tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193257502024-03-12T19:09:19.800-04:00They Call Me Crazy...Vent:to expose to the air; to serve as a vent for; to give often vigorous or emotional expression to; to relieve by means of a vent; an opening for the escape of or for the release of pressureMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07709698184181777037noreply@blogger.comBlogger238125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19325750.post-23046979311330842382014-01-21T10:25:00.000-05:002014-01-21T10:25:14.625-05:00NEWSFLASH<span style="color: magenta;">I'm not dead!!!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: cyan;">I've just been VERY distracted...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: yellow;">More to follow...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: magenta;">in theory.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div class='adsense' style='text-align:center; padding: 0px 3px 0.5em 3px;'>
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</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07709698184181777037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19325750.post-74636198677572502702011-06-22T23:56:00.001-04:002011-06-22T23:58:30.685-04:00How long would YOU wait?<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXBSU7P7BWGLFYwhOiVvuI2emUeRGV98HIMZduE-HWCpM9BoDyE6XowVbxYm4GFjcerYar47kR_5Sn4QFBHI8_o60UsK2T10ThxfRpCMoM8SfKFEpJBNQdDG40gM7f6mbqLQ/s1600/ASwait.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 309px; height: 400px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621259197256806402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXBSU7P7BWGLFYwhOiVvuI2emUeRGV98HIMZduE-HWCpM9BoDyE6XowVbxYm4GFjcerYar47kR_5Sn4QFBHI8_o60UsK2T10ThxfRpCMoM8SfKFEpJBNQdDG40gM7f6mbqLQ/s400/ASwait.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div class='adsense' style='text-align:center; padding: 0px 3px 0.5em 3px;'>
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</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07709698184181777037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19325750.post-49376949951353907152011-06-21T11:24:00.004-04:002011-06-21T11:31:39.698-04:00WE NEED YOUR HELP!<div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQV8DVvwloYGro0RB55oKa-w95ZMSHKcl60-Buj19X4elZ-LmurX57N0srPq1l0iNRq8rvOSZC15zDRdBmA4kqGMfarM45-4Mo5QDY8v7yRdw44NLmgVWLVp_xYq2543BWoh0/s1600/ASchild.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 254px; height: 320px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620694380136114642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQV8DVvwloYGro0RB55oKa-w95ZMSHKcl60-Buj19X4elZ-LmurX57N0srPq1l0iNRq8rvOSZC15zDRdBmA4kqGMfarM45-4Mo5QDY8v7yRdw44NLmgVWLVp_xYq2543BWoh0/s320/ASchild.jpg" /></a><font color="#ffcccc" size="5">Please help us by voting <strong>EVERY DAY!!</strong><br /></font><div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div class='adsense' style='text-align:center; padding: 0px 3px 0.5em 3px;'>
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</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07709698184181777037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19325750.post-10706803466941598032011-06-03T09:56:00.004-04:002011-06-03T11:40:41.427-04:00Overall...<div align="center"><font color="#ff0000" size="4">I'm SO EXCITED!</font> </div><div align="center"><font color="#00cccc">On the 11th of this month I am going for a visit with my primary care doctor to be referred to a plastic surgeon so I can <font color="#33ffff">FINALLY</font> have my breast reduction!!! I'm not looking forward to the operation itself or the recovery time following the operation <font color="#33ffff">BUT</font>, I am <font color="#33ffff">VERY</font> eager to be done with the back spasms and assorted pains that lugging around GG cups causes.</font></div><div align="center"><font color="#00cccc"></font> </div><div align="center"><font color="#ff6600" size="4">In OTHER news:</font></div><div align="center"><font color="#33cc00">Dad is still doing chemo to fight cancer. All things considered, he is holding up fairly well for a guy who was supposed to be <font color="#33ff33">(at least according to the doctors)</font> long gone by now. Unfortunately, the cancer <font color="#33ff33">HAS</font> jumped to a new organ system, which brings us to a grand total of three. It started as colorectal, metastasized to his liver & has now migrated to a lung. <font color="#33ff33">On the bright side:</font> The tumors all seem to be responding to the chemo and shrinking a bit so, even though it has spread to a new organ, it is still feasible to treat the cancer as a chronic illness instead of a fatal one! We continue to hope for the best and live each day thankful for every moment God chooses to give us as a family.</font></div><div align="center"><font color="#33cc00"></font> </div><div align="center"><font color="#3333ff">The kids are hitting Summer FULL SWING! Auron graduated kindergarten, Xander is almost fully potty trained and Drayden has hit his "terrible two's" early and is driving what little sanity was left in this house screaming as it bails out the back window! Samantha has been fighting off a nasty infection around her feeding tube for the past month but I think we have almost won that battle. Seizures are a whole different story. I can't seem to convince Samantha's neurologist that aggressively treating her seizures, even with an increased risk of side effects, would be well worth it if she gains even a marginal improvement in her quality of life. In his defense, Samantha has only been his patient for about 6 months and he is still getting to know us. I have to give him props for being open to discussion and happily letting me be an active participant in Sam's care and for being reasonable when it comes to his willingness to ask for consults with doctors out of state who specialize in treating neurological issues in people with Angelman Syndrome. Any doctor who DOESN'T think he is God gets MAJOR bonus points in my book! </font></div><div align="center"><font color="#3333ff"></font> </div><div align="center"><font color="#ff99ff">I'm still happily growing the relationship with my long lost sister and only wish she lived closer so we could have more bonding time face to face. Funds are tight, as they always tend to be when you have a family of six to feed and clothe, but I feel very blessed and fortunate because I know there are SO many without any income at all right now. </font></div><div align="center"><font color="#ff99ff"></font> </div><div align="center"><font color="#ff6666">Overall, life is good!