The Mc Clan

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ain't this the truth??

How To Impress A Woman

Compliment her, respect her, honor her, cuddle her, kiss her, caress her, love her, stroke her, tease her, comfort her, protect her, hug her, hold her, spend money on her, wine and dine her, buy things for her, listen to her, care for her, stand by her, support her, hold her, go to the ends of the Earth for her.

How To Impress A Man

Show up dressed provocatively. Bring Food and Beer.

hmm anytonethinking the same thing I am?

I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
Thomas Jefferson

It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.

Leave no authority existing not responsible to the people.
Thomas Jefferson

My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.
Thomas Jefferson

The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.
Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson

The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.
Thomas Jefferson

Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government.
Thomas Jefferson

The new economy

Saving money has become a new goal I'm pursuing lately. And with good results I might add. This past weekend the coupons and education and homework to learn the money saving techniques yielded a savings of over $28.00 taken off my total bill. Whoo Hoo!! That was quite encouraging. Time well spent clipping coupons and researching on the internet. So I thought I would pass along some good sights to help someone else that might be interested.

There is a link called nickels-n-dimes.com on my sidebar that is quite helpful.
Inside thelink are some great sources.
Some others are www.becentsable.net
www.grocerygathering.com
www.coupondivas.com
www.couponloop.com
I've learned that you can get a coupon for so many items that you use everyday. So why pay full price when you don't have to. Some will do all the work for you and tell you how you can get an item free or pennies on the dollar.

And I have already learned that CVS and Walgreens both accept their store coupons on top of the rebates and manufacturer's coupons.. Many times you can get toothpaste, soap and even something like diabetic bloodtesters for free. Every dollar counts and so many worthwhile organizations and charities are in desperate need of donated goods. Money is tight and I can get items through these deals to donate to help them out. Especially the food pantries who are serving even more people today. It's become a fun game to play to fight back against these tough times..I am always interested in finding ways to save money so please share if you come up with something. I would appreciate it..

Spring Break has come and gone

Ok.. So it hit me like after the fact.. I only thought I would never get another Spring Break once I finally realized that college really isn't meant to be a permanent residence. Now I get to celebrate them all over again w/ our kids. Woo Hoo!! Only this time around it's way harder cause it's up to me to keep the kids entertained and on track in order to prevent the destruction of the home we have plumped our rumps in. And believe me, just leave these little weapons of mass destruction alone (or worse in pairs-better to out number and out maneuver you) and the home will turn into a battlefield w/ unrecognizable features. So I opted to keep them so busy they would just fall asleep standing up...the theory being they would be too tired to fight or argue.

Interestingly enough, those who know me know I couldn't get out of high school today if my life depended on it cause I couldn't get thru the math. How in the world did I now recognize that theory and hypothesis' would one day come back to bite me on the ass.. well isn't that something? Mrs. Mayer really did try to warn me with the fact that those lessons might prove to be needed one day.

First two days were supposed to go as planned.. Camping the backyard due to work and scheduling w/daddy. Wouldn't you know it.. We got over 3" of that stuff they tell me is rain. Honestly, it's been so long since I have seen the stuff I will take their word for it since my memory fails to recognize the stuff. Pretty soon.. it too will be categorized along w/the fabled snow in Texas.. So Praise God for the rain.. and halleluia for livingroom campouts (ie. staying up late and watching Boomerang tv. and house construction shows).. And did they sleep in the next days?
I won't even answer that one..

We then discovered an awesome watering hole at the famous Zilker Park. We have found our summer destination to play in the water safely w/ two little rambunctious kids. Failure to realize that the state highschool boys tournament, Austin rodeo, South by SouthWest Music fest and film and internet fests were also going on. I'm certain I just left out about another 20,000.. Needless to say, Austin was packed. It took us an hr. to find a place to park. But it was well worth it. The kidsa had a blast. It hit me while there tht I don't think I will ever be able to fully enjoy that park setting. The park is large and the place is always packed. Naturally, thekids don't want to stay together and will do the "panic split"-where mom flips out cause she can't locate her babies easily. Now rationally I know I can't recall a single incident where a child was abducted or harmed.. But in this case..too much knowledge is well--- just too much knowledge!! But we did have a great time..Raising kids has become all the harder these days w/all the dangers..

