Memorial Day

I originally made this video for Veteran's Day. But, I decided it was also appropriate for Memorial Day. Please remember what this day is about. Please take a moment to remember the men and women who have given their lives fighting for our freedom. And give thanks to the brave men and women who are still fighting for our freedom.

Here is just one reason why Memorial Day means so much to the Dill/Leal/Sullivan families...

No, I would not like extra meat on my sandwich! Heck, I don't even want Subway!

This is what I am dreaming about:

I would LOVE a mushroom and swiss angus burger from McDonald's. I love how the mayo oozes out and I dip my fries in it. AND...I wonder why I'm fat??? But, I haven't had one of these for about a month. I've done really well at staying away from the fast food. No angus burgers and fries for me!

Soooo, I settle for this:

Don't get me wrong, I really do like the sweet onion chicken teriyaki sandwich from Subway. It's pretty tasty and low fat. But frankly I'm getting sick of it! I was getting a little testy today. I mean to get here, I had to pass Taco Bell, KFC, Steak 'n Shake, McDonalds. You know all of the places I would really like to go! So, when we get to Subway (Again!), the girl behind the counter is like "You want extra meat"? No thank you... "What kind of cheese would you like"? None, thank you. "Would you like bacon"? NOOOO, thank you! My breaking point was when I was getting ready to pay and she says "Would you like 3 cookies for $1.30"? And I peer into the case and see my favorite, white chocolate, macadamia nut! No, I don't want just 3 damn cookies, I want 3 dozen cookies! And of course, I want extra meat, cheese and bacon! My ass didn't get this fat by eating healthy! Once again, I was strong and said no thank you to the cookies. I can do this I know I can, but I just about fell off the wagon today. I really wanted that burger and those cookies! This diet crap is for the birds!!!!

My Mom is FINALLY done with Jericho Cay!!!

Every April one of my favorite author's, Kathryn Wall comes out with a new Bay Tanner mystery. My Mom buys it then passes it on to me. I pass it on to my aunt. And she passes it on to my cousin. You get the picture. Mom usually has it read in a day or two. But this year Mom has been pulling overtime and just hasn't had much time to read. So, instead of days, it took weeks! I have been patiently waiting. I can't complain. She bought the book after all! But, I was really getting anxious. Like a kid at Christmas! Anyway, she finally finished it and I now have my hands on it. The most cool thing about this series is that series is based on the Hilton Head, Beaufort and St. Helena, SC areas. When I read them, I know where she is talking about. I can literally put myself in those areas because that's where I used to live. She is very detailed in her description of the area. And it's a mystery! You can't go wrong with a good mystery series! If you haven't read any of her books, you have to start with the first one and read them in order. Start with In For A Penny. I promise you won't be disappointed!!!

Fat Girls Need Clothes Too!!!

My brother is getting married next weekend, so I have been trying to find something to wear. Problem??? Why do all of the plus sized clothes have to be loud and covered with huge flowers and big ass patterns??? Why can't they have the same version of the cute blue sweater I saw over in the misses section over in the plus sized section? All it would need is a little more fabric! And why do all of the tops have to be super low cut or have ruffles on them? I already have huge boobs, I don't need anything else to draw attention to them! Seriously! It gets aggravating. All I am asking for is a plain blouse with no patterns, not low cut and no ruffles. I don't think that is really too much to ask for! Anyway, enough of my rant. I did find an outfit. Nothing fancy. My normal black pants and a top that is a little out of my comfort zone. It does have a pattern and some little sparkly things on it, but I liked the fit and I was getting desperate. I've done pretty well on my diet the past few weeks, so maybe, just maybe if I can keep it up,by this time next year, I won't even need to shop in the damn plus size section! Hey, a girl can dream, right???

Thursday's Throwbacks-Small Town Video

Another re-post from 2009. My Aunt Tedi wanted a video that had pics of the Dill kids as we were growing up. Forgot about this one. It has us kids and Aunt Tedi is in it too. And several other members of my family and friends.It has scenes from our little town. May not be much to some, but to us it's everything! I realize the big city folks probably think we're a bunch of rednecks around here, but I truly love where I'm from. I love that my kids are being taught at the same school I went to. And often times being taught by the same teachers that I had. I love that everyone pretty much knows everyone. And I guess the downside to everyone knowing everyone is that they also know a little too much about everyone's business. But in a time of need, our community pulls together. I never realized how important that was until Trevor died. Seeing the way the people of this town were there for our family, I knew this was where I needed to be. This was where I needed to raise my kids. I have been back home for almost 13 years and this is where I belong!

