~~Happy 2nd Anniversary Sweetie~~
~~ Happy Anniversary Sweetie~~

Two years ago today, you took my hand, and I took your's and we promised to be each others forever, for forever. In the last few days I have been reminiscing of the past and to some of our earliest memories and how we got to where we are today. I went back and looked in my yahoo email folders and found some of our earliest email's to each other. Rereading them brought back so many memories/feelings and thought I would share some of them with our fellow bloggers.

I know there are many out there who are in internet relationships/or searching for someone, and you wonder if they ever really work out. As you will see from some of the following emails, we had just both come out of 15 yr marriages and were doing the "dating scene". You can see some of the doubt I had being a heavier woman, and wondered if a man could truly love me that way. Patrick and I met through Yahoo! Personals, and we emailed/ and talked by phone for 8 months before actually meeting in person ~ this is our story. For those "looking for love", or who have a romantic heart ~ this would be a cute read!

I wish I had the emails from Dec of 2000 ~ until May of 2001 ~ but didn't have the hindsite to save them. These are some of the emails starting in June, 2001 after already talking via email for 6 months.

June 5th, 2001 (Brenda)

Hello Pat, Hubba Hubba :P That is a wonderful pic..why do u apologize for it? Wow..tis very wow..! :) lol. Sorry fell off my chair..ok i'm better now. No i'm not staring at your pic..i'm not..sorta. I will go thru my pics today..see if i can find some for u. I truly don't have many full body shots..just cause i don't like those of me. The next batch i take..(maybe this weekend) I will take a few new ones.

June is the month we first started to say that we had feelings for each other. At this time we were still dating other people and telling our dating/horror stories to each other. I had a guy visiting me for a few days ~ and it was then I realized that I truly had strong feelings for Patrick, more then just penpals/ friends and I so wanted the guy to leave! Patrick knew the guy was visiting me and was trying to hard to support me, and when I finally confessed my feelings for Patrick in a email, he did the same for me.

June 15th, 2001 (Brenda)

C

limbs into Patrick's lap and wiggles trying to get comfortable..hi ya baby! :) Thanks so much for the beautiful email..i shall forever cherish it!! You make me think and dream so much about what life can become, i knew i'd be going thru lots of changes..but i must admit..u have just given my whole life a different perspective. Maybe it's because i wasn't really expecting to meet anyone at this moment..so this is such a wonder surprise in my life. I feel bad about this weekend..i feel like i'm doing something to hurt your heart..which i'd never ever wanna do. Just remember babe your always in my head and heart...more then any man i've ever known...and i mean that. I hope u have a great day tomorrow..i love u baby..big big hugs..leans up on her tiptoes..gives u a soft kiss..and a quick grope :P Ciao Baby....
June 16th, 2001 (Patrick)

Whew!!! Baby, the more I look at you, and the more I think and feel about you, the more I realize that you are my true destiny! ***taking you into my strong arms and filling your sweet tender lips with more love than there are sands on the beach with a long passionate kiss*** I'll talk to you tonight. I hope and pray that you are feeling better. I love you Brenda!

June 17th, 2001 (Patrick)

Hello beautiful! I miss you soooooooo much its not funny. I'm seriously feeling your pain too. All day at the show I was getting a strong gut feeling that you weren't happy today, and I felt your depression in my heart. Brenda, I love you more than you can imagine, and for me to feel what you're feeling there's gotta be a very strong & special bond of the hearts. That's what I feel for you baby. You & I are a match made in heaven. I really wish I could snap my fingers and be there with you right now. I want so desperately to be in your arms, to be able to kiss you softly & make love to you like no other man could, and truely make you the happiest woman in the world. I can be your strength for now & always. just remember, honesty is ALWAYS the best policy. Express your true feelings baby. Like we do for each other. My heart is yours till the end of time sweetie. Be strong & follow your heart. I love you brenda! ***holding you tight in my arms, & kissing softly with tears in our eyes*** Hang in there my love. I'm here for you always & forever

June 22, 2001 (Brenda)

Hello Patrick, Gosh what are u doing to me..lol! :) I can't help but think of u so often..i'll be doing a simple task, like washing dishes..and i think of u. Then Mitch asked me why i was smiling..i didn't even realize i was..lol..how strange is that? sexytexie..added me to her pager..so i added her back. I then went and checked out her web page..and photo's. I think she's a very beautiful woman. So i then pmed her quick and said hello..and told her i liked her page. She seems very sweet. I would love to meet your friends and family baby. I just want to make sure u meet me first..then u can decide..if u still want to do that ok? I know i am going thru lot's of changes this year, and i do get somewhat self concious about myself at times..but it's rare. Just the first few minutes i'm alittle nervous..but then i relax and have fun. I still can't believe that dream this afternoon..it was so very real..i could touch u..feel u..damn baby..was so awesome!! Anyway just wanted to let u know i was thinking of u..i love u babe..big hugs.. Bren

June 24, 2001 (Brenda)

Peeks in thru the window pane, doesn't see anyone..so I climb thru the window. Ummm drat baby was hoping u were here..lol. Good thing u have that tree next to your bedroom love! :) Flops on the bed, smells the pillow..mmmmm babe i can smelllllllllll u...lol, well i can. I see what ya mean about not unpacking..u have boxes everywhere. So how was my baby's day? Not much happening here, kinda quiet and hot..but a nice day. Just finished doing dishes..gotta sit down and write my baby a letter. Made sloppy joe's/fr fries..and corn on the cob for dinner..the boy's favorites. Mitch just got home from work..and will be taking off for basketball about 6. I misssssss may baby..lays down on partick's bed..hugs the pillow..smells her baby..and closes her eyes with a sigh....

June 24, 2001 (Brenda)

rolls over and stretches....slowly opens her eyes..wondering where she is. ahhhh drat my baby is still not here...i was having the best dream babe..u were laying next to me..touching me, kissing me, whispering in my ear..grabs your t-shirt off the floor. Pulls off her clothes and lays underneath the sheet naked..holding the shirt close to her heart..drifts back off to sleep.

