Monday, December 29, 2014

Christmas 2014

Well, Christmas is over for another year. It was a pretty good year...almost perfect. The only thing missing was my parents.

I would do anything to have them back.


The twins, Jacob & Hannah, had an extremely good Christmas. Santa was very good to them (they still believe)!


All in all, 2014 was good to us.

Dan, Jacob, Hannah and myself wish to you and yours, a Happy New Year! May 2015 bring you great health!

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

2013 Getting To Know You

1. What time did you get up this morning? 6:30am
2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 2
4. Favorite TV show? House
5. What do you usually have for breakfast? Peanut Butter Toast
6. What kind of soap do you use? Zest
7. What is your middle name? Lynn
8. What food do you dislike? Peas, lima beans, green peppers
9. What is your favorite CD? That's a tough one...I really like music
10. What kind of car do you drive? Cavalier
11. What characteristics do you despise about people? Liars, backstabbers, mean people
12. Favorite item of clothing? Feeted PJ's
13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Seattle
Where is 14???
15. Where would you retire to? Out west somewhere
16. Who do you least expect to send this back? Everyone
17. Person you expect to send it back first? No one
18. When is your birthday? August 12
19. What is your favorite scent? Apple Cinnamon
20. Are you a morning or night person? Night
21. What is your shoe size? 11
22. Pets? Boots (Black Lab), Brownie (Coon Hound), and Princess (Chihuahua)
23. Any new and exciting news you would like to share? Shoulder surgery #2 is on October 25th
24. What did you want to be when you were little? Math Teacher
25. How are you today? Doing ok...just tired and in pain from shoulder
26. What is your favorite candy? Reese Cups
27. What is your favorite flower? Roses
28. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? October 25th -- getting this surgery done
29. What church do you attend? Grace Chapel Fellowship
30. Favorite sandwich? Fluffernutter with banana
31. What are you listening to right now? Joann collecting papers in the switchboard
32. What is the last thing you ate? Beef stir fry
33. Do you wish on stars? No
34. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Purple
35. How is the weather right now? Rainy
36. Last person you spoke to on the phone? OGH Nursery
37. Do you like the person who sent this to you? No one sent it to me…it was on a blog I read.
38. Favorite soft drink? Wild Cherry Diet Pepsi
39. Favorite restaurant? Red Lobster
40. Hair color? Burgandy
41. Siblings? None
42. Favorite time of the year? Fall
43. What was your favorite toy as a child? Rainbow Brite doll
44. Summer or winter? Summer
45. Hugs or kisses? Hugs
46. Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate
47. Do you want your friends to email you back? Sure I guess so
48. When was the last time you cried? Last night
Where's 49, 50 and 51???
52. What is under your bed? The floor
53. Who is the friend you have had the longest? Jason
54. What did you do last night? Worked and then went home...story of my life
55. Favorite room in your house? Living room
56. What are you afraid of? Not being around for my kids
57. Plain, buttered, or salted Popcorn? Butter and salt
58. How many keys on your key ring? 2...car & house
Where's 59?
60. Favorite day of the week? Weekends...it's the only time I get to see my kids
61. How many towns have you lived in? Wayyyyyyyy too many
Where's 62?
63. How many people will you be sending this to? Posting it on my blog
64. Do you like your job? Love it!

Leave your answers in my comment section!

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Wow! Where Has The Time Gone!!!

I cannot believe how long it has been since I have updated on here and for that I apologize.  The past couple years have been pretty hectic.

Jacob & Hannah have just finished 2nd grade and are enjoying their summer vacation.  They are anxiously awaiting the opening of our swimming pool as the days have been HOT HOT HOT!!!  They are both also very active in sports.  They just finished an undefeated season of Minor Little League and will start Pee Wee Football next month.  They were undefeated last year in football, too.  It seems that children that they are growing up with are very atheletic.  When they get up in high school, if their undefeated seasons continue, the other school teams better look out!

Dan is still at Tri-County Tire.  He will be there 6 years on August 27th.  He really enjoys working there and he is constantly learning something new.  He also gets to spend time with his buddy, Chris, at work, and he says that's an added bonus.

