forCRYeye

Happy Birthday/Vet's Day Dad!

2009-11-10T11:09:00.003-06:00

I am proud of all the Vet's in my life!

One of them, happens to be my Dad...

...it also happens to be his birthday.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Now, go thank your Veterans!

In Bon Temps, Be Back Soon!

2009-11-03T11:48:00.006-06:00

I have been kidnapped by vampires....again...and Halloween is over!

They both have me captivated...enslaved...glamoured...

They keep trying to make me choose....

...but it's not just vampires....

I am hidden somewhere in this stack...come join me....

The Dark Side

2009-10-29T13:16:00.003-05:00

It has been a looooooooong time since one of these badges has been on my blog!

How could I resist a challenge to come over to the dark side?

I'm home sick...can't eat, sleep (anymore), or do much...so I was able to join the crusades! I was inspired by Dracula this morning on AMC, not my favorite version, but a good one.

I apologize for the time stamp...I forgot to turn it off, and now it has the wrong year timestamped evermore on my blog. URGH. I used this lovely calligraphy ink in a dip pen, and the trusty signo white pen. The raven was cut out of a piece of clip art, and the rest was freehand. I used chalks in the background. Glitter was provided by stickles!

Challenge yourself to some dark arts!

Happy Halloween!

Cheeky Monkey

2009-10-18T20:49:00.005-05:00

Took the kids to the pumpkin farm today. They had a petting zoo. They had chickens, pigs, and goats. They also had mitten stealing monkey's.

Far as I know, monkey's are not indigenous to Illinois. Apparently, I don't know much...because this pumpkin farm had giraffe's, kangaroo's and monkeys.

Apparently, monkeys like to steal mittens from little girls.

Little girls do not like their mittens stolen.

Before Photo's of the Long Residence

2009-09-30T13:43:00.003-05:00

NOW...BEFORE YOU LOOK AT THESE PHOTO'S (MS. SEAWORTHY THIS MEANS YOU)...THESE ARE NOT MY DECORATIONS, THIS IS NOT MY FURNITURE, AND COLOR'S MAY VARY. THESE ARE ACTUAL PHOTO'S FROM THE BUILDERS WEB PAGE WHEN THEY HAD IT DECORATED. AMEN.

OK LISA, YOU CAN LOOK NOW:

MASTER BEDROOM

NOW, THESE WINDOWS DO NOT EXIST. THE BUILDER FILLED THEM IN TO SELL...NOT SURE IF THAT WAS A GOOD OR BAD IDEA...BUT IT WORKS FOR US. THE WALL WITH THE FIREPLACE IS ALREADY PAINTED CHOCOLATE.

AND HERE YOU HAVE THE FRONT DOOR. SORRY GALS, THAT'S ALL I HAVE RIGHT NOW. LOVES YA.

Home Sweet Home or BITE ME HERITAGE HOA!

2009-09-23T09:53:00.002-05:00

We're Here!

I would hearby like to thank the humanitarian board members of the Huntley HOA for driving me out of my neighborhood. Without your control and power issues, I would be stuck living under your rule. Instead, I got a nicer house and a wonderful taste of how cruel people really can be. I hope my friends never have to endure your ruthlessness, and God forbid you ever have to go through what we did. Amen.

Enough breath wasted on them.

We are HOME!

HOME!

Busy unpacking boxes, busy picking colors, busy finding packed things....

thank you all for keeping my strength up along the way!

09-09-09

2009-09-09T12:24:00.003-05:00

Happy 09-09-09!

I am 39 today on 09-09-09!

Beatles Rock Band comes out today.

9 more days until I move into my new house.

One more year in my 30's! YIKES!

Strange Dayz

2009-08-26T20:16:00.003-05:00

Life has been strange. Watching my baby go to Kindergarten...

Changing schools, leaving behind the campus we knew...

Planning the new color scheme of my new life, wherever that is...

Hoping that things move smoothly from here forward.

Hoping for some closure.

Hoping to move on.

