philadelphia we had an Amber alert for a little girl who was abducted from her classroom at 8 something in the morning..why she was allowed to leave without someone having to sign her out with proper ID is still a mystery..We had it posted all over facebook and twitter and anywhere else we could post it..she is only 5 years old..someone in a muslim garb said she was her mother and she was allowed to leave..it wasn't until 7 hours later when the REAL om came to pick her up that they realized they let her go with a complete stranger...well at 4 something this morning she was found under a jungle gym in an suburb of Philadelphia called Upper Darby..matter of fact it is right at the end of Philadelphias border..a man on his way to work heard her crying ..she had only a t-shirt on..she was cold and told the man she was taken from her school..he immediately took her to police..she is now in Childrens Hospital with her mom being checked out...This to me is a miracle..they are still investigating..I'm no detective but it sounds to me like she must have escaped..the man was in the right place at the right time..Thank God..this could have been disastrorous...I am so happy for her and her family and for the city of Philadelphia..for those of us that were panicking..that have children and grandchildren in the school system..and after the tragedy in Newtown ,Conneticut in December of 2012..how was this allowed to happen...that is the question right now..but all in all she is safe..and for that we are thankful...just wanted to share this good news story....Brenda Moultriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06067669285620444376noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377659461496797112.post-75537816275409570402013-01-01T10:21:00.000-08:002013-01-01T11:18:50.008-08:00Heres to a New Year 2013...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well two years ago I wasn't sure where I would be..In April of 2011 I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure ...A fib..and was told I needed open heart surgery..by August of the same year I was called "a miracle" by my cardiologist Dr. Thomas Diaz after he told me I no longer needed open heart surgery..by that time I had lost 40 pounds and was taking better care of myself..I made it through the year 2011. In January 2012 I was very sick and my daughter Jeanell after consulting with my older daughter Davina made me go to the ER...I was told I had pneumonia and even worse than that I had almost "bled out"..I had 4 units of blood left in me where the normal being has 11...whoa...!! so I was admitted and had to have 7 units of blood pumped back into me..I was in ICU for 2 days...I was being treated also for the pneumonia and after a weeks stay I was allowed to go home...I also have 2 stomach ulcers and in March had to have a second endoscopy to see if the medication had helped to reduce or eliminate them...they were still there so the medication continues...so for the most part I was doing okay in 2012 after the first three months....so here we are January 1, 2013 and I am grateful to be here...although I had lost 90 pounds..I gained a few back and am working on getting them back off..I see the cardiologist every three months or so and next time I will have an electrocardiogram done to make sure the ole ticker is hanging in there..I need to do better with the foods I eat..but I need someone to get the right foods for me..I could eat salads all day long..fruits and vegetables are fine with me..love them and have gotten used to them..I hardly eat any choclaote anymore , which used to be a real big downfall of mine..eating three 3 musketeer bars a day faithfully ...I like actually eating healthy...and if done right you will feel full and lose the weight without much sacrifice or effort.....So God if you will see to it that I stay the course we can do another year with no problem..I have much to do and lots to see yet...I would love to meet you one day,,but am not in a hurry to do so..you are with me always and I already know you...I thank you for my lifes journey so far..for the ups and downs for I've learned from them all..for my four children...for my seven wondrful , beautiful , adorable grandchildren..I would love to live to be the oldest living being one day please..I want to see the grandchildren grow up, do what they want in life,,I am curious to see what each one will choose to do...who will marry and have children..which one will find the cure for one of the many diseases known to man...which one will become president..this is my prayer...Thank you and Amen....Brenda Moultriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06067669285620444376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377659461496797112.post-69556339963308404982012-12-16T20:10:00.002-08:002012-12-16T20:15:18.761-08:00How can we make sense of this one??<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I don't want to dwell on this..but I feel like I need to write right now..I try to never question why things happen..I kind of figure theres always a reason..although over time there has been more than one occassion where I questioned? Just like most of us..and theres not an answer really acceptable to me..I have one friend that always tells me its God's Plan...I always try not to argue back with her..I want to say to her but what if it were your child would you feel the same.?.would you just go on like nothing happened in your merry life and just say to yourself..it was Gods plan...?/but I never said that to her...she always writes scripture to me to try to make me understand..I still don't though..I believe like anyone else..God has been with me all my life..thru hills and valleys ..ups and downs..from the depths of hell...God wasn't there this day...he was somewhere else ..taking care of something else..guess he wasn't in China either when 22 children were being slashed at a school...Satan was definetely in Newtown Conneticut and China that day...he sure gets around.....I know that God is everywhere ..but I think his attention was somewhere else at the time..I suppose there will be other times like this in my time...I pray for nothing like this to ever happen again..for all the babies to be safe..learn their ABC's and 123"s..put their little teeth under the pillow for the tooth fairy..to be here to look for the easter egss ..to celbrate birthdays until their old and hunched over..to open their gifts on Christmas morning.. to grow up to be firefighters, doctors, lawyers, chefs, indian chiefs, Presidents..I think God might need an assistant..things are getting way out of control...I think he needs help...I haven't lost my faith in God ..I just lost my faith in Man...years ago..<br />
<br />
God Bless the little children <br />
all the little children of the world<br />
red, yellow. black and white,<br />
they are precious in his sight..<br />
God Bless the little children of the world..Brenda Moultriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06067669285620444376noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377659461496797112.post-14039251272618126332012-12-11T04:15:00.002-08:002012-12-11T11:21:39.750-08:00My Salutation to you is....I have written this many times on facebook and maybe other places when I see keep Christ in Christmas and say Merry Christmas...the first thing I would like to say is that my Christ will always be in MY Christmas..no matter what salutation I express to anyone else..Christmas is NOT the only holiday in December and I have many friends that celebrate holidays other than Christmas...I have Jewish friends to whom I say Happy Hanukkah..I have African American friends that may celebrate Kwanzaa ..therefore if I know this I say Happy Kwanzaa...If I am standing in line at the bank or walmart or the grocery store and we strike up a conversation ..but our holidays never come up...I may say to you upon departing from you Happy Holidays....which would mean that whatever holiday you celebrate have a happy one and a Happy New Year...simple as that..it in no way means I am taking Christ out of Christmas....So to all my friends Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy Kwanzaa...and to all a Happy New Year...Brenda Moultriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06067669285620444376noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377659461496797112.post-43576541853934810202012-11-05T20:35:00.002-08:002012-11-06T15:28:28.439-08:00IT'S REAL PERSONAL NOWOver the years all of us have seen devastation and turmoil all over the world..even in our own country..Being from the East Coast of the United States we haven't really seen too much devastation..I heard in 1955 and 1965 there were catastrophic Hurricanes the completely battered most of the East coast..I was 2 in 1955 and 12 in 1965 and I dont remember either one..But this one ...this