Uncle Buster

I got word today that one of my great uncles passed away today, Buster Davis, pictured left with the brace on his arm with his son Jerry. I have many fond memories of Uncle Buster. I spent a few summers in Vian, Oklahoma with my step dad Bill. I met Uncle Buster and Aunt Freeda in California, they live in Bellflower just about an hour from where we used to live.

One summer in Oklahoma and on Lake Tinkiller I met Uncle Buster's Grandkids Tammy and David, I think I was 15 or so, what a summer that was. We had a blast, the whole time driving around in Uncle Buster's Toyota truck, spending hours and hours on the lake and nights at the Fin and Feather Resort. Uncle Buster was very active in the Black Gum Volunteer Fire Department until a few years ago when he had a stroke and was unable to do much for them anymore. Every two years the Davis family holds their family reunion and before the reunion there is always an ice cream social that was always held at Uncle Buster's house, that's what the picture is above.

Uncle Buster is the brother of my Grandpa Benson and they are 2 of 14 in their family but unfortunately ther are only a small few left as they are getting older. I always try to make the reunion held the last Sunday in June every year because you never know when will be the last time you will see one of the brothers or sisters. Sadly about 4 or 5 days before Buster passed one of his sisters, Midge also passed away. Pictured to the right is the remaining siblings, picture taken in 2007 and Uncle Buster is in the front row first person and Midge is in the front row, third from the left (fron right is my grandpa Benson). Below is the clip from the service I have listed beside the names who the people are that are listed at least the ones I know.

Uncle Buster you will be missed!

In Loving Memory of
Mr. Buster T. Davis

Service Details
Wednesday, December 31, 2008 at 2pmBlackgum Baptist ChurchBox Cemetery -

North of Vian, Ok.
Viewing
Tuesday 1 - 9pm Wednesday 9 - 11amAgent Funeral Home - Sallisaw, Ok.
Officiating
Rev. Dale Ritter (distant cousin)
Pallbearers
Jim Giles, Troy Pack, Charlie Jones, Bud Reed, Red Davis(Buster's brother), and Jim Davis (my uncle)
Honorary Pallbearers
Benson Davis(My Grandpa and Buster's brother), Jack Davis (Baby Brother), Dewayne Davis(nephew),Charles Davis(nephew), Mike Davis(nephew), and Rudy Collins
Obituary
Mr. Buster T. Davis was born January 1, 1921 in Blackgum community, Oklahoma, the son of Charley A. Davis and Lula Ann McFarland Davis. He married Freeda M. Baker Davis on January 1, 1940 in Sallisaw, Oklahoma. Mr. Davis was a longtime member of the Blackgum Fire Department where he served as a former Board Member. He was a former Union Organizer and served as a Military Policeman while in the Military. Mr. Davis passed this life on December 26, 2008 in Vian, Oklahoma after having attained the age of 87 years, 11 months and 25 days.Survivors are:wife: Freeda of the home1 son: Jerry Davis of Cypress, Ca.1 daughter: Sandra Hughes of El Cajon, Ca.8 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, 3 great great grandchildren2 sisters: Mary Clairday of Blackgum, Ok.Melvin Burkhart of Seminole, Okl5 brothers: Robert Benson Davis of Blackgum, Ok.Wylie Davis of Olivehurst, Ca.Albert "Doc" Davis of Fortuna, Ca.Raymond "Red" Davis of Gore, Ok.Jack Davis of Blackgum, Ok.several nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friendsHe was preceded in death by a daughter: Donna Fury in 2006, his parents, and 10 brothers and sisters

The Day that wouldn't end...

Was today. I started my new job full time today for the cleaning service and Jenna was starting her new day care. I took the truck today to get the check engine light checked at the local Auto Zone because it was easier for me to get stuck if the truck breaks since I am local then him stuck in the middle of nowhere.