June 24, 2001 (Patrick) ~*note*~ Deb is Patrick's ex-wife

Hi baby! Damn, what a great suprize to find you in MY bed! ***strips naked, slithers under the covers from the bottom of the bed head first, and waking you with my tongue slowly caressing *** well, one good suprize deserves another baby. *lol* I'm very sorry I didn't catch you earlier, as soon as I got back from my brother in-law's in Long Island, it was about 11:00pm, and I found out that my parents had taken Debbie to the hospital. She started having bad chest pains, and then palpitations on top of that. She didn't come with me & the boys cuz she wasn't feeling good. So she's staying in the hospital at least till tomorrow afternoon only if they don't find any problems. right now it's 3:30 in the morning, I'm at Debbies watching the boys so I can put them on the school bus in the morning, then I'm heading back to the hospital. I'm not going into work tomorrow. I tried calling you a little while ago but I got your voicemail so I'm gonna try again in a little while. I miss my baby terribly and need to hear your sweet voice. I'll talk to you soon my sweetheart. I love you! Patrick :)

June 25, 2001 (Patrick)

Hey baby, ***flexing at you while I'm writing to you*** How are you feeling baby? better now? Cool! Can I feel how better you feel? >:) I bet you're as soft as a baby's butt. lol Can't wait to find out for myself. I'm feeling good too. Well, Debbie is out of the hospital. They concluded that it was a borderline heart attack, and they also told her that she now has diabeties. She's gotta go see her regular Dr. for more testing. But other than being tired she's doing okay. Baby, I could really go for one of you're dreamy hugs right about now. ***deep sigh*** I miss you and I love you more than anything sweetie. I'll try to catch you tonight my love. ***my hands caressing the sides of your face, then running my fingers through your hair, slowly pulling your lips to mine, and kissing you so passionately you get week in the knees*** I love you Brenda!

June 28, 2001 (Brenda) *Note* ~~ I'm having doubts on my looks, and trying to "let" Patrick "off the hook" if we don't connect when we meet! We offically meet on August 1st, 2001. You can see by this email that I worry about being heavy and all that stuff us women go thru! Patrick has sent me a bunch of new pictures of him, and I think he is so handsome and wonder what he could ever see in me.....

Hi Sweetie, Just wanted to write u..been thinking of u so much. What have ya done to me? lol I love all of the pictures babe..every single one of them!! You are sooooo damn sexy!!!! Sorry lost control there for a sec! :P I love talking to u babe, i'm very sorry u were having a rough day with deb. I just want u to know i don't mind hearing about it..please never be scared to talk with me about things. I don't judge babe..and i can be a very good listener. Deb is going thru some major changes now..but i think it should get better. She is just scared, and needs someone to vent on..your the lucky fellow. I'm sure she doesn't mean half of what she says..ok? And the pic of u and katherine is great..i don't think she's 450 tho babe...more like 350. I wish my weight could be distributed that way..but most of mine well..is in my stomach like i told u. Her's really doesn't look that big too me. I just want to make sure u know that i'm being honest with u about everything. I wish i could wear a smaller..pretty shirt like she is wearing..but it's impossible in a way for me..i always have to wear something that is longer so i can try and hide my stomach.

Anyway i know u keep saying it doesn't matter..so i hope so..lol..but it's ok if u change your mind once u meet me..and we can just hang out and be buds ok? No pressure. I know i have to work a tad on my self esteem..lol..i'm truly fine once i meet a person..it's just i try to make sure before hand..u know who/what your getting. I've never had one man i met, not like me, and that terrifies me in a way. Cuz the man (u baby) that i truly want to want me...i'd die if your the first who doesn't..(would be my meatheaded luck) lol. Ok..all that said i feel better..i can't get over those picsssssssssssss...hubba hubba! I don't know which one's to put where..u have me all confused now..i like to many of them!! :) Ok so i'm a tad wacky..been wearing your rubber band around my wrist..thinking of wear it's been..makes me smile everytime i look at it! :)

I can't wait to meet u babe..and just be there for u. I hope u have a wonderful 4th week..i shall miss u so much. I will try and call when i can. I hope things get better with deb babe..just remember she's scared..and acting out..don't take what she says to that beautiful heart of yours..love u..big big hugs..soft kiss.. Bren

P.S. OMG!! Put your band tape in..watching it now..u guys sound really good babe! Mitch is even getting into it..lol. You look so good babe..god how did i get so lucky? For only getting together once or twice a year i think u guys sound fantastic!!! Seriously! Would love to sit over a cold beer and watch u guys play sometime..love u babe..gonna go watch your ass in motion! :P

June 28, 2001 (Patrick)

Hi baby! No my love, you don't need to work on your self esteem, WE will work on your self esteem! Okay? ***holding you tight in my arms and passionately kissing you with all the love in my heart*** I understand very much what you are trying to tell me baby, I just want you to know that with all my heart I have already accepted you just as you are right from the start. Never in my life have I changed my mind because of someones appearance. It's not me, and it never will be me. I garuntee that sweetie so PLEASE try not to let that bother you.