Hurricane Sandy I remember quite well and spose I always will..I have to start out saying how lucky my family and I were during this event....lights never went out..the tree in the front yard of my home as well as the ones in front and behind my daughters home still stand..But a few of my friends as well as the streets across from me lost power...my friends lost it for 6 days..lost all the food in their refrigerator...their car got flooded....across the street from me their power was out for 3 days..I felt so bad and sort of guilty....But it's personal to me ...the Jersey Shore was where my fanily and I used to go every year for two weeks when I was growing up...My parents rented a little apartment type with a kitchen and all right off of the Beach...Long Beach Island..we spent the two weeks along the 18 mile strip of Sea Isle City, Barnegat Light , Long Beach Island, ..we climbed the lighthouse at Barnegat Light several times..we went to carnivals ...I fell asleep on the beach and got sun poison on the back of my legs..so bad that my parents had to hold me over the toilet...I couldnt sit.....Its all gone now..compliments of Hurricane Sandy....I saw the devastation that Hurricane Katrina left in Louisiana and I cried ..It was unbelievable...like ..a war zone..so sad...I felt helpless..as I do now..but watching it on tv now its personal...I knew these places...personally..I've gone to Atlantic City and Wildwood and Egg Harbour and Ocean City with my children..Our footprints are all over New Jersey..When I was 15 I went to Staten Island with a boyfriend and his parents to meet his grandmom...Staten Island is virtually gone...So now I cry for me, for my kids and my grandkids..I cry for the Mayors and the Governors of these states..they have a hell of a job ahead of them and they are taking it personally too...The roller coaster from Atlantic city is in the ocean..The ferris wheel still stands...I know one day we will again vacation in New Jersey...I would bet my bottom dollar on it..I will also bet it won't be the same...Brenda Moultriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06067669285620444376noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377659461496797112.post-53240652654979182842012-09-11T04:42:00.003-07:002012-09-11T04:51:31.534-07:00Just an Ordinary beautiful September morn..Its been 11 years since the tragedy struck in New York...I don't even have to spell it out.most reading this will know what I'm talking about..I remember coming home home from the night shift from the US postal service..I did my usual..stripped off my clothes. went to the bathroom and got myself a cup of tea..ready to relax and watch the Today morning show with Matt Lauer and Katie Couric..I wasn't sitting for one minute before they were in panic over the first plane hitting one of the towers..we were all shocked..living it together by way of media..then minutes later I remember hearing them saying a second plane had hit..total shock and disbelief ..but almost immediately I remember someone saying "this is no accident".. and the rest as they say is history..I was glued to the tv for the rest of the day ..actually for weeks..I had to know more.. I had to see what was going on..I needed to feel like I was helping just by listening to survivors and families that lost loved ones..seeing pictures being posted,watching video taken of this horrific day in American history..in world history..doesn't really seem like 11 years..I suppose we all remember it like it was not so long ago..I can't even imagine how the families feel every day ..let alone on this anniversary every year..God Bless America..the people who lost their lives, their families and loved ones they left behind ..God Bless us all... Brenda Moultriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06067669285620444376noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377659461496797112.post-50985390296472863952011-11-16T07:00:00.000-08:002012-09-24T08:27:13.894-07:00Enjoy Life while You can....my story of now..It's been months since I've blogged about anything...recently my puter has been down..A lot of people reading this may already know what I have been going through the last few months..At the end of April I had to be rushed to the hospital because of shortness of breath...it had been going on for a few days but I kept taking cold meds thinking thats what it was...not sure why I thought that..since I am overweight and on high blood pressure meds...which by the way I hadn't been taking for a few months because my doctor wanted me to come in for a re-evaluation after being on the same meds for 10 years...I didn't want to go to the doctors so I stupidly just stopped with the meds...cause they all needed to be refilled and the doctor had to either call it in or write me a new prescription...<br /><br />I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure...had a severe leaky valve and an uneven heat beat...I stayed in the hospital for 6 days and was sent home with 6 different medications to take...was told I needed open heart surgery..which entails about a 5 hour operation...on a heart and lung machine...a 12 inch incision on my chest...imagine laying in bed each night anticipating this...and to know your children are out in the waiting room waiting for some word on the progress of the surgery...just heartbreaking and I cried a lot...<br />After being sent home ...things changed for sure...I no longer craved chocolate like I was so addicted too..I was eating a full cake in a day by myself occassionally...every day I needed 3 3 Musketeers...now I no longer even want them...my diet has way less salt and I dont really even miss it..there are so many other seasonings you can use to make up for the lack of salt...and you just get used to it...I am eating way less only because I want less...don't for some reason have the same appetite...today is November 16, 2011..and since May I have lost 56 pounds....it wasn't even hard to do...and thats without hardly any exercise...because of the degenerative arthritis in my knees I am limited to what I can do as far as exercise is concerned...I do what I can do ....I make myself do exercise and try to get up and clean...I still get out of breath ..even just walking to the bathroom which is about 10 steps away...I get dizzy a lot and have to take lots of naps bacause of the meds....On August 11 I had an appointment with the best cardiologist ever...DR. Thomas Diaz and he did an electrocardiogram on me and came in the room afterwards with the biggest smile on his face and sat down...crossed his legs and said.." I didn't do anything...but you are a miracle...""you no longer need open heart surgery...." the leak is so small now..." Of course being the crier that I am ...I cried...I was shocked at first but cry came to me...My youngest daughter and her 2 children Dallas and Dellaney were with me this day .. they were waiting in Dr. Diaz's office for me ...I went in and told them the good news and told Dallas and Dellaney that this was because of them....and Dallas raised his right arm and said "YES"...they had the biggest smiles on their faces...it was just a great day.... <br />I continue to lose weight and take my meds...I have a LAB TECH come out to my home once a month to take blood because I am on Coumadin and it has to be monitored...I am on the smallest amount one can take..I take 1 1/2 mg one day then 1 mg the next and so on....that seems to be the formula that works to keep my blood in check...I hope one day I can get off of some of these meds....<br />I am still cautious and I know that just like the leak minimized...it could maximize again...I'm trying to do things I havent done in a long time...this weekend I hope to be going to watch my granddaughter Dellaney walk in a Thanksgiving parade with her ballet class...she is 6 years old and this will be her second time walking in this parade in Mayfair in Philadelphia...its spose to be a nice day...not too cold...no rain....so hopefully that all turns out..<br />We will be gathering at my youngest daughters home this Thanksgiving ...so all seven of the grands can visit one another....and I miss my oldest daughter and her kids...been awhile since I've seen them....the last few years we were all just ataying at our own homes for Thanksgiving ...but this year we want to get together..and we will for Christmas like we always do....can't wait...have a new lease on life now and just want to be around family and enjoy them while I Can...
ON DEC 19,2011 WE FOUND OUT THAT MY MOTHER HAD PASSED AWAY..AFTER COUNTLESS BLOGS OF HER ..SHE IS NOW GONE AND THINGS CANNOT BE CHANGED..WE BURIED HER CHRISTMAS EVE OF 2011.THE STORY OF HER DEATH IS A LONG GRUESOME ONE WHICH WILL BE TOLD AT ANOTHER TIME..WE HAD CHRISTMAS AT MY YOUNGEST DAUGHTERS HOME...
today is Monday September 24, 2012 and I would like to update this story..