Hoping to have good news soon.

Wherever I Lay My Hat, that's My Home

2009-08-06T08:59:00.008-05:00

There were a lot of wonderful memories made in this house.

A lot of sweat and hard work was put into it.

Children grew into young men in this home.

For one child, this was his first home.

We became friends with the most wonderful neighbor's anyone could ask for.

None of that changes. We still have those memories, and those friends.

We may, however....have a new neighborhood and a new house.

Stay tuned.

1987 Snow Dayz

2009-07-30T08:47:00.002-05:00

A friend posted this photo on Facebook and it is so dang funny, I had to share it. This was one of the best nights ever. A huge group of us went together, not as dates, all as friends to Snow Dayz. We ate at a medieval restaurant and sat at the knights of the round table room. It was so much fun. My friend Pat and I are in the bottom photo, gunne sack dress and all.

DENIED BY A CONTROLLING HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION!

2009-07-22T09:31:00.005-05:00

I love it when some asshole adds insult to injury and keeps you from rebuilding your home after a total loss fire.

He has no idea what we have been through.

Instead...he is worried about fading shutters in the community, and not the foreclosed homes.

He will send the Sheriff to your door if you are late on your dues.

Some people are under his "nice guy" spell.

Only June Cleaver can be fooled. He will act like Mr. Nice Guy...and turn your back...and his true colors appear!

Would have been nice to have some "closure" to our tragedy...and see our house re-built. Would have been nice to know where we are going to live. Would have been nice to be back home for a time before our oldest went off to College. Would have been nice to know where our children will go to school in the Fall. Would have been nice if our ASSociation didn't have so much control.

Probably as Close as I Will Ever Get to Bono

2009-07-13T19:03:00.003-05:00

When going through the house one last time...my husband found my crate of albums. They were DISGUSTING. I did save one.

My U2-3 record.

Country: Ireland
Label: CBS Records
Catalog:
CBS 12-7951
Package: Generic Sleeve
Track Listing:
Out of Control (Single Version) / Stories for Boys (Single Version) / Boy - Girl

As a foolish teen and young adult, I fancied the thought that I would:

A: move to Ireland

B: Meet Bono

and
C: Marry Bono, or at least join the band

silly girl.

I lost 2 U2 Autograph's, countless letters written to me by their assistants at SisterSister. Many limited edition items.

If anyone has a connection to Bono, the Edge, Larry or Adam, Please send them my way.

For now the singer of ELEVATION will stand in for Bono.

Tearing Down the House

2009-07-09T10:03:00.003-05:00

I wish there was a catchy tune to add here....there were many the DJ avoided at the fundraiser:

Burnin' Down the House

The Roof Is on Fire

Burnin' Up

The Unforgettable Fire

Fire

For the tear down...maybe you can come up with a title.

I planned on sitting in a lawn chair, with a bottle of rum with my friends....

but didn't get enough notice to make that happen.

It ended up being a somber day. I welled up, and thought my heart was going to be stuck in my throat forever...but then it would pass...and it just is what it is.

A hole where my life used to be.

And now, I have to start it all over.

Hey Lisa: hope you don't mind that I swiped these photo's from you...(get a blog)!

Vampire's Everywhere!

2009-06-22T12:29:00.003-05:00

Inspired by the series, the books, and the actors!

I haven't met a vampire yet, that I didn't like.

Is It November Yet?

2009-06-11T10:12:00.005-05:00

WELL...hello there!

Yumm-O!

I remember reading NEW MOON, and actually...gulp...rooting for Jacob. Silly fool I was.

But you see, I have a "thing" for Native Americans (must be that smidge of Cherokee in me), and hairy, tall men. Lucky Lisa lives near Forks. Wench. And I mean that in the nicest way.

So, anyway...I rooted for Mr. Werewolf until HE came back.

Hi there, Mr. Cullen. Thanks for coming back.

Speaking of tall, dark and handsome:

Oh yeah...I forgot...Ville isn't in this movie. Duh. Silly me.