Look deep inside my heart at the type of person I really am and the person that I have proven to be to you, and try and trust me on this. I love you for who you are, and everything that cums.... uh... comes with you. I understand that for now you may feel a bit uncertain, but you're gonna be more than happy once we do meet that you won't have to worry about your self esteem anymore. I love you Brenda! Bottom line! Nothing will ever change that! And I'll be proving that to you from now, until the day I die, and then some. :) By the way, just because I'm going on vacation doesn't mean that we're not gonna be conversing baby. you sounded like I was taking a vacation from you hon. *lol* I will never survive without you! *lol* You are the best thing that ever happened to me, and I need you always. You ain't getting away from me that easy baby! *lol*

And thank you soooooo much for being so understanding of what I'm going through with Debbie. I understand exactly what she's going through, and I know what she can or can't handle in life. But I also know what is best for her. I know she doesn't mean alot of things that she says. She herself has even asked me a few times why & how do I put up with her. She's been through alot of heartache in her life, but she needs to learn to let go of alot of things in life. Especially the past. Well baby, I'm so glad you liked the pics and the tapes. I am just as overwhelmed with the pics of you as you obviously found out the HARD way! *lol*

July 6, 2001 (Brenda)

peeks around the corner and looks in the window..drat no baby..climbs in. Hmmmm room looks nice baby..i see u have been cleaning. Lays on the bed..peeks under the bed..see's the plastic bag with all the toys. U sassy man u! :) Just got home babe..went over for the kids get-together birthday party. I still feel ick..but thought i should go. My two sis's and brother are all leaving tomorrow.. Cold, cloudy and sorta ick here..wish my baby was here. Would love to be laying next to u..just talking, touching, loving. I'm so very glad i have met u Patrick, I can't imagine u not in my life. Flips thru here baby's cd's..hmmm creed..slips it in her bra...hugs her honey's pillow to her chest..sniffing it..well i think i'm gonna go take a short nap before Mitch has to work and zach comes home. Hope u don't mind..but ummm i'm taking your pillow..lol :) I'll give it back to u someday. Hope your having a wonderful day babe..i miss uuuuuuuu.. Lot's of Love, hugs..gropes..kisses..hickeys.. :)

Finally August 1, 2001 we finally meet face to face ~ these are memories I wrote about that time.

Well I met Patrick about 3 years ago this month. I wasn't really looking for anyone. I had placed a personal ad in yahoo (before you had to pay) and Patrick had contacted me a few times. At the time, I had alot of requests to meet men (usually married men) so i sorta gave up on the personal ads. I never did answer Patrick. Then one day I get this pm from a guy, who says, "Why won't you answer my pm?" Me, being me..felt bad, so I said hello. We talked for many months..both of us still dating other people. We decided we would just be friends, since we were so far apart. After a few months, we became closer, and started to talk about dreams for the future. I truly never thought I could move to a city, and Patrick had to stay in nyc to help out with his two autistic sons. But you can never be sure what your heart will do, and we slowly began to fall in love.

I first went to see Patrick on Aug 1, 2001. It was such a eye-opener going to the city. He met me at the bus station with a single yellow rose. I was not feeling so "fresh" as I had been on the bus for 38 hours (ack!) and I was very shy meeting him. We went outside, and walked to his work van. When I went to get in, well me being 5'2...and the van being so high up..I had trouble getting in. So much to my embarassment, Patrick had to push my ass up into the van as I struggled to get in. *lol* I could not look at the man when he climbed in next to me. My brain was screaming, "Well, you just messed this up, he'll never want to see u again" *lol* But he leaned over..lifted my face, and gave me the sweetest, softest kiss I have ever received.

This is what Patrick wrote about finally meeting me in person on August 1, 2001



Have you ever just sat in a daydream and pictured your perfect soulmate? You know, that one person that is everything you have ever wanted? One that would perhaps be just like you in every way? Endless beauty inside & out? Heart of gold? And a chemistry that works sooooo well that you both actually think & talk alike? Did you ever just KNOW that person is really out there in the world but you don't know where or if you will ever meet? It's a dream that seems like an impossible longshot. But I got lucky! SOOOOOOOO VERY lucky! There were times I would browse personal ads, with my chin in my hand. Then I stumbled upon Bren's (whispering_wind_f38) personal ad. I felt something click inside me that made me keep looking back at her ad. I must've had her ad on my screen about a dozen times before. I broke down & decided to reply to her. I knew she was very far away from me and at the time it seemed quite impossible that we would ever meet or become an item together, so I thought I'd at least make a very nice friend. I tried to be as polite, gentlemanly, & sincere as possible and introduced myself and wishing her well. She didn't reply to me.
A week or so went by, and I thought I'd try again. I replied to her ad & I PM'd her in yahoo also (her profile showed that she was online). Still nothing. Then I think a day or 2 later, I noticed she was online again, and I'd try just ONE more time. I PM'd her politely, saying hi, and apologizing to her in case she felt as if I was bothering her. She finally answered me! So we chatted for a little while and I later learned that she didn't reply to me because even though she admired my pic, she figured being that I am from New York City I must have a hundred girlfriends so she didn't bother. I soon proved her wrong. We got to know each other very well & became very good close friends and eventually best friends. At that time, because of the long distance we both kinda frowned on the idea that a loving relationship between us would work so we stayed best friends. About 5 months passed before we started talking a little more detailed about each other and when we did, OMG we both started falling deeply in love with each other more & more each day, and after 2 years of knowing each other, we're STILL falling deeper in love! We haven't stopped!

Then after 8 months we finally met in person. I knew she was very nervous about embarking on a long journey into the big city all alone after living in the boonies all her life. I just did everything I could to reassure her that she would be safe and that my love for her is VERY real, even though I didn't meet her yet. I knew that Bren was very special. Not like any woman I have ever met before in my life. She was also worried that I might have second thoughts about her when we met but oh my God when I saw her, she was more beautiful than I ever imagined! A few hours later, we had our first real kiss. I took her to a beautiful beach spot overlooking the waters of Jamaica Bay, NY. And THAT'S where we had our very first real kiss! The sweetest kiss ever! The kiss was sooooo breathtaking that my body started reacting in a way that I've never felt before. My body started twitching! Like slight jolts of shock running through me. No woman has EVER caused my body to physically react like that! EVER! And the smile on Brens face was sooooooo heartwarming that I felt like I was melting in her arms. It was truely one of the most happiest moments of my life. There's sooooooooo much more to share but I'm gonna stop here and continue again soon.