As of this date I have lost 90 pounds and am doing better..In january of this year(2012) I was deathly sick ..I slept for 3 days straight and didnt eat a thing..when I got up to go to the bathroom I was dizzy and needed help.My daughter (I was staying with her at this time) kept telling me to let her take me to the hospital..I kept saying "No, I will be okay">.then she called my oldest daughter and she called my primary doctor..they said to get me right to the hospital because of my heart history they didn't even want me to get a cold..so I struggled to walk 10 steps to the car ...In the Er..I was given countless tests and they found out that first of all I had pneumonia and my hemoglobin was at a 4 ..normal is 11...I had lost all that blood without even knowing it..I also have 2 ulcers they probably from taking coumadin and aspirin.I was close to death...so I was of course admitted and they started transfusing blood..I stayed a week ....as of this date I am doing better ..go to the doctors regularly, espeically the cardiologist and have tests done to keep me healthy..I eat more fruits and vegetables..I gained a few pounds back but am working on losing them and more..I want to live to be at least 90,,,I have 7 grandchildren and I want to be around to see what they do..I was blessed (and she thought the same way) to have my grandmother in my life until I was 50 and she was 90...she would still be here had she not fallen getting up off of the toilet in her retirement home ..she passed away 13 days later..one week to the day of her 90th birthday...I am thankful for each day ..I thank God every night and all through the day..and when I wake in the morning the first thing I say is THANK YOU...I try to spend as much time with family as I can....Brenda Moultriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06067669285620444376noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377659461496797112.post-41950399490647605252011-04-21T05:06:00.000-07:002011-04-21T05:07:56.890-07:00How much does a miracle cost???When ya think you have a full plate...read this...so inspirational....<br /><br />Enjoy….<br /><br />.<br />A little girl went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jelly jar from its hiding place in the closet. She poured the change out on the floor and counted it carefully. Three times, even. The total had to be exactly perfect. No chance here for mistakes.<br /><br />Carefully placing the coins back in the jar and twisting on the cap, she slipped out the back door and made her way 6 blocks to Rexall’s Drug Store with the big red Indian Chief sign above the door.<br /><br />She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give her some attention, but he was too busy at this moment. Tess twisted her feet to make a scuffing noise.<br /><br />Nothing. She cleared her throat with the most disgusting sound she could muster. No good.<br /><br />Finally, she took a quarter from her jar and banged it on the glass counter. That did it! ‘And what do you want?’ the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of voice.<br /><br />I’m talking to my brother from Chicago whom I haven’t seen in ages,’ he said without waiting for a reply to his question.<br /><br />‘Well, I want to talk to you about my brother,’ Tess answered back in the same annoyed tone.<br /><br />’He’s really, really sick…and I want to buy a miracle.’<br /><br />‘I beg your pardon?’ said the pharmacist.<br /><br />‘His name is Andrew and he has something bad growing inside his head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save him now. So, how much does a miracle cost?’<br /><br />‘We don’t sell miracles here, little girl. I’m sorry but I can’t help you,’ the pharmacist said, softening a little.<br /><br />‘Listen, I have the money to pay for it! If it isn’t enough, I will get the rest. Just tell me how much it costs.’<br /><br />The pharmacist’s brother was a well dressed man. He stooped down and asked the little girl, ‘What kind of a miracle does your brother need?’<br /><br />‘I don’t know,’ Tess replied with her eyes welling up. ‘I just know he’s really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation. But my Daddy can’t pay for it, so I want to use my money.’<br /><br />‘How much do you have?’ asked the man from Chicago. ‘One dollar and eleven cents,’ Tess answered barely audibly. ‘And it’s all the money I have, but I can get some more if I need to.’<br /><br />‘Well, what a coincidence,’ smiled the man. ‘A dollar and eleven cents—-the exact price of a miracle for little brothers.’<br /><br />He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he grasped her mitten and said ‘Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your parents. Let’s see if I have the miracle you need.’<br /><br />That well dressed man was Dr. Carlton Armstrong, a surgeon, specializing in neurosurgery.<br /><br />The operation was completed free of charge and it wasn’t long until Andrew was home again and doing well. Mom and Dad were happily talking about the chain of events that had led them to this place.<br /><br />‘That surgery,’ her Mom whispered. ‘was a real miracle. I wonder how much it would have cost?’<br /><br />Tess smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost…one dollar and eleven cents….plus the faith of a little child.<br /><br />In our lives, we never know how many miracles we will need. A miracle is not the suspension of natural law, but the operation of a higher law.Brenda Moultriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06067669285620444376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377659461496797112.post-86530327240655249472011-04-12T08:37:00.000-07:002011-04-12T08:38:31.822-07:00Sept 11th (NY) Jan 11th (Haiti) and March 11th (Japan).... Weird. Luke 21:10-11Then Jesus said to his disciples : "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes', famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. 'Jesus says for behold I come quickly,' So ask yourself, are you ready?Brenda Moultriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06067669285620444376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377659461496797112.post-80080821573696055502011-04-12T08:25:00.000-07:002013-01-22T05:36:56.807-08:00MOMMOMthis was my post to the WOE nightly thread on Bonanza.. the question or theme for the evening was If you could turn back time ..what would you change or do different...<br />
<br />
Hi Deb…I have to think about this..at first when I read the topic the first thing that came to my mind was that I could turn back time to where my grandmother fell in the bathroom…I wish I could turn back the time and not let that happen..that fall ultimately took her life 13 days later…exactly one week after her 90th birthday..I had spoken to her on the phone before the accident and we talked about her getting ready to turn 90 and that I had just turned 50…she was ever so grateful to have lived to see her oldest grandchild be 50..she said a lot of grandmothers dont get that..but she said she wanted to stick around awhile to see what happens..she was not ready to go…then the fall<br />
<br />
my grandmother was my superstar…she loved me like no one else on earth…I miss her terribly..its been 8 years…she was so healthy..went to the doctors once a year for a physical..whatever the doctor told her to do…she did…she always like a little scoop of Breyers Vanilla ice cream after dinner..but her cholesterol was up and the doctor told her to cut back and she did…she was so disciplined..I have none of that..her daughter is my mother and my mother and I have always had a strained relationship…I havent seen my mother since my grandmothers funeral 8 years ago…didnt mean to be a bummer here..and its not meant to be…just brought back some great memories.<br />
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The update on this story is that my mother has since passed away..we never did get to have that lunch I thought we should have had in our older years..my mother just wanted to be left alone..and without going into detail (that will be another story later when I get the courage to write it) she ultimately died alone..its a sad story and will take everything in me to write it..but I will one day write it.. but for now I go on with my life and be the best mother and grandmother that I can be ..leaving a legacy of love in spite of my relationship with my mother..I had my grandmother and my father ..I was my fathers princess..and he encouraged me in everything I did..I lost him when he was just 60 years old..the age I will be in 6 weeks..way too soon and I miss them both immensely..but am comforted in knowing they are both watching over me and my family..and that one day I will see them again..how happy that will be..I hope its not for at least another 40 years..Brenda Moultriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06067669285620444376noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377659461496797112.post-46195598870316423622011-04-12T08:15:00.000-07:002011-04-12T08:16:22.599-07:00PET PEEVES (not written by me)What is a pet peeve? A peeve is usually a feeling of resentment, or maybe even a grievance. Pet peeves, then, are annoyances that never fail to put you in that mood of resentment. They also tend to be a matter of opinion, and are linked to your personality.<br /><br />Pet peeves can raise your blood pressure faster than salty potato chips. What can you do? <br /> <br />Whatever!” <br />This is an especially strong pet peeve when coming from anyone younger than you are. Wouldn’t it be nice to counteract all of the rudeness in the world with the perfect comeback? Cheer up; “whatever” is a fad word and sure to become “so yesterday” any day now. We can only hope.<br /><br />The attitude behind it is the problem. Brush it off if you think it was used as the young person’s attempt to be funny or hip, and back off if it was his way of saying, “You have pushed me too far.” In more disrespectful situations, you might try feigning deafness or act clueless to deflate the punchline effect. “Whatever, what? What does that mean?” <br /> <br /> <br />Talking Through the Movie <br />What can be worse than watching a movie with someone who insists on talking about it as you watch, and sometimes revealing what is about to come next? This is bad enough if it is someone sitting behind you in the movie theatre; it is even worse if it is your own friend or partner.