My Family!#@%$!#@

Ok.. now for my family page... a late addition, but I decided I needed to include my family, cause you know, it's the nice thing to do ;) *Grin* My immediate family consists of my daughter, Carrie, my mom, Carol, and my two brothers, Thomas (Shawn) and Richard (Ric). We live in Montana, as I stated before, and we have lived in lots of places, like California, and Pennsylvania also.

Carrie (1) is my daughter. She and I live in our own place not far from my mom's house. She was born on April 27th, 1999, and is the sweetest little girl ever. She brings me joy each and every day, and whenever things seem difficult, she reminds me exactly how worth it all is. I enjoy watching her learn new things and grow. She is truely amazing, and I love her with all of my heart.

Tom (23) is currently enrolled at Carroll College. He attended Penn State (PSU) for a year, and then to Montana State University (MSU) for half of a year. He left PSU to go to Bozeman to MSU because he was homesick I think. But then came here to the local college because of his job. He works at TRW, and they wanted him to work full time. They agreed to pay completely for his college, part time, if he would. So he moved back here, into our mom's house to do that. He also has his own ISP, and has his own business, TMComputers. I'm not sure exactly what he does for that.. but oh well. I get an internet account and a place to host my webpage and email.
His full name is Thomas Shawn.. The family calls him Shawn, and his friends call him Tom. Shawn has been a great older brother, though a bit stingy at times. :) He spends most of his time these days working on his scouts, which he absolutely loves. Also, he's spending time with friends, and going 4x4ing, not to mention he's recently built his own racing Scout and seems to enjoy racing. He's not home all that much, since he's such a busy guy ;)
He also has a girlfriend (I think I can safely call her that) named Michelle who is a complete sweetheart. He works with her, and they spend quite a bit of time together also. She joins him for his 4x4ing aventures and cheers him on at his races. She's really great.

Rich (21) went to college at MSU... He went there for his freshman year. The year after he decided to take off, and he's now currently back in school, only he's going to University of Montana (UofM). He's living in Missoula with some friends of his, and sometimes comes home on the weekends. He's working at UPS I'm not sure if he's currently dating anyone, but he was together with Jessi Schendel awhile back, and she is the biggest sweetheart ever.. she's so cool :) We definately keep in touch with her. :)
Richard David, Ric to family, Rich to friends.. Ric is an alright brother ;) Sometimes we get along really well, and sometimes we don't get along at all. I suppose that's normal for brothers and sisters though. ;) I don't know what all he's up to these days, living the college life I suppose. He hasn't been able to afford to come in town much recently. We miss him. And he's missing out on seeing Carrie!

Carol (45), my mom works for the federal government.. Office of Motor carriers, Department of Transportation. She inspects truck driving companies and stuff like that. So *no* she is not going to have any of you arrested ;) *Laugh* :) So don't worry ;) My mom and my dad got divorced when I was 3. And she's had a few boyfriends since then. One that means a lot to me is Ron White. I love him a lot and I miss him. And I hope we can start talking more soon. He will never be my step-father, but in a way he's still my father. I will always love him a lot. My mom is currently married to Don Hillberg. I used to have a ton of really great stuff about him written here. But I simply can't anymore. I once thought he was a great guy for my mother. I've disapproved of a lot of guys she's dated before, but he was one that I really was happy about her marrying. Since that time, those feelings have been smashed and beaten. Since their relationship really isn't my business, I won't say anything further on the relationship. I will say this however; Don lives in South Dakota, where he's currently trying to get custody of his son Ryan, from a previous marriage. He's been living there for two years now, since the marriage. I'm not sure where exactly he's living, or what he's doing for work though. Ryan, his son, has the same birthday as Carrie, April 27th. He will be 14 this year. He's an alright kid, though sometimes he's a bit of a brat to me, and likes to pick on me. And he's the only experience I've ever had of having a little brother or sister.

Now on to a few other family members. There is of course my father. His name is Thomas Mandera (49). My brother Shawn was named after him. But we call Shawn by his middle name so we don't get them mixed up. Although my father has a different middle name.. John :) Anyway, he still lives back in Pennsylvania. He works for Kramer Construction, I think. He is an architect and he also does carpentry work. Not too much anymore though, 'cause he has a very very bad back, from falling off buildings too many times ;) *Grin* I keep telling him to stop trying to fly.. but he never listens ;) He's had a few girlfriends over the years which come to mind. There was Denise, who had three girls, and we were like the Brady Bunch, only I should have been a boy *wh00ps* :) And I was really upset when they broke up cause I really liked her a lot. Then he was with Shari, for like 5 years. Although I hated her and she hated me. We were really mean to each other, and they have just broken up like a few years ago or so ago. I was sorry for my father, but boy was I glad that she was gone. Now he is with a lady named Anette. I've met her a few times, and she seems like a really nice and easy going person, unlike Shari, who was uptight and bitchy. :), So I really hope things work out, because I think Anette is really good for my father. Anette actually reminds me of Denise in a lot of ways.

