HAPPY NEW YEAR....2009

Happy New Year everyone!  Let us all hope for a better 2009, may all our dreams of a better year, be upon us.

Has anyone made any New Year's resolutions?  I haven't thought about it, yet.

My Real Hubby

This is my real husband!!

John and Jamie's little boy

This is Jonathan, he is my foster son, John & Jamie's little boy. He is 4 years old now, boy is he growing up. As you can see he is waiting for Santa with a plate of cookies and milk. That cookie sure looks good. Santa is going to love the cookie that Jonathan made for him.

Merry Christmas to All

I wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. May the love of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ shine his grace upon you.
My saviour is born, oh glorious night.

It looks like more snow is on its way

Tonight into tomorrow morning we are expecting more snow. So my little grandkids and all other kids can build a snowman like this one.


When I was a child I loved playing in the snow and building a snowman. So all you little kids at heart, enjoy the snow that is on its way. Let it snow, Let it snow, for we all will be dreaming of a "White Christmas, this year!

Leroy, The Redneck Reindeer

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you all like this little video. I know the kids will like it.
Just click on the title to watch and listen.
Enjoy!

Now My Firing Is Making Philadelphia News

I really wished I would have talked to that reporter, Stacie Weaver, to give her my side of the story, but I was too afraid to be on camera. Now, I regret it this morning as I am writing this posting.

Yes, I feel it was very wrong for Wilson Borough Council to fire me for not letting me explain the truth behind all this bull. I don't really care what they think of me, after, all this was made public. All I care about is the well being of our school children. The Wilson Borough Council ought to worry about the corners being covered, now that they are very short on crossing guards. If a child gets hit by a car and there was no guard on the corner where it happened, oh boy, huge lawsuit. I hope, it doesn't happen, because that will be on their heads.

I didn't do that job for 27 years, if I didn't like the kids. Who in their right mind would work with 2 artificial knees in all kinds of weather and jeopardize injuring themselves, if they didn't like their job.

Wilson Borough claim to be equal opportunity employers, YEAH RIGHT THEY ARE. Here is what happened to me. I was a meter-maid and a crossing guard for the boro, when I was having my knee problems. I fell on the job and tore my menisci, which developed into major problems later. I was told by Dr. Reid that I had to use a cane for assistance while walking around Easton Hospital writing tickets. Well, I was called in for using my cane, so I walked with a lot of pain. Then, it got to be very hard for me to continue to walk like that, so I started using my car and driving around to write tickets. Well, I got called in again for doing that. They said I wasn't covered on their insurance to do that. That is when I made a decision to resign as a longtime meter-maid of almost 12 years. I tried to continue being a crossing guard at that time, but it was getting harder and harder for me to continue doing that. Dr. Reid told me that all the walking and standing on the concrete wasn't good for my knees and it would kill me. That is when I made the decision to resign as a school guard. I really missed not working with the kids.

I had my first knee replacement in October of 2002. After is was healed and I could walk and stand with no more pain, I decided to apply to be a school crossing guard again. I was hired back in 2003. Well, shortly after being hired back, I was informed by another orthopedic doctor, Dr. Iallegio (he did both knees), that I had to have the other knee replaced. I waited until school was out and had it done. I was able to go back to work after the summer was over. So, I only missed one year from being a crossing guard. If I didn't do my job well enough I don't think I would have been hired back. DO YOU?

I want my readers to know........

I was coming home from getting gas in New Jersey, and as I was driving on Washington St, when I saw the young boy that this article is all about. I stopped my car and and rolled my window down to call the young boy over to my car. I apologized to him and he said to me, it was ok and he was not upset with me. He also said to me for me to not worry about it.

That made me feel kinda good inside. To think, that I may have caused him some internal damage from my remark that was BLOWN out of proportion.

Now, if we adults can learn from this that would be great.

I have created a lot of controversy in The Express-Times

I have written a letter to Action Express to see if the person in charge could help me get my job back that I have loved so much and had so much passion for. I didn't hear anything from them for almost a month. Last week a reporter called me and told me my letter was passed to him. He said that his editor thought it would make a good article and that my voice should be heard. I was nervous and excited all in one package. My husband was totally against the whole thing. So, after his disapproval over the article I tried my hardest to get it squashed, but the reporter said to me, it needs to be heard.