<br /><br />The answer: ear plugs. Smile and nod pleasantly, and giggle at the appropriate moments.<br /><br />4. Gum Smacking<br />You could make up your own Dr. House-ism: “Wow, you look amazingly like the Jersey cow my parents bought me that I never wanted.” Well, perhaps sarcasm is not the polite response. Instead of screaming maniacally with insanity, picture the person as a Jersey cow. (Maniacal laughter is slightly more satisfying.)<br /><br />5. Food Taken Off Your Plate <br />After wolfing down his food in three seconds, your partner then goes for yours. Apart from stabbing his fingers with your fork, you might suggest that you will happily share if he will ask first.<br /><br />6. Lousy Drivers <br />Other drivers on the road can definitely be a pet peeve for many, especially those who are in a big hurry, honk at you as soon as the light turns green, ride your bumper in a 35 mph zone, or dart in front of you without signaling. <br />If you don’t need to drive, then ride the bus. If you do need to drive, go out of your way to avoid a busy highway. Country roads can be particularly peaceful, unless you get stuck behind one of those barn-size tractors going five miles an hour.<br /><br />7. Waiters with Bad Timing <br />Effusive waiters are a little easier to take than those who abandon you completely. It is easier to understand why they park themselves casually in a seat and start chatting. You know they are working really hard to get that substantial tip.<br /><br />Some people actually like that kind of thing – how is he to know you have about five miles of personal space floating around you? There is no excuse for the negligent waiter. Flag down the busboy and give the tip to him after he hustles up some help.<br /><br />8. Know-It-Alls <br />What is worse than people who say “I know” after you explain something. Especially when you know there is no way they can really know. OK, maybe they did know, but it was rude of them not to pretend they didn’t so you could tell your little anecdote or share your fact. (Now who is the know-it-all?) People who stick their nose into your business, however, are a peevishly different matter.<br /><br />Miss Manners (aka etiquette guru Judith Martin) recommends looking shocked and repeating “Excuse me?” until they leave you alone.<br /><br />9. Toothpaste Globs <br />You thought the toilet paper and toilet seat would be here, but this is decidedly more irritating. When this happens, assign the sink-cleaning chore to the guiltiest parties.<br />10. Untrained Baggers <br />This is a common pet peeve unless you do not have issues with mashed bread, cold and warm items sacked together, and cleaning products thrown in with any type of food – well, who doesn’t have a problem with that? The baggers, evidently, must have been trained for speed rather than categorization.<br /><br />Place the items on the conveyor belt as you would like them to be packed together. Stand next to the bagger and give polite direction, or take your own cloth bags; then you will likely be left to happily bag your own.<br /><br />11. “Made in China” <br />This has nothing to do with Chinese culture or actual people, but with economics. When the almighty dollar is more important than the economic future of our nation … Well that is another topic. Buy American, if you can find it. And if you cannot, ask to speak to the store manager or owner and request more American-made products.<br /><br />12. Faulty Fast-Food Communication Systems. <br />When some devices are on their last leg, hearing and being heard is of such a poor quality that it would be funny if it was not so irksome.<br /><br />Upon reaching the drive-through window of a McDonalds in Harrisonville, Missouri, after a particularly taxing order, we asked the elderly lady if her job was difficult. She nodded and said, “I have been a bus driver and took care of two sets of twins. <br />This job is the most stressful thing I have ever done.” But by the time we passed to the next window, she was smiling. It helps to show sympathy and understanding to service personnel.<br /><br />13. Discontinued Products<br />It is a major pet peeve to find the perfect shade of lipstick, flavor of toothpaste, shampoo product – and then it is discontinued. Two words: Stock up.<br /><br />14. People Touching Your Food or Drink<br />It can irk you when you notice someone touch the rim of your glass when handing it to you. Or how about a server who touches your food as she sets it down? Have you ever seen people lean over your plate or drink as they talk?<br /><br />OCD sufferers will sympathize. Germs and bodily fluids are to be feared above all! (Can we have a show of hands for all those who call themselves Adrian Monk?) There is no reason to become hyper in your response; a simple and polite request should do it. Preaching about germs might help, too. It will not change all of the care-free people around you, but you will gain a reputation and people will begin to respect your territory.<br /><br />Whether you are a janitor, professor, editor or dentist, you have your own set of pet peeves. Your pet peeve likely leaves you feeling peevish because you are helpless to do anything about it, or the objects of your pet peeves refuse to change their behavior. Likely you have come up with your own coping skills, but if the objects of your pet peeves still drive you up the wall, try laughter.<br /><br />Are You A Stress Case?<br />Jobs, bosses, colleagues, family, money, and time...stress creeps into life from all angles. Do you ever wonder if you are a stress case? Do you know the symptoms of stress? Take this stress quiz to discover how you might react to various stress-related scenarios and learn ways to reduce stress.<br /> <br /> <br />If you don’t need to drive, then ride the bus. If you do need to drive, go out of your way to avoid a busy highway. Country roads can be particularly peaceful, unless you get stuck behind one of those barn-size tractors going five miles an hour.<br /><br />7. Waiters with Bad Timing <br />Effusive waiters are a little easier to take than those who abandon you completely. It is easier to understand why they park themselves casually in a seat and start chatting. You know they are working really hard to get that substantial tip.<br /><br />Some people actually like that kind of thing – how is he to know you have about five miles of personal space floating around you? There is no excuse for the negligent waiter. Flag down the busboy and give the tip to him after he hustles up some help.<br /><br />8. Know-It-Alls <br />What is worse than people who say “I know” after you explain something. Especially when you know there is no way they can really know. OK, maybe they did know, but it was rude of them not to pretend they didn’t so you could tell your little anecdote or share your fact. (Now who is the know-it-all?) People who stick their nose into your business, however, are a peevishly different matter.<br /><br />Miss Manners (aka etiquette guru Judith Martin) recommends looking shocked and repeating “Excuse me?” until they leave you alone.<br /><br />9. Toothpaste Globs <br />You thought the toilet paper and toilet seat would be here, but this is decidedly more irritating. When this happens, assign the sink-cleaning chore to the guiltiest parties.<br />10. Untrained Baggers <br />This is a common pet peeve unless you do not have issues with mashed bread, cold and warm items sacked together, and cleaning products thrown in with any type of food – well, who doesn’t have a problem with that? The baggers, evidently, must have been trained for speed rather than categorization.<br /><br />Place the items on the conveyor belt as you would like them to be packed together. Stand next to the bagger and give polite direction, or take your own cloth bags; then you will likely be left to happily bag your own.<br /><br />11. “Made in China” <br />This has nothing to do with Chinese culture or actual people, but with economics. When the almighty dollar is more important than the economic future of our nation … Well that is another topic. Buy American, if you can find it. And if you cannot, ask to speak to the store manager or owner and request more American-made products.<br /><br />12. Faulty Fast-Food Communication Systems. <br />When some devices are on their last leg, hearing and being heard is of such a poor quality that it would be funny if it was not so irksome.<br /><br />Upon reaching the drive-through window of a McDonalds in Harrisonville, Missouri, after a particularly taxing order, we asked the elderly lady if her job was difficult. She nodded and said, “I have been a bus driver and took care of two sets of twins. <br />This job is the most stressful thing I have ever done.” But by the time we passed to the next window, she was smiling. It helps to show sympathy and understanding to service personnel.<br /><br />13. Discontinued Products<br />It is a major pet peeve to find the perfect shade of lipstick, flavor of toothpaste, shampoo product – and then it is discontinued. Two words: Stock up.<br /><br />14. People Touching Your Food or Drink<br />It can irk you when you notice someone touch the rim of your glass when handing it to you. Or how about a server who touches your food as she sets it down? Have you ever seen people lean over your plate or drink as they talk?<br /><br />OCD sufferers will sympathize. Germs and bodily fluids are to be feared above all! (Can we have a show of hands for all those who call themselves Adrian Monk?) There is no reason to become hyper in your response; a simple and polite request should do it. Preaching about germs might help, too. It will not change all of the care-free people around you, but you will gain a reputation and people will begin to respect your territory.