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Still alive and kicking...but just barely...

Hello all. I hope everyone had a safe and Merry Christmas! Ours was nice, it was less about gifts and more about family this year. Things are tight for our whole family, so everyone did the best they could and that was just good enough. The food was spectacular as always, Mom can just about outcook anyone, and we managed to keep our sanity, so that's always a plus!

I've had some serious trials for the past few months and have basically alienated myself from everyone. I talked with Ingrid the other day, and it felt so nice to feel like I still have a friend. I also chatted with Lori for a few minutes, and it was just like we'd never stopped talking. I spend most of my days feeling alone, so these calls were a welcome interruption to my usual stress-filled day. Thank you ladies!

I am having a very hard time dealing with some of the stress that I'm going through and I don't quite no how to get my act together. I won't devulge the details here, as I know prying eyes are reading, and quite frankly...it's none of their business. But I wish that I had more time for my friends, as I'm sure that they could help me through this time. However, some have written me off, and that hurts..more than words can say. I do know that everyone has bad times, and I do know that sometimes you have to get rid of the bad in your life in order to feel good, but how can people that I have known for years just turn their back on me, especially when I am already falling apart? I have been there for them, listened to their every bitch, piss and moan, but when it comes time for me to rely on them, they are no where to be seen. I guess that says it all...they didn't want to be my friend, they only wanted me to be theirs. They wanted me to be there for them to bitch at, but turn their head when I have something to say. I'm hurt...very, very hurt. I shouldn't rely on people, and this is a hard lesson learned for me. I come from a background of helping anyone you possibly can at all costs, and if they never return the favor so be it. But to completely shut me out when I need a shoulder to cry on is cold. Very cold. I guess it's a sign of the times...

Anyway, to all of the friends that feel like I have done this to them, I am very sorry. I did not intend to hurt anyone and I now know how it feels. Very alone.

On a brighter note, we're through Christmas...on to New Year's. I hope next year is kinder to all of us, we've just about had all we can take.

If I don't get to write again...Happy New Year friends!

Lesa's FLRR Block

Really? It has been 2 months since I have blogged? REALLY? Okay. I have got to get out of this little time warp thing I'm in and keep better time. I just don't know where my time goes anymore...

Anyway, I finished working on Lesa's block eons ago and forgot to post it. Of course, we had a month void of mailing and I forgot totally about it, mailed late. The usual. ARG. One of these days I'll see a surgeon about removing my head from my ass. Until then, I guess I'll just have to deal with the discomfort.

Here's the pics...

I appliqued 2 toadstools on, and embroidered a little fairy peeking over the big one. I thought she turned out really well, until I looked at the pic and realized that it looks like she's wearing bunny ears. Well, crap... Also, you can see the toadstool seam treatment I did beside her using cast-on stitch and bullions for stems, I used DMC perl 5 for those. Those did turn out cute! The viney leaves underneath are done using fly stitch in varigated Edmar Iris threads.

An overall view of my work...the curved seam is me too. I also added a shooting star in the sky, and somehow forgot to take a picture of it.

Hope you like my work Lesa!

Have a wonderful day all,

Another Trip Around The Sun

Hello Friends!

I'm doing this post more for myself than for public viewing, so if you get bored, I understand! It's been about 10 days since my birthday, and staying as busy as I do, I seldom have time to reflect on things, so I guess that's kind of what I'm doing today. Not that I'm not busy today, believe me, I am...just having a little bit of self doubt these days. I am hoping that if I make a list of things that I have learned and/or accomplished this year, that maybe I won't feel so bad about things. And if I put it here, I'll be able to look back at it...

So here goes... (I'm doing this from memory...trying to get it on a month by month basis, and will most likely be adding to it for some time.)

*I learned how to plan and execute a baby shower. I also learned how to make several new crafty decorations, and did everything by hand. It was a ton of work, but saved us a fortune! Learning how to make diaper cakes and baby bootie nut cups may never come in handy, but I know how to do it.