I am now working at Olean General Hospital.  I started July 16, 2012 on 3B, but after an injury to my shoulder in October, I then transferred to the Human Resources Department in November.  I loved that.  What an awesome experience it was to learn about the "behind the scenes" of the workings of a hospital.   I helped re-write all new job descriptions for every position in the hospital, as well as update all the Work Performace Evaluations.  I stayed in Human Resources until April 10, 2013.  I had my surgery on my shoulder April 11, 2013.  After a couple months of recovery and physical therapy, I was able to return to work June 10, 2013.  I was unable to return to 3B, due to my injury, so the hospital was gracious enough to offer me a position in another department.  I am now a Registration Clerk and I am loving every minute of it.

So, as you can see, things are going quite well for the Knapp clan.  I will try my hardest to keep this more updated than I have been.

Until next time.....

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Major Update

Has it really been over a year since I have updated this blog? That is completely unacceptable and I do apologize for that. I do have a reason for the delay, though. The Knapp family has been very busy getting things ready to accept a foster child into our home. On July 9, our foster daughter, *J*, moved in. It has been quite a learning experience...for all involved. The transition is going quite well and everyone is getting settled into the routine.

As for myself, I am staying at home full time now and loving every minute of it. I get to spend a lot of time with the kids and we are all growing closer every day. I also just started school again. This time, I'm going for Medical Office Assistant. Seeing a trend here?

Dan is still working at Tri-County Tire. On the 27th, he will have been there for 3 years. That's good for him. He is learning a lot though and he's using that new-found knowledge here at home when he is working on his classic cars. He has accumulated quite a few of those now. He has a 1966 Chevelle, two 1977 Monte Carlos (his & hers), and a few more that you can see on his blog (http://scrappyknapp.blogspot.com) if you are interested.

Jacob & Hannah will be starting kindergarten this year, which is unbelieveable!!! Where has the time gone? My babies are growing up so quickly.

*J* will be a senior this year, so I have kids ending school and kids beginning school. Just odd!

Well, hopefully I will be able to keep up with this blog again now that things are starting to settle down. You can also catch up with me on Facebook.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Happy Easter

I hope that each and every one of you are enjoying your holiday today...Easter! I know that I have thoroughly enjoyed spending today with my family and friends.

Until next time....

Friday, April 10, 2009

Have You Missed Me?

Oh my goodness! It has been such a LONG time since I've updated this blog. Well, quite a bit has happened since last August. We got approved to buy the house and have moved from Port Allegany to Smethport. I now have so much more room to work with and don't feel all cramped into a little space. But, of course, with this much bigger house, comes a whole lot more cleaning!!! Dan is enjoying having his 2 car garage. I hardly see him when he's home. He's always out working on something. Jacob & Hannah are enjoying the huge yard that we have. When it's raining/snowing outside, they also enjoy having the entire upstairs to romp around. And with the weather starting to perk up, we can take advantage of the pool!

As for Jacob & Hannah, they are doing very well. They are going to Head Start on the mornings of Monday through Thursday, as well as going to IU 9 Preschool on the afternoons of Tuesday through Thursday. They just got pictures taken at Head Start so I will try to get one scanned and posted ASAP!

Hopefully they will be starting Pre-Kindergarten this August. I am still waiting to hear from the elementary school if they have been accepted into the class. They are both exited at the possibility of riding on "the big yellow bus". I guess that makes them feel like big kids! They are both loving school and I hope that sticks with them!

As for Dan, he's still working at the car wash/tire shop in Smethport. With the weather starting to get nice again, business is starting to pick up, which he is relieved to hear. The winter is a pretty bad time for a car wash!

I got laid off from my job at Elexco Land Services due to this fabulous economy. With all the clients pulling out and not doing any more oil drilling and what not, they had no choice but to let some of us go. They just didn't have the work load to keep us all on the payroll. So for the time being, I'm back to looking for a job. Wish me luck there!

One other point of bad news that I received recently was that my best friend, Jason, just found out that he has a form of cancer. He is traveling back and forth to Rochester for chemo/radiation treatments. The doctors up there are treating it very agressively and have given him a 70% rate of complete success, 20% that it may come back some day, and 10% that they can't do anything no matter what they do. So if you all could PLEASE say a prayer for him, I would greatly appreciate it!

Until next time...

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

August 5, 1980

I can't believe how much time has gone by...

August 5, 1980 was the last day that I saw my birth mother. It has been 28 years. Absolutely unbelievable. I don't remember much about her. I only know stories that I have been told. The story that I was told of this day in particular was that my father came home to find a note on the kitchen table stating that my mother took me to the babysitter's so that she could go grocery shopping. My father came and picked me up and we went home and waited & waited & waited. She never did come back.

