OHHHHHHHHH nevermind I almost forgot! I have to put up one more post, because it's my childhood best friend's birthday today! Join the 40's club, Tracy. (she finally got internet, so she can see this, hooray!)
(Tracy is the second from the right on the front row and I'm the fool next to her with the wad of bubblegum in my face.)
I made caramel apples yesterday from a recipe I scored off Bridget's site awhile back. They're good--I've eaten two myself! I thought they looked very fine on the dining room table this time--with the Halloween place mats. And as I'm editing the shots, I was going to crop it and eliminate the door off the main hall there--our master bedroom. But then I decided it's a good lead into a good house hunting lesson. Just immediately to the left of the dining room entry is the front door (you can't see it, but it's about three feet away). So...obviously the bedroom door isn't far from the front door. 
This is very handy, having the master bedroom on the main level--I like that. But what hasn't been especially handy is putting the door to the master room mere six or so feet from the front door. One might not think of this while house-hunting. Until you haven't made your bed or collected your unmentionables off the floor and guests stop in.
I have a double bridge in my mouth, my jaw pops, so I'll need that fixed because my ears ring and ache. I must wear reading glasses to read small print up close, and now, just this week, I awoke to find I have developed carpal tunnel syndrome. And I type. For a living. That's about right--I was due another body part failure! 
He's my 32 hours story...a real-life 32 hour, giant head suctioned out, umbilical cord wrapped around neck story. He was the baby I was seven months pregnant with when one afternoon watching Oprah, saw patients of my OB who delivered Niki and would be delivering him. They were telling Oprah about how he was being investigated for hypnotizing and molesting his patients. Mmmhmm, that's right. Murphy was my friend even back then! Because we had already paid him and had no maternity insurance, I had to keep seeing him (he was like 80 years old too, ewww!). But John didn't miss a single appointment from that point on! :)
He was his Papa Poirier's first grandson. Dad couldn't GET to the hospital fast enough to see for himself. A man who had three girls and one granddaughter, he resigned himself to girls girls girls and more girls. More than that, as the years went by, his Papa Poirier grew to really like him. My dad was a great influence on Cody and saw the amazing child in him that John and I saw. There was a unique connection between the two of them. When at ten years old he lost Dad, he took it quite hard. 
We struggled when Niki and Cody were young; we did without 'stuff' so I could be home with them. Cody took this in stride, and never complained that he didn't have nearly as much as his cousins or friends had. He always accepted no if I didn't have quarters for the gumball machine at the front of the store, saying 'that's okay, maybe another time' (kid you not!). He really did wear the 'jean' shorts I sewed for him out of faux jean fabric. I think that's why now, while he doesn't want to have a lot of clothes, he picks his clothes carefully and won't buy something he 'might' wear. I think he'd probably like a pair of faux denim shorts for his birthday, don't you?
Now things are different, yet we truly wouldn't trade those formative years for anything in the world. I didn't think I'd say that back then, but I am. And I mean it. It helped Cody develop an appreciation for what he has and empathy for others who don't have. Cody takes his dedication to God seriously and I sometimes find I learn from him, not the other way around!
So rather than list all the accomplishments Cody has made with his grades, sports, whatever, I'm just gonna tell you he loves God. He respects people. His Papa Poirier would be unbelievably proud of this boy's life so far. John and I are humbled by his character. We won't take credit for him, he's definitely a product of God's amazing work. So we thank Him for the gift of raising Cody--how lucky we are!
Cody dancing with his sister! (Kathleen! pshh!)
She was supposed to come do linner with me (you know, eat around three or four) but her 'prin see paul' called and she ditched me. (that's my best high and mighty enunciation I can do for Principal {not ple, a Principal is our Pal}). Kelly's a pretty famous school teacher in St. Joseph, so when the P-Pal wants to take her for lunch, she goes...she's pretty tight with the Superintendent as well I hear. One day maybe Kelly will let me tell you she was a very very wild wild wild girl in high school--could swing with the good girls and the parking lot at lunch girls. But I can't tell you that because I didn't ask. So she'll come next week or I'll go, whichever way it works to be.
ing (see previous post) and I'm quite glad you enjoyed my Rant in the
I'm facing a very icky day and don't wanna be booted yet (may already be, idk). Finally, I need to get to the typing, so in honor of my Kelly Girl's birthday, I have a little math ditty for you (thanks Sandra and sorry ahead of time for the naughty words at the bottom ((no pun intended thar!)) )
If ever I've been to a better cookout than this, I don't remember it! It was Cat's husband, Jeff's birthday on Friday, so we celebrate
d with a cookout on Saturday and Jeff did all the cooking! I think we ate all day long, starting around three and working well past dark. Cat and I lounged around most of that time, soaking up a little sun. I'll never catch up to her, but I worked at it! Our feast included steak, smoked salmon, stuffed mushrooms, bacon wrapped jalapenos, feta stuffed peppers, asparaus and a bunch of other stuff!
We rolled out of there following the poke cake and a song, lol. More importantly, we just had a great day visiting and laughing . :) The younger boys braved the pool--it's always exciting to get into the pool that first time in the season, so Alex was thrilled.
Today's church service included MORE food--we had a lasagne dinner during the sermon! We're focusing on the colors of ministry, finding our gifts. Just like last time I took the test, mine focused mainly on artistic and mercy. Still trying to find my "thing" with the artistic part. The mercy part, well I think that goes hand in hand with the nursing home visits I do. 
e a lot of choice, after all there was NO room left, lol. Okay, with that, I'm off to Savannah today--going to meet some friends, introduce Cat to them, and visit the mommy of a dear friend of ours who died in a car crash in 91. I've always maintained good contact with her, it somehow keeps me close to my friend. I leave you with the guys, Cat's Jeff on the right, my Johnny on the bottom. 
