Casey Anthony Saga: 600+ Documents Released

Documents released today by the State Attorney's Office show Casey Anthony's conversations and text messages on the weeks prior to her arrest and the disappearance of her daughter, Caylee Marie.

The nearly 600 pages of interviews between detectives, family and friends, as well as hundreds of text messages from Anthony's cell phone, show that Anthony spent lots of time discussing relationship woes and planning parties -- with little mention of Caylee Marie -- as well as admitting to a family member that she was an unfit mother.


The file also shows the lies Anthony told friends and family about the smell of decomposition coming from her car and talk of jealousy stemming from her mother's affection toward Caylee.

Smell in the car

* Her friend Amy Huizenga said Cindy Anthony was worried when the tow company contacted her about the car that was hauled away from Amscot. The smell from the trunk was overpowering -- like something had died. The parents initially couldn't get it open because they didn't have the keys. When they did open it, Cindy Anthony feared the worse. " They were terrified it was either Casey or Caylee," Huizenga said. "Because they had not talked to either of them. Because of the smell."


* In late June, Anthony talked to Huizenga about the "horrible smell" in her car and she couldn't figure out the source. She said it smelled like something had died and the odor was coming from the engine. She told her friend that she thought her dad may have hit an animal when he borrowed her car. Days later, she told Huizenga that she found an animal "plastered" to the frame of her car.

* Anthony told her brother Lee Anthony that the smell came from a couple of squirrels that had crawled into the engine and died.

Jealousy between Casey Anthony and her mother, Cindy

* Anthony's friend, Brittany Schieber, told detectives there were jealousy issues between the mother and daughter. "Cindy ... told me that her and Casey were having issues because Casey was having a jealousy issue about the relationship between Caylee and her grandmother and she didn't like it."

Questions about Anthony's car and Caylee's room

* Schieber said Cindy told her about Casey's car being towed from the Amscot. Cindy said Caylee's baby doll was in her car seat and there was a bag of diapers in the back. That was odd because Caylee never leaves without her baby doll, Schieber said.

* Cindy also told Schieber that items were missing from Casey's room, but nothing of Caylee's was gone. "And Caylee's stuff was never moved. No shoes, no pajamas, no clothes, no dolls, no anything."

* Schieber said Cindy also said Casey was stealing from her.

Text messages

*Casey Anthony sent a text message to her friend Amy Huizenga on June 6 that read "proud momma." She sent it after telling Huizenga that Caylee Marie had used the bathroom for the first time.


*As the news of Caylee's disappearance and Casey Anthony's lies became public, her friends' text messages changed from friendly banter to feeling of betrayal. "Dude, don't lie or lose your kid and pretend it didn't happen. I have a lot in common with her too," Huizenga texted a friend. "We were really close for months. She fooled us all. You aren't crazy, she is."

*Anthony sent Huizenga dozens of messages about her relationship troubles, planning parties and nights out at bar, with little mention of Caylee Marie, except for a text message dated June 6, in which she tells her friend "Sorry. Proud momma" after her daughter, Caylee uses the bathroom for the first time.


Detectives interview Casey's most recent boyfriend Anthony Lazzaro.

* After July 5, Anthony stayed at Lazzaro's apartment full-time. On several occasions, in the middle of the night, Anthony would have cold sweats. "And I would ask her uh, why and she said that she would have nightmares... she was having a nightmare or something "

* One night in June, Anthony, Lazzaro and their friends went to a club. Afterward, they all went back to Lazzaro's, but he said Anthony had to leave because her mom wouldn't allow her to stay over.

* Lazzaro once took Anthony to her parents' home so she could pick up a gas can because she ran out of gas.

* Lazzaro picked Anthony up from the Amscot on Goldenrod Road, where she abandoned her vehicle. Anthony told him she ran out of gas and would take care of it later.

* On July 15, when Cindy Anthony and Amy Huizenga came to Lazzaro's apartment to find Casey, Lazzaro said there was a knock at the door and he said "Come in." "And there was Amy just standing there with a miserable face and we were, we were both confused," he said.

Anthony went outside, and about a half-hour later, she and Cindy came to the door, Casey stormed in and looked like she was in tears.

"Uhm, and her mom said, 'Get your things. Let, you're, you're coming with me.' And Casey said, 'No, I'm coming back.'"

Lazzaro said he had never met Casey's mother until that point, and so he said hello. Cindy Anthony responded " 'I hope you're rich because Casey's going to take all your money and leave you high and dry.'"

Investigators question one of Casey's ex-boyfriends Ricardo Morales.

* Morales told detectives about an online message Anthony sent him, possibly in April or May: " Casey was just uh, I guess kind of venting on how she could, she didn't feel that she can participate uhm, fully, or uhm, with her friends because she was a mother."

* Morales said he never met the nanny nor could he remember an occasion where Casey actually spoke to the nanny on the phone. He said Anthony said the nanny was named Zani, and said her actual name was Zenita.

* Morales told detectives about one night when Caylee and Casey were at his house and they all fell asleep in the same bed. When he woke up in the morning, Caylee was gone. "Casey told me that uhm, her mom had called during the night and wanted her to bring Caylee home."

Caylee Vigil Organizer Hospitalized Due to Stress Over Evidence Against Casey

Lois Peters, 12 year old Dakota Skii's grandmother, speaks out regarding the hospitalization of her granddaughter. After hearing that evidence is pointing to Casey Anthony's involvement in the disappearance and/or murder of her child, old Caylee, Dakota suffered a stress-related medical emergency and had to be hospitalized.

Watch the Video: Dakota Skii's Grandmother Speaks Out

Dakota just recently helped organize a vigil for missing Caylee Anthony and has been in contact with the Anthony's, including emails and a hand written note from Casey. Casey also sent Dakota a handmade bracelet that reads, "My Friend, My Sister"

Casey Anthony Saga Updates: Greta VanSusteren OTR 8.12.08

George Anthony's speculation on who has Caylee and that "they are being watched". Suggesting the person or people who have Caylee are being "watched" and investigated by the Anthony family. George continues to say the family knows who has Caylee and that threats have been made by these people against the Anthony family.

Also, Casey is not accepting visits from her family because they are being recorded then obtained by the media who then in turn, airs the videos to the public. This is legal, however, under the Florida Sunshine Act.

Greta VanSusteren courtesy Fox News

Casey Anthony Transcript of Police Interview At Universal Studios 7.16.08

2008 0716 Casey Anthony Police Interview at Universal Studios 1320 Hours

Caylee Anthony Vigil Held By 12 Year Old Girl In St Cloud

12 year old, Dakota Skii, at vigil for Caylee





Twelve Year Old Arranges Vigil For Caylee; Casey Is A No Show

SLIDESHOW: Hundreds show support for Anthony family in St. Cloud


The headlines for weeks have focused on little Caylee Anthony.

This story is about another young girl.

She's only twelve but Dakota Skii is determined to be a factor in finding Caylee.
"I'm hoping to get Caylee home, that's my main goal. If I have to search house to house, I will find her."

Dakota and her parents spearheaded a vigil held Friday evening in St. Cloud. Despite her young age, Dakota has experience that perhaps helps her emphasize with the Anthony's. "

My family is separated, I was given up and I'm not allowed to see my brothers and sisters."

She did see grandparents Cindy and George Anthony and Caylee's Uncle Lee at the event.

"It means alot especially coming from a little girl, it's been great," Lee said.

George Anthony Says Casey Didn't Steal The Gas Cans

George Anthony admitted in a national interview that his daughter Casey was responsible for stealing gas cans from the family’s backyard shed. Channel 9 first reported last week when investigators removed the cans from the family’s home and George Anthony said Casey did not steal them.

