Sunday, June 29, 2008

Shirley Rose Cullum (Coach Cullum) went to be with her Lord and Savior on June 29 2008 early on a Sunday morning. Shirley was born June 19, 1936 in Valier Illinois and was the first girl born into the family in 25 years. She was married on December 22 1957 to her sweetheart and Best Friend Bob Cullum and celebrated her life with him for 50 years. She was preceded in death by her brother Robert and her parents Gustave and Christina Harvengt. She has now joined her daughter Christi Cullum Johnson and the love of her life Bob Cullum in Heaven. She is survived by daughters Pam Condra and husband Ralph, Barbara Masters and husband Rick and son-in-law Sam Johnson. She is also survived by brother Thom Harvengt and his wife Betty. She is also survived by six precious grandchildren Eric Masters, Heather, Ross and Dillon Condra and Brittany and Christopher Johnson. She graduated from Southern Illinois University. She taught school at Harlandale Middle School for many years. She was a member of First Baptist Church in San Antonio Texas. Shirley enjoyed making people laugh and telling jokes to make people smile and have a brighter day. She enjoyed reading and going on adventures to different places with friends and Bob. Shirley will be dearly missed by family and friends . The family would like to thank the staff of Odyssey Healthcare for the love and friendship they showed to her and her family during her journey home. Gifts of love can be given to the Television Ministry at First Baptist Church.

Mom

I would like to start this by saying Thank you to all of you who have been praying for me and my Mom. 

Rick and I were  suppose to be on vacation this week.  We had reservations for 9 days in Port Aransas.  I was worried because I knew Mom was not well.  She was diagnosed with Liver Cancer in May of 2007.  She struggled with all the trips to the doctor for chemo.

She lost all her hair and then got it back.

She was so excited that Rick and I were getting away for a few days of fun in the sun.

Wednesday morning June 18th she woke up in terrible pain.  So bad that she called her neighbor and asked for her to take her to the doctor....but not to tell me she was feeling bad.  She did not want to worry me.

The doctor sent her to the hospital for tests.  Cat scan and such.,  They found that the cancer was progressing.

The neighbor called to inform me of what was going on.

I went to the hospital and when I walked into the room Mom got upset and wanted to know why I was not at work and shouldn't I be getting ready for my vacation?

I told her I had canceled it and she got very angry with me and insisted that I call back to reschedule to trip.

I told her I would later and she said....now.

By the next day she found out bad news from the results of the test.  The doctor told me that there was no more treatments her body could withstand .

And not to leave town.  I canceled once more.

The doctor said that we had two choices. Hospice in a home or to come home and take care of her with the help of Hospice as needed.

It was a rough week.

Mom slowly got worse.

At one point she told me no more medicine.

Then she stopped eating.  Hospices was called in for 24 hour care.

She slept alot.

After two days of not talking or opening her eyes I walked in the next morning and said....Good Morning. She opened her eyes and smiled and said...Good Morning!

I almost fell through the floor.  She seemed so much better and alert.

Then she asked for Rick.

She asked him. "Where am I?"

He said that she was home and we were taking care of her.

She sighed and gave a disgusted look and went back to sleep.

Many times she said she went to Heaven and was mad that she woke up and was still here.

Last night I couldn't go to sleep.

Finally I decided I should try.

I went in to say good night and she was awake.

The nurse said she was declining.

I asked her if she wanted me to sing her the same song as I sang to Daddy and she moved her eyebrows up and down....which meant yes

After I finished sing Somewhere Over The Rainbow to her she took 2 more breaths and left for Heaven.

She passed away at 1:00 in the morning.

I will miss her quick wit and funny jokes.

I will miss her smile.

I will miss her wiggling her eyebrows.

I love you Mom.

You are with Daddy and Christi now.

 

I will miss you so much.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Happy Birthday Rick!!!!

Happy Birthday Rick!!!! He turned 50 today.  My coworker said it was time to trade him in for two 25's.....I told her.....no way!  They would never add up to him.  I got him a new tackle box and fishing chair.  I got him a German chocolate cake....his favorite...and now we are going to watch the Bucket List. LOL...That should be a hoot.

More details later.....Barb

Friday, June 13, 2008

question me this

What was the last thing you ordered from McDonalds?
I was gonna get a salad and quarterpounder just flew out my mouth when they said.....can I take your order.....


When was the last time you got totally wasted?
Totally? Well it has been a long time.  I am not a drinker so half a beer makes me drunk...I guess it was at the New Years Eve party when I was 20 years old.  It was an accident.....





Do you own a canoe?
no but I do own a boat.