All in all, My baby and I bonded the right way. We never rushed into anything, no matter how much we wanted to make things happen right away. We gained unconditional love, trust, and respect through the course of time. We planned our paths in life to intersect and become one path without straying. We care more about each others happiness before our own. We believe that it's better to give than to recieve, and the more love that you show and give, (not just say) you'd be VERY suprized how much you will receive! One more thing. Always be open to making new friends and not ignoring people that say hi to you. You never know when that person could really be your soulmate!

I returned home from my first trip to New York and meeting Patrick to find this email waiting!


August 7th, 2001 (Patrick)
Brenda my love, I can't even begin to tell you how much I loved every bit of the weekend we shared together let alone finding any words at all to describe it. I love you sooooooo much you make me tremble baby! No woman has ever made me feel that way. And one thing that really got to me was your beautiful eyes. the way you looked at me was so deep that you practically overwhelm me with tears.. By the way, after I left you at the bus station, I got into the van and sat for a while just thinking about you and I couldn't help but break down into tears as I am doing now while I'm writing to you. Brenda, I love you with all my heart and I miss you terribly already. I feel so incomplete and very lost without you in my arms. But I promise I'll be strong until the next time that we get together. That time can't come soon enough! Baby you are such an incredible woman! I found your movie ticket for "America's Sweetheart" on the floor of the van so I'll send that with the package. I got your beautiful card baby, thank you sooooo much! I didn't get the pics yet. I loved the precious letter you wrote. I always have the biggest smile on my face when I read your writing. Babe, I can't wait to see you again! You got me going banana's here! *lol* Well, gonna get going here baby. Let me know that you got home okay. I love you Brenda! ***tight loving hugs & sweet tasty kisses*** Forever your baby, Patrick :)

August 7th, 2001 (Brenda ~my thoughts on our meeting face-to-face)

sneaks up behind her babe and wraps her arms around neck..kisses him softly. How's my baby? Thanks so much for the wonderful email babe!! Sometimes i feel like my heart is sorta like the grinches..that just keeps growing and growing..the more i know about u..the more love i feel!! :) Sounds sorta silly huh? I want to thank u patrick for showing me such a wonderful part of your life/world!! I'm sorry i wasn't in better shape..too see it all, but i promise i will be soon. Patrick, u made me feel so loved and wanted. I have never been naked with any man since my ex...but u slowly pulled away all the walls i had up around myself..and made me feel so beautiful, so much like a woman again. I cannot put into words how that made me feel. You loved me unconditionally..not fake, not just for sex..but for me. When i touched and kissed u..i felt it all over my body, and to be honest i have never ever felt that with anyone..including my ex. I sometimes wonder now..if i ever was "in love" with my ex..because what i feel for u..is so much stronger/real. I can't help but touch your face/body when i look at your pics and smile.

I want u too promise me something tho babe..if for some reason, down the rode u don't have the same feelings for me..please tell me. I know that things were different between u and katherine..but i remember u telling me how u dreaded telling her..that u wanted to break it off. I don't want u to do that with me..if that happens ok? Just be totally honest with me..i don't want u to ever feel u need to avoid me..etc..ok babe? Guess what i'm trying to say is, if u find someone else..i would want u to be happy patrick. I love u that much to let u go and be happy, it would hurt me to think..i could/would hurt u in any way. Ok i got that out of the way..whew..lol! :) Just wanted u to know that..even thinking that it could happen hurts my heart.

Mitch is, at this very moment, jamming out to your tape..at full blast i might add..lol He asked me.."patrick likes southpark?" and i said yep..and he was like.."that's so cool" lol.. I wish i had that rose..i keep thinking about it. I don't know how to press roses..etc..but i could have done something like that..it was so u babe..standing there with that single rose..i feel so ick now i left it there, it's like i left a piece of u. i could have doneeeeeeeeeeee something..i'm such a meathead. I look and touch the ring from time to time and smile..Mitch still just shakes his head..lol.

I told about 5 people online today..that i'm very much in love with u..and they wished me well. But i had to be very honest with them..some still were hoping to meet etc..and well - that will never happen..lol. Like i said..even if things for some reason don't work out between us (pain :( at that thought) I wouldn't want to meet anyone else..but just focus on me getting healthy and finishing school. Had a few of them say they'd kick your ass if u hurt me..lol It was very hard for me to explain..what i feel for u, but i think they got it. They kept saying i had it bad..lol Well baby, i'm just babbling here..i don't wanna let u goooooooooo. So hot here..they have heat warnings out. My little a/c is trying to work it's darndest..lol ( i think i can..i think i can) Leans up on her tiptoes..and kisses u softly on your lips..twirling my tongue with yours..wrapping my arms around your shoulders and holding u tight against me. Talk to u later love...pinches patrick's nipple..hee hee..gotcha.. Love you!! Miss you!! Need you!! Want you!! Bren

August 22, 2001 (Patrick)

I must admit that no matter what, no matter when, and no matter how much you weigh, you are such a very beautiful woman, and seeing you again just makes me love you even more. Brenda, no matter if you lose the weight or not, YOU'RE MINE FOREVER BABY!! And I'm gonna take you to ALL the places you want to go, and a hell of alot more. I was very proud to walk arm in arm with you no matter where we went, and I cherished every single moment that you were here with me. And the next time you come here, you're gonna realize that even in this crowded city, you and I are gonna be the only 2 people there in my eyes and in my heart.