<br /><br />Whether you are a janitor, professor, editor or dentist, you have your own set of pet peeves. Your pet peeve likely leaves you feeling peevish because you are helpless to do anything about it, or the objects of your pet peeves refuse to change their behavior. Likely you have come up with your own coping skills, but if the objects of your pet peeves still drive you up the wall, try laughter.<br /><br />Are You A Stress Case?<br />Jobs, bosses, colleagues, family, money, and time...stress creeps into life from all angles. Do you ever wonder if you are a stress case? Do you know the symptoms of stress? Take this stress quiz to discover how you might react to various stress-related scenarios and learn ways to reduce stress.<br /> <br /> <br />If you don’t need to drive, then ride the bus. If you do need to drive, go out of your way to avoid a busy highway. Country roads can be particularly peaceful, unless you get stuck behind one of those barn-size tractors going five miles an hour.<br /><br />7. Waiters with Bad Timing <br />Effusive waiters are a little easier to take than those who abandon you completely. It is easier to understand why they park themselves casually in a seat and start chatting. You know they are working really hard to get that substantial tip.<br /><br />Some people actually like that kind of thing – how is he to know you have about five miles of personal space floating around you? There is no excuse for the negligent waiter. Flag down the busboy and give the tip to him after he hustles up some help.<br /><br />8. Know-It-Alls <br />What is worse than people who say “I know” after you explain something. Especially when you know there is no way they can really know. OK, maybe they did know, but it was rude of them not to pretend they didn’t so you could tell your little anecdote or share your fact. (Now who is the know-it-all?) People who stick their nose into your business, however, are a peevishly different matter.<br /><br />Miss Manners (aka etiquette guru Judith Martin) recommends looking shocked and repeating “Excuse me?” until they leave you alone.<br /><br />9. Toothpaste Globs <br />You thought the toilet paper and toilet seat would be here, but this is decidedly more irritating. When this happens, assign the sink-cleaning chore to the guiltiest parties.<br />10. Untrained Baggers <br />This is a common pet peeve unless you do not have issues with mashed bread, cold and warm items sacked together, and cleaning products thrown in with any type of food – well, who doesn’t have a problem with that? The baggers, evidently, must have been trained for speed rather than categorization.<br /><br />Place the items on the conveyor belt as you would like them to be packed together. Stand next to the bagger and give polite direction, or take your own cloth bags; then you will likely be left to happily bag your own.<br /><br />11. “Made in China” <br />This has nothing to do with Chinese culture or actual people, but with economics. When the almighty dollar is more important than the economic future of our nation … Well that is another topic. Buy American, if you can find it. And if you cannot, ask to speak to the store manager or owner and request more American-made products.<br /><br />12. Faulty Fast-Food Communication Systems. <br />When some devices are on their last leg, hearing and being heard is of such a poor quality that it would be funny if it was not so irksome.<br /><br />Upon reaching the drive-through window of a McDonalds in Harrisonville, Missouri, after a particularly taxing order, we asked the elderly lady if her job was difficult. She nodded and said, “I have been a bus driver and took care of two sets of twins. <br />This job is the most stressful thing I have ever done.” But by the time we passed to the next window, she was smiling. It helps to show sympathy and understanding to service personnel.<br /><br />13. Discontinued Products<br />It is a major pet peeve to find the perfect shade of lipstick, flavor of toothpaste, shampoo product – and then it is discontinued. Two words: Stock up.<br /><br />14. People Touching Your Food or Drink<br />It can irk you when you notice someone touch the rim of your glass when handing it to you. Or how about a server who touches your food as she sets it down? Have you ever seen people lean over your plate or drink as they talk?<br /><br />OCD sufferers will sympathize. Germs and bodily fluids are to be feared above all! (Can we have a show of hands for all those who call themselves Adrian Monk?) There is no reason to become hyper in your response; a simple and polite request should do it. Preaching about germs might help, too. It will not change all of the care-free people around you, but you will gain a reputation and people will begin to respect your territory.<br /><br />Whether you are a janitor, professor, editor or dentist, you have your own set of pet peeves. Your pet peeve likely leaves you feeling peevish because you are helpless to do anything about it, or the objects of your pet peeves refuse to change their behavior. Likely you have come up with your own coping skills, but if the objects of your pet peeves still drive you up the wall, try laughter.<br /><br />Are You A Stress Case?<br />Jobs, bosses, colleagues, family, money, and time...stress creeps into life from all angles. Do you ever wonder if you are a stress case? Do you know the symptoms of stress? Take this stress quiz to discover how you might react to various stress-related scenarios and learn ways to reduce stress.Brenda Moultriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06067669285620444376noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377659461496797112.post-46369591529879753692011-03-31T17:26:00.000-07:002011-04-01T06:43:09.324-07:00I couldn't be prouder of my oldest granddaughter...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pGOW-ikj5Sbgq3eCSOSMlxtRb3C3YqCJK9dUIDsTggBuR3OZBHTGBW1g7ndn7IkvqSr6xB45DLH6cEcBasodeRpuz2XZPQRz8Jm9NpRv_mhFWGZ-kuJwWI9Wh726GfTtnurOaiMP2zQ/s1600/quote.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 350px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pGOW-ikj5Sbgq3eCSOSMlxtRb3C3YqCJK9dUIDsTggBuR3OZBHTGBW1g7ndn7IkvqSr6xB45DLH6cEcBasodeRpuz2XZPQRz8Jm9NpRv_mhFWGZ-kuJwWI9Wh726GfTtnurOaiMP2zQ/s400/quote.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590407526208929298" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7JPGjTsAz2NJuACrpKYBwFViEKjZkbvfrhAHq-9sJKGD6eFuOnxxPU4Dcx14mtO1NXbGhMMH0Dd7EphDtXEPsf5wZjvweACHDNxU3PtVJsanSyHOXzU4m9B90_TNEwDmziiod6Jl3o0/s1600/13383.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 303px; height: 104px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7JPGjTsAz2NJuACrpKYBwFViEKjZkbvfrhAHq-9sJKGD6eFuOnxxPU4Dcx14mtO1NXbGhMMH0Dd7EphDtXEPsf5wZjvweACHDNxU3PtVJsanSyHOXzU4m9B90_TNEwDmziiod6Jl3o0/s400/13383.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590407519168316994" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZIr6bpVZiF5FvZA-4jeeZ9tTr3UCgQgJOLc-fyrxVp-WgpMIZRsSYAH2Q2NUTnd1GwYQ3tWPMFaqR99tMBGRejGNpewmU4XI_aMzFDBSd7UIIq2uTHL4odQZ8t0NZYJQybYA3YyO4Qo/s1600/206248_10150151616287375_683232374_6548842_2927419_n.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZIr6bpVZiF5FvZA-4jeeZ9tTr3UCgQgJOLc-fyrxVp-WgpMIZRsSYAH2Q2NUTnd1GwYQ3tWPMFaqR99tMBGRejGNpewmU4XI_aMzFDBSd7UIIq2uTHL4odQZ8t0NZYJQybYA3YyO4Qo/s400/206248_10150151616287375_683232374_6548842_2927419_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590407516447197298" /></a><br />just am so proud of her…Her name is Shai’ana and she is 16 1/2…she organizes and rallies with the best of causes..this one she helped organize and left school early yesterday to attend this march in Center City Philadelphia yesterday..she organizes clothing drives and volunteer organizations for her and her friends to walk dogs at the SPCA…shes always doing community service and I couldnt be any prouder….<br /><br /><br />this is from her momma...<br />so proud of my bighead Shai'Ana Junai what a fine young lady she is turning out to be!!! she can check that attitude at the door tho,but she definetly gets it from her mama (~.~) who got it from her mama Brenda DiDomenico Moultrie who definetly got it from her mama ...lmao!! stand for something or fall for anything<br /><br />I am trying to keep up with Shai's activities...I don't seem to have any pictures of her volunteer work at the SPCA..will have to see if I can ahold of some...Shai is a leader and an organizer..she likes doing that stuff...she likes delegating duties...and she likes to keep records of an itinerary or duties or the purpose of what it is thats shes doing...I wonder what she will be when she gets out there in the world...what she will ultimately do...journalism?? teacher?? congresswoman?? PRESIDENT??<br /><br />Promise yourself to be strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.<br /><br />To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.<br /><br />To make all your friends feel like there is something in them.<br /><br />To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.<br /><br />To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and expect only the best.<br /><br />To be just enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.<br /><br />To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.<br /><br />To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living person you meet a smile.<br /><br />To give so much time to improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others.<br /><br />To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, and too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble…<br /><br /><br /><br />A womans Creed<br /><br />If you think you are beaten, you are<br />If you think you dare not, you don’t<br />If you’d like to win,but think you can’t<br />It is almost a cinch you won’t<br />If you think you’ll lose…you’re lost<br />For out in the world we find<br />Success begins with a persons will<br />Its all in a state of mind<br />Lifes battles don’t always go<br />to the stronger or faster hand<br />But sooner or later..the person who wins<br />Is the one whos thinks “I can”<br /><br /><br />May your joys be as bright as the morning,<br /><br />And your sorrows merely be shadows that fade,<br /><br />In the sunlight of love.<br /><br />May you have enough<br /><br />happiness to keep you sweet.