What was the last button you pushed?
The star button on my cell phone...wait....do computer keys count? If so I guess it was s



Do you have or want any Piercings?
My ears and that is all I want.




What do you think about people with tattoo's?
If it makes you happy. I have none. Needles do not make me happy. Besides if I was going to get one it would be a dragonfly.....knowing my luck it would look like a bug..oh wait it is a bug....never mind







Are you in love?
yes I am



Have you ever had an unusual pet?
We had two rattlesnakes once...and a possum



What color is the wall closest to you?
sheetrock white LOL


Have you ever set foot in a tanning salon?
no and I never will.....thinking it causes cancer....just saying



Have you ever played strip poker?
not that I recall.....


What's your mother's favorite color?
blue



Fast Food Restaurant or Chinese Takeout?
Chinese!!!




If you could move, would you?
Sometimes I think about it....but really there is no place like home



Do you prefer hot tea or iced tea?
ice tea.


What is your favorite musical?
Dirty Dancing






When did you stop believing in Santa Claus?
what i still believe.





Who was your first crush?
twin brothers in kindergarden Matthew and Mark



What's the stupidest thing you've done?
I have to pick one?  Like I am going to tell about it....

Have you ever faked being drunk?
no.

When is the last time you were on a bicycle?
It's been awhile...growing up I was permantly attached to my banana seat



What's your dad's favorite color?
red.



How many numbers are in your phone book?
Wait...I gotta go count....can I get back to you on that one?



Do blondes really have more fun?
yes


Ever fallen out of love?
yes.



Have you ever smoked tobacco out of a hookah?
What the heck is a hookah?

Who do you hate the most?
I don't hate anyone..life is too short


Have you ever donated to charity?
Yes....


Ever used a fake id or an id that wasn't you?
no


Are you donating your organs?
no



What is by far your favorite moment of life?
i have many.

What is the last thing you ate?
ham and cheese sandwich

What's the last thing you drank?
diet pepsi



Ever been on ecstasy?
no



Who has it easier, guys or girls?
guys



Who called you last?
My special friend Fay...so nice to talk to you



If you were really upset, who is the first guy you'd go to?
Rick.



Who is the first girl you would go to?
Mom.

If someone liked you right now, would you want them to tell you?
yes.

Do you prefer to take showers at night or in the morning?
morning


Do you think you have made a difference in anyone's life?
I hope so

Do you remember the name of your first school you ever went to?
It was a church

How many piercings do you have?
two


Which year has been the best so far?
All


Ever found more than a dollar in a random place?
yes


Last time you laughed really hard?
answering these questions.



Last text message in your inbox?
Eric

Do you know anyone addicted to any type of drugs?
yes.


How many kids do you want to have?
I had one...wanted ten

What color are your eyes?
blue


What is the natural color of your hair?
define natural


What is the closest purple object to you?
picture of Tiny


Did anyone watch you the last time you kissed someone?
nope.


Do you believe that if you want something bad enough you'll get it?
yes.

Have you ever kissed someone in a vehicle?
yes.

Break someones heart or have your heart broken?
both.

Would you ever get a belly piercing?
nope.


Are you a morning person or a night person?
night.

Do you snore?
Rick says I do....but it is really him

Do you like to spend time with people?
yes


Are you hungry?
just ate.



When was the last time you did the dishes?
last night.



Are you talking to anyone while doing this?
no


Have you ever thought someone died, when they really didn't?
yes


Three feelings at the moment?
tired, relaxed and happy



Done anything you regret so far in life?
some.



Are you listening to anything?
nope.




Where are you right now?
In my space



Last movie you watched?
Stand up and Cheer


Last song you sang out loud?
Would you go with me




Are you thinking of someone right now?

no

Thursday, June 12, 2008

a story in pictures

view larger to get details

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

something to read

25 Reasons I Owe My Parents

My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.--“If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning.”
My father taught me RELIGION.--“You better pray that will come out of the carpet.”
My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL.--“If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!”
My father taught me LOGIC.--“Because I said so, that's why.”
My mother taught me MORE LOGIC.--“If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me.”
My mother taught me FORESIGHT.--“Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident.”
My mother taught me IRONY.--“Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about.”
My father taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.--“Shut your mouth and eat your supper.”
My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.--“Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!”
My father taught me about STAMINA.--“You’ll sit there until all that spinach is gone.”
My mother taught me about WEATHER.--“This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it.”
My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.--“If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!”
My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.--“I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.”
My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.--“Stop acting like your father!”
My mother taught me about ENVY.--“There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do.”
My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.--“Just wait until we get home.”
My father taught me about RECEIVING.--“You are going to get it when you get home!”
My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.--“If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way.”
My mother taught me ESP.--“Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?”
My father taught me HUMOR.--“When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me.”
My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT.--“If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up.”
My mother taught me GENETICS.--“You're just like your father.”
My father taught me about my ROOTS.--“Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?”
My father taught me WISDOM.--“When you get to be my age, you'll understand.”
My mother taught me about JUSTICE.--“One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you.”