Well, let me tell you something to all my readers that I am in no way prejudice and that I see all God's children were created equal. God made us different skin colors, he made us with different talents, he made us with different intelligence, he made us with different ethnic backgrounds. But, he made us all equal and to love one another. That's what I have been always taught, since I was a young child.

After reading some of the comments that have been posted after the article in yesterdays paper, you would have thought I was this horrible person. To them that don't know me, you are all wrong. I would give you my last penny if you needed it, even if I needed more. I have done that so many times in my life and I would not take that part of me back. I have help anyone that has ever needed help, whether it is money, friendship, or anything else. Your comments that have been written will not change how I feel about all the people that I have come in to contact with. Like the one person wrote, STICKS AND STONES WILL HURRT MY BONES, BUT NAMES WILL NEVER HURT ME. I have been called many names most of my life and I have let them roll off my broad shoulders.

I have done that job to the best of my ability and beyond. Here are some of the things I have done to assist a child; Years ago when Shull School on Southside Easton was a school for bad kids, I took a middle school child over their after one of my crossing shifts because he missed his bus. That child was of different color, but he was a child that always showed respect because I showed him the same respect. Yes, he was sometimes a bad ass, but he wasn't to me. Just the week prior to me losing my job I took a family of 3 to the Wilson Elementary School so they wouldn't miss their bus to the Avona School, with the mother's permission, of course. The next day she brought me a little gift, I told her no I didn't want her to do that. Her remark to me was; In my country where I am from that is what we do to show our appreciation to someone that does a nice thing. After taking this beautiful gift, I asked her where she was from and she told me Mexico. Why can't we all be like this person to everyone we come in to contact with, the world would be a better place.

My girlfriend, said to me that she can't believe that I am this upset over losing a $5,000 a year job. I told her that this job might not have paid a lot of money, but I loved the kids. Yes, not all the kids are nice kids, but they are all kids whom will grow up to be, hopefully, wonderful adults. And when they look back, I hope I made a good impression in their life, in some way or another. That is the reward in crossing, teaching, or driving a bus with school kids.

The Christmas Shoes

I have watched this movie tonight and it is the greatest movie I've seen for the second time, that I had to share the song with you. What is Christmas without the love of a child for it's mother. If you haven't seen this movie, please do, you won't regret watching it. The Christmas Season is upon us and it is such a beautiful time of year.

I may not have money to buy the things I may want to give someone I love. I may not have the money to make a beautiful dinner to share with my loved ones. But I do know what I truly have in this whole wide world and that is the love of my Lord, Jesus Christ. He has given me so much. So much more than money could ever buy. He has given me hope & faith of a life after this, in his home above all homes, and that is Heaven. So, treasure the life you all have here, until you go home to heaven.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE!

I would like to wish all my friends, family, and daily readers to my blog a very Happy Thanksgiving. I am thankful today for my loving God to allow me to wake up and share my thankfulness with my readers. I am thankful that I am a very loving, giving, christian woman, who I will brighten anyones day. I am also thankful for what my Lord has provided me and that is a hard working man, 2 beautiful boys, 1 foster son, a beautiful daughter-in-law, lovely girlfriends for John & Billy, and six grandchildren, with one on the way. Yes, I have a lot to be thankful for.

I have three beautiful dogs and 4 loving kitties to greet me everyday with their love and adoration for me. What more can I be thankful for. Amen!

The Truth Behind My Firing

I always tell people things happen for a reason and God always sees us through the bad and brings us to the good. But here I am going through some difficulty and I'm really having trouble making sense at my wisdom.

Here is my story;

A week and a half ago I had a girl running with her brother telling me that another little girl was bullying her and wanted to beat her up. I tried to make peace and told the girls to just go home, but the bully girl kept screaming at the other girl telling her that she wasn't supposed to go home that she was supposed to come with her and her mom was going to take her somewhere. Well, I don't believe that was true on her part, because when I was trying to tell her to go home, she screamed at me that I wasn't her boss, I can't tell her what to do, and that I was nothing but an old crossing guard.