And I promise you that one day, you and I are going to be living and experiencing all of our biggest hopes and dreams together. Thank you soooooooooooo much for coming into my life baby! ***holding you tight in my arms with much loving tears in my eyes, soft heartwarming kisses, and breathtaking hugs*** I love you soooooooo very much Bren, and I can never tell you that enough. I wish you the very best of luck at school tomorrow baby. Always remember that God is with you to protect you, all of my deepest prayers are with you, And I love & miss you, and I'll be thinking about you always, and everything is gonna work out baby. Please be very careful and I'll talk to you afterwards. I wanna hear all about your day. ***sooooooooooooooft sweeeeeeeeeet kissssssssssssss*** Loving you till the end of time, Patrick :)

So there it is, if your still here reading this, you have somewhat of a understanding of how we love each other, and how we were so blessed/lucky to have found each other ~ and that with patience, love, trust, reassurance, two souls meant to be together ~ will always find a way of getting there. We fast-forward these past two years, and I'm more in love with my husband now then ever before. The dreams we wished for back then have come true, plus a few added bonuses!!! (like precious jessica). So dear husband of mine ~ Happy 2nd Anniversary ~ you are my heart, my soul, my love ~

Bren











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Sunday February 26, 2006 - 06:39pm (EST) Edit | Delete | Permanent Link | 2 Comments

~~Mitchell~~
Howdy Bloggers!

This blog goes out to my firstborn ~ Mitchell ~ who graduated from the Army's basic training course,at Fort Benning in Georgia on February 17th, 2006!! OOOOOHHHHRAAAAAHHHH! I was worried the first time Mitch came to me and mentioned he was thinking of joining the service ~ usually I think the service is a great thing for young men ~ but it worried me that he was joining during wartime. He was doing well in college, but just couldn't seem to find out what he "wanted to do" and felt like he was wasting time. Two of his best friends from High School had joined the service, and he liked seeing all the places they were going to, and hearing their stories ~ more and more he mentioned joining.

When Mitch first called me from Fort Benning, you could tell by his voice he was alittle scared, unsure ~ then in the next few weeks you could see him changing. Mitch has always been a leader, pretty sure of himself ~ the Army just refined those skills. They gave him great confidence, a path ~ for him to venture down on. When I talk to him now you hear the happiness in his voice ~ he really enjoys what he is doing and that is all a parent wants for their children.

Mitch and the guys in his unit are staying a few extra weeks to do some additional training (mostly classwork) ~ and earn a certificate. He will then be able to come home on March 3rd and have a few weeks off. On March 24 he will report to Fort Riley in Kansas for further instruction. The Army couldn't decide if they wanted to send his unit to Fort Bliss in Texas, or Fort Riley in Kansas. I for one, secretly wanted him to go to Kansas, because he has "less" of a chance of being deployed to Iraq from there. If he had gone to Texas, it was possible for him to be deployed to Iraq in 45 days. I pray for all the young men who are over there, and their families ~ we are proud of you all!

So Mitch ~ I remember the day you were born ~ You were all wrinkly, but you opened these huge , huge blue eyes and just stared at me. I called you ET (that was the hit movie back then) and the nurse pretty much yelled at me for calling you that...but I always thought ET was cute! *hee hee* That was almost 21 years ago ~ I was about your age now when I had you. You were a wonderful son to raise, your sense of humor, your compassion, the way you helped with Zachary, even tho you were a child yourself ~ we could not be more proud of you. So go forward now son, into the new journey of your life ~ there are so many wonderful things you will experience ~ and we will cheer you on every step of the way!

Love, Mom
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Tuesday February 21, 2006 - 01:55pm (EST) Edit | Delete | Permanent Link | 2 Comments

~ 100 facts you may know or not know about me~
Howdy all!



Kristin, a friend of mine, offered up a challenge to fellow bloggers to list 100 things about yourself that others may not know. I read her 100 facts and learned alot about her that I didn't know, and thought that was pretty cool. So here are my 100 facts ~ if you got time, or are bored and need something to read ~ this is it! *hee hee*


I pass on the orginial challenge to you all, what are your most interesting 100 facts?



1. My name is Brenda Joy, and I was born on February 5th, 1963. The second of five children ~ born to John and Joy.



2. During my younger years I was a tomboy, and was the first girl to play on the boy's little league team. I was also into tree climbing, swimming, basketball, and track.



3. I stopped being a tomboy when I developed breasts and boys would stare at me while running.



4. Started downhill skiing when I was 11. Only bone broke thus far ~ my thumb, from a fall while skiing.



5. I was born and raised in a tiny mining town in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, a very rugged, rural area ~ Patrick was born an raised in Queens, New York ~ total opposites, yet so much in common. I love my man from new york and especially the way he says "forevahhhhh".



6. Was once double - dogged dared by my older brother Greg to stick my tongue onto the metal hockey goal post ~ had to have the volunteer fire department come and get it off! (just like in the movie ~ A Christmas Story). I was about 9 yrs old.



7. Started waitressing when I was 14 and would work after school til closing.



8. Once waited on Ted Nugent and his Father, but didn't know who he was until after he left. Yes he left a great tip!! Years later, my oldest son Mitchell waited on Ted ~ and watched him play his guitar. Ted has a camp up here and stays there when he goes bear hunting.



9. Hemmingway once rented out our family cabin for a week.



10. At age 17, walked out of the outhouse at the cabin at 6:30 a.m. to see two state cops standing there. Not sure if I was more embarassed to be caught in just a long tshirt and nothing else, or that they knew we actually USED that outhouse!! We eventually added a "real" bathroom to the cabin. The cops were looking for directions.



11. I have 3 children, the oldest and youngest are 19 years apart. Mitch - 20, Zach - 9, Jessica - 1. I have two handsome stepson's, Robby and Michael - 17 and 15 ~ they are our life.



12. I was married for 15 years, my ex husband met a woman in a bbw chat room and left.



13. 4 years later, I met "my patrick" when he answered a Yahoo Personal Ad that I made looking for pen pals.



14. I didn't answer Patrick's first two attempts to get to know me through the Yahoo Personal Ad - third time was the charm.



15. I went back and graduated from college after my husband left. I drove an hour to and from the college - it was one of my finest moments ~ the day I graduated!