Days Go By

Re-posting this video so my sis-in-law can see it. First attempt at video making in 2009. I have since learned to crop the pictures before I put them in the videos!

Prom Pics!

We realized after we took this picture, she had her hair ties still on her wrists! She did take them off before she left! And you'll notice the tan lines. Tennis uniform!!!

Aunt Elana did a great job hemming, altering and fixing her dress. We owe her big time!

We took her over to her date's house to meet up with the rest of the gang and take pictures.
He looks a little concerned!

This is just pretend. His mom had to pin the flower on his jacket.

Most of the gang is here. Due to a hair problem, we are still missing a couple!

Getting ready to head out. Next stop is at the Attica Hotel for dinner!

We LOVED her boots! A true country girl!

And they're off!
The whole gang! They stopped at Ashley's house so her mom could get pics!

It Won't Be Like This For Long

I made this video in 2009. I had just gotten a new computer with windows movie maker on it. I was just learning how to use it. My video making skills have gotten a little better since this! My mom wanted me to re-post this so she could post it on Facebook.It's all about Bryson and Bryson growing up. Seeing Steve's reaction to his baby girl going to prom last night reminded Mom of this song and this video. I watched it again and it made me cry! Here you go Mom!!!

It's Prom Day!!!

Today is Attica's Jr-Sr. prom. It's being held at the Purdue Ballroom at Purdue University. Bryson is only a sophomore. but she is going with her friend, Josh. Since Bry's boyfriend Lucas is also only a sophomore and goes to another school, she was more than happy to accept when Josh asked her to go with him. She wanted to go to this prom really bad! She's going to have a long busy day. As usual on prom day, Attica also had several athletic events scheduled-baseball/softball double headers, a golf tournament, a tennis tournament. Why do they do that? Can't there be one weekend without a sporting event? These kids are going to have a super long day.Bry plays tennis so she had to be at the school at 7:30am. They have to rush home to get ready. Kinda makes it hard to plan hair appointments when you have no idea what time they will be done with their events. I had to cancel Bry's hair appointment because the only one we could get was just too late in the day. So, she will doing her own hair. Pain in the butt I tell ya! I am picking Bry up as soon as her match is over. Regardless of the long day, prom is a day for memories. A day they will always remember. And I will leave you with a blast from the past....

This is Steve and I at my senior prom in 1992. Of course I will be posting a ton more pics of Bryson all dolled up! :)

Thursday's Throwbacks

My Dad's band "The Remnants". Dad is the guy in the middle with the hat and the cigarette hanging out of his mouth. That cigarette is just for looks. My dad hates cigarettes!
Travis, Trevor and I. I would say it was probably 1980-81 or so.



This is my Aunt Tedi. Aunt Tedi turned 60 yesterday. This was her senior picture. So pretty!!!

Trevor's boot camp graduation, 10-18-1996. It was one of my proudest moments ever! And as you can see it was very emotional too! That's my step-mom Sharon wiping tears away in the background. And Bryson was super excited to see her Uncle Trevor!

My youngest brother, Allen. It's hard to believe that Allen is getting married in just a few weeks!He wanted to hold this snake. Just a few moments after this picture was taken, that snake peed all over him. He was freaking out! And needless to say, he wanted nothing more to do with the snake! And that outfit??? I don't even know what to say!

Hooray for Mother's Day!

Aaww Mother's Day!The day where I get to guilt my children into doing whatever I want them to do just because it's Mother's Day! Boy's no fighting! Remember it's Mother's Day! Jordan, please give the dog a bath. Remember it's Mother's Day! Boys, please clean up the dog poop in the back yard. Remember it's Mother's Day! Dusty, please clean off the table. Remember it's Mother's Day! Steve mowed the yard and cleaned out the gutters. Steve and Bryson cooked dinner. It's the first time we've had the grill out this Spring. Yummy! Now, Bryson is doing the dishes. And me??? Remember it's Mother's Day! I planted the few flowers that I bought when Mom and I went flower shopping yesterday. And then I spent the rest of the day lazing around watching shows that I have recorded on my DVR and reading magazines. I wish everyday was Mother's Day! Dinner always tastes better prepared by someone else. And what mom doesn't like it when the kids do what we ask the FIRST time instead of repeating ourselves over and over??? Oh well, tomorrow it is back to reality, so I'd better enjoy my last few hours of Mother's Day! I hope all you other momma's had a good day too!

