You Just have NO IDEA!

Please understand this.....From a MOTHER W/ A SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD....
This might help you understand something about us....I'm sure we can add to this List!!

1)I am not NUTS.. I'M JUST TIRED and TIRED OF YOU B.S.!!!! YOU REALLY HAVE NO CLUE!
2)I don't need Happy Pills ....I need you to stop giving me advice you know nothing about...
... 3)STOP saying "I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU DO IT!"...you would do the same thing ..HE's MY CHILD and I LOVE HIM....
4)Instead of saying "God, you need a break" OFFER SOME HELP..Talk is cheap!
I might not have the extra money to go shopping but I CAN WINDOW SHOP!
5)Please keep your religious views to yourself...I may NOT be practicing my relgion but believe me I BELIEVE IN GOD and WILL NOT BURN IN HELL or need to FEAR GOD!God, gives me comfort every night knowing I am here to fight for my child..
5)I am NOT WORKING THE SYSTEM.... I APPLY FOR EVERYTHING b/c I might get lucky and not make $34.oo to much for that program..and
6)MY CHILD IS ENTITLED TO THAT SERVICE!!! His dad and I have worked and Paid Taxes all our lives....so get over it.....
7)Please dont ask me to MEET YOU HALF WAY in the OPPISITE DIRECTION OF OUR HOME/SCHOOL..I cannot go very far, even when he's in school..Yes MY CHILD COMES FIRST!
8) If you dont want to ASSOCIATE w/ a certain GROUP OF PEOPLE...cuz you really dont know them tell me up front... dont wait 2 yrs and waste my time..I enjoy THOSE PEOPLE's company....!!! I get Comfort from them...
9)Don'T think I dont get my feeling hurt because I do.....
10)I THOUGHT WE WERE FRIENDS....but we are just AQAINTANCES....
11) Just because YOU are family dont think you know WHATS BEST FOR OUR KID....He's OUR KID AND WE'RE STILL LEARNING....!
12)When we do Fund Raisers for something for our kids its NOT THAT WE ARE LIVING ABOVE OUR MEANS..its because that is not covered by the services we get or that its something that REALLY WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR KIDS LIFE and we have to pay for more important things like RENT/GrOCERIES/GAS/UTILITIES!

attitude

I don't have an attitude.

I just have a sassy vocabulary

that you're too slow to comprehend

Live....Love.....Laugh

                                                                                                                             

                                                                   

Live for today
Love for tomorrow,
And laugh at all your yesterdays.
Never regret the past,
Always hope for the future,
And cherish every moment you have.

40 Balloons ...40 Kisses..Dec 2007

40 kisses released to heaven in a celebration of my mother's life. She was many things to many people and touched so many lives and our loss can't be measured in words. Heaven gained an awesome treasure and we can take comfort in knowing that she'll be there watching over us always.

Strong Willed Women of Our Family~Part I by The New Orleans Redhead on Myspace

I'm really not sure where I get this Head Strong Attitude I have. But then again maybe I do. I won't say attitude, how about "strong willed"! I don't know very much about my heritage except for what I have been told over the years.I do know I am of "English~Irish~Germany & Scotish" decent and somewhere some American Cherokee Indian thrown in there, all of which to me are strong willed people.
The women I came from were all hard working women, family women, compassionate women. Women of Conviction ;of "Attitude". We are New Orleaninas .Most of the women I DO know something about is my Dad's side of the family.I can only go back so far. Like I know my great-great grandmother Anne Dillenkoffer married Fredrick (Franz) Hanning way back in the late 1800's. They had 4 children I believe one of which is my Great-Grandma Carrie~ Caroline.I remember my Big Uncle Freddie- Carrie's Brother but thats another story for another time.
Grandma Carrie died a few months before I was born so I never got to meet her except in my imagination and dreams. What was she "really" like I always wondered? I know she married Charles Meyer and had only one child- my "Nana"~ Emelda Rita Meyer. I know she had my entire layette ready for me before I was even born. And I know she loved her family. She worked hard to raise her daughter. I only know of 2 places she every worked but they are historic in the cities I was raised in. She was a hotel operato,(at "The Fairmont Hotel " in New Orleans-the city under the sea. And at the "Hotel Galvez " in Galveston. You know the Island that was distroyed in the 1900 hurricane season). back in the day when there was such a thing. She loved to dance the night away , have a few beers and wore "White Shoulder" perfume'. And I know I've always loved her....