I went to her grandmother's house where she went to tell her how she was very disrespectful of me and what she wanted to do to this other little girl (I won't mention names because it isn't relevant). The grandmother told me that she wasn't even supposed to walk to her house she was supposed to go home after school. So she called her daughter to come get her. When the daughter came back around past me, I told the mother what she wanted to do, about beating up the little girl. That mother told me if she wanted to beat someone up she can. I told her that she wasn't going to do it on my corner. The mother didn't like that and pulled her car over and parked it. Came out of her car pointing her finger at me and yelling that I am nothing but WHITE TRASH. She threatened me and I called 911 to get the police there. I had many witnesses to what had happened. Meanwhile, while I was waiting for the police to come the grandmother was yelling at me and told me in no certain terms, if I get her daughter in any kind of trouble she will hang me. Well, she did.

The next day or so, I was crossing a group of kids and I was talking to a little boy. Telling him to go home the way he lives. A little girl asked me who I was talking to and I said that little black boy. She asked me, why are you calling him a color. I said because he is of different color than me, after she asked me twice, why was I calling him a color. I said to her, why did you want me to call him a little chocolate boy. He had on a brown coat and my mind couldn't respond the way I wanted it to and it came out wrong. Yes, that was my mistake for saying what I did.

That group of kids were walking on the south side of 17th street and this grandmother of the child from the previous incident was across the street from where they were walking. She called all of six of them over to her side of the street and asked what I said and they told her what I said. I'm sure it was like whisper down the alley, things got added to the story. This happened on a Friday.

Wednesday of last week I was called into the Boro Office for a meeting in front of the Boro Manager, President of Council, and the Police Chief. I was accused of making a racial slur. They said they don't tolerate that. They asked me if I called a little boy a chocolate boy. I said yes by mistake and I wasn't able to explain myself to them. I asked can you give me another chance. The council president said NO, that he had too many complaints about me. Well, he hasn't. He said to hand in my equipment and that I was done as of today.

I just want my family and friends to know the whole story and to know that I am not a prejudice person. I don't see color when I look at someone. I see the person God created. We are all created equal in God's eyes. I was told by a friend that is a teacher. He said we can't call them black anymore. We are to call them African Americans and we are called Caucasian Americans. Why is it wrong to call a black person black and a white person white, anymore? You see it in the newspaper all the time when the reporter is describing different races, i.e. black, white, hispanic, etc. Now, to me that sounds prejudice.

If the previous crossing guard that was stationed at that corner didn't have trouble (from this same grandmother), she would still be on that corner and I would be on my corner at 20th & Washington St. I was helping her out so she wouldn't quit, because she really needs the money. I tried to do good for her and it bit me in the butt. I don't resent helping her to move to my corner and me to her corner because we were both crossing the kids.

That is the whole story..........I love working with kids and elderly people. Hopefully, I find someone that could use my assistance, like my elderly friend. I take care of her in her home while her daughter works. I feed her lunch, take her to the bathroom, or do errands for her. What ever she needs done I try to accommodate her. Today I took her to the doctors.

Marley & Me

I have read and watched this video clip and it is almost like a reminder of our belated dog, Dutchess, our golden retriever. She was the most lovable dog and the most devilish one. She tore through door screens to see who was at the door, or watched the kids playing outside. We kept replacing it and replacing it. Then they cam out with animal screen. So, we tried that. It didn't rip, but it didn't stay in the door either. The screen repair man even glued it in and that worked for a bit. Now, we just let it flop.

Our beloved dog Dutchess past May 22, 2007. I went out that night and got a new puppy hoping to replace our Dutchess, but that didn't work with, Chuck. Finally, two months had past and he still missed his golden retriever so much. We went and bought a golden-doodle and Chuck named her Dutchess, after his baby. She is 17 months now and she seems to be reincarnated with the same traits as Dutchess,that I call her my puppy from hell. She is just an amazing, lovable, energetic dog that we wouldn't trade her in on anything.

She does almost everything like her predecessor, Dutchess. She hangs her head out the front door with the broken screen in it, just like our golden did. She always has something in her mouth she is caring around, like a baby, a toy, or ball. This Dutchess carries everything thru the doggie door to the back yard. If she isn't suppose to have something out the door she goes and us chasing after her. About every other day I'm out in the back yard rounding up all the bones, toys, balls, and babies that she takes out with her. Poor Chuck can't even walk in the front door from work without being jumped on and attacked with so much love. She loves Chuck so much that she has to be in the middle of everything he does. The only thing different with this Dutchess is that she is afraid of people. She hides by me and it is so funny to see this big animal afraid of strangers. Once she gets to know you then it is okay, but if she doesn't she hides. Our other Dutchess was a licker and a kisser with people, but not this one, she only kisses and licks Chuck. Yippee for him because he doesn't mind it at all.