We were actually leaving on time today, we pulled out of the driveway and slid a little at the end of our street, well we slid into the snow and we were now stuck. Oh Man now what, I put it in 4WD and it wouldn't move, backed it up, put it in forward, did that several times until finally we were out (thanks to Stosh for teaching me that trick). We are on our way, whoo hooo. We get to Auto Zone and they don't open until 8 and it's 7:30, oh well I'll stop later. So on our way again.

I have only been to Jenna's new daycare a couple of times and I didn't have the address with me so I was going off memory. I turned left on Gages Lake Road instead of right, darn I'm at 21 so I stop to turn around but I pull in the snow, Oh no, I'm not moving, put it in high 4WD again and I'm sinking more and more the harder I try to get out. NOW WHAT do I do! Ok don't panic, I call 911 for help. I've got Jenna with me so I can't get out within about 5 minutes Gurnee PD show up and they call for a tow for me, man $75 for a tow but I have to get out. Tow gets there and starts to pull me out but I'm watching his truck slide more and more the more the tries to pull me out. I'm thinking to myself, OMG now he's going in the ditch too. He decides to go at a different angle and with me pushing on the gas we get it out. The whole time I'm thinking, where is Stosh when I need him. I'm out of the ditch and on my way to drop off Jenna. By this time I'm an hour late for work.

I get to the house to clean just as my trainer gets there and it's a mess, wow we had our work cut out for us. We get it done and on to the next house that's HUGE, anyway, I'm cleaning my heart away and get to the last bathroom with a big shower with glass doors. I'm cleaning and move my hand towards the handle and slice my finger open on the shower door handle, my left hand even (I'm left handed), so it makes it hard to finish as my finger is bleeding all over.

Finally we are done and I get to leave, Man I thought today would never end.

One good note, Jenna had a good day at her new daycare. We got there and she heard kids, she said "Kids" and took off and that was that. I was worried that she would have trouble since she has been home with me for a few months.

I really hope tomorrow is a better day......

Pay it forward this holiday season

I always thought the saying "pay if forward" sounded a little strange until SEVERAL people helped my mom and I yesterday. You see I had to take mom to union station in the city to catch a train to go back home. It was -4 with an awful windchill that made it about -35, we were a little worried about the cold and getting inside the station. All was going well until I pulled up to Union Station only to find out there are 2 stations. OMG now what, which one do we go to, there was no place in front to drop mom and Jenna off so after driving around the block once we decided to park and walk across the street.

We got across the street ok but couldn't get up the curb, 1 nice man got out of his warm car to help us get the stroller up the curb and over the snow. We got the bags and stroller up about 5 small steps with the help of 1 more nice man and his two sons, we get inside only to discover that we are upstairs to the station with no elevator or escalator to get downstairs, again that 1 nice man and his two sons help us get the bags and stroller down not 1 but 2 flights of stairs all the while the father is pulling my moms bags all over the station for her. The nice man and his sons left us to find our way.

Then the nightmare begins, we get mom checked in and we are early but we sit in the lounge to wait for her train and the lounge starts filling up and filling up, it appears that there are several trains delayed due to the cold weather. We wait and wait and wait some more finally after about 4 hours they call moms train so she gets a red cap to assist her on the train so Jenna and I are off to find the McDonalds in the station to get some fries before we go home because she was so good with all the waiting.

We get upstairs where they say the McDonalds is and I can't find it and I couldn't find a restroom either and it's a long rid home. I knew there was a restroom in the lounge where we just spent the last few hours so back we go and the same poor people are still waiting for their delayed trains. I start talking to the bathroom attendant about how cold it is and how I have to walk back outside to the car, she asks where I parked and she asked if I took the sky walk. I told her I didn't know about it so 1 nice bathroom attendant offers to walk me all the way to the sky walk and to the parking structure to show me the way so I don't have to walk back out in the cold. Oh and yah, mom's train didn't even leave when she got on, she didn't get to leave the stations until about 9:30 pm after getting there at 12pm to catch her train.

I just couldn't believe our luck yesterday, so many nice people helping us. So I just kept thinking, PAY IT FORWARD, I will have to do a good deed the next time one arises.