Mary Kay Pepperman by The New Orleans Redhead on Myspace

Mary Kay Pepperman by The New Orleans Redhead on Myspace: "29, 2008
Mary Kay, one of my first friends in school. We started out at Bridgedale Elem in 2nd grade. I will not just remember you as the tallest girl in our class, but the girl that was funny, witty, amusing and had a bright smile. We shared a young life time together w/ Terri, Cheryl and many more. I remember the bus rides in the morning and afternoon. The proms and dances we all went to and shared tables at lunch.. You and that song -'Sweet Home Alabama'..How many times could you possibly play that song at lunch time...Frosh Orintantion running around as a 'Peppermint stick'.The first person I smoked a cig w/ in South yard. Thanks MK, I turned green that day. You were the first person to hug me after we got our diploma's from RHS. Though we haven't seen each other in years we could see each other and pick up were we left off..What a true and unique friendship we all shared...I know you had it hard in your life but I also know these last few years you have been TRULY HAPPY ..I'm so glad you found that happiness. I'm very grateful for knowing you during my youth and sharing so many happy memories w/ me..... I also know that one day I will meet you in heaven and we will be those happy young girls from the Phlox Street Bus Stop singing FreeBird and dancing our hearts out.....I love you girlfriend and I will so miss you..
Bobbi Lynn Harrigan-Surgenor (Madisonville, LA)"

My Good-bye by The New Orleans Redhead on Myspace

My Good-bye by The New Orleans Redhead on Myspace: "My Good-bye
Bobbi Harrigan-Surgenor email (Sunday, December 30th, 2007)
My Aunt Cauna, My friend, My confidant, My sometimes partner in crime. Thru the years we have formed a strong bond that only an Aunt and Niece can have. It's different than that of a mother and child, yet simular. I have been very fortunate in that I have had strong woman to guide me thru my journey in this life. You were one of them. I have no regrets for our friendship was a true and unique experience that I will cherish all the days of my life. I know my Mom was waiting there for you when you got to heaven, so that you could join her and Daddy in a Dance. Rest peaceful now Aunt Cauna,know that your work is done here on earth and that you earned your wings. I love you very much."

Rules for Ex's~

Rules for Ex's~
1) you're an ex for a really good reason...Just because we can't get along DON"T TRASH ME TO OUR KIDS..I'll do the same....Its called "RESPECT".
2) what goes on between you and me....is like LAS VEGAS...It stays between us..DON'T drag the kids or our friends and family OR THE NEW GIRLFRIEND IN THIS
3) REMEMBER THEY ARE OUR KIDS.....
4)Please remember to do their homework,feed them and bathe them before you bring them home on YOUR Wednesday nights......I do this the other 4 days, you can handle it for 5 hrs
5) when the kids are punished..they are PUNISHED ON YOUR WEEKENDS TOO..Its called A UNITED FRONT!
6) when the judge says pay child support & 50/50 of the kids expenses..Please Don't Act like I'm Blackmailing you......Hello,THEY ARE YOUR KIDS TOO..REMEMBER??? there's rent/food/utilities/clothes/etc etc....I don't have a money tree and you are not being taken advantage of...THEY ARE YOUR KIDS
7) Don't bring the new girlfriend around our kids til you are sure the relationship is going someone other than the bedroom..Having sex w/ the girl does not constitute a RELATIONSHIP....THINK WITH YOUR HEAD NOT YOUR PENIS...
8) Don't brag about your YOUNG girlfriend/wife..YOU SOUND AND LOOK STUPID TO YOUR KIDS (NOT TO MENTION EVERYONE ELSE)
9) Don't say "I'm not taking the kids EVERY WEEKEND/EVERY OTHER WeeKEND..this is NOT Negotiable.."THEY ARE YOUR KIDS TOO" REMEMBER!
10) remember if you are stupid enough to put your words in writing then I'm smart enough to keep copies so I can show the kids when they are grown...I DID NOT KEEP YOU FROM THEM....
11) stop trying to hurt me ...we're done..the only ones you are hurting is OUR KIDS...
12) YES I hate you but you will never hear me say that to our kids..its immature and sounds vindictive
13) stop acting like an A$$....we don't allow OUR kids to act that way so STOP IT!

Live for today
Love for tomorrow,
And laugh at all your yesterdays.
Never regret the past,
Always hope for the future,
And cherish every moment you have.

No More Bath and Body Works

A Funny story by Velma Clements-Jones on Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 3:27am

No more Bath and Body Works!!! A few days ago we are in Wal-Mart and some man keeps reaching around me, messing with the SAME grilling utensils every time, before finally putting his hand on my shoulder and telling me he's not used to being stalked by such good smelling women (he was also in the deodorant section when we were). I told him that he was on to my evil plan. I was going to overwhelm  him with my scent, snatch him up, throw him in the trunk of my car, and take him home.

