Necklaces made by Faith Creations, LLC

I had these necklaces made for my step daughters. THANK YOU HEATHER!!! These are awesome! They are going to love them.

Working in the Yard

We spent all day Wednesday and most of the day Thursday finishing up the front yard. There are a couple of more things I plan on doing...but they are minor.
We took the giant bushes down...because they were a pain and planted some Nandinas and some Gulf Stream Nandinas. I also planted some hydrangas and some camillas. Those are next to the window. Then I planted under the trees a whole load of stuff. I can't wait for them to grow and get gigantic. Our grass is doing really well this year too. We've worked really hard...and I'm very proud of the way it is turning out. The back yard is a work in progress. The grass is having some issues...but now that I'm able to focus more on that and not the front...I can get it up and growing by next summer. I have a ton of flower beds in the back. Filling those seem to be the task at hand. Hope you enjoy the pictures.
Morgan also likes to help!! She is my little dirt girl.

Almost Summer...feels like Summer...It's Summer

We are having fun in the Sun. It got up to 100 today! Yippee! It felt so good to be outside in the water. This is my front yard...if I did this in my back yard we would be having a mud slip and slide down the hill. YUCK! I can't wait for the grass to grow back there.

Family Research

Well...I've been so busy doing research on my ancestors.
Yep...let me tell you people...when you catch the geneology bug...it's hard to get rid of it.
I love this so much.
My mother was doing the Griffis and Green side of our family.
So...I decided to do the Clem side of my family. Which is my maiden name for those who remember me before I got married.
Oh, I'm doing Barton too. In my spare time.
Kirtus's family is so much harder than mine. Maybe because I don't know the people and places as well as my own.
Okay...I have found out so much.
Well...my grandfather.
Fred Clarence Clem....well...what can I say about him. He was something else. He loved to tell big tall tales. He was quite an interesting man...but afflicted with alcoholism. So, he was born in Limestone County, AL. His family were migrant farm hands...which means they moved from place to place depending on the work that needed to be done. In 1942 he joined the Army and they put him in the military band. My grandfather was extremely talented. He could play pretty much any instrumet by ear. Which means...he couldn't read music but could listen and then play it back. Very Very talented to be able to do this. I am able to do the same thing. I guess that is where I got my good ear from. ;) I believe he was much more talented than I.
So...he traveled all over the US with this band. He never fought in the war. Which I guess is a good thing. While he was traveling he must have ended up over in North Carolina which is where he met my Grandmother. They came back to AL where they married on 2.13.1943.
Now...they had a child...my aunt Libby and then from what I understand he left to fin a job or play in a band. I remember hearing from my mom that he went to play ina band...but I've always thought that meant...like at a honkey tonk...but now I know it was the Military band.
Eventually, he came back and they moved all over the South. My dad who was born in 1948 was born in TN. Finally they ended up in Lone Oak, Texas.
My grandfathers dad was Joseph Edward Clem. He had about 7 kids or so...they were farmers so they never stayed in one place long. They never actually owned their own land...they rented and farmed other people's land.
Joseph's dad was Thomas David...who people called David. David married a woman named Indiana. Pretty cool huh? They too were farmers...but David died in 1859. He was very young. He left Indiana with 7 kids at home from the ages of 6 months to 12 years old. The two oldest were boys and were sent to the field to help make a living for their family. None of the boys were school except Joseph and one other...most of the children could not read or write and never learned. (So sad)
David's dad was Thomas David the 1st. I don't know much about him yet...but I do know his dad's name was Adam Clem and his mother's name was Jemima Crockett. yes...she is related to Davy Crockett. No shit!!! I'm so excited. My dad and his family are so excited to be related to Davy Crockett. Okay...so...here is where we stop.
yep...Adam has no proof of parents. I mean...he had to come from some where right?
You just don't appear out of thin air!
So, I have a theory...There is a group that came from Germany...Johann Conrad Klemm in 1747. He had a son name Johann Valentine Klemm...who was lost and then found when he died in 1791 in Georgia...St. Paul Parish, Georgia...the same location that Adam was born. In his will he lists his wifes but not his childen. He does leave things to his children...but to "all my children."
Okay, so his wife's information doesn't show having a son named Adam...but Valentine's marriage to her was late in his life. So, we think there might have been another woman he was married to and she passed early.
We think Adam is some how linked to this family; Johann Conrad Klemm, through Johann Valentine Klemm. When Valentine left PA he was a KLEMM. When he passed he was CLEM. People changed their names all the time back then. Adam named a son Valentine. That is a very odd name for a boy...so...well...that is what we think...just no proof yet.
Also, my dad's cousin said he remembers hearing from his family that the Clem's use to be spelled with a K!!!
I told Dad we will probably never know, unless someone has a family bible. Many places were burned in the South by the Yankees when they marched through...many documents were lost then. Many documents...like bibles may have been buried with their owners.
Also, alot of poor people back in that day..poor like my family was...didn't keep records. They had their children at the house and documents of birth or death was not written down or collected.
Also, in 1765...Georgia was a British colony.
Well...as you can see...tis is my passion for the moment. So, my blogs may be limited at the moment.
I found out that we have a relative that fought under the command of Nathan Bedford Forest. My father's grandfather's father in-law. Hiram Wright. He was a decorated confederate solider and actually earn the prestiagous confedeate cross.
Recently the Sons of the Confederacy replaced his tombstone with a decorated tombstone of the confederacy.