So I wanted to share with everybody to PAY IT FORWARD this holiday season, do a good deed for someone. Help an elderly person with their bags in the cold, hold a door for a mom with children, buy coffee for the person behind you in line, tip the snowplow driver that plows your street (oh yah, I already did that one, gave him chocolate chip cookies for putting the snow in front of our house for the kids to play on), anyway hopefully you get my drift.

PAY IT FORWARD......

New Job and other stuff

Well, it is official today. David received a job offer from a major company. David will be managing a group of 6-8 fraud investigators. He will be working with the FBI, DEA, CIA, and local law enforcement on medical fraud investigations. David is very excited about this new job. After all, he is a paranoid freak that thinks everyone is cheating the system anyway.....just kidding.....mostly......He should be starting this new position on January 5th, 2009. He is so very thankful to be leaving Sears. They were pretty abusive to him and his crew....you know....its never enough for them. Not to mention that we will now see him on Saturdays, yippee.

On another note, I also have a job, I am working for a house cleaning service that is local. Jenna will be in daycare less and will have flexible hours that will allow me to be off by 4 pm most days. The areas that I will be working in are Gurnee, Wadsworth and Libertyville and after I am done with the job I can go home, nobody looking over my shoulder, making me tell them when I have to pee or listening to everything I do like the last place I worked.

We both have something to look forward to for the new year.

A few more hours.....

And my mom will be here for 2 weeks. We are very excited except she is coming alone, my stepdad Bill will be staying home to take care of the dogs, my grandma's husband and he has a few dental appointments that he couldn't miss. We will miss having him this trip.

We haven't seen them since Jenna was 6 months old so I can't wait for Jenna to see "Gama", she talks to her on the phone but I don't think she realizes who she is talking to. I'll post pictures of her visit but I have included a picture of our last visit, 4 generations, mom (Rosemary), my Grandma (Rozelle) and grandma is of course holding Jenna and me.

The potty

Jenna's training potty has finally arrived and she was so excited to see it. It's actually cute for a taining potty, it looks like a normal toilet except it plays music and sings when the flushing handle is is pushed. She sits on it with her clothes on and

we have tried to get her to go the "normal" way but still no

sucess. I'll keep you posted when we have a real flush, hehe.

Christmas Parade

We definatelly had better luck then last year for the Christmas

parade. Last year it was about 5 degrees and this year it was about 35 I would say. We were smart this time and parked right next to the street so we waited in the car until just before the parade started and stayed warm. the Parade was the same as usual with the few small business floats, Ronald Mc Donald and Hamburgler, and candy thrown to the kids. A new turn this year had The mascots for the Bulls, Blackhawks and White Sox all being followed up by Santa.

First Snow of the year

Well we did finally get our first snow, I'm no expert but I would say about 3-4 inches or so. I love looking outside when it snows and listening to the quiet of the snow falling.

Jenna was very excited when she saw the "snowman" as she calls the snow. I decided to take her outside to check out the snow for the first time and she wasn't to thrilled once she fell over in it. Maybe next time she will like it more, she sure looked cute though.

Snow is coming!

I was just informed that there may be snow tomorrow so I had Kayla go to Weatherbug.com and check and man on man, the snow is coming. Click here and here check out the link to Weatherbug and there is also a web cam that you can see the snow on the lake.. The kids are excited, they are ready for the first snow so they can snow board and take the tube down the hill. Jenna calls the snow "snowman" so she should be able to play in the snow for the first time this year. I post snow pictures tomorrow if we get as much snow as they say we are.

Black Friday

The kids and I were brave this year and went out shopping today, well only after changing a flat tire on the car. David had to be at work to open the store at 5 am so we just agreed that I would worry about the tire and he could take the truck. Poor David got up at 3 am and left I think it was 3:45 or so and yes I was even awake when he left. I felt so bad that he had to leave so early.

