Here's a video causing quite a stir in Indianapolis today. Most people are offended. I think it's hysterical!

Deputy's 'hostage' video unfunny to some

Ivan in Camden, New Jersey

Camden, New Jersey - or Murder City as it's known - was featured tonight on 20/20. They profiled children growing up in poverty right here in the US. They followed several kids, but this little guy really broke my heart. So innocent and has no choice in where he lives -- or more like, doesn't live. Most of the time Ivan, his mother and little brother have no where to live and go all day without eating.

I want him to come live with me. If that can't happen, I'm at least going to help out by sending money to him through his church - which they also showed on the show.

Warning - the video is only part of what they showed about Ivan and it'll break your heart, but there is hope because we can all do something to help the poor children in our own country and community. I'm done thinking about it - and crying over TV shows. I'm going to help change someone's life and I'm going to start with Ivan Stevens in Camden, New Jersey.

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=2816480

Everyone knows I'm a girl of the 80's - and I love, love, love some big hair.

This is ridiculous (and disgusting)!

Uncle Jesse called, he wants his Michelle back!

Mary Kate, what were you thinking???

We did a bunch of cleaning around here and I found this old notebook that dates back before I met Rich. I was dating a guy who had a cute teenage daughter named Mimi. She was so sweet but had such a rough life with a mom who couldn't function without a man - even if that man (or men) beat her to a pulp. She lived in a tent one whole summer - she confessed to me one time. Her dad was an alcoholic (ah, the reason I dumped him) so he was no help.

Mimi had few good influences in her life and I sure tried to be one of them. I wrote this with her in mind after I broke it off with her dad.

Last I heard from Mimi, she was in nursing school, paid for by her Aunt and Uncle. I hope her life is happy now.

A Poem for Mimi

Walking through a world
of confusion and chaos
Along a path scattered
with broken promises and hearts
I found a rose about to bloom
It's fragile petals so soft
and easily damaged
It's beauty hiding a soul
needing tenderness and care.
I loved that rose and protected it
Cradling it with my hands and heart.
Then with all my love and work inside it
I released my hands.
Just as the rose began to bloom
and a tear fell from my eye
to nourish it.

What's with the continued half mast thing? I'm all for honoring our Presidents when they move on to the "other side" but enough is enough already.

Is there some "fly the flag half mast for a month" rule or what?

I'm over it.

More Vegas pics for Jenny

The Eiffel Tower at the Paris Hotel

The Eiffel Tower from the INSIDE of the hotel. They make it look like the feet of the tower are extending down into the structure of the hotel...in the middle of the casino

A kiosk in Paris - that's Kellie's mom Patti and step dad Bill standing to the right of the sign.

Walking along a Parisian street

These are for Jenny....some of my
unpublished pictures from VEGAS baby!!

Here's a float as it enters the casino riding a track on the ceiling


A giant face float

The boat float

Another float with a bunch of dancers

Here's a picture outside the Paris hotel

More from the Paris Hotel
(you won't believe how realistic the sky is INSIDE this hotel)

Don't forget Grammy's birthday is January 11th!

The perfect boiled egg.

How many times have you boiled eggs only to end up struggling to get the shell off? Don't you hate the tiresome battle, picking off little pieces of shell.

Struggle no more! I have found the way to make a perfect boiled egg. It works like magic.

First, start with cold water. Put your eggs in cold water, bring the water to a boil. When it starts to boild, time it. Between 8-12 minutes will do it (shorter for softer yokes). Immediately remove the egg and place it in a bowl of ice water. Let them sit there a minute or two (not tooooo long).


The egg shrinks away from the shell and it's so easy to remove - most of the time the shell splits in half and you can slip each end off.

It's revolutionized eggs in my house....and there's nothing better than boiled eggs cut up with plenty of butter and salt!

Yummo!

I don't think I'll ever get tired of watching this......

It's official!

Rosie got her drivers licenses!

Way to go Rosie!

First there was this bare little Christmas tree:

Then...KA BANG!

This year Rich made me pinky swear that he could decorate the front of the house for Christmas. Normally I do it. I try to create a neat and organized, nice little display. Not sure what Rich might do, I double pinky sweared him not to make our house look like the redneck house down the street where they have a 1/2 dozen blow up things in their yard. He loves it. I, on the other hand......well, next year it's my turn again. :)

Here's Rich's Christmas light tree. He used the trunk of our tree out front, somehow attached the lights to the tree and the ground. The star on the tree is just a wadded up glob of lights. It's artistic, yet hideous.




As you can see, he strung lights up over the bushes on the left side of the window and ignored the bushes on the right side of the window. What? They don't deserve lights?

To top it all off, the lights are on some kind of psychedelic, LSD, seizure - esque flashing rotation. He starts out slow and gradually builds to a frantic flash pace. If you stare too long, you just might go blind.

It's Christmas time at the Connell's!!

Now I've got to start wrapping all the presents..........

Sorta like Cirque du Soliel....This is incredible! And to make it more awesome, none of these performers can hear. They are totally deaf. Wow!

Operation Gift Cards for Grammy is in Full Effect!!

This year I thought it might be nice to get Grammy gift cards for places to eat. I know she eats KFC on Sundays a lot or sometimes she wants Wendy's. Maybe this year we could give her a mix of Kroger's gift certificates and places to eat. Anything we do she will appreciate. What do you think?

GET WELL DAD!!!

My dad had the cyst on his neck removed yesterday. It's sore but it's healing. He looks like a stranger without that knot!

If you want to email him a get well wish, check your email. I sent you all his address. He would love getting messages from you guys.

Talk to ya later!

Andrea

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO RICHIE!! THE BIG 5-4!

Here's a couple of pictures of Rich by the boat he wants

Today we ventured out of the house and ran across the boat races. We had seen a bunch of speed boats in hotel parking lots and knew there was some kind of championship going on this week. We just weren't sure where to find them in the water.

We were standing in the Walmart parking lot and could hear the sound of their engines. We sped over to the beach and caught the end of one of the races.

The helicopters were following the boats through the course. It was scary how low they got at times!

Here are some of the pictures I got.