*I learned how to demolish a room without tearing the whole house down. It's a lot of work, but in the end, I did learn how to do it!

*I learned how to install exterior doors, trim and all, in an existing hole. Crooked, unlevel, existing hole. It was no easy task, that's for sure.

*I discovered that I am afraid of circular saws. Love jigsaws, handsaws, and reciprocating saws. Petrified of circular saws.

*I have become the master of the drill. Drilling and screwing. No problemo!

*I have learned that the only thing that will keep your car between the ditches in the winter is patience. I have none.

*No matter how much I love the snow, it still has to be shoveled, and that I don't like. I will like it even less this year, now that we have 2 horses to care for, and a realllllly long walk to shovel to get to Dakota.

*I learned that I can keep up with the housework. IF I don't have anything else to do. For 4 months, I managed to keep my house spotless, the laundry done, and the kids in clean cages. After that it was downhill to say the least.

*I learned that my Mom and Dad are packrats. The hard way!

*I managed to get the farm in decent shape this year, that's a major milestone. Cleaning out one of the barns led to the previous list item.

*I built a stall for Dakota.

*I learned the basics of conditioning horses. I knew a lot of it already, but have learned much more now that I'm actually doing it.

*I learned how to treat horses for Thrush. Not fun...but very handy to know.

*I learned how to vaccinate horses.

*I learned how to build a corral.

*I have learned and I am still learning the basics of caring for my horses hooves. That is trimming and rasping and frog-maintenance. Very glad I'm learning!

*I learned how prepare and seal a blacktop driveway. Again, not fun...

*I learned how much work painting trim on a house can be. Ugh...Harbor Sky blue....

*I learned how to properly caulk windows and doors. After I totally screwed up the first one :(

*I learned that when you do for people, do NOT expect them to greatful, most of the time, it doesn't happen. When it does, be surprised!

*I have discovered that in order to do what I want to do, I have to go without sleep. I don't get that much anyway, but I manage.

*I learned that organization is not a strong point for me, and I am no longer fighting it.

*I have learned that a bad situation can produce something good, since the barn was burned, we have made several friends in the neighborhood. It's nice to see a smiling face once in a while when we're at the farm.

*Every year, I wonder more and more why I bother decorating for the holidays. I learned this year that I have special decorations with a lot of memories, and that is why I do it.

*I built Dakota's barn doors all by myself. Yes, I'm proud of that! They aren't small and it wasn't easy, but I did it. The doors measure 6' wide X 12' tall, and 7' wide x 12' tall.

*We hung new runners for the barn doors, and got them up. It was a coooold windy day that we decided to do that, and it was difficult. So glad we got it done when we did, as it snowed and blowed 2 days later. Kept the snow out of the barn!

*We installed our 2nd garage door in 5 years. The first one was new, this one is new to us. (Used, but in GREAT shape!) Thank you to our wonderful neighbors for giving us their old door when they got their new one. We really wouldn't have been able to afford one this year.

*I have learned that I have a great lot of wants in life, and no idea how to achieve them. What a horrible feeling.

*I have learned that we can make due with the slimmest budget ever. Although, things look grim now, I am sure they will get better. Hopefully close to normal.

*I spent many hours shopping for the perfect thing, only to realize that it still sucks.

*I have come to despise plow trucks. I can't for the life of me understand why they think it is best to plow roads down to a sheet of ice rather than leave snow on them.

*There are times in my life when I have to stay away from other people. I can't deal with everything without losing my mind. I have been put through the paces for the past few months and I'm having a really hard time dealing with it. I just can't manage to keep my foot out of my mouth when I'm overstressed.

*We cut windows in both barns for the horses and framed them out. We still have to attach the plexiglass for them to keep the weather out, but they are sooooo enjoying them! Cherokee especially, as everyone in the neighborhood is officially wrapped around his little hoof. Sheesh, he's spoiled rotten!