Today, the neighbor stopped by. Invited me to view his garden. Offered me some deer sausage. Invited me to ride the 4-wheeler and go exploring the neighborhood. Invited me to go fishing. Invited me to check out his fire pit. Spoke to my son-in-law later on and told him about talking with me and having me check out his garden. Tonight, he was LOUDLY singing "Good night sweetheart, sleep tight, where ever you are" while looking straight up the hill towards my house.

A few weeks ago the steak man proposed. :(

The only logical conclusion is that my new bath scents are luring them in. It's like bait! That crap has got to go! Because here lately Zoey has been using MY shower and MY bath products. Can't have the sharks circling my 13 year old.

It's either that or the fact that the Maltese AND the Pomeranian are both in heat and I now have scientific proof that men are truly dogs. I'm trying to be positive...No bath and body works!

Louisiana Architecture: Claiborne Parish Courthouse

Another Report by Velma Clements-Jones March 16

              

                              Louisiana Architecture and Art.....

    Growing up in Louisiana, I have spent my life surrounded by a richness of art and culture, whether I realized it or not. Many homes are designed in the antebellum style which brings to mind romance and fantasy. The antebellum style also has been incorporated into many other buildings across the state, such as the Claiborne Parish Courthouse. The lawn surrounding the square is lush and well-manicured. Each outer wall of the building is adorned with grand staircases leading to the upper level of this two story building. The entire building is surrounded by stout, stark-white columns that extend gracefully from the ground, reaching up to provide support for the roof.
    The Parish Courthouse is often considered the heart of the parish. To signify this, the building was designed to sit in the heart of downtown, the courthouse in the middle surrounded by one-way streets, and the opposite side of the street being lined with quaint shops. The building grounds are elevated above street level and appear to loom over the surrounding businesses. This style seems to accentuate the importance of the building while the design is to protect the building in case of flooding. The grand sweeping staircases, while being distinctly beautiful, are also functional in the event of flooding and emergencies; providing easy access for boats, or sturdy, secure exit routes in emergency. The building is graceful, charming, and stylish and creates a warm, inviting atmosphere for the people who work there, or are there to conduct official business. This type of architecture is an imitation of ancient Greek/Roman architecture (Ballinger, 2006). The huge, stout columns are symbolic of power, and a testimony to the fact that our laws have strong roots in Roman law, with Latin remaining the primary language of legal authority (“Roman Power”, n.d.).
     I am not often in the habit of considering a building as a work of art but for the purpose of this assignment I approached the project, not as a building, but as a work of art, to see it with new eyes. I observed the building from all angles, taking notes and pictures, while trying to interpret form and functionality. With that thought in mind, the building seemed to take on a new life. The previous paragraphs described the aesthetic beauty of the building, but you can also make out the details of form and function. The aspects, such as the columns and staircases appear to be beautiful appendages on the building and yet they have function. The form of the building is inviting and charming, and yet proclaims power. This aura of power inspires those who enter to be on their best behavior, evoking reverence and a solemn demeanor.

Painter....Conrad Abrizio

Report by Velma Clements-Jones March 16 for one of her College Classes.....I enjoy reading things Velma writes and have her permission to share this....Plus its about Louisiana History..

      Conrad Abrizio, originally from New York,

has made quite a name for himself in the state of Louisiana.

The Union Passenger Terminal lobby is home to his last frescos, consisting of four huge panels;

one of the largest collections in the U.S. at the time of completion in 1957. (Irvin, 2009).

     Albrizio worked in true frescos, applying pigment to the texture and then applying the tinted plaster, much the same as the Italian masters in the 15th and 16th centuries (Irvin, 2009). He was commissioned to create a number of frescos for various state buildings and in 1937 he painted his first mural in Russellville, Arkansas; Rural Free Delivery (Cowan, 2010).
     Conrad Abrizio worked with a variety of medias, not only working in frescos and murals, but also doing canvas paintings, composition, etching, lithography, and mosaics; being commissioned to construct a mosaic to cover the bullet holes in the hallway where Huey P. Long was shot, which later was installed in the Louisiana Supreme Court Building (Cowan, 2010).

    Abrizio’s style was impressionistic as seen in his oil painting “Jordan”; depicting an African-American baptism. This piece of work captured my eye because the scene is alive with religious spirit. The people, on the banks of the river, are in the throes of the Holy Spirit moving amongst them, as they witness this person dedicating their life to Christ. His perspective is not to create a true likeness to actual people; adding harsh lines and details to the facial structure and sensual roundness to the body form. The viewer perspective appears to be from a point above the group, which also appears to be elevated away from the bodies in the water. The bodies displayed in the forefront also have a skewed perspective away from the center of the picture as well, growing smaller as it progresses from the central figures.

