Headlines that Caught my Eye

A young man in Nepal, believed to be the incarnation of Buddha has allegedly gone without food for six months. His mother is named Maya Devi, the same as Buddha's mother said he is a quite, aloof boy. The 15-year-old Ram Bahadur Bamjon, does not speak and visitors are only allowed to see him from a distance of 165 feet.
Also, in Sacramento, California a statue of the Virgin Mary has begun crying a substance that looks like blood. Thousands of such incidents are reported around the world each year, though many turn out to be hoaxes or natural phenomena.


On the lighter side (or should I say heavier)...

Fatter rear ends are causing many drug injections to miss their mark, requiring longer needles to reach buttock muscles, according to researchers. I wonder how much was spent on this research?

And on the down side....

My poor Bucs! Even though Simms is looking better each time he plays, the team as a whole could not get it together this past Sunday against the Bears. Our kicker, Bryant suffered a hamstring injury that may force them to bring another kicker in this week. The Buccaneers only touchdown was made by Mike Alstott. Better luck next week, guys! Tonight it is all about the Colts. After all, how can they go wrong with Tony Dungy as their coach??

A Visit from the Children

I drove down to pick up the children on Wednesday, which was only the busiest traveling day of the season. On the way to pick up the children, a rig turned over and stopped traffic for about 30 minutes. To say the least, I was happy to see our little home when we finally got here. I live in a small three bedroom trailer. It is great for Brett, Sarah Beth, Nate the Great and me; but when you add four others to the mix it becomes a bit cozier! Molly, Stephanie’s best friend, came to visit with her this time. She is a riot to be around, and her and Stephanie together keep me laughing constantly.
They went and saw the movie Yours, Mine & Ours. They have also got a great deal of Christmas shopping done and spent alot of time together. I had to work Friday and Saturday, so they were on their own some. One morning they walked up to Applebee's, where Sarah Bath works, to have lunch. We went to Wannamaker park with my Momma and played for about 2 hours, which Savannah & Nate thought was great. I honestly think the older children had just as much fun as the younger. I took Eli, the son of Cherrie, with us and that gave someone Savannah's age for her to play with. Afterwards, we stopped at the Waffle House for coffee and food. My Momma's best friend, Sheila, joined us for coffee. It is nice to see that my Momma has a friend like her. The last day they were here, the girls went to the mall ( again!) and the guys went to the flea market. I took them back to Orangeburg to meet David about 7pm and tried to not cry on my way home. Even with four days to spend with them; it wasn't enough. I believe they had a great time and they are looking forward to being here again at Christmas.

Here is the latest picture of Nate, the Great. Check out the new haircut. Little guys just don't sit still for haircuts that well, and this is what we ended up with.

I fixed It

I somehow made it where no one could post a comment. I think I have it fixed, but I am not too bright; so let me know if it is not fixed. Peace, Love & Happiness.

Death v. Life without parole

The death penalty is being debated again. Do we have a right to decide whose life ends and for what reason? And what of all the innocent people that have recently been released from death row, due to DNA evidence that cleared them? There is no perfect system to ascertain someone's guilt. Then you have public defenders standing up for the convicted, sometimes against high dollar lawyers. Considering most public defenders are just out of law school and learning as the go, I do not believe this is a working system. Additionally, the death penalty is not given to individuals equally. If it was, alot more people would receive it, regardless of education or economic status. As we are approaching the 1,000 execution since the death penalty was resumed, I cannot help but wonder if this could be another innocent man that will pay the ultimate price.
Finally, to make the death penalty effective, the way they are carried out needs to be changed. Now, it is all behind closed doors, with just a select few witnessing it. Back in the day, they were public and gave the public a first hand look and the consequesnces of the deed.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope that everone has a wonderful day with their Families & Friends. May god Bless you! Peace & Love, Merilyn & family

