62 things no one cares about

Blame anne, I do...

1. What time did you get up this morning? 6:00 a.m. Darn dogs...

2. Diamonds or pearls? Pearls

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? I honestly can't remember the last time I went to the movie theater.

4. What is your favorite TV show(s)? House, Boston Legal, Grey's Anatomy and The Office

5. What did you have for breakfast? I can't remember the last time I had breakfast.

6.What is your middle name? Geeze, okay...it's Francis.

7. What is your favorite cuisine? Mexican

8. What foods do you dislike? Anything with meat.

9. Your favorite Potato chip ? Zapp's Hotter~n~Hot Jalapeno

10. What is your favorite CD at the moment? Todd Agnew

11. (anne didn't have a # 11, so I'm making this one up)What did you do last night? Attended a County required parenting class for all parents going through a divorce. Four hours...

12. Favorite sandwich? Can't remember the last time I had a sandwich.

13. What characteristics do you despise? What ever characteristic it is that makes people assume the entire world revolves around them....and that their pain is the only pain that's important.

14. Favorite item of clothing? My Croc's.

15. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Somewhere where there is sand, ocean and very few people.

16. What color is your bathroom? Tan...with a lot of colors thrown in.

17. Favorite brand of clothing? Seriously? Wrong girl here.

18. Where would you want to retire to? New Mexico...or Heaven.

19. Favorite time of day? Any time I can find a minute to sit down and put my feet up for a while.

20. Where were you born? Washington, Indiana

21. Favorite sport to watch? Get real.

22. Who do you least expect to send this back? That's a long list...too long to answer.

23. Person you expect to send it back first? I don't see anyone doing this...it's a llloooooonnnggg list (thanks again, anne).

24. What laundry detergent do you use? Cold water Tide. I wash it all in cold, because my friend, Katy, told me to to cut down my electric bill (and she does it too).

25. Coke or Pepsi? Pepsi, Diet.

26. Are you a morning person or night owl? Night

27. What size shoe do you wear? 9. What?!? Shut up, Actually, both my neighbors wear the same size and we all share. Of course they're men...kidding, but it's odd we all wear the same size and still all around 5'4.

28. Do you have pets? Do I have pets? Uhmmm, yeah. 3 dogs and 4 cats.

29. Any news you'd like to share with everyone? Mark and I had our court hearing a couple of weeks ago.

30. What did you want to be when you were little? A photojournalist for National Geographic

30 (b) What do you want to be now? Divorced

31. Favorite candy? Normally something chocolate, like truffles, but lately it's been Smarties.

32 What is your best childhood memory? Visiting my Aunt Margie and Uncle Ray and all my cousins.

33. What are the different jobs you've had? Waiting tables, bartending, accounting and teaching.

34. Nicknames: Mac and Star

35. Piercings? Four

36. Eye color? Hazel

37. Ever been to Africa ? Nope

38. Ever been toilet papering? Not that I can remember.

39. Love someone so much it made you cry? Yeah.

40. Been in a car accident? I've totaled 4 or 5 myself and been a passenger in a few too.

41. Favorite restaurant? On the Border or Pei Wei

42. Favorite ice cream? Lately, it's been Orange Sherbert.

43. Favorite flower? Purple Iris

44. Disney or Warner Brothers? Don't care.

45. Favorite fast food restaurant? Panda Express

46. How many times did you fail your drivers test? None

47. (Again, anne was missing this one, so I'm supplying it) Biggest Star crush? Sorry, can't do one: Michael Chiklis (Vic, from The Shield), Jensen Ackles (Dean from Supernatural), and Jeffrey Dean Morgan (from Grey's Anatomy and Supernatural).

48. Before this one, from whom did you get your last email? Just got one from anne.

49. Which store would you choose to max out your credit cards? Laugh all you want, but right now it'd have to be a Super Walmart because of everything we need here, from Casey just telling me he needs some new boxers to our fridge needing to be filled for two growing guys.

50. What do you do most often when you are bored? Sit outside.

51. Bedtime? between 11 and 12.

52. Who are you most curious about their responses to this questionnaire? I'd be more curious to know if anyone actually read all of them.

