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March 03 Minerhttp://www.msnbc.com/modules/interactive.aspx?type=ss&launch=10824175,3842331&pg=15
I felt like posting this. It's a letter from one of the 11 miners that died written to his family. March 02 New ListFIRST NAME? Jennifer
WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Not that I know of
WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? Thursday of last week
DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? yes WHAT IS YOU FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT? Turkey KIDS? Two foster children... 11 and 7 IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Yes DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? Blog DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? often WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? prefer reverse bungee
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Frosted Mini Wheats DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? no
DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? mentally WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? cherry, pecans and cream SHOE SIZE? 9 RED OR PINK? pink WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? I have Migraines WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? my husband when he is at work and my sister and neices DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? Yes WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? none I am in bed LAST THING YOU ATE? chicken WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? my dog snore IF YOU WERE A CRAYON WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? pink
FAVORITE SMELL? husband's cologne WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? husband THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT THE OPPOSITE SEX? smile DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? yes very much FAVORITE DRINK? tea FAVORITE SPORT? hockey WHATS YOUR HAIR COLOR? brown/blond EYE COLOR? brown DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? no FAVORITE FOOD? Mexican SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDING? scary LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Brothers Grimm WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? none I am still in bed it's not even seven yet SUMMER OR WINTER? winter HUGS OR KISSES? both FAVORITE DESSERT? choclate lasagne WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? I do not know
LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? ????? WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? Just finished Stephen King's The Cell now reading Transgressions WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? CareFlite WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? American Idol FAVORITE SOUNDS? rain/thunder ROLLING STONE OR BEATLES? Beatles THE FURTHEST YOU BEEN FROM HOME? Boston going to Austraila next Feb. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? yes!? WHERE AND WHEN YOU WERE BORN? Stephenville,TX November 21st February 28 I SuckYes, it is true. I suck. I have not been keeping up with my blog. For those of you who have your mind in the gutter... yes I do suck but that was not what I meant. Shame on you!
The kids are doing well. We have had some rough times, they have issues that sometimes are very hard to deal with. I do think they are doing better. Their parents cancelled the weekly visit the week before last while we were there waiting and when I took them to the next visit they were late. My youngest wanted to pray. This is what she said. Dear God, Please let my mom and dad show up this week. Amen. How can they do that to a little girl when all they get is 4 hours a month?
Now for a weight loss update- 47#s
I will have to post a before and after photo.
I had mentioned that I was looking for a new job and I thought I would let you know that the search is over. My last day at LifeCare Ambulance as a full time employee is Friday. I begin my new job at JPS Hospital on Monday where I will be working in the Cardiac Cath Lab. More money, better benefits, career advancement, and most important I will be working Monday through Friday 8:00AM to 4:30PM.
I got the following in an email.
I have brown eyes and I was born in November. This is about me.
brown eyes - people with brown eyes last the longest in relationships. they are very satisfying and love to please and can EXCEED your pleasure standards.
NOVEMBER:
Here is the rest in case you want to post it.
Pick the color of your eyes & the MONTH that you were born and put it on the SUBJECT LINE. Then re-post it AS YOUR OWN BULLETIN. Your friends might understand you better
That is all for now. I hope to hear from you if you still read this blog. I would not blame you if you did not. I will try not to suck in the future... I mean that I will try to update more often. I fully intend to keep up my other skills! LOL Later, Jenn February 12 Dive TripI thought I would post the following article. Damian and I are planning on diving in Australia next Feb. January 08 Weight Loss UpdateTotal weight lost since October 26th... 39 pounds !
People are starting to compliment me.
 January 01 Fire LinksFive killed in Texas, Oklahoma wildfires
GRASS FIRE DANGER STATEMENT
church burned in grass fire
300 acres burn; agency issues alert for today
detected hot spot map (fires detected)
wildfire map
Texas Forestry Service
Great site to search newspapers every where. Find the story you are looking for.