George and Cindy Anthony sit down with Greta VanSusteren


In a police report filed by George Anthony on June 24, he said two gas cans were stolen from a shed on the side of their house, but Tuesday night he admitted to Fox News that he found out his had daughter stolen them on the same day.



















above: copy of police report of stolen gas cans reported by George Anthony.





This report states that the gas cans were noticed missing or "stolen" sometime between June 23 at 7pm and June 24 at 10am. Report was made by George at 10:20am on June 24.





The following is the transcript from Greta Van Sustren's in-home interview with George and Cindy: (you can see the entire video, listed in the side bar of the blog)








George Anthony:


...That’s when I saw my daughter. I was getting ready to go to work, and the garage door goes open and my daughter comes in. This is about 2:25, 2:30 in the afternoon on the 24th. As she comes in the house, and I said, Hey, how’re you doing? And she says, Fine, Dad. I says, Well, what’s going on? And she says, Oh, I’m just stopping home for about 10 minutes, get some clothes. I go to go back to work. Where’s Caylee? She’s with Zanny. And I said, OK, when are you guys coming home? She says, Oh, we’ll be back home maybe late tonight or the next day.
I said, OK. Have you been talking to Mom? Oh, yes, I talk to Mom every day. I said, I know, but did you talk to Mom today? She sort of hesitated for a moment and she says, Yes. And she says, Oh, by the way, it’s a shame what happened in the shed. And I said…



CINDY ANTHONY: Yes, because (INAUDIBLE) ( I think Cindy says, 'because she called and told her about it' ..or something to that affect.)



GEORGE ANTHONY: And I said, Really? She says, yes. I said, Interesting. And I just said, Hey, by the way, I said, I’m getting ready to rotate your mom’s tires on her car. There’s a little metal wedge that fits underneath your tires so your car doesn't rock back and forth. And I said, Well, I’d like to have it, so in case you’re not here over the weekend, I’d like to be able to do it.



She was hesitant about letting me get in the car. And I said, Well, listen, I got an extra key. I’ll just go get it. Well, she was adamant about — about that.



VAN SUSTEREN: What, not letting you into the car?



GEORGE ANTHONY: Yes, didn’t want me to get into the car to get the stuff out. Dad, I’ll get it for you. Dad, I’ll get it out. I said, It’s no problem. I know where it’s at. I’ll get it, get it out and be done with it.



So as we’re walking out through the garage, she’s still telling me, Dad, I’ll get it. Give me a minute, I’ll get it. I said, Casey, I’m capable of reaching inside your car, and I got it. So — and she opened up the trunk of the car…



CINDY ANTHONY: The gas cans were there.



GEORGE ANTHONY: (INAUDIBLE) The gas cans there. She’s the one that took the gas cans.

• George reported the gas cans stolen to the police.


• George told Cindy about it .


• Cindy spoke with Casey, and told her about it.


• Casey went by the house -- Casey had began staying with Tony at this time, unbeknown to George and Cindy. They were under the assumption that she was in Tampa for a convention for her "job". Also, just prior to this date, Casey told Cindy that Zenaida had a car accident and had been admitted to Tampa General Hospital.


• Casey brought up the gas cans to George. Casey told George that she needed the gas cans because she had been travelling to and from Tampa General Hospital (to see Zanny) and needed the gas cans for the gas. George thought this ridiculous but brushed it off.


• George needed something out of the trunk of Casey’s car to fix a tire on Cindy’s car


• George found the gas cans in Casey’s trunk. According to released documents, Casey gave George the gas cans, saying "Here's your f'n gas cans." George stated this in his FBI Interview.

The Greta Interview: George and Cindy's First Interview After Casey's Arrest

part 1:

part 2:

part 3:

*****************************
In this clip; Greta asks Cindy about Casey's arrest. Notice all the rambling and cross talk between Cindy and George, almost as if Cindy is guiding or directing George as to what to say.

The Casey Anthony Saga: Time Line of Events

Dec 31: George and Cindy Anthony speak with their attorney, Brad Conway. Reports state that they will fully cooperate with State's Attorney, even in the event of convicting their daughter, Casey. In exchange, the Anthony's are asking for full immunity in the case.

Dec 29: Jose Baez files a motion for a "special master" to oversee any further interviews and questioning of Dominic Casey by LE. Dominic Casey is an ex-employee of Baez and Company and is now the Anthony's private investigator. In mid-November, Jim Hoover video taped the exact area where Caylee's remains were found and it is reported there is no sign of the remains on the video tape. He has then conversed with Dominic Casey and the Anthony's regarding the video tape. Baez filed this motion based on concerns of attorney-client privilege between the law firm and Casey Anthony while Dominic Casey was an employee of Baez and Company.

Dec 28: Caylee's name to be added to "Waterfall of Tears" memorial for abused and murdered children. Roy Kronk may receive reward of $5,000 from former Anthony attorney, Mark NeJame. NeJame resigned as the Anthony's attorney in early December due to conflict between he and Cindy Anthony. Brad Conway replaced NeJame as attorney for the Anthony's. NeJame's resignation followed Larry Garrison's termination as spokesperson, due to "profiting off Caylee", where he billed NBC for photos used during an interview and did not advise the Anthony's of the invoice. NBC paid and Garrison kept the money. Garrison was then replaced by Michelle Bart, former KidFinder's spokesperson. Bart stepped down from her role with KidFinder's after founder, Dennis Milstead, was reported to be involved in and charged with felonious economic crimes.

Dec 26c: Roy Kronk, meter reader who found Caylee's remains, is "shopping" around for interviews. It appears Kronk plans on telling his story to the highest bidder.

Dec 26b: Investigators and detectives working on the Casey Anthony case are once again interested in Google searches from her computer. A release of the searches show someone was 'googling' the TV show, "One Tree Hill" in March '08. The specific episode that was being searched involved a kidnapping where the boy's mother told authorities "The Nanny took him". This appears to be a link to the case that could lead to premeditation.

Dec 26: Reports are that Lee Anthony has obtained attorney, Thomas Luka. It appears Lee is being investigated on a plethora of charges, which include aiding and abetting, obstruction, and misappropriation of funds, to name a few. Luka speaking, as Lee's "advisor", events are pointing to charges being filed against Lee Anthony. Luka stated that Lee volunteered his DNA and fingerprints, during the investigation, but it is widely known and documented that Lee offered them up only after being subpoenaed.

Dec 25: Cindy and George Anthony spend their first Christmas without Caylee. Casey spends her first, of what many hope many, Christmases behind bars. Casey dined on an .82 cent meal of Roast beef, potatoes, and bread. She received gifts of socks and a pocket calendar, courtesy of the jail chaplain.

Dec. 23: Jose Baez files a motion requesting pictures, X-rays and other documentation of the remains of Caylee Anthony when they were originally found and during the autopsy. Judge Stan Strickland rules the documents must be turned over within two weeks. The Caylee Anthony TipLine has now become the Casey Anthony TipLine, asking callers to verify sightings of Casey Anthony between 6/15/08 and 7/15/08.

Dec. 22: George and Cindy Anthony state that there will not be a funeral or memorial until after a second autopsy of the remains by the defense team. Although Casey could have petitioned the court to attend the funeral, she has not done so. Casey's commissary purchases show items of chocolate, playing cards, and body lotion. Brad Conway states that rumors of the Anthony's soliciting of funds to aid with funeral expenses are false.

Dec. 21b: George and Cindy Anthony donate toys left at memorial site for Caylee to needy children for Christmas. Following an disapproval from the general public, the Anthony's agree to leave any toys with notes attached to Caylee to remain at the site. Mourners were also given notice that if they would like to retrieve their memento's to Caylee instead of them being donated, they may do so. Rumors circulate that George and Cindy are soliciting donations for Caylee's funeral.

