I love it when Crowley makes the news!

FORT WORTH -- An aspiring record label owner is singing the blues after he was arrested last week for allegedly trying to pass a $360 billion check at a Fort Worth bank.

Employees at the Chase Bank at 8601 S. Hulen St. grew suspicious after seeing all those zeroes (10 to be exact) and called the check's owner. The woman said the suspect, Charles Ray Fuller, 21, of Crowley, is her daughter’s boyfriend and that he did not have permission to take the check or cash it.

Fuller was arrested on suspicion of fraud, along with unlawfully carrying a weapon and possession of marijuana after officers found less than 2 ounces of the drug and a .25-caliber handgun and magazine in his pockets.

While inside a patrol car, police say Fuller blurted out that he is starting his own record label and had been given the money by his girlfriend’s mother to help him start it.

Apparently breaking into the music business does not come cheap.

Luckily for him, bail was a lot less expensive. Fuller was released from Mansfield Jail on Thursday after posting $3,750 bail

P.S. I love how the mom said he didn't have permission to take the check or cash it. Who keeps checks that big at home? Shouldn't it be in a safe deposit box or something?? She is so gonna get robbed one of these days...

Mono?

Back at the beginning of April Hayden had a pretty bad sore throat. He tested negative for strep throat, but his Dr. treated him with Amoxil anyway. She told me if it didn't go away that we would test him for mono. At the time I was scratching my head thinking that kids his age don't get mono. He did feel better for about a week and then never mentioned throat pain or anything. Well, the other day I went to grab his face (near his chin) to turn it up to mine for a kiss and he burst into tears. He said his neck hurt really bad. His glands were huge and hard as rocks. I took him back to the Dr. yesterday and she prescribed Augmentin and ordered blood work to check for mono. Let me tell you, seeing your kids get a shot is small potatoes compared to seeing them get blood drawn. He was terrified! I felt so bad for him. I sat him on my lap and whispered in his ear and hugged him tight. I kissed his little ears and promised him ice cream and stickers. He cried so hard, huge tears that landed on my foot and ran down between my toes. I had to bite my lip to keep from crying myself. I didn't want him to see me upset as well. Thankfully it was over quick. He was pretty bummed until we got to Braums and then he was all better. Now, we are waiting for his test results. I am convinced that we have both been suffering from it. All the yuckiness I have been feeling are classic mono symptoms. Evidentally it hits people differently and takes as long as 2 months to feel 100%. There were days about a week and a half after his sore throat first showed up that I was sure I was gonna have to go to the hospital. Thankfully I am feeling better, and Hayden seems fine except his neck is a little sore. I am very anxious to get his test results. I will keep everyone updated.

Boys - 15, Girls - 12, 1 undecided

I just wanted to congratulate my sister Amy and her husband Jesse. Today they found out that they are expecting a BOY! We are super excited for them. Chloe and I were crossing our fingers for a girl since us girls are pretty outnumbered. But, we'll gladly take a baby boy. We are just happy as could be that this sweet little angel is coming to our family. Now, we are anxiously awaiting for Kelli and Bryce to find out what they are having. These babies are gonna be my parents 27th and 28th grandchildren.... WOW! I am counting the days...

Our little family

Here we are! I have been wanting to do a family picture forever, and this is as close as we have gotten in 6 years! Sad huh? Anyway... if anyone knows a photographer who is a pro or who takes pics as a hobby, please let me know. I really, really want to do a photo shoot of the whole family. Obviously I can't pay a ton for them but I am determined to get some done.

Dear Complaint Department,

This one's for the ladies. Here is a copy of an actual complaint letter addressed to the makers of a popular brand of feminine product, and man is it funny!

Dear Mr. Thatcher,

I have been a loyal user of your 'Always' maxi pads for over 20 years and I
appreciate many of their features. Why, without the LeakGuard Core or
Dri-Weave absorbency, I'd probably never go horseback riding or salsa
dancing, and I'd certainly steer clear of running up and down the beach in
tight, white shorts. But my favorite feature has to be your revolutionary
Flexi-Wings. Kudos on being the only company smart enough to realize how
crucial it is that maxi pads be aerodynamic. I can't tell you how safe and
secure I feel each month knowing there's a little F-16 in my pants.

