The last day of 2008 - bring out your noise makers!

This is the last video/picture I took this year so enjoy it. This is my baby and she is awesome but Mommy forgot to charge her camera battery. For some reason I never took my camera out of my purse after this, not at work not at home and not driving around town. I never seemed to be able to get into the Christmas mood so I took no pictures. I made my purchases and bought everybody what they wanted. We had a beautiful Christmas Dinner prepared by my hubby and children but I still wasn't into it. Work was great but my Christmas presents still sit in the back of my car. Call me Scrouge I guess. I just don't feel it.

I am glad this is the last day of 2008. I need 2009 to be better. I need less stress and more cooperation at home and at work. I need the economy to get better but I know it wont. I need peace in my part of the world but I know I will go to work tonight and the people in my jurisdiction will just try to kill themselves or each other because 2008 was just too much for them to take. The suicides and the attempts are unbelievable this year.

2008 has been a year of desperation for many. I am not desperate, my life is pretty much what it has always been, making ends meet. Living on the edge but managing to hang on day after day is what I do. It would be nice to feel more secure about my life and finances but I don't think that will ever happen so I will keep on doing what I always do but in 2009 I will try harder to pay more attention and to not always leave everything to fate. Sometimes a phone call or the right question can make a world of difference in my day or for someone else. I will try to make sure the trains in my part of the world move a little bit faster and more on time. I don't know if I can do it but I am going to try.

Happy New Years Eve! Good Bye 2008, it's been fun and I'll miss you but I'm ready for to see what 2009 has in store for me. I might even take more pictures.

To all my family, friends and the occasional reader I wish you a wonderful holiday season and the hope that 2009 brings you peace and joy in your part of the world.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Waiting.

I spent yesterday waiting. No sleep, dog tired and my brains in hyper mush mode, I drove to Sanford/Orlando Airport to pick up my hubby from his hunting trip/vacation from his family. I left early and arrived as not one but two Alleigent airplanes hit the runway. I have to admit I was very excited when I saw those planes coming in. I have missed my husband a little. He keeps me and our children balanced.

Thanksgiving was not the same with him missing from the kitchen. My turkey was okay but he is a much better cook than I am. He is scratch and I am instant.

Not thinking about the text message he sent me about them leaving Springfield late, I drove through the unloading zone harassing the airport police at least a hundred times. It finally dawned on me after I received no responses to my text that it was possible his plane had not landed.

So I waited, and waited and waited some more. The plane finally landed and Hubby is home. We did'nt get home until 5:30pm but we did make it home.

I hate sharing pillows, he is such a bed hog, he harasses the children and he occasionally stinks but it is so nice to have him home.

The Desert Inn

We took a break from work this weekend and traveled to Orlando for Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios barring a little hiccup with dog sitting, the weekend was pretty good. However the highlight of our eating experience during this trip was on our way home at a quaint little scary looking infamous place called the Desert Inn in Yeehaw Junction. I have driven past this place for years but have never been brave enough to stop.



The hand of fate (an argument over Golden Corral vs Denny's) guided us to this little oasis in the middle of no where. This small greasy spoon is a family business. Mom cooking and daughter serving. I heard a small child in the back playing.

The interior was very unique. We were greeted by two Native Americans, they looked to be Seminole from their dress. They were polite and very quiet.



There was what I like to call an anti graffiti manikin in the ladies bathroom and spiders hanging from the ceiling by threads. I scared Erin and all I had to do was tell her to look up.....



The service was slow and needs improvement but the food was home cooked and good. It was hot and filling and exactly as I excepted it to be. I love grits... no instant here. Hot and right off the burner. I did not have the sausage and gravy but the boys seemed impressed and left very little trace of it on their plates. Kasia had waffles that were fresh from the iron. They were fluffy and golden brown. Beth was pretty sure the biscuits were hand made.



I believe the next time we travel up the turnpike we will wait for the Yeehaw Junction exit and eat at the Desert Inn.

P.S. It is also report that this structure is haunted. It was used as a bordello in the 1930s and a few people died here. We did not see anything during our visit but who knows what we might see or hear the next time.

Alien Fungus Amongst Us!