Dec. 21: Brad Conway, attorney for the Anthony's releases a statement from the Anthony's saying they are taking this time to grieve their loss. They are thankful for the showing of love by the mementos left at the memorial for Caylee. Also, he states the Anthony's plan to donate the toys to the rescue mission for needy children for Christmas gifts. No plans for funeral or memorial service are known as of this date. However, OCSO states that Casey will not be allowed to attend the funeral due to the degree of her charges and for her own safety.

Dec. 19: The Orange-Osceola County Medical Examiner confirms that the remains found near the Anthony home do belong to Caylee Marie Anthony. A third search warrant is executed on the Anthony home. Upon a jail chaplain notifying Casey, which, according to reports, was fifteen minutes before the media announced the news,Casey requested a sedative. Jose Baez lashed out his disappointment in not being allowed to be the one to inform his client. OCSO said it was standard procedure for the jail chaplain to relate the news to next of kin if they are in custody.

Dec. 18: Sheriff's spokesman Angelo Nieves says that they continue to find more bones in the area where a child's skeletal remains were found and are expanding their search to a larger area. He also said the meter reader who found the remains had called in tips three times before on Aug. 13. Deputies responded to one of those calls.

Dec. 15: Baez petitions the court saying investigators are taking "too long" to clear the crime scene. Baez and his panel of top experts are in wait to have their examination of the crime scene. Judge Strickland rules he will not tell investigators how to do their job, or that they are on a time schedule.

Dec. 14: George and Cindy attend church and return to their home late Sunday afternoon.

Dec. 13: George and Cindy briefly return to their home to retrieve clothing and their 2 dogs. They continue to stay at a hotel.

Dec. 12: Orange County Sheriff Kevin Beary says the skeletal remains' measurements and hair color match that of Caylee Anthony. The Kid Finders Network calls off actively searching for Caylee. It is also reported that duct tape is wrapped around the skull, therefore preserving some of the hair that may help in toxicology testing.

Dec 11: George and Cindy Anthony cancel their media tour and return to Orlando after hearing of the findings. They return to their home to find it marked off with yellow crime scene tape and learn that it has been officially named a crime scene. They are not allowed to enter the home and stay the night at a Ritz Carlton Hotel.

Dec. 11: The skeletal remains of what appears to be a small child are found one-quarter mile from the Anthony home. A meter reader called 911 to summons OCSO to the scene. We find out later it is the same meter reader, Roy Kronk, that called three consecutive times in August stating he saw something 'suspicious' and 'possibly related to the Caylee case'. During these calls, as in August, he referred to his route as "the Caylee route".

Dec. 11: Judge Stan Strickland postpones the murder trial of Casey Anthony. A new status hearing is set for Jan. 15.

Dec. 10: George and Cindy Anthony start a major coast to coast media blitz tour beginning in California with an appearance on Larry King: Live. While in California, they are to investigate a Caylee sighting in Newport Beach. While on Larry King: Live, Cindy states on air that she received a tip just before airtime that Caylee was spotted in Tennessee. When asked by Larry King about the "smell of the car", George states, "Like Cindy says, it was the pizza." Larry King pointed out that George was a homicide detective for 10 years. George replied that he now knows what Florida heat will do to rotting trash and garbage in a car trunk after 15 days.

Dec. 10: Jose Baez requests Caylee sightings video through subpoena duces tecum. (In certain jurisdictions in the United States which have de-emphasized the use of foreign words and phrases in court terminology, this type of subpoena is also called a "subpoena for production of evidence." The words "subpoena duces tecum" appears to be used exclusively by various jurisdictions within the United States. The terms of use vary between jurisdictions. In some, the words have been replaced with "Motion to Compel".)

Dec. 5: State says it will not seek the death penalty against Casey Anthony.

Dec. 4: Jailhouse visits between Caylee and her family that are video taped by the jail are released.

Nov 28: Someone hacks into Cindy Anthony's email account over Thanksgiving weekend and forwards personal emails between Cindy and Larry Garrison regarding a hairbrush Cindy had given to authorities for DNA. Cindy claims it was not a brush dedicated to Caylee, however just a brush Casey "sometimes used on Caylee". The emails were sent to Orlando local tv station reporter Kathy Belich, who then notified Cindy and turned the emails over to FBI.

Nov. 25: Judge Stan Strickland orders prosecutors to turn over all evidence to the defense. He also ruled that the defense can't test the hair found in Casey Anthony's trunk because there is too little of a sample left.

Nov. 21: Anthony family releases photo to News 13 that they received of a little girl playing at Florida Mall that they think could be Caylee.

Nov. 20: Attorney Mark NeJame resigns as the attorney for George and Cindy Anthony.

Nov. 19: Bounty hunter Leonard Padilla says Tracey, one of his associates who had been inside the Anthony home after he first posted bond for Casey, told him that Casey criticized people looking for her daughter, and sarcastically saying they "hadn't even found the clothes she was wearing". (source: Nancy Grace, Leonard Padilla)

Nov. 14: World famous forensic scientist Henry Lee examines Casey Anthony's car. Police said they found evidence of human decomposition and a hair belonging to Caylee in the trunk. Dr. Henry Lee states on Nancy Grace that very night the car contained a massive amount of "trash, food and garbage". Dr. Lee said the contents were that of "meat, food, and trash. (Source: Nancy Grace )
Through documents released after this interview, we learn that there was no pizza in the box that was found in the trunk of Casey's car. (Source: Evidentiary documents released 11/08.

Nov. 13: Divers search Little Econ River in Blanchard Park for Caylee Anthony. A plastic bag with what appeared to be bones and toys, and that was weighed down with bricks, was recovered. However, authorities said the find was not significant to the investigation.

Nov. 8: Tim Miller of Texas EquuSearch leads group of volunteers in a search of a 25-acre area around Orlando International Airport for Caylee. The search was slated to "continue until Caylee was found". The search made national media coverage with hopes of being the largest search in history. Planning for thousands of searchers, around 1,100 volunteers and bounty hunters arrived for the search on the first morning. The following and subsequent mornings, the searchers dwindled down to between 100-300 volunteers. Nothing of importance was found during the search.
It is speculated that Cindy Anthony's constant bashing of law enforcement, and demanding of a search for "a live Caylee", despite the recent documents released, all of which point to decomposition in the trunk of Casey's car; along with a previous feud with Tim Miller, founder of the search organization, may have caused the general public to not want to volunteer their time. This was not necessarily to not find Caylee, but because of growing speculation and suspicion of the entire Anthony family, the Caylee Anthony trust fund, and other factors surrounding the family and the case.

Nov. 5: Judge agrees to continue Casey's check fraud hearing to Dec. 11.

Oct. 31: Orange County Jail officials warn Casey Anthony's attorney, Jose Baez, about hugging his client during jail visits.

Oct. 28: Trial date on first-degree murder charges set for Jan. 5. A pre-trial date was set for Dec. 11.

Oct. 24: Forensic tests on the trunk of Casey Anthony's car are released. The air sample tests show evidence of human decomposition, and that a hair found in the trunk is "microscopically similar" to hair found in Caylee's hair brush. The report also confirmed the presence of chloroform.

Oct. 21: Child neglect charges are dropped against Casey Anthony after she is charged with First degree murder and felony child abuse.

Oct. 22: A tip line established by the Anthony family for leads to help find Caylee alive opened at midnight. The number is (888) 231-5618.

Oct. 15: Casey Anthony has her first appearance before a judge after the new charges and arrest. No bond is allowed because she has been charged with a capital crime-first degree murder.

Oct. 14: A grand jury indicts Casey Anthony on seven counts, including first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse, aggravated manslaughter and four counts of providing false information.

Sept. 23: 591 pages of files are released by the Orange County Sheriff's Office, including text messages, interviews with family and friends.

Sept. 16: Casey Anthony was taken before a judge and then released on $1,250 bond. She was, again, fitted with an ankle monitoring device.