Next daddy took off half a day and we made a road trip to the San Antonio Zoo. John reminded me that we had been there before. It wa somethng I had wanted to do ever since they were born. Each child picked out which animal they really wanted to see.
Rachel had to see a lion and Marshall had to see the owls. Naturally, we didn't get to them until later in the day. I'm bummed since I have misplaced my camera. We used a disposable one so hopefully we got some good pix. Zoo trips for me have consisted once to the Houston and now twice to the San Antonio one. It hit me the other day that the reason I don't recall the actual trips and animals is because the zoo is unsettling to me. It's enjoyable to walk around in the blistering sun taking in animals and fish that we would never be able to see anywhere else. Painfully though, it always leaves a sour taste in my mouth. Why can't they get each species at least 2 so they can keep each other in their captivity? Is that too much to ask? Those poor animals look so sad and troubled. Days here have been like that but truth is always there that I can always leave. No.. not those sanimls. All that concrete and fake scenery.. like that makes it alright to those poor trapped souls?

So we saw a great arrdvarrk that I really wanted to smuggle home to abolish our fire ants that have descended into our vegetable garden. He was in Texas so I figured those ants would just be a little more spicy like a good salsa. And the new black panther was quite frightening. I swear if he could have attacked someone he wold have.. those eyes were locking on mine and it sent chills down my back in the high heat. Unfortunately, we couldn't get the rhinos to break out into song and dance into "Rhinoserus Tap" (Sandra Boynton-"hit it Max")!! Now that would have been worth the price of the whole break.. The kids enjoyed it and John fielded work calls all day as this is his busiest time of the year.. So the trip was nice. In conclusion to the zoo: it might be the proverbial trip to dream about when you have kids. Just as the proverbial wedding gift: toaster/can opener..



The next two days included trips to grandparents homes. It was nice to see them and spend time, but as usual the time just flew by way too fast. And keeping them on a tight schedule was mandatory if I were to survive and they would be prevented from harming each other to the pt. of a trip to the awesome new children't hospital.
The highlight of the week was when PawPaw Jimmie was working on the excavator his company has to load dirt for the cement jobs they install. We met him out at the dirt pit and Marshall got to sit inside and actually work the levers, buttons and horn. My heart ached for a camera to get some photos of the two. It was so heartwarming to see Jimbo patiently and lovingly showing Marshes the ropes. I'm not certain as to who looked more poud_all I know is it is a memory I never want to forget. All the while, Rache sat in the Hummer just dying to get on that spinning equipment. When it finally came her turn the minute her feet hit the height of the cab she begged to be touch ground again. It was just too scary for that tomboy.

We finished out the break w/a trip to the park w/some friends and camping out in the backyard. Ok.. by the time camping became a reality this chick had had enough bonding, outside and kids. So darling hubby took over. Yea Dad!! Again.. where is my camera.. What a great break.. tiring break..now I need a vacation!!

And I will start to plan the next years break early so I can rest and prepare as if it is the birth of a new child cause I firmly believe one needs more sleep and energy just to keep up w/those two. And I still stand behind the mantra that
"motherhood done right Can kill you"..
And it's sad to report that the cleaning fairies didn't come to our house and the dust bunnies magically mulitplied into dust bears.. Help!!

McNicoll Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebrities - Collage - Morph

McNicoll Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

how how true...

To think bad thoughts is really the easiest thing in the world. If
you leave your mind to itself it will spiral down into ever
increasing unhappiness. To think good thoughts, however, requires
effort. This is one of the things that discipline - training - is
about.