Kayla has grown so much that none of her pants fit her in the length so we thought what better day to get her some new pants. She tells me that she is 5" 1 1/2 inches tall, the kid has passed me up at 5". We found bargains at Wal-Mart and Menards and I am happy to say that both stores were empty, very little shoppers. I was in line and checked out I would say in less then 5 minutes. Wow if it's like that every year I would go out more often, yah right. I guess we got lucky because we didn't get out until 10 so we missed the rush of people and that was just fine with us.

David survived his day, he even said it wasn't to bad but the store opens at 7 am tomorrow, at least he won't have to get up at 3 again.

Nothing New

Not much new around here. I enjoyed last week having David home, he took the week off before the holiday rush begins. I am still in the job search with not much luck, so of course as always if anybody hears of anything please let me know.

David attended Kayla and Becca's parent teacher conference last night and we are happy to say that both of them went very well. Both girls are doing great in school and their teachers had nothing but good things to say.

Kayla and Becca are with us this week for the Thanksgiving break. We don't have anything to exciting planned. We have a play date with Olivia and Kelly today and possible a run to David's work. Tomorrow David is off for the day and I think we might make a visit to the library. We are having Thanksgiving Dinner with David's mom Jan. I can't wait, I love Thanksgiving food and we will have the girls with us the entire day this year, usually we only have half day with them.

We have purchased a training potty for Jenna and it's pretty cute, looks just like a mini toilet it plays music and has a flush handle. We will be introducing her to it tonight for her to check out. It's a little early for potty training but she tells us when she needs to be changed so hopefully it will be an easy transition for her. It's been one month with no bottle so I think the potty training shouldn't be to bad. Keep checking back for updates.

That Kayla is one smart cookie

We recently received Kayla's progress report and ISATS (Illinois Standards Achievement Test). We have always known this young lady was smart but each year she continues to amaze even us.

To begin with, her progress report is excellent. With 9 classes (YEP.....NINE classes in 7th grade) she has 7 A's and 2 B's. Amazing. I tried to include the actual progress report here too for those of you who cannot believe this brilliant child came from me, but cannot seem to get it to post!

Science - A

Tech Ed - A

Pre Algebra/Geometry - B

Social Studies - A

Language Arts I - A

PE - A

Language Arts II - A

Band - B

Choir - A

Now on top of this, Kayla Renee is now a full fledged Cheer leader and percussionist. Yep, she plays the drums, bells, timpani, and Cymbal. Wow...that's my girl, just like her pops.

Now the ISATS:

Reading score of 273 EXCEEDS standard with a possible 360

Mathematics score of 299 of 379 EXCEEDS standard

Vocabulary development scored above her school, District and STATE average

Reading Strategies scored above her school, District and STATE average

Reading comprehension scored above her school, District and STATE average

Literature scored above her school, District and STATE average

Mathematics:

Number sense scored above her school, District and STATE average

Measurement scored above her school, District and STATE average

Algebra scored above her school, District and STATE average

Geometry scored above her school, District and STATE average

Data analysis, statistics, and probability scored above her school, District and STATE average

Mathematical knowledge, strategic knowledge, and explanation scored above her school, District and STATE average

In reading Kayla scored in the top 85 % of students nationally

In Mathematics Kayla scored....wait for it...wait for it.....

99% of students nationally. WOW WOW and WOW once more.

We are very proud of the biggest sister. Amazing results.

Times are tough...Sorry I'm ranting!

Well I've been doing the job search thing for a little over a month now and what a joke. Most of the job postings are through an agency, they lure you in saying they have jobs and you think you posted for a good one but you get there and "there are not any jobs that match your skill set" BS is what I say. They never had any to begin with!

Anyway, I've had a few actual interviews but nothing has come of them. I actually have another with a well know credit union (I won't say the name until after) so please light a candle, say a prayer, through a lucky coin in a fountain or what ever you do for luck sure can't hurt!

I really enjoy my time at home with Jenna and she likes having me home too but what little I get from unemployment doesn't pay the bills.

Oh yah, people always talk about Karma, well that "lovely" company I used to work for who's biggest client is Circuit City. I'm sure will have what's coming to them shortly with most if not all of Circuit City stores closing their doors. What goes around comes around, that's for sure!