</font></div><div align="center"><font color="#ff6666"></font> </div><div align="center"><font color="#ffcccc">Overall, we are wonderfully BLESSED and THANKFUL for the gifts GOD provides!</font></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div class='adsense' style='text-align:center; padding: 0px 3px 0.5em 3px;'>
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</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07709698184181777037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19325750.post-52785029751002725272011-04-19T10:03:00.001-04:002011-04-19T10:05:41.606-04:00Walking For Samantha...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div class='adsense' style='text-align:center; padding: 0px 3px 0.5em 3px;'>
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</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07709698184181777037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19325750.post-34493800209676324112010-11-05T00:06:00.001-04:002010-11-05T00:06:43.777-04:00WOW, I have no words...Only in America would this be possible: <a href="http://www.aolnews.com/weird-news/article/bacon-flavored-soda-sizzles-onto-shelves/19697827">Bacon-Flavored Soda Sizzles Onto Shelves</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div class='adsense' style='text-align:center; padding: 0px 3px 0.5em 3px;'>
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</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07709698184181777037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19325750.post-20622749223302436382010-10-26T01:09:00.004-04:002010-10-26T02:13:27.211-04:00Where did all the dust-bunnies come from?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8kEySeBK_yGXYlJhCDIrTK4YCsrwP1J6adR_IRGCRu_XdsVydO2_gHhpLw_Xr9-QW777i7b2wiHP1ZtgPGm833jHTo4Z64mKTi1J9cOI5tB0NXLLID8yALzgfM3_nFErso4/s1600/IMG_2424.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 134px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532226408722034898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8kEySeBK_yGXYlJhCDIrTK4YCsrwP1J6adR_IRGCRu_XdsVydO2_gHhpLw_Xr9-QW777i7b2wiHP1ZtgPGm833jHTo4Z64mKTi1J9cOI5tB0NXLLID8yALzgfM3_nFErso4/s200/IMG_2424.JPG" /></a>As any repeat reader of my blog can attest, I generally blog when I can't sleep because I have too many things buzzing through my brain. Such is the case tonight, so I thought I would fight off the ginormous dust-bunnies that are trying to colonize my poor neglected blog and fill you guys in on life changes around here. (I'm also prepping for my Christmas letter, so this is sort of a first draft.)<br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">Major update highlights for this year:</span> <span style="color:#ffff99;">I am no longer an only child!</span> <span style="color:#ffffcc;">Months ago, my long lost paternal half sister and I finally found each other!</span> <span style="color:#ffff33;">She is a fabulous person and we hope to meet in person as soon as we can manage it.</span> <span style="color:#ffff66;">I am just going to call her "T" or Sis here to protect her privacy when I talk about her.</span> <span style="color:#ffff00;">T is six years older than I am and is married with two beautiful step-daughters and one handsome son.</span> <span style="color:#ffff99;">She has had a less than ideal life but was blessed with a loving adoptive Dad who still stays actively involved in her life.</span> <span style="color:#ffcc00;">I'm her only sister (which is super cool from my perspective!)</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="color:#3366ff;">Dad is still fighting the good fight and recently had another operation to remove more cancerous tissue.</span> <span style="color:#000099;">He is ornery and doesn't go to the doctor for half of the things he probably should but he assures me he is not going to give up any time soon.</span> <span style="color:#33ccff;">He has lost weight (much more than would be healthy) for over a month and is struggling to keep enough nourishment in his system to even stay hydrated and maintain his weight.</span> <span style="color:#3366ff;">My grandfather swears he is starting to look like a toothpick. </span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="color:#99ff99;">Dad's hospital stay after his last operation was much longer than they originally anticipated which left Samantha in the care of a family friend who didn't have the proper paperwork to seek medical treatment for her in case there were an emergency.</span> <span style="color:#33ff33;">The Army considered the situation a child care emergency and granted emergency leave to my husband so he could drive to Texas to pick up Samantha and her mass amounts of equipment and bring her back home to live with us again. </span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="color:#33ffff;">MY CHILDREN ARE ALL UNDER THE SAME ROOF FOR THE FIRST TIME - EVER!!!!</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="color:#66cccc;">We are still working out all the details that go into meeting Sam's needs but the good news is that my body has held up surprisingly well to all the lifting and moving involved in her day to day care! </span><span style="color:#339999;">Things are VERY busy around here because we don't have nursing help set up for Samantha yet and adding all of her daily requirements to the already hectic schedule of three small boys has been... interesting to say the least!