Bah Humbug Already

I am not a real big fan of the holidays. My children never knew it. I did the normal baking, decorating and Christmas light sight-seeing that every parent does. I will continue that with them always, but honestly I never seem to get "into it". Got home last night pretty late for me, around 4:45 pm to find out my furnace is not working. I called the landlord; thankfully I am renting ~ or so I thought initially. Well, he said he was going out of town on Wednesday and he would try to get someone out here before the weekend! I called Brett, as he was visiting some friends on the way home and had not arrived yet, and his friends had a heater that we borrowed (The landlord had advised buying one and he would reimburse me for it.) and I had a small heater for Sarah Beth's room. The grandson, Nate the Great, stayed at his other grandparents house, so I didn't have to worry about him freezing to pieces. The children are due to arrive from Columbia Wednesday, so I am going to have to buy a heater for the living room after all. I swear I could here the electricity spiking last night when I plugged in these two heaters. I don't even want to think what this going to do to my bill! Besides that, I am freezing. I still have not got used to the cold up here and I am not a really warm-natured person anyways.

We will be having Thanksgiving dinner over at Gena & Kevin's. I have a list of what I need to bring, and I am sure it will be a great time. It means a lot to Brett, and it means a lot to me to see him happy. My parent's opted to go out to eat and my sister is going to her in-laws, so I know my family doesn't mind me not being there with them. I wish all of you a Happy Turkey Day and pray all of your furnaces are in good working order. Peace & Love.

More Photos from a Ghostly Wedding

Judy Mundy & Gena

Tommy
Tara & Larry
Tony

Gena & Brett
Merilyn

Good Morning

No Justice for Tampa Mother

No Justice for Lisa Wilkins

On March 31, 2005 four children crossed the street on their way home from a community center event. They were run over by a car and left to die in the road. Over 200 witness saw the vehicle stop briefly, turn off the lights and sped away, grinding gears as it went and also, dragging the three year old child into the next intersection. Their mother, Lisa Wilkins, told them she would be back for them after it was over and to wait for her. This mother, who was six months pregnant at the time, was on her way to get her babies when she saw the commotion of the accident. Two of her children were dead and the other two injured severely.

On April 5th the driver of the vehicle who ran over these children came forward; with her high priced lawyer, Barry Cohen. Jennifer Porter, an elementary dance instructor, admitted to being the driver of the vehicle that fateful night. When the accident happened, she called her parents instead of the police. She took her car and hid it with the help of her father instead of contacting the police. I was sure that justice would prevail, but it wasn’t to be. On November 5th, Judge Emmett Lamar Battles handed down Miss Porter’s sentence. She received 500 hours community service, two years house arrest and three years probation. Her father received nothing for his part in concealing evidence.

I feel sick to my stomach.

What is a Witch???

Any of my close friends will tell you that my beliefs are a little different than most, but I believe this memo perfectly describes how I feel about what I believe in; thanks Sandi!

I AM A WITCH!
By Sandi Thomas
When I stand up for myself and my beliefs, they call me a witch.
When I stand up for those I love, they call me a witch.
When I speak my mind, think my own thoughts, or do things my own way, they call me a witch.
Being a witch entails raising my children to be strong people
Who have a solid sense of personal and social responsibility,
Who are not afraid to stand up for what they believe in
And, who love and respect themselves for the beautiful beings they are.
Being a witch means that I am free to be the wonderful creature I am,
With all my own intricacies, contradictions, quirks and beauty.
Being a witch means I won't compromise what's in my heart means I live my life MY way.
It means I won't allow anyone to step on me.
When I refuse to tolerate injustice and speak up against it, I am defined as a witch.
The same thing happens when I take time for myself instead of being everyone else's maid or when I act a little selfish.
I am proud to be a witch! It means I have the courage and strength to allow myself to be who I truly am and won't become anyone else's idea of what they think I "should" be.
I am outspoken, opinionated and determined.
By Goddess, I want what I want and there is nothing wrong with that!
So, try to stomp on me, try to douse my inner flame, try to squash every ounce of beauty I hold within me.
You won't succeed if that makes me a witch, so be it.
I embrace the title and am proud to bear it. I love this, I can call myself a witch now and not feel bad about it!