What a Blessed Life

I was looking back at some old blogs today and I realized how blessed I truely am. I still sometimes can't believe that I am a "Mother" With "mother's day" coming up this Sunday I find myself forgeting that I'm a part of that day now.
I've always done things for my mother or grandmother. In my eyes...they are "mom's."
I'm not a MOM! But, I am! I am someone's mother!
What does that mean?
What does that mean to my children? Do they see me the same way I see my mother or my grandmother?
I've always thought highly of my mother...but never thought I could live up to her expectations. I try! I always seem to fail. Do my kids view me the same way? I hope not. I don't want them going through life trying to always think of me first and not themselves.
I have to say that it is an amazing feeling to actually be someone's mother.
This is one thing that a MAN will never understand. The love that a mother has for her child. It is different. I'm not saying that our love is better...or that his love is less than ours. It's different.
I love being a mom....even when my kids paint themselves and the walls and the table and all their toys. Even when they have screaming matches and call each other stupid. I love being a mom even when my kids aren't the perfect kids that society expects them to be. I love being a mom, seeing my kids grow and become happy, loving people; both with their own ideals and characteristics that make them special.
You moms out there...remember the first time you actually got to see your baby. The first time you actually held your baby. The first time you actually fed your baby. The first times!!!
I treasure those first times!
Being a mother is not easy! Sometimes it is not fun at all!
But, every night when I put the kids down to sleep and they each get their own 'Mommy time' I smile and Thank God for givng me such a Blessed Life.

I love Being Mom!!! It's the best job on earth!
I posted a bunch of pictures of our life together!
These two are the reasons I love being a mom!

UPDATE!!! GREAT NEWS!!!

Okay, well my Nanny got a clean bill of health in regards to her CT scans and x-rays. She just got back the results of the last tests on her lungs. No Cancer.
However, she did have pre-emphazyma and clogged arteries.
She went back for a check up and they did an EKG on her and it was abnormal.
So....off to the heart doctor she goes.
In 1985 or 86 my Grandmother had a quadruple bi-bas. Please forgive my spelling. It is late. She recovered, but they only gave her 10 years to live. Well...it's been over 20 years. Recently my grandmother has lost a ton of weight. Just very fast. About the same time as this...she found a lump in her breast and they thought it was probable that she would have cancer else where in her body. But, guess she proved them wrong. The cancer is only localized in the breast.
We always thought that she would pass from a massive heart attack or stroke.
But, her spirit is strong and she is in no mood to leave quiet yet.
She is so afraid that the family will break up when she dies and that we can't take care of ourselves. :( .... sniff...
This is so hard....
Thank you for all your prayers. They have been answered.
I have never had someone close to me pass. My Uncle passed on in March 2007...we were close when I was younger...I thought very highly of him and loved him dearly. It hurt me more to see that my Aunt and cousin was in pain....than the pain that I felt for his loss.
We lost our Great Aunt in March of 2008...right before Easter...it wasn't sudden, but it was. She was diagnosed with lung cancer in October of 2007 and then died 6 months later.
My dad's parents died when I was young. My Grandmother died about a year after I was born and then my grandfather died when I was about 6. So, I really wasn't close to them or really understood what death really meant.
I use to say that when my grandmother passed I wouldn't be able to live on. But, now I realize that death is a part of life and that even though it is scary...it is excited too. We get to go home and see our maker!!! How great is that?!
If you haven't read 90 mins in heaven you need to pick it up and read it!!! It has really helped me get my head around death and truely understand and not fear it.

I'm sorry...I went off on a tagent. This was suppose to be a happy post!
So, on May 16th. My nanny gets her cancer cut out and then starts Radiation.
I'll be down on the 23rd, 24th, 25th!!! Can't wait to get home and relax. No kids!

My brother is mad...but you know...Mom needs a vacation. Dad is never home and well...I need a vacation. Is that selfish?
My brothr...if he wants to see the kids...take some time and drive down for freaking San Antonio!!! Why do I have to always drive up to Dallas? Do you know how stressful it is to drive 350 miles with two screaming kids in the back of the van! 'MOM!! GARRETT'S LOOKING AT ME!" MOM!! MORGAN WON'T STOP SINGING!!" MOM!!!MORGAN KEEPS BREATHING! MOM, GARRETT'S STILL LIVING!!!" It's crazy!!!
I love my children...but I love them better when they are apart from each other!
;)
Another GREAT UPDATE IS my cat is doing 100% better. Fancy Fancy is her name.
Fancy Fancy has been on her all protein diet for 2 weeks now and has made a total turn around. She does drink as much...and she has actually come out from under my bed an plays down stairs and talks to us and plays with us. She really wants to be more apart of us now. She us to run from the kids...but now...all she wants to do is love on them. Once she makes a complete turn around I'll let Jack back in. I feel so sorry for him. I've kept him out side all the time now...so that she could get some rest and rejuvinate. So, I'll give her a couple of more days and then her vet visit...then bring the crazy ass Jack back in

HAPPY HUMP DAY!