Parenthood...what a glorious career.

The Images of Mother:

4 years of age-- My mommy can do anything!
8 years of age-- My mom knows a lot! A whole lot!
12 years of age-- My mother doesn't really know quite everything.
14 years of age-- Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either
16 years of age-- Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.
18 years of age-- That old woman? She's way out of date!
25 years of age-- Well, she might know a little bit about it
35 years of age-- Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.
45 years of age-- Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?
65 years of age-- Wish I could talk it over with Mom.


Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby...
Somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother, "Normal," is history.

Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct.
Somebody never took a three-year-old shopping.

Somebody said being a mother is boring...
Somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit.

Somebody said if you're a "good" mother, your child will "turn out good."
Somebody thinks a child comes with directions and a guarantee.

Somebody said "good" mothers never raise their voices...
Somebody never came out the back door just in time to see her child hit a golf ball through the neighbor's kitchen window.

Somebody said you don't need an education to be a mother.
Somebody never helped a fourth grader with her math.

Somebody said you can't love the fifth child as much as you love the first.
Somebody doesn't have five children.

Somebody said a mother can find all the answers to her child-rearing questions in the books...
Somebody never had a child stuff beans up his nose or in his ears.

Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and delivery.
Somebody never watched her "baby" get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten or on a plane headed for military "boot camp."

Somebody said a mother can do her job with her eyes closed and one hand tied behind her back...
Somebody never organized four giggling Brownies to sell cookies.

Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married.
Somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a mother's heartstrings.

Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last child leaves home.
Somebody never had grandchildren.

Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her.
Somebody isn't a mother.

What Dads Really Want For Father's Day...

  • To be able to eat a whole candy bar (alone) and drink a soda without any "floaties" (i.e., backwash).
  • To have his 14 year-old daughter answer a question without rolling her eyes in that "Why is this person my father?" way.
  • Five pounds of chocolate that won't add twenty pounds to his figure.
  • A shower without a child peeking through the curtain with a "Hi Ya Dad!" just as she puts a razor to his face.
    .
  • For his teenager to announce, "Hey, Dad! I got a full scholarship and a job all in the same day!"
  • A grocery store that doesn't have candy/gum/cheap toys displayed at the checkout line.
  • To have a family meal without a discussion about bodily secretions.
  • To be able to step on a plane with their toddlers and NOT have someone moan, "Oh no! Why me?!?"
  • To occasionally get to sleep late on the weekend. I mean is this too much to ask?
  • To actually carry on a normal phone conversation with histoddler in the SAME room.
  • To actually be able to finish a HOT cup of coffee while his kids are present. An impossible feat!
  • To take a hot bath without his toddler suddenly screaming, "Daddy, I have to go potty!" as soon as hr hits the water.

    These familiar sayings have somehow been handed down from mother to daughter right through the ages. How many of these did you grow up with?

  • Who do you think you are?
  • Ask your father (closely followed by "Ask your Mother")
  • Bored! How can you be bored? I was never bored at your age.
  • I'll treat you like an adult when you start acting like an adult!
  • Look at me when I'm talking to you.
  • Don't you roll your eyes at me!
  • Don't pick it, it'll get infected.
  • I don't care if "insert child's name here" Mom said yes.
  • You'll put your eye out with that thing!
  • I'm going to give you to the count to three.
  • Don't put that thing in your mouth; you don't know where it's been.
  • Wear clean underwear in case you get in an accident and have to go to hospital.
  • Don't cross your eyes like that, one day they'll freeze that way
  • I don't care who started it, I'll finish it!
  • Don't EVER let me catch you doing that again!
  • Why? Because I SAID SO, that's why!?!
  • If such and such jumped off a cliff, would you jump too?
  • If I catch you doing that one more time, I'll...
  • Your father is going to hear about THIS when he gets home!
  • If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.
  • How many times do I have to tell you, don't throw things in the house!
  • Do you think your clothes are going to pick themselves up?
  • "I don't know" is NOT an answer!
  • I know it's not fair. Life isn't fair.



    The following are different answers given by school-age children to the given question:

    Why did God make mothers?