53. Last person you went to dinner with? Oh so easy...my guys.

54. What are you listening to right now? Soundtrack to Undiscovered on my itunes.

55. What is your favorite color? I've never really had a favorite color.

56. Lake, Ocean or River? OCEAN.

57. How many tattoos do you have? Six.

58. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Chicken

59. How many people are you sending this Email to? Blogging it, so...no one.

60. Who sent this to you and what is something you didn't know about him/her? Got it from anne's blog, where she just called me a 'punk'...yeah, she did. What didn't I know about anne? I guess that she'd never been to Africa. Who knew?

61. What materialistic thing would you ask for if you had one wish to make? Enough money to put the boys all the way through college.

62. Time you finished this? 8:19 a.m.

*I was kidding about #57, the real answer is zero...but y'all probably already knew that. :)

Math?

Some goofball sent this to me, and I thought it was funny. I think Nikki might enjoy it, too. :)

We all need hero's

We all need a hero. At least one, hopefully several. To me, a hero is someone who does something for you that you can not do for yourself. They come in all shapes and sizes, of all intellects, local and long distance. I'm blessed with several hero's.

I have hero's. I have two that live me. Two that keep me focused on what is truly important...and what's not. Two that hold me when I didn't even realize that I desperately needed to be held. Two that remind me minute by minute what true love is.

I have hero's. I have friends that know me and yet still love me. I have friends that actually say the words 'I love you' and I know they mean it. I have friends that call me to make sure I'm okay in spite of what's going on in their own lives...that will not allow me to direct the conversation to them when they know I need to vent, to cry and to laugh, and laugh hard. I have friends that I talk to several times a day and friends that I talk to a couple times a week, and I need every single one of them.

I have hero's. I have a mom that isn't related to me by blood or law, but simply because she loves me. She cares about me and makes sure that I know that she cares about me, from emailing to calling to sending me things to read in the mail, she lets me know she cares...and for many years she's been a living example of what real love is.

I have hero's. I have neighbors who are, and have been for many, many years, on call. Whether it's to take care of my animals to picking my kids up when I've needed them to, they've been there for me. I have neighbors who have told me the truth when I didn't want to hear it, but needed to hear it. I have neighbors who yelled at my kids when they were little to get out of the street like they were their own children, because that's the way we all were with each others kids and I wouldn't have had it any other way. My kids grew up knowing they were accountable wherever they were, not just when mom was watching.

I have hero's. I have bloggers that I read daily and they lift me up, whether spiritually, emotionally or intellectually. They make my days better by sharing themselves with me and others. They take time out of their lives to help someone smile, to give someone the kind of laugh that hurts your side and makes tears run down your face, or to inform others of things we wouldn't have known otherwise. I appreciate all of these things, because I know how much easier it is not to blog.

Yes, I have hero's...I'm blessed with several.

Why? It's a good question.

Why? I'm asked a lot lately why I'm not bitter. Actually, more than why, I've been asked when I'm going to wake up and smell the coffee...or why can't I see the writing on the wall. Y'all know who you are, and you know that I love you and I've not been bothered at all when you've asked me this. One friend has even called to apologize for asking me things like this, which was completely unnecessary, because I understand where you're coming from, and I'm not offended. I love y'all for caring about me.
Here, to lay it to rest, is where I'm coming from. My mind does want to entertain the 'what if's'...but I refuse to go there. I've got my hands full with the things I'm sure of, I don't need to add to that the things I'm not sure of. I trust that all things that are done in secret will be revealed, because it's promised to me. When? I don't know and it's not up to me...so frankly, I don't care. I've had a good friend ask me 'but aren't you even curious?' (I love you), and honestly, no...I'm not.
Here's the thing: I have control over what I let affect my life. I choose to be happy. I don't believe that it's possible to be both happy and angry at the same time. I don't believe it's possible to be happy and resentful, judgmental or even suspicious, at the same time.
Also, I'm responsible for being an example to my boys. I want them to be happy. I won't teach them to be vengeful or hostile, but rather I want them to learn to love and forgive, allowing them to walk in joy...in happiness. Anything else would be leading them down a road that is not of God, and I take my responsibility very seriously.
Don't get me wrong, I'm tempted to get angry. Anytime you walk with the Lord, and carry His responsibilities (as in raising my boys, or even witnessing here), you are going to have a target on your back which satan will be aiming at by the minute. However, all weapons formed against me shall not prosper, all those who rise up against me shall fall. This has been tried and proven over and over and over in my life. I've no reason to doubt that God will take care of all things that come against me. The battle is His and I know the outcome... As the song says (Blessed Be Your Name) 'when the darkness closes in, I will say 'blessed be the name of the Lord'. It's my choice whether I choose to trust in my God or to fear what the world sometimes brings my way. I choose to trust. Fear doesn't have anything of God in it...it doesn't contain any joy and it's a waste of my time. I can't be of any good to myself or to my children when I'm walking in fear, or when I'm walking in anger. It's not the example I want to set before them. I want them to mature in the knowledge that there is no fear or doubt when you walk with God...trusting Him for all things, big or small.