 

My daughter found this thing growing in our yard this afternoon. After a brief google search I believe this is what is called a stinkhorn mushroom.

Busy Day

I know I promised more pictures today and I know its getting late. I finally managed to upload on Flickr and I am trying to finish uploading on Youtube but the internet is so slow today.

I spent all morning standing in the rain in front Isolla Bella off 25th st. Our friends are on vacation out of state and their house flooded. There was at least 3 feet of water inside the house. My brave family had to wade in chest deep water to get to the house.



They recovered a lot of property but only managed to find one of their cats.



The media was every where. CNN showed up and took an air boat through the worst hit areas off Bell Ave.



Ellie and I tried to stay out of their way. Al though I was a little disappointed they did not capture Erin carrying a cat through waist deep water. I was lazy and only caught her walking up through the cars. My brave baby was drenched but happy she found at least one of the cats.

For all Ellie's friends, here is your school. It looks wet but seems okay even if it was built near a swamp.



I got the call a little while ago, our EOC was activated. A state of emergency has been issued. There is the threat of 6 more inches of rain over night and tomorrow. Which means more houses will flood and more people will be displaced. It is going to be a long week.



I hope the EOC parking lot is not so flooded tomorrow.

P.S. See my Youtube for videos.... There lame but who cares. Just Click on the Title Busy Day. For some reason 5 of 5 wont upload so I will try again later.

Can you believe it is still raining!

Faye, Faye Go Away

It is still raining. I just let the dogs out in the pouring rain because they could not stand it anymore. I have no idea when they went out last. It stopped raining about 4pm maybe a little earlier but not by much then it started up again at about 6:30. It has not let up. There was no school today and there will be no school tomorrow. St Lucie County is closed all the roads are flooded.



Our parking lot is flooded. I almost had to wade to my car this afternoon.



But Susan was nice enough to wade through the water in her goulashes and drive it up to the back door of the center. I Love Susan!!!!



I was able to drive home almost totally dry. Thank you Susan. I will add video tomorrow bit tonight I am tired so off to bed I go. I hope it's not raining in the morning.

Vacation in Missouri

Why Missouri? Why not!



We have friends that have purchased a cabin in the Ozark Mountains near a town called Brixey population 5. They are constantly talking about how great it is in the Mountains. They also told us about a house and acreage that was for sale for the right buyer. So we went to take a look.



This trip was an adventure to say the least. I thought I was never going to find a decent place to stay. I finally found a cabin in a place called Dawt Mills. It was a thriving little town many years ago. Now it is a jumping point for canoing, rafting and trout fishing. They have a campground, hotel and two cabins. We stayed in the Dinnell Cabin. It was originally a one roomed structure that has been added onto over the years. It was very rustic but very comfortable.



They have a small store, restaurant and the old mill and sits right on the water. Very cold water I might add.



Once we were settled; we started exploring the area. We ate at the Tecumseh Grill our first night in town. I wish I took a picture of the restaurant; it was very unique. We had a decent meal of Cornish Hen and the owner's special was fried fruit pies. Elizabeth fell in love with the peach fried pie.



We went into Gainesville the next morning population 632 which is the county seat of Ozark County. This is a very small town. We left there after eating breakfast at Skeeter's and went to see if we could find Brixey. We wanted to take a look at the house. We did not find it or should I say we could not find the trail that took us up to the house. We went back to Dawt Mill and grilled out that night and hung out in the cabin. Erin kept trying to catch fireflies.



Then next morning we went to Rockbridge so Fred could fish for Trout. We had to ride through Brixey and this time we found the hidden driveway and drove our brand new Chrysler 300 touring edition rental car up a heavily overgrown driveway .6 miles until not one but two trees in the driveway made us stop.



We were able to move the first obstacle among many we encountered but the large oak put a stop to our car and we walked the last 100 or so feet to the house.



We were pleasantly surprised at how well maintained the house is. It is only a 2 bedroom 1 bath but it is nice. It needs some work but not much.



It has a huge garage and several other out buildings that I was too afraid to look at. There were spiders every where and I pulled 2-3 ticks off me. Yukky.



We have decided we can not pass up this opportunity.

