Happy Birthday Jake!

*Warning...Medically graphic photos included in this blog.

Congratulations to my friend's baby Jacob! He made it to his first Birthday! A MAJOR milestone in his young life. He was born with a severe Omphalocele. (His internal organs were outside of his body.) Reaching his first birthday is a major step in his recovery. The bigger he gets the better his chances for a normal life. He's even got to the point where he can tolerate small bites of baby food to supplement his tube feedings. We almost lost him 3 times in his first year. He's quite the little fighter. Thanks to all of you who have sent your thoughts and prayers his way. He's living proof that miracles do happen. You can see his before and after pictures to see how far he's come since he was born a year ago.

Here he is at birth and as he is today:

The Deer strike back!

Well, so far its humans 6 - deer 4.

I got a call this afternoon. Yet another deer has committed suicide by jumping in front of my father's truck. Between the two of them, my parents have sent 4 deer to the great cornfield in the sky. The deer however have claimed 3 vehicles. (The Taurus, the town car, and now the truck.) Dollar wise, I would say the deer have the advantage as only 1 of the vehicles has been repairable.

Suzy Homemaker?

With the help of caffeine, some protein, and massive amounts of Tylenol, I finally managed to master the migraine. The headache from hell is now a dull throb, that while painful is something I can live with.

So, I celebrated the fact that I could now hold my head up without agony by turning into Suzy Homemaker. I cleaned (even vacuumed), I cooked (venison stew and chili, plus a pumpkin spice desert,) and finished up some last minute shopping that I needed to take care of.

I come from a long line of good cooks. But, the other half of my genetics comes from a longer line of bad cooks. I personally fall somewhere in the middle. In other words, I can follow the directions on the box really well. I have had my fair share of successes and dismal failures in the kitchen. There are the "can't miss" recipes and the "What in the heck were you thinking?" ones. I'll admit to setting off the fire alarm at least twice..(this month!)

I also sorted through my closet. I got a good laugh at myself when I realized that I still have clothes that I got in the 1980's. I guess I'm more of a pack rat than I thought. 75% of the stuff doesn't even fit anymore. Perhaps I'll put it for sale on ebay and make a killing on "vintage" clothes. There's the fat clothes, the work clothes, the skinny clothes that I'm dieting to fit into, the fall/winter clothes and then the summer wardrobe. Then there's the shoes. I only wear 3 - 5 of pairs that I own. The tennis shoes, the black flats, and the brown low heals are my standard day to day wear. With the Black strappy heels and the flip flops as needed. I also have the standard pairs of boots since I do live in a state that is covered with snow for at least 5 months of the year. There's the dressy boots to wear with dressy clothes and the thinsulate camo boots for tromping around in the woods during hunting season.

I read alot (about a book and a half a day.) So, while cleaning I boxed up about 3 boxes of books. My favorite is mystery/suspense, but fiction in general is my norm. One whole wall in my apartment is covered with shelves and shelves of books. If anyone would like some books, let me know. I have a ton that I'd like to get rid of. People give me books all the time, so there is a wide selection to choose from if you want them. Just let me know.

Well gang, I have to go exercise. I have to do extra miles tonight due to taking time off due to the migraine. Hope you all have a good day! Talk at ya later!