To be continued....(I'm sure there's more, I just can't think of anything else right now!)

Alien World-FLRR

Happy October all! I can't believe it's already October. No really, where did August and September go? Ah well...another trip around the sun for me, and still no spare time....

I finally finished working on Janet's Alien World Fantasy Landscape RR block and got it mailed. Geez...only 2 weeks late! And I know that I didn't do enough work on it, but I had to deal with life. And believe me, this past month has done nothing but reinforce the fact that I have NO spare time to do the things that I love. I'm sad because of it, but it's the honest to God truth. It took every ounce of spare time I had to get this much done, so please, please, please, don't be too angry with me ladies. And Janet, if you are reading this, I will gladly work on your block again once the RR is over and it comes back home. I really do want to do my fair share, but life gets in the way for me all to often. Ask Ing, she's been waiting for her fairy heart for eons now...and I promise to get it to her ASAP! (Even tho I'm sure she doesn't believe me!)

So anyway, wanted to share what I did manage to accomplish...


close up of the eyeball tree

close up of my version of alien flowers

and an overall view of my work

So anyway, I hope everyone is doing well, and I'm praying for more time for me.

Hugs~

My Crabs for Gerry

Hi All, Gerry was askin' me if I had crabs, and I told her no, but I don't think she believed me....HA!

So I am gonna try to find my crabs and put them on my blog to share with everyone....

Hope this helps Gerry!

Have a super day!

Fantasy Landscape Block

Well, I have been told to get my butt in gear and get rid of the under construction. So, I did! LOL!

I have been coerced into joining a new RR over at CQN, (more like threatened with the disappearance of my baby horsey!!!), so I did it. Talk about something that I was clueless about. This one is a fantasy landscape, and well, lets just say my imagination hasn't been at it's best for the past year or so, so coming up with a fantasy wasn't so easy for me. However, after a few days of cussing fabric, then thread, then more thread, I managed to get it together. I picture a secret garden type deal when I think of it, with tons of flowers, trees, critters, etc. Pretty much anything natural. And I got me a unicorn on there too. Guess that the fantasy part....

So, wanna see?



I can't imagine how it will look when it's done, the ladies working on this RR are all so good with ideas, I'm sure what I see and what they see will be two completely different things. I can't wait!

Have a super day,

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Let me know what ya'll think so far!

Sullen Days

Hi all, sorry for my absence. I was planning on blogging more, and then I had a bad week. A really bad week.

I have lost my baby bunny and one of my precious piggies. I have no idea what happened to Thumper, but Holly had a stroke. I miss them sooooo much, you have no idea. Here's pictures of both, I'm sure you have seen them, but still, I had to put them up again. Just seeing my babies brings tears to my eyes.

Thumper
Holly

I lost Thumper on Saturday May 30, and Holly on the next day. I have been so sad that I can barely function enough to get my day to day things done. I'm feeling better now, but I am still sad and miss them so very much. I know that it will be better with time, but the hole that is left in my heart will not heal so quickly, I love my critters way too much for it to heal overnight.

So, I hope anyone who was expecting to hear from me will understand and give me a few more days grace....

Hugs to all,

Just a catch up day....

Hi All! Hope this post finds everyone well and happy! I have been really slacking, especially with my internet friends, and I hope you all forgive me at some point....

I'm trying to catch everything up today, which I know I won't get it all done, but I'm trying. So, for starters, I thought I'd catch up on my blogging.

First of all, Ing if you are reading this...it's going to be a couple more days before I send your little Flower Fairy heart out, I removed some work I did on it...it looked funky, and I'm redoing it now. Sorry, I know I promised it to you this week, I just really want to do my best and I want you to love it as much as I love mine!

We had a really nice Memorial Day weekend, we visited with our neighbors a bit on Saturday, and Mom and Dad came down Monday evening and we grilled out. It was pretty nice, though I didn't get to relax any, I think I'll survive!