The going back down the driveway after the difficulty drive up was easy once the trail was blazed but the poor car needed some TLC.



Fred did try to go fishing. After going through all the trouble of registering and finding a spot then unpacking his gear he climbed into the water and went almost immediately into hypothermia. We found a spot where he could stand on the bank and fish. He had no luck. It was too hot for the fish to bite we were told.



That's okay we still had fun and I took a lot of pictures.

Our time in Missouri flew by and after the little disaster with Cujo running off made the rest of our time in Missouri good at best. We packed up Saturday morning and spent the night in Springfield. We shopped all afternoon then ate dinner downtown at a trendy steak joint called the flame.

The Flame was expensive but awesome. Erin my very picky steak eater ordered the 8oz fillet. It was awesome to watch her face light up with delight at the first taste of her steak. I ordered the 14oz Kansas strip and was not disappointed. We had an appetizer of fried portabello mushrooms that were also awesome. Everything seemed to be freshly prepared and the service was great. We will definitely eat here again next time we are in Springfield.



The flight was almost uneventful. It was fun the crew as very funny and spent the majority of the flight selling raffle tickets and handing out souvenirs as the prices. We won a Florida towel Yeah! The only bad part was the young couple I sat next to. Thank God it was only a 2 hour flight is all I am going to say.

We had a good time overall and I can't wait to go back again.

Cujo is home.

We don't know where he was but he came home about 1:30am this morning. Seamus and Zach woke me up barking. Cujo was standing at the front door no worse for wear. He was very tired and very thirsty.

After three days we were loosing hope. We are happy and a little amazed that he is home and the first thing we do today is make sure the fence is fixed.

Cujo - Lost Dog

We are still in Missouri trying to enjoy what is left of our vacation.

Yesterday our dogs got loose. Seamus and Zach were brought home but Cujo is no where to be found. He was last seen in the area of 19th/Virginia Ave. If anyone sees him please let us know.

He looks like a large Lab but is a Great Dane/Rottie mix. He is black but has a white blaze on his chest. He is @ 100lbs and is wearing an orange collar. He will be 4 years old tomorrow.

We will be home tomorrow and would love to have him there to greet us.

The Mall

My children dragged me to the mall last weekend. We were there for over 4 hours shopping. First we browsed. We started at one end and went to the other looking and comparing prices. I even tried on a few items and made a few purchases.

Then we stopped for lunch.

We headed back to the other end of the mall stopping, trying on more clothes and making more purchases.

Shopping is exhausting and now I remember why I don't like to shop. Not only did my feet hurt after it was all over but I had to call the fire department to put out the fire in my wallet. My credit card will never be the same.

My daughters ran from my camera but I snapped this pic while Lizzie's friend wasn't looking.

Our new addition - Seamus

 

My husband found a puppy on the street the other day and of course my answer to his question was no puppys! I know they are cute but they chew on everything. We are going on vacation in about two weeks and having a new puppy roaming unchecked in the house while we are gone is not my idea of a relaxing vacation. I will be worried enough leaving the dogs home with my son in charge.

Sorry...... off track a little.

My husband is dropping off the puppy at the humane society and he sees a beautiful German Shepard. He grabs Cujo and the girls the next day to see this very pretty dog. I get a phone call several hours later and I am told we have a new family member. My girls love him and Cujo is tolerant. Zach, well Zach is happy as long as there is no thunder involved.

Seamus is a great dog. He is 4 years old. He gets along with everyone. Unfortunately, he likes to sleep on things like the beds and the couch. Mostly, he sleeps in the hallway at night in between the kids rooms. He like to inspect Erin's room at night and in the morning when she gets up. He has a few quirks but he does not chew. My shoes are safe and hopefully so is the furniture.

Seamus

Internet Pirates on YouTube Beware!!!!

YO HO! YO HO! A Pirates Life for Me!!!!! (Click on title for News Article)

Actually, I have never uploaded anything on YouTube but I frequently browse it's user's videos. I love the funny commercials especially the European ones.

