Little Isaac

Cute little Isaac. Another photo stolen from facebook, well, actually the countingtoten.com website.
Notice the little green dog attached to his belt loop. That's his "chew toy". He uses it to chew on instead of his hand. Now, if he could just learn to keep his glasses on! We are all proud of this little fella!

Runaway Child

Well, I had a grandson that decided to run away from home last Friday. I'm not mentioning any names.
He made it a little way down the road before he was missed, and found.  I can remember how it felt to think you were overworked and under appreciated as a child. Be sure to give your kids a big "HUG" and let them know how special they are.

Are these for real?

Slipper Genie,
Just wear these, walk around, and clean your floors as you walk.
What? Are you kidding me? You would end up like "Pig Pen" on Charlie Brown. Can't you imagine all that dust following you around? A man must have designed this!

Elias Roller First Place Pinewood Derby

Congrats Eli.....
Now go get a haircut!

Kids, Kids, Kids

I took these pictures of the McKeel kids on Carter's birthday.
The Long kids, their last weekend here.
Everyone is growing up so fast.

My Brain isn't working right

Yep, that's right, my brain isn't working right.
As you all know I have been doing Sherrill's business book work for over 30 years, payroll, taxes, audits, I do it all. Then about 6 years or so I started doing my dad's also, except for his corporate taxes. I do his payroll, quarterly taxes, sales taxes, etc. Well, every since I had my surgery I would sit at the desk to do this very simple math, and my brain doesn't work. I would wait a day or two, and try it again, but still no luck. I even quit taking all my meds, so that "Halo" would go away, but I am still having problems. I even had Sherrill sit at the desk last night to figure up a simple payroll, so I could do the same thing this morning, to see if we came up with the same answer. I had to do this problem over and over before it worked out.
So, off to google I go, "anesthesia side effects". Here's the first thing I found........

Anesthesia Side Effects: An Overview

On February 8th, 2001 researchers from the Duke University Medical Center published an article in the New England Journal of Medicine on long-term cognitive decline after surgery.

This is what I am having......... cognitive decline. Am I loosing or have I lost my good brain cells? Was I asleep to long? Will I be able to get this back? Wonder who I need to call about this?

I'm still working on quarterly taxes, it's just taking a heck of a lot longer than it should. Changing the 6.2 per cent to 4.2 per cent really has me confused, especially on the Form 941. Guess I better tell Sherrill and dad to check behind all my math. Ugh, and I still have W-2's to do. IRS is going to love me!

Photos from Christy

Nice looking bowling alley. Great looking kids. Guess "Big Mac" was hiding somewhere.

Chilly Morning

When I got up this morning it was a little "chilly". The heat stays on 67 and is usually warm enough, but this morning it was a little cool. I wanted something Hot to drink, but I don't drink coffee, and the hot chocolate packs in the closet are no telling how old. I thought if I just had an old tea pot, I could fill it with water, fill it with spices like cinnamon, ginger, add in a little vanilla, and just the steam and aroma might make me fill a little better. No such luck. I opted instead for a bowl of Bran Flakes with cold, cold milk.
 I think I am going to start looking for an old tea pot. I've never had one, but think one would be nice. I'll let you know what I find.

Kenny's new glasses

Look how cute.
Kenny has glasses.

Happy Chinese New Year

Did you know today is the Chinese New Year, this year being the Year of the Dragon.
The lunar year is celebrated as the largest "family reunion" of the year. Families get together and celebrate for days. I remember a year or so ago a lot of the trains in China weren't running, and everyone was worried about getting home in time for the New Year. We (US citizens) celebrate our New Year with parties and drinking, and they celebrate theirs with family (probably a little drinking too).

Happy Chinese New Year Everyone!

Nate got 3rd at wrestling today. I had to work one of the wrestling tables. It was easy but didn't like the people i worked with very much. One of them yelled at me for her sisters mistake! I was like what in the world I didn't even do it. That got her to shut up for a little bit.