Sorry for my rantings but please if you hear of any job openings for customer service, admin assistant or general office please let me know.


Update: Yah I got the standard thanks but no thanks on the interview, by email even. LIFE SUCKS! blah blah blah........
By competitively reviewing the qualifications and experience of each person who was considered for the position, we have narrowed the field of candidates. I regret to advise you that based on this review, we are not able to offer further encouragement at this time. Your resume, however, will be retained in our files for future consideration.

Trick or Treat

We were so excited that Halloween fell on a Friday this year and it was our Friday to have the girls even. We were able to take all the girls Trick or Treating together for the first time. Kayla and Becca haven't been with us for Halloween since 2003 I believe and since it was the first time Jenna got to go out made that even better.

I sent time Thursday night and Friday day getting the pumpkins carved, I had a couple of regular faces and one Whinnie the Pooh and one as Mickey Mouse. Jenna enjoyed helping me get them ready, she didn't even get grossed out by the pumpkin guts, she loves to help me.

David picked up the girls and got to our house so they could all go trick or treating. I was really surprised that Jenna made it to 3 streets before she was ready to take a ride in the stroller. I am a little sad though as I didn't get very good pictures of all 3 girls together. They all had a good time and got lots of candy. I guess it paid to be out late, as we were walking back home from the very back of our subdivision and we passed by our neighbors house who told Becca they still had candy left if she wanted more, well what kid wouldn't want more candy, so she scored, her bucket was overflowing with candy and that made her night.

After we were done we enjoyed some yummy homemade chili at our neighbors house and the kids couldn't wait to get home and go through their candy. I am very glad that all the girls got to spend the holiday together.

Denied my Constitutional right to Vote!

Just thought I would share that I was denied my right to vote today. I can't believe I was denied my constitutional right to Vote!!!!!!! Can you believe it! Me of all people!

I have written to Lake County board member Wilard Helander and below is the letter I have sent and I thought I would let all news media know, so I sent a letter to the Harald, Tribune, ABC, CBS and NBC news channels oh and Oprah also.

I know this is happening all over and it isn’t fair!

To Whom It May Concern:

I am sitting her right now so upset, I am in tears that I am unable to vote for what could be a historical event. I am so sad to think that I can’t make a difference. You see, we went online to verify our polling place and found that I was not listed as a registered voter. I called the next day (day before elections) to inquire as to why I was not listed as a registered voter when I knew I voted in 2004 elections, a year after I had moved by the way.

I was told by the person on the phone that I was shown as “inactive”. What then meant is when an audit was done it was found that I had moved. I verified with the person on the phone and even told them when I moved. They told me “No problem, bring in two forms of ID and you will need to fill out an address change form”. I said "good" and asked not ONCE but TWICE if that meant that I would be able to still vote and I was told YES both times.

I get to the polls today at my local church in Fox Lake and go over to the “Laptop Judge” who by the way was my neighbor, to get the correct forms to fill out so I can vote. She was not exactly sure which form I was to fill out, so she called someone I guess at your office only to find out that I moved more then 4 years ago that I was “NOT ELIGIBLE TO VOTE”. She handed me the phone so I could talk whomever she was speaking with and I was told that because I moved more then 4 years ago that there was NOTHING I COULD DO! I WAS NOT ELIGIBLE TO VOTE!!!!!

I informed the person on the phone that I did the proactive thing and called ahead of time and was told “no problem”, that I could vote. I was so embarrassed in front of my neighbor! I thought I was doing the right thing by calling ahead of time and look where that got me. NOWHERE!!!!!

I am so disappointed because I wanted to make a difference, not that one vote would but you never know what if I was the ONE VOTE that put OBAMA in the White House! You see I am currently unemployed and unable to find work so that makes me feel bad enough then only to find out that I can’t even VOTE!!! I hope that you can only imagine how that makes me feel right now.

