Applause for News Anchor for Standing Up to a Bully

I am sure that by now, most of you have heard about the news anchor that received a very critical and plan out mean (in my opinion) email concerning her appearance.  If you have not seen her response to this bully, watch below.

Everyone, I had tears rolling down my face after watching this clip.  Though, I may never meet this woman, I wish I could send her a very big THANK YOU!  Her message to this bully and all the bullies out there is very powerful.  I applaude her in taking this stand against this downright cruel person and his comments to her.

I did not realize, until I watched the clip, that October was National Anti-Bullying Month.  What a great time to teach our children that bullying is mean and unacceptable.  What a great time to teach our children that words DO hurt and that sadly, you can not take back those words once they are said.

I have been heavy pretty much all my life.  I have heard the various things people have said about me from junior high, through high school, and even now when I am an adult.  And though, it is not something I admit often, those words still play in my mind.  You can ask Johnny how many times I have asked him he could he ever love someone that is overweight like me.  And I honestly believe those words come from the scars I still carry around from the hurtful words I had to hear then and still hear whispered now.

Please don't think I am writing this to get sympathy for myself.  That is not the case at all!!!  I am writing this to first give this woman praise for standing up to this bully and second to hopeful draw attention to this horrible thing that happens all the time!

I can honestly say that at this point in my life, I am probably the happiest I have been in a very long time.  I know my self-worth is not based on what I look like on the outside.  And yes, I am know I need to still lose weight.  However, I can finally look in a mirror and be happy with what I see even if I don't lose another pound.  That has been a long, hard road and one that I still have not reached the end of to this day.  However, I am better than I was a year ago!

So, please I am asking everyone - think about your words.  Think about what you are saying before you speak or type.  You never know the impact that you might have even 20+ years later.

Have a great day everyone!

Best Comedy Clip Ever

As some of you may know and some of you may not know,

I am a dental hygienist.  I have been a hygienist for

17 years now (Big YIKES there).

So, needless to say, the Tim Conway and Harvey Korman skit from

the "Carol Burnett Show" is my all time favorite comedy clip.

I laugh so hard every time I watch it, I cry.

I think some of the funniest parts is watching Harvey Korman trying not to laugh

at the silly stuff Tim Conway is doing.

So, here in it's entirety is the skit "The Dentist".

Enjoy and have a great day everyone!

Pictures Found On Old Cameras

Scratching your head yet?  Wondering what in the world I am talking about here? 

Well, several weeks ago, we found three disposable cameras in this

box of stuff we had just stuck in the closet.

Now, I figured that two were from the DC trip JJ's 5th grade class

took several years ago.  However, I had no clue about the 3rd camera

found.  I knew it was JJ's but I could not figure out from what trip or such

this camera came from.

So, I went down to my local Wal-Mart and dropped them off for processing.

Let me just say, digital photography has got me spoiled.  When I looked to see

how long it would take to get the pictures back, I was floored.  SIX DAYS!!

Come on now, that is crazy.  However, I remember bugging my mom everyday when

she would go to the post office to see if my pictures had came back when I was

younger.  I could not wait to get those pictures back after sending them to York.

(I am really showing my age here.  I don't even know if York still exists.)

Anyway, I went and picked up the pictures last week.

Mom gets an "A" for being right about 2 of the 3 cameras.

They were from the trip to DC.  Though some of the pictures were blurry (hey, he

was in 5th grade), some turned out pretty good.

Here are a few examples:

Not to shabby if I do say so myself.  He is a regular chip off the old block -- LOL!!

Are you wondering what was on the 3rd camera?

Well, it turns out it was a camera our friends Tony and Greta had given JJ when

we went up to see the "Hatfields and McCoys."  Tony knew JJ liked cameras and

brought him one. 

Now, the only reason I could figure it out that it came from that trip is because there

was one picture of the stage. 

 The rest of pictures, well let us just say they were interesting.

Now don't worry - they were not bad pictures of anything. 

One of me sleeping (yeah, you are not going to see that one). 

A couple of his nana and papaw.  One of our previous dog Prissy.

Then you get this one:

A very cute self portrait that I will cherish forever.

However, then you get this:

Yes, ladies and gentleman, marbles.

And not just one picture of marbles. 

There were EIGHTEEN different pictures of marbles.

Yes, you read that correct, 18!!

I spent $10 and some change to develop pictures of mostly marbles!  GEESH!!

Maybe this is how a lot of famous photographers start out -- LOL!!

Have a great day everyone!!

HAPPY 1st ANNIVERSARY JOHNNY!!

HAPPY 1ST ANNIVERSARY JOHNNY!!

Wow, where has a year gone?!?

It seems just like yesterday I was waiting nervously in the waiting room

while Johnny was in surgery.  That was a very nerve bending day.

However, it was a day that would FOREVER change my husband's life!

It is amazing to me how well he has done this past year.