    "She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is."
    "Think about it, it was the best way to get more people."
    "Mostly to clean the house."
    "To help us out of there when we were getting born."

    How did God make mothers?

    "He used dirt, just like for the rest of us."
    "Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring."
    "God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts."

    Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?

    "We're related."
    "God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me."

    What ingredients are mothers made of?

    "God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean."
    "They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string... I think."

    What kind of little girl was your mom?

    "My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff."
    "I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy."
    "They say she used to be nice."

    How did your mom meet your dad?

    "Mom was working in a store and dad was shoplifting."

    What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?

    "His last name."
    "She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer? Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?"

    Why did your mom marry your dad?

    "My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my mom eats a lot."
    "She got too old to do anything else with him."
    "My grandma says that mom didn't have her thinking cap on."

    What makes a real woman?

    "It means you have to be really bossy without looking bossy."

    Who's the boss at your house?

    "Mom doesn't want to be boss but she has to because dads such a goofball."
    "Mom, you can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed."
    "I guess Mom is but only because she has a lot more to do than dad."

    What's the difference between moms and dads?

    "Moms work at work and work at home and dads just got to work at work."
    "Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them."
    "Dads are taller and stronger but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you gotta ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's."

    What does your mom do in her spare time?

    "Mothers don't do spare time."
    "To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long."

    What's the difference between moms and grandmas?

    "About 30 years."
    "You can always count on grandmothers for candy. Sometimes moms don't even have bread on them!"

    Describe the world's greatest mom?

    "She would make broccoli taste like ice cream!"
    "The greatest mom in the world wouldn't make me kiss my fat aunts!"
    "She'd always be smiling and keep her opinions to herself."

    Is anything about your mom perfect?

    "Her teeth are perfect but she bought them from the dentist."
    "Her casserole recipes. But we hate them."
    "Just her children"

    What would it take to make your mom perfect?

    "On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery."
    "Diet. You know, her hair. I'd dye it, maybe blue."

    If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?

    "She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that."
    "I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me."

    For those whose parents were not up to snuff, remember: you have two chances at having a family, the one you were born in and the one you make.
    Remembering also that a family is the circle of people with whom you associate. Your present 'family' is what you make it.




  • Wednesday, June 4, 2008

    yeah....

    I am home now and can write without you know who around.....grrr..kinda made me mad because the other girl is always on My Space or checking her email and he never says anything to her.

    Also I had to practically beg for my vacation which he promised me when I started.

    See I was up for a 2 week vacation at my previous job, but he needed someone right away. So I told him I would come to work for him but did not want to lose my vacation....he said no problem.  Just get me through this rough spot and I will let you have 2 weeks vacation from day one....

    Then I never got a winter vacation.

    He started asking the other girl when she was going to take her vacation.  Never asked me,

    Rick called me at work to tell me when his vacation was so I just told him that was when I would be taking a week.

    He kinda laughed.

    I told Rick I am going to take a vacation.

    Also I was suppose to get a raise after I got my license...

    Got my license in March....so far....no raise.

    Getting on my last nerve.

    Then the other day he embarassed me in front of a room full of customers by saying I am always talking.....um just because I have a personality.....

    So I quit talking the rest of the day....very hard for me to do......but you want quiet.....I can give you quiet.

    Not as much fun........in my opinion...

    We have no sound in there except for the humming of the computers .

    He even yells at the birds if they get too noisy outside.....

    absolutely no music....except when he decides to sing under his breath or make noises.

    OK TMI

    I will survive..

     

    hey you guys

    Hello everybody!

    Just a quick update seems I don't have much time to write anymore.  I am so busy lately.

    With what you ask?

    Well let's see.

    Monday through Friday I work 9 to 5:30.  I am off for an hour for lunch.

    I don't really know if I like my job that much only because I never have enough time off.  I wouldn't mind doing this part time or even if I had one day off during the week.

    I am not complaining it is just that I have no days that I don't have to wake up early and can just be lazy.  Not to mention the fact that I need a day to catch up on housework.  Right now I am at work and pretending to write a policy just so that I can say Hi. :).....so Ann if you are reading this.....you know you do it too LOL

    Anyway....

    I am doing ok.  I go to my Moms on the weekends and that is when I should start writing you guys.  Maybe I will start a weekend update. :)

    Anyway she is doing ok.  Just started taking a new medicine and she has to take 1000 miligrams in the morning and 1000 miligrams at night....

    Damn....boss just came over to spy on what I was doing and put a shitload of filing over there for me to do and told me to get busy....

    so bye.

    Barb