I often wonder how different my life would be had she been a part of my life. I was raised by a single father so I obviously was quite tomboyish. My father married in 1993 to a woman named Linda. We had a joke between us. She called me "Mandyrella" and she was the "wicked stepmother". Unfortunately, she passed away April 14, 2002. I miss her terribly. She was the only mother I have ever known.

If only I could turn back the hands of time.....

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Just Think Positive...

Well, I haven't posted in a while, so I've got a bit of an update to share. On June 30th, I started my new job at Elexco Land Services. So far, I love it and my supervisor said that I'm catching on very quickly and doing an excellent job. I've been inputting natural gas, petroleum and oil leases into their computer system, which seems to be pretty easy. She is going to start me on something new Monday morning, so we'll see what next week brings. I hope that this will help us to be able to move our family in a more positive direction.

I hope that everyone enjoyed their 4th of July and were able to come together as one to help celebrate our nation's independence. I, on the other hand, was in extreme pain and masked it pretty well for my children's sake so that they could see the fireworks down in Olean. But by the time that I woke up on the 5th, I could mask the pain no longer. I couldn't even take a step without tears coming to my eyes. So, we made the journey over to Bradford ER and things just got worse from there. The receptionist in the ER had me registered as Melissa Knepp instead of Mandy Knapp. She had my birthdate as 8/16/79 instead of my actual birthdate. When someone actually realized the mistake, that account had to be deleted and I had to start all over from square one. Meanwhile, the pain is becoming excruciating and I'm becoming very irritated. After another extended waiting period, I am finally registered correctly and back in a room in the ER. The nurse comes in and gives me my gown and leaves. After I undressed and put the gown on, she returned. She asked to take a look at my "problem area". When she did, her face went white, she said "Ouch!", left the room and returned with a whole table full of supplies. My eyes widened when I saw the stack of needles, but I became a bit relieved when she showed me the bottle of Lidocaine that she said the physician intended to use. She got everything ready and then I just had to wait for the physician to come in and check things out. I was put flat on my back so I obviously couldn't see anything, but from the look on Dan's face while he was watching (he was explaining something about a scalpel and some tweezer-looking instruments), as well as all the bloody gauzes that the doctor threw away, I guess things got pretty messy. The physician also withdrew a vial of fluid that he was sending to the lab as precautionary measures to make sure it wasn't something more serious than he had diagnosed me with. So hopefully, no news is good news. After a quick patch job and some discharge instructions, I was on my way home. Immediately, I could tell there was some relief when it was no longer painful to take a step. I was also finally able to get a good night's sleep last night. This morning, I awoke refreshed and ready to take on the day.

God Bless America!

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Job World...Here I Come


Well, I got the job at Elexco that I interviewed for on Friday. I start on Monday, June 30th @ 8:30am. I'm very excited and nervous all at the same time. I'm more excited though because this extra income will mean that much more towards us getting the new house. I will keep you updated on that aspect. Wish me luck!!!

Also, for all of you that are familiar with the Olean area program of "Woodland in the City", my new employer, Elexco has their own squirrel.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

My Hopes are on the Rise

This is probably going to be a pretty short post because I'm too excited to talk/type right now. I just got off the phone and I have a job interview tomorrow at 2 p.m. down in Olean. It's not doing the Phlebotomy or anything of that nature, which I would have liked, but at least for now, it's definitely something. My family needs everything they can get right now. This job would be for a company called Elexco. It's a gas and oil company and I'd be doing the data entry for the company.

On a brighter note, I hope that this new job works out and that we can buy the house that we have been looking at. Where we are now is just getting too small for all of us as the twins are getting bigger.

Here are a few pics:

The house
The kitchen

Living room/Stairs

Other half of living room/Stairs

One of the bedrooms (It has 4)

Dan's Pride & Joy -- The Garage

Carport/Pool

This is a craft shop that the old woman that had the house had. I'm not sure what to do with it but Dan said that he's going to make a "Trophy Room" of sorts out of it. Display his Avon collection, my Tony Stewart collection, and any racing trophies that he has now and will get in the future. Plus whatever the kids get in the future.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

My Husband's Blog

I just wanted everyone to know that Dan has made a blog that has all his cars -- classic & current -- for sale.

Check it out!!!

Well, here I go again...