Before he had the surgery, I did the research.  Of course, the bad stuff was there

just as well as the good.  It really scared me some of the stuff I read.

However, except for one scare that landed us in the hospital overnight

(dang gallbladder) and two small bouts of nausea,

Johnny has done REMARKABLY WELL!!

Words can not describe how proud I am of Johnny!  This was no

little decision.  And this was not a decision he could change his

mind about after it was done.  This was a LIFE CHANGING event.

I honestly do not think I could have done this.  I do not know if

I would have the willpower that he has and has shown.

So, again I will say:

HAPPY 1ST ANNIVERSARY JOHNNY!!

JJ AND I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!!

Are you guys wondering what Johnny looks like a year later?!?!

Well, here are two pictures taken on the morning of his surgery:

Here are several pictures taken tonight on his anniversary:

200 HUNDRED POUNDS LOST!!!

And those jeans Johnny is holding were the jeans he was wearing right before surgery!!

The change is AMAZING!!

Again, I am proud of you honey!!  I love you!!

Have a blessed night everyone!!

Showing Respect

On August 28, 2012, two WV State Troopers were shot and killed in the line of duty in Clay County, WV.  Sadly, Cpl. Marshall Bailey lost his life at the scene and Trooper Eric Workman lost his life on August 31, 2012. 

The out pouring of respect and gratitude for these two heroes was amazing.  Both of their funerals were attending by law enforcement throughout the United States including some LEOs from Alaska. 

On our way back home Saturday, Johnny, JJ and I stopped and paid our respects to these two wonderful individuals.  Though we did not know them personally, I could not help breaking down and crying for these two fallen heroes.  I still pray for their families and hope they realize Cpl. Bailey and Trooper Workman will not be forgetten.

Since my husband is a Paramedic and we have many family/friends in the law enforcement/emergency field, when something like this occurs it hits close to home.  So, I urge each and everyone of you to take time out of your day and just say THANK YOU to these individuals.  Because they put their lives on the line everyday to protect us.

To all my family and friends in law enforcement, EMS, and fire, I will continue to pray for each of you everyday.  I am thankful to know such a wonderful group of individuals.  May God Bless each and every one of you and your families everyday.  I love you all!!

Here are some pictures of the memorials placed around where Cpl. Bailey and Trooper Workman were killed.  Rest In Peace!

A Little Family Time

Want to know something?

Every once in a while, you just need to get away!  And that is exactly

what the Johnson clan did this past Saturday.

Every year in September, the National Hunting and Fishing Show is

held at the Stonewall Jackson Resort.

We have been wanting to attend since JJ was little.  However, between everyone's

schedules, this is the first year we were able to attend.

Now, I will admit that the only realy reason I go to these things is for the cooking stuff.

My one favorite vendor (that is usually at the local Hunting and Fishing Show) was

actually there!  I love, LOVE his spices!  They are absolutely the best.

And since he was not at the local show this year, I got super excited to see him at this one!

His name is Kenny Henline and you can check out his website here!

I am telling you, his spices bet McCormick's or any other name brand spices hands down!

Anyway, the guys had a blast.  And secretly, mom did too!

It was just nice to get away from Charleston for awhile.  To just be able to

spend some quality time together was even better.

It seems like we have been running in circles

for the past two months (thus the reason there hasn't been that many blog posts).

So, to have a day where it was just the three of us was GREAT!!

Here are some pics I snapped during our outting!

Top pic - JJ petting a black snake (BIG SHUDDER)

Bottom pic - Me wearing JJ's sticker because I actually touched the snake too!

EVEN BIGGER SHUDDER.  For of those of you who do not know,

the only good kinda of snake is a dead snake in my opinion!  UGH!

Johnny and JJ were proud of me though!  LOL!!

Enjoying the day together

Some different exhibits

Look at that beautiful sky!

JJ got to do a little shooting.  10 out of 10 hitting the targets! WOO HOO!

After finishing up at Stonewall, we headed back home.  Johnny surprised me and we stopped

at the Flatwood Factory Outlets.  I finally got to go to the "Everything Fiesta Store."  YEA!!

Found a perfect Christmas present in case anyone needs any ideas!

It is a Fiesta deviled egg plate!  Love it!!

However, I was a little sad that we could not stop at one of my favorite places to eat

while in Flatwoods.  The "Truck Stop 67" has been completely demolished.

That truckstop had been there before anything else.  They are building a Pilot station

there now.  Kinda of depression.  However, I did see this sign as we were leaving.

So, there is our little family time! 

Hope everyone gets to have some family time with their families as well.

Have a great day everyone!



Happy One Year Anniversary

Well, one year ago today, I started this blog!  WOW!!  I can't believe one year has already come and gone. 

The blog has definitely went through some changes as has the family.  In three days, it will be the 1 year anniversary of Johnny's surgery.  That is hard to believe as well.

So to all my readers out there in cyberspace, I would just like to say:

THANK YOU!!!  Here is to another year!

Love to you all!!