THE LIZARD GAZETTE

JOSH'S FIRST ART CONTEST

lizardfromtenn@bellsouth.net (LizardTales) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 03:21:00 +0000

Hello Friends and family

Here is a picture of Josh at his first Art contest we had as homeschoolers. K- is the grade... Sculpture is the category. He placed 2nd place out of three entries. He was so proud of his Lego creation. YES, he created the whole thing all by himself.
He is really good with making and placing small things. Maybe he will be an engineer one day!!

So... here are the photos of him and some he took also for fun!
Liz

Son in law Army!

lizardfromtenn@bellsouth.net (LizardTales) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 01:58:00 +0000

Hello Friends,

Here is a picture of Tim overseas.... if you are a friend of his, he has more posted on his Facebook!!

Just thought you would want to see him in his 'gear'.... him and Rebekah can talk more now with room internet. Jed had this while he was there too. Makes talking to your loved ones much better.

Liz

Joey and Josh

lizardfromtenn@bellsouth.net (LizardTales) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 21:03:00 +0000

Here are some pictures of Josh and one of Jed's buddies who came and stayed with us. Joey!!!
He was traveling down to his base in Texas. He has heard about our family and JOSH... Of course, Josh was everything he heard about.
Josh loved on him and played with him. We took him to our very favorite place, El Toros... mexican food his favorite!!

JOSH AND TUMBLING

lizardfromtenn@bellsouth.net (LizardTales) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 04:15:00 +0000

MORE ON TUMBLING

lizardfromtenn@bellsouth.net (LizardTales) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 03:12:00 +0000

JOSH AND TUMBLING

lizardfromtenn@bellsouth.net (LizardTales) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:23:00 +0000

Hello

Here Joshua is pictured with some of his pictures I have taken at Tumbling class. You can tell he is being at attention! There are two boys in the class and 8 little 'drama' girls! They are so precious! I will post more!

Liz

20 THINGS I WOULD RATHER NOT DO!

lizardfromtenn@bellsouth.net (LizardTales) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:54:00 +0000

20 THINGS I WOULD RATHER NOT DO!

1. eat mushrooms

2. confront people

3. fix dinner when I am very tired

4. go to parking garages

5. have to kill a snake

6. have to kill a wasp

7. go hungry

8. work with a contrary lawn mower

9. be nauseous with out a cause

10. go to the hospital and have a baby

11. get lost with out a map

12. get less than 8 hours of sleep each night

13. go to the airport after 10pm

14. come home late by myself

15. procrastinate

16. wash dishes without my dishwasher

17. change purses

18. walk barefoot on rocks

19. come home to an empty house
20 get a root canal

I'VE WAITED A LONG TIME TO SEND THIS OUT... BEEN COLLECTING AS THEY COME ALONG!

BURGER KING

lizardfromtenn@bellsouth.net (LizardTales) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 02:38:00 +0000

Hello Friend and Family,

Burger King? Ever been there? My husband likes to frequent there... me... no. But, when he goes and Josh is with him, he will get him a crown. Have you ever read the inside rules of a crown. One day when 9 boys were at my house and making much noise, the lone girl (the bride to be) decided to get into the act.

I was laughing up a storm, my husband was at the table and really wanted peace. NOTTA....

She took the crown from the littlest one and started reciting the inside of the crown pretty loudly. So here it goes:

In a loud voice: I am the KING in her words, she was QUEEN

THIS IS THEIR POWERS:

1. There can only be one King

2. The King always gets his/ her way.

3. The King must speak with some kind of cool accent.

4. The King makes all the important decision governing selections of TV channels, movies, radio stations , as well as popular activities like snowboarding, pool hopping and cow tipping. The King also determines who gets the remote, who rides 'shotgun' and of course, who pays.

5. Rule ends when Crown is removed for more than 3 seconds.

I dint' know there were rules. Did you know? I guess the littlest one can figure that out for himself later~ There are still many proclaimed Kings who live in this house. The Queen never gets the remote.