</span> <span style="color:#ccffff;">We have not had the jealousy from the boys that I expected. </span><span style="color:#66cccc;">They have all been exceptionally sweet with their sister and mostly argue over who gets to help take care of her.</span> <span style="color:#33ffff;">I have been blessed with some wonderful kiddos and I can't wait to see what wonderful and compassionate men they will grow into as a result of growing up with our beautiful girl!</span></div><div> </div><div><span style="color:#3366ff;">Auron started school this year and is doing great! He loves his teacher and has made lots of friends. Focus is a bit of a problem for him, but he IS mine after all! He is turning into such a sweet little gentleman and I am so pleased with the tender personality that he is growing into.</span> <span style="color:#33ff33;">Xander doesn't look like a baby any more. He has grown so much this year and looks so much more like a little boy now. He is a very loving child and constantly follows me through the house kissing my hands and hugging me. He has one of the most beautiful smiles I've ever seen and a giggle to match!</span> <span style="color:#ff9966;">Drayden is almost a year old and just started walking. He is bursting with WAY more personality than the average twelve month old. He dances every time he hears a beat, wags his pointer finger at you when he is talking to you, giggles and smiles all the time, and ADORES Auron. </span></div><div> </div><div><span style="color:#ffccff;">I am feeling very BLESSED and thankful for so many reasons.</span> <span style="color:#ffcccc;">Please keep us all in your thoughts and prayers as we always need them, and special prayers for my Mom and Dad would be much appreciated! </span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div class='adsense' style='text-align:center; padding: 0px 3px 0.5em 3px;'>
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</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07709698184181777037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19325750.post-44541541980710271432010-09-06T11:15:00.000-04:002010-09-06T11:18:24.927-04:00Never Gonna Stand For This by Teachenor Clark<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PIPoPw9zgvQ?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PIPoPw9zgvQ?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div class='adsense' style='text-align:center; padding: 0px 3px 0.5em 3px;'>
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</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07709698184181777037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19325750.post-90572321691036199772010-07-13T21:17:00.000-04:002010-07-13T21:17:18.716-04:00Parenting and Happiness Pair Well, Despite What You ReadGreat article: <a href="http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/07/12/parenting-and-happiness-pair-well-despite-what-you-read/?sms_ss=blogger">Parenting and Happiness Pair Well, Despite What You Read</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div class='adsense' style='text-align:center; padding: 0px 3px 0.5em 3px;'>
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</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07709698184181777037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19325750.post-19069729881717371522010-07-08T14:10:00.000-04:002010-07-08T14:10:31.003-04:00USS Indianapolis CA-35This story has touched me over the last few days. I never learned about this in history class, but it is an important thing to know and remember. In memory of all those lost and in honor of those who survived the sinking of the <a href="http://www.ussindianapolis.org/woody.htm">USS Indianapolis CA-35</a> please read their story.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div class='adsense' style='text-align:center; padding: 0px 3px 0.5em 3px;'>
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</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07709698184181777037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19325750.post-80823168227068545562010-05-19T23:21:00.001-04:002010-05-19T23:24:31.608-04:00Ray Stevens...<object width="580" height="360"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WgOHOHKBEqE&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WgOHOHKBEqE&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="580" height="360"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div class='adsense' style='text-align:center; padding: 0px 3px 0.5em 3px;'>
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</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07709698184181777037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19325750.post-34414558990871490542010-05-03T13:56:00.000-04:002010-05-03T13:56:46.823-04:00Today's song...<object style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(http://i4.ytimg.com/vi/OfD14nCb0Sw/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OfD14nCb0Sw&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OfD14nCb0Sw&hl=en_US&fs=1" width="480" height="295" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div class='adsense' style='text-align:center; padding: 0px 3px 0.5em 3px;'>
