Haiku...

Bliss:

Honey spiced peaches

Enjoyed one glass at a time

Sweetest gift received

 

                                         ~CoreyJo 

                                  

For more wonderful Haiku, or to join in the fun, visit last weeks winner Curmudgeon at his blog The Curmudeon's Complaint.


Love and Huggs
CoreyJo

...

I hate days like these...

...

I've been living in silence

Living in a world where nothing can touch me, hurt me

I've shut out life in hopes of finding sanity

No body can see me. No body can hear me, can they?

What's that noise? 

Is someone there?

I hear a voice calling my name

A shadow off in the distance moves closer

I reach out for you, but you fade away

Don't go! Please! Don't leave me again

Once again I live in silence, shutting out life

Only the fading sound of your voice to keep me company

"Mommy"...

~CoreyJo

All I want for Christmas..

My all time favorite Christmas song.

Happy Holidays

Silver...

Gold just out of reach.

I gave it my all, my best.

Better than Bronze!!

                       CoreyJo

Pedro & Rosita...

It's a romantic full moon, when Pedro said, "hey, mamacita, let's do Weeweechu."
"Oh no, not now, let's look at the moon!" said Rosita.
"Oh, c'mon baby, lets you and I do Weeweechu. I love you and it's the perfect time," Pedro begged.
"But I wanna just hold your hand and watch the moon." replied Rosita.
"Please, corasoncito, just once, do Weeweechu with me."
Rosita looked at Pedro and said, "OK, one time, we'll do Weeweechu."
Pedro grabbed his guitar and they both sang...
"Weeweechu a Merry Christmas, Weeweechu a Merry Christmas, Weeweechu a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.."

Too cute...

This made me giggle so I thought I'd share it with you.

I Must Be Crazy...

Hello everyone. It's been so crazy at my house as of the last few days. Why you ask?  Well, I've been thinking for a while about getting a pet. I really wanted a cat, but couldn't figure out where to put a litter box. I resigned myself to the fact that I would just have to break down and get a dog. I started to research puppy's at shelters and humane societies within 100 miles. You have got to be kidding me?! $375-400 to adopt a puppy? I understand that it takes money to run these establishments but seriously, $400? Most average breed dogs with registered papers cost aproximately that much. Is it any wonder that so many animals are not being adopted. Many households can afford the cost of a pet but not the adoption fees.


I just couldn't justify spending $400 dollars on a puppy this close to Christmas. Then I had and "Ah-Ha" moment, more like a 'Duh' moment really. I realized where I could put the litter box. Yay! That meant I could get a cat or two! Whoot Whoot!!


Tuesday morning after Jason arrived home from work he told me to get ready to go to town with him. Of course I needed to know why. Turns out he wanted to take me to see the kittens at our local humane society. Really?!?! I couldn't believe it, Jason didn't want to get cats. Oh well, I wasn't asking questions. So away we went.


Just for giggles after looking at the many kittens we took a gander at the puppies. OH MY GOD! Can you say cute!?! There were two puppies. One that was black and white, and a brown one with some white & black. I thought at first the brown one was a boxer, but his snout looked too narrow. We asked the attendant about him. He had been in the shelter for exactly one week, and was 7 weeks old. His mother was also there. He was the last of the litter. His mother is a German Shepard and his father is believed to be a Boxer.

Say hello to Red.

I KNOW!! Cute isn't he? How could I say no to Jason? The look on his face and then Red himself. So Red came home with us. All of us...

Say hello to Bonnie.

Don't forget to say hello to Mable.

Yes, two cats and a dog. I told you I must be crazy. I wanted the cats, Jason wanted the dog. What else was there to do but get them all. So all them came home with us. I know some of you must be thinking we broke the bank in order to rescue three animals from a shelter. In reality it was amazingly cheap. $95 for all three animals. Not only was the cost almost a quarter of the price of other shelters, but when we get Red and Bonnie fixed we will receive a reimbursement of $25 each. Mable was already spade when we bought her. I couldn't believe how inexpensive it was.

