For my Mom

My parents were HUGE on music. They listened all the time. Mom cleaned house with those headphones that had all of the controls on the ears and Dad and I sang together a lot.

My Mom loved country, my Dad love oldies, and my sister loved rock n roll. I was very well rounded as a child. I got my Classical from Tom & Jerry and Looney Tunes. Anyway, I wanted to put up a few songs that I remember my Mom loving when I was a kid.

I love you Mom! You did a wonderful job raising us!




And my personal favorite still:



Happy Mother's Day!

Sing Along Sunday- I have loved you for a thousand years. I'll love you for a thousand more...

This song is for my nephew Joshua Mark. He is a cuddle bug, he is his own person even at 3, he is funny, and he is LOVED!


Someone hurt him. Someone who was supposed to care for him. Someone who claimed to love him and his brother and wanted to raise them. She tried to cover it up with a ridiculous story to his Mama but Mama is smart. His Mama knew that someone had hurt him and she did everything right. The law in Nebraska says that because this person has no record THERE she can do diversion and have it expunged. There will be no trace for her next victim. The other option was probation which lets her walk free with no therapy, no classes, no nothing but the idea that someone is watching.

Joshie Mark gave me my nickname, Auntie Carriebobeary. He loves me even though mostly it is from Facebook pictures and posts and chats and not getting to snuggle me in person. This does not dampen the love that I have for him, his brother, or his Mama at all. In fact, it strengthens it because even though we don't see each other every day they are always in my heart.

I had a dream last night that ended with me lying on a couch reading books and Joshie came up and asked, "What you doing?" When I told him that I was reading a book he took one of the 3 (?) I had and crawled up on the couch to snuggle me and 'read' with me. Best way to wake up to the fact that it will be a bit longer until I can snuggle Joshie Mark in person.

I feel like I have known his Mama for lifetimes. The line for how I feel about his family is from a Mary Lambert song, " How did I miss you when I didn't know you?" These guys make my world (and the world period) a better place.

So to Mama, Stomp, & Joshie Mark:

I have loved you for thousand years, I'll love you for a thousand more!

I present the talented, impeccable, and adorable John Barrowman, MBE!



If you live in Texas and suspect abuse here is the information on who to call! Reports made through this web site take up to 24 hours to process. Call the Texas Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400 if
•You believe your situation requires action in less than 24 hours.
•You prefer to remain anonymous.
•You have insufficient data to complete the required information on the report.
•You do not want an e-mail to confirm your report.


If you want to email your report is you may go to the following website:
https://www.txabusehotline.org/Login/Default.aspx

Sing Along Sunday- What is REALLY important

Tuesday December 23rd 2014 started off like any normal day.

Wait! What am I thinking? Normal? Around here? HA! Anyway, I was at home surfing the web and preparing to trek out to Old Navy to do a return because I have had the WORST luck with shipping this year. That is another post entirely for another time and honestly it seems miniscule beside what I am talking about today.

Razark took most of the week off since we had our older two boys for Christmas and so he was home which is really not normal at all. He came in and showed me a text from his office mate and friend J. I was in complete shock. One of my very best friends was rushing home because his house was on fire. It came to be that it seemed like it was going to be a total loss too.

I sent a text to F and simply asked one question, "Is everyone OK?" I cannot wrap my head around losing everything but my concern was for his wife, kids, and pets. Once I knew that everyone was fine I was comfortable waiting for information. The next update came from him in the form of a picture.

I have known F since high school. We weren't as close until afterwards when we reunited at work. We have been the best of friends for years. He is one those people who know me almost better than I know myself. He knows my ugly side and still loves me. He contacted my husband for me when I was just looking to reunite with him and wanted to be sure his ex-wife wouldn't answer. He and our friend Nik are the reasons that Razark and I are together today with four gorgeous kids. When Razark and I got married F was our Best Man. When our youngest boys were born we asked him to be their Godfather. Some people take that lightly but not F. He went home and discussed it with his wife because he took that responsibility seriously. How cool is that?

I held his daughter when she was just a wee thing and I have been honored to watch his family grow up. We have been through our share of storms just as any long term friends have but we have made it through. When things are not right with certain people in my life, I do not function well at all. He is one of those people.

So, I have been scrambling to find resources and help just like all the other people who love this family. I have seen and hugged F FINALLY and I am a bit more relaxed to know that temporary housing has been found. BUT there are needs such as toiletries and clothing. The kids go back to school in a week and F and T go back to work tomorrow.

This is just some of the devastation that they have suffered. Things from loved ones that have passed on are gone as well as baby pictures and wedding pictures but they are going to be fine. They will continue to stick together and rebuild because they are strong. I will continue to help because I love them.

14 years went up in smoke. I remember going over floor plans with him when they got the house before their second child was born.

If you are touched by this and would like to help, please contact me at: ladyamnesty@gmail.com
I have sizes for the family. I have a PayPal address for them. I also have some room in my garage for small household appliances.
Anything helps! Mostly I would like to get clothes for them to begin to resume a normal life.

Thank you.

Sing Along Sunday- Perpetuum Jazzile

This group is AMAZING!! I am going to share a few of my favorites and some new ones...

Africa by Toto is my favorite but we will get there!



Here is Africa!!



And we will stop with True Colors:

Savory Sat... Sing Along Sun.... Well Monday Madness??

Since I missed the weekend posts, I suppose I will use today to catch up. So for Savory Saturday I will post my stuffing recipe because it is delicious and always in demand. Then I will tickle your ears with a little KT Tunstall for Sunday delights. All of this goodness on a Monday just for you!!

Here we go..

Best Bread Stuffing

This is just like my Grandma made hers but without raw egg... I love it! The kids love it! And it is fun to make with the kids. BONUS! It is even more of a bonus if you are like me and hate anyone in your cooking space.