I'm working on getting my flower beds cleaned out and planted, which is taking a lot longer than usual with my new little baby to take care of. I did manage to get all of my houseplants hauled outside and one flower bed weeded and planted before Memorial Day, so I'm getting somewhere, just really, really slow! I still have to plant my Cannas and Dahlias, and need to get that done THIS WEEK, or it'll be too late....

The kids here at home are doing wonderful, with the exception of Pearl, who has once again decided to lay eggs, and she's overdoing it again too. So far 13. Dang, I want her to stop, I just can't get her to. I've been giving her a calcium supplement to help with the strain that the egg laying is putting on her. I think she may be done now, or at least I hope. We'll see, today is the day she's supposed to lay again. The other birds are doing really well, as are the guinea pigs, bunny, mice and cat. The cat is as spoiled as she can be, and craving attention like crazy! I can't get her to leave me alone when I'm inside. She's so goofy!

The horses are doing great as well. Cherokee is having a bit of tooth trouble, so we floated them yesterday, which he absolutely hated. Poor guy, seems like we're always hassling him over something! His hooves are in really great shape now, and he feels like a champ! He even took a little interest in the new little filly. Not much, but at least he noticed her, HA! Speaking of the new little filly, I finally got her papers, and after looking it over, I have no idea where the name Gambi came from....Her registered name is Poco's Sweet Streaker. So, I've decided to change it, after all, she's a paint horse, and needs an Indian name. I couldn't come up with something I liked from her registered name, so I went back to her grandparents. Her name is now Dakota. Her maternal Grandmother's name was Dakota Summer Dew. She really seems to like it, and it's a pretty name for my pretty horse. Although, I wanted her to be my little girly horse...she's definately a get-down-and-dirty horse. So much for girly.... We're doing really well with our workouts, and she's ready to start working in the field rather than the enclosed cement between the barns. This will be interesting, as she thinks she is going to starve to death constantly. Hubs said he would help me until she learns that she is working and not eating in the field. I'll keep you posted on that one....

Alrighty, I think that's it...I'm off to do some laundry and a little stitchin' before bed!

Hugs to all!
Christy

WE DID IT! Hoo-rah!!

Morning all! Just a quick update before I head off to bed. Me and my ol' car did it! We made it too 400,000 miles today! I'm so excited...you have no idea!!!!!!!! This is the longest a car has ever made in in the family....so, now we're setting a new goal of 425,000. We'll see....

Gawd, there should be a prize for her, she's been an awfully good car! Maybe I'll get her some premium gas in the morning, HA!
Past that, my new baby Gambi is killing me slowly. *LMAO* We've been doing really well with her workouts, and in fact, she even listened to me with someone lighting fireworks about a block from the farm! However, I can't get her back feet off the ground to clean them, and if I do, she throws a fit that you couldn't even begin to imagine! Yesterday she actually tried to rear and broke her cross ties. Thankfully, the barn held.... Anyhoo...I'm gonna try tying her outside the barn to a fencepost, with the thinking that maybe she doesn't understand the cross ties inside the barn. So, we'll see what happens. I have to keep reminding myself that she is very young, and full of sh*t, and I'm teaching her what she needs to know...and trying not to set in bad habits along the way. We've also got a plan going to get her a more endowed fence...or at least a taller one that she can't jump, and we'll be working on that later this week. Cherokee finally noticed her, whinneyed just a tad and showed off a bit for her on Saturday, so I guess he's not too old to care after all. However, since then, he's not giving her even the slightest flick of the tail. Fine by me, she seems to be over it too. Finally! Going on 3 weeks....

I'm also on a warpath with the weeds in my flower beds, so if I go MIA again, you will all know why....they won!

Alrighty...after fighting with this computer today, I'm ready for bed.

Have a wonderful day all!
Christy

Who Knew?

I'm back! Who knew I could manage 2 posts in one day....ha!