Sept. 15: Casey Anthony turns herself in on new economic charges unrelated to Caylee's disappearance. The charges include uttering a forged instrument, petty theft and criminal use of personal information.

Sept. 7: Texas EquuSearch temporarily calls off the search for Caylee Anthony, citing environmental conditions and concerns. (This search was ended at the same area where Caylee's remains are to be found on December 11, 2008)

Sept. 6: Orange County deputies retrieve a handgun from the trunk of George Anthony's car. Having a gun on the property is a violation of Casey's bail, but since it seems Casey was unaware of the gun, she is not taken back into custody.

Sept. 5: Casey Anthony is to be released from jail for a second time on bond. She will be required to wear an ankle monitoring device.

Sept. 4: An anonymous person posts the $500,000 bond for Casey Anthony through two Florida bonding companies.

Sept. 2: Casey Anthony refuses an offer of limited immunity in exchange for information leading to Caylee.

Aug. 31: The Orange County Sheriff's Office confirms hair found in the trunk of Casey Anthony's car belonged to Caylee.

Aug. 30: Texas EquuSearch, a mounted search and recovery group, arrive in Central Florida to help search for Caylee.

Aug. 30: New bond for Casey Anthony is set for $3,000 for charges not related to Caylee's disappearance. The original posted bond has been revoked, so Casey will remain in jail even if the new bond is posted.

Aug. 29: Casey is rearrested on economic crime charges not related to Caylee's disappearance. The charges include uttering a fraudulent instrument, petty theft, and fraudulent use of personal information. Deputies say they have surveillance video of Casey using forged checks.

Aug. 29: Deputies serve Casey, George, Cindy and Lee Anthony with criminal witness subpoenas to appear in court sometime in November.

Aug. 27: The Orange County Sheriff's Offices fires Recruit Deputy Anthony Rusciano, who may have had ties to Casey Anthony. Deputies say Rusciano provided inaccurate and incomplete responses on an ongoing criminal investigation. It is not confirmed if the investigation is related to the case of Casey Anthony.

Aug. 26: Hundreds of documents are released in the investigation into Caylee's disappearance. The documents reveal Cindy Anthony called her daughter, Casey, a sociopath and a "mooch." The documents also say Casey wanted to give Caylee up for adoption, according to a friend of Casey's, but Cindy would not let her.

Aug. 21: Casey is released from prison at 10:30 a.m. after being fitted with an electronic monitoring device.

Aug. 20: Leonard and Tony Padilla post bond necessary for Casey's release.

Aug. 17: Leonard Padilla arrives in Orlando.

Aug. 16: California bounty hunter Leonard Padilla announces he and his nephew, bail bondsman Tony Padilla, will fly to Orlando and post Casey's $500,000 bond. Padilla says they are doing this to "find the baby."

Aug. 15: Two private investigators meet with Casey. Investigators were identified as Edward Phlegar and Casey Dominic, both investigators for Casey's attorney, Jose Baez.

Aug. 12: George Anthony says that he believes Caylee was kidnapped and that the kidnappers are being watched.

Aug. 10: Casey cancels a scheduled meeting with her parents, the second time in three days she has refused to meet with her family.

Aug. 9: Caylee's third birthday comes and goes with no new leads on the missing girl's whereabouts.

Aug. 8: Casey refuses to see her brother, Lee, for a scheduled meeting. Lee's visit is rescheduled for Tuesday.

Aug. 7: Investigators serve a search warrant at the Anthony home and remove a number of clothing items belonging to Casey, which her mother said had been in Casey's car. Some of them has been washed by Cindy Anthony because they had a foul odor.

Aug. 7: Deputies confirm that the last time Caylee was seen by anybody other than Casey was on June 15. There is video from that day and investigators found pictures from Father's Day on Casey's computer.

Aug. 7: Investigators say a call Casey said she received on July 15 in which Caylee talked to her probably didn't happen. Phone records show there was no call to Casey's cell phone at the time the call was supposed to have taken place.

Aug. 1: The Orange County Sheriff's Office take several bags of evidence from the Anthony home.

July 31: George and Cindy Anthony are interviewed by the FBI.

July 30: The Fifth District Court of Appeals in Daytona Beach deny Baez's appeal of the $500,000 bond, asking that it be reduced to $10,000. That appeal was denied.

July 29: Casey Anthony's attorney, Jose Baez, asks a judge to bar the release of jail house recorded conversations, 911 tapes and visitor logs to the media. That request was denied.

July 28: Recordings of jail calls between Casey and her parents, George and Cindy and her brother, Lee are released by OCSO.

July 24: Cindy Anthony's 911 calls are released to the public. A total of 3 were released.

July 22: A bond hearing is held for Casey Anthony. Her mother, father, brother and a detective in the case all testify. The judge sets bail at $500,000. This is the only time the public has seen Casey show any emotion during the case. She sobbed visibly when returned to her cell from the courtroom. Experts say the tears were for herself, not for Caylee.

July 20: First candlelight vigil is held for Caylee.

July 17: Casey Anthony is officially charged with child neglect, lying to investigators and interfering with a criminal investigation. The judge denies bond because she showed a "woeful disregard for the welfare of her child."

July 17: The Sheriff's office starts to search the backyard of the Anthony house.

July 17: The Sheriff's Office takes possession of the car and finds evidence of possible human decomposition. The car is sent to the forensics bank.

July 16 AM-PM: Police take Casey in for questioning. Also, Police talk to Zenaida Gonzalez who says she does not know Casey Anthony. Police also take Casey to Universal Studios where she said she worked. After leading them to a building, she admitted she was no longer employed there. Casey is arrested and booked. Casey is wearing a hoodie purchased at Target with one of Amy's checks, when she is booked and her mugshot taken.

July 15 PM: Upon arriving at the Anthony's home, the Sheriff's Office is notified that Caylee Anthony has been missing since June 9. (date later determined to be June 15)

July 15 PM: Cindy calls Amy Huizenga for help in locating Casey. She tells her Casey could be in serious trouble if she doesn't find her. Amy hesitates then takes Cindy to Casey who is at Tony Lazzaro's apartment. Cindy confronts Casey and tells her she is coming with her. Cindy begs Casey to take her to Caylee. After giving several excuses, Cindy calls 911, the first of a series of three 911 phone calls made that afternoon.

July 15 AM: Casey picks up Amy Huizenga, in Amy's car, at Orlando International Airport. Amy and friends have returned from their vacation to Puerto Rico. There is not enough room in Amy's car for everyone and luggage, so she takes Casey back to Tony Lazzaro's apartment and returns to the airport where she picks up the remainder of her friends and returns to her residence.

July 15 AM: George and Cindy Anthony retrieve the Pontiac Sunfire from Johnson's Wrecking Service. Cindy haggles about the amount of the bill. George and a worker, Simon Birch, from the tow yard, went to the car together. Mr. Birch verified there was a horrific smell from the car and he compared it to the same smell from a car that had been towed a week earlier. The owner of the previous car towed had committed suicide inside the car and the car was not found for several days. Mr. Birch also stated in his interview that Mr. Anthony was concerned about the smell and told him that both his daughter and granddaughter had been missing. Mr. Birch was with George when the trunk was opened and garbage bags were found. Mr. Birch retrieved the garbage bag from the trunk and stated that it contained what appeared to be garbage. (later learned to be an empty pizza box and cans of deodorizer and insect repellent)

July 14: Casey Anthony cashes a $250.00 check at Bank of America on Amy Huzinga's bank account. Captured on video surveillance.

July 11: Cindy Anthony recieves a certified letter from Johnson's Towing informing that they are in possession of a white Pontiac Sunfire registered to Cindy and George Anthony. The car was towed from an Orlando Amscot, on June 30, after being abandoned for 3 days. Cindy states at the bond hearing that July 11 was the date she read the letter, not necessarily the day it was received, because of mail delay over the July 4th holiday.