Have you ever had a menstrual period, Mr. Thatcher? Ever suffered from the
curse'? I'm guessing you haven't. Well, my time of the month is starting
right now. As I type, I can already feel hormonal forces violently surging
through my body. Just a few minutes from now, my body will adjust and I'll
be transformed into what my husband likes to call 'an inbred hillbilly with
knife skills.' Isn't the human body amazing?

As Brand Manager in the Feminine-Hygiene Division, you've no doubt seen
quite a bit of research on what exactly happens during your customers
monthly visits from 'Aunt Flo'. Therefore, you must know about the bloating,
puffiness, and cramping we endure, and about our intense mood swings, crying
jags, and out-of-control behavior. You surely realize it's a tough time for
most women. In fact, only last week, my friend Jenifer fought the violent
urge to shove her boyfriend's testicles into a George Foreman Grill just
because he told her he thought Grey's Anatomy was written by drunken chimps.
Crazy!

The point is, sir, you of all people must realize that America is just
crawling with homicidal maniacs in Capri pants... Which brings me to the
reason for my letter. Last month, while in the throes of cramping so painful
I wanted to reach inside my body and yank out my uterus, I opened an Always
maxi-pad, and there, printed on the adhesive backing, were these words:
'Have a Happy Period.'

Are you freaking kidding me? What I mean is, does any part of your tiny
middle-manager brain really think happiness - actual smiling, laughing
happiness is possible during a menstrual period? Did anything mentioned
above sound the least bit pleasurable? Well, did it, James? FYI, unless
you're some kind of sick S&M freak, there will never be anything 'happy'
about a day in which you have to jack yourself up on Motrin and Kahlua and
lock yourself in your house just so you don't march down to the local
Walgreen's armed with a hunting rifle and a sketchy plan to end your life in
a blaze of glory.

For the love of God, pull your head out, man! If you just have to slap a
moronic message on a maxi pad, wouldn't it make more sense to say something
that's actually pertinent, like 'Put down the Hammer' or 'Vehicular
Manslaughter is Wrong', or are you just picking on us?

Sir, please inform your Accounting Department that, effective immediately,
there will be an $8 drop in monthly profits, for I have chosen to take my
maxi-pad business elsewhere. And though I will certainly miss your
Flex-Wings, I will not for one minute miss your brand of condescending bull
shit. And that's a promise I will keep. Always.

Best,
Wendi
Austin , TX

Polygamy is FUN!

I am so excited! Big Love comes back for Season 3 on June 11th. I can't wait! I am so eating dinner in our "media room" that night. I already know that! In the meantime I'll check CNN for real-life polygamy drama and HBO's site for fun and games.
P.S. I did the quiz, and I'm a Nicki. Bummer, I wanted to be a Margene. When I did the game, I was first wife. So confusing, that polygamy stuff.

Pinching Pennies

Lately all you hear about is the high cost of living. And, I think almost everyone I know is feeling the crunch. I try not to worry about it too much, but when it costs $97 to fill your gas tank, it's hard not to. It really seems as if the last month things have gone haywire with the economy. How are middle class people supposed to survive? Worse yet, the ones who fall below that level? After Hayden was born we were fortunate enough for me to be able to quit my job. There were even times when we felt invincible financially. A new house and new cars within 3 months of each other, all new furniture and home decor, a pool. Then a couple of surgeries happened. That was all it took to burst our materialistic bubble. Now, with an extra $75 added to the grocery bill each week and $1000 worth of gas each month for two big vehicles, material things are seeming more like a luxury than ever. I have noticed that even places like McDonald's and Chick-Fil-A have raised their prices. Capri Sun's now cost almost 3 bucks a box. You can't even buy generic store brand stuff, it's always sold out!! I am pretty sure that we are going to trade our Suburban for something smaller, and I am going to try and ride out the summer, but I will more than likely be looking for a job come August. I am a certified pharmacy tech, which pays pretty good. That means if I get a job that I'll be adding after school care to the budget. No biggie, but I have been home with my kids the last 6 & 1/2 years. So, just curious how are y'all saving? Any ideas to cope during these crazy times?