I want this to be considered a formal complaint on how this voter registration was mishandled. Someone in that office should have said “If you moved more then 4 years ago that would not make you eligible to vote” but NO, nobody said that! YOUR office needs to be better informed and they need to make sure that everybody is on the same page as each other.

So now instead of having that good feeling of accomplishment I have the feeling of disappointment, that I let me country down!

Saddened Lake County Voter,


One response so far from ABC 7-
I am sorry for the blank reply sent previously. We appreciate you taking the time to write and share your story with us. Your email will be forwarded to our producers for consideration. We appreciate your choice of ABC7 news.

Baby Chase

I am so excited to share that two of my friends just shared in the joys of parenthood. TJ and Shelley just had their first baby together on October 29th, 2008, Chase was born at 1:35 pm in Stillwater Minnesota. He was 8 pounds 5 ounces and 22.5 inches long. To see more of little Chase and Family click here. I am so happy for the two, Shelley has wanted to be a mommy for a long time and finally got her wish.

Day 3 and counting.....

I decided it was time to get rid of Jenna's bottle. I wasn't sure how to do it but I knew it was time since she is almost 2. I went to the Parenting magazine website to look for help on their message boards. I also posted my own message for advise. Many of the moms said to try the Nuby cup since it had a soft top similar to a bottle nipple. So off to Wal-Mart we went to get a "Milk Cup"and I let Jenna pick the one she wanted. She chose a green one and as soon as we got home I asked if she wanted some milk in her new cup and she said Yes. We washed it and filled it up and she has been drinking milk from her "cup of Juice" as she calls it.

So far no bottle for 3 days now. I have to go and get a couple more Nuby cups now so I don't have to keep washing the same one. Next is work on the pacifier to try to get her to only use it for naptime and bedtime. Yah that should be fun!

Pumpkin Patch

We were lucky enough to go to the pumpkin patch two times this month. The first time we went with the Gebis family but we didn't have Kayla and Becca with us so we went back the following weekend so we could take them. We had a great time, eating, picking out pumpkins, eating, running through a corn maze, eating and checking out the haunted house. I didn't get any video of the pumkin launcher but that was the best thing to watch, it shot pumpkins out of a pressured launcher and they had to have gone at least 100 feet in the air.

Happy Birthday Christopher Robbins!

Jenna has been reading a Disney book called "Pooh's Birthday Surprise" and I introducted her to Christopher Robbins. I guess she likes saying his name. The clips are not very good quality but the audio is the best part.

Octoberfest

I took the Kayla, Becca, Jenna and our friend Susie from next door to Octoberfest at Lakefront Park a couple of weekends ago. We had a good time for such a small festival. The girls went on the giant slide while Jenna and I watched from the ground. We shared a yummy funnel cake and the kids all made a small pumpkin to take home. Jenna enjoyed the petting zoo and really wanted to touch the goose but the goose didn't want to be touched, while Becca and Susie went on the poney ride, poor Kayla is now to big to ride the poney rides. I think she wouldn't admit to it but was a little bummed that she is growing up.

Bump on the head

A week ago Friday was not a good day, it was my last day at MicroMedics which I knew was coming but also as I was leaving work I checked my voicemail and I had a message from Kelly who watches Jenna that Jenna fell and cut her head. I think from the sound of the message that Kelly was more upset then Jenna.

Jenna loves to play with a push cart at Kelly's house and most times goes a bit to fast while she pushes it so I'm guessing the cart got out from under her and she fell hitting her head either on the cart or the stairs, we are not sure which, giving her a small pea size gash and another pea size knot.

Just to be safe I took Jenna to the Acute care center to make sure there was nothing else damaged. At first the doctor wanted to put a couple of staples but wanted the wound cleaned first. Well that was fun, Jenna didn't like the cleaning part at all but she was pretty good considering. The doctor looked at it pretty good after it was cleaned and decided for cosmetic purposes that it should heal without stitches or stapling, just some Neosporin and band aids should do the trick. Jenna let the nurse put the neosporin and band aid on without any issues. She was really good about changing the band aids and after a day or so didn't even know it was there.