MY HOW TIME HAS FLOWN SINCE I'VE LAST BLOGGED. BEEN SO BUSY ENJOYING MY NEW LIFE, BLOGGING JUST KIND OF SLIPPED BY THE WAYSIDE. ALTHOUGH, I'VE HAD LOTS OF FUN AND COMICAL THINGS TO SHARE WITH MY FELLOW BLOGGERS. MY BFF REMINDED ME THIS WEEKEND I SHOULD BE SHARING MY EXPERIENCES WITH OTHERS AND HOW MY LIFE HAS TURNED AROUND.

FIRST OFF, I MADE THE MOVE TO MY BFF'S 300 ACRE RANCH. I WAKE UP EACH AND EVERY DAY TO THE MOST MAGNIFICNET VIEW AND SERENE SETTING. MANY FUN THINGS HAVE HAPPENED ON MY JOURNEY HERE FROM BATTLING THE SNAKES AND COYOTES TO MANAGING WILDLIFE AND RELOCATING CRITTERS. OF COURSE, ALL WITH THE HELP OF SUPER Z. WE NEVER KNOW WHAT EACH NEW DAY IS GOING TO SPRING UPON US AND WE USUALLY LAUGH AT THE END OF THE DAY OF HOW WE HANDLED THE SITUATION.

MY BFF WAS APPROACHED LAST FEBRUARY OF US DOING A REALITY SHOW OUT HERE AT THE RANCH FROM 3 MAJOR NETWORKS. WE, OF COURSE, DECLINED, BEING WE HAVE SMALL CHILDREN AND JUST THE NOTORIETY IT WOULD SPRING UPON US. BUT YOU'LL SEE ME REFER TO "EPISODE NO. SUCH AND SUCH THROUGHOUT MY BLOGGING BECAUSE WE LAUGH EACH TIME SOMETHING CRAZY HAPPENS HERE ON THE RANCH THAT WE ACTUALLY COULD HAVE PULLED IT OFF. SINCE I'VE MISSED SIX MONTHS OF BLOGGING, I'LL HAVE TO PERIODICALLY GO BACK THROUGH THE "EPISODES" WE'VE ENCOUNTERED. I'VE MET THE MOST INTERESTING AND WONDERFUL PEOPLE ALONG THE WAY HERE AT THE RANCH AND YOU NEVER KNOW WHO WILL POP IN NEXT... READ MORE AS I RECOUNT THE LAST SIX MONTHS OF OUR AMAZING LIFE!

Wow

Wow, I can't believe it's been so long since I've blogged. Things have been sooo crazy around here. My life has totally done a turnaround and great things have been happening all thanks to my very best friend in the world Kristi. She has introduced me to the most AMAZING people that each one I've met has enriched my life more and more. She's taken me on several luncheons where we get to get all dressed up and even I get to have lunch with her and the Govenor tomorrow. Wow. I just can't say it enough. She's also introduced me to a wonderful gentleman whom we've become the best of friends and possibly more (I"ll keep you posted)

I am leaving my "Ghost House" this Friday and making my move to her beautiful 300 acre ranch in the most amazing log cabin overlooking a lake. I keep wanting to pinch myself just to believe this is all true. She has just taken me under her wing and given me wings to fly again. I just can't say enough but the words I'd use are AMAZING, WOW and ENRICHING my life. I'll get around to posting some pictures of these amazing luncheons I've been to. Anyone who has kept up reading my blog, thank you for your support through my hard times. You know, I wasn't sure sometimes I was going to make it through, but my family and friends and blogg followers' words of encouragement really helped me make it through my hard time. I now look back and wonder why I ever shed a tear! What a favor he did me and how I can now grow and prosper. I just didn't realize at the time how stuck in a rut I was. Aside from the day my beautiful daughter was born, I am the happiest I think I have ever been. I LOVE my life. Thank you to everyone and especially to my Guardian Angel Kristi.

HOTEL FOR DOGS

WHILE MOST PEOPLE PROBABLY ENJOYED THEIR DAY OFF TODAY FOR MLK DAY TO CATCH UP ON HOUSEWORK OR DO HONEY-DOS, I HAD THE TRUE JOY OF BABYSITTING MY TWO NEPHEWS AND NIECE WHILE MY SISTER HAD TO WORK. THEY ARRIVED AT MY HOUSE ON SUNDAY EVENING READY TO SPEND THE NIGHT WITH THEIR AUNT AND COUSIN. MY HOUSE WAS QUITE NOISY MOST OF THE EVENING WITH THEIR LAUGHTER AND THEN I FINALLY GOT THEM SETTLED DOWN FOR NIGHT WITH A MOVIE. ALL WAS GOING WELL UNTIL THE 10-YEAR-OLD REMINDED THEM OF OUR FRIENDLY GHOST IN OUR HOUSE. HERE THEY COME SCREAMING INTO MY ROOM AT 10 THAT NIGHT PILING ON TOP OF ME ON MY KING-SIZED BED. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THEY ALL SLEPT PILED ON MY BED WITH TWO DOGS FOR THE NIGHT. NOW I KNOW HOW SARDINES FEEL.

