Surprise after dinner. Dinner was nice last night. The kids pigged out on pizza and pasta and I did too but I did eat some salad just for good measure. Charlie of course paid for everything even though I came prepared to pay for our dinner.
Oh the surprise, well he had some really neat costumes for the kids. My little angel is going to be Tinker Bell while my oldest is Captain Jack Sparrow and my little hand full, well he’s a little stinker so he’s going as a skunk!! I loved the costumes and so did the kids. I know Charlie paid a small fortune for the costumes because they weren’t the cheap kind you get at most department stores. There were more like the costumes you get from a costume store. The kids are going to have a blast Halloween night. Oh yeah,
Would you believe a friend of mine suggest I sign up for one of those online dating services? I now question what kind of friend he is. But then he started telling me that he met his wife online. I couldn’t believe it. I thought they met through a friend. She’s a really sweet person and they both sat me down and told me that now they do better at screening who signs up for them. You know, I might give it a try. Maybe, maybe not.
A friend of mine just showed me this and I loved it. I thought I would share it with you but be prepared to laugh!!!
This is why I really like Savannah.
Interesting Notice Found on Craig’s List Personals:
To the Guy Who Tried to Mug Me in Downtown Savannah night before last. Date: 2009-03-23, 3:43 AM EST
I was the guy with the black Barberry jacket that you demanded I hand over my wallet shortly after you pulled the knife on me and my girlfriend. You also asked for my girlfriend’s purse and earrings. I hope you somehow come across this message. I’d like to apologize.
I didn’t expect you to crap in your pants when I drew my pistol after you took my jacket. Truth is, I was wearing the jacket for a reason that evening, and it wasn’t that cold outside. You see, my girlfriend had just bought me that Kimber Model 1911 45-A-CP pistol for Christmas, and we had just picked up a shoulder holster for it that evening. Beautiful pistol, eh?
It’s a very intimidating weapon when pointed at your head, isn’t it? I know it probably wasn’t a great deal of fun walking back to wherever you’d come from with that brown sludge flopping about in your pants. I’m sure it was even worse since you also ended up leaving your shoes, cell phone, and wallet with me. I couldn’t have you calling up any of your buddies to come help you try to mug us again.
I took the liberty of calling your mother, or “Momma” as you had her listed in your cell, and explaining to her your situation. I also bought myself and four other people in the gas station this morning a tank full of gas on your credit card. The guy with the big motor home took 150 gallons and was extremely grateful! I gave your shoes to one of the homeless guys over by Vinnie Van Go Go’s, along with all of the cash in your wallet.
I threw the wallet in a fancy pink “pimp mobile” parked at the curb after I broke the windshield and side window out and keyed the drivers side. I called a bunch of phone sex numbers from your cell phone. They’ll be on your bill in case you’d like to know which ones. Ma Bell just shut down the line, and I’ve only had the phone for a little over a day now, so I don’t know what’s going on with that. I hope they haven’t permanently cut off your service.
I could only get in two threatening phone calls to the DA’s office and one to the FBI with it. The FBI guy was really ticked and we had a long chat (I guess while he traced the number).
I’d also like to apologize for not killing you and instead making you walk back home humiliated. I’m hoping that you’ll reconsider your choice of path in life. Next time you might not be so lucky.. – Alex
P.S. Remember this motto…..an armed society is a polite society!
As we have become more aware of the impact of human behaviour on the environment, certain regulations have been put in place to limit harmful behaviours. One example is within planning and construction.
Planning
Planning refers to the way that we use our land, and how we control in which areas we can build and develop. It affects each of us to a greater or lesser extent. It might be that your local council intends to allow a new housing or business development in your area, or it may be that you wish to extend your house and require planning permission.
Planning permission
You do not actually need a solicitor in order to apply for planning permission. You can do it yourself, or you may find that your builder or architect will include the application in their services. If you have any concerns with regards to your planning application, or you wish to ensure that you are fully aware of any policy issues which may affect you, it would be wise to seek legal advice; you may find the assistance that you are looking for via the Free Legal Advice Centre.
If you are unsure how to go about applying for planning permission, or if you even need it, you can contact your local planning authority. A planning officer will normally be willing to arrange to discuss your development plans with you. They can, for example, let you know whether your development counts as a permitted development – in which case you will not require planning permission – or whether you should apply for outline planning permission or full planning permission.
Planning appeals
It may be the case that you are on the other side of the fence, so to speak. Whether it is a large development that is planned by the local council, or a construction company, or a relatively small change to your neighbour’s property, you have the right to object to a planning application.
In the case of a large development there are some key steps to follow to ensure that you write a clear and precise objection letter:
· Thoroughly research the planning application
· Be clear about your reasons for objecting –
o Protected trees
o Privacy/overlooking
o Ground stability/drainage
o Non-compliance with other council planning policies
· Research previous decisions, e.g. typical reasons your council cites for refusing proposals.
This is not an exhaustive guide, by any means, but there are some great resources out there if you feel that any large development may contravene environmental regulations in some way.
If it is your neighbour’s planning application to which you wish to object, there are a few things worth bearing in mind:
· Any potentially adverse effect on the value of your property is irrelevant
· Being overlooked, overshadowed, or losing your privacy are grounds for complaint
· Your objection will be more effective if you are not alone in officially lodging your opposition
· Petitions, however, are irrelevant.
Anyone thinking of applying for planning permission should be prepared to consider the impact that their development may have on the local environment.