Yesterday in the news, there was a story of four women in Orissa that have been charged with being witches. These four women were locked in a room for three days by six men and two women. They were allegedly forced to pay a fine of 500 rupees each and forced to consume human excreta. In 1999, the Government also passed an act against witchcraft, the Witch Prohibition Act-1999,according to which six months imprisonment and a fine of 2,000 rupees can be imposed on a person found guilty of torturing innocent women. Most of the so called witches are women, and their alleged victims are women too.

This is just one more reason I am glad to live in the USA; where I can believe what I want and not be imprisoned or harassed for those beliefs.

Blessed Be!

The Old Bridge is Kaplewy....Almost.

For as long as I can remember, the "Old Cooper River Bridge" & "New Cooper River Bridge" have stood in our beautiful port city. They have been well used for commuting, bridge runs, drag racing and a few stupid individuals have jumped from them; only to find themselves up to their arses in muck and mud and still alive. Yesterday they detonated another section of the bridges, this time sucessfully. Last time alot of the explosives didn't detonate and clean-up took three times as long as it should have. The next blast is scheduled for December, as long as the debris has been removed from this explosion.

The 10:00 am blast drew hundreds of onlookers, which concidering we are in the South that is a small number! Below is a picture of the "Old Cooper River Bridges" and of the "Newest Cooper River Bridge". Very big difference, huh?

A Visit from the Children

We went and picked up the children on Friday evening. We got lucky and only had to go to Orangeburg; the half way mark to meet my ex-husband. Silly me, I thought he was being nice by doing this, come to find out he had to pick up a tractor in Orangeburg! He digs graves for a living and has contracts with a few graveyards, one of which is only a few miles from my home. Made me wonder why this is the first I am hearing of this?!? Anyways, I got my beautiful children for the weekend. I work six days a week at "The Misfit Cleaner's", so Saturday I got up and went to work like a good little drone. And of course, since I had plans to hang out with the kids, I had enough work to keep me there until 2:30 pm! I swear I am stepping up the job hunt first thing Monday morning!!!

I got home, tierd and the back hurting so badly all I wanted to do was go to bed. Couldn't do that, the kids are here and they had been bored all day waiting on me. Also, we had an oyster roast to go to ay Larry & Rosemary's home. Sean decided to go with us and the girls went to the park and then over to Tony & Susan's with Nathan.

Bonehead Idea of the Week

A benefit for poor and abused children, Auction for Angels, has temporarily been cancelled due to poor taste of one of the sponsors. The owner of a strip club included his corporate logo on an invitation picturing a young girl. Don't get me wrong, I think it is great the owner, Joe Redner wants to donate to a worthy cause and I have nothing against his line of business; but have a little taste! The girl pictured is very, very young according to the news article in The St. Pete Times. To read the article; clink this link: http://stpetetimes.com/2005/11/12/Hillsborough/Furor_threatens_benef.shtml

Watch out Y'all, She has her Driver's Permit!!!

On June 19, 1990 I gave birth to this beautiful baby girl, Stephanie Marie. She is pictured on the right with her sister, Sarah Beth & her nephew, Nathan Xavier. As the years have passed, she has grown into a wonderful young woman. She has accomplished much, sometimes succeeding & sometimes failing, but always trying as hard as she can. On Friday she took and passed her written driver's test and she only missed a few questions. Wow! I am very proud of my children, and know that soon there will be a day when they go home to their own families and I will not be a part of their everyday life. Will I be sad? I don't believe so. I have enjoyed every stage of their lives and whole-heartedly look forward to watching them experience the rest. With four of them in their teens, that is basically all I can do, watch.