How Can I REALLY Say Thank You

2009-05-30T23:20:00.004-05:00

Amazing things have happened, since the "unfortunate event". Things I NEVER thought possible, thing's that would not have crossed my mind...but have changed me.

Friends, family, and support come in all forms. Where you least expect them, is where they appear.

Beautiful, giving, generous people have crossed my path...and I would like to show you what they shared.

Right away, Michelle had an idea...and took it to fruition. Wow. I can't imagine undertaking such a task, making it happen, and seeing it through. Thank you!

As if that wasn't cool enough, this bloggy friend thought to order me a set of the delightful stamp set too! WOW!

Neighbor/Rock Star friends put together this way too cool poker tournament to benefit us. Sure wish those peeps had a blog, so I could send you to see them...get a blog LISA!

Rob, "Baby" Josh (our other son), Me, Tina (the shark), and Mr. Forcryeye.

And then there was the fundraiser.

(Insert image here....imagine rainbows, faeries, and chocolate).

Somewhere in there...my baby turned 17, went to his junior prom, and started a job.

There are no clever quotes, or silly sayings that will encompass the generosity, compassion, and sense of community and friendship we experienced.

There is nothing I can say, that will encompass my gratitude.

We are forever grateful, forever changed.

Someday...we will pass it forward.

Secretly, I am a Geek

2009-05-14T18:41:00.010-05:00

I do believe it is possible to be a rocker and a geek.

I may not have had a 4.0, I didn't build my computer at age 8, I don't wear glasses with tape in the middle.

But, I do love me some Sci Fi.

We had the pleasure of seeing the PREMIERE of the new Star Trek movie a week before it was released. I got the hook up. I hope you have seen it by now, it ROCKED!

I was lucky enough to meet Scottie at a gaming convention once. I asked him if he would sign the photo To: Paula for me. He replied, "I am sorry hunny, I don't personalize my autographs, but tell her I said hello." I think he may have been going senile. I loved Scottie, but he isn't my favorite Star Trek character.

That title belongs to Worf. He is so sexy. I know.

Onto other Sci Fi faves:

Ewan McGregor is magically delicious as old Ben, but my ALL TIME FAVORITE JEDI is Qui Gon Gin. LOVE HIM! Why, why, why did I only get him for Epsiode 1? Bastards. I would like a spin off movie of Qui Gon and his secret wife (played by me of course), and their courtship. I can't be certain if I love Qui Gon for his gentle strength, or because he is paid by Liam Neeson.

Anyone remember Dr. Who?

I met this one: Colin Baker at a Dr. Who convention.

And this gentleman, Patrick Troughton...the Second Dr. Who...not long before he went to the TARDIS in the sky.

But....Dr. Number 5: Peter Davidson...he is my fave Dr. hands down.

No catchy ending.

The End

Good News For a Change

2009-05-13T18:00:00.002-05:00

I still got nothin'. So, how about a little joy? Sarah, over HERE had a baby girl! Welcome to the world little Audry! Congrats Fortner SIX from Long SIX!

I Got Nothing New

2009-05-07T09:14:00.003-05:00

I had a LOT of books.

I know, because Mr. Forcryeye and I are having to inventory every last one of them.

Floor to ceiling bookcases downstairs, bookcases in the basement, bookcases in the kids' rooms, bookcases in my bedrooms.

I miss my books.

I realize my most precious (non-human) possessions were my photos, scrapbooks and books.

I Want My Life Back

2009-04-27T14:18:00.002-05:00

I just want to tell YOU all hello.
I don't have time to blog, and should be working on inventory.

I want to send funny comments back and forth with YOU via the blogs.

I want to hang out with my home girls.

I just want YOU all to know that I am grateful for YOU, and I can't be a very good friend right now, I have too much on my plate.

If I forget to thank YOU, or YOU haven't heard from me in a while, please know I have thought of YOU and I do thank YOU every day for your friendship!