It just amazes me how Viacom (dictator of all that's holy and sacred), continues to poor cash into fighting piracy. This is not even real piracy. You turn on your T.V. and entertainment is relatively free as long as you don't forget to pay your cable bill. T.V is nothing more than airwaves that are plucked out of the sky and reassembled on your T.V. In fact, satellite is free if you have the right equipment (equipment which is legal to buy but illegal to use very much like fireworks in Florida).

Now there is this new web site called HULU.com (t.v. on demand). It is the best thing since key lime pie in my book. So I have to watch a few commercials, I can deal with that. If Viacom is not already a part of HULU.com then they should be. And maybe they could learn to over look the few couch potatoes that get a kick out of recording T.V. for replay on YouTube. I mean come on join the real world of Tivo and 24 hour schedules. We no longer live in an 8-5 world anymore.

Viacom needs to spend there money on producing entertainment and making more money and stop worrying about the little people. This lawsuit is nothing more than another witch hunt like the RIAA'S. They spent a ton of cash suing people who had nothing????? Okay, I have to give Viacom a little more credit they are suing YouTube /Google but after they finish off YouTube and acquire all YouTube's user information (mine included), who do you think this giant is going to go after next?

Change the World......

 

with a random act of kindness. It's as easy as smiling and saying "Hi". Hold open a door or say "Thank you.", just be nice. It is amazing how much better I feel about myself when I am nice. It is amazing how one small gesture can change a person's out look towards life. Just one simple random act of kindness can change not only the world but even the way we individually look at people and ourselves.

Be nice, it really is easier than being mean..........

A Day in the Life of 911

Here we sit day after day
waiting to hear all the people complain
"the neighbor's dog is barking too loud"
or "a group of kids are starting to crowd"
We listen intently to every word
the screaming the crying the poor injured bird
Dreading that call, when it comes in
where you have to locate the next of kin
It is in those days my sadness grows
my feelings and spirits brought to new lows
I tell myself that what I do is in need
and the things that I hear day after day i should heed
Child molesters, murderers, rapists and such
some days to bare it seems too much
Twelve long hours of tears, fears and rage
how quickly the stress does have me age
Am I appreciated for the job that I've done?
A day in the life at 911

By Annessa Tompkins


My friend wrote this the other day after she took a disturbing call. I really love it and she said I could share it.

Fog? No it's Smoke!

 

Or Smog maybe. I woke up this morning to the nasty smell of smoke. I open my bedroom door and my sinuses started running. Even my dog Zack has issues with the haze that laid in my yard this morning. He went out adn right back inside. There are brush fires all over Florida and this smoke is coming from Pahokee. Not that we havent had our own flare ups all weekend.

I tried to get a decent picture of the smoke. This one will have to do. If you look there is a phone tower in the distance.

Look. Look hard. It's there. Double click on the picture to get a better view.

The breeze has picked up some and we are hoping for rain but until now it stinks around here.

A day of Relaxation.

This is my favorite sunrise photo. When I look at it I imagine myself sitting on the cold early morning sand with my arms wrapped around my legs trying to stay warm. The cool ocean breeze gently caressing my face. If I close my eyes I can smell the salty tang of the ocean. The tide is just starting to recede leaving pristine and untouched beach sand waiting for the first footprints of the day.

I am so glad I have a day off. I am so tired. I am training and it is going very well but I was starting to get stressed from answering phones. It was starting to show. Silly people drive me nuts.

My schedule has been a little hectic this week and I have put in as much overtime as I can work and I am just done. Today is a day of rest and tomorrow I start it all over again.

I think I am going to sit here for a while relax, listen to the seagulls and the crashing of the waves.

Spring Sunrise!

  Another georgeous sunrise from the Treasure Coast.......

Lakewood Park Brush Fire

We left 'Archies' after a wonderfully glutinous lunch of beer, bacon cheeseburgers and wings. As we drove over South Bridge we noticed smoke. Where there is smoke there is fire so we drove north west looking for the 'inferno'. We finally found it up on Indrio Rd in Lakewood Park......Sorry no flames I tried to con Fred into trespassing but the kids kept begging to go home. There bellies were full and they were tired. Teenagers and their nap times can be frustrating.



Forestry Chopper dropping water



The sky is so pretty.



FHPL blocking the road for Fire Department....Where's SLCSO?

