HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANA!!!!!

Dana is turning 60 today. Please go over and visit her blog and wish her a Happy Birthday.

danajoywyzard.blogspot.com/.

My personal goal is to get at least 60 people to wish her a Happy Birthday, so please pass this on. And welcome to the Sunshine State Dana.

Major Rules for Dieting....

Yes, I am trying to diet again. I really need to. So I was soooooo excited when I found these "new" rules for dieting.

1. If you eat something and no one else sees you eat it, it has no calories.

2. When drinking a diet soda while eating a candy bar, the calories in the
candy bar are cancelled by the diet soda.

3. When you eat with someone else, calories don't count as long as you don't
eat more than they do.

4. Foods used for medicinal purposes NEVER count. Examples: hot choco-
late, brandy, toast, and Sara Lee Cheesecake.

5. If you fatten up everyone else around you, then you look thinner.

6. If you are in the process of preparing something, food licked off knives
and spoons have no calories.

Hopefully these will help me shed a few pounds. I know I'm gonna give them a try. If nothing else, I hope these put a smile on your face.

You have got to check this out!

One of my favorite bloggers, Granny Annie sent me to another Bonnie's blog and you guys have just got to check this out. All I'm going to say is what a great way to celebrate such a happy occasion. Go to Bonnie's BORN IN A ZOO for your treat of the day. Be ready to smile and laugh.

Guess what I saw today?????

Do you all remember this sign from my trips to Ocala??

Well today I finally got to see a bear. Every other time we've gone up there I've had my camera at the ready. Today I thought, I'm not even going to bother. So of course me and Hut see a bear crossing the road in front of us. He weighed probably close to 200 lbs. But, alas, no photo. This next photo is one I swiped off the internet so you could see what an black bear in Ocala looks like.

It was an amazing site to see. Thank God there wasn't any traffic coming. But I have to tell you, when he crossed the road it only took him two leaps. One for each lane. He was a big'un. So I'm thrilled that I finally got to see a bear, but disappointed I didn't have my camera ready. Believe me, everytime I travel to Ocala from now on, the camera is going to be ready.

What!!!????? Another Baby?????!!!!

Here's Shyenne Hawkins!

Wade's best friend Bobby and his wife Kerin had a beautiful baby girl, born on July 15. I don't have any stats yet, but if I find out, I'll let you know. It seems we have alot of babies to give love to lately. But I say the more the merrier.

Here is Kerin with her precious baby girl.

Proud Daddy Bobby (or Rob as he likes to be called).

First family photo.
Kerin and Shyenne at home."Uncle" Wade and "Cousin" Layla visiting at the hospital. Wade is a natural.

Quick Chloe Update

Just wanted to let everyone know that your prayers worked wonders. Chloe is out of the hospital. She is still on oral meds to clear up the infections she was fighting. Her fevers are under control. So thank you all so much for your thoughts and prayers for Chloe. You guys are the BEST!!!!!

And the winner is........

Wade and Diana. They got the house. Wade called me last night. These 2 are so excited.....and so am I. So now I am going to share some pictures ( these are from the realtor, sorry). I will take better pics when I get over to the house. This house was built in 1912. St. Cloud is settled on a big lake called Lake Tohopekalgia(Indian meaning "sleeping tiger") or Lake Toho for short. Back in the day it was a popular place for people to build summer cottages. I believe the house that the kids bought may be one of those cottages. The house has 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. It also has a small office that is being turned into a 3rd bedroom for the new baby. The house comes with a 2 story garage. The upstairs of the garage has been converted into an in-law apartment. Someone was in the process of redoing the lower level the same way. Wade wants it as a garage, to that's what it will be.

This is the front of the house. What a cute little porch.

Another shot of the front and the side.

The front door coming into the living room. The other door leads to one of the bedrooms.

Part of the living room. Wade says this picture does not show how big the living room really is.

Dining room looking into the living room.

The kitchen. Don't you just love the pink?! Wade's already planning on some changes there, lol. I hope one of them is taking down the fly strip.

The bathroom, also pink. Makes me think a woman wore the pants in the previous family. Changes will be made here too.

The shower. Wade says 12 people could shower in there.

Here's the garage. Nice, huh?!. Wade's gonna take the single doors out and put garage doors back on it. Wade's gonna be a busy man with all the changes he'll be making. I hope you have enjoyed this little tour of Wade and Diana's new home.