Fire DangerSPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TX 450 PM CST SUN JAN 1 2006 ...WILDLAND FIRE DANGER REMAINS HIGH... IF A WILDFIRE ESCAPES AN INITIAL ATTACK...RESIDENTS ARE ADVISED TO
EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY FOR A SAFE ZONE. MAYORS AND OR COUNTY JUDGES HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DEMAND MANDATORY EVACUATING WITHIN TEXAS. THE TEXAS FOREST SERVICE HAS DECLARED A HIGH RISK OF ACCIDENTAL FIRES BECAUSE OF THE EXTREME DROUGHT CONDITIONS ACROSS MUCH OF THE STATE COUPLED WITH THE BUSY NEW YEARS HOLIDAY WEEKEND. THE COMBINATION OF INCREASED WINDS AND
VERY DRY AIR WILL RESULT IN AN ELEVATED WILDLAND FIRE DANGER RISK THROUGH EARLY THIS WEEK. THE HIGHEST FIRE DANGER THREAT WILL BE THIS AFTERNOON...AS A STRONG UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE MOVES INTO THE SOUTHERN PLAINS. RED FLAG WARNINGS FOR FIRE WEATHER ARE IN EFFECT FOR MOST OF TEXAS AND OKLAHOMA TODAY. DROUGHT INDICES ARE AT RECORD OR NEAR RECORD LEVELS AND MORE THAN
75 PERCENT OF TEXAS COUNTIES HAVE ISSUED BURN BANS. TO STOP DISASTROUS WILDFIRES...THE TEXAS FOREST SERVICE AND THE GOVERNORS DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REMIND YOU OF THE FOLLOWING... IT HAS BEEN WINDY AND UNSEASONABLY WARM AND DRY. HELP PREVENT DEADLY WILDFIRES. DO NOT USE FIREWORKS OR BURN TRASH. DO NOT THROW BURNING CIGARETTES ON THE GROUND. REMEMBER TOO THAT ACCIDENTAL FIRES CAN START FROM MACHINERY AND MOTOR VEHICLES. I got this clip from http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/iwin/tx/special.html.
I have been at work all day. After all the warnings, people are still burning leaves, welding, and shooting fireworks.
Fire fighters have been called in for over-time today just because of the risk. Well, I guess it's a good thing, because I am watching Live Breaking News of several large fires in this area. Several houses have burned down along with cars and anything else in it's path. I hope nobody dies this time, like last week.(Someone was trying to fight a fire with a water hose and their clothes caught on fire)
Damian has been involved with fighting these fires.
MY HUSBAND COULD BE HURT OR KILLED FIGHTING THESE FIRES.
INNOCENT PEOPLE DIE AND LOOSE EVERYTHING BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE SELFISH AND STUPID.
!!!!!STUPIDITY SHOULD BE PAINFUL!!!!
Twas the Season......and now it's over. As much as I enjoyed it, I am glad to get back to some sort of a routine. Since I had to work a 12 hour shift during the day both New Years Eve and Day, I didn't get a chance to go out and party in Dallas (where I go to dance). I had a little(only 2 people came) private party at home instead.
So what's next? Getting my foster children into therapy. Some people were not meant to be parents, I know they love their kids but how many chances do they get to keep hurting them? This is a side of foster parenting that sux. These girls actually believe that if you are in a relationship with someone that it is ok to hit them. They want to know why Damian and I don't fight.
I applied for 5 more jobs. I was taking my time, but child care is an issue. 12 hour shifts suck when you have kids. The sitter called Saturday to let me know she could not watch the kids Sunday while Damian and I work. I called 7 people before someone agreed to do it. I guess I got lucky, after all, it is a holiday and they will have to keep the girls for 14 hours.
I got a new car stereo up-grade in my Jeep that includes a speaker box and amp. Sounds just like high school... I even found a Too Short CD to listen too. My oldest said, "Mama, turn it up loud and lets go cruising!" Damn, that makes me feel old.
I took the girls to the gym I work out at and we went swimming. They had a good time. Later, after the weekly visit with their mom, I took them to Main Event. I love playing Laser Tag and so do they now!