16. I have two brothers and two sisters.



17. My parents died young, they both were heavy smokers. They eventually quit. None of us children smoke.



18. My parents, John and Joy were buried on the same day, yet died 3 months apart. (For more on this you can read my blog entry - The Yellow Rose)



19. When I hear people talk about their childhoods, I realize that ours was like the Cleaver Family, we had wonderful role models as parents.



20. When we were children, the family would go "berry pickin", we each had to fill a large coffee can at least once ~ kept us full with homemade preserves all thru the long winter. My sister once stepped into a bee's nest while picking berries, took us 20 minutes to walk in and just 2 minutes for her to run out. (screaming all the way)



21. My Mom once built a parade float for the 4th of July ~ The old woman in a shoe ~ and won first place. All the kids from the neighborhood were in it.



22. I have no belly button. Had an emergency c-section with my second son, they made a vertical cut straight thru my belly button - it was fine. Then years later, had a belly button hernia operation and "lost" my belly button! Sometimes I think about that body part out there somewhere in the world. (should I have buried my belly button - hee hee)



23. In first grade I invited my ENTIRE class home for my birthday party - about 30 kids! My mom didn't know that until she seen us marching in single file down the street.



24. I got my first pair of glasses in kindergarden, they were "cat eye" glasses and I got teased.



25. I put said glasses inside my easy bake oven and buried it in the snow - then the snowplow went by. I had 3.4 minutes to find it and dig it out or I would get a whooping!! I lost my glasses at least 5 times as a child.



26. I was married to the "love of my life" on February 27th, 2004 ~ we had our daughter on June 25, 2004 - you do the math.



27. We had 4 hours between the time of our wedding and the reception - still all dressed up from the wedding, we stopped at a hot dog vender in nyc ~ one of our most precious memories.



28. Went to Daytona Beach, Florida for college spring break ~ 14 days of drinking, sex, drinking, sex - had the choice to either party near the pool with a keg and food, or go to disney world - ohhhh the mistakes of the young! (never been to disney world).



29. Didn't have my first alcoholic drink until I was 18 and at college - It was keg beer in one 16 oz paper cup - I got sick.



30. While visiting a friend at the University of Michigan ~ I heard a guy running up and down the co-ed halls asking.."can you type" ~ he stuck his head in our room and I said yes I can type. (109 wpm) (hee hee) Since I was waiting for my friend to get back from class - I thought I could help this guy out. I typed out this huge report he had, and even made a cover page and stuck it in a binder folder - all nice and neat. He comes running back in the room and says, whatever you have done just give it to me ~ I have to get it to class".



He was shocked when I handed him the finished report, he gave a quick, thanks and was gone. Later that night - about 6 of us girls are having beer/pizza in the room ~ there is a knock at the door. A girl comes back from the door with a shocked look on face - she says, "bren, someone is at the door for you". Standing there was the guy from earlier, with flowers and a 12 pack of beer. He hands them to me, sweetly thanks me and gives me a kiss on my cheek and is gone. I turn and all the girls start screaming in unison - OMG how do you know him?? Turns out he was the starting quarterback for U of M ~ and later became a professional QB ~ Jim Harbaugh



31. I was a virgin until my second year of college. Lost it to a man with a black leather jacket.



32. Patrick looks very sexy and handsome in his black leather jacket.



33. When my son Mitchell was in kindergarden they had to make a drawing of what your parents do - as all us parents are looking up at the board I spot mine, he wrote, " My mom likes to drink beer and play nintendo." Snarf!!



34. My sister Patti, who is a single mother, went back to college and is now a Doctor of Chriopractic! HooooRahhhhhhhhhhh!!



35. My sister Terri, who once said she never wanted children (when she was younger), had two son's 12 months apart, and is the most patient mother I have ever seen! Seriously!



36. After the deaths of my parents, 3 of their children went on to graduate from college. The other two children had already graduated from college.



37. My siblings and their families all attended the graduations.



38. My grandfather's on both sides, my father, my 5 uncles, my ex husband all worked at the same copper mine.



39. My grandfather John died on September 22, 1963 - the same day Kennedy was shot and killed - my grandmother was told "john" died ~ she thought they were talking about kennedy. She set a place for grampa at dinner for a month after that.



40. Twice a year, usually Christmas and 4th of July, all five of us siblings and their families get together.



41. We had 24 people staying at my brother Greg's home for my sister Patti's graduation. Sings...we are familyyyyyyyyyyyy ~ it was so much fun!



42. My oldest brother Greg is 12 years older then our youngest brother Michael, the next boy born into the family was my son Mitchell, who is 11 years younger then Michael, the next boy born in the family was my other son Zachary, who is 11 years younger then Mitchell. Freaky eh?



43. My sister Terri is a Graphic Artist.



44. Patrick is left handed, my brother Michael is left handed, and it looks like our daughter Jessica will be left handed.



45. My first trip out of the boonies and into New York City was 3 weeks before the Towers were hit. I was able to see and view the towers on that trip ~ they were beautiful.



46. I was at the college when 911 happened - they made an annoucement after the second plane hit the second tower. I raced home - when I turned on the television the towers were gone. Patrick was supposed to be in the city that day.



47. I tried calling Patrick on 911 but all phone systems in new york city were down.



48. My oldest son Mitchell is in the Army and based at Fort Bliss ~ soon to be deployed. God Speed sweet son. I could not be more proud.



49. My mom once put quarters, dimes, nickles into a birthday cake (after it was baked) so the kids would get a surprise - the surprise was that 10 - 10 yr old boys all dove into the cake and ripped it apart searching for the money!



50. I graduated from college in May of 03 ~ Patrick helped me move to New York City over the 4th of July holiday. We drove in a Uhaul in 96 degree heat with the a/c not working! But man what a great adventure!



51. I went from driving in the boonies, (one single yellow blinking light) to living in Queens, and driving to work in Brooklyn. I had to parallel park every day.