Some people will say they know of people who can not be happy unless there is trouble or turmoil going on in their lives. These people do not know real happiness. They don't know the kind of happiness, the kind of joy, that is so overpowering that tears flow down their faces. There are tears of joy. I know this joy. I know it several times a day. I know it when I'm on my knees in prayer, I know it when my hands are lifted up in praise and I know it when my heart overflows with the understanding of how much He has blessed me.

I can choose to to be happy, and I do. It doesn't mean that the world doesn't try to throw roadblocks in my way, because it surely does. And you know what? That's okay. Every roadblock, every pothole, every time someone or something comes against me...it just gives me another opportunity to show my kids how you can handle life with love, grace, mercy and forgiveness...and to do it with a joyful heart. The alternative just doesn't hold any appeal for me.

Committed

1 Corinthians 6:18: Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.
19: Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
20: you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

Last night was the Dad's Ring Ceremony at Fellowship Church, where we attend. There were a 130 teenagers that, of their own choosing, accepted a ring promising their parents, themselves and God, that they would keep themselves sexually pure for marriage. Casey chose to participate. He actually told me that he'd made this decision last year and wanted to do it at last years ceremony, but didn't get signed up for it in time. * I should make it clear that the 'Dad' in Dad's Ring Ceremony is God the Father.

There were over 300 people there last night to celebrate their child's, grandchild's and friend's choice. They started it off with the band (I love this band, Christian Rock) singing the old Beatles song 'Revolution' and everyone was singing. I'm sure many parents were remembering how different we were from the kids we were standing next to when this song was new. Then there was a video of the teens from the church being interviewed regarding sex. I love the way the church brought the subject of sex into real world understanding. They asked kids if they thought sex was "dirty" in the video. This brought back a lot of memories for me that I'd forgotten, because that's exactly what my mom use to say that sex was. It was something you didn't talk or think about. How realistic is that?

What the church was stressing to the kids was that sex is something that God created, it's an expression of love and it is a beautiful thing. One way they described it last night was that it's similar to when it's near Christmas, and the tree is surrounded by beautifully wrapped presents...and like we all did as kids, you beg to open them up before Christmas morning. If we were allowed to open one up whenever we wanted, when Christmas morning came, it wouldn't be as special. There wouldn't be anything waiting for us under the tree, no excitement of opening anything up. I, for one, could relate to this because I'd opened everything up and rewrapped it before Christmas morning so that no one knew what I'd done, and Christmas morning was never anything special for me. It was pretty much the same as the morning before and like all the mornings to come. This is, also, the view I came to have about sex through my life. It never really meant anything special.

They didn't pressure the kids at all to participate, they wanted them to know it's a personal choice and that it's between you and God. Casey chose to do it, Charlie didn't. The ceremony was a huge celebration. It reminded me of a graduation. The child's name was called and they and their parent would walk on stage, the parent put the ring on their child's wedding ring finger and then walk off stage. Every time someone walked on stage, kids in the seats were whooping and hollering, clapping and shouting. It was a celebration. I cried, and I was just one of many that did. When we were on stage and I put the ring on Casey's finger, he hugged me and told me he loved me. I cried. I held him and told him that he was a better person than I've ever been, that I loved him with all my heart and that I was so proud of him. Then we walked off stage. When kids walked off stage there were friends waiting to hug them, letting them know they weren't alone in this (or in life) and how happy they were for the choice they'd made. It was one of the coolest things I've done with my kids.