July 10: Video surveillance shows Casey again using Amy's checks to purchase items at a Winter Park, Fl, Target, and again, at Waterford Lakes Target.

July 8: Casey uses checks on Amy Huizenga's checking account to pay for personal items purchased at a Waterford Lakes Target. Captured on video surveillance.

July 7: Casey drives Amy Huizenga to Orlando International Airport to depart for her vacation with friends to Puerto Rico. Amy leaves Casey her car to drive while Amy is on vacation due to Casey's car "being in the shop". Casey was unable to go on the vacation due to finanacial reasons and some also believe because of Caylee as well.

July 4: 4th of July party at William House's home. Amy helps Casey decorate. Later discovered in a text from Casey to Amy, "You used almost all my duct tape."; "That's why (sic) I get for letting you borrow my duct tape." {links Casey to duct tape}

July 2: Reports show Casey gets a tatoo at Cast Iron Tatoos. The tatoo says Bella Vita or "beautiful life".

June 30: Casey's white Pontiac Sunfire is towed from the Amscot store on Goldenrod Road and Colonial Drive by Johnson's Towing.

June 27: A supervisor at an Orlando Amscot at Goldnerod and Colonial notices a white Sunfire parked beside a dumpster as she enters the store at the beginning of her shift.

June 26: Casey calls Tony Lazzaro and asks if he could pick her up at Amsoct because she has car trouble or is out of gas. She tells Lazzaro two guys helped push her car out of traffic into the parking place at Amscot. Upon arrival, Lazzaro finds Casey standing by the car with bags of food, which he says were not purchased at a store, but brought from the Anthony's home. Lazzaro's approximate time of arrival is 11:00am. Lazzaro offers to help Casey repair her car and she says her father is going to have the car towed and repaired. Casey also texts Amy Huizenga and says "..she got rid of the smell in her car... she scraped the "squirrels" off the frame of her car". In an earlier text to Amy, Casey stated that her father had driven her car and ran over an animal and that is what caused the smell.

June 24 or June 25: Detective Corp. Yuri Melich testified during Casey Anthony's bond hearing that a witness (Jesse Grund) came forward who said he had talked to Casey on the phone on either June 24 or June 25 and that he heard Caylee in the background. The witness said that at one point in the conversation Casey told Caylee to get down from the table.


June 24 or 25: Casey arrives at the Anthony home, unaware that George is home. George is somewhat surprised at Casey's presence as well. While there, he asks for a tire tool that is in Casey's car trunk. Casey will not allow George near the car. She tells George she will get the tool herself. George follows Casey out to the car. (George's story also varies here. In some statements, George says he did not see the trunk, he was at the front of the car. In others, he says he got to the side of the car, but not all the way to the trunk.) At this time, Casey produces the gas cans. She hands them to George saying, "Here's your f'n gas cans." George asks for an explanation and Casey answers she had to use the gas to travel back and forth to Tampa due to Zani being in the hospital. George asks why Casey did not leave Caylee with them when she was in Orlando, to which she did not answer. (see June 9-July 12 entry) Casey then departs the Anthony's home. (some speculate it is at this time that Casey may have dumped Caylee's remains)


June 24: George Anthony files a police report stating that 2 gas cans containing between 10 and 20 gallons of gas have been stolen from his outside shed and the lock had been broken. (George's story varies on the amount of gas.) In media interviews he gives the impression that they were large size gas cans, however, he tells the FBI that the cans missing were two- 2 gallon cans.

June 16: George claims this is the last day he saw Caylee alive. He saw Caylee and Casey around 12:50pm leaving the home. He was watching a show on Food Network, as he always does, but cannot remember the name. My search of Food Network tv schedule for that date and by my own knowledge, there is no "hour long" episode of any show at that time of day on that date.
(If this was a common daily ritual for George, wouldn't he remember the name of the show? He remembered every detail of the clothing worn by both Casey and Caylee, down to the color of pinstripe in Casey's pants)

June 15: Caylee's grandmother, Cindy Anthony, revised her estimate to this date as the last time she saw Caylee in her testimony in Casey's bond hearing in July. Cindy Anthony said video of Caylee reading a book helped her remember that Caylee went with her to visit her father at an assisted living facility on Father's Day.

June 12: George Anthony says Caylee was spotted by friends of the Anthony family in a shopping area near the Orange-Seminole county lines. She was wearing a pink and blue outfit and white-rimmed sunglasses.

June 9: (Original date that Casey said Caylee went missing. Casey Anthony told police that on June 9, she dropped Caylee off at a babysitter who lived at the Sawgrass Apartments. She said the babysitter's name was Zenaida Fernandez Gonzalez.

June 9: Casey begins staying with her new "boyfriend" Tony Lazzaro at his apartment.


June 9 - July 14: Casey tells her parents, George and Cindy Anthony during several phone calls that she (Casey) and Caylee are on a mini-vacation. On other occasions, Casey tells, mainly Cindy, that Caylee is with Zani, or the nanny, and is at the beach, Universal, Disney, and other various places. Casey also tells her parents that she is at a work convention in Tampa and she and a co-worker are staying in adjoining rooms and sharing "Zani" to babysit their children while Casey and the co-worker attend the convention. Casey tells Cindy, Universal is paying for the room and for the babysitter for both Casey and the co-worker. When Casey is not back in Orlando when expected, she tells Cindy that Zani had a car accident, was injured and is admitted to Tampa General Hospital with a concussion, and broken bones. The next day, Casey tells Cindy that a nurse "happens to find a laceration to Zani's head behind her ear." Cindy pleads with Casey to bring Caylee back home, but Casey states she can not leave due to the fact that Zani's sister "Stephanie" had to leave Tampa to return to Orlando to look after their sick mother. (See June 24, 2008)

June 9-June 13: Caylee tells her parents she is going to and from work as usual.

June 2: Last date that Tony Lazzaro says he saw Caylee. In his report, Lazzaro states that Caylee and Casey visited him at his apartment and they stayed by the pool at the apartment most of the day.

© spoiledmom '08 All Rights Reserved. No portion of this material may be copied, posted, or republished on anyother website without the express written consent of the author and blog owner. This material is copyright protected. Material is also protected under the Creative Commons License. Plagarism is punishable by law. Any plagarism will be detected by CopyScape.


Casey Anthony Timeline by SpoiledMom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Casey and Lee Jail Visit Phone Call Released

Casey Anthony
Mugshot 7/16/08


Partial of Phone Call Between Casey Anthony and her brother Lee from a visit at the Orange County Jail. Released by OCSO.

Casey Anthony Bond Set At $500,000/ Strickland: Casey And The Truth Are Strangers

A bond of $500,000 has been set for Casey Anthony, the mother of missing toddler Caylee Anthony, 2.
Related Content: Video /More Images /Mom Reacts /Bond Hearing Document
The mother will also be required to wear a GPS monitoring device as part of Judge Stan Strickland's ruling.