<br /><br />Enough trials to keep you strong.<br /><br />Enough sorrows to keep you human.<br /><br />Enough hope to keep you happy.<br /><br />Enough failure to keep you humble.<br /><br />Enough success to keep you eager.<br /><br />Enough friends to give you comfort.<br /><br />Enough faith and courage in yourself to banish sadness.<br /><br />Enough wealth to meet your needs.<br /><br />And one thing more: enough<br /><br />determination to make each day a more wonderful day<br /><br />than the day before.Brenda Moultriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06067669285620444376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377659461496797112.post-86556747154621739942011-03-19T14:46:00.000-07:002011-03-31T18:09:49.990-07:00We didnt have the Green thing back in my day (not written by me)someone posted this in Bonanza and I loved it...I can relate to most of these...Although Pampers just came out when I had my first baby..I did use cloth diapers for awhile..then I admit I used the disposables for all 4 of my children..I thought like every one else did ..that it was the thing to do...<br /><br /><br />In the line at the store, the cashier told the older woman that plastic bags weren’t good for the environment. The woman apologized to her and explained, “We didn’t have the green thing back in my day.”<br /><br />That’s right, they didn’t have the green thing in her day. Back then, <br />they returned their milk bottles, Coke bottles, and beer bottles to <br />the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, using the same bottles over and over. So they really were recycled.<br /><br />But they didn’t have the green thing back in her day.<br /><br />In her day, they walked up stairs, because they didn’t have an <br />escalator in every store and office building. They walked to the <br />grocery store and didn’t climb into a 300-horsepower machine every <br />time they had to go two blocks.<br /><br />But she’s right. They didn’t have the green thing in her day.<br /><br />Back then, they washed the baby’s diapers because they didn’t have <br />the throw-away kind. They dried clothes on a line, not in an energy <br />gobbling machine burning up 220 volts – wind and solar power really <br />did dry the clothes. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing.<br /><br />But that old lady is right, they didn’t have the green thing back in her day.<br /><br />Back then, they had one TV, or radio, in the house – not a TV in <br />every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a pizza dish, <br />not a screen the size of the state of Montana. In the kitchen, they <br />blended and stirred by hand because they didn’t have electric <br />machines to do everything for you. When they packaged a fragile item <br />to send in the mail, they used wadded up newspaper to cushion it, not <br />styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.<br /><br />Back then, they didn’t fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to <br />cut the lawn. They used a push mower that ran on human power.. They exercised by working so they didn’t need to go to a health club to run on <br />treadmills that operate on electricity.<br /><br />But she’s right, they didn’t have the green thing back then.<br /><br />They drank from a fountain when they were thirsty, instead of using a <br />cup or a plastic bottle every time they had a drink of water. They <br />refilled pens with ink, instead of buying a new pen, and they <br />replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the <br />whole razor just because the blade got dull.<br /><br />But they didn’t have the green thing back then.<br /><br />Back then, people took the streetcar and kids rode their bikes to <br />school or rode the school bus, instead of turning their moms into a <br />24-hour taxi service. They had one electrical outlet in a room, not <br />an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And they <br />didn’t need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from <br />satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest <br />pizza joint.<br /><br />But they didn’t have the green thing back then!<br /><br />Just a little note for those here that have those carry bags made in China, its been found that they contain LEAD and are being pulled out of stores.<br />So dump them.Brenda Moultriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06067669285620444376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377659461496797112.post-72123891801665427972011-03-06T19:03:00.000-08:002011-03-07T08:01:34.392-08:00TODAY WAS MY BIRTHDAY...THANK YOU LORD..<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9rSBQJ_bFpXoMZ48glannqX61kKH9phfPz8KH51ITkL4Ujo6Y0MmYcNdV01aSk1OXKZgEqxjGJydycrZI0hGfY7oTAbDSYd5VxLVkSKH5BErqNVTHeFm5FjDTs1mP6REYBwWuY_PzMZE/s1600/Happy_Birthday7Box.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 271px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9rSBQJ_bFpXoMZ48glannqX61kKH9phfPz8KH51ITkL4Ujo6Y0MmYcNdV01aSk1OXKZgEqxjGJydycrZI0hGfY7oTAbDSYd5VxLVkSKH5BErqNVTHeFm5FjDTs1mP6REYBwWuY_PzMZE/s320/Happy_Birthday7Box.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581173735266586178" /></a><br />Yes I say Thank you Lord for letting me see another year..If I can just get about 40 more out of this journey we call Life I would be very pleased...theres so much left for me to do and see...today was a great day..Over 100 birthday wishers from FACEBOOK alone...and then Bonanza ..and many phone calls and a few visits..It was fantastic...no real big hoopla..Bobby got me a cake and him and Dallas and Dellaney brought me up 2 balloons and a lit cake and cookie dough ice cream...I took pictures and Bow came by and gave me two birthday cards.One from him and one from Brayden and Jolie..(they of course dont even know that...) love them all Davina posted a nice graphic and a beautiful poem on facebook..one of those kind of mushy tearjerker type things that I love..I could never do that for my mom or buy my mom mushy cards..because it would have just been fake or a lie...glad my kids get me mushy sentimental ones..every now and then I get funny ones too ...I like them too..the babies each made me a card...they are so adorable...wished I could have had all the kids...and I will soon...bobby made tacos and my belly is stuffed right now...<br /><br />this is from my daughter Davina...very nice...<br /><br />If I could give you diamonds for each tear you cried for me. <br />If I could give you sapphires for each truth you’ve helped me see. <br />If I could give you rubies for the heartache that you’ve known <br />If I could give you pearls for the wisdom that you’ve shown. <br />Then you’ll have a treasure, mother, that would mount up to the skies<br /> That would almost match the sparkle in your kind and loving eyes. <br />But I have no pearls, no diamonds, As I’m sure you’re well aware <br />So I’ll give you gifts more precious My devotion, love and care.<br />With all my love on your birthday ♥Brenda Moultriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06067669285620444376noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377659461496797112.post-52245019613231673992011-02-15T16:30:00.000-08:002011-03-06T19:39:16.901-08:00the continuing saga of me and my brothers ..<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYj9QDsdwDzkhrlzTzZXsGnPUHPMh5jRl_XworebIfVoPKb8NT2DyDFenmQ6UoSWnZMrYbYpntxOKP7WgHQwN4Q5ybUKBOu2XRBUXSCOpV8lEca0Yhe76nMFMvUnyZkYm0ccayEknGgf8/s1600/me+and+scott+003.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYj9QDsdwDzkhrlzTzZXsGnPUHPMh5jRl_XworebIfVoPKb8NT2DyDFenmQ6UoSWnZMrYbYpntxOKP7WgHQwN4Q5ybUKBOu2XRBUXSCOpV8lEca0Yhe76nMFMvUnyZkYm0ccayEknGgf8/s320/me+and+scott+003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581177473419917986" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1MsYV2WXgpsymwjiNpTGt84eGIPmUyt0p8BYTaIBbK1mwqzGErkEqvGLqPF_vE-JavyDbOOv0O58TigSzz2zIaRU9cotvpi9wlMs4yQ7oZtNeW3kou8fiDIqUsddHm0zKKKTpDHSowl0/s1600/me+and+scott+001.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1MsYV2WXgpsymwjiNpTGt84eGIPmUyt0p8BYTaIBbK1mwqzGErkEqvGLqPF_vE-JavyDbOOv0O58TigSzz2zIaRU9cotvpi9wlMs4yQ7oZtNeW3kou8fiDIqUsddHm0zKKKTpDHSowl0/s320/me+and+scott+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581177467790784146" /></a><br />Well last Wednesday Scott(my youngest brother) called from his work cell phone and said he was in the neighborhood and could he stop by...I said sure and within 10 minutes he was here..It was great to see him as usual..and he looked good..a bit grayer (used to be a carrot top)..hes still thin as always of course..a little pot belly..he didnt get the "fat gene". so we chit chatted and took a few pictures with the new camera I got from my daughter for Christmas...I love my camera...I don't like my picture taken so none of them pictures were good enough for me...my hair was back..no make up on...not even a bra...lol...he told me a few things that he found out about my other brother and said he was gonna call our mother for some legal reasons...business from the death of my grandmother 9 years ago.....the three of us are now all in our 50's and each of us has health issues...we havent spoken to or hadnt seen our brother in almost 9 years...I asked Scotty to ask my mom for our other brothers address that I would love to try to get in touch with them..to see how they're doing...he didnt say anything as he went down the steps to leave....I love you we said to each other like we always say in person and on the phone...I thought about our visit for a long time after he left..I always liked seeing him...he is 5 years younger than me and he is truly my baby brother...<br /><br />A few days after Scotty's visit I posted this on facebook....<br />My phone rings tonight and its an unfamiliar number...I don't usually answer a number I dont't recognize...but I answered...the voice on the other end says."Brenda, do you know who this is?' don't know why I didn't recognize the voice right away..., I said , "who is it" , she says "Carol".. I cried..my sister in law whom I havent heard from in 8 years...we talked for 2 hours...its a good thing...