THE QUEEN

MY CRAZY AUNTS

lizardfromtenn@bellsouth.net (LizardTales) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:35:00 +0000

Hello friends and family,

Don't' you love summer? time for friends and family.... One such day last week, we got to visit with two of Paul's aunts, Aunt Tubby and Aunt Rena. Now her name is not really Tubby... but Lorraine. Ever since I married into this family, Aunt Tubby has been the name. She comes once a year to visit her family here. She is the sister of Paul's dad, Joe. I have dubbed them my crazy aunts. They are so much fun to be around. Just the the two of them span much history. They are always telling stories of their families. There is much history to learn from them two. I treasure the time we have each time they are together. I have a favorite photo of the both of them kissing on Josh when he was 6 weeks old. I can see it on my mantel in 25 years of two dear sisters loving on their great-nephew. Because I don't have a mantel, it's in my scrap book to treasure.

We met up at Taco Bell last week and shared a meal. We could sit there all day and the neither of us would get anything done except make memories. So, our visit came to an end and we took pictures which is a Gallina tradition.

Enjoy~

Thanks Aunt Rena and Aunt Tubby! We MUST do this again.

Liz

JOSH AND THE ARMY BUDDY

lizardfromtenn@bellsouth.net (LizardTales) — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 12:12:00 +0000

Hello Friends,

I always have something to blog because of my children. My son Jed called yesterday and said he has a Army buddy coming thru Memphis and was stopping by. This is always a stretch for me to stop what I am doing and accommodate the need. Joey arrived around 4:30 pm and just in time for a huge storm we had in Memphis. The tornado kind.... when it passed we were treated to a dinner at the Bistro. Paul made a shrimp pasta dinner for Joey. Rebekah joined us because the electricity was off in Millington. Limbs everywhere and lights out everywhere. She was not a happy camper when she joined us. Josh had a grand time playing with Joey. Of course Joey has heard all about our family and Josh. We gave Joey enough ammunition to black mail Jed when he gets back..... oh the joy of photos!! Josh loved his time playing and for a kid who stays home with his mom pretty much all the time, he has pretty good socialization skills.... sorry, for the 5th child and our lifestyle of home education, I just had to throw that in!

So.. here is a picture of Joey and Josh before both of them conked out for the night. One good thing of this trip, we will get to see how long of a drive it is from here to Ft. Drum~

Liz

Jed Fishing

lizardfromtenn@bellsouth.net (LizardTales) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 23:54:00 +0000

Hello Friends and Family

Here is a picture, hot off the text.. via my computer, of Jed fishing and what he caught...

A Northern Pike... he said he has it in his refrigerator. He said it was a 'big one'... I wonder what Pike tastes like? He has time to go fishing and loves it~! relaxing I"m sure!

Any now.... hope the meat will taste good, the drool under the mouth doesn't look appetizing! hahah

Liz

RANDOM THOUGHTS

lizardfromtenn@bellsouth.net (LizardTales) — Sat, 30 May 2009 03:49:00 +0000

I'm trying to get back into the hang of writing. I think of thoughts all day and then need a place to put them. I really need a playback machine during my day. I'm beginning to think my 'thinker' is going bad. Right around late afternoon, all my brain cells have been used up. Ever have that problem? My friend teases me her 'rememberer' is gone. She can't remember anything anymore! I do have a family remember who falls in that category!