Chloe Update

Thanks, everyone. Your prayers seem to be working. Chloe is doing better. She got up yesterday and went to the children's playroom and made a craft. However, last night her fever spiked again. The doctors say if they can get her fever down and keep it down for 48 hours she can go home. She is feeling better today. She is going to go back to the play room for awhile and do another craft. Chloe has ECOLI in her system. No one is sure how she got it. She also has a severely infected left kidney, with a possiblitly of some damage. This news may not sound good to you, but she was knocking on death's door the other day. So it's really good news that she is able to get up. And once her fever breaks, they will be able to treat her infections with oral meds. So keep on praying, your prayers are working. You guys are the best.

Prayers for Chloe

This is my cousin's granddaughter Chloe. Most of you probably remember her from her visit with Santa. Chloe is in the hospital and it is not looking good. She has a toxic infection in her lungs, another infection in her kidneys and she has another infection in her blood system. They cannot get her fever to break. She is at Boston's Children Hospital. Chloe has been fighting battles all her short life. She was never supposed to walk, talk or see. She can do all of those amazing well. Now I'm asking for your prayers, that this amazing child win one more battle. Please put her in your prayer circles, ask you friends to pray for her, ask their friends. This child needs all the prayers she can get. Thank you all for your help.

Short and Sweet

Just a quick post to let you know that Wade and Diana have put in a bid for a house. We are all patiently waiting for word whether or not they will get it. So please keep your fingers crossed, say a prayer, light a candle, whatever you do for luck. These kids really want this house and we really want it for them. Thanks.

So many babies

Meet Leila Julianna. Her momma Audrey has been a good friend of mine for a couple of years. She even dated Wade for awhile but they decided to part ways and have stayed friendly too. Leila was born on July 2. She weighed 7lbs 3 oz. She is a beautiful baby girl. Audrey thrilled me and Hut when she emailed me and said that Leila's "Grammy Bonnie" and "Grampa Hut" needed to come meet her. So we are going to plan a trip to visit hopefully this week. And hopefully by Wednesday we will have another baby to dote on....Wade's friend Bobby and his wife Kerin are having a baby. Kerin is going to have her labor induced on Wednesday and hopefully it won't be long before Shyenne makes her appearance. So that will probably be another baby post soon, lol.

Leila and Audrey.

Here's Leila with her 1 week birthday cupcake from her "aunt" Laura.

I just love all these little babies. But nothing compares to your own little babies.

A new and unusual pet?????

Last night (Thursday) I was out in the back yard with the dogs. I noticed that something had been digging around our lawnmower. Thought maybe it was the dogs. Well after walking around the yard with the dogs we were headed back to the door. Bailey is stopped by the lawnmower and at first I think he is nose to nose with a squirrel....wrong!!!! It was a gopher! He wasn't afraid of anything, not the dogs, not me. Thank God the dogs didn't try to eat him. I got the dogs in the house and got Hut out to look at it. I didn't want anyone to think I was crazy and I wanted a witness. He couldn't get over how friendly the little guy was. I put him out some dry dog food and decided to see if he was still there this morning. In the meantime I looked him up on the internet. What I came up with was a "Pocket Gopher" and they are not from the South. They reside up north, mainly in Colorado. Every picture and article I could find with similiar animals all said this. So I'm wondering if this little guy was someone's pet and they let it go for some reason. He somehow managed to find his way to my house and I'll feed and water him for as long as he stays, but he will stay in the yard, I won't bring him in with the other pets. The dogs don't seem to mind him, so that's good.

Here's a full body shot of him. Isn't he just the cutest?

We had a yard sale today and he kept everyone entertained. He'd nibble on shoes and pants and even let the little kids pet him. I couldn't get over it. Of course I was busy selling so I didn't have a chance to take pictures of that. And I know I keep calling him a "he" but I'm not really sure what the sex is. I like to think he's a boy. It took us all day to come up with a name for him. I call him Buster.

