Why Be Normal, When You Can Be Paranormal!

10:40:42 PM EST
Feeling Hopeful

Hi everyone!  Just thought I'd take a moment and share some information with you as we begin this holiday season.  My husband works for Target stores and they have built a wonderful property here in Memphis for the families of patients at St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.  This hospital specializes in treating catastrophic childhood diseases, cancers in particular.  They provide this service to children from around the world free of charge.  Target House provides a place for the families of out of town patients to stay free of charge.  We recently had the opportunity to go there, visit, and help out with the monthly birthday celebration. (Patients who are not currently in-patient but are receiving regular treatments stay at Target House as well as the parents of patients in the hospital.)  I was so afraid that I would be sad and cry but those kids won't let you be sad for a second.  They are in the fight of their lives but there were smiles all around.  They talked about their illness and treatment like we would talk about going to work, just another part of our daily life.  They speak in terms of when they get better, not if. 

St. Jude also holds a special place in my heart.  They saved the life of my lifelong best friend, Angie.  I met her in first grade when we both had to stay in from recess.  I had a cold and it was winter and her immune system was weak from her chemotherapy.  She was diagnosed with leukemia in first grade and had to repeat the year because of her hospitalization.  That put us in the same grade and we went all through school together after that until college.  She still goes to St. Jude every year for a free check-up.  All of her medical expenses were covered and her family was fortunate enough to live in the area because there was no Target House for the families back then.

Listed below are some charities' web sites.  I hope you will visit the sites and consider helping out this holiday season.  These are charities of which I have first-hand knowledge and personally support.  One short special mention about the Salvation Army. . .  Immediately following the evacuation of New Orleans for Hurricane Katrina, a large number of evacuees came to our area.  Several RV's went to an RV park at a local casino.  Once the storm hit, their bank cards were pretty much useless until systems were restored and their cash had run out.  Their children were walking around the parking lot complaining of hunger, yet the casino would not even lift a finger to help them (left-overs from the employee dining room or anything).  In fact, they continued to charge the RV park rental fee to these people who had also run out of gas to move away from the park.  The only people I could get to help them was the Salvation Army.  One call to a local representative and a personal visit was paid by a team of their volunteers and the evacuees were relocated by the next afternoon. 

God Bless You and Your Loved Ones!

Amanda

Angie as my matron of honor in June.

http://www.stjude.org

 

http://target.com/target_group/community_giving/target_house.jhtml

 

http://www.youthvillages.org

 

http://www.nmss.org

 

http://www.pedaids.org

 

http://www.worldwildlife.org

 

http://www.komen.org

 

http://www.salvationarmyusa.org

 

http://www.memphisfoodbank.org

 

http://www.toysfortots.org

 

http://www.heavenlyhats.com

 

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10:08:33 PM EST

Wow, sorry it's been so long since I posted last.  Things have been really busy around this old haunted house.  Unfortunately, most of the action has been very normal rather than paranormal.This past weekend I went to visit my father and stepmother for her birthday.  I got the opportunity to download the pictures she took at my wedding from her camera onto my computer and I was very surprised at the results.  Some pretty nice orbs turned up in some of the photos.  There are alot of dust orbs, too, in some shots but this particular picture intrigued me.  It should be noted that the mansion where we got married is haunted (a fact my mother managed to drag out of the care taker the day we first went to tour the house to see if we were interested, which we knew immediately that's where I was getting married!).  I have a feeling that this picture is something more than dust.  It should also be noted that there were no sequins, pearls, or beading of any kind on my veil.  This is a picture of me and my stepmother (in pink) and my wedding co-ordinator (friend and co-worker from my last school).  Just my humble opinion but for my emotional peace of mind, I consider it could be one of my stepmother's parents (possibly her mother who was the most recently deceased of the two and knew me best as her father passed away only a couple of years after I met him plus it was in the ladies dressing area, lol).  Just thought I'd share it.  It is a picture I will treasure forever, no matter what.  Hope you have a great weekend.