I know my thoughts have been kind of random, but I feel like my life has been a bit disorganized since getting kids.  December 22 ChristmasFor the first time in several years, I was excited about putting up the Christmas tree. I have been a little sad around Christmas time the last few years. I figured that it is just me and Damian, so why bother? Having kids in the house at Christmas has changed my attitude. I am once again able to have Christmas spirit! Yeah!
Jenn  December 07 Change of Jobs????Well, I have worked for LifeCare EMS going on six years now. I love my job and the other Paramedics are family to me. I think I am going to have to leave.
 I have already started the job search. I have many excuses to stay. For example, this is the longest time I have ever stayed in one place, I love working here, I am 60% invested, I have tons of sick leave built up, and I could go on but it would just be me whining.Now the down side. I have worked 12 hour nights from 7 to 7 for six years. I miss sleeping with my husband. The work schedule is changing and I get to go to days... but only for three months at a time. Just when I would be getting used to working days, BAM
 , they would stick me back on nights. I would have to swap back and forth every three months. Sucks for me but I am not willing to put my foster children through such a big change so often. They have already been through too much change. I am looking for something with more conventional hours. I guess my priorities have changed. I really want to be there for them. They started calling us mama and daddy. I have never had this happen before. The first time I did not realize she was talking to me. I think after about the fouth mama I finally answered.
 Is this something I should put a stop to? I don't mind. It's kinda sweet, but I am worried that some problems might come up. I am taking them to CPS to see their real mom next week. Surely they won't call me mom while we are all together? I explained to them in the beginning that I was a foster mom and that a foster mom takes care of other peoples children when they need help. They started out calling me Jennifer... how did this happen? I have to admit that I don't want them to stop. I will do whatever is best for them. We had a bit of a catastrophe yesterday. I recently bought a 55 gallon aquarium for my turtles. The girls were with me and they wanted some fish to go in it. I explained to them that the turtles sometimes eat fish and that it was a risk. We decided to try some gold fish. They each picked out one and named it. Everything was fine for a few days. Then before I had to leave for work I heard Leslie say "it's eating your fish!", followed by the hysterical crying of a 7 year old girl.
 I went in and there was Drew's fish caught between the turtle's jaws. I tried telling her that we all knew it had been a risk. That did not seem to make either of us feel better. I made the turtle drop it and it was still a little bit alive. We put the fish in a seperate sick tank with hopes that it would heal over night. I figured that it would be floating by morning. I thought that at least I could get rid of it before they got home from school. I also told her that we would get her a shark next time. Well, when she got home the first thing she did was go to the sick tank. I had asked Damian to bury it via the porcelain god before they got home. Once again we had a very sad little girl on our hands. Damian said that we would get her another one and she seemed to feel better. So Thursday when Petsmart gets a new shipment of fish in, we will be in the market for a new shark! Wish us luck... Jenn
December 04 New kidsWell, I got two girls the day before Thanksgiving. Leslie is 10 and Drew is 7. They have adjusted well and like school. I will keep you updated.
Jenn
I hope to have them through Christmas. I look forward to Christmas morning and finally getting to share it with children for the first time! weight lostJust an update...
I've lost 26 pounds in just over a month.
Jenn November 27 Paula and JacobWell, I had to say goodbye to Paula and Jacob last Friday. It was much harder than I thought it would be. Paula was crying and did not want to go. Jacob started whining when he saw the case worker again. Even he knew that she takes him away from places that he knows. I held both of them and it was so hard to be strong for them. I cried after they left. I hope they will be ok.