Anyway, for those of you who know, or don't know, this is my car:
Not much of a looker...it's a 1990 Chevrolet Celebrity Wagon. 3.1 V-6. Not too exciting...but hey, it gets me from point A to point B most of the time. Now, I have owned this car for about 6 years now, and driving my paper route and doing my daily running in it has made it look pretty shabby, though it's still not as bad as a lot of cars I've seen on the road. I love this car, it has been a really good car, outside of needing 2 rack and pinions, 3 transmissions, and a set of heads, it's just been usual maintanence. You know, oil changes, brakes, tires, exhaust work, etc. Normal stuff. I am getting ready to turn a milestone that no other car we've owned has reached, and I want to share it with the world! So, are you ready...take a look at the next picture real good....

I'm on the verge of 400,000 miles! I'm so excited! I know, this is totally silly...but most people think that if they get to 200,000 it's a goner. Not this car, I expect to be driving her well into 500,000! Hell, when I bought this car for $200.00, it had 116,000 on it, so who knew I could rack it up to almost 400,000!??? I would love to get this car into some sort of record book...but have no clue how so I'm not going to fool with it. It has to be a record!

Think if I take it to the local Chevy dealership they'll give me a new car? LMAO...me either....

Anyway, just wanted to share this little excitement with you all, I'll keep you posted as to my mileage and how soon we hit 400,000! (Which shouldn't be too long with the miles I drive everyday!!!)

Happy motoring and keep it between the ditches,

Christy

Howdy!

Hi all, I am so sorry for not updating everyone on my life. Well, the whole 1 person who actually reads my blog anyway! HA! Thanks for reminding me Ing! I tend to get crazy busy and weeks go by, and it only feels like a couple of days. I hate that. I couldn't believe that the last post was March 29, it seems like only last week. Maybe I have some sort of time warp going on....

Anyway, I have been crazy busy, as I stated above, with many things. First off, Mom had to have some dental work done, and it turned out to be more than she could handle. She was down for almost 2 weeks leaving me and Hubs to take care of her. Not that I minded, I always enjoy spending time with Mom. After getting her all squared away, all of our cars were on death row, leaving me yet again without a car, having to share with Hubs. Not a good thing, as I have so many things to do and not having a car really slows me down. But all is well in that department now, and will be posting more on that one a bit later. Which leads me to my latest venture...I bought a horse! YAY! I'm so excited! I kept saying I was going to, and never got around to it, however, this one presented itsself to me in a perfect light. I wasn't going to miss this opportunity, so I jumped in feet first. Our blacksmith had a 21 month old filly he had to get rid of, and thought that we'd get along well, so we went and looked at her and it was love at first sight! Her name is Gambi, she's a 21 month old registered paint quarter horse. Just beautiful! So after commiting to her, I had 6 days to clean out the barn and build her a stall. 20 years of my Dad storing junk and I had 6 days to clean it out. Amazingly enough, we got it done, literally an hour before she arrived! So she's here now and we're ironing out our differences slowly. With her being so young, I am delving into the world of horse training, and she is testing me to the very end. After a couple of sessions on the short rope, I think she's going to be a pretty good girl for me, that is if we can come to terms over the other horses. She thinks that she should be out playing with them instead of working for me, so there is our major difference in opinions. Anyways, I have pics to share of her, and they are all of the same horse, the first ones are in the sun and she looks brown, however, she's black! The last couple are more accurate of her coloration.

This was the first time that we met...

This was a "Look at me I'm pretty!" pose...

Working out for the first time...on the short line, as she's still a little too wirey for the long line.

So anyway, I hope you enjoyed meeting Gambi!

I'll be back later on with another post....

Hugs to all,

Christy

Earth Hour 2009

We celebrated Earth Hour 2009, so did the kids, even though they only used it for nap time, LOL. It was nice...kind of romantic, all the lights out and only candles. It seems as though not too many people participated, though we told our neighbors and they did. (I'm so proud of them!) Maybe more will catch on next year....