Amanda

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9:58:10 PM EST

Hi everyone!  I hope you've had or are having a happy and festive Halloween.  It's been pretty uneventful here.  I had my fun at school with the kids and came home to relax.  I thought I would show a picture my mother took of me a while back in an old cemetery.  We were standing on the main walkway when I saw an apparition of a woman in black walk into a headstone and disappear.  My mother, sister-in-law, and I walked to the marker to investigate and found the headstone (can barely be seen in front of my leg on the right) indeed belonged to a woman.  Pretty cool picture considering the circumstances! 

Enjoy your evening.                     Amanda

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9:58:14 AM EST

Hey all!  I figured it was time to wrap up my Halloween funnies for the year.  I found this one online and thought I'd share it.  Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!  Have a wonderful day.       Amanda

Top Ten Reasons Why Trick-or-Treating is Better Than Sex

10. You are guaranteed to get at least a little something in the sack.

9. If you get tired, wait ten minutes and go back at it again.

8. The stranger you look, the easier it is to get some.

7. You don't have to compliment the person who gave it to you.

6. Person you are with doesn't fantasize you're someone else, you already are.

5. If you get a stomach ache, it won't last nine months.

4. If you wear leather and chains, no one thinks you're kinky.

3. Doesn't matter if kids hear you moaning and groaning.

2. Less guilt the next morning from over-indulging.

1. If you don't get what you want at one place, you can always go next door to get more!

 

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6:08:35 PM EDT

Hey Everyone!

Finally got the husband to email me the pictures he downloaded on his computer of me reading Peter Rabbit at the old TB camp for children.  I watched "Ghost Whisperer"  last Friday featuring the story of 3 orphan boys whose spirits were haunting the building that used to be their boys' home.  They were lonely and begged the medium (played by Jennifer Love Hewitt) to read their favorite book to them.  It made me start to think.  The children who were sent to the TB camp were not sick, rather, someone in their family had contracted TB and the children were considered "at risk", mainly because they were from poverty stricken families.  I thought that, perhaps since the children were away from their parents and had only nurses and doctors as parental figures (by all accounts I've read these medical professionals cared for the children quite well and engaged them in various activities throughout the day), they might like to have someone take the time to read to them, as their mother might have done.  I took my book with me and sat on the back walkway behind what used to be the large house.  I began reading after assuring any present spirits that I didn't wish to harm them, only read them a story.  After I had been reading for a few minutes, my husband asked if I was ok since I was sitting down (something I've never previously done at this location).  I informed him that I was reading the book so he stood where he was and started taking pictures.  His reaction was immediate, "Baby, they're all around you."  It was so exciting and encouraging to me!  The interesting part was that the left-hand page of the book had a picture, while the right-hand page contained the text.  At one point, I "felt" what seemed to be a child (or at least someone of short stature) leaning forward and peeking over my shoulder, as if to see the pictures.   All in all, it was a good experience and I promised them I'd read a different book next trip.  Hope you enjoy the pics!  Have a good one,  Amanda

 

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6:17:35 PM EDT

Hey all!  I'm still waiting for my loving husband to email me the pictures of me reading at the TB camp so while we all wait, I thought I'd toss out a few corny Halloween jokes I came across on the internet.  I'm also including a really neat recipe that I found on another AOL journal.  Enjoy!

What do you get when you bite a ghost?
A mouth full of sheet

When do ghosts usually appear?
Just before someone screams.

What's a haunted chicken?
A poultry-geist

What do you call a ghost in a torn sheet?
A holy terror.

Where do baby ghosts go during the day?
Dayscare centers

Why did the ghost cross the road?
To get to "THE OTHER SIDE"

What do you call a ghost with a broken leg?
Hoblin Goblin.

What happened to the guy who couldn't keep up payments to his exorcist?
He was repossessed.