Jenn November 18 Talking about A Wonderful WorldFrom Lana's space http://spaces.msn.com/members/Lanamf79 Quote A Wonderful World Being a Foster Mom* Names of the children and social worker have been changed for their protection.*
Monday Nov. 14th I got off work at 7AM and went home to catch a few ZZZ's before the children arrive. At 1PM the door bell rings. They are here. I have been worried and a bit nervous. Will they like me? Can I handle the emotional roller coaster that I am going to ride on? I tell myself yes and open the door. A blue eyed, dark haired 6 year old girl says hi and I am opening the door to let her in. Her name is Paula. I look past her to see a social worker, Hanna, with her hands full... of bags and a sweet looking 17 month old boy with brown hair and serious brown eyes. His name is Jacob. They are both charming and beautiful. Now there is paperwork to sign and children to watch. Not a good combination. Damian is at work so I am on my own the first day. Jacob discovers the parrot first. He reaches into the bottom of the cage and proudly shows me the hand full of seeds and droppings that he is scattering over the floor. (Note to self... block access to the bird cage) I pick him up and we head to the sink for a good hand washing. Paula is excited and hungry. They have not had any lunch. I am glad that I baked cookies the night before. As I am holding Jacob, I notice he needs a diaper change. He is wet. I ask if he has any diapers. No. OK, I will put them in the car after Hanna leaves. Did they come with car seats? No. Hmmmmm. I make a couple of calls and my dad is on the way with diapers and a friend with car seats. Finally, Hanna leaves and we get a chance to settle in. After the initial chaos, things are moving right along smoothly. My dad arrives with diapers and my friend brings the car seats. She has 2 of her 5 adopted children with her and it's time to play for awhile. Then another friend stops by with her 3 foster children and suddenly Paula has lots of friends. The noise lever has risen. After all the company is gone, I decide to take them to the Fire Department to meet Damian. I also stop by Walgreen to get some medicine. They have a cold. The Fire Department turns out to be allot of fun. All the manly fire fighters are suddenly playing with the children and offering cookies. They get a personal tour of the children’s smoke house and ride on the mini fire truck. They are exhausted and it is time to go home. Jacob falls asleep in the car on the way home and sleeps through the night. Paula and I discuss what she should do if she gets scared in the middle of the night. I tell her that I will give her a flash light and if she wakes up to come and get me. She is asleep by the time we get home. I carry her to bed. I go to bed. At 2:30 in the morning I hear a knock at my door. I open the door and a sweet little face looks up at me. She tells me that she is scared, that she heard a noise and there is a monster. We spend the next two hours drinking milk and reading in her bed. After a big hug she goes back to sleep. It was worth loosing the sleep just to get that hug.
November 11 Updates!I have lost 20 pounds so far.
This is what I ate yesterday.
Breakfast = half a cup of yogurt
Lunch = half a cheese enchilada
Dinner = 4 bites of salad with Ranch
6 tiny bites of steak
a few french fries
some sugar free ice cream
I had to eat a tiny bit of everything or I would have been full on just part of the salad. If I eat softer foods, like chili, I can eat about 6oz. If I eat solids, like meats, I can eat about 2-3 oz. before I am full. I stay full longer when I eat solids, around 5 hours. I hope this information helps.
On another subject... we are getting two foster children Monday! A 6 year old girl and her litle brother who is 17 months. I am prepared for an infant but not a toddler. Today I am trying to gather information and items that I will need. A highchair and a car seat is high on my list. I also was not sure what to feed a 17 month old. The best I can figure out is alot of milk and a regular balanced diet. What size would a six year old little girl wear??? Thay usually do not come with much. I will be going to the local school to get her enrolled today, or at least get the paper work and find out what I need. I don't know their medical history yet so I know some of this will present a challenge! There is so much to think about. I hope they will like it here. Any tips on caring for a toddler are welcome!!!!!
Wish us luck!
Jenn November 01 Halloween PartyEvery year I host a Halloween party. 20 - 40 people show up, some in costumes. I thought
I would post a few pix. I dress up every year. Since I had surgery I had to plan a costume that was comfortable and not clingy. Enjoy the pix! Jenn Lap Band SurgeryWell, I lived through it. I hurt more than I thought I would after. I was planning on going back to work three days after I had it. I had to call in.
So lets see if this works. Weight loss so far...within four days... 12.5 pounds.
I have 6 incisions in my abdomen. The biggest one is about three inches. I have been sleeping in a recliner because it is easier for me to get up and down. Also I do not have to worry about waking up my husband. I am on day six now and I am doing better every day.
I will keep you informed and if you have any questions, I will be glad to answer them!
Jenn
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