After the ceremony, the band started playing and the kids all went to the front of the stage and danced like they were at a punk rock concert. Kids were jumping up and down, pumping their fists in the air and some had tears rolling down their faces. I saw parents with tears in their eyes too.

Casey and I had our picture taken afterwards and I'll post that when we get it. We went to On the Border to celebrate (Casey's choice). I love this little family of ours. We are blessed beyond words, and I am so thankful for these amazing kids that God has given me.

I do have pictures from the church and of Casey's ring, but blogger isn't cooperating. The ring is gorgeous, a gift from the church. It's silver with black shading. There is engraving on the outside of the ring, in Greek or Hebrew, don't know for sure. On the inside it's engraved '1 Cor 6:19' which is: Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; and I loved this.

It was a very special night for us, for all of us.

What's Next?

Sass wrote on her blog about the best in the men she'd had relationships with in her life. Some of it sounded so wonderful, that it nearly brought me to tears realizing what I've missed in my life.
Not to say that I've not known some wonderful men in my life, because I have. However, I believe that I didn't give many of them a chance because of the place I was in my life at the time I met them.
In high school and college I liked 'bad boys' and dated many of them. I had many 'guy friends' that were the kind, sweet and considerate sort, but I chose to be 'just friends' with them, and give my heart to the guys that wouldn't take the best of care of it. I remember telling many of my 'guy friends' that I couldn't like them in the way they wanted, but didn't want to lose their friendship. The 'bad boys' made for great excitement...but if they started to lose their 'bad boy' edge, I lost them, too...because that edge was what I wanted.
I was never the touchy ~ feely kind of person, and I was never really interested in romance. But, after reading Sass's blog, I realized what I've been lonely for as I've gotten older. I've noticed more and more over the years, people holding hands, putting their arms around each others waist, kissing out of love and not just foreplay, and I have found myself jealous...many times. I've never had that sort of romance, and I admit that it's completely my fault because of the choices I've made in men...because of the type of relationships I wanted when I was younger.
Now, that I'm older and finding myself starting over, I'm wondering what kind of man or what sort of relationship I'll want in my future. Relationship wise...my future is a blank canvas and I am finding myself excited about the possibilities. I am enjoying my 'oneness', seriously. I've always been a loner, so this isn't a surprise. The boys and I are probably having too much fun. I'll admit that, until a couple of years ago, Mark was like the adult in the house. A couple of years ago he got other hobbies and he wasn't really around the house that much. But now that he's completely out of the picture, our house is sort of like a really long slumber party. I have had to grow up quite a bit, as have the boys, but we've filled the house with lot's of love and laughter and there is a real comfort in our home.
Can I see someone else coming into our lives? No, not really. So, I'm not in any sort of hurry to date at all. I'm just really enjoying the state of things right now.
When I do think about dating, I'll admit, I do get excited at the idea. I don't want to think about all the negative things I hear about dating. When I'm ready, I'm believing that God will lead me through it. Will I want the romance that I've never had before? Right now, I'm thinking yes. I think I'd like someone holding my hand, putting their arm around the back of my chair, fingering my hair and kissing my shoulder just because they want to be near me, and not because they want to bed me.
Right now, I'm right where I'm suppose to be and I'm not only comfortable, but happy with it. My future? Only God knows. But since He's never let me down, I am really looking forward to it. One day at a time.

Saturday Boredom

Casey's team won their homecoming game last night. Yay! The dance is tonight. Other than that, not much new...so....pictures! Sorry, it's an illness. Pray for me. :)













Charlie, last night, calling some buddies.















Gato, who is only about 9 months old and huge !!















Gato, playing hide and seek with me.















Bob Bob taking a nap in her favorite place.

















And Butchie, helping me on the computer last night. :)

I'm missing a picture of Trouble, but he's not feeling well and is staying under my bed right now. He caught Butchie's upper respiratory infection, but he's on his own meds now.

Next, pictures of the dogs. Yeah, I know, pins and needles...

It's Homecoming!