During the more than two-hour bond hearing, Cindy Anthony, Caylee's grandmother, was the first to take the stand.
She was emotional and said it was because she hadn't seen her daughter, Casey Anthony, 22, in a week.
Cindy Anthony was questioned about her financial situation and how she would have posted bond for her daughter if it had been granted, what type of mother Casey Anthony is, and Casey Anthony's employment and history.
She also told the court that she would nominate people to "Casey-sit" if her daughter could return to the Anthonys' home.
Prosecutors continued to say that Casey Anthony is a flight risk.
Casey Anthony's father, George Anthony, took the stand after Cindy Anthony and was also questioned about the kind of mother his daughter is, his relationship with her and his desire to find Caylee.
Cindy Anthony was angry as she left the courthouse.
"Caylee is missing and continue to look for Caylee. She is not dead and there is no evidence to say that," Cindy Anthony said to a group of reporters outside the courthouse. "I'm upset because she has not been charged with anything. She's going to be home tonight."
In response to the smell in the trunk of her daughter's car, Cindy Anthony said there was a bag of pizza with maggots in it in the car.
"The same dogs that cleared our house cleared them," Cindy Anthony said. "They're not saying the house is cleared," WESH 2 reporter Michelle Meredith said.
"There's no bruises on that child," she said. "There's no evidence that Casey has ever done any harm to her child," Cindy Anthony said. She said it's possible that a babysitter abused Caylee.
Lee Anthony, Casey Anthony's brother, also took the stand during the hearing. He spoke about his relationship with Casey Anthony and said that in his relationship with his sister he can tell her anything that he wouldn't feel comfortable telling anyone else and vice versa.
Lee Anthony said he has no doubt that if he were able to speak to Casey Anthony about the situation that she would confide in him. He said that on the night that Cindy Anthony had called the police and reported Caylee missing he asked her in private about Caylee’s whereabouts. He said that Casey Anthony broke down and said she had not seen her daughter in 31 days.
The lead detective in the case, Yuri Melich, took the stand and talked about the search of Casey Anthony's car. He said hair samples similar to the color and length of Caylee's hair were found in the trunk of the car and the car smelled of decomposition. He also talked about a shovel that Casey Anthony borrowed from a neighbor and had her car backed up to the garage, and that some dirt found in the trunk of her car needs to be processed. He said the cadaver dog appeared to be alerted when searching the car and the Anthonys home.
Melich testified that they believe there is a possibility that Caylee is no longer alive. Melich said a man told him he spoke to Casey Anthony and heard Caylee in the background around June 24 or 25. Previously, it was believed that no on had seen Caylee or spoken to her since June 9.
During a news conference on Tuesday evening, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said again that their primary concern is locating Caylee. They said they cannot expand on any of the pieces of evidence mentioned in Casey Anthony's bond hearing earlier on Tuesday and stated that the FBI is now involved in the case.
"As information comes in to us that suggests that she may have been harmed, we cannot ignore that either, so while we go about the business of trying to find her if she's out there and return her to her family, we also have to, as evidence comes in that she may have been harmed, we've got to follow that up as well," Sgt. John Allen of the Orange County Sheriff's Office said.
Jose Baez, Casey Anthony's attorney, also questioned Melich in the bond hearing, asking him if he had any evidence that Casey Anthony had harmed Caylee. Melich said not at this time, but he called Casey Anthony a person of interest.
Casey Anthony cried several times during the hearing when her family was testifying.
The Anthony family is likely to be expected to come up with 10 percent of the full $500,000 bond, or $50,000, to have her released from jail, but this is up to the bonding agency.
Strickland said he was constitutionally bound to give Casey Anthony bond. At one point, he said that she was using her silence as leverage to get out of jail.
After setting her bond, Strickland spoke directly to Casey Anthony, saying that she and the truth are strangers.
Baez said they will appeal.

pic page

jesus ortiz




sean daley










amy huizenga








mark hawkins aka charlie brown


tony lazzaro

anthony rusciano (fired deputy)

JP Chatt

annie downing

Casey and Cindy at Cindy's brother Rick's Wedding May, 2005

computer simulation superimposing skull and duct tape over photo of Caylee

skyline chilli clearwater, fl  after verdict

freaki tiki clearwater, fl not welcoming jurors after verdict

found on Ricardo Morales' computer by OCSO

I'm Running a Bed and Breakfast!

I have recently found out that I have become the manager and owner of a Bed and Breakfast! What I have always dreamed of. Well, not exactly. I only have two guests and I am suspecting they are going to try to stick me with the bill.

My first guest is 13. She informed me upon check-in that she was "hibernating". Umm okay. First of all, isn't hibernating for bears? Doesn't hibernation take place in winter months? Just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something.

She wakes up around 1pm each day and then has, ahem, Brunch, (yes, she calls it that). I hard boil eggs twice a week and she eats them with fruit and muffins when she rises from hibernating.
She then proceeds to lounge in the pool for the next three hours. She appears only for me to see her grabbing something from the fully stocked pantry.
Dinner for her takes place around 7 or 8-ish.
Afterwards, she has guests of her own over and they help themselves as well to the sundries and a movie.
After her guests' departure, she indulges herself in a luxurious bubble bath for about an hour. She is under the impression management doesn't sleep, because after her bath, she assumes it is social hour here at the B & B.
Social hour cut off is at 10pm.

My second guest is a ripe old age of 11. She is a lovely little guest. She tidies up her guest room as if it were her own. Some days, she even helps with the breakfast preparation. She loves to make the muffins and on occasion waffles. Belgium. (by request of the first guest) Second guest also likes to help cut up fruit, AND she will even load the dishwasher when we are finished.
I love a tidy cook, much like myself.

Guest #2 also accompanies me during early morning walks around the B & B, relishing in the flower gardens and enjoying a moment in the garden swing every now and again. She also loves to help with the laundry and asks if she can do anything to help.

I do not want her to be burdened with all this work while on her vacation here at the B & B, but while she's here and only if she insists......

I have noticed as the days go by, she has started rising later and later each day. I hope she has not caught wind of the "hibernation". A nasty sunburn set her back a little last week, but she recovered well with my assistance. It was the least I could do.

Both guests seem to be enjoying all the amenities of the B & B. Pool, tv/dvd and cable in each room, PS2 in each room, wireless computer access, three prepared meals, stocked pantry with snacks and beverages, social hour, laundry service, taxi service, non-emergency medical and therapist assistance, cleaning service, and, on occasion, a weekly trip is planned. Bed turn down, however is not offered.

I checked the register and they have already been here almost 4 weeks.
I will have to check with the receptionist, because when they were booked, there is not a departure date listed........

Thank God for Bronzer......

Here we are, right smack in the middle (almost) of June, and it's already 95 degrees plus, in my part of the South. Too hot for the kids, too hot for the pets, the plants, and ME.
Geez, what's the thermometer gonna read this time next month?

The meds I am on prevent me from getting a daily dose of sunshine. Even though it is terribly hot, I hate not getting outside, gardening, swimming and playing with the kids.
Since I am not able to obtain Mother Nature's vitamin D, that means more meds, and what's worse, not being in the sun only extends my SAD.
However, the kids love it, because I do a lot of outside work at night.
All the neighborhood kids congregate around 8:30pm and start getting ready for a two hour, or so, game of "shadow tag".
Some nights, we light the tiki torches and have a late night swim.

Cancer really sucks.

I am determined to live and play around it. It is not going to take me over, literally.

I refuse.

Happy Friday and Free Donuts at Krispy Kreme

Happy Friday!

spoil yourself..........
SpoiledMom

Two-Timin' Thursday with Rachel Ray

Okay, I couldn't let this one get away. Two posts in one day...almost as good as Happy Hour at Sonic...heh

Have you heard about Rachel Ray being pulled from the online ad for Dunkin' Donuts?

I posted earlier about how I was soo excited about how my "quaint" little town was getting a Dunkin' Donuts and how I would be able to spoil myself with such caffeinated bliss. I could give a shit about the donuts. I don't do carbs, but give me caffeine anyday. Now that the girls are out of school, it will have to be a special treat, maybe only twice a day because I will have to scrape the bottom of my Coach to pay for their Munchkin bender.

Someone is hatin' on my Rach. And it is all over a SCARF. Rachel says it was picked out by her stylist, and was not given a second thought. (Rach-I know you have a Hermes, Chanel, or hell, because you are so cool and like one of the girls, you probably have a scarf from Target) Plus, you don't even like Dunkin' Donuts coffee, remember??