52. We watch/rent movies every week, laugh, cry, scream ~ my favorite movie right now is napoleon dynamite ~ you either love or hate that movie. I laugh thru the entire thing. The first time I watched this movie ~ I hated it. Go figure.



53. Never had a parking ticket until I moved to New York City ~ then I got 3 in a row. I once ripped one of those tickets into a zillion pieces - people at worked were shocked.



54. An hour later I was taping a zillion pieces back together. Yes I mailed it back to them like that.



55. Patrick tells me at least 5 times a day that I'm beautiful and that he loves me.



56. I have never had a man tell me I'm beautiful until I met Patrick.



57. Once watched a friend of mine (during college years) squat to pee, slip on the ice and have her pubic hair get stuck to the ice. I could not stop laughing. Some hair stuck onto the road.



58. She walked funny for a week. To this day, if I see her I start laughing, she just points and me and says..."don't."



59. Over Christmas break of 2002 ~ Patrick had flown in from New York, we are laying back in a jaccuzzi, my favorite song is playing in the background, candles lit all over, ice cold beer on hand ~ I say.."man life can't get any better then this" ~ Patrick slides up to me, gives me a soft kiss and says....."wanna bet?" and he pulls his hand out of the water, and there on his pinky is a very beautiful engagement ring ~ he whispers ~ marry me.



60. I was on 4 Fantasy Football leagues this year, finished #1 in two of them, got a second place in another, and then a fifth.



61. I love Pro Football, when football is over I watch hockey.



62. On one of my visits to New York City to see Patrick, we were having fun with baby oil ~~~ I ran to use the bathroom and almost slid right off the seat onto the floor. Slippppp slidinggggg awayyy... can you imagine if paramedics would have had to respond to that? Yikes!



63. Patrick and I were a long distance relationship for over two years ~ we flew back and forth to visit each other every 6-8 weeks.



64. I had a love/hate relationship with the airport, loved picking him up, hating bringing him back.



65. I had alot of "first's" when I met Patrick ~ He brought me to my first pro football game, I flew on my first airplane, rode a subway, drove in brooklyn, tasted my first Coney Island hotdog, and tried my first 7/Eleven cherry slurpie.



66. I experienced my first brainfreeze.



67. When Patrick picked up the phone and order a "pie" while I was visiting New York ~ I was like...what kind of pie?? He had to show me how to eat New York Pizza slices ~ they are soooo huge!



68. I can whoop, and yes I mean whoop, Patrick's ass at Dr. Mario on our Nintendo 64 game system - he so whines!



69. I enjoy this number.



70. For the first year and a half of their lives, I have always given my babies a bath every night, rubbed them down with baby lotion, then rocked them to sleep singing.



71. I love singing, yet can't sing in front of "other" people.



72. Patrick and his best friend Bill once set me up to sing Pasty Clines ~ Crazy ~ at a club in New York City! (brats) First and only time I have sang at karaoke.



73. Patrick just leaned over and said he wants me to do #70 to him. (the perv)



74. Since the time we have been together, Patrick and I have always gone to bed together ~ it is our time, we lay there softly touching, talking, laughing and discussing our future plans. It is my favorite moment of every day.



75. I had my gallbladder taken out ~ on the eve of the operation I was in the hospital and woke up at 1 a.m. and was so thirsty. Because I was having surgery in the morning I was not allowed to have anything to drink. I had come into the ER earlier that day and didn't get into my room til about 11 ~ I didn't know I had a roommate - the curtain was pulled between our beds. I sneak into the bathroom and notice two small cups near the sink. I grab one, fill it with sweet, cold water - sip it and head back to bed. I felt like I got one over on everyone.



76. Next morning a nurse comes in, pulls the curtain between our bed ~ walks into the bathroom, grabs those two little cups. Heads over to the other bed and empties...and yes i said EMPTIES two bags hanging from this person ~ into the cups. Then proceeds to walk back into the bathroom, dumping it into the toliet and flushing - then slightly..slighty..slighty have I stressed "slightly" enough? ~ rinses out the cups and sets them back up over the sink. Ack!!



77. I never told anyone this story until 5 months later, I thought I had contaminated my body and would die! *hee hee*. Moral to this story ~ watch out for little cups.



78. My two brothers, Greg and Michael are both electrical engineers and work at a company in Minneapolis. The job they actually do is too technical for me to explain!



79. We live in the "snow belt" ~ we average from 190 inches of snow per year, to 300 inches. Yet it is very, very rare that they close the schools here. They do, however, close the school's for the first two days of deer hunting season!



80. Only thing I've ever won - a bowling ball. I was able to pick the color and have my fingers measured for sizing. The bowling ball was yellow marble and had my initials on it ~ bjs ~ have you seen it??



81. Has no idea where this bowling ball is. 81 - good number - it is the year I graduated from high school.



82. It is my 25th class reunion this year. I am still in touch with several of my best friends.



83. On our move from New York to Michigan we picked up some real mackinaw homemade fudge - I cut it into pieces for me, but handed Patrick a larger piece I thought he would "nibble". Patrick had never had fudge ~ I'm looking down, cutting my pieces and I look up at him and notice that he had put the WHOLE piece in his mouth and was TRYING to chew it. OMG i have never laughed so hard in my life, I swear I couldn't catch my breath, and had tears of laughter rollin down my face. I was like..you don't eat fudge like that, and he responds (much later) ~ now you tell me.



84. Patrick makes me laugh everyday.



85. While we were in a long distance relationship we had many "chat onlookers" saying we'd never make it, that it won't work, that is couldn't last ~ it was a rush to prove them wrong. Our relationship only get's stronger.



86. Patrick still calls me everyday during his lunch hour.



87. I was once able to swim the entire length of an olympic sized pool ~ underwater ~, turn around, and finally came up for air at the halfway mark on the way back. My swim instructor couldn't believe it. I was 14 yrs old.