Tonight is our High Schools Homecoming game. Tomorrow is the Homecoming dance. Casey and a group of friends are going to Papasito's for dinner and then on to the dance. Can't wait to take pictures of he and his date, Lillie. This is a picture of the 'mum' (though he opted for one without the mum, but with a teddy bear instead) that he gave his date to wear to school today. A tradition here, is it everywhere?
His senior year...wow, every time I think about it I'm torn with excitement for him and a little loss for me. I can't imagine how much I'm going to miss this kid next year. All I know for sure is that the world is going to be a much better place with him in it.

He was, He is, and He's always gonna be....

Please take a moment to give God thanks this morning, that we walk in truth and righteousness. If you've got two moments, please take another to tell someone that God is good.

A few good rules to follow...

My buddy, Tom, sent this to me this morning. Always my friend, putting things into prospective.

Giving Words Flight

Here's the thing, this is my blog. It's where I can write and express my feelings. Trust me, I'm NOT expressing all of them, not by a long shot.

Mark told me today that I am hurting the feelings of some of his family by what I'm writing, and that he is losing respect for me. How possibly rich is that? I've been very kind, I believe, in what I've written. I believe I've shown great restraint in what I've written compared to how badly my feelings have been hurt, and the pain and hurt feelings I've watched my children go through. I, alone, have watched their pain, hurt, confusion and disappointment every single day...no one else, and I'm living through my own, as well. How unbelievably selfish can someone possibly be to believe that they're the ones who have been so terribly wronged by my finding a way of expressing myself, considering what my life has gone through the past two months. I've continued to love and pray for every single person that has hurt us. I've not turned my back on anyone, but after much prayer I came to the understanding that we needed to keep all avoidable negativity away from our lives...our hearts. We have enough to handle right now.

Do I have some underlying hostility? Well, hmmmmmmm, there is a good chance of that. So, with that said, I have but one suggestion...if my blog offends, don't read it.

How'd They Do That?

My adopted stepmom (love you, Pat) sent this to me. Pretty cool...

Casey's Varsity Picture

Allen Eagle
2006 ~ 2007

One Man's Dream

Got a few minutes? This is a funny story. Might be considered 'R' by some, but pretty much a PG-13.

What's new at the Bratcher home?

Well, let's update before the weekend.

Charlie is still sick. Yup, felt pretty bad all week. I had his yearly meeting with his advisors and instructors at his school yesterday, and the kid looked like he could barely stand. Still coughing up all this nasty stuff and just feels bad. So, he's home again today and we have a 1:45 Dr's appointment. Oh, for breakfast...he had chicken noodle soup. Yeah, he feels bad.

Butchie got sick. She quit eating, she started sneezing, her eyes and nose started running and she just slept. I took her to the vet, which wasn't comfortable for me because the last time there was when I put Itty Bitty down and brought Butchie home. Taking her temperature at the vets office wasn't fun. They should make those ear kind of thermometers for animals, too. Just seems humane to me. Anyway, my little 1 pound 14 ounce kitten has an upper respiratory infection, which they say is common for a kitten so young. They started her on antibiotics and she's already back to her normal self, chasing everything that moves and wanting all the love and affection she can get.

I don't know if y'all remember this about me or not, but I've always had a sleep disorder. Lately my doctor put me back on ambien, which is helping. Last night, after I took it, I was watching episodes 6-9 of Disk 2 for Grey's Anatomy (you're a witch, Lisa). When I shut off the dvd player, it somehow messed up my t.v. and dvr. I started messing with the wires and cables...such a big no no for me. This started around 10:30 p.m. At 3:30 a.m. I finally get my tv and dvr working again. All this while fighting the effects of my sleeping aid. I was a wreck, and I don't know how I didn't electrocute myself. The final result, my dvd player is now in the guest/junk room, but at least my tv and cable are up and running. So, with about 2 hours sleep, I've seen Charlie up, fed and back to bed, called the doctor, got a dropper of antibiotics down a kitten who fights back like a little hellion, talked to Casey and heard about his homecoming date for next week (big smile here) and got a big hug from him as he left for school.

That just about covers it for me...I'm off to bed until it's time to get Charlie to the doctor. Big hugs and lots of love to y'all.