Even though Jason claims that he's not a cat person I think things will be just fine.

Well, that's my crazy life for the next little bit until the puppy is house trained and Bonnie gets over her fear of the litter box. Oh well, it was worth it just to see the look on Jason and the girls faces. Christmas should be interesting...

One last photo for today. There aren't many colorful or clear sunrises now that winter is setting in. Fortunately I was able to capture this photo yesterday morning.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out the new members of my family.

Wishing all of you a most wonderful weekend.

Love ♥ Huggs
CoreyJo

Haiku...

Click..click.., bit by bit

the acme we reach. Time stops..

EXHILARATION!!

            

                                    ~CoreyJo

Thanks go out to Serendipity for hosting Haiku Monday this week.

Be sure to pop on over and see the action this week.

Love & Huggs

CoreyJo

Silence...

*Note: Not recently written, no need to ask me what's wrong :)

WARNING!!!

If you're set on being a crabby pants today do NOT watch the following video. However if you choose to enlighten your day with a bit of laughter please watch this. It is absolutely the funniest video I have ever watched. Part of what makes it so funny is that she is alone. Be sure to have your sound turned ON. Enjoy!

Now wasn't that hilarious! I could watch this everyday and it would never get old.  


Have a wonderful day and make it great.


Huggs ♥ Love
CoreyJo

Haiku Monday...

Blue Stocking Dreams:

Twain, Dickens, Austen.

   Leather bound pages flutter,

  Boundless adventures.

~CoreyJo

Maybe...

I should do this today. 

Just because...

TMI? MIA? WHAT?...

As the regular visitors can see I've change a couple of things like adding a new title header, and some of the text colors and fonts. If you're viewing this on a mobile unit then this doesn't apply to you for the mobile viewing is a different setup. For those of you on a pc or tablet please let me know if a font or font color is hard to read. :)

Last night I was chatting with a friend, lets call her 'Muffin', and asked her if she would check out the changes I made to the blog. During this chat Muffin told me, "I had nothing to read with my coffee Monday". I of course apologized and explained that mentally, and emotionally, I was drained after the last big post. Which in turn affects my creative thought process.  During my conversation with Muffin I had a BRILLIANT idea for a post and cryptically told her so in between virtual giggles. Of course I was side tracked and didn't get to my post right away. By the time I was ready to put the post together my so called brilliant idea was missing. Yes, missing. I searched and searched, and it was no where to be found. My brilliant idea is MIA!!

Well Shit! Now that I've opened my mouth and bragged to Muffin about my brilliant idea I have to post SOMETHING! I can't just wait for inspiration to hit me. I had to dig into my closet of ideas and hope I could find one that would be worthy of a cup of a morning coffee. So a digging I went. Shoes?, nope. The filing cabinet that I haven't used since we moved in 7 years ago?, nope. Photo boxes? yes! Wait, no time. Damn it! Board games?, no. Jason's rifle/shotgun?, not going to happen. A deflated exercise ball? Hmm maybe I should blow it up, it might do me more good. Naw. Well damn. I've got nothing hidden in my closet. Sigh.

Okay, since I can't find anything in my closet all I have left to give is a little bit of me. Hurry up and refill your coffee Muffin, I don't have all day here. 

When I started Monkeys & Windex I didn't expect anyone other than family and a few friends to follow. Since there are people who now follow this blog who don't know me I thought I would just tell a few facts about myself. Yes, Muffin, I know you already know most of this. As soon as I find that brilliant idea that's M.I.A. I'll be sure to wow you, okay? This will hold you over for now.

~My favorite kinds of movies are the classic Musicals.

~I never leave, go to sleep, or hang up the phone without saying, "I Love You" to my loved ones.

~I can talk about anything, yet when I get on the phone I become very shy.

~I would rather read the book than watch the movie.

