Goodbye to Good Talent....

As everyone has heard by now, Michael Jackson passed away from that appears to be a heart attack, at the golden age of 50. Many people think of him as this freaky child molester, or a monster, either way, he was quite quirky to say the least. Regardless of all this, his career started at an early age, and unlike a lot of child stars, his name never fizzled out, instead, it grew to Pop Royalty.
What I think is sad about Michael Jackson is that he was not happy with himself, maybe it was because of how he was raised, or because he grew up in the public's eye, but you can tell that he was never comfortable in his own skin. He started out as a handsome young man of the African-American nature, but in the end, was not much more than a skeleton with flesh on it.
I must admit, he was heavily judged by his actions, but he definitely knew how to sing. Some of my favorite songs were "You Are Not Alone", "Black Or White", "Smooth Criminal", "Will You Be There", and "Heal The World". Not only do I like the music to these songs, but the lyrics, especially on You Are Not Alone and Will You Be There. I've got Heal The World on here, listen as it's sung, Michael has a very good point in this song. Hope you like it as well as I do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W61Q-EZ8R7M

We shouldn't judge the wrong doings of any man, that's something that we have to leave up to our maker, so lets just remember Michael Jackson for the POSITIVE things he's done in his life.

FARKEL

Being a Facebook Junkie as some would call me, I have found a game called Farkel. Some people describe it as Yahtzee on crack, I just think it's a fun new dice game. Until recently, I thought it was a computer game, but then I got curious and Googled it. Come to find out that it's a REAL game, and comes in a travel tube. I have searched the local stores for this game, and haven't had any luck, that is until we went to Idaho Falls Saturday.
After spending what seemed like HOURS at the zoo, we went to lunch and then to the Mall. While we were walking through the mall, we went to Barnes and Noble so Dave could find a book he was looking for. I began to get curious, and went to see what games they had. As I rounded the corner, I came to a shelf that had 5 Farkel games on it. After the shock of actually finding it wore off, I looked at the price and decided to get it.
I haven't played it yet, and plan on it soon. Dave hasn't played it, and doesn't seem to want to, but I'm going to at least get him to try it once. If he likes it that's fine, if not, at least he tried it. It's one of those games you can play alone, and I"m sure you could make it so you played it like BUNCO. Knowing me, I'd find a way to do it that way. Anyway, that's the highlight I guess, next to finding out that BASKIN ROBBIN still carries my Daqueri Ice. I know that a 5 gallon tub of it is in my future. Enjoy the photos, some are of the zoo.


Heather thought it was cute that I had my head in the lions mouth, little does she know I feel that way every day. The duck literally dive bombed us twice while we were walking through. They should post a sign that says "Beware of KomaKazi Ducks" or somethin.

Anniversary Day 1

We spent last night at a cabin that Emily's family let us use. We were allowed to stay there all weekend, but changed our mind and came home early, though things aren't over for us yet.

When we first got there, these flowers were our welcoming. They were EVERYWHERE we turned, and it was a really nice change to have. Though we didn't stay as long as we'd have preferred, it was a reminder at how much I love the outdoors, and how we all get too caught up in Technology, how much we really do depend on it. It was nice to just stop, and take a breather to reflect on and enjoy the most simple things in life. The short time we spent up there was fantastic. We didn't mind having to clean things up a little bit, and the cabin was quite cozy. The view was worth it all though. It reminded me of the simple things in life. I always feel closer to the lord in the mountains, I feel the spirit better without the distractions of other people, and it takes away my anxieties of life. I'm sure if the rain wasn't so frequent, we'd have stayed longer, but really, it was worth it to just spend a day there, enjoying the beauty the Lord has to offer. I'm off to see what Day 2 of our Anniversary Weekend has to offer us, I'll keep you posted.......

A Good but BUSY Day

I got up surprisingly early this morning, 7:30 and didn't go back to bed or take a nap. Last night Dave and I did the Wii Active, and it KICKED MY BUTT. I tried the easiest mode they had and when I got to the squats, I was beat. Anyway, I got up, showered, and then went to Wal-Mart with Mom to get stuff for BUNCO. When we got home, it was time to take Tucker to his appointment. We got there, the doc looked him over, he got his shots and then after eating, he came home.
When I got back, I thought I'd take Merlyn in to have them look at his neck and see how it was doing. He got an OK to go camping with us this weekend, still needs a warm compress on it, and then we're supposed to bring him back when we get home from camping. When I got back from the Vet, Whitney colored my hair, you can check it out at www.daveandjesslage.blogspot.com I think I'm really liking the color, Dave LOVES it, your opinions are welcome.
Tonight I made the infamous Kitty Litter Cake. The recipe I have is vague, so it turned out different than what it was supposed to be, but it went over surprising well. The first comments were "Oh, thats awesome". Stuart said it, and was totally excited to eat it. Everyone else thought it looked gross, but after they got past that first "shock" of seeing it, they all loved it and Marsh went as far as playing with the "poop" as he ate. This recipe is definately a keeper.