<br />I am only posting my comments from the thread..since I dont have the permission of others that commented...<br /><br />yeah it was a shock. we grew apart after a family incident..we are all in our 50's now and its time to grow old together..thats the plan...<br /><br />saw my youngest brother the other day after 2 years...what the heck is going on..must be in the stars...<br /><br />we all have health issues too and I said its time we got serious and take care of ourselves so we can get old old together and our kids can get back together..their youngest son(Dominic) was 7 when I last saw him hes 15 now and remembers me and hollered thru the phone.." I love you Aunt Brenda..."<br /><br />that's awesome...my kids have cousins their age they could be playing with :((written by my youngest daughter Jeanell)<br /><br />woke up off and on all night , like I usually do anyway, but had lots of thoughts and pictures of my brother and sister in law and neices and nephew and their kids on my mind...we are in our 50's now and gray and its been 8 years...we've all changed and the kids are grown and its scary and exciting all at the same time....<br /><br />Its about time u 2 talk( written by my brother Scotty...refering to me and Carol talking..)<br /><br />barry called first scott (my other brother ..to those that dont know..the one I saw just the other day and showed his pic on here...lol)...and left a message...I didnt see it..then carol called and for some reason I picked up....<br /><br />Carol and I were friends in junior high and high school...we went to each others pajama parties and to us my brothers were just little punk kids at the time...funny a few years later she wound up marrying my brother Barry....small world...<br /><br /><br />funny thing about this whole thing is ...my sister in law called my mother the night of the day that my brother Scotty had called her for legal reasons...and he must have told her that he visited me and must have told her MY health issues (he has a few of his own)...so when Carol called my mother must have told Carol about MY health issues because one of the first things Carol said to me was "Barry tried to call you earlier, he left you a message, we were worried about your health", this is after not speaking for 9 years...Carol got my phone number from my mother who never, ever called me once in life) ...so I ask you my readers...Why didn't my mother call me to inquire about my health....?? I am 58 years old (in about 3 weeks) and she is 78...shes not been a part of my life ...she felt it neccessary to let Carol know about my health..but she wasnt worried enough to call me herself...I swear I never did anything to my mother..I wasn't a kid that got into a LOT of trouble..I grew up in the 60's so take it from there...I had an excellent childhood....my mom was part of my chlldhood...we never really hung out or anything..I am the only daughter...and she is an only child...her and her mother got closer the older my mom got...my grandmother worked all of her life and my mom had lots of babysitters etc...my mother and i grew apart the older I got...she doesnt know my kids..she's seen them and has been in the same room with them and has broken bread with them...we had Christmas at her moms (my favorite person in my life) forever...and me and my chldren would visit my grandmother as often as I could..I worked a lot ..supporting four children on my own...and we would see my mother and her boyfriend on a Sunday if they happened to stop by for dinner on their way home from the mountains...shes never had a conversation with one of my children...and out of my 7 grandchildren she has only ever seen one..the oldest..who is now 16 and my mother hasnt seen her in 9 years ..in those 9 years I had 6 more grandchildren...my mom only lives 45 minutes away from me and we have never been invited to her home..I have invited her here but shes never accepted...and so the story goes...will continue later...<br /><br />Tonight.. Thursday Feb. 24, 2011 my oldest brother Barry called me and we talked a long time ...until his cell died...then he called me back on my sister in laws phone...its been almost 9 years since we talked...he told me his doctor told him to go to the ER tonight or right to his office first thing in the morning..hes going in the morning ..he called our mom right before he called me and he was acting like he was saying goodbye to us...Carol (sister in law) tells me hes giving up...I asked him why hes giving up...we could have at least 40 more years if we just take care of ourselves..we both need to lose lots of weight...We can do this though..He was breathing hard just talking to me on the phone..he was trying to lay down and couldnt breathe...we are not going to live much longer if we keep going on like this..I have to do this ..and then maybe he will do it too...we have to maybe inspire one another...I have 7 grandchildren and he has 4...10 of those 11 are 9 years old and under...one is 16...Barry has a 15 year old son....why does he want to give up?? Don't give up...getting healthy will give us something to do...we will feel better...and thats what I'm looking forward too...Let's do this...Brenda Moultriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06067669285620444376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377659461496797112.post-63492138705457164902011-01-27T20:31:00.000-08:002011-01-27T21:12:50.588-08:00childhood memories..randomly....I have a zillion childhood memories…I remember moving to East Fourth Street when I was 5..I loved 4th st…I went to the same elementary school from Kindergarten to 6th grade and grew up right in the small town with all my classmates…I remember the Hermans, and the Friels, were our best neighbors..we always went to the Hermans cause they had a swing set…their dad was a grouch..he didnt like kids..I remember he was bow legged…and he would always tell us he would hang us up on the clothesline by our ears if we were bad…he meant it ..but we thought he was grouchy and funny…they had a playhouse too and about 6 of us would play school a lot…and we would take turns being the teacher and grading papers..what a fun time..then I moved when I was 12…to the same town ..just a bigger house cause me and my brothers were getting older and we needed our own rooms…and more space…I still went to Jr.high with most of the kids I went to elementary school with from 7-9th grade…then high school..10-12 with the same kids…how cool…I still know a lot of them and keep in touch thru facebook, emails, and real life..I loved my childhood…I still love my life..with all the ups and downs a long the way<br /><br /><br />I remember me and Barb..shes my best friend from birth( our mom were best friends) picking tomoatoes from any garden we saw them in and ate them right then and there..would eat so many my lips would get sore from the acid in them…she lives in Hawaii and we have always been in touch ..but alwas in different parts of the U.S…then 2 years ago we reunited after 43 years…and it was like we never left one another..it was surreal…one day I hope to visit her in Hawaii…<br /><br /><br />I grew up in the 60’s and things were so much simpler than..we used to hang out when I lived on 4th street mostly at my girlfriend Barbs house all summer long..they had 6 kids and Barb was the second oldest..we hung with her older sister Alma ..they didnt have a lot of money and both parents worked…so they left the 6 home alone..we would always stay around the house and eat ketchup sandwiches sometimes….My mom and their mom were our brownie leaders and we had meetings on Tuesday nights at St Johns Baptist church ..had so much fun…her mom was the craftiest person I knew..she always had us doing some kind of cool craft…miss them daysBrenda Moultriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06067669285620444376noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377659461496797112.post-5621007691491142262011-01-09T22:59:00.000-08:002011-01-09T23:19:31.011-08:00Well we are well into the New Year ..Its been quite awhile since I've "blogged". cause sometimes I have so much to say and don't know where to start and other times I have nothing to say....Christmas went according to my plan...I always plan things well....I'm good at that....got to see all 7 of my grandchildren and took pictures of them..and they got to play together for a few hours...the oldest is 16 so she was into her own thing...<br /><br />We didn't go with tradition this year because as I said in an earlier post ...my daughters are not speaking...its so ridiculous that its not even worth talking about...the tradition since my grandmother passed has been to meet at my house every Christmas..thanksgiving every piece of the family did thier own things..like stay home or go to their significant others families homes for the day...Easter is at my youngest daughters house cause she goes all out ...egg hunts..all the accessories..big ballons outside...even and Easgter treee...shes anal like that...she is like that for birthday parties and Christmas also....people in the neighborhood always comment on the way she decorates outside at any given event...they look forward to it...<br /><br />this year I said I wasnt having the 2 girls together in my home so that one could say something smart-assed and the other one would respond and all hell would break loose...so I decided (along with my daughters) that my oldest daughter would stay at her place with her man...and her kids would come to my youngest daughters home where the rest of us would be..my youngest son came down with his 2kids and brought my oldest sone(they live together now)...it all worked out..the kids all opened gifts together...and played all day together..we had a great ham dinner and they all went home...I stayed at my youngest daughters until Jan 3...2 weeks I was there...I like being there ...but I have to get home and back to my bed and laptop and my cat roscoe...