Comedian and Actor Bernie Mac Dies at Age 50

From FoxNews.com:

Bernie Mac, an Emmy and Golden Globe nominated actor and comedian, died suddenly Saturday at age 50 of complications from pneumonia.

The comedian suffered from sarcoidosis, an inflammatory lung disease that produces tiny lumps of cells in the body's organs, but had said the condition went into remission in 2005. He recently was hospitalized and treated for pneumonia, which his publicist said was not related to the disease.

        

Don't have time for a 10 on tuesday tonight cause it's after 10:00 pm (past my bedtime) and we just got home.  I'll just leave you guys with a house hunting update.  After looking at a ton of houses we've got a favorite!   It's in Gardendale, a brand new subdivision (which is awesome) and it is in the final stages of construction.  Here's a pic of the floor plans to give you a general idea.  Ours would be the top (A) style and the floor plan is flipped on this diagram.  It is almost 1800sqft. 3 bedroom, two bath with a bonus room over the garage.





Well hope everyone's week is going well.....wish us luck on the home search!

        

1. I'm tired of looking at houses.........only a week into the search and I need a night of recovery.  We're taking tonight off.
2. I've started a new afghan, I think I'm really going to like the way it turns out.  I'm working from "scraps" of old blankets.
3. Michael went to the doctor today and got a pretty good report back.  His breathing has slightly improved and the sarcoids in his lungs have neither spread nor shrunk.
4. Michael will remain on the chemo for the moment.  The doctor told us that he would prefer we didn't have kids now, but that when we made the decision to start trying we need to discuss it with him so we can work Michael's treatment around it.  I was excited about that, at least the doctor seems to think that none of the damage done with the chemo is permanent.  Now we just have to focus on getting healthy.
5. Michael and I found a subdivision last night that's still being developed that's really cute!  We're going back on Saturday, I'll have to take pictures.  Even if we don't buy a house in this subdivision I've gotta share the pics with you guys, you would think you were walking thru another world.  
6. We've managed to pick a few maybes and we've eliminated a ton of definite nos.
7. I can't wait to get out of this apartment.....at this point I don't really care where we live as long as I don't have to live here anymore.   I want some place I don't feel restricted!
8. We walked thru a model home the other night in Fultondale and Michael really likes it (he's the picky one of the two of us), so I'm excited about going back with the realtor to see what they have to offer.
9. All the people I've told that we're house hunting are full of advice for us.  I guess everyone thinks that since we're first time home buyers we don't know what we're doing, but having gone thru the sale of Michael's dad's house I think we definitely have a feel for what we're doing.  We're being smart about what we can actually afford and not what we're approved for.  I think the biggest struggle is just finding something that both of us are happy with.
10. Hope everyone has a great weekend!  Think of us while we're out in the hot sun hunting for a home!
    

        

   



Michael put it together from all the bits and pieces he ordered, he's really excited about it!  I think it looks pretty! 

Michael's New System:
Video Card: PNY GeForce 9800 GTX 512MB - x2(SLI Mode)
Motherboard: ASUS Striker II Formula NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI Core 2 Quad Socket 775
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Quad-Core Processor 2.4GHz LGA775 8MB Cache
Memory: CORSAIR DOMINATOR with DHX Technology TWIN2X4096-8500C5DF 4GB(2x2GB Sticks)
Power Supply: ANTEC TruePower Quattro TPQ1000 1000W Power Supply
SATA HD: SEAGATE Barracuda ES.2 ST3250310NS 250GB SATA 7200 RPM 32MB Buffer - x2(Raid 0)
Case: ANTEC Performance One P182SE Mid Tower Case
CD/DVD: SATA DVD/RW: PIONEER DVR-215DBK - x2
OS: Windows Vista Ultimate 64 Bit
Office Suit: Microsoft Office Professional 2007
Keyboard: Logitech G15 Keyboard
Dell Monitor - E228WFP 22" Wide Screen LCD

I honestly don't know what half that stuff is, but he's happy so I'm happy....the good news is the Microsoft Office Pro 2007 can be put on up to 3 comps...so free upgrade for Klancy, YAY!!!

        

So Michael and I have finally begun the process of trying to find a home.  We've talked to the mortgage people and we've gotten the green light!  YAY!!  So according to our realtor the hard part is over and the rest is supposed to be fun! I don't know if that's gonna hold true, but we'll see.  I'm really proud of Michael and myself...neither one of us were exactly financial stars when we entered this relationship but over the past two years we've managed to pay off all of our "revolving credit" and repair Michael's dented credit.  Of course none of that would have been possible if it weren't for my parents and Michael's dad helping us when we needed it.  With Michael being out of work for over a year their help was what got us thru!  Thanks Mom and Dad, Thanks Mike!

Michael and I have already started looking for a house on the internet (I've been secretly looking for over a year....dreaming!) and we've only found one we've actually wanted to see in person.  So knowing us it might turn into a long hunt! But there are several new subdivisions going up in the area in our price range, so we're going to talk to the realtor about getting a peek at some of the plans and maybe even getting to tour some of the model homes.  Wish us luck everyone!