Here's the lowdown:

A report by MSNBC.com says a Dunkin' Donuts television ad featuring talk show host Rachael Ray was recently pulled after Fox News commentator, Michelle Malkin, associated it with terrorism. (WTF?!) According to Malkin's syndicated column, Ray is wearing a scarf that resembles a kiffiyeh. Malkin said the garment was "popularized by Yasser Arafat and a regular adornment of Muslim terrorists appearing in beheading and hostage-taking videos," according to the MSNBC.com report.

..........................................................................................................................................................

January 16, 2008:
So a friend of mine was on set last week as Rachael Ray filmed her latest Dunkin' Donuts commercial. According to her, Rachael stormed onto the set and snapped at everyone.....I am also told she took one sip of her Dunkin' Donuts coffee, yelled “What is this shit? Get me MY coffee,” and would not continue until she was given “her” coffee — i.e., Starbucks.

........................................................................................................................................................

The keffiyeh, for the clueless, is the traditional scarf of Arab men that has come to symbolize murderous Palestinian jihad. Popularized by Yasser Arafat and a regular adornment of Muslim terrorists appearing in beheading and hostage-taking videos, the apparel has been mainstreamed by both ignorant (and not so ignorant) fashion designers, celebrities and left-wing icons," Malkin, who declared herself a fan of the Dunkin' Donuts, wrote in her nationally syndicated column. Although reluctant at first and denying any intentional similarity between the black and white wrap and a keffieh, the coffee and donut retailer eventually caved in
after the right-wing firestorm continued on the internet and by yesterday they had yanked
the ad."In a recent online ad, Rachael Ray is wearing a black-and-white silk scarf with a paisley design. It was selected by her stylist for the advertising shoot. Absolutely no symbolism was intended. However, given the possibility of misperception, we are no longer using the commercial," Dunkin' executives explained in a statement. Further on, Malkin promptly
responded to the company's statement, praising their sensitivity "to the concerns of Americans opposed to Islamic jihad and its apologists."

Somehow, I do not think this is going to hurt Rachel. I will still watch her, envy her self-taught culinary skills, adore her cute self and do so drinking my Dunkin' Donuts coffee, because it is closer to me now than Starbucks.

As a footnote, this being another reason, of many, as to why I do not watch Fox News. I fear Malkin more than Rach, truth be told.

Shit-stirrers.

Love ya, Rach!

spoiledmom

From Terrible Two's to Terrible Teen's

"I forgot". This seems to be the new phrase as of late around my house.


Did you finish reading your book? "I forgot."



Did you unload the dishwasher? "I forgot."


Did you bring your dirty laundry down to the laundry room? "I forgot."


Did you feed the dog, the cat, the other dog? "I forgot."


Okay, you get the picture. Teenagers' brains are on one speed. "ME". The world revolves around them. They are just checked in their room at Hotel Spoiled (insert your last name) for the next 5 to 7 years of their life.





After receiving a wake up call every morning, they are served breakfast of their choice. Then, the bus-mom, clears the table and the dishes while teen is getting dressed for school in her own bathroom, filled with all the hair products, flat irons, crimping irons, curling irons, (no clothes iron) and Bonnie Bell lip gloss and OPI nail polish than any 13 year old should need. I think my teen is a rep for Bare Escentuals. She made a great pitch on the fact that it would be good for her skin since it is all natural, she wouldn't look "made up", and it contains spf. She also told me that she thought I would benefit from it as well. Umm, didn't you hear, make-up now has cancer curing properties..... heh. that was sarcastic, so you know.

I have to admit, it is great, but this isn't an ad for it. Unless, Bare Escentuals, you would like to overflow a cancer-ridden, and I'm not exaggerating when I say ridden, mother of two's make-up bag full of your product... *wink* It really does help with my hollow eyes and dark circles. The concealer works wonders on the radiation "+'s"! I would also love, love, love me one of the new "HEROE's" collections! anybody hear me over there at i.d. bare escentuals? Get it.. Heroe's...I'm a cancer survivor..hopefully twice!....awwww you're not listening....... and I don't like to beg.



Anyway........


After said teen has slipped into her freshly pressed clothes and bounces downstairs, I have packed two lunches, put my tween's hair up in the usual ponytail and straightened her "side bangs". (Why am I still a hairdresser to an 11 year old?) I have washed the sink full of dishes from breakfast, ran the dishwasher, it was too full to hold the breakfast dishes..someone "forgot" to run it the night before-remember, and started a load of laundry. I also had a cup of coffee, if not two, while watching Matt Lauer and the headlines of the day.




Then the chauffeur, um, that's me, drives them both to school.




I feel as if I need to wear some Lycra catsuit with a cape and thigh high boots.




I envision the color red and black boots. But I will settle for another couple of cups of coffee or a sugar free Red Bull instead. Same power and energy and I don't have to wear the suit. Thank Gawd!!




When I walk back in the house from dropping the girls off, I get a whiff of my SC1's Juicy Couture, yes, a splurge on her instead of me...and I realize, this is my life. I look around at all the smiling photos and you would not know the entire story reflected back in the smiles. I have done my job. I am at peace.




The death of my husband, cancer once and cancer twice, and I would not trade it for another life.




So on I go, after a breathing treatment, a self injection, pop a tamoxifen, and finish cleaning Hotel Le Spoiled, make a batch of cookies for "after school talk" and know that I am spoiled.











spoiledmom

Wordless Wednesday

Pictures from my week:


This rainbow was outside my front door the afternoon
of my radiation. The picture doesn't do it justice. I tried
to make it panoramic, but it was so big, plus, it was a
double rainbow. (hard to see the one above this one)



HOPE.......










BEAUTY...........





I am in awe of my peony bush this year. The blooms are awesome.
So large and gorgeous. Pink and white.

JOY...........




LOVE...........

The girls made arrangements for me
after my oncologist appointment.


Pears and Peonies

Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial Day, Everyone!

I am in a bittersweet kind of mood. Not only do I get to honor all the past men and women in my family, and all of those soliders that are fighting for me and my family and your family that have fought for the freedom of our country I also get to remember those that are fighting right now :::::saving for another post later:::::

I am so ready for Summer! Ever since I was a girl, my Dad oened our pool on Memorial Day Weekend. We had a huge cookout, my friends came over and we froze our bejeddus off in the pool, and it was, officially, Summer.

I love that blogger has instituted the scheduled posting. I love it. I can type little memory stories like these while I am away having fun and reliving my days and my millions of readers can still keep up to date with me or at least what I am thinking about, a tip, or whatever happens to pop out of my head.

I want to create special memories for my daughters this year. Something to carry on every year from now on. And if for some reason, God has different plans, all the holidays this year will be full of memories of holidays past plus more just to give. Okay...enough of that.....

We will be returning from my parents' house and we will have our own cook out on Monday. I have some fun projects in store for the girls, then. Some ideas you could do, as well, would be to get some red white and blue balloons, (or any color) and blow them up and tape around your patio.

Make a banner to hang up. Let the kids type it out on the computer,print it off and put their artwork on it and hang it up.

If you are having family or friends over, the kids can make invitations to the party to hand out to the guests when they arrive, as a keep sake. If you don't have any of the confetti that you place in birthday cards, you can shred a couple of pages of different colored paper, cut into small squares, and place a small handful inside the card which is tucked inside he envelope.

The kids could cut some flowers out of your garden (that you agree to be cut, heh) and put in a small vase such as a tall shot glass, (shooter) and then have the kids write the guests' name on a piece of stock card for table placement. If you are not having a sit down dinner, these could be given as 'guest gifts' , by tying the name card around the shooter by using a hole punch on the stock card and using a piece of ribbon or raffia and tieying around the shooter. You don't want to get too fancy for something informal such as this cookout. It should just be fellowship among friends and family. Not to mention, good times, good food and good memories.