Have a great night!
Christy

Results of My Last Year...

------Results of My Last Year Sitting At The Computer------

*I must send my thanks to whoever sent me the one about poison in the glue on envelopes because I now have to use a wet towel with every envelope that needs sealing.

*Also, now I have to scrub the top of every can I open for the same reason.

*I no longer have any savings because I gave it to a sick girl (Penny Brown) who is about to die in the hospital for the 1,387,258th time.

*I no longer have any money at all, but that will change once I receive the $15,000 that Bill Gates/Microsoft and AOL are sending me for participating in their special e-mail program.

*I no longer worry about my soul because I have 363,214 angels looking out for me, and St. Theresa's novena has granted my every wish.

*I no longer eat KFC because their chickens are actually horrible mutant freaks with no eyes or feathers.

*I no longer use cancer-causing deodorants even though I smell like a water buffalo on a hot day.

*Thanks to you, I have learned that my prayers only get answered if I forward an email to seven of my friends and make a wish within five minutes.

*Because of your concern, I no longer drink Coca-Cola because it can remove toilet stains.

*I no longer can buy gasoline without taking someone along to watch the car so a serial killer won't crawl into my back seat when I'm pumping gas.

*I no longer drink Pepsi or Dr. Pepper since the people who make these products are atheists who refuse to put "Under God" on their cans.

*I no longer use Saran wrap in the microwave because it causes cancer.

*And thanks for letting me know I can't boil a cup of water in the microwave anymore because it will blow up in my face, disfiguring me for life.

*I no longer check the coin return on pay phones because I could be nicked with a needle infected with AIDS.

*I no longer go to shopping malls because someone will drug me with a perfume sample and rob me.

*I no longer receive packages from UPS or FedEx since they are actually Al Qaeda in disguise.

*I no longer shop at Target since they are French and don't support our American troops or the Salvation Army.

*I no longer answer the phone because someone will ask me to dial a number for which I will get a phone bill with calls to Jamaica, Uganda, Singapore and Uzbekistan.

*I no longer buy expensive cookies from Neiman Marcus since I now have their recipe.

*Thanks to you, I can't use anyone's toilet but mine because a big brown African spider is lurking under the seat to cause me instant death when it bites me.

*And thanks to your great advice, I can't ever pick up $5.00 in the parking lot because it probably was placed there by a molester waiting underneath my car to grab my leg.

*I can no longer drive my car because I can't buy gas from certain gas companies!

*If you don't send this e-mail to at least 144,000 people in the next 70 minutes, a large dove with diarrhea will land on your head at 5:00PM this afternoon and the fleas from 12 camels willinfest your back, causing you to grow a hairy hump. I know this will occur because it actually happened to a friend of my next door neighbor's ex-mother-in-law's second husband's cousin's beautician...

*Have a wonderful day....

*Oh, by the way.....A South American scientist from Argentina, after a lengthy study, has discovered that people with insufficient brain activity read their email with their hand on the mouse.

*Don't bother taking it off now! It is too late!

I got such a kick out of this, I had to repost! Hope you enjoyed it!

Hugs,
Christy

Some Bad News For Muncie Southside Alumni

I feel like I should repost this, just in case anyone missed it. Jennifer and I were not close friends, but we did go to school together and we talked on occasion. I just absolutely cannot wrap my head around this brutal murder! I can't see Jennifer in this kind of situation, as I remember her as a sweet, quiet, polite girl who always had a smile for everyone.

Rest in peace, Jennifer, you will be missed!

Jennifer A. Stafford, 29, 708 N. Eastwood Ave., was found beaten to death inside her mobile home about 8:30 a.m. Friday by her mother, Debbie Stafford.

Debbie Stafford told The Star Press on Friday afternoon that Muncie police were looking for a man who had lent money to her daughter's ex-boyfriend.