It's amazing how a day like Mother's Day can turn these 3 kids into the perfect children!

All jokes aside, I am incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to be the mom of Bryson, Jordan and Dustin! They are my whole life! A sometimes chaotic life, but with them around it's a wonderful life!

"A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity. It dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path."-Agatha Christie"

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Anyone that knows me will tell you that I'm a momma's girl. And a spoiled momma's girl at that! Yeah that's right, I'm a spoiled 37 year old momma's girl! When I was little, I cried everytime my mom left the room. One day, my grandpa decided enough was enough, so he took me to his aunt's house. He said when I stopped crying, he would take me back. I cried for 3 hours straight before I finally gave up. This did actually cure me from melting down everytime my mom left my sight, but even now I still don't like to go too long without seeing my mom! We talk on the phone nearly everyday. We shop together. We go on trips together. She helps out with my kids school projects. We love working on the kids Halloween costumes together.And now that my office re-located I am closer to her so I can meet her after work for dinner some nights. My mom has always been there for me no matter what. Whether it was to celebrate with me during happy times or wipe my tears during sad times, I can always count on my mom. I am thankful that when I was growing up she didn't take any crap from us.I am sure there were times when we thought she was the meanest mom in the whole wide world! But I think this helped all 3 of us grew up to be respecful adults. I saw my mom do without so we could have what we needed. And most of the time she did without so we could have what we wanted as well. This too taught me to put my own children first. A lot of my parenting is the mirror image of how I was raised. And I know for a fact that I have now taken on the title as "the meanest mom in the whole wide world"! Mom was a softball coach, a girls scout leader and for a few brave summers, she was even a baseball coach for my brothers team. She had so much patience! I think you would have to in order to be a coach to bratty pre-teen girls and obnoxious pre-teen boys! Patience or not, she didn't take any crap! She threw the neighbor off the baseball team when he decided to yell the "F" word at the umpire. And I learned that just because I was the coaches daughter, I wasn't exempt from being benched. I found that out the day I said "You can't bench me. I'm your daughter"! Yeah, big mistake!!!! I sat out for the next 3 innings. I knew better than to say anything else if I wanted to play!!! That is my mom! She is loving and nurturing, but she doesn't take any crap! I wouldn't have her any other way!

My mom truly is the best momma ever! I know that a lot of other's think the same thing, but my mom holds the title! I love you Mom!!!!

Mom, Travis, Bryson, Jordan and I at Travis and Dawne's wedding in 2000

Mom and I at a Colts game

This was the Dill's Devils team picture. My Mom's name is Angel, so we wanted to be called Angel's Angels. She vetoed that and we became the Dill's Devils! What's up with that???

We were the Rowdy Reds this year. I guess we grew from Devil Girls to Rowdy Girls!

This was our last Christmas with Trevor in 1996. He passed away in September of 1997. Mom got to be with all 3 of us that year. Travis and Trevor both got to come home on leave. I will always cherish that Christmas!

Mom holding Trevor, me, our cousin Michael and Travis

Rocking with my momma!

Mom, Travis and I in 1976

Me, Trevor and Mom in the early 90's

My mom, my cousin Corinna and I at our Indy trip last summer. We have another one planned for this summer! Can't wait!

Summer fun with my mom!

Angel quotes:

"Do as I say. Not as I do".

"I ask you once. I tell you once and if I get to 3? Strike 3 you're out!"

And my all time personal favorite:

"Don't let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya!" This one was used when we were mad and stomping out the door!

Thursday's Throwbacks

This was probably in 1985 or 1986. We had just played a mud volley game. Once again I am rocking the afro. Just too bad I can't rock those shorts anymore! That would NOT be a pretty sight! Anyway from left to right: Me, Happy Foster, Niki Halsema, Amber Kerst, Michelle Mickle and Tracy Kelp.

Me in 1974 with my Memaw's dog Pooh. Gotta love the wallpaper! And the Keep on Truckin poster! Oh the 70's!

My great-grandma Gen and my Grandma Vi. They are my dad's mom and grandmother.

My family has always loved Halloween. Travis and I went as indians. Travis was a cute little blond, curly headed indian. I had Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls that had clothes big enough to fit my brother Trevor and cousin Amber. Amber didn't want to keep her wig on!

My dad's parents Vi and Max

Here I am snoozing with my Grandpa Max