Now if we can just get the pool ready.........LOL

Happy Memorial Day!

spoiledmom

Memorial Day Memories -- Food and Drink

While Memorial Day is a day full of parades, and memories of heroes gone by. If you are lucky enough to still have a grandfather or great-grandfather around to tell of War stories you have heard a million times, listen to them again. I wish I still had mine to tell me history like that. And someone to share that kind of history with my children. Although, I have to admit, when I was younger, I would have given my eye teeth to get out of listening to my Uncle Douglas' War Stories again and and again. He was my grandmother's brother. Usually, before he would leave, he would give me a John F. Kennedy half dollar. The SILVER kind. He knew he wasn't paying me to listen, because he saw that I truly enjoyed the history, unlike the other cousins, and he must have foreseen the coming day that those 50cent pieces would no longer be made and how much I treasure every one. Yes, I still have them all. But today, I would give every dollar I have to have him come back, if only for one day, just to tell the stories so that my children could hear them and realize what a real hero he was is.

Memorial Day Weekend is the official kick off for summertime. The official lighting of the grill, the pool initiation. Softball games and hot dogs and desserts we thought Mom magically pulled out of the refrigerator. When did she have time to do all of this? I hope my children share fond memories of the holidays like I do. I try to make the magic happen in all them. Some sort of a tradition to give them so that when they look back they can feel the magic of the day throughout their body.

This post has been scheduled so some of these things have already been done, so just follow along. I just love that new post scheduler!


For Memorial Day, we will raise our Flag on Saturday morning. I have a few traditional recipes to make. for our dinner on Sunday. I usually make Southern Banana Puddin', that is always a MUST for Memorial Day. The kids love it. They get to pick out the type of cake they want and I make that as well. I also make a fruit salad and some deviled eggs. These things are always better made a day ahead. Sunday morning, I will get out the bread mixer and start making bread around 5am, so I can make at least 3 loaves. I usually make sourdough and this goes well with spinach dip and, if I make it "darker", I'm loving it with hummus. The kids just love to eat it with honey butter. I also have several other secret dips that I make for the bread to be dipped in.

And you have to have a drink. The perfect Southern drink is Iced Tea. There are 1,101 variations, but I just love mine sweet and a little on the strong side. kinda like my men. LOL that sounded like a country song, couldn't resist. I just love all the flavorings you can buy now. I like to buy the peach and raspberry for the kids and the adults love them as well. They need to make a blackberry because I am loving me some of that Sonic Blackberry sweet tea. I hate it when it says "for a limited time only". It better be limited only until I get tired of drinking it.

After 5 o'clock, but Southerners know it's always 5 o'clock somewhere, we have to have cocktail hour. The men can have their beer, but us GRITS* have to have something a little more than a cocktail in a a bottle. A good standby is a Crown and water. (that's on a bad day) but since we are celebrating, something a little fruity would be in order.

*GRITS=Girls Raised In The South

Seltzer water is a staple in my home. As should be in any good bar, but in a home with kids, you can create some of the most yummiest "virgin" cocktails that even the big kids will be wanting.
There are several variations on the recipes and several alcohol and non alcoholic mixers, but I have found a little secret to make everyone happy.
Although non-alcoholic, Martini Gold makes a great line of mixers. I have tried the chocolate, the pomegranate (pome-tini) and the green apple (apple-tini). I also happen to love the lemon for a lemon drop. Nothing says Summer in the South like a Lemon Drop (oh yeah, have to use vodka for that)
Kiddos are hooked too! LOL Theirs are made 2 and 2 but with seltzer water. Told you seltzer is a staple in our home. They are to die for. Most of these mixes are kid friendly with seltzer and gives them something different and fun. Not promoting underage drinking, here. You know kids love fruity drinks. Mine love the pomegranate too. They also make a blue raspberry, that you can pour over crushed ice from your blender, add seltzer or Sprite, and viola, Slushie.
For decoration, you can rim their glasses in super fine sugar.
Just rim the glass with an orange or lemon wedge then turn the glass upside down into the sugar poured on to a shallow plate. insert glass. You can make a batch of these ahead of time and keep them in the fridge so they are cold. This also keeps the sugar on longer. Another tip is to freeze lemonade for ice so that when it melts, the drink is not watered down, but still adds another layer of flavor, especially good in a lemon drop, if you like to use ice, which isn't really protocol. ;) Good for tea, or just freeze a batch of tea ice cubes. Anything you can think of freezing to keep drinks from getting watered down is great and your guests will appreciate you for it.
Another great idea for frozen punch ice cubes, is my Sangria I make with white grape juice and pomegranate juice. I add juice of on lime and one lemon, seltzer water see, and cut up fruit of your choice. I use apples, orange slices, lemons, limes, sliced grapes (freeze them for a great treat and to use as ice), mango, papaya, etc. Put it all in a pretty clear glass pitcher and you have the best non alcoholic drink. It is totally "yours" because you can pick the fruit to add. Just make sure to use the lemon and lime juice so that the acidity can cut the sweetness and tartness of the juices. For an alcoholic version, you can add a nice white wine. Make sure you let all the fruit chill overnight for a really great flavor fusion. If using seltzer water, wait until guests arrive to add "chilled" seltzer water to the sangria just before serving. Same with wine. You can also use Rum, if you like. Whatever your choice, make sure you make a batch for the kids and have it clearly marked "For Kids" or "Non Alcoholic" so that they do not get into the wrong batch.

For sides, we have the bread, and I love grilled corn on the cob with "kicked-up butter". Nothing can be so easy and so yummy at the same time. You can either opt to shuck the corn from the husk and grill in foil with the butter all over the corn in the foil (this is what I do...yum). Or, you can grill the corn still in the husk. When it is ready, peel back the husk, leaving intact for looks and have the butter spread ready for your guests to spread on the corn.

Butter Spread "Kicked-Up Butter"

You can make this depending on your amount of guests or make an entire batch, as this keeps up to 2 weeks in fridge so you can use it later on asparagus, in potatoes, on bread, on corn, (again), and on anything you can think of.

This is for the "leftover size" version, as we like to call it. That is if any is left over. Also, a dash is my grandmother's measurement. I would like to say it is a teaspoon, but you can alter as you like to fit your taste.
Use margarine or butter at room temperature (entire entire tub) Butter works best, because it has a richer flavor, But margarine can be used and work just fine if you use it.
Remove from tub and place into a bowl just a bit larger than the butter tub. With a whisk, whisk the butter/margarine until soft and creamy.s
add a dash of garlic powder, a dash of Old Bay Seasoning.
dash of sea salt and a dash of lemon pepper, a couple of drops of Pete's hot sauce- (optional)
Whisk together well and that' s it.

You can also use this by spreading both sides of steaks with it just before placing steaks on grill. Yum-O, take my word for it!.

Now that we ladies have the sides, the desserts, and drinks under control, we can wait on the men to get to grillin'!

For a dessert that will leave them thinking you are wonder woman. Make up a batch of Symphony Brownies. OH Words cannot describe them.

You will need 1 box of family size brownies (13x9 pan)
3 large Symphony candy bars, 1lb size

Mix brownies according to package directions but use 2 eggs. Stir by hand 50 strokes. Pour half the batter into a non stick pan or a metal pan lined with foil. On top of half the batter, place the 3 1lb candy bars, face up. Pour the remainder of the batter. Spread evenly on top, making sure to cover candy bars. Bake at 350 degrees for about 35 minutes. Check at 25 minutes. Will still look gooey, and stick test will not be accurate. As you bake these you will "just know" when they are done. Almost to the stage where the top starts to get flaky. Do not over bake!
Adapted from Paula Deen

I hope you enjoy these recipes that have been used in our family for years. Enjoy your holiday, most of all enjoy being with your family. And don't forget to make memories that last a lifetime.