Japan and Mother Nature

On Saturday, March 11th, 2011 in the early morning hours Japan and her proud people took on an undertaking not seen since WWII....

                           ******A 9.0 Earthquake****** 

It set off Mother Nature and all her furry on the
Northern Eastern Coast of Japan....
This quake (only the 5th strongest known) set off a massive tsunami that would wipe out towns, fishing villages, business's
                                  ******"LIVES"...******
30 ft walls of water....6...."SIX MILES" inland engulfed the Japanese People and their homes...
10's of 1000's of people are expected to have died in this natural disaster .

People have
NO WATER....
NO FOOD....
NO SHELTER.....
NO HOMES OR JOBS
OR FAMILIES TO GO BACK TO

Towns and Communities COMPLETELY wiped off the Map....

Then on top of all this..
Japan 's Nuclear Plants (how Japan gets MOST of their Electricity)
in the defastated areas are in
MELT DOWN.....In other words...Radiation exposure...

The World's 3rd strongest economy....
The top most Technocology Country ....
One of the few TOTALLY self-suficiate countries....
They have built for natural disasters ...
Tsunami  & Earthquake Drills are a norm....

If they "Can Not" get it right....
How can the rest of us have any hope.....
"GOD BLESS THE JAPANESE NATION & HER STRONG PEOPLE...

Out of the Mouth Of MJ.......

Matthew: 170 yrs ago they didn't have electricity.
Dad: That's true..
Matthew(matter of factly): So if you wanted to watch TV you had to get a generator........
Dad: <Shakes his head & smiles>

Ahhhhh, Xmas Money + Awesome Aunt's= Pedicure & Manicure

The Cheese Grater

The Massage....

Clean them puppies up..

Polish...Polish....

They look so Great!

Even got a Manicure

What Happens When Winter Attacks Your Beautiful Gardens

1939~January 9th

‎72 yrs ago, a Petite Fiery Redhead was born in N.J.
She would spread her wings & travel far away from home.
Marry,Divorce and live her life for another Lil Redhead.
She was a Daughter,Sister,Wife,Partner,Moma,Nana~
But mostly A FRIEND!
I know you are dancing and celebrating in heaven
but know I miss you everyday.

Happy Birthday "RED"!

11 Step Program for those thinking of having kids

11 Step Program for those thinking of having kids

by Amy Lawrence on Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 9:24am

Lesson 1

1. Go to the grocery store.
2. Arrange to have your salary paid directly to their head office.
3. Go home.
4. Pick up the paper.
5. Read it for the last time.

Lesson 2

Before you finally go ahead and have children, find a couple who already are parents and berate them about their...
1. Methods of discipline.
2. Lack of patience.
3. Appallingly low tolerance levels.
4. Allowing their children to run wild.
5. Suggest ways in which they might improve their child's breastfeeding, sleep habits, toilet training, table manners, and overall behavior.
Enjoy it because it will be the last time in your life you will have all the answers.

Lesson 3

A really good way to discover how the nights might feel...
1. Get home from work and immediately begin walking around the living room from 5PM to 10PM carrying a wet bag weighing approximately 8-12 pounds, with a radio turned to static (or some other obnoxious sound) playing loudly. (Eat cold food with one hand for dinner)
2. At 10PM, put the bag gently down, set the alarm for midnight, and go to sleep.
3. Get up at 12 and walk around the living room again, with the bag, until 1AM.
4. Set the alarm for 3AM.
5. As you can't get back to sleep, get up at 2AM and make a drink and watch an infomercial.
6. Go to bed at 2:45AM.
7. Get up at 3AM when the alarm goes off.
8. Sing songs quietly in the dark until 4AM.
9. Get up. Make breakfast. Get ready for work and go to work (work hard and be productive)

Repeat steps 1-9 each night. Keep this up for 3-5 years. Look cheerful and together.

Lesson 4

Can you stand the mess children make? T o find out...
1. Smear peanut butter onto the sofa and jam onto the curtains.
2. Hide a piece of raw chicken behind the stereo and leave it there all summer.
3. Stick your fingers in the flower bed.
4. Then rub them on the clean walls.
5. Take your favorite book, photo album, etc. Wreck it.
6. Spill milk on your new pillows. Cover the stains with crayons. How does that look?

Lesson 5

Dressing small children is not as easy as it seems.
1. Buy an octopus and a small bag made out of loose mesh.
2. Attempt to put the octopus into the bag so that none of the arms hang out.