So here are my random thoughts:

1. When El Toros runs out of meat 45 minutes before closing, what do you do????

2. How long can you stand in a line at Walmart???

3 How fast can you mow your grass?

4. How many sticks can you constantly pick up from 50 year old oaks?

5. How many triangles can you find at Walmart? Theres a star on the front!

6. If only I could translate Osea 6:3 from Romanian to English

7. Only longing for a empty June calendar!~ NAWWWWWWW

8. What the heck is a net book?

9. Wishing Sams was in my back yard~! BIG WISHES!

10. Wishing to finish Alg 2~

A Bad Day at Walmart!

lizardfromtenn@bellsouth.net (LizardTales) — Fri, 29 May 2009 04:25:00 +0000

Hello Friends and Family

I normally really love going shopping at Walmart. It is my place to shop in Millington. I've seen lots of people shopping. At night, different kinds of people come out to shop, early in the morning different kinds of folks shop at least for reasons. I've seen toddler triplets during Christmas time. I've seen a man shop barefooted. I've seen families, singles and seeing eye dogs. I've seen old, ugly, handsome, fat, short and women who need more clothes on!

The other day I was shopping and happened to go to the bank first. That trip normally doesn't tick me off, but it did by the rudeness of the teller this day. Then Walmart was my next stop. There was a lady with her husband or brother or someone with her in her party she was hashing her words with and had the voice of a bull horn. It started at the door and went all thru the store. I remember as I was bagging my tomatoes, looking up and seeing this 'very loud' party coming thru. I stopped and just looked at them. Why do people have to air their dirty laundry when coming into Walmart? Have you ever seen families who come in and they are so engaged in conversation they don't even look up? I try to come in and orientate myself to where I am going.

As I was shopping, this loud family was still loud even over by the meat counter. Then the expletives spilled out. Then the Walmart personnel came and told her to stop cussing. She offered no apologies, she mostly told the man to shut up and she was perfectly able to use her cussing voice when ever she pleased.

She did tone it down... she was caught! My hormones were rising and really wished I had the audacity to speak with her and tell her the loudness was not appreciative. I really was treasuring my time alone walking the isles putting food in my basket for my family and really didn't want to hear her loudness or cussing.

Anyhow....I left, then faced with this bumper sticker on a truck. Some find it disgusting or funny!

Which I will send too and you decide!

Liz

THE GALLINA MEMORIAL DAY 2009

lizardfromtenn@bellsouth.net (LizardTales) — Tue, 26 May 2009 03:04:00 +0000

Hello Friends and Family

I'm back to blogging! I MUST! My family has noticed that I have not wrote any stories lately... yes... Facebook has consumed my time. Now that Jed is back, I can give some careful attention to my writing. My inter being loves to write and my body tells me another thing... dishes... books.. outside work...kids... You get the picture! Soon as Spring time has hit, I've been going non stop to outside work!

Anyhow! Pray your Memorial Day was great! Hope you stopped and thanked a Veteran or someone serving and told them how much you appreciate them? I noticed in the paper today, for Tn... during this war, that 91 have died and 540 wounded in Action... that was higher than Ark. or Miss. We are thankful for the men serving in our family and extended family. We have about 4-5 that are serving.

My husband was off today, which was a blessing. I've been a work horse since Friday trying to get projects done. The rain has done much to stop or prevent us from doing somethings. Today, TODAY.. was the day to put my Gazebo Tent up. Many you have been by, sat with me, swung with me and just had a good time. It's a little porch for me to retreat to. I love it!! Long story short.. we finally did late this afternoon get it up. Now I can start moving furniture around. But, not before another project had to be moved physically before the tent came up. THE TREES! We have very old and tall trees around our home. Paul decided to cut one of the very long branches that weigh down by the tent before doing the 'small' job of putting up the tent. Since we have 'big grown' kids at home, I told my #1 son to come help. Why make your daddy do ALL the work?? They went to cutting with a pruning device... one that is very long and can telescope if needed. There they are, standing on a ladder on the back of husbands truck. It took about 20 minutes of constant cutting to hear it CRACK.... only bad part about it was it still attached to the tree, very high up! What do you do?? hummmmmm...... This is where the madness of the Gallina's come in....

#1 son goes and gets a shot gun... a 12 gauge to be exactly.... they shot the branch off the tree, only took 3 tries. This gets my blood boiling though. I have all non essential personnel of the family on the back porch for safety sake. One blast, two blast, three blast... CRACK! All of it comes smashing down.