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</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07709698184181777037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19325750.post-24050174357257282452010-04-16T23:31:00.003-04:002010-04-17T00:13:48.999-04:00Venting...<p align="center"><a href="http://s178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/britannic/?action=view&current=flatearth.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="flat earth" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w265/britannic/flatearth.jpg" /></a></p><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Intelligent Design and Creationism</span> - <span style="color:#ff6666;">The idea that everything that exists is here on purpose. Thought out, created and placed by someone or something bigger than the human race.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">The Big Bang Theory</span> - <span style="color:#ff6666;">The idea that everything that exists is the end result of some massive cosmic fart. It was all a happy accident that the Earth formed and the water and land separated and things started developing out of some primordial mud puddle that eventually led to the human race and every other living thing on the planet.</span><br /><br />Why, when you believe in the second idea, are you considered a scientist or scholar, but believing in the first makes you too stupid to know better?<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffff66;">To me the massive cosmic fart theory is like being convinced that the Mona Lisa painted itself and Requiem sprang forth from an unattended instrument without any input from a composer.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#009900;">If you believe in the big cosmic fart, that's fine.</span> <span style="color:#009900;">But please have enough <span style="color:#33ff33;">common decency</span> and <span style="color:#33ff33;">respect</span> when you are in a room with people you <span style="color:#ff9900;">KNOW</span> have different beliefs than you do, not to look for any opportunity to <span style="color:#33ff33;">ridicule</span> them and treat them as <span style="color:#33ff33;">intellectually inferior</span>.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;">Remember, people "knew" the Earth was flat and those who knew differently were thought to be idiots in their day.</span> <span style="color:#ff9900;">We now know those idiots as visionaries and those who "knew" the Earth was flat were just too caught up in their own superiority complex to bother with the bigger picture.</span> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div class='adsense' style='text-align:center; padding: 0px 3px 0.5em 3px;'>
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</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07709698184181777037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19325750.post-6341350679883996062010-04-08T23:39:00.000-04:002010-04-08T23:39:22.747-04:00Morris 'Dick' Jeppson, Enola Gay Atomic Bomb Specialist, Dies With No Regrets - AOL News<a href="http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/morris-dick-jeppson-enola-gay-atomic-bomb-specialist-dies-with-no-regrets/19431705">Morris 'Dick' Jeppson, Enola Gay Atomic Bomb Specialist, Dies With No Regrets - AOL News</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div class='adsense' style='text-align:center; padding: 0px 3px 0.5em 3px;'>
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</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07709698184181777037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19325750.post-31301184601934266862010-01-10T22:32:00.010-05:002010-01-30T22:53:43.424-05:00Update and request for help...<div align="center">It was recently brought to my attention that I have fallen WAY behind on my blogging since my hubby returned from Iraq. <span style="color:#ff0000;">In my defense, we DID have 15 very long months to make up for.</span> <span style="color:#ff9900;">Still, I have neglected my poor blog and must fill the world in on life in general around here.</span></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff6666;">(If I remember correctly we were supposed to have a colony on the moon by now, right?)</span></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#009900;">We moved to Fort Gordon at the end of October and at the beginning of November our R&R baby <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Drayden</span> Tobias was born.</span> <span style="color:#99ff99;">He weighed in at a whopping 7 pounds 11 ounces and has been a very healthy boy! </span></div><br /><br /><p align="center"><object height="285" width="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/B72HorBvAmU&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/B72HorBvAmU&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="340" height="285"></embed></object></p><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff99ff;">My Beautiful Daughter Samantha is still in Texas with Grandma and Grandpa. </span><span style="color:#9999ff;">Grandpa is still fighting Cancer and Samantha helps him remember exactly WHY he has been fighting so hard for the past three years.</span> <span style="color:#ff6666;">They inspire each other and Samantha has been doing quite well with Grandpa to cheer her on but unfortunately, she is getting bigger every day.</span> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffccff;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffccff;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffccff;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffccff;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffccff;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffccff;">Samantha is very social and loves to be around people.</span> She loves going to church on Sundays and Wednesday nights and she loves going to the drive in movies with Grandma. <span style="color:#99ffff;">When she was still small enough for me to handle on my own she loved going shopping with me.</span> <span style="color:#cc66cc;">She goes to therapy once a week and makes the 20 hour round trip to see her doctors in Houston once every three to six months.</span> <span style="color:#ff6666;">It is SO hard to get her anywhere because she does not have a wheelchair accessible vehicle. </span><span style="color:#ff0000;">Anyone who has ever researched the price of wheelchair vans will tell you that they are insanely expensive. They average between $20,000 and $60,000.