P.S. Michael has his new "toy" almost put together so I'll be posting pics soon of the new addition to our house!  (boys and their toys!!)

        

Two sleep studies and two appointments with my pulmonologists later, I have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome.  Not Fun!!

I have been getting better sleep now that I'm being treated though.

The "b**ch" level has definitely decreased and now I'm a little easier to live with .

Michael ordered his computer parts this weekend, he's building himself a new system and is really excited about it.  I've been promised my diamond by Christmas...we'll see if that happens.

My Brother and SIL are having a boy! YAY...boys are definitely in abundance in the Crowell clan.

I'm looking forward to starting a baby blanket for baby boy Crowell in the near future.

I'm also looking forward to seeing my nephews soon, hopefully within the next couple of weeks when I go back up to Decatur.

Monica almost has me talked into attending our 10 year high school reunion......I'm still on the fence.  I guess part of me still wants to deny that it's been that long! (And that I'm that old)

Looks like my Tennessee sales tax audit will be resolved in the next month or so...........good bye permanent headache!!!!  I'm hoping it will be awhile before another state comes in because I need some time to recover.

I've been looking at headboards for our bed...finally.......and I just can't decide what I want.  I like the cushy leather ones you just mount to the wall, but I'm not sure how long they hold up.  I also like the wood ones, but not sure if I want a wood one that attaches to our current bed frame, or a platform one (I'm really not sure if I even want a footboard either).  I do think I've ruled out the decorative metal ones, cause I want something that I can lean comfortably against.  Any suggestions?  I'm trying to contain myself but I'm afraid this will lead to a bedroom suite purchase.

Bonus:

Birmingham hosting the 2020 Summer Olympics...........Really?!?!?

        

Chicken Stroganoff

I cooked this one the other night and it wasn't too bad.  The chicken did end up a little bit dry cause I left it to cook 8hrs+.  So from now on we're preparing this dish on the weekend when I can finish it up at 5-6 hrs.  It reheated really well too!

I think I'm gonna try this one soon.

The Lady's Chessy Mac

        

I know I've been horrible at posting lately....Sorry!

Not too much has been going on in the Alford house lately....

Michael got a package of photos from his dad's cousin the other day.  She went thru her pictures and pulled out several photos of his dad and his grandparents for Michael.  Michael never really knew his grandparents on his dad's side so it was really neat to see the old black and whites.  Michael and I sat down and went thru them the night he got them, we were lucky enough that Joan (Michael's cousin) identified the people in the photos.  I used to think that Michael looked just like his daddy, but now seeing the pictures of his dad as a baby and Michael as a baby next to each other I can tell that he's got plenty of the Valentine traits too.

I've been run down lately...just so tired all the time.  I would say this is the primary reason that I haven't been posting nearly enough.  I'm working with my doctors to resolve the issues and we'll see how it goes.  Hopefully my sleep will be regulated soon.  Because of being sleepy so much, my attitude has been in the dumps!  I go to work and then I come home and I don't want to deal with anything.  Thank God for Michael, he's put up with me even though I've been a meanie.

Michael and I made the decision to make a bigger effort on the home front.  We were both letting chores slide and we had started getting back into the fast food rut, so now we're grocery shopping together, meal planning together and cleaning together, Michael still does all the cooking (I've managed to ruin all my attempts so far ).  We're trying to hold each other to our new standards...some nights it is hard to make yourself do it all but it's worth it.  That way on the weekends we can spend time with friends, family or just the two of us and don't feel like we have to do so much.

My parents' house is coming along so fast!!  I'm so excited for Mom & Dad and can't wait to go inside it the next time I'm up there.  They're moving closer to my older sis and her family, so my nephews are SOOO excited about grandma and grandpa living around the corner.  I hope that Michael and I are successful enough to have something as nice as their house one day.  That reminds me...momma, I'll try to find a picture of the old Castleman house for you.  Preferably one with the azaleas to make Daddy happy!

        

Sorry it's been a while since my last post.  I'm dealing with a lot on my plate between work and my personal life, so my post might not be too regular for a little while.  Prayers for my sanity during this time are greatly appreciated!

1.  The Crowell family is expecting another little addition!  My brother and SIL are expecting a little one.  I think she's about 14 weeks along.  Can't wait to find out what she's having.

2.  Trae is growing like a weed and starting to get a definite personality.  I love going to Decatur to visit cause I get to see a whole new baby every visit.  He's still probably the sweetest/happiest Crowell baby yet.

3.  Justin and Zachary got IPods last week and when I went up there for Father's Day/Kelley's birthday I was shocked at Zachary's shuffle...it's sooo tiny!  Justin's Nano was so thin.  They have definitely surpassed their Aunt Klancy and Aunt Kari in their tech savyness.

4.  I got a raise at work last month!!  YAY!!!  It was nothing to sneeze at that's for sure.  Michael is still loving his job, so we're starting to fall into our routines.  It's nice.

5.  I have today off from work...double YAY!!!  So I slept late this morning and then I'm going to spend this afternoon cleaning.   But at least I'm not at work!!

Have a great weekend all!

        

Happy 10th Birthday Justin!!!

Your Aunt Klancy loves you very much and is more than happy to share her birthday with such a great kid!!