City police on Friday night identified the suspect as Robert A.C. Murphy, a 40-year-old convicted felon from Muncie. Debbie Stafford suspected her daughter's slaying was related to the debt because her daughter's car, Nintendo Wii and Sony Playstation were missing from the home Friday.

"Jennifer had no enemies," Debbie Stafford said. "She was a good, loving girl."Police on Friday morning issued a be-on-the-lookout for Stafford's missing silver 2004 Grand Am. Murphy was not publicly identified as a suspect until several hours later. "We have some things we are following," Muncie police Capt. Mark Vollmar said Friday afternoon. "But nothing I can release at this point." Family and co-workers became suspicious that Jennifer Stafford was in trouble after she failed to show up for work Thursday at the Ball Memorial Hospital Pain Clinic, where she was a medical assistant.

Debbie Stafford last spoke to her daughter by phone Wednesday evening. In that conversation, Jennifer told her mother that Murphy had stopped by her home that evening asking for her ex-boyfriend's new cell phone number. The suspect, according to Debbie Stafford, had been friends with Jennifer and her ex-boyfriend. Debbie Stafford said she spoke with Jennifer's ex-boyfriend by phone Friday and he was cooperating with the investigation. "He was very upset," she said. The couple had met online last year. He moved to Muncie from Ohio to be with Jennifer, her mother said. The pair lived together at Jennifer's home on Eastwood from December until they broke up in February, Debbie Stafford said. Stafford said she believed the ex-boyfriend might have borrowed money to move back home. did not know how much he owed.

Jennifer Stafford was believed to have been about three months pregnant by her ex-boyfriend, Debbie Stafford said. Jennifer Stafford also leaves behind a 7-year-old son, who lives with his father.

Neighbors didn't report seeing or hearing anything suspicious recently. The home is at the end of a dead-end street in an isolated neighborhood bordered by cornfields to the north. Jerry Walker said Stafford was quiet and once returned his dog when it got loose. "She was a real nice lady," Walker said.

Stafford's death is the first homicide inside Muncie city limits since Daiwaun Walton, 15, was killed by a stray bullet in a shootout on South Ebright Street on May 30, 2007.



*****The prime suspect in a Muncie woman's beating death is in police custody after surrendering Saturday at a local church.

Robert A.C. Murphy, 40, was being held without bond in the Delaware County jail, preliminarily charged with murder, auto theft and theft. Authorities allege Murphy killed Jennifer A. Stafford, 29, in her Eastwood Avenue mobile home. The victim failed to show up for work Thursday at Ball Memorial Hospital's pain center, and her body was found Friday morning by her mother.

The victim's car, a 2004 Pontiac Grand Am, was reported missing from her home, along with two video game systems.

"We know he was in her car on Thursday," Muncie police Capt. Mark Vollmar said shortly after Murphy's arrest.

Vollmar said investigators had not yet found the car, but suspected it might be in Flint, Mich., where Murphy reportedly visited his mother on Friday.

Police Lt. Al Williams, who was among the investigators questioning Murphy on Saturday night, said other items taken from Stafford's home had been recovered.

Williams said investigators believed the attack on Stafford had been prompted by "non-payment of a drug-related debt."

The victim's mother on Friday told The Star Press that her daughter's ex-boyfriend owed Murphy money.

Asked whether police believed Murphy had acted alone, Williams declined comment.

Before his arrest Saturday, Murphy had contacted local pastor Kevin Woodgett of Church of the Living God, 1120 E. Washington St. Woodgett said Saturday night he had talked to Murphy about the need to "clear his name, if he was not guilty."
The pastor arranged for Murphy to surrender, at the church, to Jason Walker, a sergeant with the Delaware County sheriff's department who also worships there.
Murphy was placed in custody about 4:20 p.m. by Walker, who drove the suspect to Muncie Police Department headquarters at city hall.
Walker said he had seen Murphy at church services but was not acquainted with him.
"He said, 'Brother Jason, I didn't do it,'" Walker recalled a few minutes after the surrender.