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffff33;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffff33;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffff33;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffff33;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffff33;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffff33;">My parents were recently given the opportunity to buy a used wheelchair van for the astonishingly low price of $4,500.</span> <span style="color:#ff9900;">None of us can afford it but we also know the chances of ever running across a deal this good again are slim to none.</span> <span style="color:#66ff99;">It is an older model van but it has lower mileage than the vehicle they have now and the wheelchair lift is in perfect working order.</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">So if anyone reading this would like to help Samantha with a BIG quality of life issue AND help her stay with her family for MUCH longer (instead of having to go into a "home" because we can't get her out of the house), please click the donate button on the sidebar to your right and give whatever you can.</span> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffcccc;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffcccc;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffcccc;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffcccc;">I promise to keep everyone updated on our fundraising progress and (I hope) post photos of Samantha with the van once we find a way to buy it.</span> For now I will post a video of Samantha at therapy so you can all see how big she is getting. Thank you in advance for any help you can give my beautiful girl!</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /><br /><object height="285" width="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/F5Zi2O0BGak&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/F5Zi2O0BGak&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="340" height="285"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div class='adsense' style='text-align:center; padding: 0px 3px 0.5em 3px;'>
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</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07709698184181777037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19325750.post-71693775490127010662010-01-05T12:19:00.000-05:002010-01-05T12:22:22.912-05:00Military time...<div align="center">A crusty old Marine Sergeant Major found himself at a gala event hosted by a local liberal arts college. There was no shortage of extremely young idealistic ladies in attendance, one of whom approached the Sergeant Major for conversation.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffcccc;">'Excuse me, Sergeant Major, but you seem to be a very serious man. Is something bothering you?'<br /></span><br /><span style="color:#33cc00;">'Negative, ma'am. Just serious by nature.'<br /></span><br />The young lady looked at his awards and decorations and said,<span style="color:#ffcccc;"> 'It looks like you have seen a lot of action.'<br /></span><br /><span style="color:#33cc00;">'Yes, ma'am, a lot of action.'</span><br /><br />The young lady, tiring of trying to start up a conversation, said,<span style="color:#ffcccc;"> 'You know, you should lighten up a little. Relax and enjoy yourself.'<br /></span><br />The Sergeant Major just stared at her in his serious manner.<br /><br />Finally the young lady said, <span style="color:#ffcccc;">'You know, I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but when was the last time you had sex?'<br /></span><br /><span style="color:#33cc00;">'Not since 1955, ma'am.'<br /></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcccc;">'Well, there you are. No wonder you're so serious. You really need to chill out! I mean, no sex since 1955!'<br /></span><br />She took his hand and led him to a private room where she proceeded to 'relax' him several times. Afterwards, panting for breath, she leaned against his bare chest and said, <span style="color:#ffcccc;">'Wow, you sure didn't forget much since 1955.'<br /></span><br />The Sergeant Major said in his serious voice, after glancing at his watch,<span style="color:#33cc00;"> 'I hope not; it's only 2130 now.'<br /></span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">(Gotta love military time)</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div class='adsense' style='text-align:center; padding: 0px 3px 0.5em 3px;'>
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</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07709698184181777037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19325750.post-44456456049886640402010-01-03T17:30:00.001-05:002010-01-03T17:33:09.030-05:00Something to make you giggle...<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tgbNymZ7vqY&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tgbNymZ7vqY&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div class='adsense' style='text-align:center; padding: 0px 3px 0.5em 3px;'>
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</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07709698184181777037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19325750.post-11939155061469651042009-12-08T13:25:00.002-05:002009-12-08T13:33:34.301-05:00Remember The Troops This Christmas...Click on the title to see a great video. My husband is home with us this Christmas, but thousands of soldiers are away from their families and this time of the year is the hardest part of a deployment.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div class='adsense' style='text-align:center; padding: 0px 3px 0.5em 3px;'>