I told myself after I was done with Phlebotomy school (May 21, 2008) and with getting my Associate's in Educational Paraprofessional (June 24, 2008) that I was done with school. Period! But, I just can't help myself. At this very moment, I have a fax going to admissions to continue on with my educational journey. I am now going on to attain my Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting. I thought this would be a good step since I've just completed my Phlebotomy training and these two fields pretty much go hand in hand. I've also got my EMT certification and I'm a CNA.



Let me explain a bit about what a Medical Assistant (MA) might do. A MA is a health care professional that performs the administrative and clinical duties that keep the physician's offices or any other health practitioners office running smoothly. MA duties vary from office to office, depending on the location and size of the practice, and the practitioner’s specialty. In small practices, MA's are usually generalists handling both administrative and clinical duties, and reporting directly to an office manager, physician, or other health practitioner. Those in large practices tend to specialize in a particular area, under the supervision of department administrators.

As MA's are not licensed professionals they are always required by law to work under the direct supervision of a licensed health care provider such as a physician, registered nurse, nurse practitioner or physician assistant whenever they provide direct (hands-on) patient care procedures. Some states require that MA's who draw blood for lab tests are certified, and have passed a practical examination as part of their phlebotomy training. (Got that part out of the way already!) MA's perform many administrative duties, including answering telephones, greeting patients, updating and filing patients’ medical records, filling out insurance forms, handling correspondence, scheduling appointments, arranging for hospital admission and laboratory services, and handling billing and bookkeeping.

Clinical duties vary according to state law and include taking medical histories and recording vital signs, explaining treatment procedures to patients, preparing patients for examination, and assisting the physician during the examination. MA's collect and prepare laboratory specimens or perform basic laboratory tests on the premises, dispose of contaminated supplies, and sterilize medical instruments. They instruct patients about medications and special diets, prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician, authorize drug refills as directed, telephone prescriptions to a pharmacy, draw blood, prepare patients for X-rays, take electrocardiograms, remove sutures, and change dressings. Last but not least they serve as direct link and communicator between patient, physician, and other health care professionals whenever there is a need.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Happy Birthday, Jackie!!!

I'd like to wish my friend, Jackie, a happy birthday today. I hope that you are enjoying Maine and I hope to see you sometime soon. I hope that you enjoy your day!!!

P.S. I didn't have a picture of you, unless you wanted me to break out our high school yearbooks, so I "borrowed" one from your MySpace. =)

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

It's Official...


It is official. I am now a Phlebotomist. I took my Final Exam last night for the class. I don't know my exact grade that I got on it because there were some essay questions that the Instructor has yet to grade, but I do know that I did well enough to pass the test, and in turn, pass the course. I am so excited!!! Now I just need you all to keep me in your hopes & prayers so that I can find a job...and find it quickly! Lord knows how badly we are struggling.

Friday, May 9, 2008

Happy 55th Birthday, Linda-Mom

Today is my step-mother's 55th birthday. I wish she were here to celebrate it with me, but sadly, she passed away on April 14, 2002. I recall some of our past memories, both good and bad. I was so used to having my father's attention all to myself that I tried so hard to push away any women who tried to interfere in OUR lives. But Linda was different. She stuck by my Dad's side no matter what happened. And I'm so glad she did. She was the only mother I have ever known, as my own mother abandoned me on August 5, 1980 -- a week before I turned 3. The memory I recall the most is her nickname for me -- Mandyrella. I was Cinderella and she was the wicked step-mother. That was our own personal joke from the time she came into my life until the sad day that she departed.

She was so young and had so much life left to live. I guess God needed her in Heaven more than we needed her here on Earth.

Here is a birthday poem just for her:

She was my stepmother,
And she was proud to be,
God had given her this important job,
And it is Him she aimed to please.

She was my stepmother,
A promise to me she had made,
To guide me and protect me,
And to teach me in God's ways.

She was my stepmother,
In some ways different,Some the same,
No matter how she's seen by the outside world,
She always knew her place.

She was my stepmother,
My father's partner for life,
She showed me how to be a mom,
And how to be a wife.

She was my stepmother,
She did struggle, She did cry.
When my innocence was threatened,
She stood, and promised to fight.

For she told me I am the future,
I am precious,I am worthy,
And she tried,To give me everything within her power,
Everything that is right.

She understood if she received no credit,
She was prepared to accept all blame,
All the wonderful joys of having a place in my life,
She said were worth all the tears and pain.

She has taught me the meaning of selfless love,
The value of every second of life.
I am so blessed to see the world,And myself,
Through Linda's eyes.