Then #1 son, notice I'm not incriminating the name, I will stay with birth order.... the two alpha males are smugly sitting on the tailgate talking about what great tree trimmers they are. I've already called them retarded and working on the 'S' word, that we are not allowed to say....
Then, #1 son gets the smart idea to shoot a 'good' not cut branch out of the tree. Now, this branch was going to be directly over my gazebo and I would of wondered about it all summer. He starts to shooting.... one blast... wood chips all over... two shots....wood chips all over- more on me.... I threw down was in my hand and walked to the house.... I'd never make a duck hunter! three tries... four tries... five tries... six tries... seven tries... eight tires... nine tries... 10 tries.... then I hear a CRACK..... down come the tree branch! HE HAD REALLY SHOT A 8-INCH DIAMETER BRANCH OUT OF THE TREE~ Now, they are really smug about what great tree trimmers they are. I seriously thought the Sheriffs would be there before the CRACK happened! Now the branches are moved out of way and progress has been put up!

My trees still need to be pruned, and if I lived out in the country, I'd say, shoot the every branch that hangs down low out of that tree!!! GO FOR IT! but, we still have neighbors and shootings can happen close enough. Don't mix up tree blast for real shootings, please!

My husband even asked if I was going to blog about this... I shouted, YES!!!

ENJOY THE PHOTOS~!
Liz

WHAT THEY DO WHEN BORED

lizardfromtenn@bellsouth.net (LizardTales) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 02:34:00 +0000

WHAT DO FOUR YEAR OLDS WANT??

lizardfromtenn@bellsouth.net (LizardTales) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 04:32:00 +0000

When I asked of a four year old what he wanted to be when he grew up he said:

A fireman and a power ranger

When asked of a four year old what kind of a truck he wanted to drive he said:

1. A ice cream truck

2. A dump truck

When asked of a four year who he wants to marry when he grows up he said:

1. his sissy and his mamma ( we will have to work on that one)

When asked a four year old who is the strongest person in the whole world he said:

1. daddy and me

When asked a four year old who made his house he said:

1. his daddy

I love four year olds!@

TWO PEAS IN A POD

lizardfromtenn@bellsouth.net (LizardTales) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 04:48:00 +0000

HELLO FRIEND AND FAMILY

here you have it.. two kids as folks say, two peas in a pod... both at 4 years old...

i really haven't stared at them much.... they do act like each other!!

Josh and Jed~!

HOMELESS BOY PART 2

lizardfromtenn@bellsouth.net (LizardTales) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 04:47:00 +0000

Hello Friends and family,

I have another story to tell. We have a joke around our house with a certain child about hobo's....

We'll Josh has decided to become one for real. We got a new TV and the box is a child's playground for at least a few days before Trash Man comes. He decided for real to sleep in it tonight. He must of been really tired, cause it didn't take long for him to conk out. I snuck back in there and took the picture. Don't worry, I took all the other 'cute' things my other kids used to do. By now, many years down the road, we cherish the 'cute' things... even the messes. That's a whole another story..... anyway....

We said to the kid who trash talks, or bandwagons around here about HOBOS.... that Josh is really doing it.. not just talking about it. It was good...

Okay.. unless you missed the first go around of homeless man.. I'll post a few of those too. I know he will have 'boxes' of fun in the next few days.... but THURSDAY IS COMING!!!!

Liz

SNOW IN MEMPHIS

lizardfromtenn@bellsouth.net (LizardTales) — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 17:12:00 +0000

Hello friends and family

we'll winter was not done with us yet. It has snowed BIG time here in Memphis. Crazy snow...

My sister in Mo. didn't get any of this... crazy~~ we got much and has canceled many events.. but by Sunday night it will calm back down...

We did go out and play in it~ was fun~ I will post one picture but have many on my Facebook account.