I was thinking and I decided I needed to add Lynn. Lynn is my therapist, and yet she's an important person to me. I was going through some troubled times (to say the least ;) and my mom started dragging me from psychiatrist to psychiatrist.. None of them were right. Then I started seeing Lynn. =) She's great =) I admire her, she's full of energy, she's cheerful, she has a wild taste in fashion (especially containing shoes ;), she's fun to be around, she's patient, she's just a great person =) She seems to be a tad forgetful and distractable as well ;) But that's something I can't help but admit I'm guilty of either. I don't see her regularly anymore, but I do have appointments every now and then to touch base, and whenever I'm feeling stressed. Although I see her professionally, and we pay for the appointments, I feel she is more of a friend.. and I know that she considers me a friend as well. Sometimes we go out to eat (don't we owe you now?) and when Mom and I are out of town we buy her presents. She's a great person, and I'm glad she's in my life =) She's helped me help myself, so much. Thank you Lynn. =)

Jessica Strealy.. How do I describe her? She is one of my very very best friends, even though I haven't seen her in over a decade (has it really been that long?) I haven't even talked to her in awhile, although I'm sure I will hear from her sooner or later.. I think she moved.. maybe I'll contact her grandmother to find out. At any rate.. I met Jessica when I was.. hrm.. 6 or 7. I lived in Merced and Winton California (Merced when I was 6, Winton when I was 7). When I lived in Winton, she lived about 3 or 4 houses down the street. We became the best of friends, and we were always together. To this day I love her dearly, even though I realize we were rather young, and the things we did seem so childish now.. =) I remember we used to watch "The Sound of Music" Because she loved it, and Punky Brewster we watched every day.. :) We also talked and laughed and whispered, and shared all of our secrets with one another. Our mothers were also best friends. I moved from California when I was 7 almost 8 (in 1988) and to this day, I still have not seen her again. I was in Merced again in March of 2000, and I feel bad because I was unable to get ahold of her. But I will see her again. We keep in touch, as I said, in letters, and sometimes phone calls. She is someone that will always stay in my heart, even though so much time has passed.. and I know she will always remember me as well. Jessica, I can't wait to see you, to hear from you, to talk to you. I love you.

Beth Weston, I met her when I lived in Pennsylvania. We had just moved to Erie Pennsylvania, when I was 8. I was in 3rd grade when I met her :) She stayed my best friend until after 5th grade, when I was 10/11. At that time I moved to Montana. I still keep in touch with her, though not as often as I used to, I'm afraid. She will always be one of my best friends in life. I know that if we can keep in touch for this long, and still consider each other friends, than we always will be. I love you Beth :) I hope I can make it to Erie soon :) I have not seen her since I was 11/12 ;) I MISS YOU! :)

Karleen Hadlock, I've known Karleen since shortly after I moved to Erie.. I'm not sure exactly when I met her though. I was probably 8 or 9. Karly is a few years younger than me.. she's always been kind of like a little sister to me, and yet we've always been friends. She used to live at the end of the street I lived on, and I'd go to her house almost every day. I can remember some of the silly things we used to do.. One time we put on dresses, and high heels, and went around the neighborhood stealing people's flowers. Erm.. don't ask me why. I remember I felt so grown up in that dress and etc. ;) Oh well =) Karly and I keep in touch somewhat through email, and occasional phone calls. Karly, I miss you lots, I hope to see you again at some point, I'm glad we still keep in touch. Take care of yourself and when I make it back to Erie, I will get in touch with you ok? *HUGS*

Vanessa White, I'm not really sure what to write about Vanessa.. I haven't talked to her in a long time. I know my mom still keeps in touch with her at times.. Vanessa was almost a sister to me. When mom was dating Ron, and we lived in California... Vanessa is basically Ron's daughter, so she was always like a sister to me. :) We had some fun times, though I know we were rather young.. though she is older than me :) Vanessa is a good person, and I know that I will always admire her. Not only that but she's beautiful =) Take care Vanessa =) Recently when I was in Merced, I stopped by her and Little Ron's house. Vanessa and Little Ron were both at work, but I visited with their mother, Sharon, for awhile. It's too bad I didn't get to see them. :(

Ron White Jr., Little Ron, what can I say about you? :) Little Ron was Ron's son, and almost like a brother to me.. but probably more so to my brothers. Especially Shawn. They used to create havoc in the neighborhood.. from bb gun fights with the neighbors.. (actually shooting one another) to all kinds of stuff. I remember when I first met Little Ron, when I was like 6 or so.. I thought he was cute. Of course, it didn't take me long to realize that he was practically my brother, so I forgot about that pretty fast ;) I think Little Ron is in the army now, or something.. And I recently found out during my trip to California that he's currently engaged. We don't talk often, though I did talk to him on the phone once while in Cali. I did see pictures of him, and I might add, he's still cute ;) *Laugh* Anyhow.. :)

Ron White Sr., Ron.. He's probably the hardest person to describe. He was so close to a father to me. Yet, so far from one as well. Out of all the people my mom has dated, Ron was my favorite. He's really a great guy, though he's got his problems, too. He calls from time to time, though not too often. I still enjoy hearing from him, and someday I'm going to see him again. I always used to say I'd make it out to Cali to see him, but I did make it to Cali, and I tried to call him and was unable to reach him. :( So close, yet so far.

Ok well I plan to add more, but it's going to have to wait for now because I'm extremely lazy ;p So that's all for now...