When my son Bill or my grandkids come for a visit she runs in her crate and lies downs. She doesn't want anything to do with them, until she is ready to greet them.

You have to watch the video to really appreciate what I'm talking about.

I Added a New Link on My Favorite Sites

You have to check it out to see if there are new comedy videos added. I just couldn't resist adding it when I saw this cute little puppy watching himself in the mirror. OMG! it reminded me of my Patches, when she was a puppy. Puppies and kittens are just so cute when they are playing and discovering something new, as themselves in a mirror.

The Hottest Christmas Toys For This Year

Some of the toys on this list can be a little pricey for some pockets, especially if you shop for a lot of kids/grandkids. I have six grandkids and one on the way in February, so Christmas can get expensive. This year with the economy they way it is we'll have to cut back a lot. It is going to hurt me more than the kids, I think. I'm so used to buying the store out for my kids and grandkids, that it will be very depressing to not be able to give them as much. But, then again, my hubby tells me every year that I go overboard with Christmas. It is my favorite time of year and I'm a very giving person.

Brothers that love each other

Gizmo and Snowball just love sleeping together, whether it is on something like this, or sleeping on my bed. They are just so cute with each other.

Timmy needed the help of his pop-pop, Dave

Timmy couldn't open this one, because his Nanny Sue wrapped it in 2 trash bags. It took pop-pop, Chuck, 2 hours to put it together. I tried but I couldn't understand the stupid directions. It needed a man's touch, LOL.




When he saw it he said, I got my own scooter with a BIG smile on his face. That is all he wanted was his own, because Leanna & Justin each have their own, now he can join them in the fun. Each one is different, thank goodness. Leanna's is a princess one, Justin's is a spiderman one, and Timmy's is a star wars one.

Timmy and his presents

He looked in the bag and tried to figure out how to get his presents out. I yelled to him to dump the bag and he did. He looked at his mom to see if it was OK after he dumped it. He is so sweet with his little tiny voice.

Happy Birthday, Timmy, he turned 3 on Friday, Oct 10th

Timmy loved all his presents that he didn't know which one to open first. He was asking permission if he could open this one and this one. He was just so darn cute.

We Got a New Crate!

We had to get a bigger crate because Dutchess was hitting the top of the other crate and cutting her head and nose. This one is an ex-large, so we can fit both dogs in one, instead of having two crates in the front room.


Cody even likes to go in it too. He is just so funny! He wants to be a part of the gang, LOL.

True Friends

I just loved this cute little picture a friend sent me.

I Got My Flu Shot!

Yesterday, I went to Walgreens to get two sympathy cards for the Lambert family. While I was there I saw this line and wanted to see why, to realize that is was the line for the flu shot. I asked if I needed an appointment and the girl said no. I said all right then I am getting one while I'm here. I have gotten the flu shot for about fifteen years now, since been a metermaid. I have not have the flu since getting the shot and I'm very thankful for that. I was surprised this year it didn't even hurt. Never even felt the prick of the needle. The cost was $24.99 and worth every penny if it keeps me well and able to work during the flu season. With not having insurance I am thankful there are places out there that supply the flu shots. If you have insurance all you have to do is show your cards and they bill the insurance company. I also, filled out a form so they will fax it to my doctor to let him know that I got the flu shot.

People used to get sick from the flu shot when it first came out many years ago, because it contained a form of the flu. But, now it doesn't thanks to chickens. Somehow they do something to the eggs before they are hatched.

Exotic Pets Are A Danger To Our Young Kids

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Here is an article of the dangers of having exotic pets around small children. Click on the title and read the article.

I never knew they were dangerous when I was young, because my brother and I would have pet turtles, gerbel, hamster and even mice. We didn't wash our hands after handling them and we didn't get sick. When my boys were young we even had a pet skunk. She was a great pet.
When Tom got married he had a pet iguana, named Harriet and now he has pet rabbits. The kids play and feed them all the time and nothing happened to them. His iguana used to climb the living room curtain and lay on top of the curtain rod and just watch the sites around him. She just looked so darn cute up there.