We took one just for Jed~ Josh had fun playing in it~

We were out in the middle of it today. Normally I would of been at home digging in for a long day. But, I had my trusty driver, hubby, and we were all over today. The visibility was pretty low going towards Millington. I love the glow it gives at night. I also asked why is snow white???

The bible says, our sins are as scarlet and white as snow. See God even knew he made snow white before it at ever snowed. I think purple or yellow snow would be cool.

Okay.. we are enjoying the last day of Feb. It packed a punch~~~

Liz

RANDOM PICTURES

lizardfromtenn@bellsouth.net (LizardTales) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 05:09:00 +0000

YOUNG LOVE

lizardfromtenn@bellsouth.net (LizardTales) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 05:07:00 +0000

Hello Friends and Family

the following pictures are Rebekah and Tim on their 'Valentine' date being engaged. They are so handsome! He brought her more gifts for the big night out. They went to a movie and a restaurant all dolled up! I told him he was setting a high bar for next year!!! He even bought some heart shaped cuff links to wear. I told him to wear those at the wedding too, it would add a wonderful touch. That picture is not as clear as I would want it! You get the drift when you see them. Okay... enjoy the photos!!!

Liz

Happy Valentine

lizardfromtenn@bellsouth.net (LizardTales) — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 06:28:00 +0000

A friend sent an early 'Valentine' to see if it will make it around the world by Feb. 14th.
For God so loV ed the world,

That He gA ve

his onL y

BegottE n

SoN

T hat whosoever

Believeth I n Him

Should N ot perish,

But have E verlasting life.'

John 3:16

A lizard story: homeless boy in box

lizardfromtenn@bellsouth.net (LizardTales) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 05:52:00 +0000

Hello Family and Friends,

We all need some levity in the winter to cure those winter blues. Kids will do that at any time of the day.
We now have a homeless boy living in our home. A box was brought in and the littlest one of the home, won't mention any names, JAG, found his niche. A box to a kid is a spaceship, a boat, a hideout, a place to read books or in JAG'S world it's a bed.

DAY ONE (taken with big sisters camera phone)

found box
found covers and pillows- in box
found books to read- in box
found phone to talk on -in box
found tatoo's on legs- in box

DAY TWO
is determined to sleep in box
got his shoes and lined them up, why? he can?
homeless people need shoes
We did our usual bedtime ritual and he hopped in the box to sleep, a photo for photo sakes...
we left the room... was good till commotion in kitchen over sink jammed up!
When I went back to room, in big sisters bed, he was sorry.. so back to his box (now threaten to go to HIS BED if not quiet)

DID HE OR DIDN'T HE SLEEP IN THE BOX??

I'll let you know tomorrow...

LIZ

MORE PLEASE!!

lizardfromtenn@bellsouth.net (LizardTales) — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 03:24:00 +0000

The things my 'big' kids do to my four year old! He must like it!!

Liz

HOW MY LEG HURTS

lizardfromtenn@bellsouth.net (LizardTales) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 03:50:00 +0000

Hello Family and Friends,

The other day we had to do 'minor surgery' on Josh's leg. He had gone out to the back yard and fell in the brush. Apparently, he had gotten a sliver in his leg. That was not clear to us, till it was exacted from his leg. If you know little kids, getting a needle or 'medicine' out is bad news to the little kid. You also need cotton balls.... not for the surgery itself, but for your ears... it's the ear splitting screams they will admit! Josh wasn't to bad... he was protesting, with me holding all the outer extremities I could. His dad, pushed on the wound and puss came out.... then as it was open he got the tweezers and out came this fourth of an inch splinter that had been in his leg about 4 days. OUCH! Can you say OUCH!! And he wasn't even complaining about it, only when we mentioned it. Dad got Josh to doctor his own boo boo.... you can tell by the q-tip... even though he looks like a redneck little boy.. he was putting on the final touches for the wound.

I was relieved the ordeal was over and can't wait till the next 'minor surgery' event~!

Liz