What I did on my summer vacation

Nothing....absolutely nothing. Not by my choice, believe me. If this post sounds harsh, I apologize. I was promised a day at the beach, maybe a trip to Savannah, GA to suprise my friend Cecile. A trip to Ocala to pick up some new furniture from my cousin. I wanted to have a yard sale last weekend to help pay for everything. But nooooooo, guess I was expecting too much. The husband decides last Saturday that the truck won't make it anywhere (after telling me for weeks that it would go anywhere). To say I'm ticked off is putting it nicely. My husband is one of those guys that just wants to stay at home and sit and watch TV and sleep all day. So I honestly believe that's what he had planned the whole time. The place we took the truck is in St. Cloud or I really don't think we would have gone to see fireworks with Layla. I am so upset I could spit nails. He decided this weekend would be good to clean out the house and have a yard sale...guess what...rain all weekend. And a good friend is visiting a beach close by and I can't even get there for a day to visit her. I just want to sit on the floor and cry. I know my problems are small compare to some others I know, but if Hubby had at least been honest, I could have made plans for vacation another time. But I only get one week and it has been spent in this house (which I hate, sorry Missy). I got out for about an hour to by groceries at Walmart yesterday, because our other vehicle isn't running right either. So how is your summer going????

Family and Friends Fun on the 4th

Wade called us the morning of the 4th and asked if we would like to come watch the fireworks with them. It was the first time Layla would see fireworks. Of course we were going. Hut even gave up his beloved NASCAR race to go watch fireworks with Layla and family. Diana called us a little while after that to let us know friends Amber and Tony had invited all of us to dinner before the fireworks. Amber and Tony have been friends of Wade's for quite a few years and we enjoy getting together with them. As a matter of fact, we spent Christmas dinner with them this past year and had a great time. Tony and Amber have 3 children, Maddy, who's 6, Xavier, who I believe is 9 and Autumn who is 10 (I think). We had a blast. After a meal of Tacos and story telling it was time to head for the lakefront to watch the fireworks.

Here's all the kids before we walked down to the lake front. Layla, of course, in the front. Then Xavier and Maddy in the middle, with big sister Autumn bringing up the rear.Layla in awe of the fireworks. She sitting with Maddy and Grandpa Hut is in the back.Layla again with Autumn in the background.

My battery on my camera died before I had a chance to take more pictures. So I have no pictures of Tony and Amber. And Diana's brother Casey was with us also. I think this my very well become a family tradition. Oh and we came home with a new family member too. Meet Bailey.

Tony and Amber had Bailey but they could not longer keep him and were going to take him to the pound. Nope.....Hut's always wanted a "baskethound" so he came home with us. Our dogs are doing okay with him and Molly actually likes having someone to play with. By the way "baskethound" is what Maddy calls him, so that is what he is, lol. I hope the rest of you had as much fun as we did.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday to the greatest country in the world. I am proud to be an AMERICAN! Our forefathers fought for our independence and we need to fight to keep it. I love this country and all it stands for. Thank your military for keeping this country safe and free. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA!

Family

I saw a saying on another blog the other day and I just absolutely loved it.

A FAMILY IS A LITTLE WORLD CREATED BY LOVE!

Don't you just love that saying. So I'm just going to share some photos of my "family". Some of these are repeats but just bare with me, lol.

Me and Hut after renewing our wedding vows, Scott and Wade having a good time. The two dads cooking a turkey together. Jim, Scott and Grampa Frank. Grandma Tootsie, Tarah and Tony (now newlyweds). The Scianimanicos, the Mullins and the Huttos all enjoying Thanksgiving together. Uncle Hut, Griffin and Aunt Bonnie.

Missy, Mike and Griffin.

Me and Missy.

Mike and Hut.

My cousin Yvette (on the right), her husband, Dick, Katie (her daughter) and Gabby(her granddaughter).

Gabby, Katie and Chloe.

L.D. and Skylee. Jen and Tyler. C.J. (our grandson) Alairah( our granddaughter) at Hut's birthday. Alicia (Hut's daughter). Susan (Hut's ex-wife). Yes, she came to have cake on Hut's birthday too.Diana, Layla and Wade. May, 2009. The start of something beautiful.Tony, Wade and Bobby. Brothers by different mothers (and fathers,lol).

Diana, Layla and Wade with proud parents. Mom, Stepdad and Dad.

Scott, Wade, Dad (Jim) and Ashley.

Diana, Layla, Wade, Mom and Stepdad.

The new happy family. Layla, Wade, Diana and baby.

As you can see, we have a very extended family, including friends and exes. Family can be anyone you want it to be. I love having a BIG family.