bug's blog: "Venting..."

You just never know when life is going to take a tragic turn. Last week, after thinking to myself "thank heavens the kids are going back to school after Thanksgiving break!", I got a phone call. I was told that my 18yr old step son died in a car accident moments before. I still feel like I am in a dream and at any moment someone will wake me up. He died in Oklahoma, so my husband had to go out there and take care of all the arrangements. Now our son sits in a wooden container in our hutch in the living room. Each day I take him out and give him a hug, wishing I could have giving him one last hug and kiss before they cremated him. (I had to stay home with the rest of our 9 children, and all our farm animals). So for those of you who have children, cherrish them, love them, adore them. Life is too short to hold grudges, or to yell and scream all the time. Tell them every day before they leave the house that you love them very much. You just never know when it could be the last time they hear it. On a final note, we are struggling to pay for his funeral expenses. We have a month to come up with $3000. If anyone would like to make a small donation, every dollar helps. You can mail a donation to: Flanagan-Watts Funeral Home 100 E. Main St. Marietta, OK 73448 Make donation for: Justin Ray Joiner Thanks to all....

I just wanted to appologize for not getting to say hello to everyone as often as usual. We are trying to keep up with life! lol Besides the usual....kids sick...getting ready for the hoildays.... I have been helping hubby install the tile at our local mall at night, and passing out all day. (We have about 10,000 of the 24,000 sq ft done). Not to mention hubby was in a hit and run yesterday. He is fine, and he ended up chasing down the other guy. Fortunately we live in a small town, and it was easy to find him. Of course, his little toyota extended cab had about a 2ft indentation of our Ford F150 on the passenger extended part. Not to mention 3 of his windows were blown out, and the huge wave in the roof of his truck....oh yeah, it was also driving at a weird angle. I felt kind of bad, the guy that was driving was at least 80yrs old, and seemed like he didn't really know what was going on. Hopefully he won't be allowed to drive any more, for the safety of others. Anyways......please don't think I have forgotten you guys. Hopefully life will slow down here soon. I truely hope that everyone's Thanksgiving was a wonderful one. Please stop by and say hi, I will make sure to shout back!

I just wanted to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers for my Grandmother's death. I really appreciated it. I took a 10 hour bus ride with my 3 yr old last week to get up to Cleveland, Ohio to go to the funeral. I didn't do so great, but it was a really nice funeral. I think Grandma would have been pleased with it. It was also so nice to get to visit with all of my family while I was up there. I did end up falling after the burial on the edge of the sidewalk and seriously spraining my ankle, so I came home on the bus with crutches....btw....I don't recommend doing this! lol It is so great to be home, and I will try to catch up with everyone as soon as possible! Thanks again to all who sent their love. It really meant a lot to me.

I just wanted to ask everyone to please keep my family in their prayers this weekend. Around 2:00 today I got a call that my grandma passed away a few minutes earlier. We were very close. Her funeral is going to be Wednesday we think, but I have to drive up to Northern Ohio (about 7 hours away from us). Hopefully the traffic is light, and the weather good. (They have already had snow! ugh!) So if I get behind in saying hi to everyone, this is why. Please forgive me, I will catch up as soon as I can. I hope you all have a wonderful week.....

This month has turned out to be truely crummy! It started with my hubby getting a ruling on a court date he had with his ex over child support. He was out of work, not by choice, for 2 months, and got behind. The judge decided, with much help from his ex (she has taken him to court now around 70 times, give or take), that he needs to pay off the child support in full (around $3000) by Nov. 21, or face 90 days in jail. Now what kills me is, the state had no problem with him being a little behind, he already has a new job, and the money is once again being taken out of his pay. The only reason the ex took him to court was to destract from him being upset that his 14yr old daughter is being allowed to date a 23yr old man.... Where is the justice in this world??? Yesterday, something funny, although painful happened to add to my month. I was shopping with two of my kids, not really paying much attention to where they were pushing me. They ended up crushing my finger in between the shopping cart and the freezer handle. Who says shopping isn't dangerous!!! lol I always knew there was a reason I hated shopping. Oh, my pinky finger, it's broken! lol Today I got a phone call from my Mom. My grandmother is taking her last breaths as we speak. Unfortunately I live 7 hours away, and since we have but one car, I can't go be with her. We used to be very close. However, since my divorce with my first husband, she was very upset with me, and I haven't talked to her in about a year, maybe a bit longer. I am feeling a bit guilty, but know the fault is not totally mine. Let's hope that October ends quickly, and November brings some peace and happiness. Thanks for letting me vent!!