I love and miss you so much, Linda. I hope that you can rest in eternal peace.

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Definitely Time for an Update

Well, it's been quite some time since I've actually updated this blog, so I figured it was long overdue. The entire Knapp household has been extremely busy. I am still doing my Phlebotomy course. I am done with the classroom part of it and I am in the clinical phase of it. I spent 2 weeks at the Port Health Clinic (Dr. Tronetti's office in the old Port Hospital), and my 3rd week at Charles Cole Memorial Hospital. I will be done with my clinicals this Friday and will spend time studying for my Final Exam, which will be held on May 19th.

I met some great new friends while working at the Port Health Clinic. I'd like to introduce to you Melanie

and MJ

I hope to be able to keep these 2 as life long friends. They made my learning experience such a joy that I almost forgot that I was actually learning something.

I have just started my last term of college at Kaplan. I graduate from there on June 24th with my Associate's of Science degree. I think that once I complete this degree that I am going to continue on to get my Associate's of Science in Medical Assisting.

As for Dan, he's still working over in Smethport at the Tire Shop. He seems to like it, which I knew that he would because he loves to work outdoors.

Jacob & Hannah are still in preschool. They are both doing great and loving school. Jacob is coming closer and closer to being completely potty trained. He's staying dryer for much longer periods of time now. Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best.

Monday, March 31, 2008

Let It Go...

There are people who can walk away from you. When people can walk away from you: let them walk.

Don't try to talk another person into staying with you, loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see you, staying attached to you. When people can walk away from you, let them walk.

Your destiny is never tied to anybody that left. People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are not joined to you, you can't make them stay. Let them go.

And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person it just means that their part in the story is over. And you've got to know when people's part in your story is over so that you don't keep trying to raise the dead. You've got to know when it's dead. You've got to know when it's over.

I believe in good-bye. It's not that I'm hateful, it's that I'm faithful, and I know whatever God means for me to have, He'll give it to me. And if it takes too much sweat I don't need it. Stop begging people to stay. Let them go!

If you are holding on to something that doesn't belong to you and was never intended for your life, then you need to...Let it go!

If you are holding on to past hurts and pains...Let it go!

If someone can't treat you right, love you back, and see your worth...Let it go!

If someone has angered you...Let it go!

If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge...Let it go!

If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction...Let it go!If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or talents...Let it go!

If you have a bad attitude...Let it go!

If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better...Let it go!

If you're stuck in the past and God is trying to take you to a new level in Him...Let it go!

If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship...Let it go!

If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help themselves...Let it go!

If you're feeling depressed and stressed...Let it go!

If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling yourself and God is saying "take your hands off of it," then you need to...Let it go!

Let the past be the past. Forget the former things.Let it go!

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

The Judge

Sadly, we are critiqued,
By the people that we know.
By title or occupation,
And by the possessions that we show.

We judge by skin color,
Or by awards received.
By church denomination,
And by what we believe.

We're judged by what we spend,
Or by what we give.
We're judged by age and gender,
And by where we live.

We're judged by our past,
And by our education,
By the language that we speak,
Or by our nation.

We evaluate cosmetically.
We judge both fat and small.
We judge by one's appearance.
Fact is, we judge it all!

Some judge because they're paid to.
Some judge intentionally.
Some judge to build self worth,
Some unwillingly.

BEWARE, for there is only One,
Who evaluates every stain and smudge.
Good luck amateur critics of humanity,
When you face that Judge!

B.G. Wetherby

Monday, March 24, 2008

Some new Pics of my Kids

On March 12, I took a trip over to Coudersport to my twins' preschool. We celebrated Parent's Day there. They showed me all that they do and all the projects that they have been working on. It was quite a day.

Here is Jacob and me at Parent's Day


Here is Hannah and myself
Stay tuned for more..............

I'm Sorry





I'm sorry that I didn't get the chance to leave an Easter blog on here. I've been so busy studying for this Phlebotomy class that I haven't had much extra time for anything.

We didn't do too much yesterday. We spent most of the morning together. In the afternoon, we all went up to get some pictures of some of the cars that Dan is trying to sell. Then we came home and got all cleaned up. We went to dinner at Mom's at 2 and was there till about 4. We came home and just chilled out for the remainder of the day. I spent the majority of that time, as well as all day today, trying to study for my Phlebotomy exam tomorrow.

Anyone have any good reminders on how to remember the blood flow through the heart, and the various blood vessels & blood cells? Wish me luck...