JUST WHEN I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO GET TO SLEEP IN MONDAY MORNING, THE KIDS WERE UP AT THE CRACK OF DAWN. I WAS LIKE, PLEASE JUST 10 MORE MINUTES. THEY WENT ON THEIR MERRY WAY UNTIL IT WAS BREAKFAST TIME. I MADE THEM HOMEMADE PANCAKES AND HASHBROWNS AND MY NEPHEW WANTED TO TURN MY JUKEBOX ON. A FRIEND HAD GIVEN IT TO ME AND IT WAS ALREADY PRE-LOADED WITH ALL KINDS OF COOL MUSIC. WE ALL ENDED UP DANCING AROUND THE KITCHEN DOING THE "HOKEY-POKEY" AND BUNNY HOP UNTIL WE LAUGHED OURSELVES SILLY.

WE THEN TOPPED THE DAY OFF WITH A TRIP TO SUGAR LAND TO THE MOVIES TO SEE THE MOVIE HOTEL FOR DOGS. IT WAS A CUTE MOVIE, BUT A LITTLE SAD AT POINTS. IT'S ABOUT TWO KIDS WHO ARE IN FOSTER CARE AND DON'T HAVE A FAMILY RESCUING DOGS WHO DON'T HAVE A FAMILY. IT STRUCK ME ABOUT HALFWAY THROUGH THE MOVIE, OMG, ALL FOUR KIDS I HAD WITH ME ARE ALL ADOPTED! HOW IRONIC IS THAT?

IT WAS A GREAT DAY AND I REALLY ENJOYED MY LITTLE BUNDLES OF JOY, BUT BY THE END OF THE EVENING, I WAS READY FOR THEM TO BE COLLECTED SO I COULD GET MY HOUSE BACK IN ORDER AND SETTLED FOR THE EVENING. HOPE EVERYONE HAD AS A FULFILLING DAY AS I DID.

EXTREME MAKEOVER

Now that I'm back out there back on that market we call the "dating scene", my best friend in the whole wide world surprised me with an Extreme Makeover day to help me boost my confidence and just feel better about myself. The day started with a micro-derm abrasion facial. The clinician is an acquaintance of mine named "Jackie". She's one of the best listeners in the world and most positive person I know. Jackie greeted me at the door with a huge hug and smile. When she asked me, Shanna, when was your last facial?" I had to burst out into laughter. I said, "Jackie, Hello, it's me. I'm a total "virgin" at this." She assured me everything would be fine as I dressed in the smock and lay down on the pre-warmed table (which I don't think was quite made for 6-feet tall people.) I thought to myself, oh, this isn't so bad. She asked what results I would like to see. I responded, I'd like 10 years taken off. She responded, "I can probably give you two back." I was totally fine with that. I must say it was a unique experience and an hour and a half later, my face was as soft as a baby's behind. That wasn't so bad. I can't speak from experience about facials, but my experience was quite amazing with amazing results. Thank you, Jackie. Now I had 30 minutes to get to my next appointment.

I arrived at the hair salon "Ceron's" right on time for my hair appointment. I was treated like I was the Queen of England from the minute I stepped into the salon. I was treated to highlights, lowlights and a new hairstyle. It was awesome. I then had an hour or so to kill before my makeup lesson so I had a mani and pedi done and went and visited my best friend's mom who needed a ride from a dentist appointment. Even though we only got to visit less than an hour, her words of wisdom and wonderful outlook on life just filled my heart with joy.

I then arrived at my last appointment at 3:45. My, how the day had flown. I entered the salon of Facade where Keren greeted me with a huge hug and smile. She escorted me back to where she performs magic on people and introduced me to her whole line of makeup that she personally developed on her own. As she gave me my makeover and lesson, her words of inspiration were well worth the trip. I received more valuable information about how to get your groove back than I've ever received from any therapist. She's a true inspiration.

My day ended with a wonderful date with an awesome gentleman I had met previously before and we went to dinner that evening. I felt great about myself and I looked marvelous I must say. (didn't know I needed that many hours of work.) When I reflected back on the evening later that night, I realized I really did feel good about myself but it wasn't only about the makeover. Starting from 9:00 that morning, I was surrounded with wonderful, positive, loving, beautiful people who just made the day an awesome day and really made me feel special. They were the true icing on the cake to top off a "perfect" evening.