Earlier Saturday morning, Wayne County police chased, then stopped, a vehicle on U.S. 35 that they believed might contain Murphy. After eventually pulling the vehicle over near Economy, however, it was determined Murphy was not inside.
The vehicle involved in the pursuit was a Dodge Durango even though authorities were looking for Stafford's Grand Am.

In a Friday interview with The Star Press, the victim's mother said Stafford had told her in a Wednesday night phone conversation that Murphy had stopped at her home a short time earlier, asking for her former boyfriend's cell phone number.
According to Vollmar, Murphy told friends on Thursday that he intended to leave town.

Murphy was released from prison last September after serving time for a 2004 criminal confinement conviction. He was convicted of possession of cocaine in 2002, and has faced other drug-related charges that were later dismissed.*****

Happy Spring!

Hi all, Happy Spring!

I was so busy that I didn't even realize that Spring arrived Friday morning. I'm so happy to see it come this year, and we are having really nice Spring weather right now too! I am however worried, as it is still March, and it is still basketball tournament time in Indiana, which normally produces a crazy snow storm. So.......for now I'm enjoying it to the fullest! I've been working in my flower beds, cleaning up winter's yucky messes, straightening up all of my birdhouses that have gone goofy from all of the wind, and we've even grilled a couple times! Oh my, how I have missed that little grill of ours! There isn't a better burger in the world!

So I have some pictures to share...

Robins, Robins, everywhere are ROBINS! That's a sure sign of Spring!
One of my little squirrels just HAD to have a drink, especially now that the birdbath is thawed out all the time! (And look at that GREEN grass behind her!)

Jonquils....

Glory of the snow... (WHAT?!? No SNOW this year???? That's okay....)

The first Tulip of Spring! This is a Firespray Tulip!

And the almighty Crocuses! Nothing says Spring like pretty little bouquets of Crocuses!

I love the first days of Spring, it's like an awakening for me. I get so down in the dumps around here in the winter time, so getting outside and getting mobile again really lifts my spirits! I love to hear the birds singing and the chatter around the neighborhood. Beautiful, just beautiful weather!

I hope everyone has a great day!

Hugs,

Christy

Erin Go Bragh!

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Have a great one, and don't forget to wear your GREEN!

Luck to you all,
Christy

Have You Ever...

had a moment in time when you just had to stop and say, "DUH!!!"? I had one of those moments this morning. I have been having one hell of a time with my camera taking blurry pics for some reason. Well, today, out of nowhere, I realized why. And it's not something obvious like having my finger over the flash or in the picture either! I had been using it on the indoor setting to take pics of my CQ and things, (which normally would work for anyone--but me), and suddenly it dawned on me that I should be using the close-up setting. Oh what a world, what a world! My pics are FINALLY clear! Well, what do you know, I managed to get something right for a change! So, I took some more pics of my precious little flutter-by heart that Ing finished for me, and I'm gonna share them...right here, right now! And the best part...you can CLICK on them to see them even larger! I've finally gotten the hang of that, so clickity click away!

Also, I finally got around to finishing this little blue bird on the Bible cover. I swear, the littlest things take me so much time anymore. I cross stitched the birdie with waste canvas and embroidered the limb and flower leaf. The flower and tree leaves are SRE. I think it is a really cute addition, how 'bout you?

We're back to our funky weather here, we had a string of 60 and 70* days which I used to the fullest, working outside cleaning up the yard and believe it or not, taking down the Christmas lights. Of course, I always wait until it warms up to fool with those, I put them up in the cold, doesn't mean I have to take them down in it too! Besides, I've just been way to busy to worry about them anyway.

Cherokee is doing much, much better, and we are coming out of the last turn and heading to the finish line with the Thrush treatment. Saturday is his last day, he's so happy! I am too! We're both counting down the days.....

Time to go tend to the kids, they are hollering for breakfast! (Yes, the birds....and yes they eat breakfast! HA!)

Have a great day,

Christy