Paterno dies, then he didn't die, then he dies again....

What's up with this?
I was watching tv last night about 11:00 and it said Paterno died. Then the first thing this morning on TV it said no, he didn't die. Then by lunch Mandy informed me that yes, he did die! How can the news media make such a mistake? Don't they have "fact checkers"?

Same with the SC Primary last night. Most of the news stations had predicted a winner, even before 2 per cent of the votes were in. They based this on exit polls. Do they really think everyone they polled ACTUALLY told the truth?

And then there was the Iowa Caucus. Can't people there add? Don't the results go through the computers.....who also add? First it was Romney up by 8, then days later, down by 34.

I must be feeling a little better if even the news media can get me wound up!

Have a great day every one .........  But remember, when you watch the nightly news....... take it with a grain of salt!

Baby Sto.....

Little Christopher graduates this year.......
Think he will make it?

Do You Really have to follow Discharge Instructions?

Do you really have to follow discharge instructions?
I kind of liked the ones that said no housework, bending, lifting, etc. The one I am having problems with is NO FRIED FOODS! Are they for real? This just happens to be the 2 slices of bacon per day girl.
I had to give that up.
I remember when James was in high school I started the thing eating only 5 french fries at a time.
I have stuck with this every since.......until tonight. Sherrill went and got burgers, and I asked for THREE french fries. You know Sherrill, he selected the smallest ones. Oh well, at least I had my greasy Andy's burger.
My breakfast each morning consists of  two slices of toast and 1 or 2 "Cuties" (Clementines). For lunch I usually eat half of a pita chicken salad sandwich. Kat has me hooked on pita bread, and I make my own chicken salad?  Then for dinner is vegetables, jello, soup, something light. I want my BACON!!!!How can you live in the south and not eat bacon???? I wonder how long they meant I had to go without fried foods. Surely it must have been an error on their part!
So, here I sit withering away, without my bacon. I still have to smell it cooking every morning. I still have to see it sitting in Jack's bowl every day. After the grease from this burger gets out of my system, I just might have to cook me a slice of bacon and nibble on it. Have you ever heard...NO FRIED FOODS?
Really!

Hey everyone,
i hope everyone is good. School is good for Nate and mom and dad are busy with work. This week is going to fast. School is good for me. I really like it. When I said that to Nate and my parents they all just looked at me like I was crazy. I really like the English project we are doing. We have to find a unsolved mystery. And if it has any picture we need to get one cause you never know if there is something like ghost. It sounds crazy but you never know if they are true. I'm thinking of doing mine on a murder like a really crazy one or something were people disappeared. Well that's about it we haven't been doing a lot because of all the homework or Nate wrestling which he is doing really well on. He got first last Friday and second the week before.
                                                                                          

Yep, it's the "C" Word

Back in October 2011 I was diagnosed with cancer. Within 4 days I was at Duke, and they wanted to do surgery 2 days later. Nope, no way, I had a vacation planned for November, so surgery was scheduled for December. I had planned on telling the family (all of you) during the vacation, but one thing lead to another, and I just kept it quiet. Upon my return I decided I didn't want to spoil my Christmas holidays, so I called and rescheduled for January. Yes, they thought I was out of my mind, but I'm the boss of course!

Well, surgery has been done, and I am home recuperating nicely. I am taking this one day at a time with a "Don't ask, don't tell" attitude. I don't wish to discuss this with anyone. I am very capable of making choices of what is best for ME! When I am away for a few days, don't expect the worse, I'll be out living my life to the fullest and spending your inheritance! I told Christy I was having surgery the day before my surgery, to put some things in order, and I called Kat with last minute instructions. They just knew I was having surgery, nothing more. I even had the hospital NOT to include my name in the hospital directory. I thought I had everything covered, until Christy showed up at Duke Raleigh Hospital the afternoon of the surgery and I was at Duke in Durham. I was furious. She spent a week here, taking excellent care of me.