Kids today need to get in touch with our wild animals because some make wonderful pets. They also add beauty to their young lives and help teach them what they are all about. I would never stop my grandkids from having an exotic pet because helps them learn the responsibility of caring for something so small.

Can you believe it, we celebrated 35 years of wedded bliss!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US!

This is what we looked like on September 29, 1973. We were so young and innocent, yeah right! Back then we didn't know what the future would hold for us, but we knew we wanted to share it together. And what a ride it has been, with some curves and bumps in the road, but we are still together and loving each other more and more each day.



And this is what we both look like today on September 30, 2008. Actually, this was on Chuck's birthday, in January, that is why he is wearing birthday hats. Didn't we both age well. No, comment kids! We have 2 beautiful boys that grew up to be 2 handsome men and we have been blessed to have a young man, named John, come to live with us when he was 19 and now he is a grown man too. Tom and John have blessed us with 6 beautiful grand babies and one on the way in February.



We both have been through a lot in our marriage, but I wouldn't change who we have become today.

New Years Eve at the Almond Tree Manor

The STAMPEDE BAND is playing at the ALMOND TREE MANOR in Alpha, NJ. for New Years Eve from 8:30-12:30. Check out the link and see what they are offering for the night. I thought is was a little pricey for $75.00 per person, but look at all you get. Thank goodness I get to go for free (because I'm included in the band), because I can't eat or drink a lot, so it wouldn't be worth it if I had to pay.

I have heard many good things about this Banquet/Restaurant, and now I can try it out. Here is the number if anyone is interested in making a reservation in advance for New Years Eve Gala.........Taking Reservations, call: 908-454-9394

Hope to see some of our friends come on out for some good food and good music.

This Tracking Device

I really like this tracking device, Feedjit Live Tracking Feed. It is so neat to see where people are coming from to look at my Blog. They have come from different countries, cities, states, and from different sites off the internet. Wow, this is just so amazing to me. Thanks for coming people and enjoy your reading.

Thanks Stephanie, my daughter-in-law for showing me this amazing tool.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JONATHAN

Today is my grandson, Jonathan's 4th birthday. So his Nanny-Sue and Pop-pop Chuck want to wish him a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY. I hope mommy makes a BIG cake with lots of icing with 4 candles that don't blow out, just to see that beautiful smile on your face. Enjoy your day my sweet little grandson.

Our Beloved Misty

Misty, our main coon cat, past away tonight at the vets from heart failure. The vet told me that main coon cats sometimes develop heart disease and she believes that is what caused her passing. She went quick and I hope she didn't suffer too long. I took her to the vet because she couldn't breathe right. We will miss her so much.

Her favorite thing to do was eat grass. I tried to grow cat grass, but she didn't like it. So, when spring came she would try to run out the front or back door to eat some fresh grass. She never went too far only in the front lawn.

I found Misty one night when I was on the computer playing a game on Slingo. I heard this cat meowing and I went to see where it was coming from and there she was under this big truck behind the tire. Chuck was playing in the Crazy Heart band at the time and he was at practice. I brought her in to the house and set her on my desk chair. I had two other cats and two dogs and she wasn't even afraid of them. She never hissed or anything. I knew she was going to be staying with us because when Chuck came home from practice he fell in love with her. I made a home for her in a box on our porch because it was thundering and lightning, but Chuck said NO she can stay in the house. Well, from that day on she was so loved. I believe she was a drop-off kitty and her old owner thought she was pregnant. We did too, until she didn't deliver. Took her to the vet to be checked and here she had an infected uterus. We had her operated on and had her de-clawed at the same time, because she wasn't going outside to roam ever again. She was just so sweet.

Misty ruled the house when it came to our other animals. She showed them she wasn't afraid of them and she could take care of herself. From then on she was one of the family. She roamed the house as if it was her house from day one. She loved her daddy Chuck a lot. She would lay on his lap sometimes when he was on the computer. She would come to bed with me at night when I would turn in for the evening. She would sleep on top of the headboard, until morning, or when Chuck came to bed. She loved anyone that came to the house. She was so soft and fluffy. She will be always remembered.