Time allowed for this - all morning.

Lesson 6

Forget the BMW and buy a mini-van. And don't think that you can leave it out in the driveway spotless and shining. Family cars don't look like that.
1. Buy a chocolate ice cream cone and put it in the glove compartment.
Leave it there.
2. Get a dime. Stick it in the CD player.
3. Take a family size package of chocolate cookies. Mash them into the back seat. Sprinkle cheerios all over the floor, then smash them with your foot.
4. Run a garden rake along both sides of the car.

Lesson 7

Go to the local grocery store. Take with you the closest thing you can find to a pre-school child. (A full-grown goat is an excellent choice). If you intend to have more than one child, then definitely take more than one goat. Buy your week's groceries without letting the goats out of your sight. Pay for everything the goat eats or destroys. Until you can easily accomplish this, do not even contemplate having children.

Lesson 8

1. Hollow out a melon.
2. Make a small hole in the side.
3. Suspend it from the ceiling and swing it from side to side.
4. Now get a bowl of soggy Cheerios and attempt to spoon them into the swaying melon by pretending to be an airplane.
5. Continue until half the Cheerios are gone.
6. Tip half into your lap. The other half, just throw up in the air.

You are now ready to feed a nine- month-old baby.

Lesson 9

Learn the names of every character from Sesame Street , Barney, Disney, the Teletubbies, and Pokemon. Watch nothing else on TV but PBS, the Disney channel or Noggin for at least five years. (I know, you're thinking What's 'Noggin'?) Exactly the point.

Lesson 10

Make a recording of Fran Drescher saying 'mommy' repeatedly. (Important: no more than a four second delay between each 'mommy'; occasional crescendo to the level of a supersonic jet is required). Play this tape in your car everywhere you go for the next four years. You are now ready to take a long trip with a toddler.

Lesson 11

Start talking to an adult of your choice. Have someone else continually tug on your skirt hem, shirt- sleeve, or elbow while playing the 'mommy' tape made from Lesson 10 above. You are now ready to have a conversation with an adult while there is a child in the room.

This is all very tongue in cheek; anyone who is parent will say 'it's all worth it!' Share it with your friends, both those who do and don't have kids. I guarantee they'll get a chuckle out of it. Remember, a sense of humor is one of the most important things you'll need when you become a parent!

From My Bitch for My bday

I Just had to save this to my blog...
from
Velma Jones...aka "My BITCH"

One fine January 3rd,
my other mother Edie gave birth to a perfect,
beautiful baby girl that she loved with her whole heart.
She raised her to be such a wonderful woman and mother.
What a beautiful day to celebrate the birth of My Bitch.
Thanks Mom Edie for such a wonderful gift.
Happy Birthday to My Bitch.

From....HOPELights♥

I am a parent of a child with special needs.
At times my world feels black and white,
experiencing moments
when I feel all my efforts seem hopeless or futile.
But then a miracle happens right before my eyes
and my soul blossoms with
sweet surrender to all things hope and faith.

Oh My Word....Another Girl!

‎37 yrs ago this peach head,blue eyed blonde entered my life.
At first I wasn't to excited about this
~after all I "HAD" been an only child up to this point.
And my Dad WAS like 36.
Then at 18 days old, she was put in my arms for the 1st time.
Those BIG BLUE LINDY STAR Eyes melted my heart from that day forward...
her name Andrea DeNae... ~"ANDI "  ~As I would call her...
My Baby Sister
                                      Happy Birthday Sweetie.

 Andi and Lindsay..

Andi and Emily

I LOVE YOU! Thank You for My 2 Beautiful Nieces Too!

In a Few Words

Stacy said...
Matthew settled in quite nicely.....
He did great!
He had a GREAT DAY!

Yep, Its My Birthday

Yep,
"It's My Birthday.."
I'm a day .....year Older..LOL
but I really don't feel it..
Is it 53? or 35?
Seems like yesterday I was in High School....
excited about turning 18 and being a "SENIOR!"

The best part of this day is that lil guy I brought into
this world 15 1/2 years ago....
Its MJ's first day of school since Dec. 19,2009..
Its his first day of High School...
Its his first time riding a school bus TO SCHOOL....
Its a lot of First for him....
but mostly He's WALKING!

Yep It's my Birthday...
But mostly it's MATTHEW'S DAY!

Are we In or Out??????

Saints are playing Tampa Bay Bucs
 in the New Orleans Super Dome....
Tampa needs the win...
We NEED the win to make us the #1 seed
for the Play-offs...
Who's gonna win?