I'm doing great. Don't bother asking DAD for details. He does't have a clue. He is just as much in the dark as everyone else.

To make life simpler for me,here are some of my rules.
1. When I look bad, keep it to yourself. I don't need to know. I'll do the same if you look bad!
2. No pity parties. As a matter of fact, I think I'll be up for another sleep over before Easter.
3. Don't even try keeping up with me. If you catch me slipping in or out in the dead of night, just know I have been up to something mischievous.
4. Don't remind me if my dishes haven't been washed or my house is messy. If you can't deal with it, clean it, or go home.
And most important, my medical problems are mine alone and I wish that they not be shared with anyone.  Don't bother calling Grandma Cat for information. She will tell on you!

If you thought I was mean before, you haven't seen anything yet. I am going to have to be one mean Witch to beat this, and I know I will. So, in the meantime, as the song goes,"Don't Worry, Be Happy".
I'm doing fine, I really am ..........except for this darn bronchitis that Mandy brought home.

Tristen, Kelli, I am depending on you to help keep this blog going. I will be needing something to laugh about! And, for the rest of you, please add pictures when you can.

Love you all, and thanks for understanding!

I can't pull up the comments, or post a comment; so I will just do it this way. Carter Loved his montage! He watched it several times. Party was great, and will post pics soon. Thanks :)

1-17 I just thought to try clicking on the comment section on other posts, and I can comment on those; just not on Carter's montage. Weird.

Happy Birthday Carter!

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Go Catherine!

Go Catherine!
Go Catherine!

Happy Birthday Joseph!

Yesterday was Joseph's birthday. I remembered his birthday, just didn't make the post. He's still in Tampa in college. He is one extremely intelligent young man!
Happy Belated Birthday Joseph, even though you don't read this!

Back to school

time to go back to school. :). Cindy and Kathy, when are you coming to go clubbing with me? Lol.

It's that time......

Will return in a few days!

Wow....it has been 20 years already...

So for those of you that missed my facebook timeline, today is the 20th Anniversary of the death of Charlie.  (This is Charlie and Pop in the pic)  It's hard to believe that it's been 20 years already.  I still remember making him lollipops while he was in the hospital.  When he was almost gone, he didn't recognize anyone but everytime I walked in he would act like a monkey because I was his monkey Mandy.  :)

We miss you and will never forget you! 

Happy Birthday!!

Happy Birthday Uncle Larry!!!  We love and miss you!  Hope you're having a good birthday weekend.  :)

Happy Birthday Blake!

Happy First Birthday to YOU
Happy Birthday to YOU
Happy Birthday dear Blake
Happy Birthday to YOU!

Im in trouble...

So i stayed up all day yesterday when i got home from work.  mostly because i things to do and the phone kept ringing.  i finally layed down a little after 7 and needed to be back up at 9:30.  lets just Say i never remember my alarm going off and woke up at 4.  i think im going to be in big trouble when i call into work this morning.  :-(  oh...and the strange thing was when i woke up i had sent text messages during the night.  i can't wait to tell dad one.  lol     see...this is why i require slept sometimes.  okay....i hope everyone has a good day.

Sick peoples....

Hello family.  And yes mom, that includes you.  :)   Mom has been sick the past few day and now I have an eye infection.  I woke up Saturday and my left eye was red.  Its only gotten worse so I've had to start wearing my glasses.  I've stayed in my room so I don't get moms cuties or so that I don't give her what I have.  i see her in passing a few times a day but that's about it.  If I'm not at work or church, I've been in my room since Saturday.  I haven't even been out of the room to have dinner with them.  :( 

So I hope everyone is healthy and had a great New Years.  (Mom was the only one here that stayed up til midnight. lol  )   And for those of you here in NC, don't freeze tonight and tomorrow.  It's going to drop 20 degrees again and it's gonna be soooooo cold!! 

Happy New Year ! ! !

Happy New Year Everyone.
May all your hopes and wishes come true!