My "NEW" Experiment

So during Christmas, a local radio station, Classy 97, put out free cookbooks, with recipe's from people all over South East Idaho. I got my hands on one of them, and as I was flipping through the desserts, I ran across one that I thought would be a bit fun to try. Before I tell you exactly what it is, the following are the ingredients: Vanilla pudding, White Sandwich Cookies, Spice Cake Mix, White Cake Mix, green food coloring and Tootsie Rolls.
Think this sounds good??? How bout if you saw the end results, think you'd want to give it a try??
Yes, it looks a bit disgusting, and if you guessed a Kitty Litter Cake, you're right. Sure, this makes you think of the real thing, but I"m sure it's so much better. I will be making this dessert for BUNCO this week, and all the people there will be my guinea pigs. We'll see who is brave enough to try it, and how weak people's stomachs really are. I've got the recipe if you want it, let me know.

I am also gonna be changing my hair. I will make sure I take a picture of the final product and post it. I would LOVE your honest opinion of it, and what not.

The Patient From HELL

Ok, so it's been a week or so since Merlyn became Karma's chew toy. The doc removed his drain Friday, the 29th and said to continue flushing the wound, and warm compresses periodically through the day. Doing so has become a task that NOBODY wants. Lately, Merlyn has been in such pain that he lies on his back when he sees his Betadine bottle, and shows his teeth. The other night, everyone was busy, and it came time to flush his wound, so I pulled him out of his kennel, and just as I got Betadine in his wound, he screamed, snapped at me and then dashed under the bed.
Knowing that he'd snap at me again, but needing him back in his kennel where he was safe, I shook a grocery bag under the bed at him, which normally scares him out. This time, he attacked the bag with extreme anger, so I took a Candy Cane decoration and poked him. He ran out from under the bed, and then I couldn't contain my laughter with what happened next. Rather than running to his kennel, he sat between the wall and our bed, and YELLED at me. He chewed me out for a good 10 minutes, angry barks, growls and snarls. I sat there, and told him to let it all out, to tell me about it and let me know when he was done with his tantrum.
He soon calmed down, cowered over to me where I gave him some reassuring pets, a few treats and a kiss on the head. Once Merlyn was satisfied I wasn't trying to be mean, he rushed to the safety of his kennel where he stayed the rest of the night. He started out on this whole thing as a good patient, taking his pills when he needed to, sitting still when I flushed his wound and what not, but now, we've had to muzzle him A LOT, and just recently, because he scratches his wound, we were ordered to put a sock on his foot. All I can say is that I'll be glad when he's all healed up. Though Dave doesn't, I miss him sleeping on the bed by me, keeping me warm. He's getting active more these days though, and when he's better, he's gonna start excersising with me each day.
That's about it, there will be more to come, later. Gotta keep ya hanging on somehow.

You Don't Count The Cost.

I had an interesting conversation with Dan the other day. It was more a question he asked me, with all the problems I had with them, is trying for a friendship with Janelle really worth it??? That question really weighed on my mind since then, mainly trying to figure out a way to put into words what I feel about it all. Today, while I was on a downer, I was listening to the music I've been adding to the computer. "You don't count the cost" by Billy Dean came on, and it hit right away. Hopefully, with the help of the song, it can give everyone a better understanding of why I put myself in that situation. The following is the 3rd verse of the song, and part of the chorus.

It happens all around us
Each and every day
Someone's giving all they got
For someone else's sake
If you ever doubt it
Just think about the cross
When it comes to love, you don't count the cost

You don't count the heartache
You don't count the sacrifice
All that counts is what you feel inside
It doesn't really matter what is gained or what is lost
When it comes to love, you don't count the cost

Yes, I've been treated like crap. Yes I have been wrongfully accused and disrespected, but that does not matter , not if you're trying to practice having that Christ-Like love for others. I am striving to be a better person, to forgive those who have hurt me and/or my loved ones, and to forgive myself. Maybe I am too attached to the kids I watch, especially Kaitlynn, but it can't be helped if you watch them 90% of their life. I'm trying to have a friendship with Janelle that does not center around Kaitlynn because she's a good person. Some would THINK I feel sorry for her, maybe part of me does. All the problems I have are with Lee, he triggers it all, and yes, I feel at times that she should correct him when he's wrongfully going psycho on those who are just trying to be his friend, but I can't condemn her for standing by her husband. Don't they teach us to cleave unto your spouse???
I don't have to have contact with Lee to be friends with Janelle. He can hate and distrust me all he wants, that's something he has to explain to his maker. I won't be held accountable, I'm trying to be the better person, and I can't be mean or disrespect him because he's Janelle's husband and Kaitlynn's father. Let him say what he wants, I know the truth, and all I can do is pray for him. I'm leaving it all in the Lord's hands, right now, we're communicating through texts and instant messaging. It's all baby steps, and what happens will happen. If we both want a friendship, it will work. Like the song says, "when it comes to Love, you don't count the cost."