Have a cup...with a little "extra"

I have to share these with you. I love them! I actually won them in one of those "white elephant" gift exchanges at Christmas. My brother and his wife got them with some flavored coffee as a gift. Apparently, they were too much for their tastes. So they put them in the gift exchange (which was supposed to be gag gifts). I jumped at the chance to have them, and they even came with a bottle of Bailey's! (I gave the Bailey's to my dad, I can't stand that stuff).

How can you not smile when looking at them? They're so darn cute!

toodles....Sandi

5 days

Have you ever wanted to fall on your knees, cry and beg God for answers? That's where I've been frequently over the last 5 days.

I know He has a plan, and it's not our place to question that plan. But I'm not perfect, and I'm questioning that plan. Does it make me a hypocrite? I don't particularly care at this moment.

I have seen unspeakable things in 5 short days, but I to speak about them to you. My heart is breaking, and I need to get some of this out before I shatter.

I held the hand of a 12 year old girl, as she sat stoically and explained how she became pregnant by her father.

I held a sobbing, shocked and angry mom as she tried to listen to that girl. She is still terrified that she "let this happen" to her baby. No one knew, until I asked the girl where her bruises came from, and why she looked so sad.

That mom and daughter? They are facing years of questions, emotions, stares, nightmares and therapy. What will become of the baby? I don't honestly know, because its fate has yet to be determined. What will happen to the "father?" a few years of prison, maybe. MAYBE.

I will NOT tell you the graphic things that I WANT to happen to him. He doesn't deserve that much of my time.

And we've all been reading about the mom who drove off of a bridge, killing herself and 3 of her kids. Tragedy seems to be leaking out of the deep lines carved into the canvas of mother nature's ancient trees.

To add a massive dose of tissue filled crying to your otherwise "normal" day, this morning I received a phone call. A pastor asked me to sing at a funeral. Gratis, because I refuse to take money for giving of the gift God gave me.

And then, he told me it was a baby. A little boy. Let's just let that sink in a moment.

I'm not going to give details on why this precious child passed, privacy and respect for the grieving family are paramount. But it's very, very sad. And I couldn't say no.

These are all things that make me want to hold my little boy. I want to keep jim home from school, and never let him out of my sight. Five days of heart squeezing, cheek kissing and hand holding...to help heal what's been broken.

I know that five days of smothering my child with hugs and kisses will not change the last five days, but I'm holding on to it. I'm holding on to the hope and love he brings me. And I'm holding on tight.

--Sandi

OKLAHOMA!!! (beware of boobie pics)

Spring Break this year took MrZ and I to Oklahoma. He had a blast. He asked to do 2 things: milk a cow and go exploring. Right away, I called my mom (who we would be staying with) and let her know his hopes. She called around, and found a friend of my uncle that owns a dairy farm. This was exciting news for him! He was able to feed some calves from a bottle of milk. They were so adorable. We toured the barn that housed the milking machines, and got up close and personal. I'm so glad my nipples don't droop like this:

We also stopped at Bedre Chocolate Factory. This place makes chocolate covered Pringles people. Let me say that again, so it can roll off my tongue...Chocolate covered Pringles. MMMMmmmm So good.

Mom's house is in the country, and was covered with wildflowers, and gorgeous scenery.

And MrZ was able to use his "exploring" binoculars and compass to roam around the acres of land that Mom lives on. He had so much fun, and is counting the days until he can go back. So am I....So. Am. I.

It was a great Spring Break!

toodles....Sandi

Take The Pledge with me!

I'm taking the pledge. I haven't been attacked on my blog. But I have read many comments on blogs that I follow that left me truly shocked. Here is the pledge (started by Elizabeth from: the Elizabeth Flora Ross blog):

I am a proud Mommy Blogger. I will conduct myself with integrity in all my blogging activities. I can lead by example.

I pledge to treat my fellow moms with respect. I will acknowledge that there is no one, "right" way to be a good Mom. Each woman makes the choices best for her family.

I believe a healthy dialogue on important issues is a good thing. I will welcome differing opinions when offered in a respectful, non-judgmental manner. And will treat those who do so in kind.

I stand up against online bullying. My blog is my space. I will not tolerate comments that are rude, condescending or disrespectful.

I refuse to give those who attack a platform. I will remove their remarks from my blog with no mention or response. I can take control.

I want to see moms work together to build one another up, not tear each other down. Words can be used as weapons. I will not engage in that behavior.

I affirm that we are a community. As a member, I will strive to foster goodwill among moms. Together, we can make a difference. *

Many of these statements can be applied to every day life. Like the issues that I am having with the PTA at my son's school. Many of you who follow me on Twitter know how awful and downright rudely I have been treated by those ladies. It's not the same as the mommy blogger problems, but I feel like I can relate. I don't want anyone to feel as angry, sad, disturbed, hurt, or shunned as I have been made to feel.

SO I AM TAKING THE PLEDGE!!!

*the pledge is an excerpt from www.efloraross.com where more information can be found

Toodles....Sandi

My Goodness! I'm not here!

Ladies and gentlemen, I am sending you over to Jami's blog: BoyCrazedMomma. I am guest posting for my very first time while she is on vacation! I'm so excited! Go see how badly my kiddo drives me insane sometimes. I got a little "out there" when we were stuck with cabin fever!

Funny stuff! Enjoy peeking around on her blog, her little boy is a-dor-a-ble! I am so stinkin' freaked out that she let me guest post for her!

And look for a post about my little one getting to milk his very first cow. I hope it sprays him in the nose (giggle).

toodles....Sandi

Happy Birthday

Today is my gorgeous sister's birthday! She's one of the most beautiful people that I have ever had the pleasure to be related to. I hope she has a wonderful day, as she truly deserves it.

She's a great mom. She's a loving wife. She's a steadfast friend to those lucky enough to have her as one. She's a caring daughter. She's a sweet sister. She's an aunt that is simply adored.

Happy birthday Sis!

Toodles....Sandi

I had NO idea water could KILL me!

That's right, I said it could kill me. You see, a little over a month ago, I was diagnosed with Acute Kidney Failure. Along with the kidney stones I had to pass, painfully.

I learned all kinds of things from that damned nephrologist. Such as: my kidneys were not processing potassium, or water. I had to start taking phosphate blockers. I had to limit the amount of liquids I put in my body, because my kidneys were apparently opposed to filtering those fluids so the pee can flow. These were among the many things that I set upon, at the doctors insistence.

No more beef, chicken or salmon....too much protein.

No more high potassium fruits or veggies.

No more high sodium foods or liquids...they make you retain water.

I was so limited on water/liquids, that I started every day with a set amount. When that ran out, I went to bed, lest I be dying of thirst. I had sugar free hard candies (to deter thirst). I was told to brush my teeth every couple of hours (to deter thirst).

Life pretty much sucked. Until I was told it was a misdiagnosis. Yes, you read that correctly. They missed what was causing my symptoms, and the slight blood work alterations. It was something else altogether. I don't want to get into that one...its another post entirely.

I just wanted you to know that I am ok...now. And I can drink all the water I want to again. I missed it. A lot.

toodles....Sandi

This post is part of the TRDC writing prompts.

The assignment:

Water gives life. It also takes it away. Write a short piece - fiction or non-fiction - inspired by one or both of these statements.