Update

Well, it's been almost 2 months since my last blog, so I guess I'd better update. Alabama won the SEC championship and is now #1 in the nation. ROLL TIDE!!! My health is improving and I'm feeling better than I have in almost 2 years (other than the fact that I have to get my gallbladder out next week). My grandbabies are wonderful. I will post new pictures soon. My kids are doing well, too. It's been 20 years and I am still in love with my husband. Except he's a JERK because we've been dieting and he's lost about 50 pounds, while I've only lost around 20! I took my last final of the semester today. Whoo hoo! Of course, I don't know if I passed my classes yet but will find out in a week or so. The University of Alabama is WAY harder than the University of Phoenix was! Next semester I have American History, American Lit, Pre-Calculus, and Biology, Part II (that's IF I passed Biology, Part I). As of today, I am officially off from school until January 6th. I'm so excited, but I won't know what to do with myself because there won't be anything to do in the evenings. All of my tv shows have ended their seasons. Here's the recap: Biggest Loser -- I really didn't want that arrogant, conceited girl to win!!! Brothers and Sisters -- Is Kitty going to die? If so, I'll take Robert, LOL! Desperate Housewives -- Will everyone live? That show is SO much better than I ever thought it would be! Oh yeah, update on the brat cats. There are no breakable ornaments on my tree this year. They think decorating the tree is a game. I decorate it -- and they undecorate it! And I caught one of the laying across a row of branches! And Esme keeps jumping up on top of the bird's cages and then getting on the fireplace mantel. Alice, my blue-eyed hound dog is SO much better than the brat cats! If I tell her to go and sit on her blanket, she will. And she has to be covered up at night by blankets. The birds are good, but loud. We never did get the two other parrots that the lady at church was going to give us. Did you know we have a squirrel? Her name is Buzz. Chris brought her to us a couple of weeks before he died. Buster has that squirrel spoiled rotten! (But she loves "the Mama" too!) Oh well, guess I'll go to bed. Love to all! Mary in Alabama Guess that's all for now.

Updates

Sorry...it's been WAY too long since I blogged. Today makes 20 years since mine and Buster's first date. 20 years...can you believe it? Me, neither. I am so thankful that God put him in my life. The times haven't always been easy but we have made it through them together. And I love him even more than I did then. Addisyn is 10 months old and likes her Grammy now. I can say, "Where's Pop-Pop?" and she looks around for Buster. Oh, and she LOVES craft shows. We spent 4 hours at one last month and she was SO good! She looks just like a little baby doll with her dark hair and pretty blue eyes. Bryant is 5 1/2 and in kindergarten. I am constantly amazed at his vocabulary. Brandalyn is 9 1/2 (OMG! She's 9 1/2!!!!) and just so wonderful. We recently spent an afternoon working on Halloween decorations for my house. I would 10 times rather have something my grandkids made than any of the fancy decorations in the world. We glittered some ghosts ... and there was glitter everywhere -- especially all over the ghosts and all over the table & floor. The ghosts are cute. I'll post some pictures soon. Then they painted. Bryant painted a little vampire boy and Brandalyn painted a little girl witch. I'll post pictures of those, too. They're cute. They also each painted a wooden pumpkin. Yes, I'll be posting pictures of those, too. They made such cute decorations in my living room. Kyle's girlfriend Annette has a little boy named Justin that will soon turn 2. When they get married someday, he will be my grandson. And I am SO excited about that because he is so CUTE! I love being a grandma -- I want at least 100

My Exciting News

Well, it's official ... I got my acceptance certificate from The University of Alabama today and should start next week for my online Bachelor's in General Business. It's a thrill for someone my age (50) to get accepted at a major university. ROLL TIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so thrilled and can now pick at Bob all the time about Ohio State.

Words of Wisdom

On Saturday I bought a Karen Kingbury's book that I'd never read before. It was a fictional story about a guy whose firefighter father had been killed in the 9/11 attacks. After the attacks, the man became a policeman to help fight crime and prevent other people from losing their loved ones to criminals and terrorists. One thing that really stayed with me from the book was the concept that in this world it is not our main job to focus on trying to stop all the evil in the world. Instead, our main job is to focus on trying to stop all of the evil inside of ourselves. WOW! What a concept! What words of wisdom! When we look inside ourselves and get rid of the junk and nastiness, then we show the world what being a Christian is truly all about. How we are inside is what people notice. A cop could put every criminal in the world in jail, but if the cop is evil and nasty inside, that is what is remembered. For instance, a cop could have a brilliant 20-year career, but if he messes up, it will be the thing he messed up that is remembered and the rest of the 20 years is forgotten. So my goal for myself for today and every day is to GET THE YUCK OUT!!!! Mary

Updates

Gosh, I didn't realize how long it had been since I blogged. I've been busy with VBS and then trying to get everything done before going to Ohio for vacation. Chris passed away. Buster's dad's birthday party is going to be so strange without Chris. Only 20 years old. Gosh, I HATE cancer! My Uncle Jimmy has recently been diagnosed with cancer, too. I REALLY HATE cancer! We've been home from our Ohio vacation for about a week now. I enjoy my time there so much that it's hard to leave to come back to Alabama. The O'Leary family reunion in Wellston was great -- I think they said 83 people attended. For those of you who don't particularly enjoy family reunions, please keep in mind that the reunions are SO important because staying connect with family is important. I enjoyed the time I spent at my sister Carol's house. She and I did not get along for so many years that I cherish every moment we get to spend together now. Her husband Fred is so good to her. I enjoyed the time I spent at my brother Butch's house. I love playing cornhole!!!!! I love sitting in Butch & Annie's back yard and watching the deer. I enjoyed the time that I spent with my nieces, nephews, and their families. I feel like I know them all so much better since they got MySpace sites and/or blogs. And I just love all those kids!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anyway, that's it for now. Mary

REST IN PEACE

Christopher John Turner

March 11, 1989 - June 2, 2009

I hate cancer!!!!!!!!!!!

Update on Chris

Chris' time on earth is almost over. He told his grandfather this morning that he loved him and would see him in heaven. He is still bleeding internally but the doctors have stopped the transfusions. His new wife, Melissa, lies beside him in the bed at the hospital. Tonight is graduation at the school Chris attended. Chris graduated from that school only 2 years ago -- only 2 years! He will not be there tonight when his cousin graduates nor will he be there next year when his sister graduates. He will never know the joy of children, grandchild, or growing old. Growing old is fun because you can say what you want and everyone just thinks you're senile. I wish Chris had gotten to grow old. Tonight when you go to bed, hug your child, your parents, your sister or brother. Tell them that you love them. You never know when it will be the last time you hug them before you (or they) are in heaven. Thank you, Jesus, for soothing my hurting heart. You did all you did for us! Aunt Mary