-- James Clavell, in his novel "Shogun"

Jasabone

the fall

So the bottom fell out.. I found myself fighting for my sanity and my graduation. There was a most vindictive college professor who had made my life a living hell. She was one of the cruelest people I have ever run across. And oh how the thought came about how sweet it might to make that a literal event. Finally, I got past her so I could finish my last few classes. Three weeks before the semester ended I visited the animal shelter in search of a buff colored Cocker Spaniel, my ideal dog. As fate would have it, my path lead me to the stall of a malnourished and very sad black Heinz 57 mutt. The shelter acutually had the cocker I wanted and that was a rare occassion... as I had visited this shelter many times in search of my new friend. But I kept going back to this black dogs pen. She had the saddest eyes I had ever seen. Life had treated her w/nothing but pain and heartache. And I must say my eyes weren't in much better shape.

We were both broken, hurting and trying to find our way through this life. She came home with me after showing some incredible moxy and spunk at the last minute. It was a spur of the moment most spontaneous thing I had done and also one of the very best!! I learned that you have to be spontaneous at times even when it seems crazy at the moment. We went to the vet and he wasn't sure she would live. I on the other hand had no doubt and had promised her she would never go without a meal over again. She didn't have to hide food or eat rocks ever again..

I took her home and named her Jasmine. She forgave me since jasmine is actually a white plant. She then proceeded to tell me she was acually an Italian diva dog who deserved the very best. We walked almost daily along the river among the fragrant blooming flowers. We took roadtrips w/the radio blaring and her head hanging out the window seeking better times. We were inseperable unless I was in my final classes or at work. And she pretented not to drink champagne, smoke cigarettes and plant her butt in front of the Tv on the couch while I was gone. She was the type to have a great party and not let on one had occurred.

Several pizza and spaghetti dinners later and some time passed. And before you knew it the sadness had been replaced by some remarkable healing. We both learned to trust again and seek out life. There wasn't a dog or kid she didn't like. Cats on the other hand were a deceptive enemy. She learned not to trust them quite quickly and had made it her life's mission that the one cat that did her trust in would forever mark the entire species forever in rambunctious and highly audible chases.
She also learned that living w/a very young child could also make for some of the best meals and recreation around. And he could never figure out just what happened to the food he was holding.

We were a match as well when it came to stubborness. She never did fetch, come or anything else unless it was her idea. And I pretty much allowed it.. Realizing that this diva deserved some attitude.. Jasabone and I lived in harmony until I got married. We were a package deal and yet I found my husband and my dog at odds due to jealousy... on both sides.. go figure.. And as usual.. Jasabone won..
Then we expanded the family to included an American Staffordshire Terrior and Jas held her own once again. What a pair those two were.. And she allowed Brandy to think she was the alpha. They were our kids since we figured we would never have kids.. Our parents even referred to them as the grand dogs..

So getting back to the question of letting go.. you can never really let go to prepare.. And in her final two years she earned the right to lounge in the assisted living accommodations of Mama, Daddy and MawMaw. There she found a fantastic concierge, daily laundry service, and the finest eating establishment she had ever had. She literaly became the princess diva dog she had always told me she was entitled to. And her thanks to Marshall and Rachel being so rough and young to understand the daily needs and requirements led her to her promise land. The land of milk and honey. The utmost retirement home for them all. It was the hardest thing I have done in many respects in leaving her behind, but I knew it was what was best for her. I ached for her everyday and loved her more than I could think was possible. And my family did as well, especially my dad. She was one special diva dog who somehow got misplaced in life and then found her glory.

There will never be another Jasabone and I pray never a road that leads my path under those circumstances again. We healed each other in only a way that God knew we each needed. And what a blessing she was..a pain in the butt and a true blessing..Ironically, I have my earphones on and the song playing is "And Give Me Something to Believe in".. Maybe not a coincidence.. Thanks for the ride Jazzy it was all worth it with you...