88. I used to run the two mile run in high school track.



89. When my first husband left, my two sons were 13 and 2 ~ I had no car, no money. Mitchell, ( the 13yr old) rode his bike 6 miles to wash dishes at a restaurant and then back home. When he received his first paycheck ~ he walked over and handed it to me so proudly. That is the moment I knew I had to go back to college and take charge of my life ~ family. Mitch went back to basketball.



90. We have met and are great friends with some from the internet. Hi ya Sandy!!!



91. We have an elderly neighbor that we help out, who has also come out to Mother's Day dinner with us and was invited over for Thanksgiving dinner ~ because she has no family near.



92. I have been very blessed that my children have turned out well, never really giving me too many problems ~ they get good grades, go to church, work hard ~ that is all a parent can ask for. Patrick's two son's Michael and Robby are such a precious gift to this world and they are a joy to get to know.



93. The reason I never answered Patrick the first two times he tried to contact me about my yahoo personal ad ~ I thought he was much too handsome for me and too far away. Fate has a way of making one sit up and pay attention.



94. I have never smoked, and rarely drink ~ maybe once a month if that. I can only drink beer if it is ice, ice cold. I prefer sweet drinks.



95. My worst vice is coffee ~ I make a pot in the morning, and one in the evening. Do you think that is why i'm only 5'2 ~ cuz it stunted my growth?? hee hee



96. I love fallin asleep in the spoon position with Patrick, his arms wrapped around me. I feel safe, loved, warm, content, blessed. I cannot sleep if my foot is not intertwined with his.



97. I scream my head off at scary movies, Patrick laughs his head off at me. I duck under a blanket and peek at the movie, Patrick pulls off the blanket.



98. I found Patrick's ticklish spot ~ I can't tell you where it is.



99. When you find the love of your life, seems like everything else just falls into place ~ I pray that those that haven't found your love yet....to keep searching. By keeping your eyes open, and taking chances ~ you have no idea what can be in store for you, or where dreams can take you.



100. Whooo hoooo I made it ~ I suppose I mentioned alot "about" Patrick on here, but I couldn't ~not ~ mention him over and over ~ for simply ~ he is part of me.



Huggles and God Bless to Everyone!



Please think about your 100 facts and put them in your blog - interesting way to get to know more about your friends!!



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Tuesday February 14, 2006 - 07:09pm (EST) Edit | Delete | Permanent Link | 1 Comment

~~Valentines~~


With Valentine's Day just around the corner thought this would be kinda cute to check out! Hope everyone has someone to share that special day with!


Love is sometimes denied
sometimes lost
sometimes unrecognized
but in the end
always found with no regrets
forever valued and treasured


The moment I heard my first love story
I began searching for you,
not knowing how foolish that was.
True lovers don't meet somewhere out there,
but are in each other all along.



Love is a friendship that has caught fire.
It is quiet understanding,
mutual confidence,
sharing and forgiving.
It is loyalty through good and bad.
It settles for less than perfection,
and makes allowances for human weakness.
Love is content with the present.
It hopes for the future and it doesn’t brood over the past.
It’s the day-in and day-out chronicle of irritations, problems, compromises, small disappointments, big victories, and working toward common goals


Valentine Facts


The oldest Valentine in existence was made in the 1400's and is in the British Museum.

***

Children in England used to dress up as adults on Valentines Day and go from house to house singing.


***

An old Valentine Party game would have all the young ladies write their name on a piece of paper. The young men would then draw the Valentine and pin it to his sleeve to claim his sweet heart - hence the expression "Wearing your heart on your sleeve"



73% of people who buy flowers for Valentine's Day are men, while only 27 percent are women.


About 1 billion Valentine's Day cards are exchanged each year. That's the largest seasonal card-sending occasion of the year, next to Christmas.


About 3% of pet owners will give Valentine's Day gifts to their pets.


Alexander Graham Bell applied for his patent on the telephone, an "Improvement in Telegraphy", on Valentine's Day, 1876.


California produces 60 percent of American roses, but the vast number sold on Valentine's Day in the United States are imported, mostly from South America. Approximately 110 million roses, the majority red, will be sold and delivered within a three-day time period.


Cupid, another symbol of Valentines Day, became associated with it because he was the son of Venus, the Roman god of love and beauty. Cupid often appears on Valentine cards holding a bow and arrows because he is believed to use magical arrows to inspire feelings of love.



In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their valentines would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for one week. To wear your heart on your sleeve now means that it is easy for other people to know how you are feeling.









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Saturday February 11, 2006 - 08:04pm (EST) Edit | Delete | Permanent Link | 0 Comments

~~Loving Life~~
Happy Monday Fellow Bloggers ~

Woke to find a good foot of heavy snow hanging from the trees ~ making it a beautiful winter wonderland! This picture was takin outside our living room window! Guess one can't complain when we have had a very, very mild winter for this area ~ so guess I shall allow alittle snow!! (like i have the choice - hee hee)

Waiting on our tax return that is set to arrive on Feb 3rd...whooo hoooooo ~ we are planning on getting a new sofa and love seat ~ always fun to buy something new! Doing work on Jess's bedroom ~ making it into a "princess" room ~ I'm so glad Patrick knows how to make all the cute little shelves that I want ~ I just point out something I like ~ and he builds it!!

Heard from Mitch the other day, he is doing great ~ he sure loves being in the Army. Found out that he will be going to Fort Bliss in Texas instead of Kansas after graduation. Sounds like he will stay in Texas for 6 months and then be deployed from there ~ maybe to Germany ~ but who knows, you know how quick things change when your in the service. So very proud of him and it is great to see him happy with his choice!

Thanks for all the emails and comments I received from my last blog ~ I know it was hard for many of you to read ~ but it was something I wanted to put on paper for awhile and this blog gave me that opportunity. I am also glad that it helped out so many that have wondered the same thing, or felt pain from the loss of someone. Have a wonderful week all!

God Bless,

Bren