~My best friend is an Alpha Bitch, and I like it!

~If I could live anywhere in the world I would live in Ireland.

~I married my husband of 11 1/2 years after dating him in person for only 10 days.

~My best accomplishments in life are my 3 girls.

~I am the Queen of procrastination.

~I miss my ex boyfriends younger brother as if he were my own brother. (which I have none of)

~Professional Bull Riding is my favorite sport, and not just because of the cowboys.

~Contrary to popular belief, I do cry & I am not as strong as everyone thinks.

~I crave knowledge, yet I will never go back to school.

~I grew up 2 miles from town, yet I never went to town.

~I'm almost 34 years old and I'm still scared of the dark.

~I'm addicted to McDonald's Caramel Mocha's. (thanks bernie)

~I thank God everyday for my husband. I don't know what I would do without him.

~When my friends hurt, I hurt too.

Okay, I think that's enough about me for the day.  What about you? Tell me something about you that not everyone, if anyone, knows.

Happy Thursday Muffin, I hope you enjoyed your coffee and morning entertainment.

Have a wonderful day everyone.

Huggs ♥ Love

CoreyJo

Whisper...

Sparkly Kitty...

For my feline loving friend

TICKLEBEAR

I thought of you when I found this.

:¬)~

Tissue Time...

Grab a tissue, your coffee and a bun or muffin, and pull up a seat for today's ride down emotional lane.

It's been a tough couple of weeks emotionally. I wouldn't have made it through this tough time had it not been for   my family and friends.   I have the best friends a woman could ask for. Whenever I needed a shoulder to cry on there were many to choose from. Whenever I needed a kick in the arse there were many a feet willing. Most of all whenever I needed someone to just listen there was always an ear to listen accompanied with a hug. A few of those friends went the extra mile to comfort me. With pokes, pinches, huggs & kisses some made me smile and feel the warmth of friendship. Some with just their company, or a bottle (or three) of wine & laughter. Others were practical and reminded me that it's okay to feel this way. It's okay to still need to cry and scream once in a while over the pain of the void in my life. One said friend also reminded me of this:

"Little Maggie came and brought a lot of joy and hapiness. She has become a little light that brings people together to share friendship and love in the name of her sweet personality. She came to give all of us a message. She came to remind us something we were not really paying attention to anymore. Once her job was done, it was time for her to go!"

I must never forget this, thank you for not letting me forget.  

Maggie loved in such a complete and unconditional way that anyone who met her was a better person for having done so. I believe she came into our lives to teach us how to love, and to remember what's important in life. I also believe that her death, and the pain felt because of it, were necessary for me/us to learn from her. She taught me that the way we treat others directly affects the way in which we are treated. That life is too short to not enjoy each day, and each person to the fullest. Also that just because the odds are against you doesn't mean that you can't overcome an obstacle or situation. She taught me what Love was really about. Because of her I've learned how to love my husband, my children, family & friends in a way I didn't, or couldn't, before her. I owe to her my ability to appreciate life and my ability to love all of you unconditionally.

Another friend wrote a poem for me about Maggie. He claims they are my words as I described them to him. I may have told him the stories of fading giggles and blurred glimpses out of the corner of my eyes, but he made my musings into magic. My sister, Valisatie said this to him:

 "Yes my sister can paint a picture with her words - be it good or bad. (Love ya Sis & you know it to be true)
With that being said, for you to turn what she described into poetry so beautiful & accurate that it cannot be described with mere words, only felt with the heart, is a talent all its own."

I agree whole heartedly. I would like to share with you his words. My dear friend Rafa left me this poem as his comment on a previous post.

Margaret Alice:

Pitter patter, through the halls

Pitter patter, I hear your calls

A giggle here

A whisper there

Search the house, you're EVERYWHERE!