Victory Forge Military Academy in Port St Lucie

I vaguely know of this facility. I only am aware of it through my job so I am not surprised that many residents do not know it exists. I have had parents on different occasions ask about military academy's for their children and have had little information to give them but what one can locate in the yellow pages or the internet.

Now I am very familiar with DCF and these are regular folk like you and me trying to do their job. Unfortunately, this type of job can leave little room for error like my own. There is no room for personal opinions and beliefs. I need to know has the law been broken?

Just because as a parent I give my permission to the handcuff and detain my child, is my written permission enough?

I went through Florida statute and I can't find anything that indicates this is specifically illegal. However read Florida State Statue 39.001 Purposes and intent; personnel standards and screening.

Loose definition - Abuse is determined by DCF and the Sate of Florida.

Federal Guidelines dictate:

"The new protections establish two sets of standards, depending on the type of facility. One applies to "non-medical community-based facilities for children and youth." The facilities will be defined in regulations and will include group homes and the like. The other set applies to any health care facility that receives federal appropriated funds, such as a public or private general hospital, an intermediate-care facility or other health care facility. All must comply with the general principle of protecting and promoting the right to be free from restraints and seclusion for purposes of discipline or convenience.

The statute requires that seclusion and restraint be used only:

* to ensure the physical safety of the individual or others; and
* subject to a written order by a physician or other licensed practitioner permitted by the facility and state law. In most cases, the written order will be obtained soon after the restraint or seclusion is initiated by staff. "


Personally and my children know this and believe this, I will use restraints to keep them safe and will give permission for the same to a military academy if I felt the need to send my child to one. However, I hope I have raised my children with respect and given them enough freedom to choose for themselves the path of right and wrong. I will do what ever I have can to make sure my children abide the law and it is no ones business how I raise my children as long as they are not harmed or in any danger of being harmed excluding corporal punishment - spankings (I am a firm believer in 'spare the rod spoil the child'). It would be nice if Florida law was a little more specific like federal guide lines. I know it would make me feel better than having to rely on another person's opinion or beliefs as to whether I was abusive or not.

You Can Run But You Cant Hide...........

My daughters are the worst. They are so pretty and I love to take pictures of them but bring a camera anywhere near them and they throw up the arm, turn away or flat out run away.


I keep trying though.



I will get my pictures whether she likes it or not.



Maybe not......................

Winner - Florida Shine Team wins a phone call from Bucky Covington and Name that Picture Contest.

And the winner is Moon with "Where the heck is Rocky going with MY bike?"

Congratulations!!!

Moon needs to send me her address for her 8X10 glossy!!!!!

My team the gals from Florida Shine did it again. We posted the mostest so we win a phone call from Bucky Covington. I want to thank anyone who helped by posting or visiting the widget. I also want to thank Bucky's fans for working so hard at taking Bucky into the top ten by holding a little contest. I took this picture of Bucky in Zellwood, Florida last summer. It is the most popular picture on my flickr account.

This picture needs a name.

Please send me your great ideas. I will pick the best name with the help of my very picky daughters and send the winner an 8 x 10 glossy of this picture.

I will make the deadline Sunday evening 11pm on April 20th eastern standard time and announce the winner on Monday afternoon April 21st.

Good Luck!!!!!

I have a new title!

I mentioned earlier that I had some news but I have yet to figure out if this is good news or bad news. I am excited but a little upset all at the same time because my "promotion" for a lack of a better word came at the expense of another.

I am now the "Assistant Training Supervisor".

I get to train. I get to train from point A to point Z.

What have I gotten myself into.

I have less than 2 weeks to ammend my training manual for one on one training. This was the idea that I came up with so SURPRISE! I get to implement it. I am very pleased and happy that my boss likes my ideas and has given me so much support. But, I really think I have chewed off a large chunck. I admit I am not prepared for complete and total control over such an important aspect of the center.

I do not want to let this go to my head as if that was possible. I am terrified I am going to screw up. There are so many things I would like to see change but I am afraid if I move to fast I will be pushy but if I choose to move cautiously I will be over run. I guess I will settle for doing the best job I can and hope for the best. Wish me luck!!!!