We need to start caring!!!!!!

Henry Kissinger speech in Paris Over 30 years ago

This is not aimed at any politician as I am one of those who is a great admirer of Henry Kissinger as I believe he was one of the great diplomats of our time. But while researching today in history a striking story that struck me was his speech in Paris, France in 1975 when he talked about stopping the western world being so dependent on Oil from the Arab States and how a trillion dollar plan over the next 30 years would make the problems that were occurring at that time with the Arab States raising the price of oil 6 times in one year causing a worldwide recession not happen again.

Now 30 years on we are all struggling because of much higher oil prices and we can blame the increases on multiple reasons ranging from

Greed of the oil companies

Increase of oil consumption worldwide due to new countries economic growth

The current world instability

But most of all we have made so little progress in 30 years to address the long term problem ( Oil is a finite natural resource we are using at an increasing rate ) and we have not found a viable alternative to provide for our energy needs

I believe when Henry Kissinger made that speech he truly believed with enough money spent on research and commitment to alternative energy it would happen, but for each of the alternatives the cost in terms of money ( Ethanol ), safety ( Nuclear ) , Environment ( Wind ) etc problems have stopped the breakthrough hoped for.

We have not been willing to accept as a society these other solutions.

So here we are today in very nearly the same position as 30 years ago and our politicians have not delivered on those promises ( some because they are not fully committed or because of pressure groups with business interests or just because there is still not yet a viable alternative ) let us hope that in the next 30 years we do make progress on this thorny issue.

Do you remember the "gas shortage?" Do you remember waiting in line for gas? I do. I was very small....but I remember it. I remember my parents moved from Greenville, Texas to Mesquite to be closer to work because there wasn't enough gas. I remember never driving hardly anywhere unless we really had to. Even then it was just around town, for groceries or clothes.

I can't believe that we are so damn dependant on oil and actually think that it is going to be here forever. Sure...there is more in the ocean...and under the fucking ice in Alaska. But, do we really want to fuck with nature any more!? Sorry for the language! I'm pissed! I can't believe that us humans are so damn selfish. I'm not innocent by any means. I drive a vehicle that needs gas. I could have bought a hybrid, instead opted for the mini-van. I needed more car space and they didn't offer the hybrid in a large vehicle at that time. I am now holding out for the electric car. That is righ. I'm going to purchase an electric car. It is perfect for my life style seeing that I never really go anywhere except to bee boop around town. Until that time comes...I don't drive unless I have to. I'm doing well...I only have to fill up once every two weeks. That is 60 for each fill up...$120.00 / month. I'm saving a bundle. About 2 years ago...when gas was 2.30. It would take $30.00 to fill up and I would drive a hell of a lot more and spend about the same per month.

Another thing I've done for the environment is I bought those green friendly lights bulbs. I try and buy things that are recyable like cans...not plastic. Plastic is ruining our oceans and lands. I actually will buy my meat direct from the butcher or whole foods, and ask them to wrap it in butcher paper not plastic. I'm growing my own vegetables and when Kirtus gets home, I think I may plant a fruit tree...either Orange or Lemon. Citrus grows better down here. I've plants a black berry vine along our fence line and hopefully next year I'll have blackberries too.
I'm also buying my grocery bags from Wally World and Walgreens have them too...they are $1.00 each. I bought 20 of them. Just 20 dollars. And I can take them with me and re-use them. Yes it is a pain in the ass...but it saves the earth from having landfills heeped with plastic Walmart bags. Also...when I go..sometimes I buy more than I can fit in the bags...I just purchase what I need in the canvase bags to fill the rest.

I'm sorry for the long post...but I'm so tired of us not caring about where we live and what we do to it. It's like if you can't see it...and it's not hurting you...then you don't have to worry about it. God made this planet for us. We aren't taking care of it. We need to start. You don't have to go out and be like those tree huggers or lay down in front of a truck or something. Just make some changes in your life. If we all do it...the rest of the world will follow and maybe we can change the world for or kids' kids.
Get involved!! It only takes 1 person to change a million hearts. People...there is no other planet to live on.
You can't just move to a new world when your done fucking up this one!!!

Update!!!

We have an update on my Nanny!
She is doing great...she is still weak. The Lump in her breast is cancer and will be removed on May 16th. The scans she had of her abdomen and liver came back clear! Thank the Lord!!! She has no cancer in the area were your female organs are located and none in the liver area either.
God is truely good and has answered our prayers.
We are still waiting on the scan of her lungs. This was a special scan that is suppose to be able to view Lung Tissue better than the other X-rays.
In the others there was a gray mass...but they think it is bust blood vessels. Better to be safe than sorry.
They are suppose to be calling my mother when these results come back. It' been over 1 week. I wish they would hurry up and call.
We are very thankful that all the other scans came back clear.
Thank you for any one that has prayed for my grandmother.
It is appreciated!!!