10 Things That Sound Dirty On Halloween, But Aren't...

1. So...What'd you get in the sack?

2. Once you get under the sheet, start moaning and groaning!!!

3. Just hop on that broomstick and ride it!

4. Those small suckers are gone in a few licks!

5. I got the best piece from that house.

6. Quit screwing around on the porch!!!

7. Stick your hand in and guess what you're feeling....

8. It was so filled and heavy, I had to use TWO hands!!

9. They'll suck you dry if they get their teeth in you.

10. I bobbed and bobbed, but couldnt get my mouth around it!!!!

 

Kitty Litter Cake
Serving Size: 24
Notes:
     This is a fun cake! It might look gross, but it does taste good!

Ingredients:
1 (18 oz.) box spice or german chocolate cake mix
1 (18 oz.) box white cake mix
1 pkg. white sandwich cookies
1 large box vanilla instant pudding mix
12 small tootsie rolls
1 litter box (preferably a NEW one!)
1 plastic scoop
green food coloring

Preparation:
     Prepare cake mixes and bake according to directions (any size pans). Prepare pudding mix and chill until ready to assemble. Crumble white sandwich cookies in small batches in blender, they tend to stick, so scrape often. Set aside all but about 1/4 cup. To the 1/4 cup cookie crumbs, add a few drops green food coloring and mix using a fork or shake in a jar.
     When cakes are cooled to room temperature, crumble into a large bowl. Toss with half the remaining whitecookie crumbs and the chilled pudding. You probably won't need all of the pudding, mix with the cake and "feel" it, you don't want it soggy, just moist; gently combine. Put mixture into clean litter box.

     Put three unwrapped Tootsie rolls in a microwave safe dish and heat until soft and pliable. Shape ends so they are no longer blunt, curving slightly. Repeat with 3 more Tootsie rolls and bury in mixture. Sprinkle the other half of cookie crumbs over top. Scatter the green cookie crumbs lightly over the top, this is supposed to look like the chlorophyll in kitty litter. Heat remaining Tootsie Rolls, three at a time in the microwave until almost melted. Scrape them on top of the cake and sprinkle with cookie crumbs. Place the box on a newspaper and sprinkle a few of the cookie crumbs around. Serve with a new pooper scooper.

 

 

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2:58:37 PM EDT
Feeling Happy

Once again, we went to the old TB farm location last night.  After last week's success with the auditory, temperature, and face photograph experiences, we just had to go back.  I must admit, last night felt different.  No full moon like last week so it was much darker.  My sister-in-law went with us this time instead of my mom.  My sister-in-law and I were commenting how we weren't getting any sensations and very few positive pictures.  We seemed to think they just weren't responding.  I then took a picture toward the swing set where my husband was recording EVP's.  The following picture was the result.  As if to prove me wrong, orbs filled up my picture with this beauiful pink one dominating, as if to say "Oh yes, we are here!" 

The following are other strong orb pictures that I picked up subsequent to the above picture.  One interesting thing that I tried last night was to actually sit down and read a story to the "children".  It worked quite well.  As soon as my husband transfers the pics he took of me, I am going to post another entry showing me reading to my "audience".  It was by far the coolest thing I've ever experienced.  Needless to say, I'll be taking story books from now on and reading.  I'll explain fully with the next entry.

Have a good weekend, everyone!

Manda

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10:06:29 PM EDT
Feeling Loopy

Here we go with more Halloween funnies to make us smile for the weekend.

Halloween's Book of Rules

When it appears that you have killed the monster, *never* check to see if it's really dead.

If you find that your house is built upon or near a cemetery, was once a church that was used for black masses, had previous inhabitants who went  mad or committed suicide or died in some horrible fashion, or had inhabitants who performed satanic practices in your house move away immediately.

Never read a book of demon summoning aloud, even as a joke.

Do not search the basement, especially if the power has just gone out.

If your children speak to you in Latin or any other language which they should not know, or if they speak to you using a voice which is other than their own, shoot them immediately. It will save you a lot of grief in the long run.  NOTE: It will probably take several rounds to kill them, so be prepared.

When you have the benefit of numbers, *never* pair off and go it alone.

As a general rule, don't solve puzzles that open portals to Hell.