The children and I always go to my mothers on Christmas eve for dinner and to open presents there. It’s the day my children have looked forward to since Thanksgiving. Santa comes tonight and they are all excited to see what is in their presents and what Santa has brought.
This year, Charlie, their adopted grandpa will join us at my mothers. He has been a blessing to us. He tells me that we have been more of a blessing to him than he could ever be to us because through us, we have given him Christmas back. That’s a wonderful thing for him to say. He is spoiling the kids something awful but that’s part of what Christmas is for, spoiling the children.
It’s also a day to reflect on what the season is really for. We always have a birthday cake for Christmas day so we can celebrate the birth of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. I want them to always know that Christmas is not just about toys and stuff. It’s about salvation. Salvation of our soul and salvation of our lives that we live today. Does that make any sense to you? I hope so. Because that’s my Christmas wish for each of you that has visited my blog, the joy and wonder of the birth of Jesus Christ and a joy filled Christmas.
I got a great deal on a Wii for my children for Christmas. I was on Craigslist and someone had a new one they had bought for their teen-aged son and he just really messed up so they sold it to me for $25.00. I was totally shocked since these things cost at the cheapest I’ve seen $235.00.
I didn’t want to ask them what he did but it must have been pretty bad. I really dread when my kids hit those teen-aged years. My oldest is a teenager but my mother is raising him so she has most of the headaches with that. I remember my teenage years, especially since I had my first at barely 16 years old.
Anyway back to my excitement. Now I can ask other people to get them some of the really cool games they have for them. It came with a couple of games too. So the whole thing was just nothing short of a blessing for my children and me. I just hate that it took a teenager messing up for my kids to benefit. I honestly hope and pray that what ever it was he did, that he learned a good lesson from it and will be a good boy from now on.
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. We’re all getting together at my mother’s house for dinner. Well we’re supposed to meet around 2:00 but I’m sure some won’t be there until around 3:30. My family has a habit of being late. It’s almost a family tradition!!
Yes we are even inviting my childrens new ‘adoptive grandfather’ Charlie too. He’s bringing the turkey. I’m making a carrot cake and everyone else has a dish they are too bring. I love carrot cake and have a recipe my great-grandmother gave me a long time ago. It’s the best carrot cake ever. In fact, here’s the recipe:
Carrot Cake
2 cups grated carrots
1 small can of crushed pineapple not drained
1 1/2 cups Wesson oil (doesn’t have to be Wesson oil)
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon (may use 2 if desired but I use 1)
2 teaspoons baking soda
4 eggs
1/2 cup chopped pecans.
Cream oil and sugar together. Add Carrots, pineapple and nuts. Add eggs one
at a time and beat well. Add dry ingredients sifted together.
Bake in 3 layers at 350 degrees approximately 45 minutes or until done by
sticking a toothpick in the middle and it comes out clean.
Frosting for Carrot Cake
1 8 ounce package of creamed cheese
1 stick of margarine
1 box of powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup of chopped pecans
Have cheese and margarine soft. Set out of refrigerator a few hours.
Use electric mixer to mix in powdered sugar, vanilla and nuts.
Put in refrigerator after you frost it to make it set better after frosting.
I’m not that close to my family and am not sure how many people within my family have served in the military but today is the day to honor those that are veterans. There’s a local steak house that gives a free meal to all veterans that come in. It’s amazing to see the range of ages of these that served.
In this time of two wars, it’s easy to thank a veteran but there aren’t many left from WWII. I hope they know how much our country appreciated them. They fought one of the worst wars our country was ever in. They fought for people around the world that couldn’t fight for themselves, the Jews.
Let’s all make sure to thank a veteran today. If you don’t know one personally, it doesn’t matter, find one. Just look on their cars and you’ll see a Marine Corps sticker or maybe a ‘Retired Army’ sticker. Go up and tell them ‘Thank you for what you did for me and my family’ and shake their hand. They deserve to stand tall today and every day.
My children wanted me to put this picture on to honor the soldiers so this is from my children.
Global warming (free clip art)A UN scientist said that we should eat less meat to tackle global warming. HUH? The report stated, and I quote:
Pachuari said that “the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has estimated that direct emissions from meat production account for about 18% of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions,” when explaining the reasons behind his comment. “So I want to highlight the fact that among options for mitigating climate change, changing diets is something one should consider.”
Then the story goes on to say:
The National Farmers Union said that people should find ways of environmental farming instead of giving up meat. “The NFU is committed to ensuring farming is part of the solution to climate change, rather than being part of the problem,” said a spokesperson for the organization. “We strongly support research aimed at reducing methane emissions from livestock farming by, for example, changing diets and using anaerobic digestion.”
Now I’ve been around cows a time or two and I know they ’emit methane gas’ quite often. So what is he saying, that if you eat less meat, there will be less cows to emit this gas or the processing of the cows is what emits methane gas? I’m just a bit confused. I guess next they’ll suggest we don’t eat so many beans and broccoli so we won’t emit so much gas either? Am I looking at that wrong or what?
Charlie had invited the kids and I to Pizza Hut for dinner tonight. At first I wasn’t sure but since I did check him out pretty good, I thought we might enjoy a night out so I accepted his invitation. I have talked to him a couple times over the past couple of weeks and so far, he seems harmless. I just hope it stays that way.
He says he has a surprise for the kids. I have no idea what to expect but I’m not going to accept much from him until I’m sure he’s just what he seems to be and that’s a nice older man looking to share a moment or two with kids to help make his life fuller since he’s all alone. I feel sorry for anyone that is alone because I know how that feels.