Sean is on his own, working for UPS and thinking of going to Japan to teach English. Sarah is a mother, and a darn good one too. Christopher, who also lives in Columbia is so independent and into his own life I don't get to see him much; I sure hope he slows down and enjoys the ride. Stephanie and Savannah live in Columbia; the idea of changing schools was to much for Steph and Savannah is a Daddy's girl. So, I didn't fight either of them when they wanted to live with their Dad. I get to see them on weekends and they always go way too quick. I jokingly call my cellphone the "Momma Hotline", they call me or I call them at least once a day.

Frankenstein Takes a Bride

Kevin Morris & Gena Mundy
Began their married life together on October 29, 2005 in the presence of their Families and Friends!!!

On October 29, 2005 we had the honor of attending my mate's sister's wedding. Gena & Kevin met 5 years ago and their first date was a Halloween Costume party. So to celebrate their weeding they had a Costume Wedding. The "Bride of Frankenstein", Gena was given to "Frankenstein", Kevin by "Grandapa Munster", Ronnie Mundy. Grandpa was accomplanied by his wife the "Witch", Judy Mundy. "Eddie Munster", Tristan Mundy - the bride's 10 year old son and the "Werewolf", Brett Mundy the bride's brother were also part of the wedding party. The Bride was gorgeous, that is until The Groom gave her a kiss and alot of green makeup ended up on her face.

A good time was had by all and the celebration lasted well into the night. Lots of food, music, warm bonfire made the evening a hit. I hope their married life goes as well as the wedding went. I will add more pictures as I receive them. The Wedding Party

Bloody News from Tampa has me wondering

As I said in the previous post, I just recently moved from Tampa Bay, Florida. One of my favorite websites to visit is www.jumperpool.com and if you visit; keep an open mind. The site reports on the idiots who decide to take their life, usually at peak traffic times, from the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. On 10/19/2005 an elderly driver drove to the Skyway toll-booth with a body lodged in his windshield. The toll-booth worker initially assumed this was a Halloween prank; until he saw all the blood.

Being a former resident of this beautiful city, I have personally sat in the Driver License office and witnessed an elderly gentleman try 6 times to read the eye chart for renewing his license. The clerk renewed his license even with the difficulties he obviously had seeing. The driver mentioned above was suffering from dementia, not poor eyesight. Do they even have a way to check for dementia at the Driver license office? Considering the large number of elderly drivers on the road these days, I personally believe this should be looked into a little more.

Things as they stand now

Until June 2005 I had been living happily in Tampa, Florida. I ended a friendship of over 20 years over my daughter, Sarah Beth. I ended a relationship that I was staying in just to be there. So, when things just finally got to be too much I packed up the apartment and towed the Poopmobile home to Charleston, SC. Yes, I am back where I grew up and so far it seems like it was a good thing.

When I first arrived here, I took a bartending job at a place called Nowhere. Catchy name and I thought it would do until I found a job better suited to my skills. I had so many issues with the way things were done there as far as paperwork; I was fired. Just days before I had started seeing a wonderful man; a man that I was warned that if I got involved with I would lose my job. So, I guess that was that. I immediately found employment at a drycleaning plant; another job to fill the void until I find The Job. I like my boss and one person there; the others I ignore completely. Reverse prejudice is alive and well in The South, let me tell you. I am the only caucasian in the plant other that the owner and the counter people; both of whom I have little contact with all day. I just pray every night I will find something better....soon!

My wonderful man, Brett moved in with me on October 1, 2005 and it is going well. I know I am not the easiest person to live with, but I have lived with worse (ie: former friend of over 20 years for one) and hope this is the last time I have to get use to someone else's habits and quirks. We have had a couple of issues, but I wouldn't trade him for anyone else. He enjoys my family and friends. We spend alot of time with my grandson, Nate-Nate, since my daughter works nights at a grocery store called (no kidding) Piggly Wiggly. The picture above is of Nate-Nate and me waking from our naptime when he was about 2 months old.

So, I guess I moving back home was a great idea. I cannot believe I fought living this close to my family for so long.