Still NO @#$%^&*! Internet or Tv

2009-04-13T15:43:00.004-05:00

INCONVENIENCE
That is my life right now, one giant inconvenience.
If it wasn't for all my bloggy friends and these people:

Lisa (on left)

The Jacobs

Mommy, Daddy, and Sissy

Tawny

Rob and Colleen

Rose and the real Elvis

...well, I don't know if I would still be sane...or am I?

I do kind of feel like I have held it together, and may be losing it...

I appreciate EVERYTHING, EVERYONE has done...if you are one of my hometown homies and there is no photo (ERIN AND JEANNINE)...it is because I didn't have one of you at work.

What? No, I am not blogging at work.

I have SO MANY people to thank...

I will get to you (Marlynn)!

Easter Feels Like Thanksgiving

2009-04-09T12:42:00.002-05:00

I have a LOT to be thankful for.

Big boxes of art supplies.

Donations of many kinds.

A stamp line with my family in mind.

Friends who have devoted their energy to my family.

Strangers who have given me friendship.

Children who have made a difference.

Teachers and a school district with heart.

The well being of my family.

Please take some time this weekend to back up your photographs, plan and practice your safety evacuation plan, and DOUBLE check your insurance policies and smoke alarms.

HAPPY EASTER PEEPS!

Hopefully I will have Internet in my rental next week.

Irony Found in the Fire

2009-03-31T21:24:00.001-05:00

Burning in Water, and Drowning in Flame

2009-03-30T21:37:00.004-05:00

I think this is my kitchen.

This was my cabinet of antiques.

The title, a lyric from my fave band...describes our plight. Everything on floor one and two is charred. Gone.

What is not, is a mushy mess from the basement...and I have to inventory it all...piece by piece, reminding myself over and over what I have lost.

I don't want to go into that house again, until it is demolished and made anew.

But I have to.

Tonight, while dreading going to deal with this again I saw this:

(Michelle, you rock)

Unbelievable. Between my home girls, and my blog girls, and my family...I am the luckiest girl in the world! Thank you everyone, for every time I am so down I don't think I can get up something wonderful happens!

All is Not Lost

2009-03-22T11:44:00.006-05:00

Most of you probably don't know that my house caught on fire on Friday, March 20th, 2009. We don't know what happened exactly, but the fire started somewhere in or near the laundry room. Alex was out with his girlfriend. Angelina was packing for her trip to Florida. I was bathing the little ones when the alarm went off. Chris investigated the first floor (he was watching tv just feet from the laundry room), he didn't see or smell anything. He went downstairs to look while Angelina and I looked upstairs. By the time Chris got back upstairs, flames were shooting from the laundry room. He hollered for us to, "Get out now, there is a fire!", and the kids jumped out of the tub and we ran downstairs which was already filled with smoke. We crouched our way out the door, Chris was able to grab my purse, and throw a blanket on Sami on our way out the door.

A policeman who was doing his normal patrol of the park and neighborhood saw the children running across the yard towards the Kavanaugh's (our fire safety meeting spot), threw his squad car in park and ran to help. He asked if everyone was out safe...and I said, "the dog!". My super, brave husband ran around the back of the house and opened the hot patio door and found Chance cowering in the corner...Chris dragged him out...as the flames rushed toward him. We watched helplessly as the flames consumed our house. It happened so quickly, we barely escaped before the flames blocked our exit.

Immediately, our neighbors rallied together and started bringing clothing to our safe house at the Kavanaugh's (get a blog Rose!). Kosto's resturant (in Algonquin, IL) donated tons of food, people offered help. Children offered help. Teenagers hugged me.

My neighbors have started a blog for our family:

http://helpthelongfamily.blogspot.com/

My little Sami said to me Friday night, "Mom, isn't it great how our neighbors came to help us, they are like family now!" Aren't 8 year old's insightful!?!

I will blog more later when I can. In the meantime, double-check your smoke alarms, practice your fire safety plan, back up your photo's to Flickr, and make sure you have enough insurance coverage. Most of all, appreciate your family, friends, and neighbors!