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</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07709698184181777037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19325750.post-7300921001708266042009-07-10T01:41:00.001-04:002009-07-10T01:44:31.091-04:00To Lighten the Mood...<div align="center">The other day I had lunch with 2 of my unmarried friends.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffcccc;">One is engaged, one is a mistress, and of course I have<br />been married for 20+ years.<br /></span> <br /><span style="color:#66ff99;">We were chatting about our <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">relationships</span> and decided to<br />amaze our men by wearing a black leather bra & bodice,<br />stiletto heels and a mask over just our eyes.</span> <span style="color:#ffff00;">We agreed to<br />meet in a few days to exchange notes.<br />Here's how it all went:<br /></span> <br /><span style="color:#ff9966;">My engaged friend:<br />The other night my boyfriend came over and found me wearing<br />a black leather bodice, tall stilettos and a mask.<br />He saw me and said, 'You are the woman of my dreams.<br />I love you.' Then we made love all night long.<br /> <br /></span><span style="color:#3366ff;">The mistress:<br />Me too! The other night I met my lover at his office and<br />I was wearing the leather bodice, heels and mask<br />over my eyes and a raincoat. When I opened the raincoat he<br />didn't say a word, but we had wild sex all night.<br /> <br /></span><span style="color:#ff6666;">Then I had to share my story:<br />When my husband came home I was wearing the leather bodice,<br />black stockings, stilettos and a mask over my eyes. As soon<br />as he came in the door and saw me he said… <br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff6666;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">"What's for dinner, Batman?"</span> </span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div class='adsense' style='text-align:center; padding: 0px 3px 0.5em 3px;'>
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</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07709698184181777037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19325750.post-78097365090477951002009-07-08T04:45:00.002-04:002009-07-08T04:50:42.820-04:00Once again...Trying to shut up those who believe an unborn child is STILL a child... Because why should freedom of expression run BOTH ways, right? Just click on the title to read the whole story...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div class='adsense' style='text-align:center; padding: 0px 3px 0.5em 3px;'>
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</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07709698184181777037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19325750.post-38571628870644367192009-07-06T14:04:00.000-04:002009-07-06T14:06:20.830-04:00ACLU Nutjobs are at it again! Leave our Veterans ALONE!<object height="315" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NeuBB_mOFIA&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NeuBB_mOFIA&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="315"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div class='adsense' style='text-align:center; padding: 0px 3px 0.5em 3px;'>
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</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07709698184181777037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19325750.post-67324004975739326152009-06-24T21:31:00.001-04:002009-06-24T21:32:42.477-04:00Twitter kicks *ss! (grin) and youtube rocks too...<object height="285" width="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Q3puJa2EfcM&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Q3puJa2EfcM&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="340" height="285"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div class='adsense' style='text-align:center; padding: 0px 3px 0.5em 3px;'>
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</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07709698184181777037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19325750.post-38286534649367602742009-06-21T01:36:00.002-04:002009-06-21T01:39:30.670-04:00Happy Father's Day...<p align="center"><object height="285" width="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nX4QVGykIA4&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nX4QVGykIA4&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="340" height="285"></embed></object></p><p align="center">I love you Daddy! Thank you for always being there and loving me... even the times it drove both of us nuts!</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div class='adsense' style='text-align:center; padding: 0px 3px 0.5em 3px;'>
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</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07709698184181777037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19325750.post-7400056856289956512009-06-05T22:17:00.001-04:002009-06-05T22:19:11.550-04:00Always Remember...<object height="285" width="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bcGIK6ktgwA&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bcGIK6ktgwA&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="340" height="285"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div class='adsense' style='text-align:center; padding: 0px 3px 0.5em 3px;'>
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</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07709698184181777037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19325750.post-12974774094437005382009-05-10T21:38:00.002-04:002009-05-10T21:41:31.290-04:00Just The Thing For Mother's Day! (SMIRK)Doug Powers made me giggle today...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div class='adsense' style='text-align:center; padding: 0px 3px 0.5em 3px;'>
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</div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07709698184181777037noreply@blogger.com0