3/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 1/2 cups chopped celery (with leaves)
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 cup butter
9 cups soft bread cubes
2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons dried sage
1/4 teaspoon ground sage
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Directions:


1

Cook and stir onion and celery in butter in 10 to 12 inch skillet until onion is tender. Stir in about 1/3 of the bread cubes. Turn into a deep bowl. Add remaining ingredients; toss. Stuff turkey just before roasting. 9 cups stuffing.


2

STUFFING BALLS: Shape stuffing by 1/2 cupfuls into balls; place in greased baking dish. Cover and cook in 325 degree F oven 30 minutes. Uncover and cook 15 minutes longer. 10 Stuffing Balls.


3

NOTE: To make Corn Bread Stuffing, you can substitute corn bread cubes for the soft bread cubes.


4

Tip for freezing for Thanksgiving/Christmas:.


5

NOTE: The unbaked stuffing mixture will freeze great in containers or freezer bags to serve later. To reheat: Thaw and bake it in a greased dish, (rather than in the bird)at 350°F until golden brown on top (about 30 minutes covered, then uncover and bake for 15 minutes more). Don't over bake!


SING ALONG SUNDAY!

My friend, Leisa Heitman, turned mw on to KT Tunstall years ago. Leisa passed on a few years ago from cancer but KT still makes me smile, sing along, and think of my fellow Texas Belle and Monkee Pal.



And the song that I fell in love with from KT:



This song makes me think of the one Ex who asked me to marry him and I said no. Something inside me knew that he wasn't the one for me. Good thing too because I found the one for me.

Sing Along Sunday- Thank you to Eri for sending this to me at my lowest point!

Sing Along Sunday and a bit about White Friday

Since I am up and it is almost 4AM, I figure I will try and coherently write this one out for you before I try again to sleep.

Unless you live under a rock, and I DO some days, you probably heard about Robin Williams suiciding a few months ago. Famous people doing odd things is really nothing new but you rarely see it among someone quite as famous as Robin. Also, if you don't know about his past, he fought and consistently won battles with so many demons like drugs and alcohol. I also know that he had issues with depression that ran deep and wide. He fought a serious war while making us laugh, cry, or even laugh until we cried but eventually the lights go down and he is no longer performing. In the last part of his life he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease and Lewy Body Dementia which left him hallucinating and having body control issues. I can assume that he researched it all well and came to the realization that his life quality would be rapidly declining one way or another and he didn't want to put his family through that. Now before you pass judgment, here is what I learned from reading up on Parkinson's as it goes when Lewy Body Dementia goes with it. LBD is bad enough but the symptoms are seriously aggravated and intensified due to the side effects of the Parkinson's medications. He was simply not going to (in his mind) beat this battle in a way that left him or his family any dignity. Does it suck? YES. Is it fair? NO. Is it any of our freaking business or our right to judge? NOPE.

But it really started something with a few of us, especially Jennifer P and I. If Robin Williams, comedy genius, could be suffering with severe depression then anyone could. His situation was unique, as is everyone's personal battle, but we wanted to reach people to know that they are not alone. You have a fighting chance. You have some place that you can come and get support from total strangers (or just strange people) and skip the judgment. When you feel like you are exhausted, we want you to stop and rest and talk it out.

So began White Friday. #WhiteFriday started as an event to wear white to show our fellow humans that there is help. There is NO shame in asking for help. And most importantly, you are not alone. We all have our own issues with depression, anxiety, PTSD, Bipolar, and even panic disorder. We like to think that finally in our lives we get it. We cannot make your problems go away but we can listen to you and acknowledge that depression and mental health issues look different on everyone. It is not just the blues but hey if you have those we will gladly listen to you rant anyway. We are trying to 'knock the stigma out of the park', '#whiteoutdepression', and even help each other 'Shine Bright' and remember that you ARE priceless and important in this world.

As of now, you can search for White Friday on Facebook and like the page. We are working on a website. I am hoping that we can assemble a more protected environment for people who don't want their business out there. It might even come to forums where we can break down topics to specifics and people can go in and talk about issues and get feedback and support from others who have that. No one is currently a mental health professional but as I mentioned above, we come from varied backgrounds and have quite a bit of experience with our own mental health challenges.

As for me personally, I consider myself bound by the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics. I treat forums, closed groups, and messages as private communication unless given explicit permission to share identifying information. I might speak in generalities with my cohorts to try and get a different view on assisting you but I will not divulge information that can give away your identity. I am a Junior in the Bachelor's of Social Work program and I am currently in the Practice phase. I will begin internship next fall. I take my career and your privacy very seriously.



I hope you will join us at White Friday and watch for the new stuff that we are working on. Please be patient though because the 2 other admins and I are all going to school along with working, mothering (whether it be husbands, kids, or both) and trying to sleep sometime. I hope we can make some progress over the holidays while school is out.

You can contact the blog at: sistersofthetravelingchucks@gmail.com
You can always message me on Facebook. If we are not friends just be aware that is might go into the Other folder which I don't check nearly as often as I should. As soon as White Friday gets off the ground it will be posted here so watch this space. Besides, we have a truly awesome and diverse group of women here blogging and it is really taking off. I think you will be interested, entertained, and maybe even educated while you visit us.

Here is one of my favorite Firefly Quotes and it is very true to my philosophy:

Sing Along Sunday- Autumn Love songs

I simply adore these two songs. I love the voices and the melodies of these ladies very much! I hope you enjoy them too!





Happy Sunday Y'all!

Sing Along Sunday- A catchy one for everyone

We heard this yesterday a few times and everyone was singing along. The boys even loved it! It is catchy and uplifting