<br /><br />I'm not making any resolutions as I usually dont for the New Year...when I quit smoiking it was on April 12,2008...cold turkey...just did it..I geared up for it for about 2 years..not for that date..but just hating myself and every cigarette I lit...I always hated smoking and this is the 5th and final time I quit..I will never smoke again and I know I won't because the torture I put myself thru with every light up and every puff is something I do not want to fill my head with again..I am free and it feels good....I do have a goal to lose 100 lbs this year and I have already started and feeling good..I am simply going to eat sensilbly...I know what I do wrong and I will correct it...get off the chocolate..i get my chocolate fix by having one slim fast shake a day in place of one meal...and I have these Quaker mini rice cake , whole wheat cookies with chocolate and or chocolate mint on them..only 90calories and they are good...I'm eating more fruit and vegetables...I have always loved fruit and veggies..just always reached for the junk instead...I am not saying I'm on a diet...IU ma changing the way I eat...I am lifting weights for about an hour or more a day (not at one time) only 5 lb..weights for now...and I try to move my legs as best I can..I have severe degerative arthritis in my knees , hips and back...and I know I have to lose this weight before I can even have knee replacement..I will complare notes one year from this day to see where I stand on all this talk....I hope to have lost 100 lbs...I need to lose more than that...but I will be so happy with that....I pray for my God to be with me on this journey and help me help myself to stay alive much longer..I have things to see and great granchildren to meet one day....I want to stay around to see what happens...like my grandmom used to say...she passed at 90..one week after her 90th birthday...after a fall...I miss her and know she is watching over me...I dont want to see her or my dad yet...I know they are safe and one day I will join them...but maybe not for another 40 years....Brenda Moultriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06067669285620444376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377659461496797112.post-13632595201871540012010-11-30T08:50:00.000-08:002010-12-04T08:58:13.083-08:00I'm beginning to become one of those people that does not look forward to Christmas..I am thinking of enjoying the day by myself..my kids just are starting to get on my nerves..2 are always fighting over ridiculous things..the tradition is that we all come to Grandmoms house (thats me) for Christmas..Thanksgiving is already like that..they do their own things with their own families and I get to just chill for the day...I'm thankful for that..but Christmas is a time for all 6 of the youngest grandchildren to get together..I try to get them together throughout the year for an overnight pizzas party at my house..we all live within a 15 mile radius of one another..but ya know life gets in the way sometimes and we dont always have the means or time to get them together more often...<br /><br />Right now my 2 daughters are fighting..which isn't relly anything new ..and the youngest is stubborn and holds a grudge forever..so who knows if they will ever speak to each other again...maybe at my funeral..this happened 2 years ago and my oldest daughter and her family did not come to my house that year..that sucked...not sure what will happen this year...<br /><br />Think I will cancel Christmas at grandmoms this year..the house isnt ready..I'm not ready..oh Christmas is still the birth of Jesus Christ and I will honor it as such...will send gifts to family...thats what most of it is about to some...will keep you posted on the events that occur from now until then...21 more days from today...Brenda Moultriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06067669285620444376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377659461496797112.post-80163906410285298602010-11-22T14:28:00.000-08:002010-11-22T14:44:30.036-08:00This Thanksgiving is off Kilter...Thanksgiving is in 3 days..Not the same as it ever was this year..When I was growing up Thanksgiving was always at my grandmother and grandfathers house..(on my mothers side)..We could have been a Rockwell painting..there was the 5 of us and my grandmom and grandpop...my Uncle Alley ..who was my grandmothers brother who lived with them..and for awhile thats who was there..then as we grew up and had significant others and children it grew to 13 sometimes 15 of us...we had a great time..we would all purposely not eat a big breakfast..just a little something to hold us over ..cause we would be smelling food all day long...thats what we loved..and there was so much food..my mom and my grandmom always did the cooking together and me and my brother Barry did dishes..sometimes I would wash and my mom would dry or my grandmom...would clean up the kitchen and then go into the living room...the adults would watch Lawrence Welk and the kids would play games...the old traditional games..Candy Land, chutes and ladders, tiddly winks, play cards...then we would get ready and go home...<br /><br />Things are so different now..grandmom and grandpop are gone...my mom never carried on the tradition..I did with my kids and theirs for a few years..then we all decided that on Thanksgiving each family would do their own thing..whether it was having dinner at their own homes or going to friends homes or the family of their significant others...but this year everything is out of whack...my daughters are fighting and my sons had an argument..my youngest son and his girlfriend broke up in May and his children will be spending most of the day with their mom and her family...I am going to my youngest daughters home to help her sort thru a lot of clothes and just spend a few days..shes a vegtetarian so as far as turkey I'm not sure whats going on there...my oldest daughter is hosting dinner this year but not for us ...for the other side of the family I guess...I know it will be a birthday party for my grandson Davion who just turned 6 included in there..I'm getting him and Gabbie (his sister, my granddaughter) pillow pets..wanted to have them for the 15th...his real birthdate..but that didnt work out..cause the stores that sell them dont sell all of them and I need the turtle and the unicorn....My oldest son who lives with me will stay home chillin...so thats the plan ...lets see how this plays out...Christmas is another story...tradition is no matter what ..everyone comes to my house..my oldest daughter and her family missed it a few years ago cause the girls were fighting them too...whats a mother to do?? so for Christmas will keep ya posted on that one...can't wait to experience this one...Happy Holidays!!!Brenda Moultriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06067669285620444376noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6377659461496797112.post-49950120940965198322010-11-21T19:08:00.000-08:002011-03-06T19:53:42.516-08:00Happy 81st Birthday Dad...R.I.P Miss you<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilR9haNvn6_r8WkCY2ZokjVCTvBCckiMDRuIKmREwsMLH_Pj82UYirrRgoNs9chLf2AFifBsMRh3ZLmdwM9T0v1MUc6KS56oGxu7T4ugJhakeu9XnfB_02ioWsSbhRkd4J_cJ6tCiCYE4/s1600/kids+and+dad+051.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilR9haNvn6_r8WkCY2ZokjVCTvBCckiMDRuIKmREwsMLH_Pj82UYirrRgoNs9chLf2AFifBsMRh3ZLmdwM9T0v1MUc6KS56oGxu7T4ugJhakeu9XnfB_02ioWsSbhRkd4J_cJ6tCiCYE4/s400/kids+and+dad+051.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581181157377083458" /></a><br />This is one of the times of the year when I think about my dad the most..His birthday often fell on Thanksgiving..tomorrow will be his birthday. Thursday will be Thanksgiving..<br /><br />Miss you dad...wish you were still here..You left way to young...only 2 1/2 years older than I am right now..Kind of puts that in perspective..What would you have been like at 81...you would have gotten to know my kids more...and probably Barry's kids too...we havent spoken in eight years..I know you don't like that..but he is stubborn so the rest of our lives will go on without knowing each other in our older years..such a shame how things go sometimes..and all for nothing..a misunderstanding..false accusations..but I've had to accept this and go on..Mom doesn't keep in touch..she's always been distant with all 3 of us...I wonder whos thinking of you today..if I had a way I would come visit your resting place...which will be my resting place one day..hopefully not for a long long time..I just have some health issues I have to handle..I am working on them...quit smoking 2 years ago..retired from the Po..about 7 years ago..for health reasons..but I have so much I want to do . . so I really need to handle some things in order to be able to do them..I have a new candy invention I want to work on too..maybe be like Famous Amos and become a sensation...set my family up for life..still playing your number..you know the one you always played...I haven't won on it yet ...but I won't give up just like you didn't..odds are it has to come out in a lifetime..just hope its when I've played it..I salute you when I win...what am I grateful for?? I'm grateful that i had such a wonderful, perfect father..I dont have any horror stories to look back on...no beatings, I dont evern remember you ever really hollering at me..I was a good kid...wonder why mom never liked me...I think its cause you and I got along so well..remember how that used to be said way back in the day...I have the best childhood memories ever..vacations, sunday rides to the country, picking dandelion and going home and eating it in the salad for dinner...I remember you hunting..I remember going with you one time..I remember riding with you in your milk truck...I remember how you always loved the dogs we had..tubby, pepper, pleto, my cat Marbles..who got squashed in the intersection at 4th and Line and I had to see him on my way home from school...think someone could have cleaned him up so no kid had to see that..there was the school a block away...I will continue tomorrow..thank you for the best life ever..because of you dad I am who I am..You always told me I was beautiful and that I could be Miss America if I wanted to be...wow...you're still the best in my heart...Good Night...Happy Birthday dad....Brenda...Brenda Moultriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06067669285620444376noreply@blogger.com0