Party like it's 1958!!

My dad had some complications after his cataract surgery and my mom had tickets for her 50th high school reunion, so.... guess who got to drive them??? And stay for dinner and dessert?? Me!! I would say at least I got a free meal, but my parents had to pay an extra $30 just for me. I so did not eat that much food! The food was good at least: grilled salmon, beef tenderloin, mini rolls, mini cornbread muffins, salad, mini chocolate pecan pies, and cream cheese fruit pie. Of course I drank Coke! It was cool to see all the people I recognized from my mom's yearbooks. There was also a really neat slide show. I think my 3 favorite things were: people doing a double take at the strange redhead who for sure wasn't in their graduating class, the coach who kept grabbing the microphone like 7 or 8 times and telling random stories, and the sweet little geometry teacher who was also celebrating her 97th birthday! That woman was sharp as a tack! No kidding, she still remembered which kids were the trouble makers! I really enjoyed hanging out with my folks, my dad and I especially had fun sitting in the corner cracking jokes and just being dorks. Here are a few photos. I am so going on a diet one of these years!

P.S. can you tell a drunk lady spilled wine on me? Thank goodness I wore black!

Tooth Fairy is coming tonight!

Hayden is so cute I punched him in the mouth and his tooth fell out...

Ok, not really. But I have thought about it. He pulled his tooth tonight. It's his third time to lose a tooth. The first time I plucked the little bitty tooth out, but he's done the last two. Go Hayden. Now, if I could just get him to eat a larger variety of foods and tie his own shoes, he'd almost be ready for his first apartment. He is very proud of himself if not a little unsure of his new look. As you have probably noticed by other pics of him on here he likes to smile big. He looks so different now!
It cracks me up how he still has blood from the "extraction" on his finger. And check out those grass stains. You gotta love little boys.

Disturbia on the Prairie

I am sitting here watching Larry King Live and it's all about the FLDS sect in Eldorado, TX and the ongoing investigation. I am just dumbfounded. Larry interviewed some of the moms and while I think it's got to be so hard to have your children ripped away, I cannot understand their logic. I am all for being self sufficient and all that. I too have days where I don't wear makeup. Heck I have even wished at times I lived in the 1800's. But it just seems so weird. The women are all soft spoken yet so robotic. They took the cameras into a house where it's obvious a bunch of the moms and their kids live. I had to cringe at two things: there was a framed picture and sometimes two framed pictures of Warren Jeffs in EVERY room and then this woman opened up a closet and there were shelves full of copies of the Book of Mormon. I guess I really don't know what to say. I mean I am a practicing Mormon and know what I believe and what life I want to live. I believe the Gospel with all of my heart and always will so I can imagine that these FLDS members feel the same way, especially since most of them were born into it. But, at the same time I am a mom and can't imagine any religion wanting me to marry off my 15 year old daughter to an old geezer. I am sorry, but never would I stand for that. So, any opinions? Any one else see Larry King Live? Maybe Good Morning America? Here is the GMA clip.

The latest...

So, I have been feeling a little under the weather and have really not felt like blogging. Maybe you've noticed? There hasn't been alot to blog about. I am headed to court in the morning to haggle over paternity and child support with Chandler's real dad. Should be a slammin' good time. Especially since I haven't seen him in 17 years or spoken to him in 9 years. As a matter of fact he's never given me a single penny. So, I have been a little stressed about that. Add that to the mystery illness I have been suffering from and blogging is the last thing on my mind. But, I'll be back to to it in no time. Spring is well under way and I am so excited. Plus, the masterpiece that is currently being created in Hunter and Hayden's room is surely worthy of a future blog post. Have a groovy Tuesday!

Posh Spice: eat your heart out...

Well, here's the new do! What do you think?



I had a blast at my appointment today! My friend Israel (Salons by JC in Arlington) cut and colored my hair. The dude is a freakin' genius. We gossiped and laughed for hours. If you are interested in his services let me know and I will get you in touch with him. He has an awesome talent for hair.