Thank you my best friend in the whole world for making this day possible and surrounding me with these special people who helped make me beautiful on the outside but more importantly, more beautiful on the inside. You truly are my inspiration.

The Bachelor

Couldn't wait last night for the new season of "The Bachelor". As I sat and watched it with my 7-year-old, I was more amused at what Zoey had to say about the show than the show itself. She was so into it and picking girls for "The Bachelor" left and right. Then she commented to me that he just wouldn't work for me because he has a little boy and she really wasn't into having a little brother. I had to laugh on that one. Then she got real serious and said "Mom, do you think we need one of those around here?" I wasn't sure if she was referring to a new puppy or what. I asked what she meant and she said, "You know, one of those husbands." How funny. I guess the TV has her convinced you can just put your order in for a TV husband and, poof, one appears. I sat wondering what all goes through this little girl's mind with all of modern technology. I assured her we didn't "need" one of those husbands and how us girls are strong, independent and survivors. However, I did assure her that if one of those "husbands" did come our way, and it was meant to be, I would surely run it past her first.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

I HOPE EVERYONE HAD A GREAT CHRISTMAS. I, PERSONALLY, AM GLAD ALL OF THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE IS OVER WITH. FILLING SANTA'S SHOES BY MYSELF THIS YEAR WAS BOTH CHALLENGING AND REWARDING. IT WAS A LITTLE HARD ON ME WITH ZOEY HAVING TO ENDURE A SPLIT CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR, BUT I THINK IT WENT WELL. I WILL ADMIT I WAS PRETTY GROUCHY THE FIVE DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS WHEN SHE WAS AT HER DAD'S WITHOUT HER. I'M JUST SO USED TO HAVING HER WITH ME MOST ALL OF THE TIME. BUT I GOT OVER IT AND KEPT MYSELF BUSY TRYING TO PREPARE FOR THE BIG DAY.

SUPER Z MADE OUT LIKE A BANDIT WITH ALL OF HER GIFTS. BUT ONLY BEING 7 YEARS OLD, AS WE DROVE HOME FROM MY SISTER'S HOUSE ON CHRISTMAS DAY, THIS LITTLE ANGEL OF GOD SAID "MOM, YOU KNOW CHRISTMAS ISN'T ALL ABOUT PRESENTS AND GIFTS. IT'S ABOUT BABY JESUS AND GIVING TO OTHERS" I WAS QUITE IMPRESSED WITH HER OUTLOOK ON CHRISTMAS. THEN SHE STATED SHE WANTED TO DRIVE AROUND NEIGHBORHOODS AND HAND OUT CLOTHES AND GIFTS TO KIDS WHO MAYBE WEREN'T AS LUCKY AS HER. WOW! I DON'T REMEMBER MY LITTLE BRAIN THINKING LIKE THIS WHEN I WAS 7. SHE'S QUITE AN EXTRAORDINARY CHILD.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

NUTCRACKER

SUPER Z AND I WERE FORTUNATE ENOUGH THIS WEEK TO GET TO GO SEE THE NUTCRACKER PERFORMANCE AT THE WORTHAM IN HOUSTON. WHAT A PERFORMANCE. THIS WAS OUR FIRST TRIP AND I WASN'T SURE SHE'D SIT THROUGH THE WHOLE PERFORMANCE AND ACTUALLY "CATCH" ON TO THE STORY. SHE WAS GLUED TO HER SEAT IN AMAZEMENT. OF COURSE, IT DIDN'T HURT ANY THAT OUR SEATS WERE FRONT ROW AND CENTER BY THE ORCHESTRA. IT WAS LITERLLY LIKE YOU COULD REACH OUT AND TOUCH THE DANCERS. AFTER THE PERFORMANCE, WE HEADED TO THE "GREEN" ROOM WHERE ZOEY WAS GREETED WITH A GORGEOUS BALLERINA SLIPPER SIGNED BY BOTH THE PRINCE AND THE SUGAR PLUM FAIRY. THEN WE WERE ESCORTED BACKSTAGE WHERE SHE GOT TO PERSONALLY MEET AND HAVE PICTURES WITH ALL OF THE DANCERS. WHAT A DAY. THIS WAS ALL MADE POSSIBLE BY ZOEY'S FAIRY GODMOTHER. YES, SHE HAS A TRUE REAL-LIFE FAIRY GODMOTHER WHO SPRINKLES HER FAIRY DUST ALL AROUND SUPER Z AND ALWAYS MAKES EVERYTHING SUPER SPECIAL FOR HER. THANK YOU KK FOR THIS SPECIAL DAY. YOU'RE THE BEST!