I feel you when I lay me down

I touch you when I sleep

Yet when I wake with morning's light

I try and try with all my might

To hear your pitter patter

To track where you once were

To find that bit of glimmer

That once shone in my eyes

I know you're all around me

Shining bright and strong

I feel you tugging at me

Wanting to bring me near

So you can whisper something

Before you disappear

I try to hold you tight

You slip right through my fingers

Then off with pitter patter everywhere you go

RafaDe

Still the words escape me to fully express my feelings about this poem other than Simply Magic. I will treasure and cherish this for the rest of my days. Thank you my Darling Rafa.


It's amazing what my life is like. Growing up I never pictured myself having a family and being a stay at home mom. Sure I planned on getting married. After feeling so alone for most of my life I knew I wanted someone who would love me for me, Not because they had to, but because they wanted to. Someone I could trust to always be there for me. I thought maybe I'll have a kid in my mid 30's. Never did I imagine I would meet and fall in love, to the point of no return, at the age of 22 and start a family at 23. I'm about to turn 34 here soon and I look at my life with wonder & amazment. I'm simply amazed at the path my life has taken and think to myself would I do it differently, any of it?  No, I wouldn't. If I did I might not have gotten the chance to snag the most wonderful man in the world. I might not have had my children. I might not have made friends with the many people whom I'm proud to call my friends. I might not have had the honor to have my life blessed by the most precious Angel ever. It's because of the love that Maggie taught me that I am able to look at my life and be able to appreciate what it was, what it is, and what it may become.

It's because of Maggie that I met Rafa, and in turn became a fellow blogger & devoted follower of my online friends and their blogs. It's because of the dinners, emails, phone calls, pinches & pokes, visits, and words of encouragement & sympathy from all of my friends and family, off line and online that I have been able to cope with the many pitfalls life has put in my path the last couple of years. It's to all of you that I send my gratitude and many Thanks. Without all of you in my life to keep me grounded I probably would have lost touch with reality a long time ago.

I wasn't exactly sure which direction this post was going to go when I started it. I knew I wanted to give my many thanks and show my appreciation to my family and friends, the rest just sort of came pouring out. I know it's hard to follow my wandering mind sometimes, so if you're still here, I thank you.  Hopefully now with Maggie's birthday and the anniversary of her death behind us for the next year things will get back to normal in my life and on the blog. However with Jason on nights for the next month who knows what's going to happen.

Again thank you all, for everything, and now for some photos. I know I kind of missed the fall colors this year. Sorry about that. Here is another photo of the maple tree in my front yard. It was a Mothers day gift from all three girls 3 years ago. Here it's about half way turned, in color.

Thanks to my friend, Amber, who is always thinking of me. I have a photo of what my tree would have looked like in full color if I had remembered to take a picture. This is her tree, but it's the same kind as mine I do believe.

Here's the sunrise from yesterday. Very golden, made me think of India. The sultry weather and all of the beautiful gold jewelry the people wear.

When I took the sunrise photos I noticed all the frost on the ground and decided to go check out the back yard. The first photo is of the neighbors tree frosted over with the sunrise lighting it up. The second photo is of our back yard. The sun is only touching the trees, it hasn't yet risen high enough to touch the ground.

There was one last rose that was trying desperately to hang onto life.

Everything was so beautiful with it's layer of frost.

Today's sunrise was incredible. It started out with an orange horizon and deep purple clouds above. My camera today just didn't want to co-operate so forgive me for any blurriness in the photos. It also wouldn't capture the colors until they had changed to the following.

It was the coolest thing ever. The sky was full of all these brilliant colors and the whole time they changed and transformed, as the sun rose, you could see this beam of light shooting straight up from where the sun was hiding just below the horizon.

It's mornings like these that I wonder what my friend, TICKLEBEAR , is going to capture with his camera. That and it's an amazing way to start a day.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day, it's Hump Day!! Half way to the weekend. Enjoy the day and be happy.

Huggs ♥ Love
CoreyJo

Life in General...