Freakin' adorable kid

Of course I think I have the cutest kids on earth. But, this kid comes in a close second. And, yes I realize that I have posted my butt off today. I have been scolded for not posting enough, so I am making up for lost time. Enjoy!
P.S. If you have seen this I apologize, I can be behind the times...

Naughty Puppy Dog

Since the weather has been so pretty, I have been letting Coco stay outside more during the day. I never in a million years dreamed she would eat my plants!! Now, I do not have a green thumb but I did manage to keep my banana plants alive this winter and they were starting to come back beautifully. In about 10 days time she completely obliterated my plants. I am so bummed. I am hoping to dig them out this weekend and replant them somewhere she can't get to them. Or I may leave them there and put some chicken wire around them. They seem to be pretty resilient so I am crossing my fingers that they will be reborn...

Here is a before picture. This is the only one I could find. Try and ignore the sweet little bunny and focus on the big beautiful plant in the background.


And... this is after!! Needless to say she has done some SERIOUS damage! It seems as if the minute something green or purple pops up from the center of the plant she eats it. If you look next to the basketball you can see one of the leaves!

Spring planting

I have no idea what took me so long to think of this... but, I had the brilliant plan to let each child pick and plant their own tree. So, we headed to the Home Depot and let the kids choose a tree. Hayden wanted a $200 palm tree but I steered him towards a cheaper yet I think more beautiful tree. I have nothing against palm trees, I have 2 of them by the pool that cost me a pretty penny or more like 3,000 pretty pennies. Anywho, we are now the proud owners of 4 new trees. And I must say they look splendid. Chloe and Hayden chose Magnolia trees and the big boys each picked a Bradford pear. Jon and I picked a small Mexican fan palm for our flower bed. It really changed the look of the house. Gotta love curb appeal. I took one photo of each type of tree, since it was starting to rain. I think we'll do this at every house we ever live in. Crazy tidbit: one of the trees we bought and paid for had a Walmart price tag on it, which we didn't notice until after we planted it. Go figure? They were even able to scan it. Freaky...

Redneck Bathtime: kids and dog edition

Jon and I were inside watching conference and just being lazy when Chloe and Hayden snuck outside to the trampoline. No biggie, since there wasn't a funnel cloud in sight we figured playing outside in the sprinkles would be fun. Those sneaky little kiddos of ours managed to slip indoors where they grabbed a bar of soap and headed back out to the trampoline. Desperate for blog material I ran out with the camera hoping to get a few rainy day shots. Little did I know that they had created a soapy slip ~n~ slide! They were very sweet to include the dog. Now everyone is nice and clean like an April fresh Spring rain or more accurately wet perfumey dog... Here are a few photos of them, look how big the dog is getting!

Finally!

I am so glad they finally rescued these poor kids. It has been a long time coming. I had to laugh to myself though when I saw who they "borrowed" buses from to transport them. Ever since my kids were baptized I have been beat down, argued with, and totally persecuted by several acquaintances who are Baptist. Apparently I am not saved and I am going to hell in a hand basket. Whatever am I to do? Task #1: I am having these acquaintances over in 2 weeks to have a discussion, along with the missionaries and my Bishop. Good times are a'coming.

Awww...

What a bittersweet story...

Congrats!

My two little sisters, Kelli and Amy are gonna make me an aunt again! I seriously cannot wait. It's been like 15 months since there was a baby in this family. That is entirely too long. Girls- I am so proud of y'all and I love both of you so much. Now, hurry up and deliver already... Just kidding, but I am anxiously awaiting the newest members of our family.

They'll be riding home with me from now on...

This afternoon I got a call from Hunter and Chloe. Their school bus was involved in a fender bender. So, naturally I panicked and went to go get them. We had to wait 30 minutes before the police would release any of the kids. Thankfully no one was seriously hurt, although one kid did leave in an ambulance. We are still not sure what his status is. My kids were a little shook up, but mostly they all thought it was pretty cool. Needless to say I will be spending the extra money on gas and driving them from now on.

Happy April Fools Day

Watch out...