Help me...I can't stop

Blame this one on Lisa, I wanted to show how small she is (Butchie, not Lisa). Butchie is about 7 weeks now...Lisa, a tad older. :)

Just one...

Butchie

Okay, so make that two :)

Tagged

Well, time for a new tag, I've been tagged by my buddy, Dabich~ so here goes...

1. Things that scare me.
I know this sounds ridiculous, but I just refuse to allow fear
any place in my life. Not that it doesn’t try to get in…but I try to catch
myself, pray and give thanks. So, gotta say ~ nothing.

2. People who make me laugh.
My kids.
Katy, Tom and Lisa.

3. Things I hate most.
Bigotry (I had 3 students, black girls, yesterday accuse me of
being a bigot because I was only getting onto them for talking…I just laughed. It didn’t dawn on them they were the only ones talking. I thought to myself that they have no idea what real bigotry is if they use the word that easily).
Selfishness and the lack of compassion.

4. Things I don't understand.
Why some people honestly believe they’re always right and the rest of the world is wrong or against them.
Cruelty…to people or animals.

5. Things I'm doing right now.
Laundry, cooking dinner, listening to the news and this tag.

6. Things I want to do before I die.
I’m ready…

7. Things I can do.
Laugh at myself
Enjoy being alone
Walk away from an argument

8. Ways to describe my personality.
Impatient
Compassionate
Sarcastic
Sick sense of humor (yeah, dabich, I changed it a little).

9. Things I can't do.
Intentionally hurt someone.
Let people use or abuse myself or my kids.
Live without animals.

10. Things I think you should listen to.
The Holy Spirit (that voice inside that guides you)
Your children.
Nature (everything from natures quiet to it’s loudest storm)

11. Things you should never listen to.
Anyone who puts you down. They are only trying to make themselves look good.
Anyone who starts out a sentence with “You should…” and has never dealt with your situation.
Drunks.

12. Things I'd like to learn.
How to cook.
How to fly.
Access

13. Favorite foods.
Anything SPICY without meat (unless it’s seafood).
Chocolate
Fresh lobster.

14. Beverages I drink regularly.
Water.
Water.
Water.

15. Shows I watched as a kid.
Dark Shadows (Dabich ~ I’d forgot all about this! I came home every single day after school to watch this!)
Twilight Zone ~ late at night with my cousins in a dark room…the best!
Game Shows

I tag Lisa, Anne (if you’re feeling up to it, hon), Sass, Amanda and The Real Kidd. Play along, it's fun! (Those are Dabichs words, not mine…but it’s not too bad)

Our Weekend

Okay, no kitten pictures...as hard as it is not to put them up, because I'm telling you, little Butchie is the sweetest thing ever!

Casey had a football game at SMU campus on Saturday and they had a great game, but lost by a point. I hear it was a good game, because I didn't go. Charlie started running fever and vomiting Saturday. He kept it up the better part of the weekend.
He did feel better Sunday, and the boys and I went bowling Sunday night. My kids can not bowl. It was hysterical. They'd turn their back to the alley and bowl between their legs. Once they just dropped the ball to see how long it would take it to get to the pins. As funny as they were, there were times I'd could have slapped them silly. Wouldn't have taken much. After two games, I think Caseys high score was 30 something and Charlies was maybe a 70.
Monday, Charlie started feeling worse again. More vomiting and fever. By Monday night, he was feeling better, again.
I was working today, and I'd been at work for about 1/2 an hour (around 8:30), when Charlie called me and told me he'd gotten sick twice since I'd left and missed his ride to school. He felt really bad.
I'm so thankful for Casey. Casey got up (not having to be to school until 11 a.m.) ran him to the doctor, took him to the pharmacy and then bought him some 7-Up, crackers and chicken noodle soup. He brought Charlie back home and got him settled in, then got ready for school himself.
Do I have the best kids in the world? Charlie has some virus or bug, and the Dr. gave him something for nausea. He's taking some Claritan to dry up the stuff draining down his throat and into his stomach. He's feeling a bit better, again. Hopefully he'll be back at school tomorrow.
That, darlins', was my Labor Day weekend. Not the best one ever, but we made the best of it and that's not hard to do when you've got the best around you. I'm blessed.