We love you Misty, time of death 9:20 PM on September 7, 2008

"Forget Your Password"

Please don't fall for these scams. I can not believe you can't even trust the links for "FORGETTING YOUR PASSWORD." I really think that is terrible with how these hackers get your personal information, with you trusting a link to help you recover your password. I hope I didn't make a terrible mistake, because today I forgot my password to my blog, and I had to use this helpful link to recover it.

HAPPY 5th ANNIVERSARY, TOM & STEPHANIE

Today, August 31st is my son, Tom & his wife Stephanie's, 5th wedding anniversary. Wow, I can remember that beautiful day like it was yesterday. They were married in the beautiful Allentown Rose Garden on this very day. The flowers were so lovely for the beautiful setting. They were married by a woman minister inside a gazebo with all their family and friends surrounding them.

Today their happy family has grown to four beautiful children from their love for one another.


Congratulations to you both for reaching this milestone in your life.

We all love you,

Mom & Dad Jarrell

School is Back!

Another start of a school year for Wilson. We have a very, not so bright, elementary principal that created a mess last year with crossing parents and their kids from the main entrance over to the alley, instead of making them walk to the corner where there are crossing guards. Well, this year he has this brainy idea of having passes for the kindergarten and first grade parents to be able to park on S. 21st in front of the school, which will only be able to handle about ten cars, plus mini vans for daycare. I had several parents drive by me and ask me about where to park because it was all parked up. I told them I had no idea and I gather it is first come first serve parking. I witnessed myself him i.e. principal walking across the street to the park bench and told these teens that were waiting for kids getting out, that they aren't allowed to walk them across the street to the alley, that the kids had to go to a corner where there was a crossing guard. I had to go to my corner, so I don't know how it went. He created this mess last year, after being warned and warned about what he was doing, was wrong. Now, he is trying to correct it with something that will also be a problem down the road. Just wait until it starts getting cold, or raining and we have more drivers picking kids up and then we will see how well his plan works out.

It is a wait and see kind of scenario for this new idea he has. Sometimes I wonder where men get their thinking from. We never had a problem until he was made principal and now all hell broke loose.

My Ham's of the Reunion

Tom is getting his 2 cents in for the picture of Jennifer holding Jack and her daughter Emily trying to pull him away.
Rebekah is being thrown up in the air to make a BIG splash in the water.
Our youngest niece Rebekah is so cute looking in this picture. She colored her pretty blonde hair darker.

Fun in the pool!

Janay's boyfriend Matt is having fun with the inner tubes.
Tom and Jennifer just floating around the pool with their butts in the tubes.
Janay is being thrown from her tube.
Tommy was next to get thrown from his tube. They all seem to enjoy the pool and the tubes.

Final Pictures of the Little People

They all sure did enjoy the babies. Looking forward to see how much they have grown in 2010 for the next Jarrell Family Reunion.

Jeri's hubby Bruce and the rest of the family sitting and enjoying the day.
Bruce's daughter Jennifer with her kids Emily & Tristan enjoying some family conversation. Janay who is looking at them with glee.
Looks like Jeri is looking at someone's family photo album, while others are enjoying idle chat. My son Billy is standing in the background looking at the action in the pool before he gets ready to join in the fun.

My son Tom, isn't he such a ham, LOL! Tom looks like he is inviting someone into his arms, I wonder who!
Tom and his father Chuck look like they are talking about something very important by this photo. That is Chuck's thinking stance.

Taking Turns Holding the Little Ones

My daughter-in-law, Stephanie, loves babies and she couldn't wait to hold little Aidan.
Jason, who is Aidan's daddy was trying to hold Stephanie & my son Tom's little boy, Jacob, but Jacob wanted no part of him. That is very unusual because Jacob loves people.
Tommy is holding Aidan, isn't it a nice picture. Tommy is a good daddy.
Doris's hubby Don is holding Aidan with one of their twin daughters watching and her grammy Dee Dee behind them, holding her so she can see the new baby, also.
Becky, who is Aidan's mommy is holding Rebekah's son, Jack, who is Jeri's youngest grandson. So, everyone got to hold the littlest people of the reunion. Babies are so cute.