Well, I survived the dentist. It still hurts to yawn, mainly from the shots, and then some from having to have my mouth open for almost 2 hours. Yes, yes I know! "But Corey, you can talk FOREVER and don't complain about your mouth hurting." Well I can do a lot of things with my mouth that don't make it hurt, but then again I'm not getting shots then either, now am I? lol

Saturday's party had my house over run with more kids than ever before. The girls went to bed super late, which of course meant they awoke at the butt crack of dawn. As a matter of fact they were up Before dawn!! I of course slept until...well, I don't even know when I got out of bed. When I did get up this is what I found. Usually they are going at each others throat, as sisters are known to do. Thankfully for my sanity, that day they were best friends

I made the girls lunch and we watched some t.v. It was only a matter of time before one of them lost the battle. As usual it was Kiera. For those of you who don't know, Kiera has an innate ability to pass out anywhere, at any time and in any position.

Needless to say it was a pajama day for us girls while Jason, poor guy, had to work on a Sunday.


Even though there doesn't seem to be much color exploding in the sky each morning around here right now I was still able to get a really beautiful picture of the sunrise and the morning fog.

I went on the back deck to take some photos and realized that Jason had moved the camper out of the driveway, for the winter, only to block part of my view. Damn it!

At least I'm still able to see the beautiful tree in the neighbors yard, and the trees of our back yard.

Lastly today is a photo just for my friend TICKLEBEAR.  I mentioned getting a tattoo last week and with the emotions of the week & weekend I forgot about posting the photo on the blog. So this one's for you TeeBee.

The tattoo wraps all the way around my right arm from wrist to elbow. The top photo is the inside of my forearm, and the bottom is the outside.  If you look really close you can see a Heart and a Pacifier in the angel wings.

This is of course not my first tattoo. It is only the latest. I have hodge podge tattoos in various places, each one with it's own meaning and/or reason. This one is the most special one outside of the flowers on my back that represent each one of my girls. Originally this particular one started out as just the wings. Then as time went on I became restless and wanted to add to it. I went to my ink man, whom I used to work for back when I had a job, and asked him to do something with my arm. I told him what I liked and didn't like and asked him to come up with something. He knows me well and was a great support through all the issues we had with Maggie. I was blown away with what he designed. Not only because it was beautiful, and "So Me", but because he sat there and drew it on my arm right in front of me. He truly is an amazing tattoo artist, and a great friend.

Anyways enough blathering on. I hope everyone has had a good week so far.

Love ♥ Huggs

CoreyJo

...

This weekend went well. Chinese for dinner on Friday, and cupcakes for Maggie's birthday.  We released balloons on Saturday morning with messages of love and birthday wishes from all of us written on them. Company came over Saturday afternoon. All in all it was a good weekend with good food, delicious wine (lots of it), and the best friends a girl could ask for. Thanks everyone for helping to make our weekend wonderful, and for celebrating the beautiful Soul that is Maggie Alice. Love you Monkey♥

As you can see by the first photo I did not make this years cupcakes. It was too hard last year and I really wanted to avoid crying into cake batter this year. I wasn't all that impressed by these so next year I'm either finding a better bakery or I'm going to make my own sans the tears.

Because it was raining so much last week I really don't have very many nice photos to show you so here are some taken in Iowa by my sister in-law on the theie way home from our house to theirs in Nebraska.

I can't remember if this next one was from Kristen, or my friend Melissa. I do believe it's one of Mel's photos from here in Michigan. I know the fall colors is Mel's though.



Lastly since I don't have any new pretty flower photos from my yard here are some photos a friend sent to me not too long ago. Thank you Pat. You're a wonderful friend and person. You always know just how to brighten my day. ♥

Thank you to everyone who left comments on the last post and who wrote emails. Your love was much needed and much appreciated.

Hopefully I'll have more to blog about this week. For now, I'm off to the dentist to get some repair work done on the work that the last dentist messed up. Wish me Luck!!

Wishing all of you a wonderful week.

Love ♥ Huggs

CoreyJo