Never stand in, on, above, below, beside, or anywhere near a grave, tomb, crypt, mausoleum, or other house of the dead.

If you're searching for something which caused a noise and find out that it's just the cat, *leave the room immediately if you value your life.

If appliances start operating by themselves, move out.

Do not take *anything* from the dead.

If you find a town which looks deserted, it's probably for a reason. Take the hint and stay away.

Don't fool with recombinant DNA technology unless you're sure you know what you are doing.

If you're running from the monster, expect to trip or fall down at least twice, more if you are of the female persuasion. Also note that,  despite  the fact that you are running and the monster is merely  shambling along, it's still moving fast enough to catch up with you.

If your companions suddenly begin to exhibit uncharacteristic behavior such  as hissing, fascination for blood, glowing eyes, increasing hairiness, and so on, get away from them as fast as possible.

Stay away from certain geographical locations, some of which are listed here:  Amityville, Elm Street, Transylvania, Nilbog (you're in trouble if you recognize this one), the Bermuda Triangle, or any small town in Maine.
 
If your car runs out of gas at night, do not go to the nearby deserted-looking house to phone for help.

Beware of strangers bearing tools such as chainsaws, staple guns, hedge trimmers, electric carving knives, combines, lawnmowers, butane torches, soldering irons, band saws, or any device made from deceased companions.

Have a good evening ya'll!

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1:32:36 PM EDT

Hey all!

This is another pic from our investigation Saturday night at the TB camp.  My mom took the picture but she asked me to post it on my journal.  The first picture is the original, a shot of the swing set and my husband near them (he is the white blur you see at the right).  This picture was brightened using the "enhance" feature on Kodak Easyshare software that came with our cameras.  The second picture is cropped and enlarged to 200% where you can make out a face behind the leg of the swing set.  The third picture is a crop of only the face and is enlarged 400%.  Two things strike me about this face, one is that it is way out of proportion with other things in the picture, my husband for instance.  The other thing that really makes me squirm is the face resembles one of those dreaded Teletubbies without the colorful head piece.  Thought it was weird and I'd put it out there for you all.  Have a good one!

Manda

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9:24:56 PM EDT
Feeling Happy

Hey All!

Last night the husband, mother, and I went to one of our favorite locations, an old TB home for children who were considered at risk.  I have never been all that "in tune" there.  In fact, I've often found myself waiting at the car for my husband to finish his recordings.  Last night was quite different.  I can only describe it as awesome.  Upon our arrival, we noticed new additions to the playground equipment.  I tend to think this may have led to a "stirring up" of activity.  Last night I found myself talking to no one.  Telling unseen children not to be afraid of us that we meant no harm.  Then I actually heard a child!  Me with my own simplistic intuitiveness actually heard what sounded like a toddler girl say "Momma, Momma, Momma" and cry as you often hear toddlers do when their mom has just left them at the babysitter's.  At this point, I again assured those unseen that they need not be afraid.  A cold spot then surrounded me.  After a few moments, I walked off and noticed it was behind me (my back was absolutely freezing).  I then told "it" to not be afraid and to come and walk with me.  Then I experimented and walked several feet away, sure enough quickly the cold came too.  I did this a total of 5 times and each time the cold followed behind me.  I could turn and my front would be cold.  Both my mother and husband witnessed this event, feeling both cold on their own at various time and touching the skin of my arm in the cold spot and feeling how frozen it seemed.  I also captured some interesting photos.  Below is a pic of my husband (you can only see his head in the lower left corner, I cropped it that way because he wants me to not use his pic online) and you will see some strange reddish-orange stream of light or energy coming from his head.  He gets very good EVP's here, with his name often being called on the recordings.  There is also a bright white orb present and an orangish color orb.  There were no lights visible from this angle.  There were only woods behind Chris in the photo.  I found it quite interesting.

 

 

Below you will see a greenish orb that appeared just behind Chris after he stepped into a cold spot.  Again, he has been cropped out of the picture, per his request.

Hope you all had a great weekend.  More pics to come soon and more Halloween funnies too!

Amanda

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