The high life

How does a person say goodbye to one of the most precious friends she has ever had after 18 yrs? I had been preparing myself for this event to occur. Unfortunately, the truth is one can ever really prepare for these events since a person can never fully comprehend just how much someone can mean to you until you painfully endure the loss when it actually occurs.

Nineteen years I was in my final semesters of school working at a the dream job having the time of my life. Truthfully, I had never been so sure of myself, what I wanted and where I wanted to be. My ground was finally firmly planted in the present and I was having the time of my life. My job was as a wedding coordinator for a very talented and much in demand photographer in the city I loved. He put me in charge of all aspects of wedding accounts. The only thing I didn't do was handle the equipment and take the photographs. He has won so many awards and truly brought his skill into pure art.

The job took me into a world I was unaccustomed to..this smalltown girl found herself in the throws of the bluebloods who had money to spend and loved to celebrate good times. My boss taught me some of the most valuable lessons in dealing with life. He taught me how to read people and how to treat them. Basically, there are two types of people in this world. The terms we used were the warm fuzzies (of which I'm sure you have already figured out) and the cold prickly. The formula goes that within about a minute or two of meeting someone, you will have figured out which type they are. And from there you treat these two types very differently. To even think of going up and warmly hugging a cold prickly will definitely cause a very uncomfortable encounter from then on. And to be distant and cold to a fuzzy will also betray your relationship. Practically everything I have done since this job has been a result of this quick lesson.

I also learned that there are two types of wealth. The old money and the new money. Some of the nicest and most considerate people with tons of class come from old money. They are conservative, precise and structured individuals who value doing good works and conservation. That's not to say that they will not spend money or have fun w/what they have. They usually dress conservatively and many would never be thought of as having vast amounts of money. And then there are the new rich. They often will dress flashy, individualistic and are much more loud in manner. And they will spend money like they've never had it..which is exactly the case.

My skills at observing and figuring people out became so much easier and clearer once I learned some these traits. Now I will say that this formula isn't 100% accurate as people are individuals but on the whole it rang quite true.
I was literally drinking out of a firehose while working this very stressful. And my boss gave me full reign over the entire account.. All he did was take the photos and hand over the artwork. I say this as if it wasn't anything to it on his part. But actually, he had each person's job assigned and we were fully responsible for the outcome. He left the people skills to us in the firm. He literally left his baby in our hands and I was determined not to fail him. As he had worked his butt off getting to the pt. in his life where he could focus on the aspects of the business that was his passion.

It wasn't until I left the job that I fully realized just what all had occurred and all that I had learned in such a short amount of time. We did weddings where the receptions cost more than my entire college education (all 7 yrs. of it). And those receptions were the norm for this group. We travelled all over the city in all the nicest of places. To say I was a fish out of water would be an understatement. But I handled myself very well.. that I am proud of. And I had been doing weddings for 7 yrs. prior to this in my hometown.. to the point I was sick of attending 1-2 weddings almost every weekend. But these were of a different caliber so they were exciting. The down fall would have to be the pitchers of Perrier water instead of tap water you are dying for while working your hiney off.
The weddings took us to the state capital and I snuck into the off limits Senate room before a Senator's daughter got married. The country clubs became too numerous to count. But the one I enjoyed the most was of the military full honors that we did. The groom was a blackhawk helicopter pilot and his bride's father was a four star general. The most difficult part was getting cooperation from the highest ranking officers to come w/me to partake in a picture or two. Once in my life, my smalltown raising and ignorance worked for me. My bossiness and refusal to take no for an answer allowed me to order these people around. And it was humorous to watch how they were unaccustomed to being handled or talked to like that. And then while watching election results one evening I recognized a few names and realized and recalled what I had said to handle some very prestigous and very high ranking judges at another wedding. This job allowed me to prove to myself and a very successful man that I could wing it and pull off great accomplishments with very little direction. It's amazing how the fear of failure can push a person to achieve great things. School was going great as well. I had finally found my self confidence and wings to set out on my own.

And then it happened.. The bottom fell out and shattered me into a million pieces.